bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated circulating CD16+ monocytes and TLR4+ monocytes in older adults with multiple cardiometabolic disease risk factors: A cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Markofski Melissa M. , Flynn Michael G. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTWe endeavored to examine relationships between circulating monocyte phenotype and cardio-metabolic disease risk, in healthy, older adults. We performed a secondary data analysis on men and women, 55-75 yr, who were assigned to groups based on cardio-metabolic risk factors other than age. Subject in the low risk group (n=16, 12 females) had fewer than three risk factors. Subjects in the elevated risk group (n=29, 19 females) had three or more risk factors. Along with baseline screening for fitness and body composition, resting blood samples were assessed for markers of inflammation including: monocyte phenotype (inflammatory monocytes), monocyte cell-surface TLR4 expression, and serum C-reactive protein. The low risk group had a smaller (19.3% difference; p<0.0001) waist circumference and lower body fat weight (36.3%; p<0.0001), but higher max (45.5%; p=0.0019). There were no mean differences (p>0.05) between the low and elevated risk groups for BMI, serum cholesterol, fasting glucose, or leg press 1RM. The low risk group had lower CRP (114.7%, p=0.0002), higher CD14+CD16- (classical) monocytes (6.7%; p=0.0231) and fewer CD14+CD16+ (inflammatory) monocytes (46.2%; p=0.0243) than the elevated risk group. The low risk group also had a lower percentage of CD14+CD16+ monocytes that were positive for TLR4 (14.0%; p=0.0328). Older men and women with fewer cardio-metabolic risk factors had lower serum and cellular markers of inflammation and higher aerobic capacity.
A survey of clinical opinions and preferences on the non-surgical management of intermittent exotropia in China
Authors: Wu Yidong , Peng Tingting , Zhou Jinjing , Xu Meiping , Gao Yi , Zhou Jiawei , Hou Fang , Yu Xinping 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPurposeIntermittent exotropia (IXT) is the most common form of childhood exotropia. Currently, controversies exist regarding its management and non-surgical options in particular. This study reports clinical opinions and preferences on the non-surgical management among practitioners in China. The opinions within and between ophthalmologists and optometrists were also compared.DesignCross-sectional survey study.MethodsAn online survey was developed and distributed through professional bodies. The study was conducted from July 25th to August 3rd, 2019. A total of 300 ophthalmologists and 188 optometrists responded.ResultsOf 488 participants, 257 (53%) considered fusion defects as the main cause of IXT, and 299 (61%) took IXT as a progressive disorder. Two hundred and seventy-one (56%) participants considered orthoptic exercises as the most effective non-surgical intervention for IXT. Likewise, 245 (50%) participants reported that orthoptic exercises was their most frequent non-surgical option, followed by observation (178, 37%). There are discrepancies between ophthalmologists and optometrists. A greater proportion of ophthalmologists (201, 67%) shared the view that IXT worsens over time compared with optometrists (98, 52%) (p = 0.001). Additionally, ophthalmologists (121, 40%) tended to prefer observation compared with optometrists (57, 30%) (p = 0.021).ConclusionsThis study shows that there is no general consensus on the non-surgical management of IXT in China. Given the lack of robust evidence, the findings from this study not only show the current clinical opinions but also highlight the need for future randomized clinical trials to validate the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions, orthoptic exercises in particular, and to establish treatment guidelines accordingly.
Latent subtypes of manic or irritable episode symptoms in two population-based cohorts
Authors: Arathimos Ryan , Fabbri Chiara , Vassos Evangelos , Davis Katrina A S , Pain Oliver , Gillett Alexandra , Coleman Jonathan R I , Hanscombe Ken , Hagenaars Saskia , Jermy Bradley , Corbett Anne , Ballard Clive , Aarsland Dag , Creese Byron , Lewis Cathryn M 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundEpisodic changes in mood characterise disorders such as bipolar disorder, which includes distinct periods of manic excitability or irritability, along with additional symptoms experienced during these periods. Common clinical understanding informs diagnostic criteria and epidemiological studies reflect clinical thresholds.AimsTo use a data-driven approach to defining groupings of symptoms experienced during periods of manic or irritable mood, which could inform understanding of mood disorders and guide case classification by identifying subgroups with homogeneous clinical/functional outcomes.MethodsWe used latent class analysis (LCA) to conduct an exploration of the latent structure in symptom responses in the UK Biobank and PROTECT studies, by investigating how symptoms, experienced during periods of manic or irritable mood, formed latent subgroups. We tested associations of latent subgroups with sociodemographic characteristics, diagnoses of psychiatric disorders and polygenic risk scores (PRS).ResultsFive latent classes were identified that captured patterns of symptoms experienced during periods of manic or irritable mood (N=42,183) in UK Biobank. We identified one class that experienced disruptive episodes of mostly irritable mood that was largely comprised of cases of depression/anxiety, and a class of individuals with increased confidence/creativity that reported lower disruptiveness and lower functional impairment. The five latent classes were replicated in an independent cohort, the PROTECT study (N=4,445), with similar distinctions between classes.ConclusionOur data-driven approach to grouping individuals identified distinct latent classes. A dimensional classification of mood disorders informed by our findings will be able to better assess or subtype these disorders in future studies.
UK Health Care Workers’ Experiences of Major System Change in Elective Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Reflections on Rapid Service Adaptation
Authors: Singleton Georgina , Dowrick Anna , Manby Louisa , Fillmore Harrison , Syverson Aron , Lewis-Jackson Sasha , Uddin Inayah , Sumray Kirsi , Bautista-González Elysse , Johnson Ginger , Vindrola-Padros Cecilia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the delivery of elective surgery in the UK. The majority of planned surgery was cancelled or postponed in March 2020 for the duration of the first wave of the pandemic. We investigated the experiences of staff responsible for delivering rapid changes to surgical services during the first wave of the pandemic in the UK, with the aim of developing lessons for future major systems change.MethodsUsing a rapid qualitative study design, we conducted 25 interviews with frontline surgical staff during the first wave of the pandemic. We also carried out a policy review of the guidance developed for those delivering surgical services in pandemic conditions. We used framework analysis to organise and interpret findings.ResultsStaff discussed positive and negative experiences of rapid service organisation. Clinician-led decision making, the flexibility of individual staff and teams, and the opportunity to innovate service design were all seen as positive contributors to success in service adaptation. The negative aspects of rapid change were inconsistent guidance from national government and medical bodies, top-down decisions about when to cancel and restart surgery, the challenges of delivering emergency surgical care safely and the complexity of prioritising surgical cases when services re-started.ConclusionSuccess in the rapid reorganisation of elective surgical services can be attributed to the flexibility and adaptability of staff. However, there was an absence of involvement of staff in wider system-level pandemic decision-making and competing guidance from national bodies. Involving staff in decisions about the organisation and delivery of major systems change is essential for the sustainability of change processes.
Two Stage Hierarchical Group Testing Strategy to Increase SARS-CoV-2 Testing Capacity at an Institution of Higher Education: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Ganz Troy , Waithe-Alleyne Markus , Slate Deirdre , Donner Rachel , Hines Kevin , Abel Gyorgy , Auclair Jared 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPopulation testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SAR-CoV-2) is necessary owing to the possibility of viral transmission from asymptomatic cases, yet scarcity of reagents and equipment has added to the cost-prohibitive implementation of screening campaigns at institutions of higher education. The high analytical sensitivities of leading nucleic acid amplification diagnostic methods allow for group testing to increase testing capacity. A feasibility study was performed using an optimized testing configuration model for pooling three, five, and ten samples. Following the standard RNA extraction and purification workflow for quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method using Thermo Fisher TaqPath™ COVID-19 multiplex primers and probes for the ORF1ab, N, and S genes, matrix and dilution effects were assessed using pooled negative samples as the diluent. Probit analysis produced a limit of detection of 16075 (ORF1ab), 1308 (N), and 1180182 (S) genomic copy equivalents per milliliter. Trials comparing neat to 1:5 dilution for 34 weak-to-strongly positive samples demonstrated average threshold cycle (CT) shifts of 2.31±1.16 (ORF1ab), 2.23±1.12 (N), and 2.79±1.40 (S). Notwithstanding observed S gene dropouts, the false negative rate was unaffected. As the ratio of asymptomatic positive to symptomatic positive SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals was approximately 4:1 and the average prevalence was 0.16% since we started testing in August 2020, pooled testing was identified as a viable, cost-effective option for monitoring the Northeastern University community.
Engagement in leisure activities and depression in older adults in the United States: Longitudinal evidence from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Bone Jessica K , Bu Feifei , Fluharty Meg , Paul Elise , Sonke Jill K , Fancourt Daisy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivesReceptive cultural engagement (e.g., attending theaters and museums) can reduce depression in older adults. However, whether specific participatory leisure activities are associated with lower rates of depression remains unknown. We aimed to test whether engagement in a diverse range of leisure activities, all of which could involve artistic or creative elements, was associated with concurrent and subsequent depression.MethodsUsing longitudinal data from 19,134 participants aged over 50 in the Health and Retirement Study, engagement in leisure activities was measured every four years, and depression every two years, between 2008 and 2016. Leisure activities included: reading books, magazines, or newspapers; writing; baking/cooking something special; making clothes, knitting, or embroidery (sewing); working on hobbies/projects; going to sport, social, or other clubs; and attending non-religious organization meetings. A score of three or more on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale indicated depression. We fitted population-averaged panel data models using generalized estimating equations with a logit link.ResultsEngaging in some leisure activities, such as clubs, hobbies/projects, and baking/cooking was associated with reduced depression, independent of confounders. Concurrently, spending time on hobbies/projects (monthly OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.72–0.88; weekly OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73–0.89) and clubs (monthly OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.77–0.94; weekly OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69–0.88) was associated with lower odds of depression versus not engaging. Longitudinally, the odds of depression two years later were reduced amongst people engaging in weekly baking/cooking (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75– 0.95), hobbies (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.71–0.92), and clubs (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71–0.94). Writing, reading, sewing, and attending non-religious organizations were not consistently associated with depression.DiscussionEngagement in some leisure activities is associated with reduced odds of depression. We should consider how older adults can be supported to actively participate in leisure activities as health-promoting behaviors.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses among pregnant women in Northern Iran
Authors: Sadeghi Farzin , Golchob Zahra , Javadian Maryam , Barary Mohammad , Sabbagh Parisa , Ebrahimpour Soheil , Bayani Masoumeh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundHepatitis A (HAV) and Hepatitis E viruses (HEV) are endemic in Iran and are known major causes of acute viral hepatitis. Also, during pregnancy, they are associated with severe outcomes. Therefore, it is vital to evaluate the antibody levels against HAV and HEV in pregnant women to avoid severe outcomes incidence.Study design and methodsA total of 247 pregnant women were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study. In addition to completing the questionnaire and interviewing all participants, the serum samples were tested for anti-HAV and anti-HEV IgG using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association between anti-HAV and anti-HEV antibodies status and risk factors was evaluated.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 28.06 ± 5.29 years. Anti-HAV antibody was found in 111 patients (44.9%), while anti-HEV antibody was detected in only two pregnant women (0.8%). The seroprevalence of HAV was inversely related to the level of education. There was no significant correlation between HAV antibody levels and age, marital status, residence location, and pregnancy trimesters.ConclusionConsidering many complications of these diseases in pregnancy, the detection of enteroviral hepatitis, especially HAV in pregnant women, is necessary, and therefore, proactive measures, such as promoting education, improving people awareness, and vaccination, are recommended
Evaluation of seven different rapid methods for nucleic acid detection of SARS-COV-2 virus
Authors: Mahmoud Sally A. , Ibrahim Esra , Ganesan Subhashini , Thakre Bhagyashree , Teddy Juliet George , Raheja Preeti , Zaher Walid Abbas 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn the current COVID-19 pandemic there is mass screening of SARS-CoV-2 happening round the world due to the extensive spread of the infections. There is a high demand for rapid diagnostic tests to expedite identification of cases and to facilitate early isolation and control spread. Hence this study evaluates seven different rapid nucleic acid detection assays that are commercially available for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection.MethodsNasopharyngeal samples were collected from 4859 participants and were tested for SARS-CoV-2 virus by the gold standard RT-PCR method along with one of these seven rapid methods of detection. Evaluation of the rapid nucleic acid detection assays was done by comparing the results of these rapid methods with the gold standard RT-qPCR results for SARS-COV-2 detection.ResultsAQ-TOP had the highest sensitivity (98%) and strong kappa value of 0.943 followed by Genechecker and Abbot ID NOW. The POCKIT (ii RT-PCR) assay had the highest test accuracy of 99.29% followed by Genechecker and Cobas Liat. Atila iAMP showed the highest percentage of invalid reports (35.5%) followed by AQ-TOP with 6% and POCKIT with 3.7% of invalid reports.ConclusionGenechecker system, Abbott ID NOW and Cobas Liat, were found to have best performance and agreement when compared to the standard RT-PCR for COVID-19 detection. With further research, these rapid tests have the potential to be employed in large scale screening of COVID-19.
Contracting COVID-19: A Longitudinal Investigation of the Impact of Beliefs and Knowledge
Authors: Moore Courtney A. , Ruisch Benjamin C. , Samayoa Javier A. Granados , Boggs Shelby T. , Ladanyi Jesse T. , Fazio Russell H. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecent work has found that an individual’s beliefs and personal characteristics can impact perceptions of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain individuals—such as those who are politically conservative, endorse conspiracy theories, or who believe the threat of COVID-19 to be exaggerated—are less likely to engage in such preventative behaviors as social distancing. The current research aims to address whether these individual difference variables not only affect people’s subjective and behavioral reactions to the pandemic, but also whether they actually impact individuals’ likelihood of contracting COVID-19. In the early months of the pandemic, U.S. participants responded to a variety of individual difference measures as well as questions specific to COVID-19 and the pandemic itself. Four months later, 2,120 of these participants responded with whether they had contracted COVID-19. Nearly all of our included individual difference measures significantly predicted whether a person reported believing they had contracted COVID-19 as well as whether they had actually tested positive for the virus in this four-month period. Additional analyses revealed that all of these relationships were primarily mediated by whether participants held accurate knowledge about COVID-19. These findings offer useful insights for developing more effective interventions aimed at slowing the spread of both COVID-19 and future diseases. Moreover, some findings offer critical tests of the validity of such theoretical frameworks as those concerning conspiratorial ideation and disgust sensitivity within a real-world context.
Vaccines, social measures and Covid19 - A European evidence-based analysis Vaccines, social measures and Covid19
Authors: Porter John R 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundA fully quantitative picture of national effectiveness in controlling the spread of the Covid19 virus should consider the percentage of a population vaccinated in relation to the percentage of a population as active cases.MethodsPublicly available data from 27 European countries on nine dates in 2021. Data were (i) initial Covid19 vaccinations and (ii) Covid19 active cases, both as percentages of a country’s population. Dividing (i) by (ii) yielded a new metric, the V ratio, which can increase as (i) increase or as (ii) decreases or both. I correlated the change in V ratio with the change in R statistic in the 27 counties and nine dates.ResultsMean European V ratio increased from January 11 2021 onwards; inverse correlation was found between V ratio and R statistic (p<0.001, r2=0.15, df=234). Initial threshold V ratio of 10-15 resulted in an R statistic of 1.0 or lower; this threshold increased to 30-40 with further vaccinations. Variation between countries in the V ratio increased with time.ConclusionThis quantitative assessment and use of a summary data-derived threshold index showed the integrated effectiveness of vaccinations and social measures for European countries for Covid19. It established a threshold range for an R value of 1 and calculation of the number of vaccinations needed in Europe to reduce the infectivity of the virus to unity. Results can be used to quantify the relation between transmission following vaccination and social measures to control the spread of Covid19.Summary box‘What is already known’ in the epidemiology of the Covid19 pandemic in Europe countries is time- and country-based estimates of the R statistic as a measure of infectivity, the percentages of vaccinated persons to reduce infectivity and the number of active cases amenable to social measures. What is not known is how these three parameters interact.What does this study add’? This study adds by invention an index (V) of percentage vaccinated population divided by percentage active cases. It then examines the corresponding V index in relation to the R statistic. It derives a range threshold V ratio for an R statistic of unity and extends this to suggest the total number of vaccines needed in Europe.Policy implicationsThese results will allow policy judgements to be made on the basis of measured evidence, and not just models, of the means to reduce the Covid19 pandemic in Europe. The R statistic captures the development of the pandemic; the V ratio measures the integrated and quantified measures to reduce it. Further development of the analysis could assist in calculating the relative effectiveness of vaccination and social measures linked to a range of values of the V ratio. It can also be used as an alarm call to identify states which, even given 100% vaccination, may not reduce their R statistic below unity.
COVID-19 transmission in a theme-park
Authors: Aruffo Elena , Athar Safia , Raad Angie , Ali Md Afsar , Althubyani Mohammed , Chow Christopher , Ruma Mahmuda , Liu Chao , Wu Jianhong , Asgary Ali , Kong Jude D. , Heffernan Jane M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAs COVID-19 vaccination coverage increases, public health and industries are contemplating re-opening measures of public spaces, including theme-parks. To re-open, theme-parks must provide public health mitigation plans. Questions on implementation of public health mitigation strategies such as park cleaning, COVID-19 testing, and enforcement of social distancing and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the park remain.MethodsWe have developed a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission in a theme-park that considers direct human-human and indirect environment-human transmission of the virus. The model thus tracks the changing infection/disease landscape of all visitors, workers, and environmental reservoirs in a theme park setting.FindingsModels results show that theme-park public health mitigation must include mechanisms that reduce virus contamination of the environment to ensure that workers and visitors are protected from COVID-19 transmission in the park. Thus, cleaning rates and mitigation of human-environment contact increases in importance.ConclusionOur findings have important practical implications in terms of public health as policy- and decision-makers are equipped with a mathematical tool that can guide theme-parks in developing public health mitigation strategies for a safe re-opening.
The relationship between human mobility measures and SAR-Cov-2 transmission varies by epidemic phase and urbanicity: results from the United States
Authors: Kishore Nishant , Taylor Aimee R. , Jacob Pierre E. , Vembar Navin , Cohen Ted , Buckee Caroline O. , Menzies Nicolas A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlobal efforts to prevent the spread of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic in early 2020 focused on non-pharmaceutical interventions like social distancing; policies that aim to reduce transmission by changing mixing patterns between people. As countries have implemented these interventions, aggregated location data from mobile phones have become an important source of real-time information about human mobility and behavioral changes on a population level. Human activity measured using mobile phones reflects the aggregate behavior of a subset of people, and although metrics of mobility are related to contact patterns between people that spread the coronavirus, they do not provide a direct measure. In this study, we use results from a nowcasting approach from 1,396 counties across the US between January 22nd, 2020 and July 9th, 2020 to determine the effective reproductive number (R(t)) along an urban/rural gradient. For each county, we compare the time series of R(t) values with mobility proxies from mobile phone data from Camber Systems, an aggregator of mobility data from various providers in the United States. We show that the reproduction number is most strongly associated with mobility proxies for change in the travel into counties compared to baseline, but that the relationship weakens considerably after the initial 15 weeks of the epidemic, consistent with the emergence of a more complex ecosystem of local policies and behaviors including masking. Importantly, we highlight potential issues in the data generation process, representativeness and equity of access which must be addressed to allow for general use of these data in public health.