bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Insulin Resistance Induced Brain Tissue Dysfunction in Obese Dams and their Neonates: Role of Ipriflavone Amelioration
Authors: Gad Rania A. , Abdel-Reheim Eman S. , Shehab Gaber M.G. , Hafez Hani S. , Abuelsaad Abdelaziz S.A.
Published: August 2020

Background:

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with activation of liver fibrogenesis and predisposes to cirrhosis and associated morbi-mortality. A high fat high cholesterol diet (HFD) was provided to female albino rats to establish a NASH model. It is well known that the offspring of obese mothers have an increased risk of obesity and diabetes. The present study aimed at evaluating the ameliorative effects of ipriflavone (IP) as a natural food supplement on lipid metabolism, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, modifying metabolic risk factors and/or reduce brain damage, in both neonates and their dams.

Materials and Methods:

The present aim was achieved by evaluating the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense system biomarkers, as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In addition, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (Ach) and acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activities, as well as levels of the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4); β-secretase, hyper phosphor-tau and β-amyloid 42; 3-hydroxy- 3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG CoA R)” and COX-II by immunoblotting assays in the brain tissue of neonates and their dams in all the studied groups.

Result:

A very significant amelioration in acetylcholine and acetylcholine esterase neurotransmitters, Alzheimer’s makers (β-amyloid), antioxidants (reduced glutathione (GSH) contents, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); and inflammatory cytokines in NASH model is observed upon administrating ipriflavone (IP) as a natural food supplement. The multifunctional activities of ipriflavone as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin resistance drug were discussed and correlated with other investigations.

Conclusion:

Regarding steatohepatitis, the present study confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of the ipriflavone (IP). Therefore, future studies should focus on hepatic fatty acid uptake, hepatic lipogenesis, and fatty acid oxidation and the role of IP in regulating hepatic fat metabolism. In addition, natural products like IP could be combined with the highly used pharmaceutical drugs to reduce the side effects of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and minimize progression of dementia. Moreover, the present study supports further attempts to heal the neural dysfunction via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory cascade activities using ipriflavone (IP).
Publicaciones del sector alimentación y bebidas análisis de artículos en la prensa digital española
Authors: Vega Intriago María-José , Izquierdo González Vanessa , Pestana Olívia
Published: August 2020

The evolution of media has offered people easier access to information, which in turn has generated a need for creating flexible content and providing a platform for expressing opinions. This trend especially impacts the food and beverage sector, which feels a constant pressure to meet the requirements of their influence groups and especially of consumers, who want to be informed about so-called healthy habits and dietary recommendations. This particular investigation focuses on evaluating the scientific precision that was applied in the publications of the digital newspapers El Mundo and El País during the months of February and March of 2019 in relation with the food and beverage sector and to what extent the number of these publications is an indication of the importance that is being attached to a scientific seal of approval. This scientific approval, in any case, should be demanded in any publication which is related to the health and certain consumer habits of readers.
“Jornalismo de peito aberto": o consumo de conteúdo jornalístico no podcast Mamilos
Authors: Valiati Vanessa Amalia Dalpizol , Cardoso Gabriela Barboza , Breda Letícia Prior
Published: August 2020

This article seeks to identify how public consumption practices of the Mamilos podcast. For this, the research starts from concepts such as post-industrial journalism, a transition from journalistic sound production to the Internet and the origin and characteristics of podcasts in Brazil and in the world. From the application of a questionnaire with the podcast audience was able to identify the consumer's profile and the way they consume the content. The results also allow us to conclude that the Mamilos podcast delivers journalistic content to its listeners, who seek, in the programs, discussions with different opinions on subjects related to society.
A cantiga “En un tiempo cogi flores”, de Afonso XI, e o Poema de Alfonso Onceno
Authors: Faria Rui Bressiani Queirós de
Published: August 2020

"En un tiempocogi flores", although written in Castilian,it is a cantigathat offers several elements of continuity when compared tothe Galician-Portuguese poetic tradition. But what makesthis poem sounique is the metaphor "to pick flowers" and the comparison between awoman anda rose, elements whose erotic meaning is clear. This perspective is easily confirmed when we realizet that the Poema de Alfonso Onceno, written by Rodrigo Yañez, uses identical floral imagery to characterize Dona Leonor de Guzmán, the beloved lover of the Castilian king.
A impregnação bíblica no romance arturiano em prosa: uma parábola no "Lancelot en Prose"
Authors: Silva Rafaela
Published: August 2020

In what concerns the prose Arthurian romance, little space has been devoted to the study of biblical matter. This fact seems even more striking with regard to Prose Lancelot, a bookthat seems to bethe narrative axis of the “Lancelot-Graal” cycle, written in France, around 1220.After a thorough study aboutthe parables of the Gospels, detected in the two versions of the conclusion of the cycle mentioned above, the Portuguese Demanda do Santo Graaland the Queste del Saint Graal, that we present in a very succinct wayin this article, we reserved a brief analysis of a parable unexpectedly found in Prose Lancelot. Thus, we propose a reading of the “Parable of the talents” and a reflection on the modeling action of the Holy Scriptures, seeking to understand to what extent they fit into the cyclical conception.
Высокочастотный магнетотранспорт в тонком металлическом слое с варьируемыми коэффициентами зеркальности границ
Authors: Кузнецов П.А. , Савенко О.В. , Юшканов А.А.
Published: August 2020

Построена теоретическая модель электропроводности тонкого металлического слоя в продольном постоянном магнитном и переменном электрическом полях с учетом диффузно-зеркальных граничных условий. Получено аналитическое выражение для интегральной проводимости, как функции безразмерных параметров: толщины слоя, частоты электрического поля, индукции магнитного поля и коэффициентов зеркальности поверхностей. Проанализированы зависимости проводимости слоя от вышеуказанных параметров. Проведено сравнение полученных результатов с известными экспериментальными данными. Ключевые слова: уравнение Больцмана, функция распределения, тонкий слой, электропроводность, коэффициент зеркальности.
Образование свободных электронов при столкновении Хе c альфа-частицами
Authors: Басалаев А.А. , Панов М.Н. , Смирнов О.В.
Published: August 2020

Измерены сечения элементарных процессов при столкновении налетающих ионов 3Не2+ с кинетическими энергиями в диапазоне 1-100 keV с атомами Хе, сопровождающиеся образованием свободных электронов и ионов в различных конечных зарядовых состояниях: Хеn+ (n=1-6) и Не(2-m)+ (m=0-2). Выделены процессы ионизации, когда налетающая альфа-частица не меняет зарядового состояния, и процессы захвата одного или двух электронов, ведущие к образованию однозарядного иона или атома гелия с дополнительным удалением электронов из атома ксенона в сплошной спектр. Определены сечения образования свободных электронов в каждом из этих процессов. Определен вклад в образование свободных электронов многоэлектронных процессов. Показано, что при изменении энергии столкновения ионов 3Не2+ от 1 до 100 keV (скорости налетающего иона от 0.12 до 1.2 a.u.) принципиально меняется механизм удаления электронов из атома ксенона. При малых скоростях сближения частиц происходит образование автоионизационного состояния квазимолекулы и его последующий распад. При больших скоростях (V>0.7 a.u.) образование свободных электронов в основном обусловлено внезапным изменением потенциальной энергии электронов при сближении быстрой альфа-частицы с ядром атома ксенона. Ключевые слова: захват с ионизацией, многоэлектронные процессы, свободные электроны, квазимолекулярный механизм.
Анализ жидко-кластерного состояния расплавов вблизи температуры плавления
Authors: Александров В.Д. , Зозуля А.П. , Покинтелица Е.А. , Щебетовская Н.В.
Published: August 2020

Проанализированы известные данные о переходе от равновесной кристаллизации расплавов различных веществ к неравновесно-взрывной в зависимости от предварительных прогревов жидкой фазы до температуры T+C. Интервал перегревов Delta T+L=T+C-TL относительно температуры плавления TL по аналогии с жидкокристаллическим состоянием отнесен к области существования мезофазы, описываемой параметром порядка Q. Дан сравнительный анализ зависимости изменения свободной энергии от параметра порядка для кластеров в мезофазе и от размеров кристаллических зародышей в метастабильной области ниже температуры плавления. Ключевые слова: жидкая фаза, мезофаза, твердая фаза, перегрев, переохлаждение, кристаллизация, свободная энергия, параметр порядка, кластеры, зародыши.
Влияние плотности плазмы на степень подавления сигналов аналитов в ICP-MS
Authors: Нурубейли Т.К.
Published: August 2020

Рассмотрены возможные влияния ионизационных явлений на аналитический сигнал в методе масс-спектрометрии с индуктивно связанной плазмой с высокотемпературным источником ионов. Рассчитаны и экспериментально определены зависимости степени подавления ионных сигналов от концентрации электронов для ионов матричных и приместных элементов. Показано, что степень подавления сигналов достаточно сильно зависит от концентрации электронов в аналитической зоне в присутствии матричных элементов с различными по величине первыми потенциалами ионизации. На примере масс-спектрометра ICP-MS (Agilent Technologies) изучены влияния мощности индуктивной плазмы и скорости распылительного аргона на чувствительность масс-спектрометра. Результаты эксперимента показали, что причины подавления сигналов аналитов на выходе, по-видимому, связаны с ионно-электронной рекомбинацией ионов (как матричных, так и примесных) в области плазмы. Ключевые слова: масс-спектрометрия с индуктивно связанной плазмой, матричный эффект, рекомбинация ионов, концентрация электронов, подавление ионных сигналов.
Исследование электрических характеристик кристаллов гомогенного легирования LiNbO-=SUB=-3-=/SUB=-:Zn,Mg в интервале температур 450--900 K
Authors: Палатников М.Н. , Сандлер В.А. , Сидоров Н.В. , Маслобоева С.М. , Макарова О.В.
Published: August 2020

В серии исходно полидоменных кристаллов LiNbO3:Zn,Mg, полученных методами гомогенного легирования, в области концентраций ~1±0.02 mol.% MgО и ~3.0-4.6 mol.% ZnО в кристалле, вблизи T*~ 800 K обнаружено скачкообразное повышение температурных зависимостей проводимости sigma(T) и диэлектрической проницаемости ε(T), сопровождающееся проявлением низкочастотной диэлектрической дисперсии. В этих кристаллах при T>T* наблюдаются необычно высокие для катионных проводников значения энтальпии активации Ha(~ 1.76-2.07 eV) и транспортной энтальпии Hm(~ 1.55-2.01 eV), тогда как при T<T* обе величины характерны для проводимости по катиону Li+ в кристаллах LiNbO3 (Ha~ 1.2-1.4 eV и Hm~ 1.1-1.28 eV). Аномальное для кристаллов со структурой LiNbO3 увеличение Ha и Hm, по-видимому, обусловлено образованием в кристаллах LiNbO3:Zn,Mg в высокотемпературной области с повышенной проводимостью (T>T*) ассоциированных вакансий (бивакансий) с конечной энергией связи и с парным коррелированным перескоком ионов Li+. Ключевые слова: кристаллы, легирование, электрические свойства, бивакансии.
Пластическая релаксация напряженного полуполярного AlN(10(1)1) слоя, синтезированного на наноструктурированной Si(100) подложке
Authors: Бессолов В.Н. , Коненкова Е.В. , Пантелеев В.Н.
Published: August 2020

Методом растровой электронной микроскопии изучалась пластическая релаксация напряженного полуполярного AlN(10(1)1) слоя, синтезированного на наноструктурированной подложке Si(100). Показано, что в полуполярном AlN-слое применение нанорельефа, состоящего из треугольных наноканавок с наклонными гранями, близкими к плоскости Si(111), может приводить к формированию трещин только в направлении, перпендикулярном канавке. Модельные представления пластической релаксации напряженного полуполярного слоя основываются на сравнении величин порогового напряжения, выше которого возникают трещины, и термомеханических напряжений, возникающих из-за различия коэффициентов термического расширения AlN/Si-структуры. Ключевые слова: полуполярный нитрид алюминия, наноструктурированная подложка кремния, релаксация напряженного слоя.
Сажеобразование в процессе разложения хлорсодержащих углеводородов плазмотроном переменного тока
Authors: Образцов Н.В. , Субботин Д.И. , Суров А.В. , Попов В.Е. , Серба Е.О.
Published: August 2020

Исследован процесс разложения хлорорганических соединений трехфазным плазмотроном переменного тока с вихревой стабилизацией дуги. Плазмотрон имел две зоны ввода плазмообразующих сред: приэлектродную и зону горения дуги. В приэлектродную зону подавался защитный газ, а зону горения дуги --- водяной пар, метан и пары хлорорганических соединений. Образующиеся продукты проанализированы методом масс-спектрометрии, XRD, сканирующей электронной микроскопии, ИК-спектроскопии. В опыте с хлорбензолом и тетрахлорметаном в газообразной и жидкой фракциях удалось обнаружить только одно хлорсодержащее соединение --- HCl. Однако в опыте с хлорбензолом выход сажи составил 0.98% масс от сырья, а содержание хлора в саже --- 1.61%. Данные ИК-спектров подтверждают наличие связи Cl-O и Cl-С. Ключевые слова: плазмотрон, хлорорганические соединения, сажа, хлороводород, электрическая дуга.
Исследования проводящих и сегнетоэлектрических свойств BZT-пленок
Authors: Гущина Е.В. , Бородин Б.Р. , Шаров В.А. , Осипов В.В. , Павлов С.И. , Яговкина М.А. , Дунаевский М.С.
Published: August 2020

The local polarization processes in thin BaTi1-xZrxO3 films were investigated by contact conducting scanning probe microscopy and piezoresponse microscopy. A relationship between the direction of the created domains and the magnitude of the flowing currents is established. The value of the residual polarization is found, and the hysteresis loop is measured using scanning probe microscopy as well as the values ​​of the piezomodule dzz and the value of the coercive field Ec for these films are determined.
Respiration Rate Estimation Based on Independent Component Analysis of Accelerometer Data: Pilot Single-Arm Intervention Study
Authors: Lee JeeEun , Yoo Sun K
Published: August 2020

Background

As the mobile environment has developed recently, there have been studies on continuous respiration monitoring. However, it is not easy for general users to access the sensors typically used to measure respiration. There is also random noise caused by various environmental variables when respiration is measured using noncontact methods in a mobile environment.

Objective

In this study, we aimed to estimate the respiration rate using an accelerometer sensor in a smartphone.

Methods

First, data were acquired from an accelerometer sensor by a smartphone, which can easily be accessed by the general public. Second, an independent component was extracted to calibrate the three-axis accelerometer. Lastly, the respiration rate was estimated using quefrency selection reflecting the harmonic component because respiration has regular patterns.

Results

From April 2018, we enrolled 30 male participants. When the independent component and quefrency selection were used to estimate the respiration rate, the correlation with respiration acquired from a chest belt was 0.7. The statistical results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine whether the differences in the respiration counts acquired from the chest belt and from the accelerometer sensor were significant. The P value of the difference in the respiration counts acquired from the two sensors was .27, which was not significant. This indicates that the number of respiration counts measured using the accelerometer sensor was not different from that measured using the chest belt. The Bland-Altman results indicated that the mean difference was 0.43, with less than one breath per minute, and that the respiration rate was at the 95% limits of agreement.

Conclusions

There was no relevant difference in the respiration rate measured using a chest belt and that measured using an accelerometer sensor. The accelerometer sensor approach could solve the problems related to the inconvenience of chest belt attachment and the settings. It could be used to detect sleep apnea through constant respiration rate estimation in an internet-of-things environment.
Phone Calls to Retain Research Participants and Determinants of Reachability in an African Setting: Observational Study
Authors: Draaijer Melvin , Lalla-Edward Samanta Tresha , Venter Willem Daniel Francois , Vos Alinda
Published: August 2020

Background

Long-term retention of research participants in studies is challenging. In research in sub-Saharan Africa, phone calls are the most frequently used method to distantly engage with participants.

Objective

We aimed to get insight into the effectiveness of phone calls to retain contact with participants and evaluated determinants of reachability.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed using the databases of two randomized controlled trials investigating different kinds of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients. One trial finished in 2018 (study 1), and the other finished in 2015 (study 2). A random sample size of 200 participants per study was obtained. There were up to 3 phone numbers available per participant collected during the studies. Participants received a maximum of 3 phone calls on every available number on different days and at different times. Voicemails were left, and emails sent wherever possible. We documented how many calls were answered, who answered, as well as after how many attempts participants were reached. To further increase our understanding of reachability, we conducted a short questionnaire assessing factors contributing to reachability. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa (reference number M1811107).

Results

In our sample size of n=200 per study, study 1, with a median time of 11 months since the last visit at the research site, had a response rate of 70.5% (141/200) participants while study 2, with a median duration of 55 months since the last visit, had a response rate of 50.0% (100/200; P<.001). In study 1, 61.5% (123/200) of calls were answered directly by the participant while this was 36.0% (72/200) in study 2 (P=.003). The likelihood of reaching a participant decreased with time (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.84) for every year since the last face-to-face visit. Having more phone numbers per participant increased reachability (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.36 for 2 phone numbers and OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.48 to 6.22 for 3 phone numbers compared with 1 number). A total of 141 of 241 reached participants responded to the questionnaire. Of the 93 participants who had changed phone numbers, 5% (50/93) had changed numbers because their phone was stolen. The most preferred method of being contacted was direct calling (128/141) with participants naming this method followed by WhatsApp (69/141).

Conclusions

Time since last visit and the number of phone numbers listed were the only determinants of reachability. Longer follow-up time is accompanied with a decrease in reachability by phone while more listed phone numbers increases the likelihood that someone can be reached.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02671383; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02671383 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02670772; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02670772
Nomogram for Predicting COVID-19 Disease Progression Based on Single-Center Data: Observational Study and Model Development
Authors: Fan Tao , Hao Bo , Yang Shuo , Shen Bo , Huang Zhixin , Lu Zilong , Xiong Rui , Shen Xiaokang , Jiang Wenyang , Zhang Lin , Li Donghang , He Ruyuan , Meng Heng , Lin Weichen , Feng Haojie , Geng Qing
Published: August 2020

Background

In late December 2019, a pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in Wuhan and spread worldwide rapidly. Currently, no specific medicine is available to treat infection with COVID-19.

Objective

The aims of this study were to summarize the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 175 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who were hospitalized in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 1 to January 31, 2020, and to establish a tool to identify potential critical patients with COVID-19 and help clinical physicians prevent progression of this disease.

Methods

In this retrospective study, clinical characteristics of 175 confirmed COVID-19 cases were collected and analyzed. Univariate analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to select variables. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify independent risk factors in COVID-19 progression. We established a nomogram to evaluate the probability of progression of the condition of a patient with COVID-19 to severe within three weeks of disease onset. The nomogram was verified using calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

A total of 18 variables were considered to be risk factors after the univariate regression analysis of the laboratory parameters (P<.05), and LASSO regression analysis screened out 10 risk factors for further study. The six independent risk factors revealed by multivariate Cox regression were age (OR 1.035, 95% CI 1.017-1.054; P<.001), CK level (OR 1.002, 95% CI 1.0003-1.0039; P=.02), CD4 count (OR 0.995, 95% CI 0.992-0.998; P=.002), CD8 % (OR 1.007, 95% CI 1.004-1.012, P<.001), CD8 count (OR 0.881, 95% CI 0.835-0.931; P<.001), and C3 count (OR 6.93, 95% CI 1.945-24.691; P=.003). The areas under the curve of the prediction model for 0.5-week, 1-week, 2-week and 3-week nonsevere probability were 0.721, 0.742, 0.87, and 0.832, respectively. The calibration curves showed that the model had good prediction ability within three weeks of disease onset.

Conclusions

This study presents a predictive nomogram of critical patients with COVID-19 based on LASSO and Cox regression analysis. Clinical use of the nomogram may enable timely detection of potential critical patients with COVID-19 and instruct clinicians to administer early intervention to these patients to prevent the disease from worsening.
YouTube Video Comments on Healthy Eating: Descriptive and Predictive Analysis
Authors: Teng Shasha , Khong Kok Wei , Pahlevan Sharif Saeed , Ahmed Amr
Published: August 2020

Background

Poor nutrition and food selection lead to health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. This study of YouTube comments aims to uncover patterns of food choices and the factors driving them, in addition to exploring the sentiments of healthy eating in networked communities.

Objective

The objectives of the study are to explore the determinants, motives, and barriers to healthy eating behaviors in online communities and provide insight into YouTube video commenters’ perceptions and sentiments of healthy eating through text mining techniques.

Methods

This paper applied text mining techniques to identify and categorize meaningful healthy eating determinants. These determinants were then incorporated into hypothetically defined constructs that reflect their thematic and sentimental nature in order to test our proposed model using a variance-based structural equation modeling procedure.

Results

With a dataset of 4654 comments extracted from YouTube videos in the context of Malaysia, we apply a text mining method to analyze the perceptions and behavior of healthy eating. There were 10 clusters identified with regard to food ingredients, food price, food choice, food portion, well-being, cooking, and culture in the concept of healthy eating. The structural equation modeling results show that clusters are positively associated with healthy eating with all P values less than .001, indicating a statistical significance of the study results. People hold complex and multifaceted beliefs about healthy eating in the context of YouTube videos. Fruits and vegetables are the epitome of healthy foods. Despite having a favorable perception of healthy eating, people may not purchase commonly recognized healthy food if it has a premium price. People associate healthy eating with weight concerns. Food taste, variety, and availability are identified as reasons why Malaysians cannot act on eating healthily.

Conclusions

This study offers significant value to the existing literature of health-related studies by investigating the rich and diverse social media data gleaned from YouTube. This research integrated text mining analytics with predictive modeling techniques to identify thematic constructs and analyze the sentiments of healthy eating.
Brain Tumor Discussions on Twitter (#BTSM): Social Network Analysis
Authors: Feliciano Josemari T , Salmi Liz , Blotner Charlie , Hayden Adam , Nduom Edjah K , Kwan Bethany M , Katz Matthew S , Claus Elizabeth B
Published: August 2020

Background

The Brain Tumor Social Media (#BTSM) Twitter hashtag was founded in February 2012 as a disease-specific hashtag for patients with brain tumor.

Objective

To understand #BTSM’s role as a patient support system, we describe user descriptors, growth, interaction, and content sharing.

Methods

We analyzed all tweets containing #BTSM from 2012 to 2018 using the Symplur Signals platform to obtain data and to describe Symplur-defined user categories, tweet content, and trends in use over time. We created a network plot with all publicly available retweets involving #BTSM in 2018 to visualize key stakeholders and their connections to other users.

Results

From 2012 to 2018, 59,764 unique users participated in #BTSM, amassing 298,904 tweets. The yearly volume of #BTSM tweets increased by 264.57% from 16,394 in 2012 to 43,373 in 2018 with #BTSM constantly trending in the top 15 list of disease hashtags, as well the top 15 list of tweet chats. Patient advocates generated the most #BTSM tweets (33.13%), while advocacy groups, caregivers, doctors, and researchers generated 7.01%, 4.63%, 3.86%, and 3.37%, respectively. Physician use, although still low, has increased over time. The 2018 network plot of retweets including #BTSM identifies a number of key stakeholders from the patient advocate, patient organization, and medical researcher domains and reveals the extent of their reach to other users.

Conclusions

From its start in 2012, #BTSM has grown exponentially over time. We believe its growth suggests its potential as a global source of brain tumor information on Twitter for patients, advocates, patient organizations as well as health care professionals and researchers.
Evaluation of a Text Messaging Intervention to Support Self-Management of Diabetes During Pregnancy Among Low-Income, Minority Women: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Yee Lynn , Taylor Shaneah , Young Maria , Williams Makayla , Niznik Charlotte , Simon Melissa
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Given the growing burden of diabetes in underserved communities and the complexity of diabetes self-management during pregnancy, the development of interventions to support low-income pregnant women with diabetes is urgently needed.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop and pilot test a theory-driven curriculum of SMS text messaging for diabetes support and education during pregnancy.

METHODS

This was a prospective pilot investigation of a novel SMS text messaging intervention offered to pregnant women with pregestational or gestational diabetes mellitus and publicly funded prenatal care. Prior work yielded a conceptual model of diabetes self-management barriers and support factors in this population, which was used to guide curriculum development along with health behavior theories. Participants received three supportive or educational one-way text messages per week during pregnancy. In-depth semistructured interviews were performed at study exit to solicit feedback on the program. Narrative data were analyzed using the constant comparative technique to identify themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Participants (N=31 enrolled and n=26 completed both interviews) consistently reported that SMS text messaging provided enhanced motivation for diabetes self-care, reduced diabetes-related social isolation, increased perceived diabetes-associated knowledge, enhanced comfort with the health care team, and reduced logistical burdens of diabetes during pregnancy. Participants requested enhanced interactive and customizable features in future intervention iterations.

CONCLUSIONS

Pregnant women with diabetes who were enrolled in this pilot study of an SMS text messaging curriculum for diabetes support described enhanced motivation, knowledge, and comfort with diabetes self-care activities as a result of the health education intervention. The next steps include enriching the interactive features of the intervention and investigating the effect of the intervention on perinatal outcomes.
Approaches Based on Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Intelligent Things to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Adly Aya Sedky , Adly Afnan Sedky , Adly Mahmoud Sedky
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Intelligent Things (IIoT) are promising technologies to prevent the concerningly rapid spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and to maximize safety during the pandemic. With the exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 patients, it is highly possible that physicians and health care workers will not be able to treat all cases. Thus, computer scientists can contribute to the fight against COVID-19 by introducing more intelligent solutions to achieve rapid control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes the disease.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this review were to analyze the current literature, discuss the applicability of reported ideas for using AI to prevent and control COVID-19, and build a comprehensive view of how current systems may be useful in particular areas. This may be of great help to many health care administrators, computer scientists, and policy makers worldwide.

METHODS

We conducted an electronic search of articles in the MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Knowledge databases to formulate a comprehensive review that summarizes different categories of the most recently reported AI-based approaches to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.

RESULTS

Our search identified the 10 most recent AI approaches that were suggested to provide the best solutions for maximizing safety and preventing the spread of COVID-19. These approaches included detection of suspected cases, large-scale screening, monitoring, interactions with experimental therapies, pneumonia screening, use of the IIoT for data and information gathering and integration, resource allocation, predictions, modeling and simulation, and robotics for medical quarantine.

CONCLUSIONS

We found few or almost no studies regarding the use of AI to examine COVID-19 interactions with experimental therapies, the use of AI for resource allocation to COVID-19 patients, or the use of AI and the IIoT for COVID-19 data and information gathering/integration. Moreover, the adoption of other approaches, including use of AI for COVID-19 prediction, use of AI for COVID-19 modeling and simulation, and use of AI robotics for medical quarantine, should be further emphasized by researchers because these important approaches lack sufficient numbers of studies. Therefore, we recommend that computer scientists focus on these approaches, which are still not being adequately addressed.
Assessment of the Impact of Media Coverage on COVID-19–Related Google Trends Data: Infodemiology Study (Preprint)
Authors: Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , Anto Aram , Czarlewski Wienia , Anto Josep M , Fonseca João Almeida , Bousquet Jean
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

The influence of media coverage on web-based searches may hinder the role of Google Trends (GT) in monitoring coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess whether COVID-19–related GT data, particularly those related to ageusia and anosmia, were primarily related to media coverage or to epidemic trends.

METHODS

We retrieved GT query data for searches on coronavirus, cough, anosmia, and ageusia and plotted them over a period of 5 years. In addition, we analyzed the trends of those queries for 17 countries throughout the year 2020 with a particular focus on the rises and peaks of the searches. For anosmia and ageusia, we assessed whether the respective GT data correlated with COVID-19 cases and deaths both throughout 2020 and specifically before March 16, 2020 (ie, the date when the media started reporting that these symptoms can be associated with COVID-19).

RESULTS

Over the last five years, peaks for coronavirus searches in GT were only observed during the winter of 2020. Rises and peaks in coronavirus searches appeared at similar times in the 17 different assessed countries irrespective of their epidemic situations. In 15 of these countries, rises in anosmia and ageusia searches occurred in the same week or 1 week after they were identified in the media as symptoms of COVID-19. When data prior to March 16, 2020 were analyzed, anosmia and ageusia GT data were found to have variable correlations with COVID-19 cases and deaths in the different countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that COVID-19–related GT data are more closely related to media coverage than to epidemic trends.
Digital Interventions for Depression and Anxiety in Older Adults: Protocol for a Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Riadi Indira , Kervin Lucy , Teo Kelly , Churchill Ryan , Cosco Theodore D
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

There is a high prevalence of older adults experiencing depression and anxiety. In response to heightened demands for mental health interventions that are accessible and affordable, there has been a recent rise in the number of digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) that have been developed and incorporated into mental health treatments. Digital interventions are promising in their ability to provide researchers, medical practitioners, and patients with personalized tools for assessing behavior, consultation, treatment, and care that can be used remotely. Reviews and meta-analyses have shown the benefits of DMHIs for the treatment and prevention of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses, but there is still a lack of studies that focus on the benefits and use of DMHIs in the older population.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the current evidence for the effect of technology-delivered interventions, such as smartphone/tablet applications, remote monitoring and tracking devices, and wearable technology, for the treatment and prevention of depression and anxiety in adults older than 50 years.

METHODS

The academic databases SCOPUS, PsycINFO, AgeLine (EBSCO), and Medline (PubMed) will be searched from January 1, 2010, to the date of search commencement to provide a review of existing randomized controlled trial studies. The search will include 3 key concepts: “older adults,” “digital intervention,” and “depression/anxiety.” A set of inclusion criteria will be followed during screening by two reviewers. Data will be extracted to address aims and objectives of the review. The risk of bias for each study will be determined using appropriate tools. If possible, a random-effects meta-analysis will be performed, and the heterogeneity of effect sizes will be calculated.

RESULTS

Preliminary searches were conducted in September 2020. The review is anticipated to be completed by April 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

The data accumulated in this systematic review will demonstrate the potential benefits of technology-delivered interventions for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in older adults. This review will also identify any gaps in current studies of aging and mental health interventions, thereby navigating a way to move forward and paving the path to more accessible and user-friendly digital health interventions for the diverse population of older adults.

CLINICALTRIAL

PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020192532; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020192532

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

PRR1-10.2196/22738
Effect of Telemetric Interventions on Glycated Hemoglobin A1c and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Meta-Review (Preprint)
Authors: Eberle Claudia , Stichling Stefanie
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic burden, with a prevalence that is increasing worldwide. Telemetric interventions have attracted great interest and may provide effective new therapeutic approaches for improving type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) care.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical effectiveness of telemetric interventions on glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) specifically and T2DM management generally in a systematic meta-review.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, and EMBASE databases from January 2008 to April 2020. Studies that addressed HbA1c, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, BMI, diabetes-related and health-related quality of life, cost-effectiveness, time savings, and the clinical effectiveness of telemetric interventions were analyzed. In total, 73 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 10 systematic reviews/meta-analyses, 9 qualitative studies, 2 cohort studies, 2 nonrandomized controlled studies, 2 observational studies, and 1 noncontrolled intervention study were analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, 1647 citations were identified. After careful screening, 99 studies (n=15,939 patients; n=82,436 patient cases) were selected by two independent reviewers for inclusion in the review. Telemetric interventions were categorized according to communication channels to health care providers: (1) “real-time video” interventions, (2) “real-time audio” interventions, (3) “asynchronous” interventions, and (4) “combined” interventions. To analyze changes in HbA1c, suitable RCTs were pooled and the average was determined. An HbA1c decrease of –1.15% (95% CI –1.84% to –0.45%), yielding an HbA1c value of 6.95% (SD 0.495), was shown in studies using 6-month “real-time video” interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Telemetric interventions clearly improve HbA1c values in both the short term and the long term and contribute to the effective management of T2DM. More studies need to be done in greater detail.
Evaluating the role of engagement in a web-based intervention to improve parenting risk and protective factors for adolescent depression and anxiety disorders (Preprint)
Authors: Nicolas Claire C , Jorm Anthony F , Lawrence Katherine A , Yap Marie BH
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

A large body of evidence highlights the important role of parental behavior in reducing the risk of, and increasing the protective factors for, adolescent internalizing disorders. The possible benefits offered by preventive parenting programs may be undermined by low rates of engagement by parents. Online interventions have the potential to mitigate the common barriers to participation and engagement in face-to-face preventive parenting programs. However, there is a surprising lack of studies that report on the relationship between intervention engagement and improvement in target outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the predictive power of several measures of engagement in a Web-based intervention aimed at increasing parental protective factors and reducing risk factors for adolescent depression and anxiety. We aimed to ascertain which measures of program engagement best predict 3-month post-intervention and 12-month follow-up scores on preventive parenting, parental self-efficacy (PSE), and adolescent depressive and anxiety symptoms.

METHODS

Our sample comprised 176 parents who received the Partners in Parenting (‘PiP’) intervention and their adolescents. Engagement was measured through multiple measures derived from server logs on a web database. Potential predictors included total modules completed, percentage of intended modules completed, percentage of quiz questions answered correctly, and percentage of goals completed.

RESULTS

Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that the total modules completed predicted parent rated preventive parenting at post-intervention, and a combination of the total modules completed, percentage of intended modules completed, and percentage of quiz questions answered predicted PSE scores at post-intervention. At 12-month follow up, a combination of engagement measures predicted preventive parenting scores, and the percentage of intended modules completed predicted PSE scores. The percentage of intended modules completed predicted parent report of adolescent depressive symptoms at 12-month follow-up. None of the engagement measures predicted adolescent report of preventive parenting or their own symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that future programs will benefit from including multiple measures of engagement and reinforce the importance of examining the longer-term effects of engagement. Our study provides evidence for the benefits of including goal-setting exercises as a persuasive feature and ensuring quiz questions are challenging. The implications of these findings for future program development, as well as our understanding of improvement in behavior and symptoms through intervention, are discussed.
The Uncounted Casualties of a Hidden COVID-19 Epidemic in China: Cross-sectional Study on Deaths Related to Overwork (Preprint)
Authors: Wang Zhicheng , Lin Leesa , Guo Yan , Xiong Huayi , Tang Kun
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 response, nonclinical essential workers usually worked overtime and experienced significant work stress, which subsequently increased their risk of mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and pre-existing conditions. Deaths on duty, including deaths due to overwork, during the COVID-19 response were usually reported on web-based platforms for public recognition and solidarity. Although no official statistics are available for these casualties, a list of on-duty deaths has been made publicly available on the web by crowdsourcing.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to understand the trends and characteristics of deaths related to overwork among the frontline nonclinical essential workers participating in nonpharmaceutical interventions during the first wave of COVID-19 in China.

METHODS

Based on a web-based crowdsourced list of deaths on duty during the first wave of the COVID-19 response in China, we manually verified all overwork-related death records against the full-text web reports from credible sources. After excluding deaths caused by COVID-19 infection and accidents, a total of 340 deaths related to overwork among nonclinical essential workers were attributed to combatting the COVID-19 crisis. We coded the key characteristics of the deceased workers, including sex, age at death, location, causes of death, date of incidence, date of death, containment duties, working area, and occupation. The temporal and spatial correlations between deaths from overwork and COVID-19 cases in China were also examined using Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

From January 20 to April 26, 2020, at least 340 nonclinical frontline workers in China were reported to have died as a result of overwork while combatting COVID-19. The weekly overwork mortality was positively correlated with weekly COVID-19 cases (r=0.79, P<.001). Two-thirds of deceased workers (230/340, 67.6%) were under 55 years old, and two major causes of deaths related to overwork were cardiovascular diseases (138/340, 40.6%) and cerebrovascular diseases (73/340, 21.5%). Outside of Hubei province, there were almost 2.5 times as many deaths caused by COVID-19–related overwork (308/340, 90.6%) than by COVID-19 itself (n=120).

CONCLUSIONS

The high number of deaths related to overwork among nonclinical essential workers at the frontline of the COVID-19 epidemic is alarming. Policies for occupational health protection against work hazards should therefore be prioritized and enforced.
Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Postdischarge Patients With COVID-19 in Tehran, Iran: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study (Tele-COVID-19 Study) (Preprint)
Authors: Jalilian Khave Laya , Vahidi Mohammad , Shirini Dorsa , Sanadgol Ghazal , Ashrafi Farzad , Arab-Ahmadi Mehran , Fatemi Alireza , Shabani Barzegar Minoosh , Hassanzadeh Taha , Rezaei Behandokht , Zali Alireza , Ommi Davood , Nohesara Shabnam , Jalili Khoshnood Reza , Abdi Saeed , Pirsalehi Ali , Masarat Ehsan , Shokoohi Mostafa , Karamouzian Mohammad
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Given that the severe shortage of hospital beds has led to early discharge and insufficient patient education on home care routines and isolation protocols, the close follow-up of patients and their immediate relatives is an integral part of transitioning from hospital care to home care for patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE

We designed the Tele-COVID-19 prospective cohort to follow-up with COVID-19 patients in Tehran, Iran, and improve health care delivery and the recording of postdischarge patients’ clinical profiles.

METHODS

All adult patients who were admitted to the COVID-19 wards of teaching hospitals in Tehran, Iran were eligible to participate in this cohort study. At baseline, patients were recruited from 4 major hospitals from March 9, 2020 to May 20, 2020. Telephone follow-ups, which were led by volunteer medical students, were conducted on postdischarge days 1-3, 5, 7, 10, and 14. We collected data on a range of sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics by using a standard questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the 950 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who were approached, 823 (response rate: 86.6%) consented and were enrolled into the cohort. Of the 823 participants, 449 (54.5%) were male. The mean age of participants was 50.1 years (SD 12.6 years). During the initial data collection phase, more than 5000 phone calls were made and over 577 reports of critical patients who were in need of urgent medical attention were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

The Tele-COVID-19 cohort will provide patients with sufficient education on home care and isolation, and medical advice on care and the proper use of drugs. In addition, by preventing unnecessary hospital returns and providing information on household SARS-CoV-2 transmission as early as possible, this cohort will help with effective disease management in resource-limited settings.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/23316