bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Saliva, a relevant alternative sample for SARS-CoV2 detection
Authors: Costa Monique Melo , Benoit Nicolas , Dormoi Jerome , Amalvict Remy , Gomez Nicolas , Tissot-Dupont Hervé , Million Matthieu , Pradines Bruno , Granjeaud Samuel , Almeras Lionel 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, COVID-19 diagnosis relies on quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) from nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimens, but NPSs present several limitations. The simplicity, low invasive and possibility of self-collection of saliva imposed this specimen as a relevant alternative for SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, the discrepancy of saliva test results compared to NPSs made of its use controversial. Here, we proposed to assess Salivettes®, as a standardized saliva collection device, and to compare SARS-CoV-2 positivity on paired NPS and saliva specimens.MethodsA total of 303 individuals randomly selected among those investigated for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled, including 30 (9.9%) patients previously positively tested using NPS (follow-up group), 90 (29.7%) mildly symptomatic and 183 (60.4%) asymptomatic.ResultsThe RT-qPCR revealed a positive rate of 11.6% (n=35) and 17.2% (n=52) for NPSs and saliva samples, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of saliva samples were 82.9% and 91.4%, respectively, using NPS as reference. The highest proportion of discordant results concerned the follow-up group (33.3%). Although in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups the agreement exceeded 90.0%, 17 individuals were detected positive only in saliva samples, with consistent medical arguments.ConclusionSaliva collected with Salivette® demonstrated more sensitive for detecting symptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections.
Epigenetic predictors of lifestyle traits applied to the blood and brain
Authors: Gadd Danni A. , Stevenson Anna J. , Hillary Robert F. , McCartney Daniel L. , Wrobel Nicola , McCafferty Sarah , Murphy Lee , Russ Tom C. , Harris Sarah E. , Redmond Paul , Taylor Adele M. , Smith Colin , Rose Jamie , Millar Tracey , Spires-Jones Tara L. , Cox Simon R. , Marioni Riccardo E. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractModifiable lifestyle factors influence the risk of developing many neurological diseases. These factors have been extensively linked with blood-based genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm), but it is unclear if the signatures from blood translate to the target tissue of interest - the brain. To investigate this, we apply blood-derived epigenetic predictors of four lifestyle traits to genome-wide DNAm from five post-mortem brain regions and the last blood sample prior to death in 14 individuals in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936). Using these matched samples, we found that correlations between blood and brain DNAm scores for smoking, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, alcohol and body mass index (BMI) were highly variable across brain regions. Smoking scores in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex had the strongest correlations with smoking scores in blood (r=0.5, n=14) and smoking behaviour (r=0.56, n=9). This was also the brain region which exhibited the strongest correlations for DNAm at site cg05575921 - the single strongest correlate of smoking in blood - in relation to blood (r=0.61, n=14) and smoking behaviour (r=-0.65, n=9). This suggested a particular vulnerability to smoking-related differential methylation in this region. Our work contributes to understanding how lifestyle factors affect the brain and suggests that lifestyle-related DNAm is likely to be both brain region dependent and in many cases poorly proxied for by blood. Though these pilot data provide a rarely-available opportunity for the comparison of methylation patterns across multiple brain regions and the blood, due to the limited sample size available our results must be considered as preliminary and should therefore be used as a basis for further investigation.Abstract FigureGraphical abstract 203mm x 127mm (DPI 300)Abbreviated summary [50 words]: We apply blood-derived epigenetic signatures of lifestyle traits to matched blood and brain samples, uncovering variability in how well blood translates across brain regions and a relationship between smoking and the prefrontal cortex. Our preliminary results contribute to understanding how lifestyle-related DNA methylation affects the brain in health and disease.
Comparative genomic study for revealing the complete scenario of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahammad Ishtiaque , Hossain Mohammad Uzzal , Rahman Anisur , Chowdhury Zeshan Mahmud , Bhattacharjee Arittra , Das Keshob Chandra , Keya Chaman Ara , Salimullah Md. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage across the globe and take millions of lives and like many parts of the world, the second wave of the pandemic hit Bangladesh, this study aimed at understanding its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2 at the genomic and proteomic level and provide precious insights about the pathogenesis, evolution, strengths and weaknesses of the virus. As of Mid-June 2021, over 1500 SARS-CoV-2 genomes have been sequenced across the country. From our analyses, it was discovered that the wave-2 samples had a significantly greater average rate of mutation/sample (30.79%) than the wave-1 samples (12.32%). Wave-2 samples also had a higher frequency of deletion, and transversion events. During the first wave, the GR clade was the most predominant but it was replaced by the GH clade in the latter wave. The B.1.1.25 variant showed the highest frequency in wave-1 while in case of wave-2, the B.1.351.3 variant, was the most common one. A notable presence of the delta variant, which is currently at the center of concern, was also observed. Comparison of the Spike protein found in the reference and the 3 most common lineages found in Bangladesh namely, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617 in terms of their ability to form stable complexes with ACE2 receptor revealed that B.1.617 had the potential to be more transmissible than others. Importantly, no indigenous variants have been detected so far which implies that the successful prevention of import of foreign variants can diminish the outbreak in the country.
The newly introduced SARS-CoV-2 variant A222V is rapidly spreading in Lazio region, Italy
Authors: Bartolini Barbara , Rueca Martina , Gruber Cesare Ernesto Maria , Messina Francesco , Giombini Emanuela , Ippolito Giuseppe , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Di Caro Antonino 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA new SARS-CoV-2 clade (GV) characterized by S substitution A222V, first reported from Spain in March, is rapidly spreading across Europe. To establish the A222V variant involvement in the infection rise in Italy, all GISAID sequences from Italy and those from our Laboratory (Lazio) in the period June-October were analysed. A222V, first recognized in August, represents 11.2% of sequences in this period, reaching 100% of autochthonous sequences in October, supporting increased GV circulation in Italy.
Prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Poland
Authors: Kasztelewicz Beata , Janiszewska Katarzyna , Burzyńska Julia , Szydłowska Emilia , Migdał Marek , Dzierżanowska-Fangrat Katarzyna 
Published: November 2020

AbstractData on prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in healthcare workers (HCWs) is scare, especially in pediatric settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positivity among HCWs of a tertiary pediatric hospital. In addition, follow-up of serological response in the subgroup of seropositive HCWs was performed, to get some insight on persistence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Free, voluntary SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing was made available to HCWs of the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw (Poland). Plasma samples were collected between July 1 and August 9, 2020 and tested using the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay. Of 2282 eligible participants, 1879 (82.3%) HCWs volunteered to undergo testing. Sixteen HCWs tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG, corresponding to the seroprevalence of 0.85%. Among seropositive HCWs, three had confirmed COVID-19. Of note, 8 (50%) seropositive HCWs reported neither symptoms nor unprotected contact with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in the previous months. A decline in the IgG index was observed at median time of 86.5 days (range:84-128 days) after symptom onset or RT-PCR testing. The nationwide public health response measures together with infection prevention and control practices implemented at the hospital level, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, might explain a low seroprevalence. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the duration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, as well as the correlation between seropositivity and protective immunity against reinfection. Regardless of the persistence of antibodies and their protective properties, such low prevalence indicates that this population is vulnerable to a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical emoji for clinical signs and symptoms: a comprehensive qualitative study
Authors: Assadi Reza , Lotfinejad Nasim , Ziae Amir Hosein , Ganjali Baran 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionEmojis have surpassed facial expressions and they are now widely used to deliver complex concepts by representing graphical expressions in the digital platform. In this study, we endeavored to develop medical emojis for clinical signs and symptoms to be used as tools for text-based counselling.MethodsThe present study was conducted using the Delphi method with medical studnets and general practitioners, drawing and discussing in several repeated rounds. For this purpose, about 100 clinical signs/symptoms were considered using the ICD-10 website.ResultsIn the present study, from one hundred signs and symptoms we reached to 85 signs/symptoms that after first round of sessions were illustrated. Out of these 85 eligible emojis, 4 cases were removed due to the lack of consensus. The rest of the emojis were finalized and prepared by the graphic designer. These emojis then were published online to collect online votes.ConclusionIn this study, we could design up to 81 medical emojis presenting clinical sign and symptoms with acceptable consensus between the participants. These emojis were reasonably acceptable by our panelists in presenting the established clinical concepts.
3D printed biomimetic cochleae and machine learning co-modelling provides clinical informatics for cochlear implant patients
Authors: Lei Iek Man , Jiang Chen , Lei Chon Lok , Rijk Simone Rosalie de , Tam Yu Chuen , Swords Chloe , Sutcliffe Michael P.F. , Malliaras George G. , Bance Manohar , Huang Yan Yan Shery 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCochlear implants (CIs) restore hearing in patients with severe to profound deafness by delivering electrical stimuli inside the cochlea. Understanding CI stimulus spread, and how it correlates to patient-dependent factors, is hampered by the poor accessibility of the inner ear and by the lack of suitablein vitro, in vivoorin silicomodels. Here, we present 3D printing-neural network co-modelling for interpreting clinical electric field imaging (EFI) profiles of CI patients. With tuneable electro-anatomy, the 3D printed cochleae were shown to replicate clinical scenarios of EFI profiles at the off-stimuli positions. The co-modelling framework demonstrated autonomous and robust predictions of patient EFI or cochlear geometry, unfolded the electro-anatomical factors causing CI stimulus spread, assisted on-demand printing for CI testing, and inferred patients’in vivocochlear tissue resistivity (estimated mean = 6.6 kΩcm) by CI telemetry. We anticipate our framework will facilitate physical modelling and digital twin innovations for electrical prostheses in healthcare.
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-COV-2 antibodies in blood donors from Nuevo Leon state, Mexico, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Martinez-Acuña Natalia , Avalos-Nolazco Diana , Rodriguez-Rodriguez Diana , Martinez-Liu Cynthia , Taméz Rogelio Cazares , Flores-Arechiga Amador , Perez-Chavez Fernando , Ayala-de-la-Cruz Sergio , Cienfuegos-Pecina Eduardo , Diaz-Chuc Erik , Arellanos-Soto Daniel , Padilla-Rivas Gerardo , Ramos-Jimenez Javier , Galan-Huerta Kame , Lozano-Sepulveda Sonia , Garza-González Elvira , Treviño-Garza Consuelo , Montes-de-Oca-Luna Roberto , Lee Aurora Beatriz , de-la-O-Cavazos Manuel , Rivas-Estilla Ana Maria 
Published: November 2020

SummaryBackgroundThe progression and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 is unknown because typically only symptomatic individuals are diagnosed.AimWe evaluated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors in Nuevo Leon, Mexico as a strategy for asymptomatic case detection of COVID-19 and epidemic progression.Methods/MaterialsWe tested 1968 blood donors that attended two regional donation centers in Northeast Mexico from January 1st to August 30, 2020, to identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Additionally, routine tests for donors including Brucella, Chagas, HCV, VDRL, HIV-1, and HBsAg identification were performed.ResultsWe found 77 donors reactive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG (seroprevalence 3.99%) and none of them had reported recent COVID-19 symptoms. Donors aged 18 to 49 years (89.5%) were more likely to be seropositive compared to those aged 50 years or older (10.5%) (P<0.001). Prevalence of antibodies increased each epidemiological (EPI) week, parallel to the report of confirmed cases by RT-PCR, identifying the highest prevalence between EPI week 33 and 35 (10.2% to 19%). The metropolitan area of Monterrey recorded the highest number of cases. Routine tests showed that the prevalence of anti-Brucella was 0.13%, anti-HCV 0.5%, anti-HIV-1-2 0.14%, HBsAg 0.16%, Chagas 0.48% and syphilis 1.06%.ConclusionsThere is a growing trend of seroprevalence over time, parallel to the constantly increasing epidemic curve in our region and it was higher under 49 years of age associated with asymptomatic infection in donors from the Nuevo Leon area. Detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in blood donors is a potential tool for tracking the progression and identifying population exposure during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
Measuring Voluntary Responses in Healthcare Utilization During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Yung-Yu , Yang Tzu-Ting 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHealthcare has been one of the most affected sectors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The utilization of related services for non-COVID-19 diseases fell dramatically following the point at which the virus broke out; however, little is known about whether this observed decline in healthcare use was due to voluntary behaviors or enforced measures. This paper quantifies the spontaneous change in healthcare utilization during the pandemic. We utilize a county-by-week-level dataset from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) record, covering the entire Taiwanese population, and a difference-in-differences design. Our results indicate that even if there were no human mobility restrictions or supply-side constraints, people voluntarily reduced their demand for healthcare, due to fears of contagion, or COVID-related precautionary behaviors. We find that the number of outpatient visits (inpatient admissions) decreased by 21% (11%) during the pandemic period (February to May 2020). Furthermore, the demand response of healthcare for Influenza-like illness (ILI) was much greater and more persistent than for non-ILI, thereby suggesting that the substantial decline in accessing healthcare was induced by positive public health externality of prevention measures for COVID-19. Finally, we find that the demand for healthcare services did not get back to the pre-pandemic baseline, even when there were no local coronavirus cases for 253 consecutive days (mid-April to December 2020) in Taiwan.
Prevalence, Patterns and Predictors of physical activity in Urban Population of Bhubaneswar smart city, India
Authors: Mohanty Satyajit , Sahoo Jyotiranjan , Venkatarao Epari , Shankar G Ganesh , Panigrahi Sandeep Kumar 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundPhysical inactivity is a risk factor for mortality and morbidity. Physical activity and its predictors among urban population in this part of the country was unknown. Finding physical inactivity as a cause of current noncommunicable diseases (NCD) is difficult.ObjectivesTo find out the prevalence, patterns and predictors of physical activity in urban population, and investigate its causal relationship with NCD.Materials and methodsIt was a cross-sectional study using cluster random sampling. Sample size was 1203. Socio-demographic, health profile, physical activity levels, and stage of change for physical activity behaviour were collected. was used for analysis. Logistic regression and marginal structural model analysis (by IPTW) were done using IBM SPSS 20.0.Statistical significance were tested at p=0.05.Results1221 subjects participated. Mean age was 35.25 years. 71.9% were physically inactive, 15.9% practised ‘yogasana’. General caste, presence of NCD, being in a static stage of change and a yogassana practitioner influenced physical activity positively. Physical inactivity had 1.54 times higher odds for NCD and was statistically significant.ConclusionPrevalence of physical activity was low. Physical inactivity was a causative factor for NCD.
Preferences and barriers to mental help seeking among students attending the University of Dschang, West region, Cameroon
Authors: Pianta Martial Sonkoue , Eba Ze Linda Evans , Miranda Baame Esong , Tah Rene Mih , Kadia Benjamin Momo 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundMental disorders are a major source of disability and receive little attention in developing countries in general and particularly in Cameroon. Students are at a higher risk of developing mental disorders. The aim of this study was to assess students’ mental help seeking preferences and the barriers to mental health seeking.MethodsWe conducted a cross sectional study. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics preferences and barriers to mental health seeking.ResultsOf the 84.23%[534/634, CI :81.18%- 86.86%] who consider depression a serious health problem 34.14%[183/534, CI : 30,25%- 38.26%] will go to a psychologist, in case of a mental health problem.. Most of the participants 47.32% [300/634,CI : 43,46%- 51.21%] prefer a private hospital for healthcare. The greatest barrier to health access is the inability to pay 38.64%[245/634, CI : 34.93%- 42.49%].ConclusionInterventions to increase awareness on available health services, implementation of universal health coverage and the promotion of mental health could greatly improve health seeking behaviour and access to mental healthcare.
A psychrometric model to predict the biological decay of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aerosols
Authors: Beggs Clive B. , Avital Eldad J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThere is increasing evidence that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been influenced by variations in air temperature and humidity. However, the impact that these environmental parameters have on survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been fully characterised. Therefore an analytical study was undertaken using published data to develop a psychrometric model to predict the biological decay rate of the virus in aerosols. This revealed that it is possible to predict with a high degree of accuracy (R2= 0.718, p<0.001) the biological decay constant for SARS-CoV-2 using a regression model with enthalpy, vapour pressure and specific volume as predictors. Applying this to historical meteorological data from London, Paris and Milan over the pandemic period, produced results which indicate that the average half-life of the virus in aerosols was in the region 13-21 times longer in March 2020, when the outbreak was accelerating, than it was in August 2020 when epidemic in Europe was at its nadir. As such, this suggests that changes in virus survivability due the variations in the psychrometric qualities of the air might influence the transmission of COVID-19.
Influencers of effective behavior change communication interventions delivered by community health workers in adults: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Nagi Raunaq Singh , Prasad Pankaj , Kumar Sanjeev 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionBehavior Change Communication (BCC) serves as a key pathway for delivery of messages for modifying risky behaviors such as unsafe sex, tobacco use, consumption of unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle. Behavior Change Communication has been successfully applied in various health conditions, settings and on different participants. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the delivery of BCC is achieved through Community Health Workers (CHWs) due to limited availability of medical personnel. Current evidence indicates that delivering such interventions through CHWs is a promising approach to achieve desired behavior change and has potential to be upscaled. However, unavailability of information regarding the applicability of these interventions at different community settings, health conditions, and medium for intervention delivery, has made upscale and implementation a challenge. This scoping review will summarize the scope of settings, communication channels, and characteristics of message delivery protocols of behavior change communication interventions targeted at adults delivered via CHWs.Methods and analysisThe scoping review methodology framework outlined by Arskey and O’Malley will guide this review. We will search the following databases, MEDLINE, ERIC, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, using pre-defined search strategy. We will include studies published in English language, without any limits on the time of publication. Firstly, titles and abstracts will be screened, followed by full-length articles, for inclusion in the review. We will extract the data in a well-defined template developed for the purpose. All the reviewers will synthesize the evidence regarding and present the results using descriptive statistics and narrative.Ethics and disseminationThis review is being conducted as a part of a doctoral thesis approved by the institutional ethics committee. The results of this scoping review will be disseminated in the form of peer-reviewed publication, and presented in conferences and will be used to design behavior change intervention to be introduced in community.Strengths and limitationsThis will be the first scoping review to scale the community settings where behavior change communication interventions have been delivered.This review will also scale the characteristics of such interventions, viz, modality and medium of communication, and duration and periodicity of interventions.This review will only include articles published in English language across the named freely searchable databases.Assessment of quality of the included studies is beyond the scope of this review and hence will not be carried out.