bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare-seeking behaviour in reporting of scabies and skin infections in Ghana: A review of reported cases
Authors: Boateng Laud A ,   The Ghana Southampton Scabies Research Partnership, Adom Frempong , Angwaawie Paul , Boateng Laud , Danquah Esther , Dotse Winfred-Gborgborsti , Frimpong-Amenyo Rita-Patricia , Head Michael , Lamptey Rudolph , Lartey Abraham , Lartey Margaret , Osazuwa Roseline , Osei Bright , Patamia Ann Sena , Sevor Emmanuel Kofi , Sika Adolph , Yakubu Castro , Adom Frempong , Angwaawie Paul , Boateng Laud , Danquah Esther , Dotse Winfred-Gborgborsti , Frimpong-Amenyo Rita-Patricia , Head Michael , Lamptey Rudolph , Lartey Abraham , Lartey Margaret , Osazuwa Roseline , Osei Bright , Patamia Ann Sena , Sevor Emmanuel Kofi , Sika Adolph , Yakubu Castro 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Scabies is a neglected tropical disease. In resource-poor settings, scabies and other skin infections are often unreported to a health centre, or misdiagnosed. Dermatological expertise and training are often lacking. Little is known about patient healthcare-seeking behaviour. This study reviewed diagnosed skin infections reported to urban (Greater Accra) and rural (Oti region) study health centres in Ghana over six months in 2019.

Methods
Study staff received classroom and clinical dermatology training. Skin infection diagnoses and anonymised patient information were recorded. Descriptive statistics and spatial analysis described patient demographics, and distance travelled to clinic, noting bypassing of their nearest centre.

Results
Overall, 385 cases of skin infections were reported across the Greater Accra and Oti study clinics, with 45 scabies cases (11.6%). For scabies, 29 (64.4%) cases were in males. Scabies was the third most common diagnosis, behind bacterial dermatitis (102, 26.5%) and tinea (75, 19.5%). In the rural Oti region, 48.4% of patients bypassed their nearest clinic, travelling a mean 6.2 km further than they theoretically needed to. Females travelled further in comparison to males.

Conclusions
There must be greater public and professional awareness of scabies and skin infections as high-burden but treatable conditions, along with assessment of their community burden.
Process of Retirement Planning Scale: Psychometric Properties of the Complete and Short Spanish Versions
Authors: Seidl Juliana , Neiva Elaine Rabelo , Noone Jack H , Topa Gabriela 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Workers who plan for retirement generally adjust better to this phase of life. Therefore, retirees, researchers, and practitioners benefit from the development of retirement preparation measures and interventions. The Process of Retirement Planning Scale (PRePS), originally developed in New Zealand, considers retirement planning as a multidimensional process that happens in 4 stages: representations, goals, decisions, and behaviors. This study aimed to validate the complete and short versions of the PRePS in Spanish. The translated complete version was administrated in a sample of 1,827 Spanish employees aged from 26 to 68 (M = 46.8; SD = 11.9), which was further randomly split into 3 subsamples. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that both the complete version and the short version of the scale had satisfactory psychometric properties. The complete Spanish PRePS contains 37 items, which reflects 4 dimensions: financial (10 items), lifestyle (9 items), psychosocial (8 items), and health planning (10 items) and 4 stages: representations (12 items), goals (4 items), decisions (8 items), and preparedness (13 items). The short Spanish PRePS contains 24 items. Age, gender, and general self-efficacy were significant predictors of the PRePS dimensions, offering validity evidence from the standpoint of construct nomological network. The advantages of using the PRePS for researchers, professionals, and Spanish policy makers are discussed. As this scale has already been adapted to 5 different languages—English, Turkish, Korean, Portuguese, and now Spanish—cross-national studies about retirement planning are encouraged.
An agent-based approach for modelling collective dynamics in animal groups distinguishing individual speed and orientation
Authors: Bernardi Sara , Scianna Marco 
Published: July 2020

Collective dynamics in animal groups is a challenging theme for the modelling community, being treated with a wide range of approaches. This topic is here tackled by a discrete model. Entering in more details, each agent, represented by a material point, is assumed to move following a first-order Newtonian law, which distinguishes speed and orientation. In particular, the latter results from the balance of a given set of behavioural stimuli, each of them defined by a direction and a weight, that quantifies its relative importance. A constraint on the sum of the weights then avoids implausible simultaneous maximization/minimization of all movement traits. Our framework is based on a minimal set of rules and parameters and is able to capture and classify a number ofcollectivegroup dynamics emerging from differentindividualpreferred behaviour, which possibly includes attractive, repulsive and alignment stimuli. In the case of a system of animals subjected only to the first two behavioural inputs, we also show how analytical arguments allow us toa priorirelate the equilibrium interparticle spacing to critical model coefficients. Our approach is then extended to account for the presence of predators with different hunting strategies, which impact on the behaviour of a prey population. Hints for model refinement and applications are finally given in the conclusive part of the article.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Multi-scale analysis and modelling of collective migration in biological systems’.
Assessing the variations in breast/ovarian cancer risk for Chinese BRCA1/2 carriers
Authors: Li Ang , Zi Yi , Luo Jiaqi , You Xiaobin , Lan Zhaoji , Zhou Tianliangwen , Wu Yangming , Zhi Qihuan , Su Huijun , Zhu Mei , Xu Siwen , Gao Yun , Zhong Zaixuan , Xie Ling , Wang Yuanqin , Lin Qiuping , Li Xiaoting , Zhan Jiamin , Weng Hui , Li Dan , Xu Shulan , Sun Gang , Shi Yujian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundCancer risks vary in different BRCA1/2 mutations. Previous studies based on Caucasian population have identified regions associated with elevated/reduced risks of breast/ovarian cancers. Since ethnic differences are known to affect BRCA1/2 mutation spectra, we are interested in defining Chinese-specific ovarian/breast cancer cluster regions (OCCR/BCCR) and comparing with previously reported Caucasian-based cluster regions. We also aim to characterize the distribution and estimate the cancer risks of different Chinese recurrent mutations.Methods7,919 (3,641 unselected cancer-free women + 4,278 female cancer patients) individuals were included in the study. Germline BRCA1/2 status were detected with amplicon-based next-generation sequencing. BRCA1/2 carriers were defined as bearing likely pathogenic or pathogenic mutations. We calculated odds ratio (OR) of breast cancer and OR of ovarian cancer, and their ratio of the two ORs (ROR) for each region. ROR > 1 indicated elevated odds of breast cancer and/or decreasing odds of ovarian cancer; ROR < 1 indicated increasing odds of ovarian cancer and/or decreasing breast cancer odds. The frequency, distribution and penetrance of six known Chinese founder mutations were characterize respectively. Haplotype analysis and age estimation were performed on the most prevalent and widely-spread founder mutation BRCA1:c.5470_5477del.ResultsA total of 729 subjects were detected with germline BRCA1/2 deleterious mutations, including 236 BRCA1 and 122 BRCA2 mutations. The putative Chinese OCCR/BCCR are partially overlapped with Caucasian-based OCCR/BCCR and shared structural-functional characteristics. The six known Chinese founder mutations vary greatly in both distribution and penetrance. The two most prevalent and widely-spread mutations are estimated to convey low penetrance, while the area-restricted founder mutations seemed to confer higher or nearly complete penetrance. The most prevalent founder mutation BRCA1:c.5470_5477del accounting for 9.5% - 18% of BRCA1 carriers is estimated to have emerged ∼2,090 years ago (70 B.C.) during the Han Dynasty, about 290 years (∼14.5 generations) prior to the Three Kingdoms Period when a major population migration occurred.ConclusionBRCA1/2 carriers with different genotypes have significantly different cancer risks. Hence ideally risk assessment should be mutation-specific, rather than concerning a single figure. The probably most ancient Chinese founder mutation may have originated more than 2,000 years ago.
The left inferior frontal gyrus is causally involved in selective semantic retrieval: Evidence from tDCS in primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Wang Zeyi , Ficek Bronte N , Webster Kimberly T , Onyike Chiadi U , Desmond John E , Hillis Argye E , Frangakis Constantine E , Brian Caffo , Kyrana Tsapkini 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLesion and imaging studies have shown that the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is involved in selective semantic retrieval of information from the temporal lobes. However, causal, i.e., interventional, evidence is sparse. In the present study we addressed this question by testing whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left IFG in a group of individuals with primary progressive aphasia may improve semantic fluency, a task that relies to selective semantic retrieval. Semantic fluency improved significantly more in the tDCS vs. sham condition immediately post-treatment and improvement lasted up to 2 months. We further addressed the question of who will benefit most from such an intervention by testing possible demographic, clinical and functional connectivity variables that may predict the behavioral tDCS effect. We found that patients with stronger baseline functional connectivity between the subareas of the left IFG opercularis and triangularis, and between the middle temporal pole and superior temporal gyrus. were the most likely to benefit from tDCS over the left IFG. We thus provided causal evidence that the left IFG is the neural substrate of selective semantic retrieval and tDCS over the left IFG may improve semantic fluency in individuals with stronger baseline functional connectivity.
Assessment of Gaming Practices and its effect on scholastic performance of medical students in India: A Case Control study
Authors: Deodatt M S , Divya R , Anju J , Raghuram V , Goyal R 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIntroductionGaming is a billion-dollar industry growing at a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9 %-14.3% with biggest market in South East Asian countries. Availability of Low-cost smart phones, ease of internet access has made gaming popular among youth who enjoy it as a leisure activity. According to the WHO excessive indulgence in Gaming can lead to Gaming disorder. Medical students indulging in excessive gaming can succumb to gaming disorder which can affect their scholastic performance. Hence this study was done to assess the gaming practices and its effect on scholastic performance.ObjectiveTo assess the various Gaming practices and the Prevalence of Gaming addiction among medical students.To study the effect of Gaming practices on Scholastic performance of medical students.MethodsThe present study used a case control design where the 448(N) study participants were recruited using non probability sampling technique. 91 (Nc) cases who were Gaming for past 6 months were identified using rapid preliminary survey .91 controls (Nco) who never played games were selected and matched for age and sex. Internal Assessment scores (%) of cases and controls were compared. Snedecor F test and Student t test were used to find out the association between the hours of gaming and internal assessment scores (%) and difference of Internal assessment scores between cases and controls respectively. Odds ratio was calculated to identify the risk of Poor scholastic performance. Prevalence of Gaming addiction was assessed using Lemmen’s Gaming addiction scale (GAS).ResultsFrequency of gaming (hrs) was not associated with the Mean internal assessment scores (p>0.05). Male students (cases) showed significant reduction in both their internal assessment scores (p<0.001,<0.01) whereas no reduction was observed in Female cases. A negative correlation was observed between GAS and internal assessment scores (r=-0.02). Prevalence of Gaming addiction using GAS was found to be 6.2% among the study population(N=448) and 31% among Cases (Nc=91). The risk of low scores was (OR =1.80-1.89) times more in cases than controls.ConclusionsExcessive Gaming adversely affects scholastic performance in males than females. Awareness about Gaming addiction needs to be created among students, parents and teachers. Institutionalised De -addiction services should be made available to medical students.
Association of contact to small children with mild course of COVID-19
Authors: Dugas Martin , Schrempf Inga-Marie , Ochs Kevin , Frömmel Christopher , Greulich Leonard , Neuhaus Philipp , Tepasse Phil-Robin , Schmidt Hartmut H-J 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIt is known that severe COVID-19 cases in small children are rare. If a childhood-related infection would be protective against severe course of COVID-19, it would be expected that adults with intensive and regular contact to small children also may have a mild course of COVID-19 more frequently. To test this hypothesis, a survey among 4,010 recovered COVID-19 patients was conducted in Germany. 1,186 complete answers were collected. 6.9% of these patients reported frequent and regular job-related contact to children below 10 years of age and 23.2% had own small children, which is higher than expected. In the relatively small subgroup with intensive care treatment (n=19), patients without contact to small children were overrepresented. These findings are not well explained by age, gender or BMI distribution of those patients and should be validated in other settings.
Genetic variation affects morphological retinal phenotypes extracted from UK Biobank Optical Coherence Tomography images
Authors: Currant Hannah , Hysi Pirro , Fitzgerald Tomas W , Gharahkhani Puya , Bonnemaijer Pieter W M ,   UK Biobank Eye and Vision Consortium,   International Glaucoma Genetics Consortium, Atan Denize , Aung Tin , Charng Jason , Choquet Hélène , Craig Jamie , Hewitt Alex W , Khaw Peng T , Klaver Caroline C W , Kubo Michiaki , Ong Jue-Sheng , Pasquale Louis R , Reisman Charles A , Simcoe Mark J , Thiadens Alberta A H J , van Duijn Cornelia M , Yazar Seyhan , Jorgenson Eric , MacGregor Stuart , Hammond Chris J , Mackey David A , Wiggs Janey L , Foster Paul J , Patel Praveen J , Birney Ewan , Khawaja Anthony P 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTOptical Coherence Tomography (OCT) enables non-invasive imaging of the retina and is often used to diagnose and manage multiple ophthalmic diseases including glaucoma. We present the first large-scale quantitative genome-wide association study of inner retinal morphology using phenotypes derived from OCT images of 31,434 UK Biobank participants. We identify 46 loci associated with thickness of the retinal nerve fibre layer or ganglion cell inner plexiform layer. Only one of these loci has previously been associated with glaucoma, and Mendelian randomisation confirms that inner retinal thickness, despite being a valid biomarker for the disease, is not on the same genetic causal pathway as glaucoma. Image analysis methods were used to extract overall retinal thickness at the fovea, representative of hypoplasia, with which three out of the 46 SNPs were associated. These SNPs have been previously linked with pigmentation, confirmed by their association with hair colour in the UK Biobank dataset. We additionally associate these three loci with visual acuity. In contrast to the already known Mendelian causes of severe foveal hypoplasia, our results suggest a previously unknown spectrum of foveal hypoplasia in the population, in part genetically determined, that has consequences on visual function.
A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Hydroxychloroquine as Prevention of Covid-19 Transmission and Disease
Authors: Mitjà Oriol , Ubals Maria , Corbacho-Monné Marc , Alemany Andrea , Suñer Clara , Tebe Cristian , Tobias Aurelio , Peñafiel Judith , Ballana Ester , Pérez Carla A. , Admella Pol , Riera-Martí Nuria , Laporte Pep , Mitja Jordi , Clua Mireia , Bertran Laia , Sarquella Maria , Gavilán Sergi , Ara Jordi , Argimon Josep M , Cuatrecasas Gabriel , Cañadas Paz , Elizalde-Torrent Aleix , Fabregat Robert , Farré Magí , Forcada Anna , Flores-Mateo Gemma , López Cristina , Muntada Esteve , Nadal Núria , Narejos Silvia , Gil-Ortega Aroa N , Prat Nuria , Puig Jordi , Quiñones Carles , Ramírez-Viaplana Ferran , Urueña Juliana Reyes- , Riveira-Muñoz Eva , Ruiz Lidia , Sanz Sergi , Sentis Alexis , Sierra Alba , Velasco César , Vivanco-Hidalgo Rosa Maria , Zamora Juani , Casabona Jordi , Vall-Mayans Martí , G-Beiras Camila , Clotet Bonaventura 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundCurrent strategies for preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are limited to non-pharmacological interventions. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been proposed as a postexposure therapy to prevent Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) but definitive evidence is lacking.MethodsWe conducted an open-label, cluster-randomized trial including asymptomatic contacts exposed to a PCR-positive Covid-19 case in Catalonia, Spain. Clusters were randomized to receive no specific therapy (control arm) or HCQ 800mg once, followed by 400mg daily for 6 days (intervention arm). The primary outcome was PCR-confirmed symptomatic Covid-19 within 14 days. The secondary outcome was SARS-CoV-2 infection, either symptomatically compatible or a PCR-positive result regardless of symptoms. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed up to 28 days.ResultsThe analysis included 2,314 healthy contacts of 672 Covid-19 index cases identified between Mar 17 and Apr 28, 2020. A total of 1,198 were randomly allocated to usual care and 1,116 to HCQ therapy. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of PCR-confirmed, symptomatic Covid-19 disease (6.2% usual care vs. 5.7% HCQ; risk ratio 0.89 [95% confidence interval 0.54-1.46]), nor evidence of beneficial effects on prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (17.8% usual care vs. 18.7% HCQ). The incidence of AEs was higher in the intervention arm than in the control arm (5.9% usual care vs 51.6% HCQ), but no treatment-related serious AEs were reported.ConclusionsPostexposure therapy with HCQ did not prevent SARS-CoV-2 disease and infection in healthy individuals exposed to a PCR-positive case. Our findings do not support HCQ as postexposure prophylaxis for Covid-19.ClinicalTrials.gov registration numberNCT04304053
Efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of osteoarthritis: protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Singh Ambrish , Kotlo Anirudh , Dissanayaka Thusharika , Wang Zhiqiang , Antony Benny 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), which is considered as relatively safe, and offers a modest efficacy profile for the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In view of the anecdotal evidence on its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, HCQ has been used as an off-label option in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), mainly for the treatment of inflammatory OA. Recently, many investigators have evaluated the safety and efficacy of HCQ for the treatment of OA in various randomized control trials (RCTs). While most RCTs have evaluated the HCQ in inflammatory OA (erosive hand OA), there are studies constituting knee OA patients as well. Currently, there are no systematic reviews that have summarized the evidence on the efficacy and safety of HCQ in OA population. Hence, this study aims to systematically review the evidence from RCTs assessing the efficacy and safety of HCQ for the treatment of OA. Biomedical databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar will be searched to identify the RCTs of HCQ in patients with OA (hand, knee, hip, or any other OA). Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of included studies. Review Manager 5 (Rev Man) and STATA Version 16 will be used to conduct the statistical analysis.
Evidence of gender bias in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients: A Big Data analysis of Electronic Health Records
Authors: Ancochea Julio , Izquierdo Jose L. ,   Savana COVID-19 Research Group, Soriano Joan B. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundIt remains unknown whether the frequency and severity of COVID-19 affect women differently than men. Here, we aim to describe the characteristics of COVID-19 patients at disease onset, with special focus on the diagnosis and management of female patients with COVID-19.MethodsWe explored the unstructured free text in the electronic health records (EHRs) within the SESCAM Healthcare Network (Castilla La-Mancha, Spain). The study sample comprised the entire population with available EHRs (1,446,452 patients) from January 1st to May 1st, 2020. We extracted patients’ clinical information upon diagnosis, progression, and outcome for all COVID-19 cases.ResultsA total of 4,780 patients with a test-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were identified. Of these, 2,443 (51%) were female, who were on average 1.5 years younger than males (61.7±19.4 vs. 63.3±18.3, p=0.0025). There were more female COVID-19 cases in the 15-59 yr.-old interval, with the greatest sex ratio (SR; 95% CI) observed in the 30-39 yr.-old interval (1.69; 1.35-2.11). Upon diagnosis, headache, anosmia, and ageusia were significantly more frequent in females than males. Imaging by chest X-ray or blood tests were performed less frequently in females (65.5% vs. 78.3% and 49.5% vs. 63.7%, respectively), all p<0.001. Regarding hospital resource use, females showed less frequency of hospitalization (44.3% vs. 62.0%) and ICU admission (2.8% vs. 6.3%) than males, all p<0.001.ConclusionOur results indicate important sex-dependent differences in the diagnosis, clinical manifestation, and treatment of patients with COVID-19. These results warrant further research to identify and close the gender gap in the ongoing pandemic.