bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Model-based spatial-temporal mapping of opisthorchiasis in endemic countries of Southeast Asia
Authors: Zhao Ting-Ting , Feng Yi-Jing , Doanh Pham Ngoc , Sayasone Somphou , Khieu Virak , Nithikathkul Choosak , Qian Men-Bao , Hao Yuan-Tao , Lai Ying-Si 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOpisthorchiasis is an overlooked danger to Southeast Asia. High-resolution disease risk maps are critical but haven’t been available for Southeast Asia. Georeferenced disease data and potential influencing factor data were collected through a systematic review of literatures and open-access databases, respectively. Bayesian spatial-temporal joint models were developed to analyze both point- and area-level disease data, within a logit regression in combination of potential influencing factors and spatial-temporal random effects. The model-based risk mapping identified areas of low, moderate and high prevalence across the study region. Even though the overall population-adjusted estimated prevalence presented a trend down, a total of 12.39 million (95% BCI: 10.10-15.06) people were estimated infected with O. viverrini in 2018 in four major endemic countries (i.e., Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam), highlighting the public health importance of the disease in the study region. The high-resolution risk maps provide valuable information for spatial targeting of opisthorchiasis control interventions.
Brief report: social media as a tool for scientific updating at the time of COVID pandemic
Authors: Murri Rita , Segala Francesco Vladimiro , Del Vecchio Pierluigi , Cingolani Antonella , Taddei Eleonora , Micheli Giulia , Fantoni Massimo ,   COVID II Columbus Group
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn the face of the rapid evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals on the frontline are in urgent need of frequent updates in the accomplishment of their practice. Hence, clinicians started to search for prompt, valid information on sources parallel to academic journals publications. Aim of this work is to investigate the extent of this phenomenon.We administered an anonymous online cross-sectional survey to 645 Italian clinicians. 369 questionnaires were returned. 19,5% (n=72) of respondents were younger than 30 years-old; 49,3% (n=182) worked in Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine or Respiratory Medicine departments, 11.5% (n=42) in Intensive Care Unit and 7.4% (n=27) were general practitioner. 70% (n=261) of respondents reported that their use of social media to seek medical information increased during the pandemic. 39.3% (n = 145) consistently consulted Facebook groups and 53.1% (n = 196) Whatsapp chats. 47% (n = 174) of respondents reported that information shared on social media had a consistent impact on their daily practice. In the present study, we found no difference in social media usage between age groups or medical specialties.Given the urgent need for scientific update in face of the present health emergency, these findings may help understanding how clinicians access new evidences and implement them in their daily practice.
Nasal-Swab Testing Misses Patients with Low SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads
Authors: Callahan Cody , Lee Rose A. , Lee Ghee Rye , Zulauf Kate , Kirby James E. , Arnaout Ramy 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe urgent need for large-scale diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 has prompted pursuit of sample-collection methods of sufficient sensitivity to replace sampling of the nasopharynx (NP). Among these alternatives is collection of nasal-swab samples, which can be performed by the patient, avoiding the need for healthcare personnel and personal protective equipment.Previous studies have reached opposing conclusions regarding whether nasal sampling is concordant or discordant with NP. To resolve this disagreement, we compared nasal and NP specimens collected by healthcare workers in a cohort consisting of individuals clinically suspected of COVID-19 and outpatients known to be SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positive undergoing follow-up. We investigated three different transport conditions, including traditional viral transport media (VTM) and dry swabs, for each of two different nasal-swab collection protocols on a total of 308 study participants, and compared categorical results and Ct values to those from standard NP swabs collected at the same time from the same patients. All testing was performed by RT-PCR on the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 RealTime EUA (limit of detection [LoD], 100 copies viral genomic RNA/mL transport medium). We found high concordance (Cohen’s kappa >0.8) only for patients with viral loads above 1,000 copies/mL. Those with viral loads below 1,000 copies/mL, the majority in our cohort, exhibited low concordance (Cohen’s kappa = 0.49); most of these would have been missed by nasal testing alone. Previous reports of high concordance may have resulted from use of assays with higher LoD (≥1,000 copies/mL). These findings counsel caution in use of nasal testing in healthcare settings and contact-tracing efforts, as opposed to screening of asymptomatic, low-prevalence, low-risk populations. Nasal testing is an adjunct, not a replacement, for NP.
Deep learning applications for the classification of psychiatric disorders using neuroimaging data: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Quaak Mirjam , van de Mortel Laurens , Thomas Rajat Mani , van Wingen Guido 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDeep learning (DL) methods have been increasingly applied to neuroimaging data to identify patients with psychiatric and neurological disorders. This review provides an overview of the different DL applications within psychiatry and compares DL model accuracy to conventional machine learning (ML). Fifty-three articles were included for qualitative analysis, primarily investigating autism spectrum disorder (ASD; n=22), schizophrenia (SZ; n=22) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; n=9). Thirty-two of the thirty-five studies that directly compared DL to ML reported a higher accuracy for DL. Only sixteen studies could be included in a meta-regression to quantitatively compare DL and ML performance. This showed a higher odds ratio for DL models, though the comparison attained significance only for ASD. These results suggest that deep learning of neuroimaging data is a promising tool for the classification of individual psychiatric patients. The current evaluation is limited by minimal reporting of performance measures to enable quantitative comparisons, and the restriction to ADHD, SZ and ASD as current research focusses on large publicly available datasets.
COVID-19 Spread in India: Dynamics, Modeling, and Future Projections
Authors: Ranjan Rajesh 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCOVID-19 is an extremely infectious disease with a relatively large virus incubation period in the affected people who may be asymptomatic. Therefore, to reduce the transmission of this pathogen, several countries have taken many intervention measures. In this paper, we show that the impact of these measures in India is different from several other countries. It is shown that an early lockdown in late March 2020 changed the initial exponential growth curve of COVID-19 to a linear one, but a surge in the number of cases from late April 2020 brought India back to a quadratic trajectory. A regional analysis shows the disparate impact of the intervention in different states. It is further shown that the number of reported infections correlates with the number of tests, and therefore regions with limited diagnostics resources may not have a realistic estimate of the virus spread. This insufficiency of diagnostic test data is also reflected in an increasing positivity rate for India nearly 2.5 months after the lockdown, inconsistent with the trends observed for other geographical regions. Nonetheless, future projections are made using different epidemiological models based on the available data, and a comparative study is presented. In the absence of a reliable estimate of the true number of infections, these projections will have a limited accuracy: with that limitation, the most optimistic prediction suggests a continuing virus transmission through September 2020.
Assessing the potential impact of transmission during prolonged viral shedding on the effect of lockdown relaxation on COVID-19
Authors: Tepekule Burcu , Hauser Anthony , Kachalov Viacheslav N. , Andresen Sara , Scheier Thomas , Schreiber Peter W. , Günthard Huldrych F. , Kouyos Roger D. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA key parameter in epidemiological modeling which characterizes the spread of an infectious disease is the mean serial interval. There is increasing evidence supporting a prolonged viral shedding window for COVID-19, but the transmissibility in this phase is unclear. Based on this, we build a model including an additional compartment of infectious individuals who stay infectious for a longer duration than the reported serial interval, but with infectivity reduced to varying degrees. We find that such an assumption also yields a plausible model in explaining the data observed so far, but has different implications for the future predictions in case of a gradual easing on the lockdown measures. Considering the role of modeling in important decisions such as easing lockdown measures and adjusting hospital capacity, we believe that it is critically important to consider a chronically infectious population as an alternative modeling approach to better interpret the transmission dynamics of COVID-19.
Assessment of spread of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and concomitant serology in children in a region heavily affected by COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Cohen Robert , Jung Camille , Ouldali Naim , Sellam Aurélie , Batard Christophe , Cahn-Sellem Fabienne , Elbez Annie , Wollner Alain , Romain Olivier , Corrard François , Aberrane Said , Soismier Nathalie , Creidy Rita , Smati-Lafarge Mounira , Launay Odile , Béchet Stéphane , Varon Emmanuelle , Levy Corinne 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies indicated that children seem to be less frequently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and potentially less contagious. To examine the spread of SARS-CoV-2 we combined both RT-PCR testing and serology in children in the most affected region in France, during the COVID-19 epidemic.MethodsFrom April 14, 2020 to May 12, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional prospective, multicenter study. Healthy controls and pauci-symptomatic children from birth to age 15 years were enrolled by 27 ambulatory pediatricians. A nasopharyngeal swab was taken for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and a microsample of blood for micro-method serology.ResultsAmong the 605 children, 322 (53.2%) were asymptomatic and 283 (46.8%) symptomatic. RT-PCR testing and serology were positive for 11 (1.8%) and 65 (10.7%) of all children, respectively. Only 3 children were RT-PCR–positive without any antibody response have been detected. The frequency of positivity on RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 was significantly higher in children with positive serology than those with a negative one (12.3% vs 0.6%, p<0.001). Contact with a person with proven COVID-19 increased the odds of positivity on RT-PCR (OR 7.8, 95% confidence interval [1.5; 40.7]) and serology (15.1 [6.6;34.6]).ConclusionIn area heavily affected by COVID-19, after the peak of the first epidemic wave and during the lockdown, the rate of children with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR was very low (1.8%), but the rate of positive on serology was higher (10.7%). Most of PCR positive children had at the same time positive serology.What is already known on this topic?-As compared with adults, children seem to be less frequently infected with SARS-CoV-2 and potentially less contagious according to several studies.-Most of the studies were based on RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 testing, without antibody assays.What this study adds?-This study combining RT-PCR and serologic testing, assessed the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children in area heavily affected by COVID-19 pandemic.-Among a large cohort of children (>600), 11 (1.8%) were positive on RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and 65 (10.7%) were positive on serology.-The only factor affecting positivity of RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 or serology was the household contact COVID-19.
Upper-room ultraviolet air disinfection might help to reduce COVID-19 transmission in buildings
Authors: Beggs Clive B. , Avital Eldad J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAs the world economies get out of the lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to assess the suitability of known technologies to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in confined spaces such as buildings. This feasibility study looks at the method of upper-room ultraviolet (UV) air disinfection that has already proven its efficacy in preventing the transmission of airborne diseases such as measles and tuberculosis.Using published data from various sources it is shown that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is highly likely to be susceptible to UV damage while suspended in air irradiated by UV-C at levels that are acceptable and safe for upper-room applications. This is while humans are present in the room. Both the expected and worst-case scenarios are investigated to show the efficacy of the upper-room UV-C approach to reduce COVID-19 air transmission in a confined space with moderate but sufficient height. Discussion is given on the methods of analysis and the differences between virus susceptibility to UV-C when aerosolised or in liquid or on a surface.
Contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the onset of preclinical Alzheimer’s disease - a monozygotic twin study
Authors: Konijnenberg Elles , Tomassen Jori , den Braber Anouk , ten Kate Mara , Yaqub Maqsood M. , Mulder Sandra D. , Nivard Michel G. , Vanderstichele Hugo , Lammertsma Adriaan A. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , van Berckel Bart N.M. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Scheltens Philip , Tijms Betty M. , Visser Pieter Jelle 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo study the genetic contribution to the start of Alzheimer’s disease as signified by abnormalities in amyloid and tau biomarkers in cognitively intact older identical twins.MethodsWe studied in 96 monozygotic twin-pairs relationships between Aβ aggregation as measured by the ratio Aβ1-42/1-40 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positron emission tomography (PET), and CSF markers for Aβ production (BACE1, Aβ1-40 and 1-38) and tau. Associations amongst markers were tested with Generalized Estimating Equations including a random effect for twin status, adjusted for age, gender, and APOE ε4 genotype. We used twin analyses to determine relative contributions of genetic and/or environmental factors to AD pathophysiological processes.ResultsTwenty-seven individuals (14%) had an abnormal amyloid-PET, and 14 twin-pairs (15%) showed discordant amyloid status. Within twin-pairs, Aβ production markers and total-tau (t-tau) levels strongly correlated (r range 0.76, 0.88; all p<0.0001), and Aβ aggregation markers and 181-phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) levels correlated moderately strong (r range 0.49, 0.52; all p<0.0001). Cross-twin cross-trait analysis showed that Aβ1-38 in one twin correlated with Aβ1-42/1-40 ratios, t-tau and p-tau levels in their co-twins (r range 0.18, 0.58; all p<.07). Within-pair differences in Aβ production markers related to differences in tau levels (r range 0.49, 0.61; all p<0.0001). Twin discordance analyses suggest that Aβ production and tau levels show coordinated increases in very early AD.InterpretationOur results suggest a substantial genetic/shared environmental background contributes to both Aβ and tau increases, suggesting that modulation of environmental risk factors may aid in delaying the onset of AD pathophysiological processes.
Analysis of the time evolution of SARS-CoV-2 lethality rate in Italy: Evidence of an unaltered virus potency
Authors: Balasco Nicole , d’Alessandro Vincenzo , Smaldone Giovanni , Vitagliano Luigi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn recent months, the entire world is facing a dramatic health emergency caused by the diffusion of a hitherto unknown coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the efforts, the understanding of the many facets of the pandemic is still rather limited. In the present manuscript, we have monitored the evolution of the lethality rate in Italy by using the data collected over the last three months. Our data indicate that there is a striking correlation between the number of infected people of a certain week and the deaths of the following one. Despite the overall simplicity of the applied approach and its many approximations, the analysis of the Italian scenario provides some interesting insights into the pandemic. Indeed, we have found that the lethality rate is virtually unchanged over the last two months. This implies that the reduction of the deaths is strictly connected to the decrease of cases. Unfortunately, the present study does not support the idea that the virus potency has lowered in the last weeks, as our data demonstrate that the likelihood of a fatal outcome after the infection has not decreased in the recent outbreak evolution. Moreover, we show that the lethality rate is still very high in the country (≈13.5%). Since this number is remarkably higher if compared to the actual lethality estimates made worldwide, this finding suggests that the number of detected cases may be a gross underestimation of the actual infected people, likely due to the presence of a significant number of non-symptomatic or paucisymptomatic individuals in the population.
Evaluating COVID-19 screening strategies based on serological tests
Authors: Baccini Michela , Mattei Alessandra , Rocco Emilia , Vannucci Giulia , Mealli Fabrizia 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundFacing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic requires intensive testing on the population to early identify and isolate infected subjects. Although RT-PCR is the most reliable technique to detect ongoing infections, serological tests are frequently proposed as tools in heterogeneous screening strategies. We analyze the performance of a screening strategy proposed in Tuscany (Italy), which first uses qualitative rapid tests for antibody detection, and then RT-PCR tests on the positive subjects.MethodsWe simulate the number of RT-PCR tests required by the screening strategy and the undetected ongoing infections in a pseudo-population of 500’000 subjects, under different prevalence scenarios and assuming a sensitivity of the serological test ranging from 0.50 to 0.80 (specificity=0.98). A compartmental model is used to predict the number of new infections generated by the false negatives two months after the screening, under different values of the infection reproduction number.ResultsAssuming a sensitivity equal to 0.80 and a prevalence of 0.3%, the screening procedure would require on average 11167.6 RT-PCR tests and would produce 300 false negatives, responsible after two months of a number of contagions ranging from 526 to 1132, under the optimistic scenario of a reproduction number between 0.5 to 1. Costs and false negatives increase with the prevalence.ConclusionsThe analyzed screening procedure should be avoided unless the prevalence and the rate of contagion are very low. The cost and effectiveness of the screening strategies should be evaluated in the actual context of the epidemic, accounting for the fact that it may change over time.
Modelling of the second (and subsequent) waves of the coronavirus epidemic. Spain and Germany as case studies
Authors: de Castro Francisco 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe first wave of the coronavirus pandemic is waning in many countries. Some of them are starting to lift the confinement measures adopted to control it, but there is considerable uncertainty about if it is too soon and it may cause a second wave of the epidemic. To explore this issue, I fitted a SEIR model with time-dependent transmission and mortality rates to data from Spain and Germany as contrasting case studies. The model reached an excellent fit to the data. I then simulated the post-confinement epidemic under several scenarios. The model shows that (in the absence of a vaccine) a second wave is likely inevitable and will arrive soon, and that a strategy of adaptive confinement may be effective to control it. The model also shows that just a few days delay in starting the confinement may have caused and excess of thousands of deaths in Spain.
Cross-reactivity of neutralizing antibody and its correlation with circulating T follicular cells in recovered COVID-19 individuals
Authors: Zhang Jian , Wu Qian , Liu Ziyan , Wang Qijie , Wu Jiajing , Hu Yabin , Bai Tingting , Xie Ting , Huang Mincheng , Wu Tiantian , Peng Danhong , Huang Weijin , Jin Kun , Niu Ling , Guo Wangyuan , Luo Dixian , Lei Dongzhu , Wu Zhijian , Li Guicheng , Huang Renbin , Lin Yingbiao , Xie Xiangping , He Shuangyan , Deng Yunfan , Liu Jianghua , Li Weilang , Lu Zhongyi , Chen Haifu , Zeng Ting , Luo Qingting , Li Yi-Ping , Wang Youchun , Liu Wenpei , Qu Xiaowang 
Published: June 2020

SummarySeroconversion appeared early after COVID-19 onset, and convalescent sera therapy benefit some critical patients. However, neutralizing antibody (nAb) in convalescents is largely unknown. We found that 97.01% (65/67) of COVID-19 convalescents maintained IgG antibodies with high binding and avidity to SARS-CoV-2 spike subunits S1 and S2, and 95.52% (64/67) had neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 pesudovirus, one month after discharge (median ID50, 2.75; IQR, 2.34-3.08). Some sera exhibited cross-neutralization against SARS-CoV (76.12%), MERS-CoV (17.91%), or both (10.45%). Interestingly, individuals recovered from severe disease (severe group) had nAbs with binding and neutralization titers higher than non-severe group. Severe group appeared a rapid increase of lymphocytes and a high proportion of circulating CXCR3+Tfh cells. Interestingly, the later were spike-specific and positively correlated with SARS-CoV-2 nAb titers. All subjects had no autoimmunity. Our findings provide novel insights into nAb responses in COVID-19 convalescents and facilitate treatment and vaccine development for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Impact on mental health care and on mental health service users of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed methods survey of UK mental health care staff
Authors: Johnson Sonia , Dalton-Locke Christian , Vera San Juan Norha , Foye Una , Oram Sian , Papamichail Alexandra , Landau Sabine , Olive Rachel Rowan , Jeynes Tamar , Shah Prisha , Rains Luke Sheridan , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor , Carr Sarah , Killaspy Helen , Gillard Steve , Simpson Alan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has potential to disrupt and burden the mental health care system, and to magnify inequalities experienced by mental health service users.MethodsWe investigated staff reports regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in its early weeks on mental health care and mental health service users in the UK using a mixed methods online survey. Recruitment channels included professional associations and networks, charities and social media. Quantitative findings were reported with descriptive statistics, and content analysis conducted for qualitative data.Results2,180 staff from a range of sectors, professions and specialties participated. Immediate infection control concerns were highly salient for inpatient staff, new ways of working for community staff. Multiple rapid adaptations and innovations in response to the crisis were described, especially remote working. This was cautiously welcomed but found successful in only some clinical situations. Staff had specific concerns about many groups of service users, including people whose conditions are exacerbated by pandemic anxieties and social disruptions; people experiencing loneliness, domestic abuse and family conflict; those unable to understand and follow social distancing requirements; and those who cannot engage with remote care.ConclusionThis overview of staff concerns and experiences in the early COVID-19 pandemic suggests directions for further research and service development: we suggest that how to combine infection control and a therapeutic environment in hospital, and how to achieve effective and targeted tele-health implementation in the community, should be priorities. The limitations of our convenience sample must be noted.