bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analyzing Surgical Volumes, Rates, and Need in Rural India
Authors: Zadey Siddhesh , Nickenig Vissoci Joao Ricardo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundGlobally, 5 billion people lack timely access to safe and affordable surgical care, with over a fifth of them living in India. Solving India’s surgical access issues can have high returns on investment. While healthcare access and unaffordability problems are well-known in India particularly among its rural people, research on surgical volumes and need is scant. This study attempts to fill the research gap through high-resolution nationwide estimates that have direct implications for India’s national surgical plan.MethodsSecondary data analysis with a diverse geospatial and statistical toolbox was used to create the national, state, and district-level estimates for surgical rates and c- section proportions and their corresponding met need w.r.t. to the globally prescribed thresholds – 5000 major surgeries (those requiring anesthesia) per 100,000 (Lancet Commission on Global Surgery) and 10-15% of all institutional deliveries (World Health Organization).ResultsNationally, only 6.81% of need for major surgical operations was met for rural India. 13.6% of the institutional deliveries were c-sections falling within the WHO- prescribed range of 10-15%. There were marked variations at state and district-levels and significant rural-urban differences for surgical rates and c-section proportions. We validate our estimates based on data from Health Management and Information System against existing sources that are commonly used in academic and policy research.ConclusionsOur methodological workflow has high translational value for global surgery research in low-and-middle-income countries. For India, these are the first such nationwide findings that can direct the development of a National Surgical, Obstetric, and Anesthesia Plan (NSOAP).
Sex-Related Neurocircuitry Supporting Camouflaging in Adults with Autism: Female Protection Insights
Authors: Walsh Melissa J. M. , Pagni Broc , Monahan Leanna , Delaney Shanna , Smith Christopher J. , Baxter Leslie , Braden B. Blair 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe male preponderance in autism led to the hypothesis that aspects of female biology are protective against autism. Females with autism report engaging in more compensatory behaviors (i.e., “camouflaging”) to overcome autism-related social differences, which may be a downstream result of protective pathways. No studies have examined sex-related brain pathways supporting camouflaging in females with autism, despite its potential to inform mechanisms underlying the sex bias in autism.This case-control design included 45 non-intellectually-disabled adults with autism (male/female: 21/24) and 40 neurotypical adults (male/female: 19/21) ages 18-71. We used group multivariate voxel pattern analysis to conduct a data-driven, connectome-wide characterization of “sex-atypical” (sex-by-diagnosis) and “sex-typical” (sex) brain functional connectivity features linked to camouflaging, and validated findings in females with autism multi-modally via structural connectometry. Exploratory associations with cognitive control, memory, emotion recognition, and depression/anxiety examined the adaptive nature of functional connectivity patterns supporting camouflaging in females with autism.We found 1) “sex-atypical” functional connectivity patterns predicting camouflaging in the hypothalamus and precuneus and 2) “sex-typical” patterns in the anterior cingulate and right anterior parahippocampus. Higher hypothalamic functional connectivity with a limbic reward cluster was the strongest predictor of camouflaging in females with autism (a “sex-atypical” pattern), and also predicted better cognitive control/emotion recognition. Structural connectometry validated functional connectivity results with consistent brain pathways/effect patterns implicated across multi-modal findings in females with autism.This data-driven, connectome-wide characterization of “sex-atypical” and “sex-typical” brain connectivity features supporting compensatory social behavior in autism suggests hormones may play a role in the autism sex bias. Furthermore, both “male-typical” and “female-typical” brain connectivity patterns are implicated in camouflaging in females with autism in circuits associated with reward, emotion, and memory processing. “Sex-atypical” results are consistent with the fetal steroidogenic hypothesis, which would result in masculinized brain features in females with autism. However, female genetics/biology may contribute to “female-typical” patterns implicated in camouflaging.
Clinically observed deletions in SARS-CoV-2 Nsp1 affect protein stability and its ability to inhibit translation
Authors: Kumar Pravin , Schexnaydre Erin , Rafie Karim , Terenin Ilya , Hauryliuk Vasili , Carlson Lars-Anders 
Published: November 2021

SummaryNonstructural protein 1 (Nsp1) is a major pathogenicity factor of SARS-CoV-2. It inhibits host-cell translation, primarily through a direct interaction between its C-terminal domain and the mRNA entry channel of the 40S small ribosomal subunit, with an N-terminal β-barrel domain fine-tuning the inhibition and promoting selective translation of viral mRNA. SARS-CoV-2 nsp1 is a target of recurring deletions, some of which are associated with altered COVID-19 disease progression. To provide the biochemical basis for this, it is essential to characterize the efficiency of translational inhibition by the said protein variants. Here, we use an in vitro translation system to investigate the translation inhibition capacity of a series of clinically observed Nsp1 deletion variants. We find that a frequently observed deletion of residues 79-89 destabilized the N-terminal domain (NTD) and severely reduced the capacity of Nsp1 to inhibit translation. Interestingly, shorter deletions in the same region have been reported to effect the type I interferon response but did not affect translation inhibition, indicating a possible translation-independent role of the Nsp1 NTD in interferon response modulation. Taken together, our data provide a mechanistic basis for understanding how deletions in Nsp1 influence SARS-CoV-2 induction of interferon response and COVID-19 progression.
Hybridization and introgression are prevalent in Southern European Erysimum (Brassicaceae) species
Authors: Osuna-Mascaró Carolina , de Casas Rafael Rubio , Gómez José M. , Loureiro João , Castro Silvia , Landis Jacob B. , Hopkins Robin , Perfectti Francisco 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsHybridization is a common and important force in plant evolution. One of its outcomes is introgression - the transfer of small genomic regions from one taxon to another by hybridization and repeated backcrossing. This process is believed to be common in glacial refugia, where range expansions and contractions can lead to cycles of sympatry and isolation, creating conditions for extensive hybridization and introgression. Polyploidization is another genome-wide process with a major influence on plant evolution. Both hybridization and polyploidization can have complex effects on plant evolution. However, these effects are often difficult to understand in recently evolved species complexes.MethodsWe combined flow cytometry, transcriptomic and genomic analyses, and pollen-tube growth assays to investigate the consequences of polyploidization, hybridization, and introgression on the recent evolution of several Erysimum (Brassicaceae) species from the South of the Iberian Peninsula, a well-known glacial refugium. This species complex differentiated in the last 2Myr, and its evolution has been hypothesized to be determined mainly by polyploidization, interspecific hybridization, and introgression.Key ResultsOur results support a scenario of widespread hybridization involving both extant and “ghost” taxa. Several taxa studied here, most notably those with purple corollas, are polyploids, likely of allopolyploid origin. Moreover, hybridization in this group might be an ongoing phenomenon, as prezygotic barriers appeared weak in many cases.ConclusionsThe evolution of Erysimum spp. has been determined by hybridization to a large extent. The adaptive value of such genomic exchanges remains unclear, but our results indicate the importance of hybridization for plant diversification across evolutionary scales.
A novel and highly divergent Canine Distemper Virus lineage causing distemper in ferrets in Australia
Authors: George Ankita M. , Wille Michelle , Wang Jianning , Anderson Keith , Cohen Shari , Moselen Jean , Lee Leo Yi Yang , Suen Willy W. , Bingham John , Dalziel Antonia E , Hurt Aeron C. , Williams David T. , Deng Yi-Mo , Barr Ian G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCanine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious systemic viral disease of dogs, that regularly spills-over into other animal species. Despite widespread vaccination, CDV remains endemic in many parts of the world. In this study we report an outbreak of distemper in ferrets in two independent research facilities in Australia. We found that disease severity varied, although most animals had mild to moderate disease signs. Histopathology results of animals with severe disease presented the typical profile of distemper pathology with multi-system virus replication. Through the development of a discriminatory PCR paired with full genome sequencing we revealed that the outbreak at both facilities was caused by a single, novel lineage of CDV. This lineage was highly divergent across the H gene, F signal peptide and full genome and had less than 93% similarity across the H gene to other described lineages, including the vaccine strain. Molecular analysis indicates that this strain belongs to a distinct lineage that diverged from other clades approximately 140 to 400 years ago, and appears to be unique to Australia. Given the differences in key viral proteins of this novel CDV strain, a review of the efficacy of the CDV vaccines currently in use in Australia is warranted to ensure maximum protection of dogs and other vulnerable species. In addition, enhanced surveillance to determine the prevalence of CDV in ferrets, dogs and other at-risk species in Australia would be useful to better understand the diversity of CDV in Australia.ImportanceCanine distemper virus (CDV) is highly contagious and while dogs are the main reservoir, it may spill over into a number of other animal species. In this study we report an outbreak of distemper in ferrets in two research facilities in Australia. Outcomes of pathology and histopathology suggest ferrets have widespread multi-systemic infection, consistent with previously reported distemper infections in ferrets and dogs. Critically, through sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, we revealed that the outbreak at both facilities was caused by a single, novel and highly divergent lineage of CDV. This virus had less than 93% nucleotide similarity to other described lineages and the vaccine strain. This manuscript adds considerably to the epidemiology, ecology and evolution of this virus, and is one of few reports of distemper in Australia in the literature.
Safety and immunogenicity of heterologous and homologous inactivated and adenoviral-vectored COVID-19 vaccines in healthy adults
Authors: Wanlapakorn Nasamon , Suntronwong Nungruthai , Phowatthanasathian Harit , Yorsaeng Ritthideach , Vichaiwattana Preeyaporn , Thongmee Thanunrat , Auphimai Chompoonut , Srimuan Donchida , Thatsanatorn Thaksaporn , Assawakosri Suvichada , Kanokudom Sitthichai , Sudhinaraset Natthinee , Poovorawan Yong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn light of intermittent supply shortages of individual vaccines and evidence of rare but serious adverse events after vaccination, heterologous regimens for COVID-19 vaccines have gained significant interest. This study aims to assess the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the heterologous adenoviral vector vaccine regimen (ChAdOx1-S, AstraZeneca; hereafter referred to as AZ) and the inactivated vaccine regimen (CoronaVac; hereafter referred to as CV) regimen in healthy Thai adults immunized between June and September 2021. Our study showed that adverse events following homologous CV-CV and AZ-AZ, and heterologous CV-AZ and AZ-CV combinations, were mild and well tolerated overall. Receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibody responses and neutralizing activities against wild-type and variants of concern after two-dose vaccination were higher in the heterologous CV-AZ and homologous AZ-AZ groups compared to the CV-CV and AZ-CV groups. Conversely, the spike-specific IgA response was detected only in the CV-AZ group after two doses of vaccination. The total interferon gamma response was detected in both the CV-AZ and AZ-CV groups after the two-dose vaccination. Given the shorter completion time of two doses, heterologous CoronaVac followed by ChAdOx1-S can be considered as an alternative regimen to homologous efficacy-proven ChAdOx1-S in countries with circulating variants. Additional studies on the efficacy and durability of immune responses induced by heterologous vaccine regimens are warranted.
Costly Miscommunication: College Students with Disabilities’ Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccine Costs
Authors: Taylor Z.W. , Charran Chelseaia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractInstitutions of higher education have mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for students wishing to return to an on-campus, in-person learning experience. However, college students with disabilities (SWDs) may be hesitant to take a COVID-19 vaccine for a variety of reasons, possibly delaying or denying these students’ access to higher education. Yet, an under-researched aspect of COVID-19 vaccinations and related communication is whether college students with disabilities understand that the COVID-19 vaccine is free and whether that understanding varies by intersectional identities. As a result, this study’s research team surveyed 245 college students with disabilities to explore these students’ knowledge of vaccine costs and whether differences exist between groups. Data suggests many college students with disabilities do not know that COVID-19 vaccinations are free: White/Caucasian SWDs were most aware of COVID-19 vaccines being free (23.6%), while Latinx students were least aware (1.3%). Moreover, women were more aware of free COVID-19 vaccines (14.8%) than men (11.4%), first generation college students were more aware (15.6%) than non-first generation college students (12.2%), and full-time students (19%) were more aware than part-time students (8.9%). Overall, less than 25% of SWDs understood that COVID-19 vaccines are free. Implications for health communication, vaccine awareness, and higher education policy are addressed.
Evaluation of a Machine Learning Approach Utilizing Wearable Data for Prediction of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Workers
Authors: Hirten Robert P. , Tomalin Lewis , Danieletto Matteo , Golden Eddye , Zweig Micol , Kaur Sparshdeep , Helmus Drew , Biello Anthony , Pyzik Renata , Bottinger Erwin P , Keefer Laurie , Charney Dennis , Nadkarni Girish N. , Suarez-Farinas Mayte , Fayad Zahi A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractImportancePassive and non-invasive identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a challenge. Widespread use of wearable devices represents an opportunity to leverage physiological metrics and fill this knowledge gap.ObjectiveTo determine whether a machine learning model can detect SARS-CoV-2 infection from physiological metrics collected from wearable devices.DesignA multicenter observational study enrolling health care workers with remote follow-up.SettingSeven hospitals from the Mount Sinai Health System in New York CityParticipantsEligibility criteria included health care workers who were ≥18 years, employees of one of the participating hospitals, with at least an iPhone series 6, and willing to wear an Apple Watch Series 4 or higher. We excluded participants with underlying autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, and medications known to interfere with autonomic function. We enrolled participants between April 29th, 2020, and March 2nd, 2021, and followed them for a median of 73 days (range, 3-253 days). Participants provided patient-reported outcome measures through a custom smartphone application and wore an Apple Watch, collecting heart rate variability and heart rate data, throughout the follow-up period.ExposureParticipants were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection over time due to ongoing community spread.Main Outcome and MeasureThe primary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 infection, defined as ±7 days from a self-reported positive SARS-CoV-2 nasal PCR test.ResultsWe enrolled 407 participants with 49 (12%) having a positive SARS-CoV-2 test during follow-up. We examined five machine-learning approaches and found that gradient-boosting machines (GBM) had the most favorable 10-CV performance. Across all testing sets, our GBM model predicted SARS-CoV-2 infection with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic (auROC)=85% (Confidence Interval 83-88%). The model was calibrated to improve sensitivity over specificity, achieving an average sensitivity of 76% (CI ±∼4%) and specificity of 84% (CI ±∼0.4%). The most important predictors included parameters describing the circadian HRV mean (MESOR) and peak-timing (acrophase), and age.Conclusions and RelevanceWe show that a tree-based ML algorithm applied to physiological metrics passively collected from a wearable device can identify and predict SARS-CoV2 infection. Utilizing physiological metrics from wearable devices may improve screening methods and infection tracking.
Inhaled Corticosteroids for Outpatients with Covid-19: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lee Todd C. , Bortolussi-Courval Émilie , Belga Sara , Daneman Nick , Chan Adrienne K. , Hanula Ryan , Ezer Nicole , McDonald Emily G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe role of inhaled corticosteroids for outpatient COVID-19 is evolving. We meta-analyzed reported clinical trials and estimated probability of any effect and number needed to treat of 50 or 20 for symptom resolution by day 14 [100%, 99.8%, 93.1%] and hospitalization [89.3%, 72.9%, 26.7%] respectively.
Association of preference and frequency of teleworking with work functioning impairment: a nationwide cross-sectional study of Japanese full-time employees
Authors: Yamashita Satoshi , Ishimaru Tomohiro , Nagata Tomohisa , Tateishi Seiichiro , Hino Ayako , Tsuji Mayumi , Ikegami Kazunori , Muramatsu Keiji , Fujino Yoshihisa ,   the CORoNaWork Project
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveWe examined whether teleworking preference and frequency were associated with work functioning impairment.MethodsThis online cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire among 27,036 full-time Japanese workers. The Work Functioning Impairment Scale was used to measure work functioning impairment, and we performed multilevel logistic regression analysis.ResultsHigher odds ratios for work functioning impairment were observed among employees who preferred to telework compared with those who preferred working in the workplace. A similar trend was observed among employees who teleworked 4 or more days a week compared with those who almost never teleworked. When teleworking preference and frequency were adjusted, only teleworking preference was associated with work functioning impairment.ConclusionsA preference for teleworking was associated with work functioning impairment and one factor that increased the teleworking frequency.
Cellular and humoral Immune response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in subjects with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Lyski Zoe L. , Kim Myung S. , Xthona Lee David , Raué Hans-Peter , Raghunathan Vikram , Griffin Janet , Ryan Debbie , Brunton Amanda E. , Curlin Marcel E. , Slifka Mark K. , Messer William B. , Spurgeon Stephen E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractChronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is predominantly a B-lymphocyte leukemia associated with immune defects that are often exacerbated by CLL directed therapies. SARS-CoV-2 infection poses a significant risk of illness or mortality to CLL patients, and while SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are highly effective in immunocompetent individuals, efficacy varies substantially in immunocompromised patients, including those with CLL. To date, studies of COVID-19 vaccine immune responses in immunocompromised hosts have largely relied on semi-quantitative antibody titers that only partially characterize vaccine-elicited immune responses and do not measure B or T-cell specific responses that may also play a protective role in vaccinees. Here, we report RBD-specific antibody as well as B-cell and T-cell responses in an observational cohort of sixteen CLL subjects who received mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, finding a strong association between CLL treatment and vaccine immunogenicity, with important implications for vaccination timing in the context of CLL treatment or recovery from prior treatment.
HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells in tonsils express exhaustive TRM-like signatures
Authors: Fardoos Rabiah , Nyquist Sarah K. , Asowata Osaretin E. , Kazer Samuel W. , Singh Alveera , Ngoepe Abigail , Giandhari Janifer , Mthabela Ntombifuthi , Ramjit Dirhona , Singh Samita , Karim Farina , Buus Søren , Anderson Frank , Porterfield James Z. , Sibiya Andile L. , Bipath Rishan , Moodley Kumeshan , Kuhn Warren , Berger Bonnie , Nguyen Son , Oliveira Tulio de , Ndung’u Thumbi , Goulder Philip , Shalek Alex K. , Leslie Alasdair , Kløverpris Henrik N. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLymphoid tissues are an important HIV reservoir site that persists in the face of antiretroviral therapy and natural immunity. Targeting these reservoirs by harnessing the antiviral activity of local tissue resident memory ( TRM) CD8+ T-cells is of great interest, but limited data exist on TRMs within lymph nodes of people living with HIV (PLWH). Here, we studied tonsil CD8+ T-cells obtained from PLWH and uninfected controls from South Africa. We show that these cells are preferentially located outside the germinal centers (GCs), the main reservoir site for HIV, and display a low cytolytic and transcriptionally TRM-like profile that is distinct from blood. In PLWH, CD8+ TRM-like cells are highly expanded and adopt a more cytolytic, activated and exhausted phenotype characterized by increased expression of CD69, PD-1 and perforin, but reduced CD127. This phenotype was enhanced in HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells from tonsils compared to matched blood. Single-cell profiling of these cells revealed a clear transcriptional signature of T-cell activation, clonal expansion and exhaustion ex-vivo. In contrast, this signature was absent from HIV-specific CD8+ T-cells in tonsils isolated from a natural HIV controller, who expressed lower levels of cell surface PD-1 and CXCR5, and reduced transcriptional evidence of T-cell activation, exhaustion and cytolytic activity. Thus, we show that HIV-specific TRM-like CD8+ T-cells in tonsils from non-HIV controllers are enriched for activation and exhaustion profiles compared to those in blood, suggesting that lymphoid HIV-specific CD8+ TRM cells are potentially ideal candidates for immunotherapy to modulate their ability to targeting the HIV reservoirs.