bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Literature Search of Digital Health Technology Use in Neurological Conditions: Review of Digital Tools to Promote Self-management and Support
Authors: Spreadbury John Henry , Young Alex , Kipps Christopher Myles
Published: May 2022

Background

The use of digital health technology to promote and deliver postdiagnostic care in neurological conditions is becoming increasingly common. However, the range of digital tools available across different neurological conditions and how they facilitate self-management are unclear.

Objective

This review aims to identify digital tools that promote self-management in neurological conditions and to investigate their underlying functionality and salient clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a search of 6 databases (ie, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Review) using free text and equivalent database-controlled vocabulary terms.

Results

We identified 27 published articles reporting 17 self-management digital tools. Multiple sclerosis (MS) had the highest number of digital tools followed by epilepsy, stroke, and headache and migraine with a similar number, and then pain. The majority were aimed at patients with a minority for carers. There were 5 broad categories of functionality promoting self-management: (1) knowledge and understanding; (2) behavior modification; (3) self-management support; (4) facilitating communication; and (5) recording condition characteristics. Salient clinical outcomes included improvements in self-management, self-efficacy, coping, depression, and fatigue.

Conclusions

There now exist numerous digital tools to support user self-management, yet relatively few are described in the literature. More research is needed to investigate their use, effectiveness, and sustainability, as well as how this interacts with increasing disability, and their integration within formal neurological care environments.
A Mixed Reality Cognitive Orthosis to Support Older Adults in Achieving Their Daily Living Activities: Focus Group Study With Clinical Experts
Authors: Yaddaden Amel , Spalla Guillaume , Gouin-Vallerand Charles , Briskie-Semeniuk Patricia , Bier Nathalie
Published: May 2022

Background

Mixed reality is an emerging technology that allows us to blend virtual objects into the actual user’s environment. This can be realized using head-mounted displays. Many recent studies have suggested the possibility of using this technology to support cognition in people with neurodegenerative disorders (NDs). However, most studies have explored improvements in cognition rather than in independence and safety during the accomplishment of daily living activities. Therefore, it is crucial to document the possibility of using mixed reality to support the independence of older adults in their daily lives.

Objective

This study is part of a larger user-centered study of a cognitive orthosis using pure mixed reality to support the independence of people living with NDs. This study aimed to explore (the difficulties encountered by older adults with NDs in their daily life to ensure that pure mixed reality meets their needs, (the most effective interventions with this population to determine what types of assistance should be provided by pure mixed reality technology, how the pure mixed reality technology should provide assistance to promote aging in place, and the main facilitators of and barriers to the use of this technology.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive, qualitative study. A total of 5 focus groups were completed with occupational therapists who had expertise in the disease and its functional impacts (N=29) to gather information. Each focus group met once for a 1-hour period. All sessions were held over a 3-month period. A semistructured interview guide was used. All group interviews were audiotaped with the consent of each participant to facilitate the data analysis. We conducted inductive qualitative analysis in four stages using a thematic analysis approach: full transcription of the audio recordings, first-order coding of the transcribed data, second-order coding from the first-order code list, and data reduction and matrix development.

Results

The results suggested that the main difficulties encountered by this population were in remembering to complete tasks, initiating the tasks, and planning the tasks. Several interventions are used to improve the independence of this population, such as prevention, simplification or facilitation, adaptation, and compensation. The use of pure mixed reality in older adults with NDs to promote independence and safety at home is promising and may respond to several clinical functions identified by the participants. Finally, pure mixed reality has good potential for use in this population and involves certain facilitators and obstacles, such as resources, technical aspects, and social considerations.

Conclusions

The cognitive orthosis that will be developed in light of this study will act as a proof of concept for the possibility of supporting people with NDs using pure mixed reality.
Re-engineering a Clinical Trial Management System Using Blockchain Technology: System Design, Development, and Case Studies
Authors: Zhuang Yan , Zhang Luxia , Gao Xiyuan , Shae Zon-Yin , Tsai Jeffrey J P , Li Pengfei , Shyu Chi-Ren
Published: May 2022

Background

A clinical trial management system (CTMS) is a suite of specialized productivity tools that manage clinical trial processes from study planning to closeout. Using CTMSs has shown remarkable benefits in delivering efficient, auditable, and visualizable clinical trials. However, the current CTMS market is fragmented, and most CTMSs fail to meet expectations because of their inability to support key functions, such as inconsistencies in data captured across multiple sites. Blockchain technology, an emerging distributed ledger technology, is considered to potentially provide a holistic solution to current CTMS challenges by using its unique features, such as transparency, traceability, immutability, and security.

Objective

This study aimed to re-engineer the traditional CTMS by leveraging the unique properties of blockchain technology to create a secure, auditable, efficient, and generalizable CTMS.

Methods

A comprehensive, blockchain-based CTMS that spans all stages of clinical trials, including a sharable trial master file system; a fast recruitment and simplified enrollment system; a timely, secure, and consistent electronic data capture system; a reproducible data analytics system; and an efficient, traceable payment and reimbursement system, was designed and implemented using the Quorum blockchain. Compared with traditional blockchain technologies, such as Ethereum, Quorum blockchain offers higher transaction throughput and lowers transaction latency. Case studies on each application of the CTMS were conducted to assess the feasibility, scalability, stability, and efficiency of the proposed blockchain-based CTMS.

Results

A total of 21.6 million electronic data capture transactions were generated and successfully processed through blockchain, with an average of 335.4 transactions per second. Of the 6000 patients, 1145 were matched in 1.39 seconds using 10 recruitment criteria with an automated matching mechanism implemented by the smart contract. Key features, such as immutability, traceability, and stability, were also tested and empirically proven through case studies.

Conclusions

This study proposed a comprehensive blockchain-based CTMS that covers all stages of the clinical trial process. Compared with our previous research, the proposed system showed an overall better performance. Our system design, implementation, and case studies demonstrated the potential of blockchain technology as a potential solution to CTMS challenges and its ability to perform more health care tasks.
How We Can Reap the Full Benefit of Teleconsultations: Economic Evaluation Combined With a Performance Evaluation Through a Discrete-Event Simulation (Preprint)
Authors: Huguet Marius , Sarazin Marianne , Perrier Lionel , Augusto Vincent
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the rapid development of information and communications technology enabled by innovations in videoconferencing solutions and the emergence of connected medical devices has contributed to expanding the scope of application and expediting the development of telemedicine.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the use of teleconsultations (TCs) for specialist consultations at hospitals in terms of costs, resource consumption, and patient travel time. The key feature of our evaluation framework is the combination of an economic evaluation through a cost analysis and a performance evaluation through a discrete-event simulation (DES) approach.

METHODS

Three data sets were used to obtain detailed information on the characteristics of patients, characteristics of patients’ residential locations, and usage of telehealth stations. A total of 532 patients who received at least one TC and 18,559 patients who received solely physical consultations (CSs) were included in the initial sample. The TC patients were recruited during a 7-month period (ie, 2020 data) versus 19 months for the CS patients (ie, 2019 and 2020 data). A propensity score matching procedure was applied in the economic evaluation. To identify the best scenarios for reaping the full benefits of TCs, various scenarios depicting different population types and deployment strategies were explored in the DES model. Associated break-even levels were calculated.

RESULTS

The results of the cost evaluation reveal a higher cost for the TC group, mainly induced by higher volumes of (tele)consultations per patient and the substantial initial investment required for TC equipment. On average, the total cost per patient over 298 days of follow-up was €356.37 (US $392) per TC patient and €305.18 (US $336) per CS patient. However, the incremental cost of TCs was not statistically significant: €356.37 – €305.18 = €51.19 or US $392 – US $336 = US $56 (95% CI –35.99 to 114.25; P=.18). Sensitivity analysis suggested heterogeneous economic profitability levels within subpopulations and based on the intensity of use of TC solutions. In fact, the DES model results show that TCs could be a cost-saving strategy in some cases, depending on population characteristics, the amortization speed of telehealth equipment, and the locations of telehealth stations.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of TCs has the potential to lead to a major organizational change in the health care system in the near future. Nevertheless, TC performance is strongly related to the context and deployment strategy involved.
Assessment of Social Behavior Using a Passive Monitoring App in Cognitively Normal and Cognitively Impaired Older Adults: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Muurling Marijn , Reus Lianne M , de Boer Casper , Wessels Sterre C , Jagesar Raj R , Vorstman Jacob A S , Kas Martien J H , Visser Pieter Jelle
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

In people with cognitive impairment, loss of social interactions has a major impact on well-being. Therefore, patients would benefit from early detection of symptoms of social withdrawal. Current measurement techniques such as questionnaires are subjective and rely on recall, in contradiction to smartphone apps, which measure social behavior passively and objectively.

OBJECTIVE

This study uses the remote monitoring smartphone app Behapp to assess social behavior, and aims to investigate (1) the association between social behavior, demographic characteristics, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in cognitively normal (CN) older adults, and (2) if social behavior is altered in cognitively impaired (CI) participants. In addition, we explored in a subset of individuals the association between Behapp outcomes and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

METHODS

CN, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and CI older adults installed the Behapp app on their own Android smartphone for 7 to 42 days. CI participants had a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer-type dementia. The app continuously measured communication events, app use and location. Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) total scores were available for 20 SCD and 22 CI participants. Linear models were used to assess group differences on Behapp outcomes and to assess the association of Behapp outcomes with the NPI.

RESULTS

We included CN (n=209), SCD (n=55) and CI (n=22) participants. Older cognitively normal participants called less frequently and made less use of apps (P<.05). No sex effects were found. Compared to the CN and SCD groups, CI individuals called less unique contacts (β=–0.7 [SE 0.29], P=.049) and contacted the same contacts relatively more often (β=0.8 [SE 0.25], P=.004). They also made less use of apps (β=–0.83 [SE 0.25], P=.004). Higher total NPI scores were associated with further traveling (β=0.042 [SE 0.015], P=.03).

CONCLUSIONS

CI individuals show reduced social activity, especially those activities that are related to repeated and unique behavior, as measured by the smartphone app Behapp. Neuropsychiatric symptoms seemed only marginally associated with social behavior as measured with Behapp. This research shows that the Behapp app is able to objectively and passively measure altered social behavior in a cognitively impaired population.
Making National Cancer Institute–Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center Knowledge Accessible to Community Oncologists via an Online Tumor Board: Longitudinal Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kalra Maitri , Henry Elizabeth , McCann Kelly , Karuturi Meghan S , Bustamante Alvarez Jean G , Parkes Amanda , Wesolowski Robert , Wei Mei , Mougalian Sarah S , Durm Gregory , Qin Angel , Schonewolf Caitlin , Trivedi Meghna , Armaghani Avan J , Wilson Frederick H , Iams Wade T , Turk Anita A , Vikas Praveen , Cecchini Michael , Lubner Sam , Pathak Priyadarshini , Spencer Kristen , Koshkin Vadim S , Labriola Matthew K , Marshall Catherine H , Beckermann Katy E ,   theMednet.org NCI-CCC Tumor Board Program Collaborative Group, Sharifi Marina N , Bejjani Anthony C , Hotchandani Varsha , Housri Samir , Housri Nadine
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Expert knowledge is often shared among multidisciplinary academic teams at tumor boards (TBs) across the country, but these conversations exist in silos and do not reach the wider oncology community.

OBJECTIVE

Using an oncologist-only question and answer (Q&A) website, we sought to document expert insights from TBs at National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (NCI-CCCs) to provide educational benefits to the oncology community.

METHODS

We designed a process with the NCI-CCCs to document and share discussions from the TBs focused on areas of practice variation on theMednet, an interactive Q&A website of over 13,000 US oncologists. The faculty translated the TB discussions into concise, non–case-based Q&As on theMednet. Answers were peer reviewed and disseminated in email newsletters to registered oncologists. Reach and engagement were measured. Following each Q&A, a survey question asked how the TB Q&As impacted the readers’ practice.

RESULTS

A total of 23 breast, thoracic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary programs from 16 NCI-CCC sites participated. Between December 2016 and July 2021, the faculty highlighted 368 questions from their TBs. Q&As were viewed 147,661 times by 7381 oncologists at 3515 institutions from all 50 states. A total of 277 (75%) Q&As were viewed every month. Of the 1063 responses to a survey question on how the Q&A affected clinicians’ practices, 646 (61%) reported that it confirmed their current practice, 163 (20%) indicated that a Q&A would change their future practice, and 214 (15%) reported learning something new.

CONCLUSIONS

Through an online Q&A platform, academics at the NCI-CCCs share knowledge outside the walls of academia with oncologists across the United States. Access to up-to-date expert knowledge can reassure clinicians’ practices, significantly impact patient care in community practices, and be a source of new knowledge and education.
Lessening Organ Dysfunction With Vitamin C (LOVIT) Trial: Statistical Analysis Plan (Preprint)
Authors: Adhikari Neill KJ , Pinto Ruxandra , Day Andrew G , Masse Marie-Hélène , Ménard Julie , Sprague Sheila , Annane Djillali , Arabi Yaseen M , Battista Marie-Claude , Cohen Dian , Cook Deborah J , Guyatt Gordon H , Heyland Daren K , Kanji Salmaan , McGuinness Shay P , Parke Rachael L , Tirupakuzhi Vijayaraghavan Bharath Kumar , Charbonney Emmanuel , Chassé Michaël , Del Sorbo Lorenzo , Kutsogiannis Demetrios James , Lauzier François , Leblanc Rémi , Maslove David M , Mehta Sangeeta , Mekontso Dessap Armand , Mele Tina S , Rochwerg Bram , Rewa Oleksa G , Shahin Jason , Twardowski Pawel , Young Paul Jeffrey , Lamontagne François ,   LOVIT Investigators
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

The LOVIT (Lessening Organ Dysfunction with Vitamin C) trial is a blinded multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing high-dose intravenous vitamin C to placebo in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with proven or suspected infection as the main diagnosis and receiving a vasopressor.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to describe a prespecified statistical analysis plan (SAP) for the LOVIT trial prior to unblinding and locking of the trial database.

METHODS

The SAP was designed by the LOVIT principal investigators and statisticians, and approved by the steering committee and coinvestigators. The SAP defines the primary and secondary outcomes, and describes the planned primary, secondary, and subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

The SAP includes a draft participant flow diagram, tables, and planned figures. The primary outcome is a composite of mortality and persistent organ dysfunction (receipt of mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, or new renal replacement therapy) at 28 days, where day 1 is the day of randomization. All analyses will use a frequentist statistical framework. The analysis of the primary outcome will estimate the risk ratio and 95% CI in a generalized linear mixed model with binomial distribution and log link, with site as a random effect. We will perform a secondary analysis adjusting for prespecified baseline clinical variables. Subgroup analyses will include age, sex, frailty, severity of illness, Sepsis-3 definition of septic shock, baseline ascorbic acid level, and COVID-19 status.

CONCLUSIONS

We have developed an SAP for the LOVIT trial and will adhere to it in the analysis phase.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/36261
Passive Mobile Self-Tracking of Mental Health by Veterans with Serious Mental Illness: Study Protocol (Preprint)
Authors: Young Alexander S. , Choi Abigail , Cannedy Shay , Hoffmann Lauren , Levine Lionel , Liang Li-Jung , Medich Melissa , Oberman Rebecca , Olmos-Ochoa Tanya T.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Serious mental illnesses (SMI) are common, disabling, and challenging to treat, requiring years of monitoring and treatment adjustments. Stress or reduced medication adherence can lead to rapid worsening of symptoms and behaviors. Illness exacerbations and relapses generally occur with little or no clinician awareness in real time, leaving limited opportunity to modify treatments. Previous research suggests that passive mobile sensing may be beneficial for individuals with SMI by helping them monitor mental health status, behaviors, and quickly detect worsening mental health for prompt assessment and intervention. However, there is too little research on its feasibility and acceptability in patients with SMI, and the extent to which passive data can predict changes in behaviors and symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility, acceptability and safety of passive mobile sensing for tracking behaviors and symptoms of patients in treatment for SMI, as well as developing analytics that utilize passive data to predict changes in behaviors and symptoms.

METHODS

A mobile application (app) monitors and transmits passive mobile sensor and phone utilization data to track activity, sociability and sleep in patients with SMI. The study consists of a user-centered design phase and a mobile sensing phase. In the design phase, focus groups, interviews and in-lab usability testing inform further app development. In the mobile sensing phase, passive mobile sensing occurs with participants engaging in weekly assessments for up to nine months. Three and nine month interviews study the perceptions of passive mobile sensing and ease of app use. Clinician interviews before and after the mobile sensing phase study the usefulness and feasibility of app utilization in clinical care. Predictive analytic models are built, trained and selected, and make use of machine learning methods. Models use sensor and phone utilization data to predict behavioral changes and symptoms.

RESULTS

The study was funded in October 2020 and has received IRB approval. The user-centered design phase, consisting of focus groups, usability testing, and pre-intervention clinician interviews has been completed. Recruitment and enrollment for the mobile sensing phase are ongoing.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings may inform the development of passive sensing apps and self-tracking in patients with SMI, and integration into care to improve assessment, treatment, and patient outcomes.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05023252; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05023252
A Blockchain-Enabled Personalized Health Record: Design and Prototyping (Preprint)
Authors: Dong Yibin , Mun Seong K , Wang Yue
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

The longitudinal personal health record (LPHR) is a foundation for managing patients’ health, but we do not have such a system in the US except for the patients in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care service. The fact that individual health records are scattered in multiple health care facilities without any standards make it very difficult to build such system. In addition, patients have been raising privacy and ethical concerns related to consent and granular control of LPHR. Consent is desired to be specific. However, the current consent in the industry is not that granular. At most, there is an opt-in or opt-out choice. “A scalable and interoperable LPHR is desired with patient-controlled privacy and confidentiality that preserves patients’ health information integrity and availability” [1]. To patients, consent, data security and privacy are translated to trustfulness. Patients want to be engaged and ensure only authorized people can view their personal health records with patient-managed granularity. Solving this challenge of patient-controlled consent granularity on LPHR is an important step in making LPHR useful for patient care.

OBJECTIVE

This research aims to design a secure LPHR with patient-controlled consent granularity, data security and privacy that both patients and providers can trust in the United States.

METHODS

Built upon our prior work of the blockchain-enabled next generation access control (BeNGAC) model, we designed a blockchain-enabled personalized health record (BEPHR) sharing platform with patient-controlled consent granularity capability. We implemented the construct for a patient’s LPHR with a Web-based application prototype consisting of two health care organizations with their EHRs.

RESULTS

In this work, we proposed a BEPHR model trusted by patients and health care providers and implemented a Web-based BEPHR sharing platform with patient-controlled consent granularity. Consent, security and privacy of BEPHR are ensured by the merits of the BeNGAC model. The instantiation of the designed model suggested the feasibility of combining emerging blockchain technology with next generation access control model to tackle a longstanding health care LPHR problem

CONCLUSIONS

Our BEPHR solution provides patients with granularity, security and privacy they can trust and strengthens informed consent process. Jointly, the blockchain technology and NGAC offer security, privacy and confidentiality, data integrity, auditability, scalability, distributedness, patient consent autonomy, and zero-trust capabilities. The always-validate next generation access control model prevents the insider threats. A Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) interface is incorporated to show readiness of LPHR interoperability and integration.
Digital Phenotyping in Health Using Machine Learning Approaches: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Dlima Schenelle Dayna , Shevade Santosh , Menezes Sonia Rebecca , Ganju Aakash
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Digital phenotyping is the real-time collection of individual-level active and passive data from users in naturalistic and free-living settings via personal digital devices, such as mobile phones and wearable devices. Given the novelty of research in this field, there is heterogeneity in the clinical use cases, types of data collected, modes of data collection, data analysis methods, and outcomes measured.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this scoping review was to map the published research on digital phenotyping and to outline study characteristics, data collection and analysis methods, machine learning approaches, and future implications.

METHODS

We utilized an a priori approach for the literature search and data extraction and charting process, guided by the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). We identified relevant studies published in 2020, 2021, and 2022 on PubMed and Google Scholar using search terms related to digital phenotyping. The titles, abstracts, and keywords were screened during the first stage of the screening process, and the second stage involved screening the full texts of the shortlisted articles. We extracted and charted the descriptive characteristics of the final studies, which were countries of origin, study design, clinical areas, active and/or passive data collected, modes of data collection, data analysis approaches, and limitations.

RESULTS

A total of 454 articles on PubMed and Google Scholar were identified through search terms associated with digital phenotyping, and 46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in this scoping review. Most studies evaluated wearable data and originated from North America. The most dominant study design was observational, followed by randomized trials, and most studies focused on psychiatric disorders, mental health disorders, and neurological diseases. A total of 7 studies used machine learning approaches for data analysis, with random forest, logistic regression, and support vector machines being the most common.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review provides foundational as well as application-oriented approaches toward digital phenotyping in health. Future work should focus on more prospective, longitudinal studies that include larger data sets from diverse populations, address privacy and ethical concerns around data collection from consumer technologies, and build “digital phenotypes” to personalize digital health interventions and treatment plans.
An Ensemble Learning Approach to Improving Prediction of Case Duration for Spine Surgery Using Patient and Surgical Features (Preprint)
Authors: Gabriel Rodney Allanigue , Harjai Bhavya , Simpson Sierra , Du Austin Liu , Tully Jeffrey Logan , George Olivier , Waterman Ruth Susanna
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Estimating surgical case duration accurately is an important operating room efficiency metric.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this 4-year, single academic center retrospective study was to utilize an ensemble learning approach to improve the accuracy of scheduled case duration for spine surgery. The primary outcome measure was case duration.

METHODS

We compared machine learning models using surgical and patient features to our institutional method, which used historic averages and surgeon adjustment as needed. We implemented multivariable linear regression, random forest, bagging, and XGBoost and calculated average R2, root mean squared error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) using stratified k-folds cross-validation. We then used the Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) explainer model to determine feature importance.

RESULTS

3,315 patients who underwent spine surgery were included. The institution’s current method of predicting case times had poor coefficient of determination with actual times (R2 = 0.19). On k-folds cross-validation, the linear regression model had an R2 of 0.34, RMSE of 165.3, and MAE of 128.4. Among all models, the XGBoost regressor performed the best with an R2 of 0.70, RMSE of 110.9, and MAE of 75.8. Based on SHAP analysis of the XGBoost regression, body mass index, spinal fusions, surgical procedure, and number of spine levels involved were the features with the most impact on the model.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing ensemble learning-based predictive models, specifically XGBoost regression, can improve accuracy of the estimation of spine surgery times.

CLINICALTRIAL

N/A
Comparing the Use of a Mobile App and a Web-Based Notification Platform for Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Influenza Immunization: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Bota A Brianne , Bettinger Julie A , Sarfo-Mensah Shirley , Lopez Jimmy , Smith David P , Atkinson Katherine M , Bell Cameron , Marty Kim , Serhan Mohamed , Zhu David T , McCarthy Anne E , Wilson Kumanan
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Vaccine safety surveillance is a core component of vaccine pharmacovigilance. In Canada, active, participant-centered vaccine surveillance is available for influenza vaccines and has been used for COVID-19 vaccines.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of using a mobile app for reporting participant-centered seasonal influenza adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) compared to a web-based notification system.

METHODS

Participants were randomized to influenza vaccine safety reporting via a mobile app or a web-based notification platform. All participants were invited to complete a user experience survey.

RESULTS

Among the 2408 randomized participants, 1319 (54%) completed their safety survey 1 week after vaccination, with a higher completion rate among the web-based notification platform users (767/1196, 64%) than among mobile app users (552/1212, 45%; P<.001). Ease-of-use ratings were high for the web-based notification platform users (99% strongly agree or agree) and 88.8% of them strongly agreed or agreed that the system made reporting AEFIs easier. Web-based notification platform users supported the statement that a web-based notification-only approach would make it easier for public health professionals to detect vaccine safety signals (91.4%, agreed or strongly agreed).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants in this study were significantly more likely to respond to a web-based safety survey rather than within a mobile app. These results suggest that mobile apps present an additional barrier for use compared to the web-based notification–only approach.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05794113; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT05794113
Drug-related problems (DRPs) on antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients: a review
Authors: Titami Arina , Mende Juniarto , Nurfina Dian K.
Published: May 2022

Drug-related problems (DRPs) is event that can interfere with the outcome of therapy. It can occur in various patient populations and ages. The DRPs in pediatric patients is found to be significantly frequent due to their vulnerable features. Many factors such as age, weight, body surface area should be considered during drug therapy in pediatric patients. The organs development continues for many years and the organs responsible for drug metabolism and elimination have not yet full capacity in pediatric patients. Antibiotics are often prescribed to pediatric patients. Several studies concerning DRPs on antibiotic therapy have been conducted in some countries. This review summarizes types, factors and impacts to the occurrence of DRPs on antibiotic therapy in pediatric patients.
Drug-related problems (DRPs) in geriatric patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): a review
Authors: Lathifa Nabila  , Sundas Ejaz  , Shalahuddin Al Madury
Published: May 2022

Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease characterized by bronchial hyper-responsiveness, reversible airflow limitation, and respiratory symptoms. Asthma affects 300 million people in developed countries. More than 10% of asthma complaints in children occur at school age. Asthma therapy in children using pharmacological agents is still the main choice until now. However, the response of pediatric patients to asthma treatment varies. In addition to age, organ function, and drug interactions, genetic factors are often associated with drug response variability. This variability can occur due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in protein-coding genes that play a role in bioavailability and drug response. Understanding of pharmacogenomics as the basis of individualized medicine aims to avoid adverse drug reactions and maximize drug effectiveness. The existence of genetic variation allows the drug response between individuals to be different. Pharmacogenomics provides important information in individual-based medicine so that it can predict the existence of a population that can respond well to certain drugs and a population that has a higher risk of adverse drug reactions. Implementation of individual treatment can optimize treatment in patients because the dose of treatment and therapeutic options have been adjusted based on individual genetic characteristics.
THE MECHANISMS OF MITOCHONDRIAL NEURON DYSFUNCTION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ARSENIC AND ALUMINIUM (REVIEW)
Authors:   Grodno State Medical University, Fliuryk S.V. , Dremza I.K. ,   Grodno State Medical University
Published: May 2022

Exposure to neurotropic chemicals (aluminum, arsenic, etc.) as a result of pollution of environmental objects can cause disruption of the bioenergetics of nerve cells. Objectives. To analyze and summarize the literature data on the mechanisms of the effects of arsenic and aluminum on the structure and functions of neuronal mitochondria. Sources of data: literature sources reflecting the mechanisms of the influence of these neurotoxicants on neuronal mitochondria. Methods. The basis of this study was the review of literature on this topic. Results. The influence of arsenic compounds on nerve cells causes mitochondrial dysfunction due to the activation of oxidative stress, an increase in the intracellular level of Ca2+, a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential and the level of calpain 1, but aluminum compounds increase the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupt the activity of cytochrome c-oxidase and the energy-producing function of mitochondria in various types of neurons. Mitochondrial dysfunction, caused when exposed to these metals is accompanied by the decrease in ROS resynthesis and the activation of oxidative stress, which in its turn decreases energy generation in mitochondria still to a greater extent according to the mechanism of a vicious circle («CIRCULUS VITIOSUS»). Conclusions. The presented information deepens our knowledge about the mechanisms of neuronal bioenergetics disorders under the influence of arsenic and aluminum compounds, which is the basis for further research in order to develop effective methods of prevention, detoxification and antioxidant therapy for acute and chronic arsenic and aluminum poisoning and to implement the results obtained in practical healthcare.
Approaches to forecasting of time dynamics of the processes and use of Farr’s epidemic evolution law on example of dynamics of new cases of HIV-infection in Russian Federation
Authors: Barinova A. N. , Lebedeva A. A. , Gusarov M. V. , Plavinskii S. L.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. Forecasting of different processes in health, including epidemics, are important area of public health. There exists an idea that in some cases simple models can give adequate forecasts.

Goal of this studywas to evaluate possible use and results of forecasting of registration of new cases of HIV infection in Russian Federation based on well-known Farr’s law.

Materials and methods. The official statistical data on new HIV cases in 1999–2020 in Russian Federation were used. Parameters for forecasting new cases until 2027 were calculated according to Bregman and Langmuir. For evaluation of forecasting the calculations were done for 2015–2020 after fitting model with data until 2014. Normal components of the empirical epidemic curve were estimated and more appropriately fitted distributions were found for the data described by those components.

Results. Estimations according to the Farr’s law somewhat undercount number of the new cases of HIV infection (it forecast 99% (95% CI 92–106%) cases when smoothing was used and 97% (95% CI 89–106%) when raw data were used). In general, especially when smoothing was used, fit was satisfactory. Forecast until 2027 show that total number of HIV cases in 1999–2027 will be 1.7–2.0 mln people. Analysis of most probable distribution of the second peak of epidemic curve show that it is lognormal, which allow for much larger number of infected in medium- and long-term perspective.

Conclusion. Though Farr’s law could be used for short-term forecast it is not recommended to weaken preventive programs due to possibility of large increase in number of HIV-infected in comparison with Farr’s law forecast.
En bibliotekar i Baltikum
Authors: Hansen Jan Erik
Published: May 2022

Redaktørens dagbogsnoter fra en bibliotekstur i Baltikum.
Fractional SZIR Model of Zombies Infection
Authors: Jafari Hossein , Goswami Pranay , DUBEY RAVI , SHARMA SHIVANI , Chaudhary Arun
Published: May 2022

The paper is concerned with the SIZR mathematical model for an outbreak
of zombie infection with time-dependent infection rate. This class of
the SIZR model involves equations that relate the susceptible S(t), the
infected I(t), the zombie Z(t), and removed population R(t). The well
poseness of the model is presented. The proposed model is then
outstretched to the fractional order mathematical model with three
different derivative operators i.e., Caputo, Caputo-Fabrizio, and
Atangana-Baleanu fractional derivative operator. The conditions under
which the model has a unique solution are established for different
derivative operators. Using the numerical scheme which was proposed by
Atangana and Toufik the numerical solutions are presented for the
different fractional derivative operators.
Tumor-mimicking musculoskeletal infectious lesions: Experience of a single referral center
Authors: Aydın Özlem , Çelik Aykut , Batibay Sefa , Yildirim Ayse , Okay Erhan , Ayaz Tunahan , Zenginkinet Tulay , Ozkan Korhan
Published: May 2022

Introduction/Objectives. Bone and soft tissue infections might mimic bone and soft tissue tumors. Therefore, differential diagnosis is important to prevent errors in treatment. This report aims to present the data of patients with indistinct clinical and radiological findings mimicking benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, which were later diagnosed as inflammatory infections. Methods. A retrospective chart review of the clinical, microbiological, radiologic, and pathologic findings of patients presented with a presumed diagnosis of a possible malignant lesion was performed. Results. The study included 21 patients with a median age (IQR) of 37 (1 month ? 72 years) years, and 13 (61%) patients were men. In total, 16 (76%) patients were admitted to the hospital with complaints of pain. The diagnoses were hydatid cyst, tuberculous osteomyelitis, cat-scratch disease, chronic osteomyelitis, subacute osteomyelitis, and soft tissue abscess. All patients were treated depending on the diagnosis of the lesion. Conclusion. There are chances of misdiagnosis due to shared common characteristics of tumoral and infectious lesions which might be mildly increased inflammatory markers with deeply seated non-mobile soft tissue masses and aggressive periosteal reactions and/or bone destruction patterns. So, each pseudotumoral lesion due to possible infectious causes should be histopathologically examined and correlated with other clinical and laboratory data in order to achieve a final diagnosis
Important bacterial diseases and their control in rainbow trout in Serbian aquaculture
Authors: Radosavljevic Vladimir , Zdravkovic Nemanja , Veljovic Ljubisa , Radanovic Oliver
Published: May 2022

Global freshwater fish production in aquaculture has grown rapidly in recent decades. This constant growth, involving novel forms of intensive aquaculture, has increased global movements of fish and boosted various anthropogenic stresses to aquatic ecosystems, so rainbow trout aquaculture has encountered the emergence and outbreaks of many bacterial diseases. Due to the need to effectively prevent and control disease outbreaks, vaccines have become an important technology in intensive trout aquaculture. In this review, the applications of specific vaccines against important bacterial diseases of rainbow trout in Serbian aquaculture are summarized.
Prospects for the Study of Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Authors: KNIGHT DENISE D.
Published: May 2022

This essay examines the changing landscape in Gilman studies and suggests future directions that scholars might take to further our understanding of this often-enigmatic fin-de-siècle author. Since 2009, the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe Institute has acquired a sizeable collection of new material from Gilman's descendants, including letters, photographs, inscribed books, miscellaneous documents, and numerous family keepsakes. The new material adds yet another layer to recovery efforts made in recent years. Scholars might continue to evaluate Gilman's mixed legacy, including her racism, classism, ethnocentrism, and support of eugenics. Future research might also continue to situate Gilman in a less nationalistic and more global context; her work continues to be compelling, as well as controversial, to readers and scholars well beyond the United States.
Eleven More Western Women Writers
Authors: BAYM NINA
Published: May 2022

Following Women Writers of the American West, 1833–1927 (2011), this essay surveys eleven neglected western women writers from all regions except California. In Texas, Maude Mason Austin wrote a borderlands novel and poetry, Gertrude Beasley described growing up poor, and Esther Darbyshire MacCallum recounted a church's history. In the plains, Mary A. Cragin (pseud. Joy Allison) and Lorna Doone Beers (Mrs. C. R. Chambers) published novels. In the Pacific Northwest, Sidona V. Johnson and Georgiana Mitchell Blankenship brought out regional histories. Regarding the Southwest, Harriet S. Kellogg memorialized Emily J. Harwood, Julia H. Johnston focused on Indians and Mexicans without having lived in the West, and Katharine Roney Crowell published religious school texts. Finally, Katharine Coman attempted to encapsulate the progress of the entire West. This survey concludes with commentary on Willa Cather, who shared these writers' sense that (white) women had allowed the West to fulfill its destiny.
“Stepchild of the Sun”: An Unpublished Story by Susan Glaspell
Authors: ROESSEL DAVID , WERTZBERGER STEVEN R.
Published: May 2022

The previously unpublished story “Stepchild of the Sun” by American playwright and novelist Susan Glaspell deals with the exclusionary nature of female community and its complicated relationship with female solidarity. The story is about a woman named Maida who contracts a rare disease that precludes her from ever being in sunlight again. It details Maida's life after contracting the disease and the problems her condition causes both in her relationships with friends and in her inner life. The typescript with the author's handwritten corrections is located in the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library.
Avoiding “the stench of the ego”: An Interview with Andre Dubus III
Authors: Dubus Andre , EDENFIELD OLIVIA CARR
Published: May 2022

This interview with Andre Dubus III, award-winning novelist and essayist, took place in Newburyport, MA, on July 11, 2011, only a few months after the publication of his memoir, Townie. The interviewer is the authorized biographer of Andre Dubus, the critically acclaimed short-story writer and Andre III's father. Dubus discusses the writing process, his literary influences, and the struggles of writing memoir. He is frank in regards to the determination required to face his past, troubled as it was due to his father's absence. This particular discussion is most noteworthy for his realization, which took place during the interview, that memoir, not fiction, was the only genre that he could use to tell his life story with authenticity and integrity.
Steinbeck's Last Words
Authors: SHILLINGLAW SUSAN
Published: May 2022

Steinbeck's “last words” were about the war in Vietnam. Written in 1966–67, Steinbeck's Vietnam dispatches were published in newspapers across America as “Letters to Alicia” and have been collected for the first time in Steinbeck in Vietnam: Dispatches from the War, edited by Thomas Barden. In a lucid introduction and afterword, Barden explains why the ailing Steinbeck, whose son John was serving in Vietnam, felt compelled to witness this unpopular war for himself. While Steinbeck's “last words” are far from his best, they nonetheless offer captivating evidence of a writer who cared deeply about his country's stake in the world.
Crossing the 38th Parallel
Authors: PURCELL RICHARD
Published: May 2022

This review-essay contextualizes Timothy Parrish's most recent book, Ralph Ellison and the Genius of America (2012), within the cultural politics that have defined the critical reception of Ralph Waldo Ellison's writings, especially his most famous novel, Invisible Man (1952). This review-essay suggests that, even as it takes Ellison scholarship in new and exciting directions, Parrish's book reminds us of how Ellison's work is still used by critics to engage in a continuation of the culture wars.
The Crisis of Beat Studies Scholarship
Authors: GRACE NANCY M.
Published: May 2022

The review-essay considers Capturing the Beat Moment: Cultural Politics and the Poetics of Presence, by Erik Mortenson, as a vehicle not only to assess Mortenson's text but also to explore the current state of the field of Beat studies. Specifically, this review-essay addresses the roles of graduate programs, the early reputation of Beat writers as nonacademic no-nothings, the quality of seminal studies of Beat literature, and the popular and academic publishing worlds—all of which have contributed to an erosion of scholarly standards in the field.
Prospects for the Study of H.D.
Authors: DEBO ANNETTE
Published: May 2022

This essay looks to the future of literary scholarship about modernist writer H.D. (Hilda Doolittle). Readers can now easily obtain almost all of H.D.'s writings—which remained, for decades, ensconced in the archives—and the question becomes what else is needed in H.D. studies. New biographies are desperately needed, and edited volumes of letters are the logical complement to the biographies. Digitization of H.D.'s papers, which has begun, would make materials increasingly available to scholars, established and new. Editions are still needed for a few texts, and scholarly editions would assist our understanding of the most important works. Electronic tools are being developed and need financial support for development and publication, and the more traditional venues of selected essay volumes, reference books, and journal special issues are called for. Additionally, as the volume of scholarly work on H.D. increases, we need new critical lenses through which to read her writing.