bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Analysis of COVID-19 Impact in Latin America
Authors: Ashktorab Hassan , Pizuomo Antonio , González Nora Alma Fierro , Villagrana Edgar Daniel Copado , Herrera-Solís María Evangelina , Cardenas Graciela , Zavala-Alvarez Daniela , Oskrochi Gholamreza , Awoyemi Eyitope , Adeleye Folake , Dalivand Maryam Mehdipour , Laiyemo Adeyinka O , Lee Edward E. , Aduli Farshad , Sherif Zaki A , Brim Hassan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Latin America has now become the epicenter of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic, a profound burden of SARS-COV-2 infection has been reported in Latin America. In the present study, we aim to determine the profiles that are associated with this disease in Latin America. We analyzed symptoms, morbidities and gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations by country.Methods: We analyzed data from SARS-CoV-2 positive patients evaluated at healthcare centers and hospitals of 8 Latin American countries including Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia between March 1 and July 30, 2020. These countries consist of a total population that exceeds 519 million. Demographics, comorbidities and clinical symptoms were collected. Statistical descriptive analysis and correlation analyses of symptoms, comorbidities and lethality were performed.Results: A total of 728,282 patients tested positive for COVID-19 across all the 8 Latin American countries. Of these, 52.6% were female. The average age was 48.4 years. Peru had the oldest cohort with 56.8 years old and highest rate of females (56.8%) while Chile had the youngest cohort (39 years old). Venezuela had the highest male prevalence (56.7%). Most common symptoms were cough with 60.1% (Bolivia had the highest rate 78%), fatigue/tiredness with 52.0%, sore throat with 50.3%, and fever with 44.2%. Bolivia had fever as the top symptom (83.3%). GI symptoms including diarrhea (highest in Mexico with 22.9%), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain were not associated with higher mortality. Hypertension was among the top (12.1%) comorbidities followed by diabetes with 8.3% and obesity 4.5%. In multivariable analyses, the leading and significant comorbidities were hypertension (r=0.83, p=0.02), diabetes (r=0.91, p=0.01), and obesity (r=0.86, p=0.03). Asthma (r=0.37, p=0.54) and increasing age (0.13 p=0.81) were not independently associated with higher mortality. Lethality was highest in Mexico (16.6%) and lowest in Venezuela (0.9%) among the analyzed cohorts.Conclusion: Nearly, 10.5%–53% of patients with COVID-19 have GI manifestations. Differential clinical symptoms were associated with COVID-19 in Latin America countries. Metabolic syndrome components were the main comorbidities associated with poor outcome. Country-specific management and prevention plans are needed. Country-specific management and prevention plans can be established from this meta-analysis.
A Population-Based Seroprevalence Survey of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Gao Wenjing , Cui Shujuan , Zhang Yi , Zheng Ke , Ke Ji , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Sun Dianjianyi , Wang Quanyi , Li Liming 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BACKGOUND The spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been substantially controlled in China. As the capital of China, Beijing took a series of strict containment measures during the past several months. However, the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Beijing has not been evaluated.METHODSDuring April 15-18, 2020, residents in Beijing were enrolled using a multi-stage cluster random sampling technique in four districts with top COVID-19 incidence and one district without case reported. Communities and households in each district were randomly selected based on probability proportional to size. Blood samples were collected and antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were tested by two kinds of colloidal gold kits. All colloidal gold positive serums and 20 randomly selected negative serums were then tested by Micro-neutralization assay. A likelihood ratio test was used to estimate 95% confidence intervals of seroprevalence with the Clopper-Pearson exact method.RESULTSA total of 2,184 residents participated in this survey, among which 13 were tested positive by colloidal gold tests. Of those who tested positive, 8 were IgM positive, 3 were IgG positive, 1 was total antibody positive, 1 was both IgM and total antibody positive. Among the 13 seropositive samples and 20 randomly selected seronegative samples, no positive sample was detected by micro-neutralization assay. The seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Beijing was estimated no higher than 0.17%.CONCLUSIONSThe seroprevalence of COVID-19 was low in April suggests that the comprehensive control measures to prevent and control further spread in Beijing was effective. However, the majority of the residents in Beijing were still susceptible to infection; the risk of rebound should be noted due to low population-level immunity.
HBV Infection Promotes The Occurrence and Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Impairing The Inhibitory Effect of PPP2R5A on MAPK/AKT/WNT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Lin Xuejing , Mao Ziming , Chen Lei , Qian Haihua , Liu Chunying , Su Changqing 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Reversible phosphorylation and dephosphorylation play important roles in cell function and cell signal transduction. PPP2R5A is responsible for specifically regulating the catalytic function, substrate specificity and intracellular localization of the tumor suppressor phosphatase PP2A. Therefore, the abnormal expression and function of PPP2R5A may be related to the occurrence and development of tumors.Results: This study showed that PPP2R5A inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and acted as a tumor suppressor in HCC cells, but it had no significant effect on cell cycle. Further research found that PPP2R5A exerted tumor suppressor efficacy by inhibiting the MAPK/AKT/WNT signaling pathway. Combined with analysis of clinical tissue samples and TCGA database, it was found that the expression of PPP2R5A in tumor tissues of Chinese HCC patients was down-regulated and significantly correlated with the progression-free survival (PFS) of HCC patients. On the contrary, PPP2R5A showed an up-regulation trend in HCC cases in TCGA database although its effect on PFS was the same with that in Chinese HCC patients. HBV infection is the main pathogenic factor of HCC in China. It was found that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection reduced the content of PPP2R5A in cells.Conclusions: It was concluded that HBV inhibited the initiation of the protective mechanism mediated by PPP2R5A, making the occurrence and progress of HCC more "unimpeded". This conclusion will further reveal the role of PPP2R5A in HBV-induced and HBV-unrelated HCC, therefore, providing clues for the prevention and treatment of the two types of HCC, respectively.
A New Minimally Invasive Technique for Correction of Pectus Carinatum
Authors: Ping Wei , Fu Shengling , Li Yangkai , Yu Jun , Zhang Ni , Fu Xiangning , Cai Yixin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThe Abramson technique for the correction of pectus carinatum (PC) is commonly performed worldwide. However, the postoperative complications of this technique related to bar fixation, including wire breakage and bar displacement, are relatively high. In this study, a new minimally invasive technique for correction of PC is described, in which the pectus bar is secured by bilateral selected ribs, and for which no special fixation to the rib is needed.MethodsThe procedure was performed by placing the pectus bar subcutaneously over the sternum with both ends of the bar passing through the intercostal space of the selected rib at the anterior axillary line. The protruding sternum was depressed by the bar positioned in this 2 intra- and 2 extra-thorax manners. Between October 2011 and September 2019, 42 patients with PC underwent this procedure.ResultsSatisfactory cosmetic results were obtained in all the patients. The mean operation time was 87.14 min, and the mean postoperative stay was 4.05 days. Wound infection occurred in 3 patients, 2 were cured by antibiotics, and 1 received bar removal 4 months after the initial operation due to the exposure of the implant resulting from uncontrolled infection. Mild pneumothorax was found in 3 patients and cured by conservative treatment. One patient suffered from hydropneumothorax, which was treated with chest drainage. The bars were removed at a mean duration of 24.4 months since primary repair in 20 patients without recurrence. Conclusions﻿This new technique for minimally invasive correction of PC deformity is a safe and feasible procedure yielding good results and minimal complications.
Penetrating Thoracic Trauma Arising From Knife Injuries Into the Hemithorax: A Case Report
Authors: Liu Jian , Cheng Xinge , Zhang Xiaoyong , Wang Rongpin , Zeng Xianchun 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTrauma is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, and thoracic trauma accounts for a quarter of these deaths. This is due to the penetrating thoracic trauma that often causes serious injury to the heart and great vessels. Most penetrating thoracic wounds are caused by stabbing, which is usually caused by knives. Here, we report a patient who had penetrating thoracic trauma who was caused by a knife.Case presentationA 16-year-old girl was stabbed by a knife due to an accidental fall, which caused a penetrating injury in her left chest. Despite a decreased blood pressure (100/90 mmHg), the patient was conscious. The unenhanced CT at emergency clearly showed that the knife penetrated between the pericardium and the left lung without heart injury. Exploratory thoracotomy was performed in the fourth intercostal space in combination with thoracoscopy, confirmed that the knife penetrated between the pericardium and the left lung without causing any injury to the heart.ConclusionsCT can not only clearly display foreign bodies of knives, but also accurately judge the damage of important structures such as lungs, heart and great vessels. Therefore, CT can provide information for further diagnosis and intervention.
Does Indoor Daylight Level Affect Hospital Costs and Length of Stay of Patients? A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Xiawei , Lou Jianyao , Shi Aiguang , Wang Ning , Zhou Lin , Yuan Zheping , Zhao Mingchen , Ye Fanghe , Pan Zikun , WU YULIAN 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundIndoor daylight levels can directly affect people’s physical and psychological state. However, the effect of indoor daylight levels on patient’s clinical recovery process remains controversial. To evaluate the effect of indoor daylight levels on hospital costs and average length of stay (LOS) of a large patient population in general surgery wards.MethodsData were collected retrospectively and analysed of patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine between January 2015 and August 2020. We measured light levels in the patient rooms of general surgery and assessed their association with patients’ total hospital costs and LOS.ResultsA total of 2,998 patients were included in this study with 1,478 each assigned to two light level groups after matching. Overall comparison of hospital total costs and LOS among patients according to light levels did not show a significant difference. Subgroup analysis showed when exposed to higher intensity of indoor daylight, illiterate patients had lower total hospital costs and shorter LOS as compared to those exposed to lower intensity.ConclusionsIndoor daylight levels were not associated with the hospital costs and LOS of patients in the wards of general surgery, except for those who were illiterate. It might be essential to design guidelines for medical staff and healthcare facilities to enhance indoor environmental benefits of daylight for some specific population.
A New Inverse Method for Determining Uniaxial Flow Properties by Spherical Indentation Test
Authors: Chen Guoyao , Zhang Xiaocheng , Zhong Jiru , Guan Kaishu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
This study presents a new inverse method to determine tensile flow properties from a single indentation force-depth curves. A database is established to replace the iterative FE calculations in conventional inverse methods and therefore can process the indentation data more quickly and easily. An axisymmetric FE model is constructed to simulate the elastic-plastic response of indention. Assuming the materials follow Ludwic constitutive model, by systematically changing the material parameters, numerous indentation force-depth curves are extracted from simulation results to establish the database. For a given experimental indentation curves, a mean square error (MSE) is designated to evaluate the deviations between the experimental curve and each curve in the database. Then, the relation of deviations versus stresses are investigated to acquire the true stresses at a series of plastic strain. To validate the new method, three different steels, i.e. A508, 316L and 2.25Cr1Mo are selected. Both simulated indentation curves and experimental indentation curves are used as inputs of the database to inversely acquire the flow properties. The result indicates that the proposed approach provides impressive accuracy when simulated indentation curves is used, but is less accurate when an experimental curve is used. This new method can quickly derive tensile properties without iterative calculations that yield a considerable computational costs and are therefore adaptive to engineering application.
Structure and function analysis of a potent human neutralizing antibody CA521LALA against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Dou Changlin , Qin Cheng-Feng , Wang Lan , Song Deyong , Deng Yong-Qiang , Wang Wenbo , Dong Chuangchuang , Ning Zhenfei , Liu Xiu , Liu Chuan , Du Guangying , Sha Chunjie , Wang Kailin , Lu Jun , Sun Baiping , Zhao Yanyan , Wang Qiaoping , Xu Hongguang , Li Ying , Shen Zhenduo , Jiao Jie , Wang Ruiying , Tian Jingwei , Liu Wanhui 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has resulted in ~1,119,431 deaths. There is currently no approved vaccines or therapeutics for treating COVID-19. The SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein promotes entry into host cells and is considered a key therapeutic target by many researchers. Here we describe the identification of several monoclonal antibodies that target the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. One human antibody, CA521LALA, demonstrated neutralization potential by immunizing human antibody transgenic mice. CA521LALA showed potent SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and authentic SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. The LALA mutation introduced to CA521 abrogates the binding with Fc receptors or complement receptors reducing antibody-dependent enhancement seen with anti-SARS-CoV antibodies. CA521LALA also demonstrated having a long half-life of 9.5 days in mice and 9.3 days in rhesus monkeys. CA521LALA inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in SARS-CoV-2 susceptible mice at a therapeutic setting with the virus titer of the lung reduced by 4.5 logs. Structural analysis by cryo-EM revealed that CA521LALA recognizes an epitope overlapping with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-binding sites in SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) in the Spike protein. CA521LALA blocks the interaction by binding all three RBDs of one SARS CoV-2 spike trimer simultaneously. These results demonstrate the importance for antibody-based therapeutic interventions in the treatment of COVID-19 and identifies CA521LALA a promising antibody that reacts with SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein to strongly neutralize its activity.
Bronze Age “pristinity”, Iron Age anthropization and Medieval intensification of human impact around Lake Montcortès (southern-central Pyrenees): a possible mid-elevation pattern and its significance for the definition of the Anthropocene
Authors: Rull Valentí , Vegas-Vilarrúbia Teresa , Corella Juan Pablo , Valero-Garcés Blas 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The varved sediments of Lake Montcortès (central Pyrenees) have provided a continuous and well-dated high-resolution record of the last ca. 3000 years. Previous chronological and sedimentological studies of this record have furnished detailed paleoenvironmental reconstructions. However, palynological studies are only available for the last millennium, and the vegetation and the landscape around the lake had already been transformed by humans by this time. Therefore, the primeval vegetation of Montcortès and the history of its anthropogenic transformations remains unknown. This paper presents a palynological analysis of the interval between the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1100 BCE) and the Early Medieval period (820 CE), aimed at recording the preanthropic conditions, the anthropization onset and the further landscape transformations. During the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1100 BCE to 770 BCE), the vegetation did not show any evidence of human impact. The decisive anthropogenic transformation of the Montcortès catchment vegetation and landscape started at the beginning of the Iron Age (770 BCE) and continued during Roman and Medieval times in the form of recurrent burning, grazing, cultivation, silviculture, hemp retting and other human activities. Some intervals of lower human pressure were recorded, but the original vegetation never returned. The anthropization that took place during the Iron Age did not cause relevant changes in the sediment yield to the lake, but a significant limnological shift occurred, as manifested in the initiation of varve formation, a process that has been continuous until today. Climatic shifts seem to have played a secondary role in influencing catchment vegetation and landscape changes from the Iron Age onwards. These results contrast with previous inferences of low anthropogenic impact until the Medieval Period, at a regional level (central Pyrenees). The intensification of human pressure in Early Medieval times (580 CE onwards) has also been observed in Lake Montcortès, but the overall anthropization of its watershed had already commenced a couple of millennia before, at the beginning of the Iron Age. It could be interesting to verify whether the same pattern – i.e., Late Bronze “pristinity”, Iron Age anthropization and Early Medieval intensification of human pressure – may be a recurrent pattern for mid-elevation Pyrenean landscapes below the tree line. This pattern complicates the definition of the “Anthropocene”, as it adds a new dimension, i.e., elevational diachronism, to the anthropization of mountain ranges, in general.
LncRNAs and their regulatory networks in breast muscle tissue of Chinese Gushi chickens during late postnatal development
Authors: Li Yuanfang , Jin Wenjiao , Zhai Bin , Chen Yi , Li Guoxi , Zhang Yanhua , Guo Yujie , Sun Guirong , Han Ruili , Li Zhuanjian , Li Hong , Tian Yadong , Liu Xiaojun , Kang Xiangtao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Chicken skeletal muscle is an important economic product. The late stages of chicken development constitute the main period that affects meat production. LncRNAs play important roles in controlling the epigenetic process of growth and development. However, studies on the role of lncRNAs in the late stages of chicken breast muscle development are still lacking. In this study, to investigate the expression characteristics of lncRNAs during chicken muscle development, 12 cDNA libraries were constructed from Gushi chicken breast muscle samples from 6-, 14-, 22-, and 30-week-old chickens.Results: A total of 1,252 new lncRNAs and 1,376 annotated lncRNAs were identified. Furthermore, 53, 61, 50, 153, 117, and 78 DE-lncRNAs were found in the W14 vs. W6, W22 vs. W14, W22 vs. W6, W30 vs. W6, W30 vs. W14, and W30 vs. W22 comparison groups, respectively. After GO enrichment analysis of the DE-lncRNAs, several muscle development-related GO terms were found in the W22 vs. W14 comparison group. Moreover, it was found that the MAPK signaling pathway was one of the most frequently enriched pathways in the different comparison groups. In addition, 12 common target DE-miRNAs of DE-lncRNAs were found in different comparison groups, some of which were muscle-specific miRNAs, such as gga-miR-206, gga-miR-1a-3p, and miR-133a-3p. Interestingly, the precursors of four newly identified miRNAs were found to be homologous to lncRNAs. Additionally, we found some ceRNA networks associated with muscle development-related GO terms. For example, the ceRNA networks contained the DYNLL2 gene with 12 lncRNAs that targeted 2 miRNAs. We also constructed PPI networks, such as IGF-I-EGF and FZD6-WNT11.Conclusions: This study revealed, for the first time, the dynamic changes in lncRNA expression in Gushi chicken breast muscle at different periods and revealed that the MAPK signaling pathway plays a vital role in muscle development. Furthermore, MEF2C and its target lncRNA may be involved in muscle regulation through the MAPK signaling pathway. This research provided valuable resources for elucidating posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms to promote the development of chicken breast muscles after hatching.
Lotus leaf extract inhibits ER- breast cancer cell migration and metastasis
Authors: Tong Yuelin , Li Zhongwei , Wu Yikuan , Zhu Shenglong , Lu Keke , He Zhao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Patients with estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer have poor prognosis due to high rates of metastasis. However, there is no effective treatment and drugs for ER- breast cancer metastasis. Our purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lotus leaf alcohol extract (LAE) on the cell migration and metastasis of ER- breast cancer.Methods: The anti-migratory effect of LAE were analyzed in ER- breast cancer cells including SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and HCC1806 cell lines. Cell viability assay, wound-healing assay, RNA-sequence analysis and immunoblotting assay were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and anti-migratory effect of LAE. To further investigate the inhibitory effect of LAE on metastasis in vivo, subcutaneous xenograft and intravenous injection nude mice models were established. Lung and liver tissues were analyzed by the Hematoxylin & eosin staining and immunoblotting assay. Results: We found that lotus leaf alcohol extract (LAE), not nuciferine, inhibited cell migration significantly in SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and HCC1806 breast cancer cells, and did not affect viability of breast cancer cells. The anti-migratory effect of LAE was dependent on TGF-β1 signaling, while independent of Wnt signaling and autophagy influx. Intracellular H2O2 was involved in the TGF-β1-related inhibition of cell migration. LAE inhibited significantly the breast cancer cells metastasis in mice models. RNA-sequence analysis showed that extracellular matrix signaling pathways are associated with LAE-suppressed cell migration. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that lotus leaf alcohol extract inhibits the cell migration and metastasis of ER- breast cancer, at least in part, via TGF-β1/Erk1/2 and TGF-β1/SMAD3 signaling pathways, which provides a potential therapeutic strategy for ER- breast cancer.