bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Survey-Based Assessment of “Matter of Balance” Participant Fall-Related Experience
Authors: Valatka Robin , Krizo Jessica , Mallat Ali 
Published: September 2021

Background:
Falls are a substantial cause of injury in older adults, which can be attributed to progressive lack of physical activity, associated comorbidities, social isolation, and chronic health conditions. Fall prevention courses are designed to educate participants on fall safety and increase activity levels and social engagement.

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of a nationally recognized fall prevention course on self-reported fall frequency and lifestyle habits.

Methods:
This was a single-group pretest–posttest study of a convenience sample of older adults enrolled in a group fall prevention program, A Matter of Balance, in a community setting between March 2019 and March 2020. Questionnaires were distributed at the first and final sessions of the course to evaluate participant perceptions of the program and its impact on their fall history, exercise habits, and social engagement. Comparisons were made using Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

Results:
A total of 40 class members agreed to participate, with 29 (73%) completing both the presurvey and the postsurvey. Responses indicated no change in the number of falls or participants following an established exercise routine. However, of those who fell prior to the course, 75% reported a reduction in falls. In addition, the participants reported an overall increase in weekly exercise frequency. In those who reported fear of falling, 71% reported a reduction in fear following the course.

Conclusions:
The participants in this study self-reported a decrease in fall rate, a decrease in fear of falling, and an increase in exercise frequency. The course is not fall protective but can be considered an adjunct to fall prevention measures that include medical, medication, visual, and environmental management.
Trigeminal Metastasis of Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Pompanin Sara , De Rossi Costanza , La Marra Francesco 
Published: September 2021

Introduction:
Perineural spread of malignant melanoma (MM) along cranial nerves is a rare complication of MM of the head and neck.

Case Report:
A 78-year-old man presented with untreatable facial pain and cutaneous hypoesthesia in V2/V3 branches of right trigeminal nerve. Six months earlier patient removed a lentigo maligna melanoma in his right upper lip and a MM in his right gingiva. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed pathologic thickening of the right maxillary and mandibular nerves and of the intracranial trigeminal nerve. Infraorbital nerve biopsy confirms MM neural metastasis. BRAFV600E mutation was identified only in the lentigo maligna melanoma. Patient was treated with brain proton therapy but 5 months later developed sensorimotor deficit of his right arm because of a cervical metastasis.

Conclusions:
In patients presenting with atypical facial pain and history of head and neck melanoma a trigeminal spreading should be considered. Magnetic resonance imaging can detect early perineural spread and target biopsy.
Subacute Herpes Simplex Type 1 Encephalitis
Authors: Elshony Hosna , Idris Abdelrahman , Al-Ghamdi Abdulazuiz , Alharbi Bashaer , Almalki Abdulrahman , Alharbi Ahmed , Faqih Norah 
Published: September 2021

Introduction:
The typical herpes simplex viral encephalitis (HSVE) course is an acute illness, less commonly it may present as a chronic course, mainly in children, and rarely may it be subacute. Subacute HSVE is rarely described in the literature being reported 4 times only.

Case Report:
We here report 2 cases of subacute HSV1 encephalitis diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction and magnetic resonance imaging findings and review the literature trying to find any specific clinical, laboratory, radiologic diagnostic or prognostic criteria regarding this subacute form of HSVE.

Conclusion:
There is subacute form of HSVE and should be suspected with any subacute febrile illness with nonspecific cognitive impairment even in the absence of focal neurological symptoms and in cases with rapidly progressive dementia. This form has similar radiologic finding and good response to acyclovir but carry even better prognosis than that the acute HSVE.
Pericapsular nerve group block for hip fracture is safe and effective in the emergency department: a prospective observational study comparing pericapsular nerve group block to fascia iliaca compartment block and femoral nerve block
Authors: Fahey Alan , Cripps Elinor , Ng Aloysius , Sweeny Amy , Snelling Peter J. 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block was first described for the treatment of hip fracture, including neck of femur, in 2018. We hypothesise that the PENG block is safe and effective for patients with hip fracture when provided by emergency physicians and trainees in the emergency department (ED), for which it may be superior to fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) and femoral nerve block (FNB).MethodsFrom October 2019 to July 2020, consecutive patients receiving regional anaesthesia for hip fracture in the ED of a single large regional hospital were prospectively enrolled. Pain scores were assessed prior to regional anaesthesia then at 15, 30 and 60 minutes after regional anaesthesia. Maximal reduction in pain scores within 60 minutes were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (at rest and on movement) or the Pain Assessment IN Advanced Dementia tool (at rest). Patients were followed for opioid use for 12 hours after regional anaesthesia and adverse events over the duration of their admission.ResultsThere were 67 eligible patients during the enrolment period, with 52 (78%) prospectively enrolled. Thirty-three received femoral blocks (19 FICB, 14 FNB) and 19 received a PENG block. There was no difference in maximum pain score reduction between the groups whether measured at rest or on movement. Clinicians providing the PENG block were less experienced in the technique than those providing FICB or FNB. There was no difference in adverse effects between groups. Although opioid use was similar between the groups, more patients were opioid free after a PENG block.ConclusionsAlthough there was no difference in maximal pain score reduction, this study demonstrated that the PENG block was feasible and could be provided safely and effectively to patients with hip fracture in the ED. On this basis, a larger randomised controlled study should now be designed.Key MessagesWhat is already known on this subject□There is a solid neuroanatomical rationale to suggest the PENG block may provide superior anaesthesia of hip fractures than FNB or FICB.□The technique utilises bony sonographic and tactile landmarks which make it an ideal block for emergency physicians to safely and effectively perform.□What this study adds□This is the first comparative study of the PENG block to FNB or FICB in patients with hip fracture in ED, which will provide a scaffold for future research.□This pragmatic observation of evolving practice showed that emergency physicians and trainees inexperienced in the technique could provide it safely and effectively in the ED
How does migratory status affect non-communicable disease risk in a global context? A systematic review
Authors: Gordon-Firing Sandberg Roy 
Published: September 2021

AbstractChallenges pertaining to the study of migrant health have been reported in medical and sociological literature. A literature review was thus conducted to gauge what research currently holds about the risk of non-communicable disease within migrant populations globally. The search strategy is outlined; CASP checklists were used to critically appraise articles, and the relevant data was synthesised and analysed. The research identifies several overarching quantitative themes regarding risk patterns. Recommendations are made.
Effectiveness of the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine six months after vaccination: findings from a large Israeli HMO
Authors: Kertes Jennifer , Baruch Gez Sharon , Saciuk Yaki , Supino-Rosin Lia , Shamir Stein Naama , Mizrahi-Reuveni Miri , Ekka Zohar Anat 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIsrael is currently experiencing a new wave of CoVid-19 infection, six months after implementing a national vaccination campaign. We carried out three discrete analyses using data from a large Israeli HMO to determine whether IgG levels of those fully vaccinated drop over time, the relationship between IgG titer and subsequent PCR-confirmed infection, and compare PCR-confirmed infection rates by period of vaccination. We found that mean IgG antibody levels steadily decreased over the six-month period in the total tested population, and in all age groups. An inverse relationship was found between IgG titer and subsequent CoVid-19 infection (PCR-positive). Those participants vaccinated in the first two months of the campaign were more likely to become infected than those subsequently vaccinated. The 60+ vaccinated had lower initial IgG levels, and were at greater risk of infection. The findings support the decision to add a booster vaccine for those aged 60 and over.Article Summary LineThe BNT162b2 vaccine was found to be less effective in protecting against Covid-19 infection after six months, and vaccination with a third dose is indicated.
A semi-parametric, state-space compartmental model with time-dependent parameters for forecasting COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths
Authors: O’Dea Eamon B. , Drake John M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractShort-term forecasts of the dynamics of COVID-19 in the period up to its decline following mass vaccination was a task that received much attention but proved difficult to do with high accuracy. However, the availability of standardized forecasts and versioned data sets from this period allows for continued work in this area. Here we introduce the Gaussian Infection State Space with Time-dependence (GISST) forecasting model. We evaluate its performance in 1-4 week ahead forecasts of COVID-19 cases, hospital admissions, and deaths in the state of California made with official reports of COVID-19, Google’s mobility reports, and vaccination data available each week. Evaluation of these forecasts with a weighted interval score shows them to consistently outperform a naive baseline forecast and often score closer to or better than a high-performing ensemble forecaster. The GISST model also provides parameter estimates for a compartmental model of COVID-19 dynamics, includes a regression submodel for the transmission rate, and allows for parameters to vary over time according to a random walk. GISST provides a novel, balanced combination of computational efficiency, model interpretability, and applicability to large multivariate data sets that may prove useful in improving the accuracy of infectious disease forecasts.
Infectiousness of places: The impact of human settlement and activity space in the transmission of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Lun , Wang Hui , Zhang Zhu , Zhang Weiyi , Zhuang Shengsheng , Lv Tingmiao , Chio Chi On , Wang Yifan , Na Daori , Tang Chuchang , Ao-Ieong On Ieng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPlaces are fundamental factors in the spread of epidemics, as they are where people agglomerate and interact. This paper explores how different types of places—activity spaces at micro-level and human settlements at macro-level—impact the transmission of infections using evidences from COVID-19. We examine eleven types of activity spaces and find heterogeneous impacts across countries, yet we also find that non-essential activity spaces tend to have larger impacts than essential ones. Contrary to common beliefs, settlement size and density are not positively associated with reproduction numbers. Further, the impacts of closing activity spaces vary with settlement types and are consistently lower in larger settlements in all sample countries, suggesting more complex pattern of virus transmission in large settlements. This work takes first steps in systematically evaluating the epistemological risks of places at multiple scales, which contributes to knowledge in urban resilience, health and livability.TeaserActivity spaces and human settlement characteristics impact the spread of epidemics in multiple ways and should be considered in policy making.
Vulnerability and informal caregiver: a scoping review
Authors: Marta Landoni , Milica Petrovic , Chiara Ionio , Andrea Gaggioli 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis review paper examines the concept of vulnerability in the overall literature and its relation to informal caregivers.Vulnerability is frequently associated with the sense of being at risk of harm instead of being acknowledged as a human trait to embrace.Taking a cue from two well-known videos of Brené Brown on how to enact “vulnerability,” we aimed to see if emotional vulnerability - posed/explored as strength or weakness - exists in the informal care context, potentially acting as a powerful resource that teaches individuals to look inward and inspires them to work on themselves.DesignScoping reviewData sourcesFollowing PRISMA-ScR checklist for scoping review, the literature was searched in various databases, including PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect.Study selection and data extractionWe systematically searched for: 1) observational studies, experimental studies, and systematic reviews 2) that examined the topic of emotional vulnerability in a caregiving context 3) that were relevant to informal caregivers of older adults 4) that were published from 1976 to 2021 5) in English 6) that included populations ≥18 years old 7) and excluded conceptualization of vulnerability outside of the emotional perspective (i.e., environmental, financial, social, biological, genetic, medical). Two reviewers independently reviewed titles and abstracts, reviewed the full text of relevant articles, and extracted the dataResultsFrom 2502 articles, 21 were determined as eligible.ConclusionThe reviewed articles showed the complexity of the vulnerability construct and several different approaches taken to explore this topic. This research concludes the value of vulnerability for human beings. The paucity of literature on the concept of vulnerability for informal caregivers offers a promising avenue for future research in this field.Article summary: Strengths and limitations of this studyThis study reviews the conceptualization of vulnerability across literature from 1976 to date, which was never done beforeThis study draws a unique parallel between vulnerability in formal care settings and informal careThis study re-defines the concept of emotional vulnerability in informal careThe study lacks more concrete first-person perspectives on vulnerability shared by informal caregivers, hence more concrete involvement of informal caregivers would be desirable for representative understanding of the concept of emotional vulnerability in informal care.
Reemergence of yellow fever virus in southeastern Brazil, 2017-2018: what sparked the spread?
Authors: Rosser Joelle I. , Nielsen-Saines Karin , Saad Eduardo , Fuller Trevon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe 2017-2018 yellow fever virus (YFV) outbreak in southeastern Brazil marked a reemergence of YFV in urban states that had been YFV free for nearly a century. Unlike earlier urban YFV transmission, this epidemic was also driven by forest mosquitos. The objective of this study was to evaluate environmental drivers of this outbreak.Methodology/Principal FindingsUsing surveillance data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health of human and non-human primate (NHP) cases of yellow fever, we traced the spatiotemporal progression of the outbreak. We then assessed the epidemic timing in relation to drought using a monthly Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Lastly, we evaluated demographic risk factors for rural or outdoor exposure amongst YFV cases. Both human and NHP cases were first identified in a hot, dry, rural area in northern Minas Gerais before spreading southeast into the more cool, wet urban states of Espírito Santo, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro. Outbreaks also coincided with drought in all four southeastern states of Brazil. Confirmed YFV cases had an increased odds of being male (OR 2.58; 95% CI 2.28-2.92), working age (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.76-2.35), and reporting recent travel from an urban to a rural area (OR: 5.02; 95% CI: 3.76-6.69).Conclusions/SignificanceThe 2017-2018 YFV epidemic in Brazil originated in hot, dry rural areas of Minas Gerais before expanding south into urban centers. An unusually severe drought in this region may have created environmental pressures that sparked the reemergence of YFV in Brazil’s southeastern cities.Author SummaryIn 2017-2018, cities in southeastern Brazil experienced an unusual outbreak of yellow fever virus. In the early 20thcentury, these cities had large outbreaks of yellow fever, spread byAedesmosquitos. But until this recent outbreak, they had been free of yellow fever for nearly a century. While this outbreak was spread byHaemagogousforest mosquitos, the reemergence of yellow fever in densely populated urban areas raises serious concerns about it reestablishing ongoing transmission in cities, spread by urbanAedesmosquitos. Our study sought to understand how and why yellow fever virus remerged in this area. We traced the outbreak, finding that it started in hot, dry, rural areas and spread south into cool, wet urban areas. Additionally, the outbreak coincided with a severe drought; this extreme weather may have promoted the spread of yellow fever. Infection was also associated with rural and outdoor exposure, further suggesting this epidemic originated in rural areas.
Attitudes Towards Digital Health Technology: Introducing the Digital Health Scale
Authors: Cassidy Ridley 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe study sought to investigate the relationship between attitude towards digital health technology and age, gender and frequency of use of digital health technology and to consider whether age, gender and frequency of use present potential barriers to accessing future healthcare in the UK. Differences in technological affinity are likely to lead to differences in the adoption of digital health technology and subsequent inequalities in healthcare between older and younger people and between men and women.DesignThe study represents an example of a technology adoption study employing a survey-based cross sectional correlational design. Attitude towards digital health technology was measured using the 20 item Digital Health Scale. Age, gender, frequency of use of health technology and employment status data were gathered using a demographics questionnaire. The opportunity sample (N = 247) included volunteer participants aged 16-84 years (M = 31.7, SD = 19.35, 156 females and 91 males).ResultsResults indicated a significant negative correlation between age and positive attitude towards digital health technology (r = -0.24, p < .01). Gender differences in attitudes towards digital health technology were non-significant (p > .05). Significant differences in frequency of use were also found, where occasional and frequent use resulted in more positive attitudes than never having used digital health technology (p < 0.05) and participants reporting frequent use were significantly older than those reporting never or occasional use (p < .05)ConclusionFindings identified age, but not gender, as a significant factor in attitude towards digital health technology, suggesting that continued and increased reliance on digital technology in healthcare may lead to age, but not gender, related inequalities in access to healthcare in the UK. That frequent users of digital health technology were also older, highlights the greater demand for healthcare services by older individuals and is further evidence for the potential of digital healthcare to lead to age related inequalities in access to and provision of healthcare. Recommendations for successful application of digital healthcare technology are considered in the light of these findings.
SUDMEX CONN: The Mexican MRI dataset of patients with cocaine use disorder
Authors: Angeles-Valdez Diego , Rasgado-Toledo Jalil , Issa-Garcia Victor , Balducci Thania , Villicaña Viviana , Valencia Alely , Gonzalez Olvera Jorge Julio , Reyes-Zamorano Ernesto , Garza-Villarreal Eduardo A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCocaine use disorder (CUD) is a substance use disorder (SUD) characterized by compulsion to seek, use and abuse of cocaine, with severe health and economic consequences for the patients, their families and society. Due to the lack of successful treatments and high relapse rate, more research is needed to understand this and other SUD. Here, we present the SUDMEX CONN dataset, a Mexican open dataset of CUD patients and matched healthy controls that includes demographic, cognitive, clinical, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. MRI data includes: 1) structural (T1-weighted), 2) multishell high-angular resolution diffusion-weighted (DWI-HARDI) and 3) functional (resting state fMRI) sequences. The repository contains unprocessed MRI data available in brain imaging data structure (BIDS) format with corresponding metadata available at the OpenNeuro data sharing platform. Researchers can pursue brain variability between these groups or use a single group for a larger population sample.
Secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in educational settings in Northern Italy from September 2020 to April 2021: a population-based study
Authors: Djuric Olivera , Larosa Elisabetta , Cassinadri Mariateresa , Cilloni Silvia , Bisaccia Eufemia , Pepe Davide , Vicentini Massimo , Venturelli Francesco , Bonvicini Laura , Rossi Paolo Giorgi , Pezzotti Patrizio , Urdiales Alberto Mateo , Bedeschi Emanuela ,   the Reggio Emilia Covid-19 Working Group
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe aimed to quantify the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the school setting by type of school, characteristics of the index case and calendar period in the Reggio Emilia province (RE), Italy. The secondary aim was to estimate the promptness of contact tracing.MethodsA population-based analysis of surveillance data of all COVID-19 cases occurring in RE, Italy, from September 1, 2020, to April 4th, 2021, for which a school contact and/or exposure was suspected. Indicator of the delay in contact tracing was computed as the time elapsed since positivity of the index case and the date on which the swab for classmates was scheduled (or most were scheduled).ResultsOverall, 30,184 and 13,608 contacts among classmates and teachers/staff, respectively, were identified and received recommendation for testing; 43,214 (98.7%) performed the test. Secondary transmission occurred in about 40% of the investigated classes, and the overall secondary case attack rate was 4%, slightly higher when the index case was a teacher, but with almost no differences by type of school and stable during the study period. Promptness of contact tracing increased during the study period, reducing the time from index case identification and testing of contacts from 7 to 3 days, as well the ability to identify possible source of infection in the index case.ConclusionsDespite the spread of the Alpha variant during the study period in RE, the secondary case attack rate remained stable from school reopening in September 2020 until the beginning of April 2021.