bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 Blood RNA Load Predicts Outcome in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Heinrich Fabian , Nentwich Michael F , Bibiza-Freiwald Eric , Nörz Dominik , Roedl Kevin , Christner Martin , Hoffmann Armin , Olearo Flaminia , Kluge Stefan , Aepfelbacher Martin , Wichmann Dominic , Lütgehetmann Marc , Pfefferle Susanne 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA loads in patient specimens may act as a clinical outcome predictor in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods
We evaluated the predictive value of viral RNA loads and courses in the blood compared with the upper and lower respiratory tract loads of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Daily specimen collection and viral RNA quantification by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed in all consecutive 170 COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and February 2021 during the entire intensive care unit (ICU) stay (4145 samples analyzed). Patients were grouped according to their 90-day outcome as survivors (n=100) or nonsurvivors (n=70).

Results
In nonsurvivors, blood SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads were significantly higher at the time of admission to the ICU (P=.0009). Failure of blood RNA clearance was observed in 33/50 (66%) of the nonsurvivors compared with 12/64 (19%) survivors (P&lt;.0001). As determined by multivariate analysis, taking sociodemographic and clinical parameters into account, blood SARS-CoV-2 RNA load represents a valid and independent predictor of outcome in critically ill COVID-19 patients (odds ratio [OR; log10], 0.23; 95% CI, 0.12–0.42; P&lt;.0001), with a significantly higher effect for survival compared with respiratory tract SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads (OR [log10], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.66–0.85; P&lt;.0001). Blood RNA loads exceeding 2.51×103 SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies/mL were found to indicate a 50% probability of death. Consistently, 29/33 (88%) nonsurvivors with failure of virus clearance exceeded this cutoff value constantly.

Conclusions
Blood SARS-CoV-2 load is an important independent outcome predictor and should be further evaluated for treatment allocation and patient monitoring.
Carbon dioxide responsiveness mitigates rice yield loss under high night temperature
Authors: Bahuguna Rajeev Nayan , Chaturvedi Ashish Kumar , Pal Madan , Viswanathan Chinnusamy , Jagadish S V Krishna , Pareek Ashwani 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Increasing night-time temperatures are a major threat to sustaining global rice (Oryza sativa L.) production. A simultaneous increase in [CO2] will lead to an inevitable interaction between elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]) and high night temperature (HNT) under current and future climates. Here, we conducted field experiments to identify [CO2] responsiveness from a diverse indica panel comprising 194 genotypes under different planting geometries in 2016. Twenty-three different genotypes were tested under different planting geometries and e[CO2] using a free-air [CO2] enrichment facility in 2017. The most promising genotypes and positive and negative controls were tested under HNT and e[CO2] + HNT in 2018. [CO2] responsiveness, measured as a composite response index on different yield components, grain yield, and photosynthesis, revealed a strong relationship (R2 = 0.71) between low planting density and e[CO2]. The most promising genotypes revealed significantly lower (P &lt; 0.001) impact of HNT in high [CO2] responsive (HCR) genotypes compared to the least [CO2] responsive genotype. [CO2] responsiveness was the major driver determining grain yield and related components in HCR genotypes with a negligible yield loss under HNT. A systematic investigation highlighted that active selection and breeding for [CO2] responsiveness can lead to maintained carbon balance and compensate for HNT-induced yield losses in rice and potentially other C3 crops under current and future warmer climates.
Flexible learner or imposter? Learning A Level mathematics in England through the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Golding Jennie 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWe evidence English teacher and student perspectives on the learning of pre-university mathematics ‘A Level’ courses through the pandemic period to July 2021. Data are drawn from a 2017–21 classroom-close study of enactment of such courses in 13 fairly representative centres, using an institutional ethnographic approach. The pandemic picture was generally one of the significant and sustained negative impacts, though over the course of the study, respondents reported progress in addressing early limitations in the harnessing of digital platforms for learning. A small number of participating students reported home-based study beneficial for their mathematics learning, and a bigger group identified some wider benefits that partly offset the challenges. Most participating 16–18-year-old students, though, reported finding remote learning of mathematics both demanding and limiting. Pandemic constraints impacted most strongly on opportunities to engage with newer emphases within A Level courses: problem solving, reasoning, modelling, statistics and mechanics. Receiving academics reported that mathematical preparedness, and confidence, for mathematics-intense university courses has also been widely affected, with a bigger range of preparedness and confidence than usual. The study draws attention to the importance of studying subject-specific impact and drawing on student as well as teacher perceptions. It exposes a range of consequences of the cancellation of examinations and a need to develop and share effective pedagogies for working remotely with pre-university students.
Turner syndrome mosaicism: Challenges in identification and management in primary care
Authors: Bryant Pamela H. , Jacoby Delwin , Bunch Miriam , Speck Patricia M. 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT
The spectrum of Turner syndrome (TS) includes Turner syndrome mosaicism (TSM), which is typically a nonhereditary chromosomal abnormality. Turner syndrome mosaicism presents uncommonly to primary care providers (PCPs), who often fail to recognize the subtle signs. The average age at diagnosis for common TS and TSM karyotype is 5.4 years, averaging 7.3 years. Often genetic confirmation, management, and recommended surveillance are delayed. Oftentimes, the PCP suspects a genetic etiology of an unusual phenotype, such as pinna placement or other unusual ear configurations, webbed neck with low posterior hairline, wide-spaced nipples, or short stature among other presentations. The PCP or geneticist orders diagnostic studies to confirm the diagnosis, such as a karyotype. After diagnosis, the PCP refers to the geneticist who initiates surveillance and makes recommendations for management. There are potential neurocognitive, cardiovascular, renal, reproductive, and endocrine issues. Treatment literature is vague and parental concerns are linked to quality mental health and quality of life for the family member with TS or TSM. The purpose of this article was to use a case study to introduce the topic of TS and TSM and to assist the PCP in the identification and management of patient and family concerns.
Systematic Curriculum Mapping of Virtual Patient Assignments to End-of-Program Outcomes
Authors: Altmiller Gerry , Alexy Eileen , Dzubaty Dolores , Jakubowski Tami , Kartoz Connie R. 
Published: October 2021

Background:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual clinical learning assignments replaced onsite clinical instruction in many prelicensure nursing programs, but the alignment of those learning experiences to end-of-program outcomes was unknown.

Purpose:
This article describes the process and results of mapping student competencies gained via virtual patient simulation experiences to a program's end-of-program outcomes and accrediting standards.

Methods:
A faculty team followed the process of curriculum mapping as described in the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of the program's virtual clinical learning product in addressing end-of-program outcomes.

Results:
The mapping process identified where competencies were being met, which needed enhancing or were redundant, and where gaps existed.

Conclusions:
Curriculum mapping is an effective strategy in evaluating whether virtual patient simulation learning experiences support end-of-program outcomes. Mapping learning activities to outcomes will be fundamental to curriculum development and evaluation as schools of nursing integrate accrediting standards.
Outcomes Associated With Early RBC Transfusion in Pediatric Severe Sepsis: A Propensity-Adjusted Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Muszynski Jennifer A. , Banks Russell , Reeder Ron W. , Hall Mark W. , Berg Robert A. , Zuppa Athena , Shanley Thomas P. , Cornell Timothy T. , Newth Christopher J. L. , Pollack Murray M. , Wessel David , Doctor Allan , Lin John C. , Harrison Rick E. , Meert Kathleen L. , Dean J. Michael , Holubkov Richard , Carcillo Joseph A. 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:
Little is known about the epidemiology of and outcomes related to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in septic children across multiple centers. We performed propensity-adjusted secondary analyses of the Biomarker Phenotyping of Pediatric Sepsis and Multiple Organ Failure (PHENOMS) study to test the hypothesis that early RBC transfusion is associated with fewer organ failure-free days in pediatric severe sepsis.

Methods:
Four hundred one children were enrolled in the parent study. Children were excluded from these analyses if they received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 22) or died (n = 1) before sepsis day 2. Propensity-adjusted analyses compared children who received RBC transfusion on or before sepsis day 2 (early RBC transfusion) with those who did not. Logistic regression was used to model the propensity to receive early RBC transfusion. A weighted cohort was constructed using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weights. Variables in the weighted cohort with absolute standardized differences >0.15 were added to final multivariable models.

Results:
Fifty percent of children received at least one RBC transfusion. The majority (68%) of first transfusions were on or before sepsis day 2. Early RBC transfusion was not independently associated with organ failure-free (−0.34 [95%CI: −2, 1.3] days) or PICU-free days (−0.63 [−2.3, 1.1]), but was associated with the secondary outcome of higher mortality (aOR 2.9 [1.1, 7.9]).

Conclusions:
RBC transfusion is common in pediatric severe sepsis and may be associated with adverse outcomes. Future studies are needed to clarify these associations, to understand patient-specific transfusion risks, and to develop more precise transfusion strategies.
Time trends in social contacts before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: the CONNECT study
Authors: Drolet Mélanie , Godbout Aurélie , Mondor Myrto , Béraud Guillaume , Drolet-Roy Léa , Lemieux-Mellouki Philippe , Bureau Alexandre , Demers Éric , Boily Marie-Claude , Sauvageau Chantal , De Serres Gaston , Hens Niel , Beutels Philippe , Dervaux Benoit , Brisson Marc 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries, including Canada, have adopted unprecedented physical distancing measures such as closure of schools and non-essential businesses, and restrictions on gatherings and household visits. We described time trends in social contacts for the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods in Quebec, Canada.MethodsCONNECT is a population-based study of social contacts conducted shortly before (2018/2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 – February 2021), using the same methodology for both periods. We recruited participants by random-digit-dialing and collected data by self-administered web-based questionnaires. Questionnaires documented socio-demographic characteristics and social contacts for two assigned days. A contact was defined as a two-way conversation at a distance ≤2 meters or as a physical contact, irrespective of masking. We used weighted generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution and robust variance (taking possible overdispersion into account) to compare the mean number of social contacts over time by characteristics.ResultsA total of 1291 and 5516 Quebecers completed the study before and during the pandemic, respectively. Contacts significantly decreased from a mean of 8 contacts/day prior to the pandemic to 3 contacts/day during the spring 2020 lockdown. Contacts remained lower than the pre-COVID period thereafter (lowest=3 contacts/day during the Christmas 2020/2021 holidays, highest=5 in September 2020). Contacts at work, during leisure activities/other locations, and at home with visitors showed the greatest decreases since the beginning of the pandemic. All sociodemographic subgroups showed significant decreases of contacts since the beginning of the pandemic. The mixing matrices illustrated the impact of public health measures (e.g. school closure, gathering restrictions) with fewer contacts between children/teenagers and fewer contacts outside of the three main diagonals of contacts between same-age partners/siblings and between children and their parents.ConclusionPhysical distancing measures in Quebec significantly decreased social contacts, which most likely mitigated the spread of COVID-19.
Sunk cost sensitivity in mice, rats, and humans on the Restaurant Row and WebSurf tasks cannot be explained by attrition biases alone
Authors: Redish A. David , Sweis Brian M. , Abram Samantha , Duin Anneke , Kazinka Rebecca , Kocharian Adrina , MacDonald Angus , Schmidt Brandy , Schmitzer-Tobert Neil , Thomas Mark 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn a recent bioRxiv preprint, Ott et al. argue that sensitivities to sunk costs that have been reported in two serial foraging tasks (the Restaurant Row task in mice and rats, and the Web-Surf task in humans) may be due to simple consequences of the way that subjects perform these tasks and not due to an actual sensitivity to sunk costs. However, several variants of these tasks have been studied, in which the sensitivity to sunk costs changes. In order to test the Ott et al. model against these experimental observations, we simulated the model under these additional experimental conditions. We find that it is incompatible with the actual data. While we applaud the simplicity of the Ott et al. model, we must reject it as an explanation for the observed sensitivity to sunk costs seen in these tasks. We thus conclude that the alternative explanation - that mice, rats, and humans are sensitive to actual sunk costs in these tasks - is a better explanation for the data.
Coevolution of interacting proteins through non-contacting and non-specific mutations
Authors: Ding David , Green Anna G. , Wang Boyuan , Vo Lite Thuy-Lan , Weinstein Eli N. , Marks Debora S. , Laub Michael T. 
Published: October 2021

SummaryProteins often accumulate neutral mutations that do not affect current functions1but can profoundly influence future mutational possibilities and functions2–4. Understanding such hidden potential has major implications for protein design and evolutionary forecasting5–7, but has been limited by a lack of systematic efforts to identify potentiating mutations8,9. Here, through the comprehensive analysis of a bacterial toxin-antitoxin system, we identified all possible single substitutions in the toxin that enable it to tolerate otherwise interface-disrupting mutations in its antitoxin. Strikingly, the majority of enabling mutations in the toxin do not contact, and promote tolerance non-specifically to, many different antitoxin mutations, despite covariation in homologs occurring primarily between specific pairs of contacting residues across the interface. In addition, the enabling mutations we identified expand future mutational paths that both maintain old toxin-antitoxin interactions and form new ones. These non-specific mutations are missed by widely used covariation and machine learning methods10,11. Identifying such enabling mutations will be critical for ensuring continued binding of therapeutically relevant proteins, such as antibodies, aimed at evolving targets12–14.
Vagus nerve stimulation increases stomach-brain coupling via a vagal afferent pathway
Authors: Müller Sophie , Teckentrup Vanessa , Rebollo Ignacio , Hallschmid Manfred , Kroemer Nils B. 
Published: October 2021

SummaryMaintaining energy homeostasis is vital and supported by vagal signaling between digestive organs and the brain. Previous research has established a gastric network in the brain that is phase synchronized with the rhythm of the stomach, but tools to perturb its function were lacking. Here, we investigated the effect of acute right-sided transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) versus sham stimulation (randomized crossover-design) on stomach-brain coupling. In line with preclinical research, taVNS increased stomach-brain coupling in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and the midbrain while boosting coupling across the brain. Crucially, in the cortex, taVNS-induced changes in coupling occurred primarily in transmodal regions and were associated with changes in hunger ratings as indicators of the subjective metabolic state. Hence, taVNS alters stomach-brain coupling via an NTS-midbrain pathway that signals gut-induced reward, potentially paving the way for novel treatments in disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or depression.Graphical AbstractHighlightsTranscutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can emulate interoceptive signalstaVNS boosts stomach-brain coupling in the brainstem, midbrain, and transmodal cortextaVNS-induced changes in stomach-brain coupling mirror subjective hunger ratings
A partial reduction of Drp1 enhances mitophagy, autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, dendritic spines and synaptic activity in a transgenic Tau mouse model of Alzheimer disease
Authors: Kandimalla Ramesh , Manczak Maria , Pradeepkiran Jangampalli Adi , Reddy P. Hemachandra 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe purpose of our study is to understand the impact of a partial dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) on cognitive behavior, mitophagy/autophagy, mitochondrial and synaptic activities in transgenic Tau mice in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our lab reported increased levels of Aβ and P-Tau, and abnormal interactions between Aβ and Drp1, P-Tau and Drp1 induced increased mitochondrial fragmentation and reduced fusion and synaptic activities in AD. These abnormal interactions, result in the proliferation of dysfunctional mitochondria in AD neurons. Recent research on mitochondria revealed that fission protein Drp1 is largely implicated in mitochondrial dynamics in AD. To determine the impact of reduced Drp1 in AD, we recently crossed transgenic Tau mice with Drp1 heterozygote knockout (Drp1+/-) mice and generated double mutant (Drp1+/- X Tau) mice. In the current study, we assessed cognitive behavior, mRNA and protein levels of mitophagy, autophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamics and synaptic genes, mitochondrial morphology & mitochondrial function, dendritic spines in Tau mice relative to double mutant mice. When compared to Tau mice, double mutant mice did better on Morris Maze (reduced latency to find hidden platform, increased swimming speed and time spent on quadrant) and rotarod (stayed a longer period of time) tests. Both mRNA and proteins levels autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial biogenesis and synaptic proteins were increased in double mutant mice compared to Tau mice. Dendritic spines were significantly increased; mitochondrial number is reduced and length is increased in double mutant mice. Based on these observations, we conclude that reduced Drp1 is beneficial in a symptomatic-transgenic Tau mice.
Impact of stimulation location relative to grey and white matter on single pulse electrical stimulation responses in the human brain
Authors: Paulk Angelique C. , Zelmann Rina , Crocker Britni , Widge Alik S. , Dougherty Darin D. , Eskandar Emad N. , Weisholtz Daniel S. , Richardson R. Mark , Cosgrove G. Rees , Williams Ziv M. , Cash Sydney S. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundElectrical neuromodulation is an increasingly common therapy for a wide variety of neuropsychiatric diseases. Unfortunately, therapeutic efficacy is inconsistent, possibly a result of our limited understanding of the mechanisms and the massive stimulation parameter space.Objective/HypothesisTo better understand the role different parameters play in inducing a response, we systematically examined single pulse-induced cortico-cortico evoked potentials (CCEP) as a function of stimulation amplitude, duration and location in the brain and relative to grey and white matter.MethodsWe measured voltage peak amplitudes and area under the curve of intracranially recorded stimulation responses as a function of distance from the stimulation site, pulse width, current injected, location relative to grey and white matter, and brain region stimulated (N=52, n=719 stimulation sites).ResultsIncreasing stimulation pulse width increased response values near the stimulation location. Increasing stimulation amplitude (current) increased responses nonlinearly. Locally (<15 mm from the stimulation site), stimulation closer to the grey matter-white matter boundary induced larger responses. In contrast, for distant sites (>15 mm), white matter stimulation consistently produced larger responses than stimulation in or near grey matter. These relationships were different between cingulate, lateral prefrontal, and lateral temporal cortical stimulation.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the importance of location and stimulation parameters in inducing a specific output and indicate that a stronger local response may require stimulation in the grey-white boundary while stimulation in the white matter may be needed for network activation, suggesting that stimulation location can be tailored for a specific outcome, key to informed neuromodulatory therapy.HighlightsIntracranial single pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) response increases with increased pulse duration mostly near the stimulation siteSPES response varies nonlinearly with injected current with an effect of distance from the stimulation site.SPES near the grey-white boundary and 90° to the nearest cortical axis induces larger local responses, but white matter stimulation produces larger distant responses.The relationship between SPES location and responses depends on brain region stimulated
Global port survey quantifies commercial shipping’s effect on biodiversity
Authors: Andrés Jose , Czechowski Paul , Grey Erin , Saebi Mandana , Andres Kara , Brown Christopher , Chawla Nitesh , Corbett James J. , Brys Rein , Cassey Phillip , Correa Nancy , Deveney Marty R. , Egan Scott P. , Fisher Joshua P. , vanden Hooff Rian , Knapp Charles R. , Leong Sandric Chee Yew , Neilson Brian J. , Paolucci Esteban M. , Pfrender Michael E. , Pochardt Meredith R. , Prowse Thomas A.A. , Rumrill Steven S. , Scianni Chris , Sylvester Francisco , Tamburri Mario N. , Therriault Thomas W. , Yeo Darren C.J. , Lodge David 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSpread of nonindigenous organisms by shipping is one of the largest threats to coastal ecosystems. Limited monitoring and understanding of this phenomenon currently hinder development of effective prevention policies. Surveying ports in North America, South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia we explored environmental DNA community profiles evident of ship-born species spread. We found that community similarities between ports increased with the number of ship voyages, particularly if the ports had similar environments, and when indirect stepping-stone connections were considered. We also found 57 known non-indigenous taxa, some in hitherto unreported locations. We demonstrate the usefulness of eDNA-based tools for global biodiversity surveys, and highlight that shipping homogenizes biodiversity in predictable that could inform policy and management.