bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Tuberculosis (TB) Among Household Contacts of Patients With Smear-Positive TB in 8 Provinces of Vietnam: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Velen Kavindhran , Nhung Nguyen Viet , Anh Nguyen Thu , Cuong Pham Duc , Hoa Nguyen Binh , Cuong Nguyen Kim , Dung Nguyen Huy , Sy Dinh Ngoc , Britton Warwick John , Marks Guy Barrington , Fox Greg James 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to account for significant morbidity and mortality annually. Household contacts (HHCs) of persons with TB are a key population for targeting prevention and control interventions. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with developing TB among HHCs.

Methods
We conducted a nested case-control study among HHCs in 8 provinces in Vietnam enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of active case finding for TB. Cases were any HHCs diagnosed and registered with TB within the Vietnam National TB Program during 2 years of follow-up. Controls were selected by simple random sampling from the remaining HHCs. Risk factor data were collected at enrollment and during follow-up. A logistic regression model was developed to determine predictors of TB among HHCs.

Results
We selected 1254 HHCs for the analysis: 214 cases and 1040 controls. Underlying characteristics varied between both groups; cases were older, more likely to be male, with a higher proportion of reported previous TB and diabetes. Risk factors associated with a TB diagnosis included being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–2.0), residing in an urban setting (aOR, 1.8; 1.3–2.5), prior TB (aOR, 4.6; 2.5–8.7), history of diabetes (aOR, 3.1; 1.7–5.8), current smoking (aOR, 3.1; 2.2–4.4), and prolonged history of coughing in the index case at enrollment (OR , 1.6; 1.1–2.3).

Conclusions
Household contacts remain an important key population for TB prevention and control. TB programs should ensure effective contact investigations are implemented for household contacts, particularly those with additional risk factors for developing TB.
Safety of Hydrocortisone Premedication Discontinuation in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Maintenance Therapy with Infliximab: a Prospective Clinical and Pharmacological Study
Authors: Tran-Minh My-Linh , Gornet Jean-Marc , Maillet Marianne , Houze Pascal , Simon Marion , McLellan Paul , Hassid Deborah , Vivier-Chicoteau Justine , Baudry Clotilde , Hammoudi Nassim , Allez Matthieu 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Hydrocortisone premedication reduces the risk of antibodies to infliximab [ATIs] formation in patients receiving infliximab [IFX] therapy for inflammatory bowel disease [IBD].

Aim
We aimed to determine the safety of hydrocortisone premedication withdrawal in IBD patients with sustained clinical response on maintenance therapy with IFX.

Methods
We performed an observational prospective pharmacoclinical study in a tertiary referral centre, including all consecutive IBD outpatients with no previous IFX infusion reaction and in clinical remission on maintenance IFX [alone or in combination therapy] for at least 6 months. This cohort was followed for 1 year after discontinuation of hydrocortisone premedication.

Results
Among the 268 IBD outpatients, 95 patients met the inclusion criteria [mean age 38 years; 64% male; 80% Crohn’s disease; 45% combination therapy]. The median IFX duration was 5 years [0.54–14] with a mean infused dose of 533 mg [200–1000] and a mean interval duration of 7.9 weeks [4–10]. None of the patients developed permanent ATIs or infusion-related reaction at 1 year. Four patients developed transient ATIs without loss of clinical response. There was no significant variation of infliximab serum trough levels [5.5 µg/mL vs 5.9 µg/mL] measured at the time of the three IFX infusions before and after hydrocortisone withdrawal. Loss of response rate to IFX was 18% at 1 year.

Conclusions
Hydrocortisone discontinuation is safe in IBD patients with sustained clinical remission on maintenance therapy with IFX. Our data suggest that routine premedication with hydrocortisone is unnecessary in patients in prolonged remission under IFX maintenance therapy.
Pregnant under the pressure of a pandemic: a large-scale longitudinal survey before and during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Naurin Elin , Markstedt Elias , Stolle Dietlind , Enström Daniel , Wallin Anton , Andreasson Ingrid , Attebo Birgitta , Eriksson Ottilia , Martinsson Klara , Elden Helen , Linden Karolina , Sengpiel Verena 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
One of the groups that is most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic is pregnant women. They cannot choose to refrain from care; they and their children are at risk of severe complications related to the virus; and they lose comfort and support as clinics prohibit their partners and as societal restrictions demand isolation from friends and relatives. It is urgent to study how this group is faring during the pandemic and we focus here on their health-related worries.

Methods
A longitudinal survey at a Swedish hospital starting 6 months before (16 September 2019) and continuing during the COVID-19 outbreak (until 25 August 2020). A total of 6941 pregnant women and partners of diverse social backgrounds were recruited. Ninety-six percent of birth-giving women in the city take early ultrasounds where recruitment took place. Sixty-two percent of the women with an appointment and fifty-one percent of all partners gave consent to participate.

Results
Pregnant women experienced dramatically increased worries for their own health, as well as for their partner’s and their child’s health in the beginning of the pandemic. The worries remained at higher than usual levels throughout the pandemic. Similar, but less dramatic changes were seen among partners.

Conclusions
There is a need for heightened awareness of pregnant women’s and partners’ health-related worries as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Related feelings, such as anxiety, have been linked to adverse pregnancy outcome and might have long-term effects. The healthcare system needs to prepare for follow-up visits with these families.
Community biofilm-formation, stratification and productivity in serially-transferred microcosms
Authors: Jerdan Robyn , Cameron Scott , Donaldson Emily , Iungin Olga , Moshynets Olena V , Spiers Andrew J 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTThe establishment of O2 gradients in liquid columns by bacterial metabolic activity produces a spatially-structured environment. This produces a high-O2 region at the top that represents an un-occupied niche which could be colonised by biofilm-competent strains. We have used this to develop an experimental model system using soil-wash inocula and a serial-transfer approach to investigate changes in community-based biofilm-formation and productivity. This involved 10 transfers of mixed-community or biofilm-only samples over a total of 10–60 days incubation. In all final-transfer communities the ability to form biofilms was retained, though in longer incubations the build-up of toxic metabolites limited productivity. Measurements of microcosm productivity, biofilm-strength and attachment levels were used to assess community-aggregated traits which showed changes at both the community and individual-strain levels. Final-transfer communities were stratified with strains demonstrating a plastic phenotype when migrating between the high and low-O2 regions. The majority of community productivity came from the O2-depleted region rather than the top of the liquid column. This model system illustrates the complexity we expect to see in natural biofilm-forming communities. The connection between biofilms and the liquid column seen here has important implications for how these structures form and respond to selective pressure.
Communication strategies and media discourses in the age of COVID-19: an urgent need for action
Authors: Généreux Mélissa , David Marc D , O’Sullivan Tracey , Carignan Marie-Ève , Blouin-Genest Gabriel , Champagne-Poirier Olivier , Champagne Éric , Burlone Nathalie , Qadar Zeeshan , Herbosa Teodoro , Hung Kevin , Ribeiro-Alves Gleisse , Arruda Horacio , Michel Pascal , Law Ron , Poirier Alain , Murray Virginia , Chan Emily , Roy Mathieu 
Published: November 2020

SummaryIdentified in December 2019 in China, the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Pandemics share features that increase fear. While some fear can stimulate preventive health behaviors, extreme fear can lead to adverse psychological and behavioral response. The media play a major role shaping these responses. When dealing with a PHEIC, the authorities’ communication strategies are embedded in a multilevel governance and a highly hierarchal system, which adds another layer of complexity. Carrying out more ‘real-world research’ is crucial to generate evidence relating to the psychosocial and behavioral aspects involved during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it is shaped by authorities and media discourses. Interdisciplinary research and international collaborations could contribute to improve our understanding and management of risk information. Emerging from a socio-ecological perspective, future research must integrate multilevel analytical elements, to ensure triangulation of evidence and co-constructing robust recommendations. A mixed-method approach should be privileged to address these issues. At the micro-level, a population-based survey could be conducted in various jurisdictions to assess and compare psychosocial issues according to sociocultural groups. Then, a quantitative/qualitative discourse analysis of the media could be performed. Finally, a network analysis could allow assessing how official information flows and circulates across levels of governance. The COVID-19 represents an opportunity to evaluate the impacts of information/communication strategy and misinformation on various cultural and socioeconomic groups, providing important lessons that could be applied to future health emergencies and disasters.
Persistence of Maternal Anti-Rotavirus Immunoglobulin G in the Post–Rotavirus Vaccine Era
Authors: Payne Daniel C , McNeal Monica , Staat Mary Allen , Piasecki Alexandra M , Cline Allison , DeFranco Emily , Goveia Michelle G , Parashar Umesh D , Burke Rachel M , Morrow Ardythe L 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
To assess whether titers of anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin G persist during the post–rotavirus vaccine era, the Pediatric Respiratory and Enteric Virus Acquisition and Immunogenesis Longitudinal (PREVAIL) Cohort analyzed serum samples collected from Cincinnati-area mothers and young infants in 2017–2018. Rotavirus-specific antibodies continue to be transferred from US mothers to their offspring in the post–rotavirus vaccine era, despite dramatic decreases in childhood rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Cost impact of introducing a treatment escalation/limitation plan during patients’ last hospital admission before death
Authors: Bouttell Janet , Gonzalez Nelson , Geue Claudia , Lightbody Calvin J , Taylor Douglas Robin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objective
A recent study found that the use of a treatment escalation/limitation plan (TELP) was associated with a significant reduction in non-beneficial interventions (NBIs) and harms in patients admitted acutely who subsequently died. We quantify the economic benefit of the use of a TELP.

Design
NBIs were micro-costed. Mean costs for patients with a TELP were compared to patients without a TELP using generalized linear model regression, and results were extrapolated to the Scottish population.

Setting
Medical, surgical and intensive care units of district general hospital in Scotland, UK.

Participants
Two hundred and eighty-seven consecutive patients who died over 3 months in 2017. Of these, death was ‘expected’ in 245 (85.4%) using Gold Standards Framework criteria.

Intervention
Treatment escalation/limitation plan.

Main Outcome Measure
Between-group difference in estimated mean cost of NBIs.

Results
The group with a TELP (n = 152) had a mean reduction in hospital costs due to NBIs of GB £220.29 (US $;281.97) compared to those without a TELP (n = 132) (95% confidence intervals GB £323.31 (US $413.84) to GB £117.27 (US $150.11), P = &lt;0.001). Assuming that a TELP could be put in place for all expected deaths in Scottish hospitals, the potential annual saving would be GB £2.4 million (US $3.1 million) from having a TELP in place for all ‘expected’ deaths in hospital.

Conclusions
The use of a TELP in an acute hospital setting may result in a reduction in costs attributable to NBIs.
Chronic disease and medical spending of Chinese elderly in rural region
Authors: Zhou Mi , Sun Xiaotong , Huang Li 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objective
To determine whether or not chronic disease positively impacts medical costs among the rural elderly in China and to calculate medical expenditure induced by chronic disease between different groups of the rural elderly, as well as provide insight into the factors that affect medical losses induced by chronic disease among different household registration groups and different New Rural Pension Scheme statuses.

Design
To estimate the share of medical expenses induced by chronic disease, this article uses a two-part model and a four-part model to analyze the causal effect of chronic disease on medical services and then uses a counter-factual method to estimate the share of medical expenses.

Setting
The rapid development of China has changed nearly every aspect of life for the rural elderly. Many are concerned about the increasing prevalence of physical health issues, particularly chronic diseases, among the rural elderly. Nevertheless, there are no articles using nationally representative panel datasets that report differences in the cost of chronic disease between sub-populations.

Participants
The panel dataset used for this study comes from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data. In this study, we use the CFPS data for the years 2012, 2014 and 2016 to create a panel dataset that includes 2730 rural elderly for 3 years.

Interventions
This article reports the representative estimate of medical expenditures attributable to chronic disease among rural elderly in China. On this basis, we estimate per capita medical spending among rural elderly under the condition of logarithmic normal distribution of different parameters between urban and rural or between groups that participate in the New Rural Pension Program and groups that do not.

Main Outcome Measures
This study indicates that physical health status has a significant impact on both the probability of undergoing medical care and the size of medical expenditures among the rural elderly, and the influence was significant for all patients, including outpatients and inpatients.

Results
Chronic illness has significant effects on individual medical expenses, and they aggregately contribute to 63.96% of total personal expected medical expenditure. Specifically, the medical spending caused by chronic disease was part of a non-uniform distribution, with the rural, male, older, married and higher educated groups spending more money on medical costs induced by chronic disease.

Conclusions
Examining trends in the prevalence of chronic diseases and evaluating medical spending on chronic diseases can prevent and control potential medical costs among rural elderly, especially for vulnerable groups, which helps to predict future health-care needs.
Establishing an endoscopic diagnostic process system (M-system) for gastric MALT lymphoma of superficial-spreading type
Authors: Peng Tingfa , Deng Lijuan , Wang Yuexing , Wang Ruilan , Zeng Fanqing , Xie Min , Gou Xiaopan , Guo Yulan , Wu Dongmei , Peng Fengxiang , Gao Rongmei , Ye Xiaojuan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objective
Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is a rare disease, which is associated with a low endoscopic diagnostic accuracy even on tissue biopsy. We aimed to establish a diagnostic process system (M-system) using detailed magnifying endoscopy images to improve the diagnostic efficiency of this disease.

Methods
First, 34 cases from 16 patients with the diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma were collected as the study group. The control group included randomly selected patients who were diagnosed with early differentiated carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma or inflammation. Then, the endoscopic images of these patients were analyzed by senior physicians. Finally, the M-system was established based on the data extracted from the images reviewed, and its diagnostic efficiency for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma was validated by the junior physicians.

Results
A series of elements with high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma on endoscopic images were extracted for the establishment of the M-system. Using the M-system, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and correct indices of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma rose from 65.4 to 79.4%, 41.2 to 76.5%, 73.5 to 80.4% and 0.147 to 0.569%, respectively, all of which were statistically significant.

Conclusions
The M-system can improve the diagnostic accuracy of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the superficial-spreading type on detailed magnifying endoscopy. This would help in the early diagnosis of the disease and treatment, which would translate into improved clinical outcomes.
Hydrogen-rich water attenuates the radiotoxicity induced by tritium exposure in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Hong , Yin Yaru , Liu Jing , Lu Binghui , Wan Huimin , Yang Luxun , Wang Weidong , Li Rong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Radionuclide tritium is widely used in the nuclear energy production industry and creates a threat to human health through radiation exposure. Herein, the radioactive elimination and radioprotective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW), a potential antioxidant with various medical applications, on tritiated water (HTO) exposure, was studied in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that intragastric administration of HRW effectively promoted the elimination of urinary tritium, decreased the level of serum tritium and tissue-bound tritium (OBT), and attenuated the genetic damage of blood cells in mice exposed to HTO (18.5 MBq/kg). Pretreatment with HRW effectively reduces tritium accumulation in HTO-treated human blood B lymphocyte AHH-1 cells. In addition, the anti-oxidative properties of HRW could attenuate the increased intracellular ROS (such as O2•-, •OH and ONOO−), resulting in reversing the exhaustion of cellular endogenous antioxidants (reduced GSH and SOD), decreasing lipid peroxidation (MDA), relieving DNA oxidative damage, and depressing cell apoptosis and cytotoxicity induced by HTO exposure. In conclusion, HRW is expected to be an effective radioactive elimination agent through the competition effect of isotope exchange or a radioprotective agent by scavenging free radicals induced by HTO exposure.
General hospital outbreak of invasive candidiasis due to azole-resistant Candida parapsilosis associated with an Erg11 Y132F mutation
Authors: Corzo-Leon Dora E , Peacock Mark , Rodriguez-Zulueta Patricia , Salazar-Tamayo Grace J , MacCallum Donna M 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
An increasing number of outbreaks due to resistant non-albicans Candida species have been reported worldwide. Between 2014 and 2016, Candida isolates causing invasive candidiasis were recovered in a Mexican hospital. Isolates were identified to species level and antifungal susceptibility was determined. In the time period studied, 74 invasive candidiasis cases were identified, with 38% (28/74) caused by Candida parapsilosis, out of which 54% (15/28) were fluconazole resistant. The ERG11 gene was sequenced for 12 recoverable fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates and SNPs identified. The 12 isolates had one common silent point mutation in ERG11 (T591C) and seven isolates had an additional (A395T) mutation, which corresponded to Y132F. Four of the isolates carrying this mutation were closely related within the same cluster by microsatellite typing. This is the first report of an invasive candidiasis outbreak in Mexico due to azole-resistant C. parapsilosis associated with the Y132F substitution.
The MOSDEF survey: differences in SFR and metallicity for morphologically selected mergers at z ∼ 2
Authors: Horstman Katelyn , Shapley Alice E , Sanders Ryan L , Mobasher Bahram , Reddy Naveen A , Kriek Mariska , Coil Alison L , Siana Brian , Shivaei Irene , Freeman William R , Azadi Mojegan , Price Sedona H , Leung Gene C K , Fetherolf Tara , de Groot Laura , Zick Tom , Fornasini Francesca M , Barro Guillermo 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT
We study the properties of 55 morphologically-identified merging galaxy systems at z ∼ 2. These systems are flagged as mergers based on features such as tidal tails, double nuclei, and asymmetry. Our sample is drawn from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey, along with a control sample of isolated galaxies at the same redshift. We consider the relationships between stellar mass, star formation rate (SFR), and gas-phase metallicity for both merging and non-merging systems. In the local universe, merging systems are characterized by an elevated SFR and depressed metallicity compared to isolated systems at a given mass. Our results indicate SFR enhancement and metallicity deficit for merging systems relative to non-merging systems for a fixed stellar mass at z ∼ 2, though larger samples are required to establish these preliminary results with higher statistical significance. In future work, it will be important to establish if the enhanced SFR and depressed metallicity in high-redshift mergers deviate from the ‘fundamental metallicity relation,’ as is observed in mergers in the local universe, and therefore shed light on gas flows during galaxy interactions.
A theoretical scenario for Galactic RR Lyrae in the Gaia data base: constraints on the parallax offset
Authors: Marconi M , Molinaro R , Ripepi V , Leccia S , Musella I , De Somma G , Gatto M , Moretti M I 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT
On the basis of an extended set of non-linear convective RR Lyrae pulsation models we derive the first theoretical light curves in the Gaia bands G, GBP, and GRP and the corresponding intensity-weighted mean magnitudes and pulsation amplitudes. The effects of chemical composition on the derived Bailey diagrams in the Gaia filters are discussed for both Fundamental and first overtone mode pulsators. The inferred mean magnitudes and colours are used to derive the first theoretical Period–Wesenheit relations for RR Lyrae in the Gaia filters. The application of the theoretical Period–Wesenheit relations for both the Fundamental and first overtone mode to Galactic RR Lyrae in the Gaia Data Release 2 data base and complementary information on individual metal abundances allows us to derive theoretical estimates of their individual parallaxes. These results are compared with the astrometric solutions to conclude that a very small offset, consistent with zero, is required in order to reconcile the predicted distances with Gaia results.