bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design and evaluation of mobile monitoring campaigns for air pollution exposure assessment in epidemiologic cohorts
Authors: Blanco Magali N. , Doubleday Annie , Austin Elena , Marshall Julian D. , Seto Edmund , Larson Timothy , Sheppard Lianne 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMobile monitoring campaigns to estimate long-term air pollution levels are becoming increasingly common. Still, many campaigns have not conducted temporally-balanced sampling, and few have looked at the implications of such study designs for epidemiologic exposure assessment. We carried out a simulation study of fixed-site air quality monitors to better understand how different mobile monitoring designs involving short-term stationary measurements at fixed locations impact the resulting exposure surfaces. We used Monte Carlo resampling to simulate three archetypal monitoring designs using oxides of nitrogen (NOx) monitoring data from 69 regulatory sites in California: a year-around Balanced Design that sampled during all seasons of the year, days of the week, and all or various hours of the day; a temporally reduced Rush Hours Design; and a temporally reduced Business Hours Design. We evaluated the performance of each design’s land use regression prediction model. The Balanced Design consistently yielded the most accurate annual averages; while the reduced Rush Hours and Business Hours Designs generally produced more biased results. A temporally-balanced sampling design is crucial for mobile monitoring campaigns aiming to assess accurate long-term exposure in epidemiologic cohorts.SynopsisAir pollution mobile monitoring campaigns rarely conduct temporally balanced sampling. We show that this results in biased annual average exposure estimates.
Dissatisfaction with family members’ medical care: the relationship with trust in personal physicians and physicians generally in Japan
Authors: Oguro Nao , Suzuki Ryo , Yajima Nobuyuki , Sakurai Kosuke , Wakita Takafumi , Hall Mark A. , Kurita Noriaki 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNegative experiences with medical care have long-term effects on family members’ attitudes and emotions. However, the impact of family members’ experiences on patients’ trust in their physicians and in physicians generally is poorly understood. We aimed to quantify these associations. Our cross-sectional online survey, conducted in Japan during April 2020, involved adults with non-communicable diseases (cardiac disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, and rheumatic disease). The main exposure variable was dissatisfaction with the medical care that family members had received. The main outcomes were patients’ (N=661) trust in their personal physicians and in physicians generally. The study adopted the Japanese version of the Abbreviated Wake Forest Physician Trust Scales. We translated and validated both 5-item scales (general and individual physician trust) for the study. The results showed a lower rating for trust in physicians generally compared to trust in the respondent’s personal physician. Furthermore, dissatisfaction with a family member’s medical care was associated with lower trust in physicians generally. Interestingly, dissatisfaction with a family member’s care was also associated with lower trust in the respondent’s personal physician, but the magnitude of this association was weaker. The lower trust in personal physicians may be mediated by reduced trust in physicians generally. We suggest that physicians enquire about past patients’ negative experiences, including dissatisfaction with family members’ medical care, to repair hidden loss of trust, when they sense that patients doubt them or physicians generally.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018
Authors: Liang Xiaopeng , Or Benjamin , Tsoi Man Fung , Cheung Ching Lung , Cheung Bernard MY 
Published: April 2021

AbstractImportanceMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors presaging the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It is a risk factor for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of MetS in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cohort study included 22370 eligible participants aged ≥20 years from the NHANES 2011-2018.Main Outcome and MeasureMetS was defined as the presence of at least three of these components: central obesity, reduced high-density lipoprotein, elevated triglycerides, elevated blood pressure and elevated fasting blood glucose. The prevalence of MetS was estimated taking into account the complex sampling. The time trend was evaluated using logistic regression. Annual percentage changes (APC) were used to measure the trends in MetS prevalence.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS was 36.2% (95% CI, 32.3-40.3), 34.8% (95% CI, 32.3-37.4), 39.9% (95% CI, 36.6-43.2) and 38.3% (95% CI, 35.3-41.3) in 2011-2, 2013-4, 2015-6, 2017-8, respectively (P for trend =.08). Among the MetS components, the prevalence of elevated glucose increased from 48.7% (95% CI, 45.9-51.5) in 2011-2 to 64.3% (95% CI, 61.0-67.4) in 2017-8 [P for trend <.001; APC=11.7, (95% CI, 3.5-21.0)]. The prevalence of MetS in non-Hispanic Asian increased from 21.8% (95% CI, 16.7-28.0) in 2011-2 to 31.2% (95% CI, 27.4-35.3) in 2017-8 [P for trend <.001; APC=14.6, (95% CI, 2.5-34.8)].Conclusion and RelevanceThe prevalence of MetS remained stable from 2011 to 2018, but increased among non-Hispanic Asians. Lifestyle modification is needed to prevent metabolic syndrome and the associated risks of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Emotional symptoms, mental fatigue and behavioral adherence after 72 continuous days of strict lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina
Authors: Torrente F , Yoris A , Low DM , Lopez PL , Bekinschtein P , Vázquez G , Manes F , Cetkovich M 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAn early, total, and prolonged lockdown was adopted in Argentina during the first wave of COVID-19 as the main sanitary strategy to reduce the spread of the virus in the population. The aim of this study was to explore emotional symptoms, mental fatigue, and behavioral adherence associated with the COVID-19 pandemic after an average of 72 days of continuous lockdown in Argentina. Specifically, we intended to know: 1) if the prolongation of the lockdown was associated with elevated emotional symptoms; 2) if the prolonged lockdown affected adherence, a phenomenon called “behavioral fatigue”; and 3) how financial concerns in a developing country affected adherence to the lockdown and emotional status of the population.MethodA survey was designed to evaluate the psychological impact of the pandemic and lockdown. The survey included standardized questionnaires to assess the severity of depressive (PHQ-9) and anxious (GAD-7) symptoms, a questionnaire to evaluate mental fatigue, and several additional instruments to assess other variables of interest: risk perception, lockdown adherence, financial concerns, daily stress, loneliness, intolerance to uncertainty, negative repetitive thinking, and cognitive problems. Three LASSO regression analyses were carried to evaluate the predictive role of the different variables over depression, anxiety, and lockdown adherenceResultsThe survey was responded by 3617 individuals over the age of 18 (85.2% female) from all the provinces of Argentina. Using the Oxford stringency index, Argentina had one of the most stringent and prolonged lockdowns when the sample was collected with 63 to 77 continuous days with a stringency index of more than 85/100. 45.6% of the sample met the cut-off for depression and 27% for anxiety. Previous mental health treatment, low income, being younger, and being female were associated with higher levels of emotional symptoms. Mental fatigue, cognitive failures, and financial concerns were also associated with emotional and subjective complaints, but not with adherence to the lockdown. In the regression models, mental fatigue, cognitive failures, and loneliness were the most important variables to predict depression, meanwhile intolerance to uncertainty and lockdown difficulty were the most important in the case of anxiety. Perceived threat was the most important variable predicting lockdown adherence.ConclusionsEmotional symptoms persisted and even increased during the extended lockdown, but we found no evidence of behavioral fatigue. Instead, mental fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and financial concerns were expressions of the emotional side of the pandemic and the restrictive measures.
Addressing racial/ethnic disparities in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Authors: Reitsma Marissa B. , Goldhaber-Fiebert Jeremy D. , Salomon Joshua A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAs of April 19, all adults aged 16 years and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. Unequal vaccination rates across racial/ethnic groups may compound existing disparities in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths among Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic communities.MethodsFrom state websites, we extracted shares of people receiving ≥1 vaccine dose, stratified by age and separately by race/ethnicity, through March 31, 2021. Combining these data with demographic data from the American Community Survey, we estimated relative uptake rates by race/ethnicity within each state as the observed share of vaccinations for a racial/ethnic group, divided by the expected share if uptake across racial/ethnic groups within each age group were proportional to population size, an approach that allowed us to control for historical age-based eligibility. We modeled vaccination scale-up within each census tract in a state under three scenarios: 1) a scenario in which unequal uptake rates persist, 2) a scenario in which uptake rates are equalized across race/ethnicity groups over six weeks, and 3) a scenario in which uptake is equalized and states employ place-based allocation strategies that prioritizes disadvantaged census tracts.ResultsWhite adults received a disproportionate share of vaccinations compared to Black and Hispanic adults through March 31, 2021. Across states, relative uptake rates, adjusted for eligible population size, were a median 1.3 (IQR, 1.2-1.4) times higher for White compared to Black adults, and a median 1.4 (IQR, 1.2-1.8) times higher for White compared to Hispanic adults. Projecting vaccination coverage under persistence of current disparities in uptake, we found that Black and Hispanic populations would reach 75% coverage among adults almost one month later than White populations. In alternative scenarios, we found that interventions to equalize uptake rates across racial/ethnic groups could narrow but not erase these gaps, and that geographic targeting of vaccine doses to disadvantaged communities may be needed to produce a more equitable convergence of coverage by July.DiscussionInterventions are urgently needed to eliminate disparities in COVID-19 vaccination rates. Eliminating access barriers and increasing vaccine confidence among marginalized populations can narrow gaps in coverage. Combining these interventions with place-based allocation strategies can accelerate vaccination in disadvantaged communities, who have borne a disproportionate burden from COVID-19.
Associations of SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG with occupation and demographics of military personnel
Authors: Zell Joseph , Klein Jon , Lucas Carolina , Slade Martin , Liu Jian , Iwasaki Akiko , Wisnewski Adam V , Redlich Carrie A 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundCountries across the globe have mobilized their armed forces in response to COVID-19, placing them at increased risk for viral exposure. Humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 among military personnel serve as biomarkers of infection and provide a basis for disease surveillance and recognition of work-related risk factors.MethodsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to measure SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen-specific IgG in serum obtained from N=995 US National Guard soldiers between April-June 2020. Occupational information, e.g. military operating specialty (MOS) codes, and demographic data were obtained via questionnaire. Plaque assays with live SARS-CoV-2 were used to assess serum neutralizing capacity for limited subjects (N=12).ResultsThe SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity rate among the study population was 10.3% and significantly associated with occupation and demographics. Odds ratios were highest for those working in MOS 2T-Transportation (3.6; 95% CI 0.7-18) and 92F-Fuel specialist/ground and aircraft (6.8; 95% CI 1.5-30), as well as black race (2.2; 95% CI 1.2-4.1), household size ≥6 (2.5; 95% CI 1.3-4.6) and known COVID-19 exposure (2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.3). Seropositivity tracked along major interstate highways and clustered near the international airport and the New York City border. SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG+ serum exhibited low to moderate SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing capacity with IC50s ranging from 1:15 to 1:280. In limited follow-up testing SARS-CoV-2 serum IgG levels remained elevated up to 7 months.ConclusionsThe data highlight increased SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among National Guard vs. the local civilian population in association with transportation-related occupations and specific demographics.
Abnormalities in migration of neural precursor cells in familial bipolar disorder
Authors: Sukumaran Salil K. , Paul Pradip , Guttal Vishwesha , Holla Bharath , Vemula Alekhya , Bhatt Harsimar , Bisht Piyush , Mathew Kezia , Nadella Ravi K , Varghese Anu Mary , Vijayalakshmi K , Purushottam Meera , Jain Sanjeev ,   ADBS Consortium, Sud Reeteka , Viswanath Biju 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTCellular migration is a ubiquitous feature that brings brain cells into appropriate spatial relationships over time; and it helps in the formation of a functional brain. We studied the migration patterns of induced pluripotent stem cell (IPSC)-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs) from individuals with familial bipolar disorder (BD), in comparison with healthy controls. The BD patients also had morphological brain abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging. Time-lapse analysis of migrating cells was conducted, through which we were able to identify several parameters to be abnormal in cellular migration, including the speed and directionality of NPCs. We also performed transcriptomic analysis to probe the mechanisms behind aberrant cellular phenotype identified. Our analysis showed downregulation of a network of genes, centering on EGF/ERBB proteins. Present findings indicate that collective, systemic dysregulation may produce the aberrant cellular phenotype; which could contribute to the functional and structural changes in the brain, reported in bipolar disorder.SUMMARY STATEMENTWe report abnormal cell migration patterns in neural precursors derived from bipolar disorder patients, which could contribute to already known structural changes in the brain.
Mutation-specific SARS-CoV-2 PCR Screen: Rapid and Accurate Detection of Variants of Concern and the Identification of a Newly Emerging Variant with Spike L452R Mutation
Authors: Wang Huanyu , Jean Sophonie , Eltringham Richard , Madison John , Snyder Pamela , Tu Huolin , Jones Daniel M. , Leber Amy L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe emergence of more transmissible and/or more virulent SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) has triggered intensive genomic surveillance, which is costly and difficult to sustain operationally over the long-term. To address this problem, we developed a set of four multiplex mutation-specific PCR-based assays with same-day reporting that can detect five VOCs and three variants of interest (VOIs), as defined in the March 2021 guidelines from the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The screening results were compared to the whole genome sequencing (WGS) and showed 100% concordance for strain typing for B.1.1.7 (25) and P.1 (5) variants using Spike (S) mutations N501Y, E484K and H69_V70del assays. The S L450R assay, designed to detect the B.1.427/429 VOCs, also identified multiple isolates of a newly emerging multiply-mutated B.1.526.1 variant that is now rapidly increasing in the Eastern US. PCR approaches can be easily adopted in clinical laboratories, provide rapid screening methods to allow early detection of newly emergent variants and to efficiently triage cases for full genomic sequencing.
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on antibody responses in the general population in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wei Jia , Stoesser Nicole , Matthews Philippa C. , Studley Ruth , Bell Iain , Bell John I , Newton John N , Farrar Jeremy , Diamond Ian , Rourke Emma , Howarth Alison , Marsden Brian D. , Hoosdally Sarah , Jones E Yvonne , Stuart David I , W .Crook Derrick , Peto Tim E. A. , Pouwels Koen B. , Eyre David W. , Walker A. Sarah ,   COVID-19 Infection Survey team
Published: April 2021

AbstractReal-world data on antibody response post-vaccination in the general population are limited. 45,965 adults in the UK’s national COVID-19 Infection Survey receiving Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines had 111,360 anti-spike IgG measurements. Without prior infection, seroconversion rates and quantitative antibody levels post single dose were lower in older individuals, especially >60y. Two doses achieved high responses across all ages, particularly increasing seroconversion in older people, to similar levels to those achieved after prior infection followed by a single dose. Antibody levels rose more slowly and to lower levels with Oxford-AstraZeneca vs Pfizer-BioNTech, but waned following a single Pfizer-BioNTech dose. Latent class models identified four responder phenotypes: older people, males, and those having long-term health conditions were more commonly ‘low responders’. Where supplies are limited, vaccines should be prioritised for those not previously infected, and second doses to individuals >60y. Further data on the relationship between vaccine-mediated protection and antibody responses are needed.
To what extent is the altitude at which we live associated with 10-year cardiovascular risk?
Authors: Guerrero Andrea Cevallos , Fernández Heidi Angela , León-Cáceres Ángela , Armijos-Acurio Luciana , Erazo Carlos , Jimbo-Sotomayor Ruth , Pereira-Olmos Hugo , Pineda-Abarca Henry , Quishpe-Narváez Erika , Sánchez Xavier , Sevilla Carmenza , Tello Betzabé , Torres-Castillo Ana , Villacrés Tatiana , Dueñas-Espín Iván 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionThere is evidence that demonstrates lower incidence rates of cardiometabolic factors at the highlands. There are no studies which correlate the altitude with formally calculated cardiovascular risk by a meter-by-meter approach. Under the hypothesis that cardiovascular risk is inversely associated with altitude, this study was aimed to assess such association.Materials and methodsCross sectional study using data from the Ecuadorian National Health Survey of 2012. We analyzed available information of adults of ≥ 40 to 60 years old who have sociodemographic, anthropometric, cardiovascular risk factors, and laboratory biomarkers that were included in the survey. We assessed the independent association between altitude of the housing in which survey participants lived at, on a meter-by-meter approach, and cardiovascular health risk at ten years, formally calculated by Framingham equations.ResultsLinear regression model showed that participants had 0.0005 % less probability of developing cardiovascular disease at 10 years per each increase in a meter in the altitude that participants live at (p<0.001), adjusted for sex, age, ethnicity, educational level, availability of social security, immigrants in family, area, income quintile, overcrowding (≥ 7 inhabitants in the house), any alcohol consumption, history of hypertension, body mass index, hematocrit, and triglycerides.ConclusionFrom a public health perspective, altitude at which individuals live is an important health determinant of cardiovascular risk. Specifically, per each increase of 1000 m in the altitude that people live at, there is a reduction of almost half a percentual point in the cardiovascular risk at 10 years.
Of Rats and Men, a Translational Model to Understand Vancomycin Pharmacokinetic/Toxicodynamic relationships
Authors: Scheetz Marc H. , Pais Gwendolyn , Lodise Thomas P. , Tong Steven Y.C. , Davis Joshua S. , O’Donnell J. Nicholas , Liu Jiajun , Neely Michael , Prozialeck Walter C. , Lamar Peter C. , Rhodes N.Jim , Holland Thomas , Avedissian Sean N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundVancomycin is a first line antibiotic for many common infectious diseases and is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic in the United States hospital setting. Vancomycin is also well known to cause kidney injury; two recent prospective studies have identified that increasing vancomycin area under the concentration curve predicts vancomycin induced kidney injury (VIKI). However, outside of clinical trials, it is unclear if pre-clinical data can quantitatively describe VIKI in patients.MethodsData were simultaneously analyzed from a pre-clinical rat model and two prospective clinical studies. Logged vancomycin area under the concentration curve (AUC) data for rats (n=48) and patients from PROVIDE (n=263) and CAMERA2 (n=291) were included. VIKI was defined as urinary KIM-1 concentrations ≥9.42 ng/mL in the rat and according to KDIGO stage 1 kidney injury for all human patients. Multiple generalized linear models were explored, and the order of magnitude was calculated between the probability of acute kidney injury (AKI) from the average obtained in the clinical studies (i.e. CAMERA2 and PROVIDE) and the rat for 0.1 increments in Log10AUC bounded common concentrations obtained in the therapeutic range (i.e. ~200 −800 mg*24h/L).ResultsA logit link model best fit the data. When calculating the multiplicative factors between the studies therapeutic range AUCs, the rat was an average 2.7 to 4.2 times more sensitive to AKI between AUCs of 199.5 (i.e. log 10 AUC=2.3) and 794.3 mg*h/L (i.e. log 10 AUC=2.9), respectively.ConclusionsA pre-clinical rat model was quantitatively linked to toxicity data from two large human studies. The rat is an attractive pre-clinical model to explore exposure toxicity relationships with vancomycin. External validation is required.
Dynamics of a hepatocyte-cholangiocyte decision-making gene regulatory network during liver development and regeneration
Authors: Sahoo Sarthak , Mishra Ashutosh , Diehl Anna Mae , Jolly Mohit Kumar 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLiver is one of the few organs with immense regenerative potential even at adulthood in mammals. It is composed of primarily two cell types: hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, that can trans-differentiate to one another either directly or through intermediate progenitor states, contributing to remarkable regenerative potential of the liver. However, the dynamical features of decision-making between these cell-fates during liver development and regeneration remains elusive. Here, we identify a core gene regulatory network comprising c/EBPα, TGFBR2 and SOX9 that underlies liver development and injury-induced reprogramming. Dynamic simulations for this network reveal its multistable nature, enabling three distinct cell states – hepatocytes, cholangiocytes and liver progenitor cells (hepatoblasts/oval cells) – and stochastic switching among them. Predicted expression signature for these three states are validated through multiple bulk and single-cell transcriptomic datasets collected across developmental stages and injury-induced liver repair. This network can also explain the experimentally observed spatial organisation of phenotypes in liver parenchyma and predict strategies for efficient cellular reprogramming among these cell-fates. Our analysis elucidates how the emergent multistable dynamics of underlying gene regulatory networks drive diverse cell-state decisions in liver development and regeneration.