bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Profile of Thanksgiving Gatherers and Subsequent SARS-CoV2 Testing and Diagnosis
Authors: You William , Rane Madhura , Zimba Rebecca , Berry Amanda , Kulkarni Sarah , Westmoreland Drew , Parcesepe Angela , Chang Mindy , Maroko Andrew , Kochhar Shivani , Mirzayi Chloe , Grov Christian , Nash Denis 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundDuring Fall 2020 in the United States (U.S.), despite high COVID-19 case numbers and recommendations from public health officials not to travel and gather with individuals outside one’s household, millions of people gathered for Thanksgiving. The objective of this study was to understand if individuals’ behaviors and risk perceptions influenced their decision to gather, and if they did gather, their subsequent test seeking and diagnoses.MethodsParticipants were part of the CHASING COVID Cohort study - a U.S. national prospective cohort. The study sample consisted of participants who completed routine questionnaires before and after Thanksgiving. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) use informed behavioral risk scores and a score of perceived risk of COVID-19 were assigned to each participant. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the association between higher risk behaviors and gathering with other households, and the association of gathering with subsequent testing and test positivity.ResultsA total of 1,932 (40.5%) cohort participants spent Thanksgiving with individuals from at least one other household. Participants with higher behavioral risk scores had greater odds of gathering with one other household (aOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 2.0, 2.7), two other households (aOR: 4.54, 95% CI: 3.7, 5.6), and three or more other households (aOR: 5.44, 95% CI: 4.1, 7.2). Participants perceiving COVID-19 as a low-risk to themselves and others had greater odds of gathering with one other household (aOR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.3), two other households (aOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7), and three or more other households (aOR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.4, 2.4). Those who spent Thanksgiving with one or more other households had 1.23 times greater odds (95% CI: 1.1, 1.4) of having a COVID-19 test afterward. There was no association between gathering for Thanksgiving and subsequent COVID-19 test positivity or developing COVID-19 symptoms.ConclusionsThose who gathered with other households for Thanksgiving tended to engage in higher-risk activities. Thanksgiving gathering with other households was not associated with subsequently testing positive for COVID-19, but only a small proportion obtained post-travel testing. Public health messaging should emphasize behavior change strategies that promote safer gathering.
Surveillance of potential pathogens and antibiotic resistance in wastewater and surface water from Boston, USA and Vellore, India using long-read metagenomic sequencing
Authors: Fuhrmeister Erica R. , Voth-Gaeddert Lee E. , Metilda Angeline , Tai Albert , Batorsky Rebecca E. , Veeraraghavan Balaji , Ward Honorine D. , Kang Gagandeep , Pickering Amy J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEnvironmental sampling (wastewater) could be an efficient surveillance strategy to capture global emerging trends in the spread of antibiotic resistance. Long-read DNA sequencing can resolve the genetic context of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and is a promising tool for non-culture-based monitoring of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and ARGs in environmental samples, but has not been rigorously validated against conventional methods. We tested long-read sequencing using the portable Nanopore MinION for surveying pathogens, ARGs, and antibiotic-resistant pathogens in municipal wastewater, hospital wastewater, and surface water collected from Boston, USA and Vellore, India. We compared detection of enteric pathogens by assembly of long reads, with and without short-read polishing, and unassembled raw long reads for ARGs to multiplex real-time PCR. Using real-time PCR as a benchmark, long-read metagenomics was 49% sensitive and 75% specific at pathogen detection in assembled contigs, and 16% sensitive and 100% specific at detecting 28 clinically relevant resistance genes in raw long reads. Short-read polishing did not substantially improve pathogen identification or impact ARG identification in the assembled contigs, demonstrating that short-read polishing is not required, which greatly reduces costs. The high specificity of ARG detection supports portable long-read sequencing as a valuable tool to profile ARGs and antibiotic-resistant pathogens for environmental surveillance programs.
Resting-state functional MRI signal fluctuations are correlated with brain amyloid-β deposition
Authors: Scheel Norman , Tarumi Takashi , Tomoto Tsubasa , Cullum C. Munro , Zhang Rong , Zhu David C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMounting evidence suggests that amyloid-β (Aβ) and vascular etiologies are intertwined in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Spontaneous fluctuations of the brain blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal, as measured by resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), have been shown to be associated with neuronal activities as well as cerebrovascular hemodynamics. Nevertheless, it is unclear if rs-fMRI BOLD fluctuations are associated with brain Aβ deposition in individuals with an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease.We recruited 33 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment who underwent rs-fMRI and positron emission tomography (PET). The Aβ standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) was calculated with cortical white matter as the reference region to improve sensitivity for cortical Aβ quantification. We calculated the amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of local BOLD signals in the frequency band of 0.01-0.08 Hz. Applying physiological/vascular signal regression in stepwise increasing levels on the rs-fMRI data, we examined whether local correlations between ALFF and brain Aβ deposition were driven by vascular hemodynamics, spontaneous neuronal activities, or both.We found that ALFF and Aβ SUVR were negatively correlated in brain regions involving the default-mode and visual networks, with peak correlation at the precuneus, and angular, lingual, and fusiform gyri. Regions with higher ALFF had less Aβ accumulation. The correlated cluster sizes in MNI space were reduced from 3018 mm3 with no physiological/vascular regression to 1072 mm3 with strong physiological/vascular regression, with mean cluster r values at approximately -0.47.Results demonstrate that both vascular hemodynamics and neuronal activities, as reflected by BOLD fluctuations, are negatively associated with brain Aβ deposition. These findings further imply that local brain blood fluctuations due to either vascular hemodynamics or neuronal activities can affect Aβ homeostasis.
RELIABILITY METHODS FOR ANALYZING COVID-19 PANDEMIC SPREADING BEHAVIOR, LOCKDOWN IMPACT AND INFECTIOUSNESS
Authors: Puls Alicia , Bracke Stefan 
Published: April 2021

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the globalized world. Restrictions on the public life and lockdowns of different characteristics define the life in many countries. This paper focuses on the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (01-28-2020 to 01-15-2021). As a transfer of methods used in reliability engineering for analyzing occurrence of infection, Weibull distribution models are used to evaluate the spreading behavior of COVID-19.Key issues of this study are the differences of spreading behavior in first and second pandemic phase and the various impacts of lockdown measures with different characteristics (hard, light). Therefore, the occurrence of infection in normed time periods with and without lockdown measures are analyzed in detail on the example of Germany representing the spreading behavior in Europe. Additional information in comparison to classical infection analyzes models like SIR model is generated by the application of Weibull distribution models with easy interpretable parameters and the dynamic development of COVID-19 is outlined.In a further step, the occurrence of infection of COVID-19 is put into the context of other common infectious diseases in Germany like Influenza or Norovirus to evaluate the infectiousness. Differences in spreading behavior of COVID-19 in comparison to these well-known infectious diseases are underlined for different pandemic phases.
Tocilizumab and mortality in hospitalised patients with covid-19. A systematic review comparing randomised trials with observational studies
Authors: Podmore Bélène , Qizilbash Nawab , Lacetera Alessandra , Ubillos Itziar , Andresen Kirsty , Martín Ana Roncero , Majuelos-Melguizo Jara , Cuñado Moral Ana , Campos Marina Hinojosa , Aronson Jeffrey K , Pocock Stuart 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo summarise and compare evidence from randomised controlled trials and observational studies of the effect of tocilizumab on in-hospital mortality in patients with covid-19.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesSearches conducted in Embase and PubMed from July 2020 until 1 March 2021.Study SelectionObservational studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing in-hospital mortality in patients receiving tocilizumab compared with standard care or placebo.Data extractionThe primary outcome was in-hospital mortality at 30 days. The risk of bias in observational studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. A fixed effect meta-analysis was used to combine relative risks, with random effects and risk of bias as a sensitivity analysis.ResultsOf 5,792 publications screened for inclusion, eight RCTs and 35 observational studies were identified. The RCTs showed an overall relative risk reduction in in-hospital mortality at 30 days of 0.86 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.96) with no statistically significant heterogeneity. 23 of the observational studies had a severe risk of bias, 10 of which did not adjust for potential confounders. The 10 observational studies with moderate risk of bias reported a larger reduction in mortality at 30-days (relative risk 0.72, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.81) but with significant heterogeneity (P<0.01).ConclusionThis meta-analysis provides strong evidence from RCTs that tocilizumab reduces the risk of mortality in hospitalised covid-19 patients. Observational studies with moderate risk of bias exaggerated the benefits on mortality two-fold and showed heterogeneity. Collectively observational studies provide a less reliable evidence base for evaluating treatments for covid-19.Summary boxWhat is already known on this topicEarly case reports suggested that tocilizumab might produce clinical and biochemical improvement in covid-19. This was followed by observational studies using retrospective data, largely supporting clinicians’ impressions of benefit.This led to wider use of tocilizumab, despite failure to show benefit on all-cause mortality from early underpowered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in severe covid-19. The RECOVERY trial, the largest trial, has recently shown clear overall benefit in hospitalised patients with covid-19.What this study addsThis meta-analysis provides strong evidence from RCTs that tocilizumab reduces the risk of mortality in hospitalised covid-19 patients.Observational studies with moderate risk of bias exaggerated the benefits on mortality by two-fold.Collectively observational studies provide a less reliable evidence base for evaluating treatments for covid-19.
A Spatial Analysis of Hypertension Prevalence in Rural and Urban Malawi
Authors: Burns James , Crampin Mia , Price Alison , Grundy Chris , Carpenter James 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCD) represent a large and rapidly growing disease burden in Malawi and the wider sub-Saharan Africa region. National and regional NCD prevalence estimates and mapping, establishment of associated risk factors, and trend monitoring are vital for sustaining hard-won gains in well-being and life expectancy from the successful management of infectious diseases.MethodsBetween 2012 and 2016, blood pressure was measured in a population-representative sample of 29,628 Malawian adults (18+ years) residing in two locations; the southern part of rural Karonga district and urban Area 25 in Lilongwe city. Each location was divided into approximately 200 zones with individuals assigned the zone in which their home was located. A conditional autoregressive (CAR) model was fitted to estimate zonal hypertension prevalence. Estimates were plotted on regional maps featuring key amenities, healthcare facilities, and transport links. Individual-level economic and lifestyle covariates were then incorporated to assess how much of the variation could be explained by those covariates.ResultsVariation in hypertension prevalence was observed in both the rural and urban location (P< 0.0005), with high-prevalence zones clustering in areas near to major transport links and/or concentrations of amenities. Covariates explained most of the variation in both sites (P> 0.14).ConclusionsIn rural and urban Malawi, hypertension prevalence is higher among those of relatively high wealth, those who are closer to local amenities, or a combination of these two factors. More detailed data are needed to determine if these associations are explained by wealth-consequent behaviours such as sedentary occupations and deleterious lifestyle choices.
Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Comorbidities in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Johansson Martina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease affects 50 million people worldwide and just like any modern lifestyle disease, it is steadily increasing. Unfortunately, a cure has not yet been found, despite decades of research. The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease is extraordinarily complex and involves many different factors. Despite it being a protein misfolding disease, a lot of evidence currently point to insulin resistance, impaired glucose metabolism and comorbidities with other metabolic disorders such as obesity, elevated blood lipids, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as a potential root cause. Genetics aside, it seems like poor metabolic functioning affects the brain and central nervous system a great deal: affecting mood, behaviour, and cognitive performance. Even mood disorders are interlinked with metabolic disorders and increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease later in life. This is a summary of objectively chosen original research articles, published between 2011-2021 and with insulin resistance as the main objective for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Genetic analyses on the health impacts of testosterone highlight effects on female-specific diseases and sex differences
Authors: Leinonen Jaakko T. , Mars Nina , Lehtonen Leevi E. , Ahola-Olli Ari , Ruotsalainen Sanni , Lehtimäki Terho , Kähönen Mika , Raitakari Olli , FinnGen  , Daly Mark , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Ripatti Samuli , Pirinen Matti , Tukiainen Taru 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTestosterone (T) is linked with diverse characteristics of human health, yet, whether these associations reflect correlation or causation remains debated. Here, we provide a broad perspective on the role of T on complex diseases in both sexes leveraging genetic and health registry data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen (total N=625,650).We find genetically predicted T affects sex-biased and sex-specific traits, with a particularly pronounced impact on female reproductive health. We show T levels are intricately involved in metabolism, sharing many associations with sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), but report lack of direct causality behind most of these associations. Across other disease domains, including behavior, we find little evidence for a significant contribution from normal variation in T levels. Highlighting T’s unique biology, we show T associates with antagonistic effects on stroke risk and reproduction in males and females.Overall, we underscore the involvement of T in both male and female health, and the complex mechanisms linking T levels to disease risk and sex differences.
Depression during the COVID-19 pandemic amongst residents of homeless shelters in France
Authors: Scarlett Honor , Davisse-Paturet Camille , Longchamps Cécile , Aarbaoui Tarik El , Allaire Cécile , Colleville Anne-Claire , Convence-Arulthas Mary , Crouzet Lisa , Ducarroz Simon , Melchior Maria ,   the ECHO study group
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected global mental health and well-being. However, the impact amongst homeless persons has not been fully evaluated. The ECHO study reports factors associated with depression amongst the homeless population living in shelters in France during the Spring of 2020.MethodsInterview data were collected from 527 participants living in temporary and/or emergency accommodation following France’s first lockdown (02/05/20 – 07/06/20), in the metropolitan regions of Paris (74%), Lyon (19%) and Strasbourg (7%). Interviews were conducted in French, English, or with interpreters (33% of participants, ∼20 languages). Presence of depression was ascertained using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsAmongst ECHO study participants, 30% had symptoms of moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9≥ 10). Multivariate analysis revealed depression to be associated with being female (aOR: 2.15; CI: 1.26-3.69), being single (aOR: 1.60; CI: 1.01-2.52), having a chronic illness (aOR: 2.32; CI: 1.43:-3.78), facing food insecurity (aOR: 2.12; CI: 1.40-3.22) and participants’ region of origin. Persons born in African and Eastern Mediterranean regions showed levels of depression comparable to those of French participants (30-33%) but higher than migrants from European countries (14%). Reduced rates of depression were observed amongst participants aged 30-49 (aOR: 0.60; CI: 0.38-0.95) and over 50 (aOR: 0.28; CI: 0.13-0.64), compared to 18-29-year-olds.ConclusionsOur results indicate high levels of depression among homeless persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. The value of these findings extends beyond the health crisis, as predicted future instability and economic repercussions could particularly impact the mental health of this vulnerable group.
Knowledge and Impact of COVID-19 on Middle-Aged and Older People living with HIV in Lima, Peru
Authors: Diaz Monica M. , Cabrera Diego M. , Gil-Zacarías Marcela , Ramírez Valeria , Saavedra Manuel , Cárcamo Cesar , Hsieh Evelyn , García Patricia J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 has had an unprecedented worldwide impact, and Peru has had one of the highest COVID-19 case rates despite implementation of an early strict nationwide quarantine. Repercussions on Peru’s healthcare system may impact vulnerable populations, particularly people with HIV (PWH). We explored the knowledge of COVID-19 and the socioeconomic and health impact of the pandemic among middle-aged and older PWH. A cross-sectional telephone survey was administered to 156 PWH age ≥40 years receiving care in one of two large HIV clinics in Lima, Peru. The majority of PWH (age 52±7.7 years, 41% female, 65% completed secondary school or less) were knowledgeable regarding COVID-19 symptoms and prevention methods. Nearly half of those employed prior to the pandemic reported job loss. Female sex (unadjusted prevalence ratio [PR] 1.85 [95%CI 1.27-2.69]), low educational level (PR 1.62 [1.06-2.48]) and informal work (PR 1.58 [1.06-2.36]) were risk factors for unemployment but not in adjusted models. Increased anxiety was reported in 64% and stress in 77%. COVID-19 has had a substantial socioeconomic and mental health impact on PWH living in Lima, Peru, particularly those with lower educational levels and informal workers. Efforts are needed to ensure continued medical care and socioeconomic support of PWH in Peru.
Fatigue symptoms associated with COVID-19 in convalescent or recovered COVID-19 patients; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rao Sanjay , Benzouak Tarek , Gunpat Sasha , Burns Rachel J. , Tahir Tayyeb A. , Jolles Stephen , Kisely Steve 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundThe prevalence and prognosis of post-acute stage SARS-CoV-2 infection fatigue symptoms remain largely unknown.AimsWe performed a systematic review to evaluate the prevalence of fatigue in post-recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodMedline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, trial registries, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar were searched for studies on fatigue in samples that recovered from PCR diagnosed COVID-19. English, French and Spanish studies were included. Meta-analyses were conducted separately for each recruitment setting.ResultsWe identified 41 studies with 9362 patients that recovered from COVID-19. Post-COVID-19 patients self-report of fatigue was higher compared to healthy controls (RR = 3.688, 95%CI [2.502, 5.436], p < 0.001). Over 50% of patients discharged from inpatient care reported symptoms of fatigue during the first (ER = 0.517, 95%CI [0.278, 0.749]) and second month following recovery (ER = 0.527, 95%CI [0.337, 0.709]). 10% of the community patients reported fatigue in the first-month post-recovery. Patient setting moderated the association between COVID-19 recovery and fatigue symptoms (R2= 0.11, p < 0.001). Female patients recovering from COVID-19 had a greater self-report of fatigue (OR = 1.782, 95%CI [1.531, 2.870]). Patients recruited through social media had fatigue above 90% across multiple time points. Fatigue was highest in studies from Europe.ConclusionFatigue is a symptom associated with functional challenges which could have economic and social impacts. Developing long-term planning for fatigue management amongst patients beyond the acute stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential to optimizing patient care and public health outcomes. Further studies should examine the impact of sociodemographic, pandemic-related restrictions and pre-existing conditions on fatigue.
Targeted, collaborative biodiversity conservation in the global ocean can benefit fisheries economies
Authors: Rinnan D. Scott , Reygondeau Gabriel , McGowan Jennifer , Lam Vicky , Sumaila Rashid , Ranipeta Ajay , Kaschner Kristin , Garilao Cristina , Cheung William L. , Jetz Walter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMarine protected areas (MPAs) are key to averting continued loss of species and ecosystem services in our oceans, but concerns around economic trade-offs hamper progress. Here we provide optimized planning scenarios for global MPA networks that secure species habitat while minimizing impacts on fisheries revenues. We found that MPA coverage requirements differ vastly among nations, and that two-thirds of nations benefit economically from a collaborative approach. Immediate global protection of marine biodiversity habitat comes with losses of ~19% of total fisheries revenues, but international cooperation in concert with high seas protection improves economic losses for most countries, safeguards all species, and could save ~5B USD annually worldwide. Nations and fishery economies both share benefits from a coordinated approach to conserving marine biodiversity, with direct relevance to current international policies.