bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of national and international guidelines on respiratory protection equipment for COVID-19 in healthcare settings
Authors: Birgand Gabriel , Mutters Nico T. , Otter Jonathan , Eichel Vanessa M. , Lepelletier Didier , Morgan Daniel J. , Lucet Jean-Christophe 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundConsistent guidelines on respiratory protection for healthcare professionals combined with improved global supply chains are critical to prevent COVID-19. We analysed the guidelines published by national and international societies/organizations on facemasks and respirators to prevent COVID-19 in healthcare settings.MethodsFrom the 1st January to the 2nd April 2020, guidelines published in four countries (France, Germany, United States, United Kingdom), and two international organizations (US and European Centre for Diseases Control, and World Health Organization) were reviewed to analyse the mask and respirators recommended for healthcare settings during the COVID-19 outbreak. The aerosol generating procedures (AGP) definitions and the strategy recommended for optimizing supplies and overcoming shortages were collected.FindingsThe recommendation of respirator was universally recommended for AGP across countries, although the type of respirators and what constituted an AGP was variable. Some guidance maintained the use of N95/99 for all contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases (i.e. Germany) whereas others, recommended a surgical mask (i.e. WHO, UK, France). Most guidelines were published in March with either downgraded (US and European CDC), relatively stable (WHO, Germany, and UK), or a mixing of high and low level equipment (France). The strategies to overcome shortage of respiratory protection equipment were based on minimizing the need and rationalizing the use, but also prolonging their use, reusing them after cleaning/sterilization, or using cloth masks.InterpretationsIn a crisis context, stable and consistent guidelines clearly detailing the respiratory protection type, and their indications, may prevent the confusion and anxiety among frontline staff, and avoid shortage.
Influence of socio-ecological factors on COVID-19 risk: a cross-sectional study based on 178 countries/regions worldwide
Authors: Su Dai , Chen Yingchun , He Kevin , Zhang Tao , Tan Min , Zhang Yunfan , Zhang Xingyu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe initial outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 in China in 2019 has been severely tested in other countries worldwide. We aimed to describe the spatial distribution of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and assess the effects of various socio-ecological factors on COVID-19 risk.MethodsWe collected COVID-19 pandemic infection data and social-ecological data of 178 countries/regions worldwide from three database. We used spatial econometrics method to assess the global and local correlation of COVID-19 risk indicators for COVID-19. To estimate the adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR), we modelled negative binomial regression analysis with spatial information and socio-ecological factors.FindingsThe study indicated that 37, 29 and 39 countries/regions were strongly opposite from the IR, CMR and DCI index “spatial autocorrelation hypothesis”, respectively. The IRs were significantly positively associated with GDP per capita, the use of at least basic sanitation services and social insurance program coverage, and were significantly negatively associated with the proportion of the population spending more than 25% of household consumption or income on out-of-pocket health care expenses and the poverty headcount ratio at the national poverty lines. The CMR was significantly positively associated with urban populations, GDP per capita and current health expenditure, and was significantly negatively associated with the number of hospital beds, number of nurses and midwives, and poverty headcount ratio at the national poverty lines. The DCI was significantly positively associated with urban populations, population density and researchers in R&D, and was significantly negatively associated with the number of hospital beds, number of nurses and midwives and poverty headcount ratio at the national poverty lines. We also found that climatic factors were not significantly associated with COVID-19 risk.ConclusionCountries/regions should pay more attention to controlling population flow, improving diagnosis and treatment capacity, and improving public welfare policies.
Liver Chemistries in Patients with Severe or Non-severe COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Xuan , Zeng Dan-Yi , Cai Yan-Yan , Chen Wei-Ming , Xing Qing-Qing , Ren Yan-Dan , Hong Mei-Zhu , Pan Jin-Shui 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBackground and AimsCumulating observations have indicated that patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) undergo different patterns of liver impairment. We performed a meta-analysis of published liver manifestations and described the liver damage in COVID-19.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Cochrane Library, medRxiv, bioRxiv, and three Chinese electronic databases through April 18, 2020, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-Analyses. We analyzed pooled data on liver chemistries stratified by COVID-19 severity using a fixed or random-effects model.ResultsIn the meta-analysis of 37 studies, which included a total of 6,235 patients, the pooled mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 36.4 IU/L in the severe COVID-19 cases and 27.8 IU/L in the non-severe cases (95% confidence interval [CI]: − 9.4 to − 5.1, p < 0.0001). The pooled mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 46.8 IU/L in the severe cases and 30.4 IU/L in the non-severe cases (95% CI: − 15.1 to − 10.4, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, regardless of disease severity, the AST level is often higher than the ALT level. Compared with the non-severe cases, the severe cases tended to have higher γ-glutamyltransferase levels but lower albumin levels.ConclusionsIn this meta-analysis, we comprehensively described three patterns of liver impairment related to COVID-19, namely hepatocellular injury, cholestasis, and hepatocellular disfunction, according to COVID-19 severity. Patients with abnormal liver test results are at higher risk of progression to severe disease. Close monitoring of liver chemistries provides an early warning against disease progression.Lay SummaryData on abnormal liver chemistries related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are cumulating but are potentially confusing. We performed a meta-analysis of 37 studies that included a total of 6,235 patients with COVID-19. We noted that patients with abnormal liver test results are at higher risk of progression to severe disease and close monitoring of liver chemistries provides early warning against disease progression.
Development and potential usefulness of the COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip® diagnostic assay in a pandemic context
Authors: Mertens Pascal , De Vos Nathalie , Martiny Delphine , Jassoy Christian , Mirazimi Ali , Cuypers Lize , Van Den Wijngaert Sigi , Monteil Vanessa , Melin Pierrette , Stoffels Karolien , Yin Nicolas , Mileto Davide , Delaunoy Sabrina , Magein Henri , Lagrou Katrien , Bouzet Justine , Serrano Gabriela , Wautier Magali , Leclipteux Thierry , Van Ranst Marc , Vandenberg Olivier ,   LHUB-ULB SARS-COV-2 working diagnostic group, Gulbis Béatrice , Brancart Françoise , Bry François , Cantinieaux Brigitte , Corazza Francis , Cotton Fréderic , Dresselhuis Maud , Mahadeb Bhavna , Roels Olivier , Vanderlinden Jacques 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionCOVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip, an immunochromatographic (ICT) assay for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen on nasopharyngeal specimen, has been developed to identify positive COVID-19 patients allowing prompt clinical and quarantine decisions. In this Original Research article, we describe the conception, the analytical and clinical performances as well as the risk management of implementing the COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip in a diagnostic decision algorithm.Materials and MethodsDevelopment of the COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip resulted in a ready- to-use ICT assay based on a membrane technology with colloidal gold nanoparticles using monoclonal antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 highly conserved nucleoprotein antigen. Four hundred observations were recorded for the analytical performance study and thirty tests were analysed for the cross-reactivity study. The clinical performance study was performed in a retrospective multi-centric evaluation on aliquots of 328 nasopharyngeal samples. COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip results were compared with qRT-PCR as golden standard for COVID-19 diagnostics.ResultsIn the analytical performance study, the reproducibility showed a between-observer disagreement of 1.7%, a robustness of 98%, an overall satisfying user friendliness and no cross-reactivity with other virus-infected nasopharyngeal samples. In the clinical performance study performed in three different clinical laboratories we found an overall sensitivity and specificity of 57.6% and 99.5% respectively with an accuracy of 82.6%. The cut-off of the assay was found at Ct<22. User-friendliness analysis and risk management assessment through Ishikawa diagram demonstrate that COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip may be implemented in clinical laboratories according to biosafety recommendations.ConclusionThe COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip represents a promising rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay for the first-line diagnosis of COVID-19 in 15 minutes. Its role in the proposed diagnostic algorithm is complementary to the currently-used molecular techniques.
Extensive weight loss can reduce immune age by altering IgG N-glycosylation
Authors: Greto Valentina L , Cvetko Ana , Štambuk Tamara , Dempster Niall J , Kifer Domagoj , Deriš Helena , Cindrić Ana , Vučković Frano , Falchi Mario , Gillies Richard S , Tomlinson Jeremy W , Gornik Olga , Sgromo Bruno , Spector Tim D , Menni Cristina , Geremia Alessandra , Arancibia-Cárcamo Carolina V , Lauc Gordan 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundObesity is a major global health problem, and is associated with increased cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. Protein glycosylation is a frequent postranslational modification, highly responsive to numerous pathophysiological conditions and ageing. The prospect of biological age reduction, by reverting glycosylation changes through metabolic intervention, opens many possibilities. We have investigated whether weight loss interventions affect inflammation- and ageing-associated IgG glycosylation changes, in a longitudinal cohort of bariatric surgery patients. To support potential findings, BMI-related glycosylation changes were monitored in a longitudinal twins cohort.MethodsIgG N-glycans were chromatographically profiled in 37 obese patients, subjected to low-calorie diet, followed by bariatric surgery, across multiple timepoints. Similarly, plasma-derived IgG N-glycan traits were longitudinally monitored in 1,680 participants from the TwinsUK cohort.ResultsLow-calorie diet induced a marked decrease in the levels of IgG N-glycans with bisecting GlcNAc, whose higher levels are usually associated with ageing and inflammatory conditions. Bariatric surgery resulted in extensive alterations of the IgG glycome that accompanied progressive weight loss during one-year follow-up. We observed a significant increase in digalactosylated and sialylated glycans, and a substantial decrease in agalactosylated and core fucosylated IgG glycans. In general, this IgG glycan profile is associated with a younger biological age and reflects an enhanced anti-inflammatory IgG potential. Loss of BMI over a 20 year period in the TwinsUK cohort validated a weight loss-associated agalactosylation decrease and an increase in digalactosylation.ConclusionsAltogether, these findings highlight that weight loss substantially affects IgG N-glycosylation, resulting in reduced biological and immune age.GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTHIGHLIGHTSObesity is associated to inflammation-related agalactosylated and bisected IgG glycoformsIgG galactosylation and sialylation increase after bariatric surgery-induced weight lossProgressive decrease of BMI is associated to increased IgG galactosylation, implying a reduction of biological age
Prevalence and Nature of Sexual Violence in Older Adults in Europe: A Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Evidence
Authors: Nobels Anne , Vandeviver Christophe , Beaulieu Marie , Inescu Adina Cismaru , Nisen Laurent , Van Den Noortgate Nele , Beken Tom Vander , Lemmens Gilbert , Keygnaert Ines 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTSexual violence (SV) is an important public health issue with a potential major impact on victims and their peers, offspring and community. However, SV in older adults is under-researched. This paper aims to establish the prevalence and nature of SV in older adults in Europe, link this with existing policies and health care workers’ response to sexual health needs in older age and critically revise the current used frameworks in public health research.We applied a Critical Interpretative Synthesis. After the first phase of purposive sampling we included 14 references. Another 14 references were included after the second phase of theoretical sampling. We ultimately included 16 peer-reviewed articles and 12 documents from the grey literature.0.0% to 3.1% of older adults in Europe were sexually victimised in the past year. Lifetime prevalence of SV was 6.3%. Information on specific risk factors and assailants committing SV in old age is non- existing. Although in theory policy makers increasingly recognise the importance of sexual health in older age, SV in older adults is not mentioned in policy documents on sexual and reproductive health and rights and ageing. In clinical practice, the sexual health needs of older adults remain often unmet. Knowledge about SV in older adults is still limited. Ongoing research does not fully grasp the complexity of SV in older adults. Greater awareness about this topic could contribute to a revision of current policies and health care practices, leading to more tailored care for older victims of SV.
Investigating duration and intensity of Covid-19 social-distancing strategies
Authors: Neuwirth C. , Gruber C. , Murphy T 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe exponential character of the recent Covid-19 outbreak requires a change in strategy from containment to mitigation. Meanwhile, most countries apply social distancing with the objective to keep the number of critical cases below the capabilities of the health care system. Due to the novelty and rapid spread of the virus, an a priori assessment of this strategy was not possible. In this study, we present a model-based systems analysis to assess the effectiveness of social distancing measures in terms of intensity and duration of application. Results show a super-linear scaling between intensity (percent contact reduction) and required duration of application to have an added value (a lower number of fatalities). This holds true for an effective reproduction of R > 1 and is reverted for R < 1. If R is not reduced below 1, secondary effects of required long-term isolation are likely to unravel the added value of disease mitigation. If an extinction is not feasible, we recommend moderate social-distancing that is well balanced against capability limits of national health-care systems.
A Nationwide Survey of UK cardiac surgeons’ view on clinical decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Benedetto Umberto , Goodwin Andrew , Kendall Simon , Uppal Rakesh , Akowuah Enoch 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundNo firm recommendations are currently available to guide decision making for patients requiring cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Systematic appraisal of national expert consensus can be used to generate interim recommendations until data from clinical observations will become available. Hence, we aimed to collect and quantitatively appraise nationwide UK senior surgeons’ opinion on clinical decision making for patients requiring cardiac surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe mailed a web-based questionnaire to all consultant cardiac surgeons through the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland (SCTS) mailing list on the 17th April 2020 and we pre-determined to close the survey on the 21st April 2020. This survey was primarily designed to gather information on UK surgeons’ opinion using 12 items. Strong consensus was predefined as an opinion shared by at least 60% of responding consultants.ResultsA total of 86 consultant surgeons undertook the survey. All UK cardiac units were represented by at least one consultant. Strong consensus was achieved for the following key questions:1) before hospital admission every patient should receive nasopharyngeal swab, PCR and chest CT; 2) the use of full PPE should to be adopted in every case by the theatre team regardless patient’s COVID-19 status; 3) the risk of COVID-19 exposure for patients undergoing heart surgery should be considered moderate to high and likely to increase mortality if it occurs; 4) cardiac procedure should be decided based on ad-hoc multidisciplinary team discussion for every patient. The majority believed that both aortic and mitral surgery should be considered in selected cases. The role of CABG surgery during the pandemic was more controversial.ConclusionsIn the current unprecedented scenario, the present survey provides information for generating interim recommendations until data from clinical observations will become available.Perspective statementSystematic appraisal of national expert consensus can be used to generate interim recommendations for patients undergoing cardiac surgery during COVID-19 pandemic until data from clinical observations will become available.Central messageNo firm recommendations are currently available to guide decision making for patients requiring cardiac surgery during the pandemic. This can translate into significant variability in clinical practice and patients’ outcomes across cardiac units. Systematic appraisal of national expert consensus can represent a rapid and efficient instrument to provide support to heath policy makers and other stakeholders in generating interim recommendations until data from clinical observations will become available.
Cell-density independent increased lymphocyte production and loss rates post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Baliu-Piqué Mariona , van Hoeven Vera , Drylewicz Julia , van der Wagen Lotte E. , Janssen Anke , Otto Sigrid A. , van Zelm Menno C. , de Boer Rob J. , Kuball Jürgen , Borghans José A.M. , Tesselaar Kiki 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLymphocyte numbers need to be quite tightly regulated. It is generally assumed that lymphocyte production and survival rates increase homeostatically when lymphocyte numbers decrease. This widely-accepted concept is largely based on experiments in mice. In humans, lymphocyte reconstitution usually occurs very slowly, which challenges the idea that density dependent homeostasis aids recovery from lymphopenia. Usingin vivodeuterium labelling, we quantified lymphocyte production and survival rates in patients who underwent an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT). We indeed found that the production rates of most T-cell and B-cell subsets in autoHSCT-patients were 2 to 8-times higher than in healthy controls. These increased lymphocyte production rates went hand in hand with a 3 to 9-fold increase in cell loss rates, and both rates did not normalize when cell numbers did. This challenges the concept of homeostatic regulation of lymphocyte production and survival rates in humans.
A Statistical Analysis Of CoV-19 Positive Test Frequency Data Indicates A Need For Greater Attention To CoV-19 Test Quality And Pre-Wuhan Cov-19 Prevalence
Authors: Sherley James L. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIncreased attention to analysis of SARS-CoV-2 (CoV-19) positive test frequency data is essential for achievement of better knowledge of the natural history of the virus in human populations, improved accuracy of CoV-19 epidemiological data, and development of public response policies that are better crafted to address the current CoV-19-induced global crisis. A statistical analysis of currently available positive test frequency data reveals a surprisingly uniform relationship between the number of CoV-19 test performed and the number of positive tests obtained. The uniformity is particularly striking for United States CoV-19 test data. Such observations warrant closer evaluation of other factors, besides virus spread, that may also contribute to the nature of the coronavirus pandemic. These include indigenous CoV-19 and the quality of CoV-19 testing.
On the reliability of model-based predictions in the context of the current COVID epidemic event: impact of outbreak peak phase and data paucity
Authors: Daunizeau Jean , Moran Rosalyn , Mattout Jérémie , Friston Karl 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe pandemic spread of the COVID-19 virus has, as of 20thof April 2020, reached most countries of the world. In an effort to design informed public health policies, many modelling studies have been performed to predict crucial outcomes of interest, including ICU solicitation, cumulated death counts, etc… The corresponding data analyses however, mostly rely on restricted (openly available) data sources, which typically include daily death rates and confirmed COVID cases time series. In addition, many of these predictions are derived before the peak of the outbreak has been observed yet (as is still currently the case for many countries). In this work, we show that peak phase and data paucity have a substantial impact on the reliability of model predictions. Although we focus on a recent model of the COVID pandemics, our conclusions most likely apply to most existing models, which are variants of the so-called “Susceptible-Infected-Removed” or SIR framework. Our results highlight the need for performing systematic reliability evaluations for all models that currently inform public health policies. They also motivate a plea for gathering and opening richer and more reliable data time series (e.g., ICU occupancy, negative test rates, social distancing commitment reports, etc).
Forecast analysis of the epidemics trend of COVID-19 in the United States by a generalized fractional-order SEIR model
Authors: Xu Conghui , Yu Yongguang , Chen YangQuan , Lu Zhenzhen 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a generalized fractional-order SEIR model is proposed, denoted by SEIQRP model, which has a basic guiding significance for the prediction of the possible outbreak of infectious diseases like COVID-19 and other insect diseases in the future. Firstly, some qualitative properties of the model are analyzed. The basic reproduction number R0 is derived. When R0 < 1, the disease-free equilibrium point is unique and locally asymptotically stable. When R0 > 1, the endemic equilibrium point is also unique. Furthermore, some conditions are established to ensure the local asymptotic stability of disease-free and endemic equilibrium points. The trend of COVID-19 spread in the United States is predicted. Considering the influence of the individual behavior and government mitigation measurement, a modified SEIQRP model is proposed, defined as SEIQRPD model. According to the real data of the United States, it is found that our improved model has a better prediction ability for the epidemic trend in the next two weeks. Hence, the epidemic trend of the United States in the next two weeks is investigated, and the peak of isolated cases are predicted. The modified SEIQRP model successfully capture the development process of COVID-19, which provides an important reference for understanding the trend of the outbreak.