bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Applications of Metagenomics for Detection of Tickborne Pathogens
Authors: Rodino Kyle G , Pritt Bobbi S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Tick populations have expanded in many parts of the globe, bringing with them an enhanced appreciation and discovery of novel tickborne pathogens, as well an increased in reported human cases of tickborne disease. Targeted and unbiased (shotgun) clinical metagenomic sequencing tests are increasingly used for detection of known and emerging infectious agents and have recently been employed for detection of tickborne pathogens.

Content
This review describes the types of metagenomic sequencing assays used for detection of emerging tickborne pathogens and reviews the recent literature on this topic. Important diagnostic and interpretative challenges are also covered.

Summary
Metagenomic analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for detection, discovery, characterization, and classification of tickborne pathogens. Shotgun metagenomics is especially promising because it allows for detection of all tickborne bacteria, viruses, and parasites in a single specimen. Despite the potential advantages, there are several important challenges, including high cost, complexity of testing and interpretation, and slow turnaround time. No doubt, these challenges will diminish with increased use and advances in the field.
Incivility as a Violation of Communication Norms—A Typology Based on Normative Expectations toward Political Communication
Authors: Bormann Marike , Tranow Ulf , Vowe Gerhard , Ziegele Marc 
Published: October 2021

AbstractResearch on incivility in political communication usually defines uncivil communication as a violation of established norms. Few studies, however, have specified these norms and corroborated them using relevant theoretical concepts. This article aims at strengthening the foundations of incivility research by analytically reconstructing the potential normative expectations of communication participants toward the behavior of others in offline and online political communication. We propose that these expectations can be considered as communication norms, which enable cooperative communication in political debates and conflicts. We use action theory, evolutionary anthropology, and linguistics to propose a norm concept that differentiates five communication norms: an information norm, a modality norm, a process norm, a relation norm, and a context norm. Drawing on these norms, we propose new definitions of incivility and civility. We also provide a comprehensive typology of norm violations that can be used as a heuristic for empirical research.
The prognostic impact of mechanical atrial dysfunction and atrial fibrillation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Weerts Jerremy , Barandiarán Aizpurua Arantxa , Henkens Michiel T H M , Lyon Aurore , van Mourik Manouk J W , van Gemert Mathijs R A A , Raafs Anne , Sanders-van Wijk Sandra , Bayés-Genís Antoni , Heymans Stephane R B , Crijns Harry J G M , Brunner-La Rocca Hans-Peter , Lumens Joost , van Empel Vanessa P M , Knackstedt Christian 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAimsThis study assessed the prognostic implications of mechanical atrial dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients with different stages of atrial fibrillation (AF) in detail.Methods and resultsHFpEF patients (n = 258) systemically underwent an extensive clinical characterization, including 24-h Holter monitoring and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Patients were categorized according to rhythm and stages of AF: 112 with no history of AF (no AF), 56 with paroxysmal AF (PAF), and 90 with sustained (persistent/permanent) AF (SAF). A progressive decrease in mechanical atrial function was seen: left atrial reservoir strain (LASr) 30.5 ± 10.5% (no AF), 22.3 ± 10.5% (PAF), and 13.9 ± 7.8% (SAF), P &lt; 0.001. Independent predictors for lower LASr values were AF, absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, higher N-terminal-pro hormone B-type natriuretic peptide, left atrial volume index, and relative wall thickness, lower left ventricular global longitudinal strain, and echocardiographic signs of elevated left ventricular filling pressure. LASr was an independent predictor of adverse outcome (hazard ratio per 1% decrease =1.049, 95% confidence interval 1.014–1.085, P = 0.006), whereas AF was not when the multivariable model included LASr. Moreover, LASr mediated the adverse outcome associated with AF in HFpEF (P = 0.008).ConclusionMechanical atrial dysfunction has a possible greater prognostic role in HFpEF compared to AF status alone. Mechanical atrial dysfunction is a predictor of adverse outcome independently of AF presence or stage, and may be an underlying mechanism (mediator) for the worse outcome associated with AF in HFpEF. This may suggest mechanical atrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in disease progression in HFpEF patients with AF, and possibly also in HFpEF patients without AF.
Acute heart failure and bradyarrhythmia in a young male—what hides beneath the surface?: a case report
Authors: Santos João , Almeida Inês , Pires Inês , Blanco Filipe 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are characterized by early-onset muscular atrophy and weakness, with frequent cardiac involvement. Myocardial dysfunction and conduction system involvement are often rapidly progressive despite medical and device therapy, and may even precede muscular symptoms, posing a challenge to diagnosis.

Case summary
We report a case of a young male admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit due to ‘de novo’ acute heart failure (HF) and atrial flutter with a slow ventricular response. Careful evaluation of past medical history revealed the presence of neuromuscular symptoms since childhood, disregarded throughout adult age. Diagnostic workup allowed to establish a diagnosis of non-dilated hypokinetic cardiomyopathy secondary to Emery-Dreifuss MD, due to lamin A/C (LMNA) gene mutation. Our patient was treated with neurohormonal modulation therapy and a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) was implanted, but due to worsening advanced HF, cardiac transplantation was needed.

Discussion
Association of skeletal muscle and cardiac symptoms should always raise the suspicion for an underlying MD, since the consequences of a missed diagnosis are often dramatic. A timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent sudden death due to arrhythmias in these patients and to delay the progressive course of cardiomyopathy.
A C-terminal ataxin-2 disordered region promotes Huntingtin protein aggregation and neurodegeneration in Drosophila models of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Huelsmeier Joern , Walker Emily , Bakthavachalu Baskar , Ramaswami Mani 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
The Ataxin-2 (Atx2) protein contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative phenotypes in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), type 2 spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA-2), Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease (HD). However, because the Atx2 protein contains multiple separable activities, deeper understanding requires experiments to address the exact mechanisms by which Atx2 modulates neurodegeneration (ND) progression. Recent work on two ALS models, C9ORF72 and FUS, in Drosophila has shown that a C-terminal intrinsically disordered region (cIDR) of Atx2 protein, required for assembly of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules, is essential for the progression of neurodegenerative phenotypes as well as for accumulation of protein inclusions associated with these ALS models. Here, we show that the Atx2-cIDR also similarly contributes to the progression of degenerative phenotypes and accumulation of Huntingtin protein aggregates in Drosophila models of HD. Because Huntingtin is not an established component of RNP granules, these observations support a recently hypothesized, unexpected protein-handling function for RNP granules, which could contribute to the progression of Huntington’s disease and, potentially, other proteinopathies.
Estimating the impact process of the Jeokjung-Chogye Basin in Korea from gravity field interpretation
Authors: Choi Sungchan , Kim Sung-Wook , Choi Eun-Kyeong , Lee Young-Cheol 
Published: October 2021

SUMMARY
The Jeokjung-Chogye Basin (JCB) is the first impact crater discovered in the Korean peninsula. The geometric centre of the exterior crater rim is demarcated by an elevation high surrounding the JCB, exceeding 200 m. The diameter of the exterior ring is approximately 6500 m, and its centre is located about 1000 m southwest of the basin centre. Using terrestrial measured gravity field interpretations such as dip curvature and Z-derivative analysis of the residual anomaly field, we calculated the diameters of the peak ring and uplift ring to be about 4000 and 1500 m, respectively. The centre of the peak ring is located approximately 350 m to the west of the centre of the exterior ring; meanwhile, the centre of the uplift ring is located about 300 m to the east from the exterior ring's centre. Application of the Euler deconvolution method indicates that the depth discrepancy between the peak and uplift rings is approximately 200 m. This discrepancy indicates that the bedrock under the uplift ring has risen about 200 m following the meteorite impact. The offsets of the peak and the uplift ring's centres, relative to the diameter of the crater centre, allow us to conclude that the JCB was formed by steeply inclined impact (∼50–60° to the horizontal) from the eastern direction.
Intracolonic Neuropeptide Y Y1 Receptor Inhibition Attenuates Intestinal Inflammation in Murine Colitis and Cytokine Release in IBD Biopsies
Authors: Chandrasekharan Bindu , Boyer Darra , Owens Joshua A , Wolfarth Alexandra A , Saeedi Bejan J , Dhere Tanvi , Iskandar Heba , Neish Andrew S 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
We have demonstrated that neuropeptide Y (NPY) can regulate pro-inflammatory signaling in the gut via cross-talk with the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here, we investigated if selective blocking of NPY receptors, NPY1R or NPY2R, using small molecule non-peptide antagonists (BIBP-3222 for NPY1R and BIIE-0246 for NPY2R) in the colon could attenuate intestinal inflammation by lowering TNF levels (BIBP - N-[(1R)]-4-[(Aminoiminomethyl)amino-1-[[[(4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]amino]carbonyl]butyl-α-phenylbenzeneacetamide; BIIE - N-[(1S)-4-[(Aminoiminomethyl)amino]-1-[[[2-(3,5-dioxo-1,2-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolidin-4-yl)ethyl]amino]carbonyl]butyl]-1-[2-[4-(6,11-dihydro-6-oxo-5H-dibenz[b,e]azepin-11-yl)-1-piperazinyl]-2-oxoethyl]-cyclopentaneacetamide). Colitis was induced using dextran sodium sulfate in drinking water for 7 days, or by adoptive T-cell transfer in RAG-/- mice. Colonic biopsies from healthy subjects (n = 10) and IBD patients (n = 34, UC = 20, CD = 14) were cultured ex vivo in presence or absence of NPY antagonists (100 µM, 20 h), and cytokine release into culture supernatants was measured by ELISA. Intracolonic administration of BIBP (but not BIIE) significantly reduced clinical, endoscopic, and histological scores, and serum TNF, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12p70 in DSS colitis; it also significantly attenuated histological damage and serum IL-6 in T-cell colitis (P &lt; .05). Intracolonic administration of BIBP significantly reduced TNF and interferon (IFN)-γ release from UC biopsies, whereas BIIE downregulated only IFN-γ (P &lt; .05). BIBP significantly reduced TNF and interferon (IFN)-γ release from UC biopsies, whereas BIIE downregulated only IFN-γ (P &lt; .05). Our data suggest a promising therapeutic value for NPY1R inhibition in alleviating intestinal inflammation in UC, possibly as enemas to IBD patients.
Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA Identifies Asymptomatic Infection in First Responders
Authors: Montague Brian T , Wipperman Matthew F , Hooper Andrea T , Hamon Sara C , Crow Rowena , Elemo Femi , Hersh Lisa , Langdon Shaun , Hamilton Jennifer D , O’Brien Meagan P , Simões Eric A F 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an important component of the early immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Prior serosurveys in high-risk groups employing IgG testing alone have provided discordant estimates. The potential added benefit of IgA in serosurveys has not been established.

Methods
Longitudinal serosurvey of first responders (police, emergency medical service providers, fire fighters, and other staff) employing 3 serologic tests (anti-spike IgA, anti-spike IgG, and anti-nucleocapsid IgG) correlated with surveys assessing occupational and nonoccupational risk, exposure to COVID-19, and illnesses consistent with COVID-19.

Results
Twelve percent of first responders in Colorado at baseline and 22% at follow-up were assessed as having SARS-CoV-2 infection. Five percent at baseline and 6% at follow-up were seropositive only for IgA. Among those IgA positive only at baseline, the majority (69%) had a positive antibody at follow-up; 45% of those infected at baseline and 33% at follow-up were asymptomatic. At all time points, the estimated cumulative incidence in our study was higher than that in the general population.

Conclusions
First responders are at high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. IgA testing identified a significant portion of cases missed by IgG testing and its use as part of serologic surveys may improve retrospective identification of asymptomatic infection.
Small dose of oral gastrografin for computed tomography-based image-guided brachytherapy in patients with uterine cervical cancer
Authors: Maemoto Hitoshi , Ogura Takuto , Toita Takafumi , Ariga Takuro , Hashimoto Seiji , Kawakami Yuka , Ishikawa Kazuki , Takehara Shota , Heianna Joichi , Kudaka Wataru , Aoki Yoichi , Nishie Akihiro 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Oral administration of a water-soluble iodine contrast agent (gastrografin) was reported to assist in the appropriate contouring of the small intestine on computed tomography (CT)-based radiotherapy (RT) planning. The efficacy and optimal dose of gastrografin in CT-based image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT) for cervical cancer remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of pretreatment oral administration of gastrografin at a small dose of 50 ml in CT-based IGBT for cervical cancer. A total of 422 sessions in 137 patients who underwent CT-based IGBT with 50 ml of oral gastrografin (concentration, 3% or 4%) were analyzed. Preparation of gastrografin was judged as effective when the small intestine was contrast-enhanced at the area where the small intestine was in contact with the uterus/adnexa. About 287 out of 422 sessions (68%) were judged as effective with gastrografin preparation. The 135 ineffective sessions were considered as follows: (i) the contrast enhancement of the small intestine was not confirmed (n = 36), (ii) the small intestine was not in contact with the uterus/adnexa despite the confirmation of the contrast enhancement of the small intestine (n = 34), and (iii) gastrografin was absent in the small intestine at the area in contact with the uterus/adnexa, even when gastrografin was observed in the small intestine at the area not in contact with the uterus/adnexa (n = 65). In conclusion, pretreatment oral administration of a small dose gastrografin achieved moderate efficacy for accurate contouring of the small intestine close to the uterus/adnexa in CT-based IGBT for cervical cancer.
Lyme Carditis With Complete Heart Block Successfully Treated With Oral Doxycycline
Authors: Burns Michael , Robben Paul , Venkataraman Ramesh 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT
Lyme disease is a vector-borne infection that can affect multiple different organ systems. Lyme carditis represents one of these sequelae and is defined by acute onset of high-grade atrioventricular block in the presence of laboratory-confirmed infection. Current guidelines recommend patients with Lyme carditis be admitted for close cardiac monitoring and intravenous antibiotics therapy. Our case illustrates an active duty male who was initially diagnosed with Lyme disease after initially reporting symptoms including headache, fever, eye pain, and rash, with subsequent development of exercise intolerance 6 weeks later. An electrocardiogram (ECG) obtained at that time was misinterpreted as first-degree heart block, and he was initiated on oral doxycycline therapy and referred to cardiology. On follow-up to cardiology clinic, the prior ECG was reviewed and interpreted as complete heart block. A repeat ECG showed resolution of the heart block, and exercise stress testing showed chronotropic competence. This case illustrates the resolution of complete heart block in Lyme carditis with oral doxycycline, suggesting this antibiotic as a possible alternative treatment agent.
Long-lasting accretion-powered chemical heating of millisecond pulsars
Authors: Kantor E M , Gusakov M E 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT
We analyse the effect of magnetic field in superconducting neutron star (NS) cores on the chemical heating of millisecond pulsars (MSPs). We argue that the magnetic field destroys proton superconductivity in some volume fraction of the stellar core, thus allowing for unsuppressed non-equilibrium reactions of particle mutual transformations there. The reactions transform the chemical energy, accumulated by an NS core during the low-mass X-ray binary stage, into heat. This heating may keep an NS warm at the MSP stage (with the surface temperature $\sim 10^5\, \rm K$) for more than a billion of years after ceasing of accretion, without appealing to the rotochemical heating mechanism.
RNAInter v4.0: RNA interactome repository with redefined confidence scoring system and improved accessibility
Authors: Kang Juanjuan , Tang Qiang , He Jun , Li Le , Yang Nianling , Yu Shuiyan , Wang Mengyao , Zhang Yuchen , Lin Jiahao , Cui Tianyu , Hu Yongfei , Tan Puwen , Cheng Jun , Zheng Hailong , Wang Dong , Su Xi , Chen Wei , Huang Yan 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Establishing an RNA-associated interaction repository facilitates the system-level understanding of RNA functions. However, as these interactions are distributed throughout various resources, an essential prerequisite for effectively applying these data requires that they are deposited together and annotated with confidence scores. Hence, we have updated the RNA-associated interaction database RNAInter (RNA Interactome Database) to version 4.0, which is freely accessible at http://www.rnainter.org or http://www.rna-society.org/rnainter/. Compared with previous versions, the current RNAInter not only contains an enlarged data set, but also an updated confidence scoring system. The merits of this 4.0 version can be summarized in the following points: (i) a redefined confidence scoring system as achieved by integrating the trust of experimental evidence, the trust of the scientific community and the types of tissues/cells, (ii) a redesigned fully functional database that enables for a more rapid retrieval and browsing of interactions via an upgraded user-friendly interface and (iii) an update of entries to &gt;47 million by manually mining the literature and integrating six database resources with evidence from experimental and computational sources. Overall, RNAInter will provide a more comprehensive and readily accessible RNA interactome platform to investigate the regulatory landscape of cellular RNAs.
LncRNAWiki 2.0: a knowledgebase of human long non-coding RNAs with enhanced curation model and database system
Authors: Liu Lin , Li Zhao , Liu Chang , Zou Dong , Li Qianpeng , Feng Changrui , Jing Wei , Luo Sicheng , Zhang Zhang , Ma Lina 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
LncRNAWiki, a knowledgebase of human long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), has been rapidly expanded by incorporating more experimentally validated lncRNAs. Since it was built based on MediaWiki as its database system, it fails to manage data in a structured way and is ineffective to support systematic exploration of lncRNAs. Here we present LncRNAWiki 2.0 (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/lncrnawiki), which is significantly improved with enhanced database system and curation model. In LncRNAWiki 2.0, all contents are organized in a structured manner powered by MySQL/Java and curators are able to submit/edit annotations based on the curation model that includes a wider range of annotation items. Moreover, it is equipped with popular online tools to help users identify lncRNAs with potentially important functions, and provides more user-friendly web interfaces to facilitate data curation, retrieval and visualization. Consequently, LncRNAWiki 2.0 incorporates a total of 2512 lncRNAs and 106 242 associations for disease, function, drug, interacting partner, molecular signature, experimental sample, CRISPR design, etc., thus providing a comprehensive and up-to-date resource of functionally annotated lncRNAs in human.
Real-world Assessment of 2,879 COVID-19 Patients Treated with Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Cooper Megan H , Christensen Paul A , Salazar Eric , Perez Katherine K , Graviss Edward A , Nguyen Duc , Musser James M , Huang Howard J , Liebl Michael G 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread globally and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Anti-spike protein monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy has been shown to prevent progression to severe COVID-19 disease. The objective of this study was to report the outcomes of high-risk, SARS-CoV-2-positive patients infused with one of the three mAb available through FDA emergency use authorization (EUA).

Methods
A total of 4,328 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients that satisfied EUA criteria for eligibility for receiving mAb therapy were infused with bamlanivimab or combination therapies bamlanivimab-etesevimab or casirivimab-imdevimab from November 22, 2020, to May 31, 2021, at six infusion clinics and multiple emergency departments within the eight Houston Methodist Hospitals in Houston, Texas. The primary outcome of hospital admission within 14- and 28-days post-infusion was assessed relative to a propensity-score matched cohort, matched based on age, race/ethnicity, median income by zip code, body mass index, comorbidities, and positive PCR date. Secondary outcomes included ICU admission and mortality.

Results
A total of 2,879 infused patients and matched controls were included in the analysis, including 1,718 patients infused with bamlanivimab, 346 patients infused with bamlanivimab-etesevimab, and 815 patients infused with casirivimab-imdevimab. Hospital admission and mortality rates were significantly decreased overall in mAb-infused patients relative to matched controls. Among the infused cohort, those who received casirivimab-imdevimab had significantly decreased rate of admission relative to the other two mAbs groups (aRR = 0.51, p=0.001).

Conclusions
Treatment with bamlanivimab, bamlanivimab-etesevimab, or casirivimab-imdevimab significantly decreased the number of patients who progressed to severe COVID-19 disease and required hospitalization.