bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fatigue, induced via repetitive upper-limb motor tasks, influences trunk and shoulder kinematics during an upper limb reaching task in a virtual reality environment
Authors: Dupuis Frédérique , Sole Gisela , Wassinger Craig , Bielmann Mathieu , Bouyer Laurent J. , Roy Jean-Sébastien 
Published: April 2021

Background
Efficient shoulder movement depends on the ability of central nervous system to integrate sensory information and to create an appropriate motor command. Various daily encountered factors can potentially compromise the execution of the command, such as fatigue. This study explored how fatigue influences shoulder movements during upper limb reaching.

Methods
Forty healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Control or Fatigue Group. All participants completed an upper limb reaching task at baseline and post-experimental, during which they reached four targets located at 90° of shoulder abduction, 90° external rotation at 90° abduction, 120° scaption, and 120° flexion in a virtual reality environment. Following the baseline phase, the Fatigue Group completed a shoulder fatigue protocol, while Controls took a 10-minute break. Thereafter, the reaching task was repeated. Upper limb kinematic (joint angles and excursions) and spatiotemporal (speed and accuracy) data were collected during the reaching task. Electromyographic activity of the anterior and middle deltoids were also collected to characterize fatigue. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA were performed to determine the effects of Time, Group and of the interaction between these factors.

Results
The Fatigue group showed decreased mean median power frequency and increased electromyographic amplitudes of the anterior deltoid (p < 0.05) following the fatigue protocol. Less glenohumeral elevation, increased trunk flexion and rotation and sternoclavicular elevation were also observed in the Fatigue group (Group x Time interaction, p < 0.05). The Control group improved their movement speed and accuracy in post-experimental phase, while the Fatigue group showed a decrease of movement speed and no accuracy improvement (Group x Time interaction, p < 0.05).

Conclusion
In a fatigued state, changes in movement strategy were observed during the reaching task, including increased trunk and sternoclavicular movements and less glenohumeral movement. Performance was altered as shown by the lack of accuracy improvement over time and a decrease in movement speed in the Fatigue group.
The impact and cost-effectiveness of introducing the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into the paediatric immunisation programme in Iceland—A population-based time series analysis
Authors: Eythorsson Elias , Ásgeirsdóttir Tinna L. , Erlendsdóttir Helga , Hrafnkelsson Birgir , Kristinsson Karl G. , Haraldsson Ásgeir 
Published: April 2021

Introduction
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a cause of infections that range in severity from acute otitis media (AOM) to pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV10) was introduced into the Icelandic paediatric immunisation programme in 2011. The aim was to estimate the population impact and cost-effectiveness of PHiD-CV10 introduction.

Methods
Data on primary care visits from 2005–2015 and hospitalisations from 2005–2017 were obtained from population-based registries. A Bayesian time series analysis with synthetic controls was employed to estimate the number of cases of AOM, pneumonia and IPD that would have occurred between 2013–2017, had PHiD-CV10 not been introduced. Prevented cases were calculated by subtracting the observed number of cases from this estimate. The cost of the programme was calculated accounting for cost-savings due to prevented cases.

Results
The introduction of PHiD-CV10 prevented 13,767 (95% credible interval [CI] 2,511–29,410) visits for AOM from 2013–2015, and prevented 1,814 (95%CI -523-4,512) hospitalisations for pneumonia and 53 (95%CI -17-177) admissions for IPD from 2013–2017. Visits for AOM decreased both among young children and among children 4–19 years of age, with rate ratios between 0.72–0.89. Decreases were observed in both pneumonia hospitalisations (rate ratios between 0.67–0.92) and IPD (rate ratios between 0.27–0.94). The total cost of implementing PHiD-CV10 in Iceland was -7,463,176 United States Dollars (USD) (95%CI -16,159,551–582,135) with 2.1 USD (95%CI 0.2–4.7) saved for every 1 USD spent.

Conclusions
The introduction of PHiD-CV10 was associated with large decreases in visits and hospitalisations for infections commonly caused by pneumococcus and was cost-saving during the first five years of the immunisation programme.
Real world effectiveness of standard of care triple therapy versus two-drug combinations for treatment of people living with HIV
Authors: Teira Ramón , Diaz-Cuervo Helena , Aragão Filipa , Marguet Sophie , de la Fuente Belén , Muñoz Maria Jose , Abdulghani Nadia , Ribera Esteban , Domingo Pere , Deig Elisabeth , Peraire Joaquim , Roca Bernardino , Montero Marta , Galindo Maria José , Romero Alberto , Espinosa Nuria , Lozano Fernando , Merino María Dolores , Martínez Elisa , Geijo Paloma , Estrada Vicente , García Josefina , Sepúlveda M. Antonia , Berenguer Juan 
Published: April 2021

Background
Since 1996, the standard of care (SOC) therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of a backbone of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug combinations (2DC) has been considered for selected patients to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing triple therapy (TT) to dolutegravir- (DTG) and/or boosted protease inhibitor (bPI)-based 2DC in a large Spanish cohort of HIV patients.

Methods
A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the VACH cohort, a prospective multicentre Spanish cohort of adult HIV patients. All treatment experienced patients initiating a TT of an INSTI combined with two NRTIs or a 2DC-containing DTG and/or a bPI between 01/01/2012 and 01/06/2017 were included. The unit of analysis was patient-regimens. The overall sample analysis was complemented with two sub-analyses. The first sub-analysis focused on patients treated with a backbone plus DTG compared to those treated with DTG+ one other antiretroviral. The second sub-analysis focused on patients with HIV RNA<50 copies/mL at baseline, irrespective of the regimen used. The following endpoints were assessed: time to discontinuation for any reason, time to switch due to virologic failure, and time to switch due to toxicity (reasons for discontinuation according to clinician report in the database). Time-to-event analyses were conducted using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox regression models.

Results
Overall 7,481 patients were included in the analysis, contributing to 9,243 patient-regimens. Patient characteristics at baseline differed among groups, with the 2DC group being significantly older and having a higher proportion of women, a longer time on ART and a higher number of previous virologic failures. Median (95% Confidence Interval [C.I.]) time to switch was 2.5 years (2.3, 2.7) in 2DC group versus 2.9 years (2.7, 3.0) in TT. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% C.I.) for discontinuation due to any reason, virologic failure and toxicity in the 2DC vs TT group were 1.29 (1.15; 1.44), 2.06 (1.54; 2.77) and 1.18 (0.94; 1.48), respectively. Results were consistent in the two sub-analyses.

Conclusion
In this analysis, time to discontinuation and probability of remaining free of virologic failure were significantly higher in patients on INSTI-based TT compared to DTG- and/or bPI-containing 2DC, with no differences in toxicity.
Spatial patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases in Zimbabwe from 2015 to 2018
Authors: Gwitira Isaiah , Karumazondo Norbert , Shekede Munyaradzi Davis , Sandy Charles , Siziba Nicolas , Chirenda Joconiah 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionAccurate mapping of spatial heterogeneity in tuberculosis (TB) cases is critical for achieving high impact control as well as guide resource allocation in most developing countries. The main aim of this study was to explore the spatial patterns of TB occurrence at district level in Zimbabwe from 2015 to 2018 using GIS and spatial statistics as a preamble to identifying areas with elevated risk for prioritisation of control and intervention measures.MethodsIn this study Getis-Ord Gi* statistics together with SaTscan were used to characterise TB hotspots and clusters in Zimbabwe at district level from 2015 to 2018. GIS software was used to map and visualise the results of cluster analysis.ResultsResults show that TB occurrence exhibits spatial heterogeneity across the country. The TB hotspots were detected in the central, western and southern part of the country. These areas are characterised by artisanal mining activities as well as high poverty levels.Conclusions and recommendationsResults of this study are useful to guide TB control programs and design effective strategies which are important in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development goals (UNSDGs).
Post-COVID-19 syndrome among symptomatic COVID-19 patients: A prospective cohort study in a tertiary care center of Bangladesh
Authors: Mahmud Reaz , Rahman Md. Mujibur , Rassel Mohammad Aftab , Monayem Farhana Binte , Sayeed S. K. Jakaria Been , Islam Md. Shahidul , Islam Mohammed Monirul 
Published: April 2021

Background
Post-coronavirus disease (COVID-19) syndrome includes persistence of symptoms beyond viral clearance and fresh development of symptoms or exaggeration of chronic diseases within a month after initial clinical and virological cure of the disease with a viral etiology. We aimed to determine the incidence, association, and risk factors associated with development of the post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study at Dhaka Medical College Hospital between June 01, 2020 and August 10, 2020. All the enrolled patients were followed up for a month after clinical improvement, which was defined according the World Health Organization and Bangladesh guidelines as normal body temperature for successive 3 days, significant improvement in respiratory symptoms (respiratory rate <25/breath/minute with no dyspnea), and oxygen saturation >93% without assisted oxygen inhalation.

Findings
Among the 400 recruited patients, 355 patients were analyzed. In total, 46% patients developed post-COVID-19 symptoms, with post-viral fatigue being the most prevalent symptom in 70% cases. The post-COVID-19 syndrome was associated with female gender (relative risk [RR]: 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.48, p = 0.03), those who required a prolonged time for clinical improvement (p<0.001), and those showing COVID-19 positivity after 14 days (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00–1.19, p<0.001) of initial positivity. Patients with severe COVID-19 at presentation developed post-COVID-19 syndrome (p = 0.02). Patients with fever (RR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.05–2.27, p = 0.03), cough (RR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.02–1.81, p = 0.04), respiratory distress (RR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.4–1.56, p = 0.001), and lethargy (RR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.06–1.35, p = 0.003) as the presenting features were associated with the development of the more susceptible to develop post COVID-19 syndrome than the others. Logistic regression analysis revealed female sex, respiratory distress, lethargy, and long duration of the disease as risk factors.

Conclusion
Female sex, respiratory distress, lethargy, and long disease duration are critical risk factors for the development of post-COVID-19 syndrome.
Global biochemical analysis of plasma, serum and whole blood collected using various anticoagulant additives
Authors: Kennedy Adam D. , Ford Lisa , Wittmann Bryan , Conner Jesse , Wulff Jacob , Mitchell Matthew , Evans Anne M. , Toal Douglas R. 
Published: April 2021

Introduction
Analysis of blood for the evaluation of clinically relevant biomarkers requires precise collection and sample handling by phlebotomists and laboratory staff. An important consideration for the clinical application of metabolomics are the different anticoagulants utilized for sample collection. Most studies that have characterized differences in metabolite levels in various blood collection tubes have focused on single analytes. We define analyte levels on a global metabolomics platform following blood sampling using five different, but commonly used, clinical laboratory blood collection tubes (i.e., plasma anticoagulated with either EDTA, lithium heparin or sodium citrate, along with no additive (serum), and EDTA anticoagulated whole blood).

Methods
Using an untargeted metabolomics platform we analyzed five sample types after all had been collected and stored at -80°C. The biochemical composition was determined and differences between the samples established using matched-pair t-tests.

Results
We identified 1,117 biochemicals across all samples and detected a mean of 1,036 in the sample groups. Compared to the levels of metabolites in EDTA plasma, the number of biochemicals present at statistically significant different levels (p<0.05) ranged from 452 (serum) to 917 (whole blood). Several metabolites linked to screening assays for rare diseases including acylcarnitines, bilirubin and heme metabolites, nucleosides, and redox balance metabolites varied significantly across the sample collection types.

Conclusions
Our study highlights the widespread effects and importance of using consistent additives for assessing small molecule levels in clinical metabolomics. The biochemistry that occurs during the blood collection process creates a reproducible signal that can identify specimens collected with different anticoagulants in metabolomic studies.

Impact statement
In this manuscript, normal/healthy donors had peripheral blood collected using multiple anticoagulants as well as serum during a fasted blood draw. Global metabolomics is a new technology being utilized to draw clinical conclusions and we interrogated the effects of different anticoagulants on the levels of biochemicals from each of the donors. Characterizing the effects of the anticoagulants on biochemical levels will help researchers leverage the information using global metabolomics in order to make conclusions regarding important disease biomarkers.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci and coagulase-negative staphylococci prevalence among patients attending at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Authors: Ashagrie Degu , Genet Chalachew , Abera Bayeh 
Published: April 2021

Background
Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and vancomycin resistance coagulase negative staphylococci (VRCoNS) are common pathogens causing difficult to treat health care associated infections (HAI). Hence, the World Health Organization listed VRE as one of the high priority pathogens for new antibiotic discovery and antimicrobial resistance surveillance. Despite this, data on the prevalence of VRE and VRCoNS in Ethiopia is scarce. Thus, the present study determined prevalence of VRE and VRCoNS among patients attending Felege-Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods
A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 patients selected conveniently from February to March 2020. Data on demographic and clinical variables were collected using a structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview. Simultaneously urine, venous blood and wound swab were collected and processed following standard bacteriological technique. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by minimum inhibitory concentration method using E-test for vancomycin and Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method for other classes of antibiotics. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with VRE infection. P. value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results
The prevalence of enterococci and CoNS were 6.8% and 12% respectively. The prevalence of VRE was 34.61% (9/26), while all CoNS (46 isolates) were susceptible to vancomycin. The majority (66.7%) of VRE was isolated from blood samples. Furthermore all VRE (100%), 58.8% of vancomycin susceptible enterococci and 45.7% of CoNS were multidrug resistant (MDR). Having educational level of secondary school and below (AOR = 12.80, CI = 1.149–142.5), previous exposure to catheterization (AOR = 56.0, CI = 4.331–724.0) and previous antibiotic use practice (AOR = 26.25, CI = 3.041–226.2) were a significant associated explanatory factor for VRE infection.

Conclusions
The prevalence of vancomycin resistance enterococci, which is also multidrug resistant, was significantly high. Though no vancomycin resistance CoNS detected, the MDR level of CoNS was high. Thus to limit enterococci and CoNS infections and MDR development, focused infection prevention measures should be implemented.
Long-term outcome of prolonged critical illness: A multicentered study in North Brisbane, Australia
Authors: Laupland Kevin B. , Ramanan Mahesh , Shekar Kiran , Edwards Felicity , Clement Pierre , Tabah Alexis 
Published: April 2021

Background
Although critical illness is usually of high acuity and short duration, some patients require prolonged management in intensive care units (ICU) and suffer long-term morbidity and mortality.

Objective
To describe the long-term survival and examine determinants of death among patients with prolonged ICU admission.

Methods
A retrospective cohort of adult Queensland residents admitted to ICUs for 14 days or longer in North Brisbane, Australia was assembled. Comorbid illnesses were classified using the Charlson definitions and all cause case fatality established using statewide vital statistics.

Results
During the study a total of 28,742 adult Queensland residents had first admissions to participating ICUs of which 1,157 (4.0%) had prolonged admissions for two weeks or longer. Patients with prolonged admissions included 645 (55.8%), 243 (21.0%), and 269 (23.3%) with ICU lengths of stay lasting 14–20, 21–27, and ≥28 days, respectively. Although the severity of illness at admission did not vary, pre-existing comorbid illnesses including myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and peptic ulcer disease were more frequent whereas cancer, cerebrovascular accidents, and plegia were less frequently observed among patients with increasing ICU lengths of stay lasting 14–20, 21–27, and ≥28 days. The ICU, hospital, 90-day, and one-year all cause case-fatality rates were 12.7%, 18.5%, 20.2%, and 24.9%, respectively, and were not different according to duration of ICU stay. The median duration of observation was 1,037 (interquartile range, 214–1888) days. Although comorbidity, age, and admitting diagnosis were significant, neither ICU duration of stay nor severity of illness at admission were associated with overall survival outcome in a multivariable Cox regression model.

Conclusions
Most patients with prolonged stays in our ICUs are alive at one year post-admission. Older age and previous comorbidities, but not severity of illness or duration of ICU stay, are associated with adverse long-term mortality outcome.
Effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban versus warfarin in Taiwanese patients with end-stage renal disease and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: A real-world nationwide cohort study
Authors: Lin Yi-Cheng , Chen Bi-Li , Shih Chun-Ming , Lin Feng-Yen , Chen Chih-Wei , Hsu Chien-Yi , Kao Yung-Ta , Bi Wei-Fung , Chen Li-Ying , Chien Li-Nien , Fang Te-Chao , Huang Chun-Yao 
Published: April 2021

Background
The optimal anticoagulant for end-stage renal disease patients for stroke prophylaxis is unknown. The efficacy and safety of warfarin in this population are debatable. In addition, real-world evidence of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with end-stage renal disease is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of rivaroxaban compared with warfarin in Taiwanese patients with end-stage renal disease with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in a real-world setting.

Methods and results
This was a retrospective population-based cohort study conducted using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease who started on rivaroxaban or warfarin between February 2013 and September 2017 were eligible to participate in the study. The inverse probability of treatment weighting approach was used to balance baseline characteristics. Bleeding and thromboembolic outcomes were compared using competing risk analyses. The study population consisted of 3358 patients (173 and 3185 patients on rivaroxaban and warfarin, respectively). In the rivaroxaban group, 50.8%, 38.7%, and 10.4% of the patients received 10, 15, and 20 mg of the drug, respectively. The cumulative incidence of major bleeding was similar between the two groups; however, the gastrointestinal bleeding rate was lower in the rivaroxaban group (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.34–0.91) than in the warfarin group. Furthermore, the composite risk of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism was significantly lower in the rivaroxaban group (adjusted SHR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.17–0.79). Similar findings were observed for patients who received 10 mg of rivaroxaban.

Conclusions
In Taiwanese patients with end-stage renal disease and nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, rivaroxaban may be associated with a similar risk of major bleeding but a lower risk of thromboembolism compared with warfarin. The potential benefit of 10 mg of rivaroxaban in this population requires further investigation.
Numerical Modeling of Hole Under Opposite Biaxial Loadings
Authors: Bouali Meriem Fakhreddine 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The exact concentration of the stress generated by the presence of a cavity is a problem of great significance in Mining and Civil Engineering. An interesting stress concentration problem is the biaxial one. A numerical analysis of stress around a cylindrical hole in an infinite elastic medium under opposite biaxial loading was investigated. This far-field loading is equivalent to a pure shear loading on planes rotated 45°. Analysis consisted of two-dimensional finite-difference computations carried out with the Fast Lagrangian of Continua (FLAC) code. The Stress Concentration Factor (SFC) is evaluated numerically and compared with the existing solution. Predicted results of stress distribution around the hole were found in good agreement with the analytic theory.