bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DYNAMICS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMICS: GLOBAL PATTERN AND BETWEEN COUNTRIES VARIATIONS
Authors: Krywyk J. , Oettgen W. , Messier M. , Mulot M. , Ugon A. , Toubiana L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic affected 203 countries between December 2019 and July 2020. The early epidemic “wave” affected countries which now report a few sporadic cases, achieving a stable late phase of the epidemic. Other countries are beginning their epidemic expansion phase. The objective of our study is to characterize the dynamics of the COVID-19 spread.Data science methods were applied to pandemic, focusing on the daily fatality in 24 countries with more than 2,000 deaths, our analysis kin the end retaining 14 countries that have completed a full cycle.The analysis demonstrates a COVID-19 dynamic similar in these studied countries. This 3-phase dynamic is like that of common viral respiratory infections. This pattern, however, shows variability and therefore specificity which the method categorizes into clusters of “differentiated epidemic patterns”. Among the 5 detected clusters, 2 main ones regroup 11 of these countries, representing 65% of the world deaths (as of June 24, 2020).The pattern seems common to a very large number of countries, and congruent with that of epidemics of other respiratory syndromes, opens the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic would have developed its “natural history” by spreading spontaneously despite the measures taken to contain it. The diversity highlighted by the classification into “formal clusters” suggests explanations involving the notion of demographic and geographic epicenters.
Dysregulated transcriptional responses to SARS-CoV-2 in the periphery support novel diagnostic approaches
Authors: McClain Micah T. , Constantine Florica J. , Henao Ricardo , Liu Yiling , Tsalik Ephraim L. , Burke Thomas W. , Steinbrink Julie M. , Petzold Elizabeth , Nicholson Bradly P. , Rolfe Robert , Kraft Bryan D. , Kelly Matthew S. , Sempowski Gregory D. , Denny Thomas N. , Ginsburg Geoffrey S. , Woods Christopher W. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn order to elucidate novel aspects of the host response to SARS-CoV-2 we performed RNA sequencing on peripheral blood samples across 77 timepoints from 46 subjects with COVID-19 and compared them to subjects with seasonal coronavirus, influenza, bacterial pneumonia, and healthy controls. Early SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers a conserved transcriptomic response in peripheral blood that is heavily interferon-driven but also marked by indicators of early B-cell activation and antibody production. Interferon responses during SARS-CoV-2 infection demonstrate unique patterns of dysregulated expression compared to other infectious and healthy states. Heterogeneous activation of coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways are present in early COVID-19, as are IL1 and JAK/STAT signaling pathways, that persist into late disease. Classifiers based on differentially expressed genes accurately distinguished SARS-CoV-2 infection from other acute illnesses (auROC 0.95). The transcriptome in peripheral blood reveals unique aspects of the immune response in COVID-19 and provides for novel biomarker-based approaches to diagnosis.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in Utsunomiya City, Greater Tokyo, after first pandemic in 2020 (U-CORONA): a household- and population-based study
Authors: Nawa Nobutoshi , Kuramochi Jin , Sonoda Shiro , Yamaoka Yui , Nukui Yoko , Miyazaki Yasunari , Fujiwara Takeo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe number of confirmed cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in Japan are substantially lower in comparison to the US and UK, potentially due to the under-implementation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Studies reported that more than half of the SARS-CoV-2 infections are asymptomatic, confirming the importance for conducting seroepidemiological studies. Although the seroepidemiological studies in Japan observed a reported prevalence of 0.10% in Tokyo, 0.17% in Osaka, and 0.03% in Miyagi, sampling bias was not considered. The study objective was to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a random sample of households in Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture, Greater Tokyo, Japan.MethodsWe launched the Utsunomiya COVID-19 seROprevalence Neighborhood Association (U-CORONA) Study to assess the seroprevalence of COVID-19 in Utsunomiya City. The survey was conducted between 14 June 2020 and 5 July 2020, in between the first and second wave of the pandemic. Invitations enclosed with a questionnaire were sent to 2,290 people in 1,000 households randomly selected from Utsunomiya basic resident registry. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The level of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was assessed by chemiluminescence immunoassay analysis.ResultsAmong 2,290 candidates, 753 returned the questionnaire and 742 received IgG tests (32.4 % participation rate). Of the 742 participants, 86.8% were 18 years or older, 52.6% were women, 71.1% were residing within 10 km from the test clinic, and 89.2% were living with another person. The age and sex distribution, distance to clinic and police district were similar with those of non-participants, while the proportion of single-person households was higher among non-participants than participants (16.2% vs. 10.8%).We confirmed three positive cases through quantitative antibody testing. No positive cases were found among the people who live in the same household as someone with positive. All cases were afebrile. The estimated unweighted and weighted prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection were 0.40% (95% confidence interval: 0.08-1.18%) and 1.23% (95% confidence interval: 0.17-2.28%), respectively.ConclusionThis study suggests the importance of detecting all cases using PCR or antigen testing, not only at a hospital, but also in areas where people assemble. Further prospective studies using this cohort are needed to monitor SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels.
A comparison of therapies using Eyetronix Flicker Glass And standard adhesive patches in children with anisometropic amblyopia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Min Seung Hyun , Chen Shijia , Xu Jinling , Chen Bingzhen , Chen Hui , Wang Yuwen , Zhou Jiawei , Yu Xudong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveEyetronix Flicker Glass (EFG) has been introduced an alternative treatment for amblyopia. It is based on the premise that amblyopia can better be treated by manipulating the visual input that enter both the normal and amblyopic eye. In contrast, only the normal eye gets deprived during the traditional patching therapy. We conducted a randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy of the therapies using the Eyetronix Flicker Glass and standard adhesive patches in children with anisometropic amblyopia.DesignA prospective, randomized controlled trial Participants: 31 children aged 4-13 years with anisometropic amblyopia Intervention: The patients were assigned two treatment groups and were treated for 12 weeks. Those in the first group were treated with the Eyetronix Flicker Glass for one hour per day, whereas those in the latter group were treated with the standard patches for two hours per day.Main outcome measuresBest-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity of the amblyopic eye, stereopsis and fusion range were measured at both before the treatment and 3, 6 and 12 weeks after the first day of the treatment.ResultsVisual acuity of the amblyopic eye significantly improved in both groups after the treatment (p < 0.05), albeit more so in patients who had undergone the standard patching therapy. A significant improvement in contrast sensitivity of the amblyopic eye at 3, 6 and 12 cpd was also observed in patients who had undergone the standard patching therapy (p < 0.05) but not the EFG therapy (p > 0.05). However, no improvement in stereopsis and fusion range was found in patients from both treatment groups.ConclusionBoth therapies improved monocular visual functions, such as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. However, the improvement was significantly larger after the standard patching therapy than that of the EFG therapy. However, both therapies did not improve fusion range and stereopsis. Our results indicate that although the EFG therapy deprives visual input in a binocular fashion, it does not improve binocular functions in the amblyopic population.
Low Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Rhode Island Blood Donors Determined using Multiple Serological Assay Formats
Authors: Nesbitt Daniel J. , Jin Daniel , Hogan Joseph W. , Chan Philip A. , Simon Melissa J. , Vargas Matthew , King Ewa , Huard Richard C. , Bandy Utpala , Hillyer Christopher D. , Luchsinger Larry L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEpidemic projections and public health policies addressing Coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 have been implemented without data reporting on the seroconversion of the population since scalable antibody testing has only recently become available. We measured the percentage of severe acute respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) seropositive individuals from 2,008 blood donors drawn in the state of Rhode Island (RI). We utilized multiple antibody testing platforms, including lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and high throughput serological assays (HTSAs). We report than an estimated seropositive rate of RI blood donors of approximately 0.6% existed in April-May of 2020. These data imply that seroconversion, and thus infection, is likely not widespread within this population. Daily new case rates peaked in RI in late April 2020. We conclude that IgG LFAs and HTSAs are suitable to conduct seroprevalence assays in random populations. More studies will be needed using validated serological tests to improve the precision and report the kinetic progression of seroprevalence estimates.
A logistic model of CoV-2 propagation
Authors: Weiss Robert F. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe describe an elemental logistic model for the propagation of CoV-2 in a community and illustrate the sensitivity of the model to key parameters such as R0, the initial rate of infections per infected person, and A0, the fraction of infected people developing neutralizing antibodies. We demonstrate the importance of the duration of immunity in the population, the development of waves of new cases of infection, and the effect of premature opening of local economies.
SIDIR: Extending SIR with Detected and Isolated Populations for Pandemic Modeling
Authors: Garman Joe , MacAvaney Sean , Yang Eugene , Frieder Ophir 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe extend the Susceptible Infected Recovered (SIR) model to include Detected (D) and Isolated (I) compartments (SIDIR). SIDIR improves COVID-19 outbreak behavior modeling by identifying infected populations as subsequently quarantined to reduce the spread of the infection (either in a hospital or self-quarantined). We present the model and provide a case study on COVID-19. The model estimates undetected cases (i.e., those infected but unconfirmed) and extrapolates when no additional undetected active (rogue) cases will remain, potentially guiding policy decisions that help control the spread of COVID-19 and future epidemics. A live demonstration of SIDIR on COVID-19 is available at:http://ir.cs.georgetown.edu/sidir.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) Significantly Reduces Respiratory Morbidity in COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Prospective Randomized Trial
Authors: Sakoulas George , Geriak Matthew , Kullar Ravina , Greenwood Kristina L. , Habib MacKenzie , Vyas Anuja , Ghafourian Mitra , Dintyala Venkata Naga Kiran , Haddad Fadi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundInterventions mitigating progression to mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 would markedly improve outcome and reduce healthcare utilization. We hypothesized that immunomodulation with IVIG would improve oxygenation and reduce length of hospital stay and progression to mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 pneumonia.MethodsPatients with COVID-19 were randomized 1:1 to prospectively receive standard of care (SOC) plus IVIG 0.5 g/kg/day × 3 days with methylprednisolone 40 mg 30 minutes before infusion versus SOC alone.Results16 subjects received IVIG plus SOC and 17 SOC alone. The median age was 51 years for SOC and 58 years for IVIG. APACHE II scores and Charlson comorbidity indices were similar for IVIG and SOC (median 7.5 vs 7 and 2 for both, respectively). Seven SOC versus 2 IVIG subjects required mechanical ventilation (p=0.12, Fisher exact test). Among subjects with A-a gradient of >200 mm Hg at enrollment, the IVIG group showed i) a lower rate of progression to requiring mechanical ventilation (2/14 vs 7/12, p=0.038 Fisher exact test), ii) shorter median hospital length of stay (11 vs 19 days, p=0.01 Mann Whitney U), iii) shorter median ICU stay (2.5 vs 12.5 days, p=0.006 Mann Whitey U), and iv) greater improvement in PaO2/FiO2 at 7 days (median [range] change from time of enrollment +131 [+35 to +330] vs +44·5 [-115 to +157], p=0.01, Mann Whitney-U test) than SOC.ConclusionThis pilot prospective randomized study comprising largely of Latino patients showed that IVIG significantly improved hypoxia and reduced hospital length of stay and progression to mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients with A-a gradient >200 mm Hg.
Comparative Incidence and Outcomes of COVID-19 in Kidney or Kidney-Pancreas Transplant Recipients Versus Kidney or Kidney-Pancreas Waitlisted Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Santos Carlos A. Q. , Rhee Yoona , Hollinger Edward F. , Olaitan Oyedolamu K. , Schadde Erik , Peev Vasil , Saltzberg Samuel N. , Hertl Martin 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTComparative COVID-19 epidemiologic studies between immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients may provide insight into the impact of immunosuppressive medications on clinical outcomes. In this retrospective cohort pilot study, we determined the incidence and outcomes of COVID-19 in kidney or kidney-pancreas transplant recipients and kidney or kidney-pancreas waitlisted patients in our center. COVID-19 testing was performed in 63 of 537 kidney or kidney-pancreas transplanted patients, versus 43 of 383 kidney or kidney-pancreas waitlisted patients as of June 4, 2020 (12% versus 11%, p=0.81). COVID-19 was identified in 14 of 537 kidney or kidney-pancreas transplanted patients, versus 9 of 383 kidney or kidney-pancreas waitlisted patients (2.6% versus 2.3%, p=0.81). Hospitalization occurred in 11 of 14 transplanted patients, and 4 of 9 waitlisted patients with COVID-19 (79% versus 44%, p=0.18). Intensive care unit admission occurred in 5 of 14 transplanted patients, and 1 of 9 waitlisted patients with COVID-19 (36% versus 11%, p=0.34). Two transplanted patients with COVID-19 were mechanically ventilated and died, whereas no waitlisted patients with COVID-19 died or were mechanically ventilated. Our study provides preliminary data that can be used for power calculations to inform multicenter studies designed to validate these findings.
Evaluating temperature and humidity gradients of COVID-19 infection rates in light of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions
Authors: Choma Joshua , Correa Fabio , Dahbi Salah-Eddine , Hayasi Kentaro , Lieberman Benjamin , Maslo Caroline , Mellado Bruce , Monnakgotla Kgomotso , Naudé Jacques , Ruan Xifeng , Stevenson Finn 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe evaluate potential temperature and humidity impact on the infection rate of COVID-19 with a data up to June 10th2020, which comprises a large geographical footprint. It is critical to analyse data from different countries or regions at similar stages of the pandemic in order to avoid picking up false gradients. The degree of severity of NPIs is found to be a good gauge of the stage of the pandemic for individual countries. Data points are classified according to the stringency index of the NPIs in order to ensure that comparisons between countries are made on equal footing. We find that temperature and relative humidity gradients don’t significantly deviate from the zero-gradient hypothesis. Upper limits on the absolute value of the gradients are set. The procedure chosen here yields 6 10−3 °C−1and 3.3 10−3(%)−1upper limits on the absolute values of the temperature and relative humidity gradients, respectively, with a 95% Confidence Level. These findings do not preclude existence of seasonal effects and are indicative that these are likely to be nuanced.
Effects Of Mindfulness On Sleep Quality, Anxiety, Depression and Stress In Migraine
Authors: Burrowes Shana AB , Goloubeva Olga , Stafford Kristen , McArdle Patrick F. , Goyal Madhav , Peterlin B. Lee , Haythornthwaite Jennifer A. , Seminowicz David A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the change over time in sleep quality and psychosocial outcomes from the MRI Outcomes for Mindfulness Meditation Clinical Trial, assess how these mediated treatment response (50% reduction in headache frequency post-intervention) and examine the relationship between baseline values and treatment response.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled trial with single masking. Patients were recruited from the community, headache clinics and primary care offices in Baltimore Maryland. Eligible patients were aged 18-65 and met the International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for episodic migraine (4-14 headache days in 28 days).The trial (primary outcomes previously reported) included 98 episodic migraine patients randomized to either enhanced (MBSR+) or stress management for headache (SMH). Follow-up visits occurred at 10, 20 and 52 weeks post baseline. Intervention groups met separately for two hours weekly for 8 weeks and then biweekly for an additional 8 weeks. MBSR+ had an additional half-day retreat held between weeks 6 and 8.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in sleep quality from baseline to post-intervention (p=0.0025), in both groups. There were no significant change from baseline or between groups in anxiety, depression and stress. There was also no significant association between baseline scores and treatment response. Mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect for sleep, anxiety, stress, and depression on treatment response, ranging from 6-8%.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that in episodic migraine, treatment response to MBSR+ compared to SMH was mediated by small, but significant improvements in sleep, anxiety, stress, and depression.
COVIDCare@Home: Lessons from a Family Medicine Led Remote Monitoring Program
Authors: Agarwal Payal , Mukerji Geetha , Laur Celia , Chandra Shivani , Pimlott Nick , Heisey Ruth , Stovel Rebecca , Goulbourne Elaine , Bhatia R. Sacha , Bhattacharyya Onil , Martin Danielle 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundVirtual care for patients with COVID-19 allows providers to monitor COVID-19 positive patients with variable trajectories while reducing the risk of transmission to others and managing healthcare capacity in acute care facilities.ObjectiveTo develop and test the feasibility of a family medicine-led remote monitoring model of care (COVIDCare@Home program) to manage patients with COVID-19 in the community.MethodsThis multi-faceted, family medicine-led, interprofessional team-based remote monitoring program was developed at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. A cross-sectional chart review of the first cohort of patients was conducted and learnings from the implementation of CovidCare@Home are described.ResultsDuring the study period, April 8 to May 11, 2020, there were 97 patients (average age 48.6, 62% female) with 424 recorded virtual visits with a median virtual length of stay of 8 days (IQR 5). 5.2% required escalation to an in-person visit with no patients requiring hospitalization. 16% of patients required support with mental and social health needs.InterpretationsA family medicine-led, team-based remote monitoring program can safely be used to manage outpatients diagnosed with COVID-19. Attention to mental and social health needs is critical for this population. Future efforts should consider how to design programs to best support populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, something which primary care is well-positioned to do. Further analysis will describe the effectiveness, impact, and satisfaction with the program among patients and providers.
Covid19 2020 projection report: Germany, Israel, Italy and USA. Mid-July 2020
Authors: Meilijson Isaac 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA notion of implied susceptible population size ISPS was introduced in the context of the SIR differential equations in Epidemiology, in a companion paper. It is the potential target population size for which the solution to the SIR equations would yield the current number of new affected cases. This notion is applied to the analysis and projection of Covid19 2020, illustrated on the data of Germany, Israel, Italy and USA.
The adequacy of health system measures in reducing vulnerability to COVID-19 among the health care providers working in primary health care in Rajasthan, India: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Das Arup Kumar , Srivastava Ambey Kumar , Ghosh Saswata , Bhargava Ruchi , Gupta Rajan , Singh Rajesh Ranjan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis paper examines the role of individual, facility and system level preparedness in reducing the physiological and psychological vulnerability among primary-level health care providers (HCPs) of COVID19 pandemic in Rajasthan, India.Method and MaterialOnline and telephonic interviews are conducted among 274 HCPs working in 24 PHCs (17 rural and 7 urban), across 13 districts of Rajasthan. Five dimensions of vulnerability covering awareness, exposure to infection (daily contact; contact with high-risk individuals), physical and mental health conditions, while three aspects of preparedness – at individual (personal care) and facility (provider safety; management and supervision) level – are measured by employing factor analysis. Generalized ordered logit regression model is used to measure the effect of preparedness on COVID19 related vulnerability.ResultAmong the 274 HCPs, majority of the staff are from rural PHCs (76 %), less than 35 years (87%), female (57%) and married (57 %). Almost half have high level exposure to COVID19, with mean contact rate is 90. Overall, 26% have comprehensive knowledge on COVID19, and 32% have any mental health issues. Although more than 70% of HCPs have reported more than one individual level preparedness, mental health measures adopted by the HCPs are comparably low. The facility level preparedness for enhancing safety are high such as social distance (79%) and maintaining record of each visitor (75%). However, management related measures adopted by the PHCs are perceived to be lower than the safety measures. The regression analyses suggest that safety related preparedness is significantly associated with reduction of vulnerability by 50%. The management-level preparedness has statistically no significant effect in explaining the variations in level of vulnerability.ConclusionThe facility-level safety measures, which lowers chances of acquiring infection has a positive effect on reducing vulnerability of COVID19. However, the HCPs do not have adequate preparedness at individual, facility management (PHC) and system level to reduce COVID19 vulnerability. Findings suggest that there is a need for a non-conventional approach of monitoring and supervision, in the absence of such measures there is a chance of moral injury that will make the HCPs at the primary level vulnerable to both physiologically and psychologically.