bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study
Authors:   COVIDSurg Collaborative, GlobalSurg Collaborative
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling.

Methods
The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty.

Results
NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year.

Conclusion
As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.
The Prenatal Morphomechanic Impact of Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum on Human Brain Structure and Asymmetry
Authors: Schwartz Ernst , Diogo Mariana Cardoso , Glatter Sarah , Seidl Rainer , Brugger Peter C , Gruber Gerlinde M , Kiss Herbert , Nenning Karl-Heinz ,   IRC5 consortium, Langs Georg , Prayer Daniela , Kasprian Gregor 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Genetic, molecular, and physical forces together impact brain morphogenesis. The early impact of deficient midline crossing in agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) on prenatal human brain development and architecture is widely unknown. Here we analyze the changes of brain structure in 46 fetuses with ACC in vivo to identify their deviations from normal development. Cases of complete ACC show an increase in the thickness of the cerebral wall in the frontomedial regions and a reduction in the temporal, insular, medial occipital and lateral parietal regions, already present at midgestation. ACC is associated with a more symmetric configuration of the temporal lobes and increased frequency of atypical asymmetry patterns, indicating an early morphomechanic effect of callosal growth on human brain development affecting the thickness of the pallium along a ventro–dorsal gradient. Altered prenatal brain architecture in ACC emphasizes the importance of conformational forces introduced by emerging interhemispheric connectivity on the establishment of polygenically determined brain asymmetries.
Did Lockdown Work? An Economist’s Cross-Country Comparison
Authors: Bjørnskov Christian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractI explore the association between the severity of lockdown policies in the first half of 2020 and mortality rates. Using two indices from the Blavatnik Centre’s COVID-19 policy measures and comparing weekly mortality rates from 24 European countries in the first halves of 2017–2020, addressing policy endogeneity in two different ways, and taking timing into account, I find no clear association between lockdown policies and mortality development.
Rethinking Revisionism in World Politics
Authors: He Kai , Feng Huiyun , Chan Steve , Hu Weixing 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Revisionism is an important concept in international relations discourse, and it is especially prevalent in discussions about relations between China and the United States in the context of a possible power transition. Yet, this concept has until recently not received the systematic research attention that it deserves. We present in this essay different strategies that a revisionist state may pursue. It builds on recent scholarship by other colleagues and is drawn from a larger project of ours to study revisionism historically and develop it conceptually. We argue that military conquest and subversion—or in our terminology, hard revisionism—have become less likely in today’s world compared to the past. Instead, different approaches of soft revisionism intended to advance institutional changes should be given more attention. We provide a typology of these soft revisionist strategies and offer examples from recent Chinese and US conduct to illustrate them.
‘These Discussions Aren’t Happening’: Experiences of People Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Talking About Sexual Well-being with Health Care Professionals
Authors: Fourie Simona , Norton Christine , Jackson Debra , Czuber-Dochan Wladyslawa 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] affects all aspects of life, yet little is known about the impact of the condition on intimacy and sexuality and if such concerns should be discussed with health care professionals. This hermeneutical phenomenological study aimed to explore the experiences of people living with inflammatory bowel disease and discussing their sexuality concerns with health care professionals.

Methods
Participants [n = 43] aged 17–64 years were recruited. Data were collected via in depth interviews and anonymous narrative accounts [Google Forms]. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results
An overarching theme ‘These discussions aren’t happening’ with four main themes were generated. The main themes were: ‘I can’t image talking about sex’; ‘I am a person, not my IBD’; ‘We need to talk about sex’; and ‘Those who talked about sex, talked badly’. Participants described the lack of conversations with their health care professionals on sexual well-being issues, in spite of the importance they gave to the topic, and identified barriers to having such conversations. They made suggestions for future clinical practice that would better meet their needs. The few who had discussed sexual well-being issues with health care professionals reported negative experiences.

Conclusions
Patients’ needs and preferences, about addressing during clinical appointments concerns related to their sexual well-being, should be addressed routinely and competently by health care professionals. Understanding the implications of inflammatory bowel disease for intimate aspects of the lives of those living with the condition could improve the quality of the care provided.
Rimonabant potentiates the antifungal activity of amphotericin B by increasing cellular oxidative stress and cell membrane permeability
Authors: Zhang Ming , Lu Jinghui , Duan Ximeng , Chen Jinyao , Jin Xueyang , Lin Zhaomin , Pang Yingxin , Wang Xuexiang , Lou Hongxiang , Chang Wenqiang 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACT
Amphotericin B (AmB) is a very effective antifungal agent, and resistance in clinical isolates is rare. However, clinical treatment with AmB is often associated with severe side effects. Reducing the administration dose of AmB by combining it with other agents is a promising strategy to minimize this toxicity. In this study, we screened a small compound library and observed that the anti-obesity drug rimonabant exhibited synergistic antifungal action with AmB against Candida species and Cryptococcus neoformans. Moreover, the combination of AmB and rimonabant exhibited synergistic or additive effects against Candida albicans biofilm formation and cell viability in preformed biofilms. The effects of this combination were further confirmed in vivo using a murine systemic infection model. Exploration of the mechanism of synergy revealed that rimonabant enhances the fungicidal activity of AmB by increasing cellular oxidative stress and cell membrane permeability. These findings provide a foundation for the possible development of AmB–rimonabant polytherapies for fungal infections.
Re-expression of glucuronyl C5-epimerase in the mutant MEF cells increases heparan sulfate epimerization but has no influence on the Golgi localization and enzymatic activity of 2-O-sulfotransferase
Authors: Cui Hao , Wang Zhaoguang , Zhang Tianji , Li Jin-ping , Fang Jianping 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Heparan sulfate (HS) is a linear and complex polysaccharide that modulates the biological activities through protein recognition and interaction. Evidence indicates that protein-binding properties of HS are largely dependent on distinctive sulfation and epimerization patterns that are modified by a series of Golgi-localized enzymes. In particular, the glucuronyl C5-epimerase (Hsepi) converts D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) residues to L-iduronic acid (IdoA) and 2-O-sulfotransferase (2OST) catalyzes sulfation at C2 position of IdoA and rarely GlcA residues. Mice lacking both Hsepi and 2OST display multiple development defects, indicating the importance of IdoA in HS. Here, to gain greater insights of HS structure–function relationships, as well as a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of Hsepi and 2OST, the fine structure and cellular signaling functions of HS were investigated after restoration of Hsepi in the mutant mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. Introduction of Hsepi into the Hsepi mutant MEF cells led to robustly increased proportion of IdoA residues, which rescued the cell signaling in response to fibroblast growth factor 2. However, we found that Hsepi knockout had no influence on either cellular transport or enzymatic activity of 2OST in the MEF cells, which is not in accord with the findings suggesting that the enzymatic activity and cellular transport of 2OST and Hsepi might be differently regulated.
On the convergence of augmented Lagrangian strategies for nonlinear programming
Authors: Andreani Roberto , Ramos Alberto , Ribeiro Ademir A , Secchin Leonardo D , Velazco Ariel R 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Augmented Lagrangian (AL) algorithms are very popular and successful methods for solving constrained optimization problems. Recently, global convergence analysis of these methods has been dramatically improved by using the notion of sequential optimality conditions. Such conditions are necessary for optimality, regardless of the fulfillment of any constraint qualifications, and provide theoretical tools to justify stopping criteria of several numerical optimization methods. Here, we introduce a new sequential optimality condition stronger than previously stated in the literature. We show that a well-established safeguarded Powell–Hestenes–Rockafellar (PHR) AL algorithm generates points that satisfy the new condition under a Lojasiewicz-type assumption, improving and unifying all the previous convergence results. Furthermore, we introduce a new primal–dual AL method capable of achieving such points without the Lojasiewicz hypothesis. We then propose a hybrid method in which the new strategy acts to help the safeguarded PHR method when it tends to fail. We show by preliminary numerical tests that all the problems already successfully solved by the safeguarded PHR method remain unchanged, while others where the PHR method failed are now solved with an acceptable additional computational cost.
Disease Burden Estimates of Respiratory Syncytial Virus related Acute Respiratory Infections in Adults With Comorbidity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Ting , Vennard Sophie , Jasiewicz Francis , Brogden Rory , Nair Harish ,   RESCEU Investigators, Nair Harish , Campbell Harry , Shi Ting , Li You , Openshaw Peter , Beutels Philippe , Bont Louis , Pollard Andrew , Molero Eva , Martinon-Torres Federico , Heikkinen Terho , Meijer Adam , Kølsen Fischer Thea , van den Berge Maarten , Giaquinto Carlo , Abram Michael , Swanson Kena , K Stoszek Sonia , Pircon Jean Yves , Gallichan Scott , Demont Clarisse , Aerssens Jeroen , Cheret Arnaud , Ispas Gabriela , Peeters Paul , Rosen Brian , Fuentes Robert , Falsey Ann , Mikolajczyk Rafael , Anderson Larry 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Respiratory syncytial virus related acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) constitutes a substantial disease burden in adults with comorbidities. We aimed to identify all studies investigating the disease burden of RSV-ARI in this group.

Methods
We estimated the incidence, hospitalization rate, and in-hospital case fatality ratio (hCFR) of RSV-ARI in adults with comorbidities based on a systematic review of studies published between January 1996 and March 2020. We also investigated the association between RSV-ARI and any comorbidity in adults. Meta-analyses based on random effects model were carried out.

Results
Overall, 20 studies were included. The annual incidence rate of RSV-ARI in adults with any comorbidity was 37.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.1–70.3) per 1000 persons per year in industrialized countries and the seasonal incidence rate was 28.4 (11.4–70.9) per 1000 persons per season. The hCFR in industrialized countries was 11.7% (5.8%–23.4%). There were no studies in developing countries. There were insufficient data to generate the meta-estimate of hospitalization rate. The likelihood of experiencing RSV-ARI for those with any comorbidity compared to those without was estimated to be 4.1 (odds ratio [OR], 1.6–10.4) and 1.1 (OR, 0.6–1.8) from studies using univariable and multivariable analysis respectively.

Conclusion
The disease burden of RSV-ARI among adults with comorbidity is substantial with limited data available.
Emergence of a Neisseria gonorrhoeae clone with reduced cephalosporin susceptibility between 2014 and 2019 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, revealed by genomic population analysis
Authors: de Korne-Elenbaas Jolinda , Bruisten Sylvia M , de Vries Henry J C , Van Dam Alje P 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Emerging resistance to cephalosporins in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) is a major public health threat, since these are considered antibiotics of last resort. Continuous surveillance is needed to monitor the circulation of resistant strains and those with reduced susceptibility.

Objectives
For the purpose of epidemiological surveillance, genomic population analysis was performed on Ng isolates from Amsterdam with a focus on isolates with reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone.

Methods
WGS data were obtained from 318 isolates from Amsterdam, the Netherlands between 2014 and 2019. Isolates were typed according to MLST, Ng Multi-Antigen Sequence Typing (NG-MAST) and Ng Sequence Typing for Antimicrobial Resistance (NG-STAR) schemes and additional resistance markers were identified. Phylogenetic trees were created to identify genetic clusters and to compare Dutch and non-Dutch MLST7827 isolates.

Results
MLST7363 and MLST1901 were the predominant strains having reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone during 2014–16; MLST7827 emerged and dominated during 2017–19. NG-STAR38 and NG-MAST2318/10386 were predominant among MLST7827 isolates. MLST7827 reduced susceptibility isolates carried a non-mosaic 13.001 penA allele with an A501V mutation and porB1b G120K/A121D mutations, which were lacking in susceptible MLST7827 isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of all publicly available MLST7827 isolates showed strong genetic clustering of Dutch and other European MLST7827 isolates.

Conclusions
MLST7827 isolates with reduced ceftriaxone susceptibility have emerged during recent years in Amsterdam. Co-occurrence of penA A501V and porB1b G120K/A121D mutations was strongly associated with reduced susceptibility to ceftriaxone. Genetic clustering of Dutch and other European MLST7827 isolates indicates extensive circulation of this strain in Europe. Close monitoring of the spread of this strain having an alarming susceptibility profile is needed.
Characterization of the aberrant splicing of MAP3K7 induced by cancer-associated SF3B1 mutation
Authors: Li Zhuang , Zhao Bo , Shi Yueru , Liang Yuqi , Qian Rui , Wan Youzhong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
SF3B1, an essential RNA splicing factor, is frequently mutated in various types of cancers, and the cancer-associated SF3B1 mutation causes aberrant RNA splicing. The aberrant splicing of several transcripts, including MAP3K7, promotes tumorigenesis. Here, we identify a premature termination codon in the aberrantly spliced transcript of MAP3K7. Treatment of HEK293T cells transfected with the K700E-mutated SF3B1 with cycloheximide leads to increased accumulation of the aberrant spliced transcript of MAP3K7, demonstrating that the aberrantly spliced transcript of MAP3K7 is targeted by nonsense-mediated decay. The aberrantly spliced MAP3K7 transcript uses an aberrant 3ʹ splice sites and an alternative branchpoint sequence. In addition, the aberrant splicing of MAP3K7 requires not only the polypyrimidine tract associated with normal splicing but also an alternative polypyrimidine tract upstream of the aberrant 3ʹ splice site. Other cancer-associated SF3B1 mutations also cause the aberrant splicing of MAP3K7, which depends on the same sequence features. Our data provide a further understanding of the mechanisms underlying aberrant splicing induced by cancer-associated SF3B1 mutation, and reveal an important role of alternative polypyrimidine tract in diseases.
Penicillium chrysogenum polypeptide extract protects tobacco plants from tobacco mosaic virus infection through modulation of ABA biosynthesis and callose priming
Authors: Li Yu , Jiao Mengting , Li Yingjuan , Zhong Yu , Li Xiaoqin , Chen Zhuangzhuang , Chen Suiyun , Wang Jianguang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The polypeptide extract of the dry mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum (PDMP) can protect tobacco plants from tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), although the mechanism underlying PDMP-mediated TMV resistance remains unknown. In our study, we analysed a potential mechanism via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and found that the abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthetic pathway and β-1,3-glucanase, a callose-degrading enzyme, might play an important role in PDMP-induced priming of resistance to TMV. To test our hypothesis, we successfully generated a Nicotiana benthamiana ABA biosynthesis mutant and evaluated the role of the ABA pathway in PDMP-induced callose deposition during resistance to TMV infection. Our results suggested that PDMP can induce callose priming to defend against TMV movement. PDMP inhibited TMV movement by increasing callose deposition around plasmodesmata, but this phenomenon did not occur in the ABA biosynthesis mutant; moreover, these effects of PDMP on callose deposition could be rescued by treatment with exogenous ABA. Our results suggested that callose deposition around plasmodesmata in wild-type plants is mainly responsible for the restriction of TMV movement during the PDMP-induced defensive response to TMV infection, and that ABA biosynthesis apparently plays a crucial role in PDMP-induced callose priming for enhancing defence against TMV.
Myeloid Sarcoma Expressing Keratins and Mimicking Carcinoma—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Dayton Vanessa J , Beckman Amy , Linden Michael 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Unusual presentations of otherwise common hematopoietic neoplasms are a well-recognized diagnostic challenge. Herein, we present a case study of a previously healthy 64 year old woman with myeloid sarcoma whose diagnosis was delayed by an unusual immunohistochemical staining pattern, including cytokeratin expression, by the neoplastic cells and by possible anchoring bias introduced by radiographic and flow cytometric immunophenotyping reports. This case study emphasizes the need to integrate clinical, radiographic, histologic, and immunophenotyping data for rapid and accurate tissue diagnoses while being wary of the lack of specificity for many common immunophenotypic markers.
Multiplex indexing approach for the detection of DNase I hypersensitive sites in single cells
Authors: Gao Weiwu , Ku Wai Lim , Pan Lixia , Perrie Jonathan , Zhao Tingting , Hu Gangqing , Wu Yuzhang , Zhu Jun , Ni Bing , Zhao Keji 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Single cell chromatin accessibility assays reveal epigenomic variability at cis-regulatory elements among individual cells. We previously developed a single-cell DNase-seq assay (scDNase-seq) to profile accessible chromatin in a limited number of single cells. Here, we report a novel indexing strategy to resolve single-cell DNase hypersensitivity profiles based on bulk cell analysis. This new technique, termed indexing single-cell DNase sequencing (iscDNase-seq), employs the activities of terminal DNA transferase (TdT) and T4 DNA ligase to add unique cell barcodes to DNase-digested chromatin ends. By a three-layer indexing strategy, it allows profiling genome-wide DHSs for &gt;15 000 single-cells in a single experiment. Application of iscDNase-seq to human white blood cells accurately revealed specific cell types and inferred regulatory transcription factors (TF) specific to each cell type. We found that iscDNase-seq detected DHSs with specific properties related to gene expression and conservation missed by scATAC-seq for the same cell type. Also, we found that the cell-to-cell variation in accessibility computed using iscDNase-seq data is significantly correlated with the cell-to-cell variation in gene expression. Importantly, this correlation is significantly higher than that between scATAC-seq and scRNA-seq, suggesting that iscDNase-seq data can better predict the cellular heterogeneity in gene expression compared to scATAC-seq. Thus, iscDNase-seq is an attractive alternative method for single-cell epigenomics studies.
Growth and Nitrate Reductase Activity Are Impaired in Rice Osnlp4 Mutants Supplied with Nitrate
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Hasegawa Takahiro , Beier Marcel , Hayashi Makoto , Ohmori Yoshihiro , Yano Kenji , Teramoto Shota , Kamiya Takehiro , Fujiwara Toru 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Nitrate is an important nutrient and signaling molecule in plants, which modulates the expression of many genes and regulates plant growth. In paddy-grown rice (Oryza sativa), nitrogen is mostly supplied in the form of ammonium but can also be supplied in the form of nitrate. Several nitrogen transporters and nitrate assimilation enzymes have been identified and functionally characterized in rice. However, little is known regarding the nitrate sensing system in rice, and the regulatory mechanisms of nitrate-related genes remain to be elucidated. In recent years, NIN-like proteins (NLPs) have been described as key transcription factors of nitrogen responses in Arabidopsis thaliana, which implies that OsNLP4 is involved in the regulation of nitrate assimilation and nitrogen use efficiency in rice. Here, we show that OsNLP4 can influence plant growth by affecting nitrate reductase (NR) activity. The growth of OsNLP4 knockdown mutants was reduced when nitrate was supplied, but not when ammonium was supplied. The nitrate concentration was significantly reduced in osnlp4 mutants. Furthermore, the concentrations of iron and molybdenum, essential elements for NR activity, were reduced in OsNLP4 knockdown mutants. We propose that, in addition to the regulation of gene expression within the nitrate signaling pathway, OsNLP4 can affect the NR activity and nitrate-dependent growth of rice. Our results support a working model for the role of OsNLP4 in the nitrate signaling pathway.