bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The UK Biobank Mental Health Enhancement 2022: Methods and Results
Authors: Davis Katrina A.S. , Coleman Jonathan R.I. , Adams Mark , Breen Gerome , Cai Na , Davies Helena , Davies Kelly , Dregan Alexandru , Eley Thalia C. , Fox Elaine , Holliday Jo , Huebel Christopher , John Ann , Kassam Aliyah S. , Kempton Matthew J. , Lee William , Li Danyang , Maina Jared , McCabe Rose , McIntosh Andrew M. , Oram Sian , Richards Marcus , Skelton Megan , Starkey Fenella , ter Kuile Abigail R , Thronton Laura M , Wang Rujia , Yu Zhaoying , Zvrskovec Johan , Hotopf Matthew 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis paper introduces the UK Biobank (UKB) second mental health questionnaire (MHQ2), describes its design, the respondents and some notable findings. UKB is a large cohort study with over 500,000 volunteer participants aged 40-69 years when recruited in 2006-2010. It is an important resource of extensive health, genetic and biomarker data. Enhancements to UKB enrich the data available. MHQ2 is an enhancement designed to enable and facilitate research with psychosocial and mental health aspects.MethodsUKB sent participants a link to MHQ2 by email in October-November 2022. The MHQ2 was designed by a multi-institutional consortium to build on MHQ1. It characterises lifetime depression further, adds data on panic disorder and eating disorders, repeats ‘current’ mental health measures and updates information about social circumstances. It includes established measures, such as the PHQ-9 for current depression and CIDI-SF for lifetime panic, as well as bespoke questions. Algorithms and R code were developed to facilitate analysis.ResultsAt the time of analysis, MHQ2 results were available for 169,253 UKB participants, of whom 111,275 had also completed the earlier MHQ1. Characteristics of respondents and the whole UKB cohort are compared. The major phenotypes are lifetime: depression (18%); panic disorder (4.0%); a specific eating disorder (2.8%); and bipolar affective disorder I (0.4%). All mental disorders are found less with older age and also seem to be related to selected social factors. In those participants who answered both MHQ1 (2016) and MHQ2 (2022), current mental health measure showed that fewer respondents have harmful alcohol use than in 2016 (relative risk 0.84), but current depression (RR 1.07) and anxiety (RR 0.98) have not fallen, as might have been expected given the relationship with age. We also compare lifetime concepts for test-retest reliability.ConclusionsThere are some drawbacks to UKB due to its lack of population representativeness, but where the research question does not depend on this, it offers exceptional resources that any researcher can apply to access. This paper has just scratched the surface of the results from MHQ2 and how this can be combined with other tranches of UKB data, but we predict it will enable many future discoveries about mental health and health in general.
Implementing the mhGAP-HIG: The process and evaluation of training primary health care workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Humayun Asma , Najmussaqib Arooj 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundBuilding the capacity of primary care staff is crucial for integrating mental health care into primary healthcare to reduce the significant treatment gap for psychiatric disorders prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. This research investigates the effectiveness of adapted mhGAP-HIG guidelines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).MethodsA team of seven trained experts conducted six five-day training workshops in six districts of KP. A total of 105 primary care physicians and clinical psychologists were trained. Mix method analysis was performed. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare knowledge scores pre- and post-training and after 8 months. Thematic analysis was conducted to examine feedback of the participants regarding the training, whereas content analysis was performed on the reflections of the trainers on the adapted guide.ResultsFindings demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge of the participants to identify and manage common mental health conditions. The percentage of correctly answered questions in the pre-test was 73.86%, which increased to 85.94% in the post-test, indicating a 12.08% increase in knowledge. Most noticeable improvements in knowledge were observed in harmful use of substances (22.56), General principles of care and other significant mental health complaints (15.15%), stress (13.80%), suicide, and epilepsy (13.13%). The thematic analyses highlighted the strengths and gaps of training and made recommendations to strengthen preservice training and provide regular refresher courses.ConclusionThe study underscores the feasibility of implementing an adapted mhGAP-HIG for training primary care physicians and clinical psychologists within existing healthcare resources of KP. The preliminary findings endorse the scalability across other provinces in the country.
The relationships between impulsivity and mood in bipolar disorder: An ecological momentary assessment study
Authors: Ramírez-Martín Almudena , Sirignano Lea , Foo Jerome C. , Streit Fabian , Frank Josef , Witt Stephanie H. , Rietschel Marcella , Mayoral-Cleries Fermin , Moreno-Küstner Berta , Guzmán-Parra Jose 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundImpulsivity is a key feature of bipolar disorder (BD) associated with various negative outcomes. Recent use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has allowed for nuanced examination of the mechanisms of mood and impulsivity dysregulation. However, few existing studies have used an ecological momentary assessment of impulsivity in multiplex families with BD and examined its associations with mood.ObjectiveUsing EMA, this study investigated the concurrent and predictive relationships between impulsivity and mood.MethodsMultiplex family members with BD (n=8), unaffected family members (n=6), individuals with BD not from families (n=8) and healthy controls (n=8), completed daily EMA surveys about mood and impulsivity for 6-12 weeks. Mixed-effects regression concurrent and lagged models were employed to analyze the relationship between impulsivity and mood.ResultsThe diagnosis of BD was associated with lower mood and higher impulsivity levels. Belonging to a multiplex family (i.e. high genetic load for BD) was associated with lower mood but not with higher impulsivity. BD participants showed a negative association between impulsivity and concurrent mood measured with EMA. Time-lagged analyses revealed a significant negative association between prior impulsivity and mood at the next assessment independent of diagnosis.ConclusionsThese results contribute to the understanding of the complex interactions between BD, the genetic load of the disorder, impulsivity and mood. Furthermore, these findings indicate the potential benefits of addressing impulsivity as a means to improve mood outcomes at an early stage.
Impact of Vitamin D supplementation on cognition in adults with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency: Outcomes from the VitaMIND randomised controlled trial
Authors: Corbett Anne , Taylor Rod , Llewellyn David , Ranson Janice M. , Hampshire Adam , Pickering Ellie , Palmer Abbie , Aarsland Dag , Cader Dorina , Frost Diana , Ballard Clive 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundPreserved cognitive health with ageing is a public health imperative. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor cognition, but it is unclear whether supplementation would provide benefit, particularly in individuals with mild/moderate deficiencies which do not have other clinical risks. The objective of this study was to establish the impact of daily vitamin D supplementation on cognition in older adults with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency.Methods and FindingsTwo-arm parallel 24-month randomised controlled trial, with Vitamin D supplementation compared with a placebo. This was a remote trial, completed from home involving 620 adults 50 years or older with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency and early cognitive impairment. The primary outcome was executive function measured through Trail making B and other secondary measures of cognition, function and wellbeing.Vitamin D supplementation conferred no significant benefit to executive function compared to placebo at follow-up on the primary outcome (between-group difference: 5770, 95% CI: -2189 to 13730) or cognition, function, or wellbeing. Secondary analyses in defined subgroups and a per-protocol analysis also showed no significant impact on any outcome measures.ConclusionsVitamin D supplementation produced no measurable improvement in cognitive outcomes in older adults with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency. The remote trial methodology provides an innovative approach to large-scale trials.Trial RegistrationISRCTN79265514https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN79265514
Rapid establishment of public sector COVID-19 test and treatment programs across seven low- and middle-income countries: Implementation strategies and program monitoring results
Authors: Boeke Caroline E. , Hamza Nervine , Agwuocha Chukwuemeka , Amako Okechukwu , Detluexay Khamsay , Gao Michelle , Griffith Bridget C. , Gumulira Yamikani , Hodges Elina Urli , Joseph Jessica , Lufesi Norman , Macharia Emily , Mbewe Nyuma , McCarthy Elizabeth , Mintah Faustina O. , Mukiibi Moses , Mulenga Mwaba , Ngwije Alida , Ofori-Boadu Lawrence , Okoli Ijeoma Uzondu , Phongphila Sompasong , Ramers Christian , Regan Sean , Twinomujuni Evarist , Rwagasore Edson , Tebor Jessica , Udayakumar Krishna 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThe COVID-19 Treatment QuickStart Consortium[1] worked with governments in 7 low- and middle-income countries, Ghana, Laos, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, to implement COVID-19 test-and-treat programs at 776 health facilities, including training over 5,000 staff and facilitating a donation of 11,300 courses of the oral antiviral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for treatment. This paper describes the process of implementing COVID-19 test-and-treat programs in each country, provides aggregate program monitoring data on numbers tested and treated from program initiation through June 2024, and analyzes program enablers and challenges. Between country-level program initiation (ranging from December 2022 for Zambia to September 2023 for Uganda) and June 2024, a total of 731,970 SARS-CoV-2 tests were conducted. Of 6,724 positive tests, a subset were documented to meet eligibility criteria for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir initiation, and 3,041 patients were prescribed nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. The largest number of prescriptions was in Zambia. Program enablers included decentralization of services, task-shifting from higher to lower health worker cadres, increased access to point of care antigen tests - including self-tests, and the integration of COVID-19 with other health services. Challenges included COVID-19 de-prioritization at the time of program rollout, test commodity stockouts and expiries, and dwindling national surveillance efforts. Learnings from rapid initiation and scale-up of COVID-19 test-and-treat programs in these 7 countries can be used to inform future pandemic preparedness strategies in LMICs.
Removing array-specific batch effects in GWAS mega-analyses by applying a two-step imputation workflow reveals new associations for thyroid volume and goiter
Authors: Kamal Nasr M. , König Eva , Fuchsberger Christian , Ghasemi Sahar , Völker Uwe , Völzke Henry , Grabe Hans J. , Teumer Alexander 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundCombining individual-level data in genetic association studies (mega-analyses) enhances statistical power for identifying gene-trait associations. However, batch effects from combining variants of different arrays pose a major limitation. Here, we developed a two-step imputation workflow to overcome the array type bias.MethodsGenotype data of 10,647 individuals generated using five different arrays were included. Intermediate array-specific panels were generated and subsequently imputed against the 1000 Genomes Project Phase3 reference panel. Genetic principal component (PC) analysis assessed batch effects in the cohort-combined imputed data. The workflow’s performance was evaluated by comparing imputation quality r2and allele frequency difference of the proposed two-step imputation to the conventional array-specific imputation as well as its matching with a whole-genome sequenced subgroup for further validation. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to test for genetic associations with goiter risk and thyroid gland volume, comparing summary statistics of both approaches.ResultsThe proposed workflow eliminated the batch effect from the first twenty genetic PCs. The outcome of the workflow also showed high correlation with the conventional approach for allele frequencies (r2> 0.99). GWAS results from the two-step imputation confirmed known associations on thyroid traits and revealed novel loci for thyroid volume (TG, PAX8, IGFBP5, NRG1), and one novel locus for goiter (XKR6), which was not statistically significant following the GWAS meta-analysis of conventional imputation.ConclusionOur imputation workflow provides high-quality imputation results without technical batch effects, fostering mega-analysis involving multiple genotyping arrays for different genetic association analysis.
The Moderating Role of Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Schizophrenia on the Relationship between Autistic Traits and Psychosis Expression in the General Population
Authors: Karacam Dogan Melike , Prachason Thanavadee , Lin Bochao , Pries Lotta-Katrin , Arias-Magnasco Angelo , Bortoletto Riccardo , Menne-Lothmann Claudia , Decoster Jeroen , van Winkel Ruud , Collip Dina , Delespaul Philippe , Hert Marc De , Derom Catherine , Thiery Evert , Jacobs Nele , van Os Jim , Rutten Bart , Brondino Natascia , Colizzi Marco , Luykx Jurjen , Fusar-Poli Laura , Guloksuz Sinan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackground and HypothesisPsychosis-related environmental risks are common in autism, with identified genetic connections to psychosis. Therefore, we hypothesized these risks may moderate the relationship between autistic traits (ATs) and psychotic experiences (PEs).Study DesignFirst-wave data from 792 twins and siblings in the TwinssCan Project were analysed (n=792). PEs and ATs were assessed using the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences and the Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Polygenic risk scores for schizophrenia and psychosis-associated environmental factors (childhood trauma (CT), bullying, negative life events, obstetric complications, cannabis use, winter birth, and hearing impairment) were tested for independent and interactive effects with ATs using separate multilevel linear regression models.Study ResultsATs, all five CT subtypes, bullying, and negative life events were significantly associated with PEs (all P < 0.004). Emotional abuse (B: 0.08, 95% CI:0.05 to 0.11, P < 0.001), physical abuse (B: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.18, P = 0.001), sexual abuse (B: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.15, P = 0.002), and physical neglect (B: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.10, P = 0.001) significantly amplified the positive relationship between ATs and PEs, whereas emotional neglect (B: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.07, P = 0.007) and negative life events (B: 0.007, 95% CI: 0.0005 to 0.014, P = 0.04) only showed a trend of interactions. No significant main or interacting effects of genetic and other risk factors were found.ConclusionsThese findings imply that CT might be a potential preventive target for psychosis expression in people with high ATs.
Work Expectations, Employment Transitions, and Psychological Distress During the Great Recession Among Older Americans and South Koreans
Authors: Dang Linh , Antonucci Toni , Mendes de Leon Carlos , Mezuk Briana 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackground and objectivesPerceived uncertainty about future employment and work transitions during economic crises can negatively affect mental health of workers. This study examined the association between work expectations and psychological distress among “Baby Boomers” (born 1948-1965) in the United States and South Korea and explored how employment transitions moderated this association before, during, and after the Great Recession.Research Design and MethodsData came from 2006-2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (n=2,647) and Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (n=1,454). Perceived expectations of working in the next five years were reported on a probability scale (0-100%). Psychological distress was assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Six mutually-exclusive employment transitions during the Recession were constructed: entrance to full-time employment, precarious employment, stable full-time employment, self-employment, exit from the labor force, and consistently out of the labor force. Multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess the association between work expectations, employment transitions, and psychological distress.ResultsHigher work expectations were associated with lower odds of psychological distress; this association was most robustly observed during the recession (ORUS=0.93 [0.89, 0.98], ORKorea=0.92 [0.84, 1.01]) and recovery (ORUS=0.95 [0.92, 0.98], ORKorea=0.84 [0.80, 0.89]). The relationship between expectations and distress was pronounced among respondents who were self-employed or transitioning into self-employment. Findings were broadly similar comparing two countries.Discussion and ImplicationsExpectations regarding, and transitions in, employment impact psychological distress. Findings emphasize the need to support the mental health of older adults nearing retirement during periods of economic crisis.
Seroprevalence of dengue, Zika, yellow fever and West Nile viruses in Senegal, West Africa
Authors: Gallon Sebastian , Sy Mouhamad , Tonto Prince Baffour , Ndiaye Ibrahima Mbaye , Toure Mariama , Gaye Amy , Aidara Mariama , Mbaye Amadou Moctar , Dia Abdoulaye Kane , Diallo Mamadou Alpha , Gomis Jules Francois , Yade Mamadou Samba , Diedhiou Younous , Dieye Baba , Diongue Khadim , Seck Mame Cheikh , Badiane Aida S. , Ndiaye Daouda , Herrera Bobby Brooke 
Published: November 2024

AbstractWest Africa serves as a critical region for the co-circulation of mosquito-borne flaviviruses, which often precipitate sporadic outbreaks. This study investigated the seroprevalence of dengue virus serotypes 1-4 (DENV-1-4), Zika virus (ZIKV), yellow fever virus (YFV), and West Nile virus (WNV) in three regions of Senegal: Sindia, Thies, and Kedougou. We retrospectively analyzed 470 serum samples for flavivirus immunoglobulin G (IgG) using a DENV-2 envelope (E) ELISA. Our findings revealed a seroprevalence of 37.23% for DENV-2 E IgG, indicative of a prior flavivirus exposure rate. The IgG seroprevalence rates for DENV-1-4, ZIKV, YFV, or WNV NS1 were 57.14%, 12.57%, 80.57% and 17.14%, respectively, with 72% of individuals harboring neutralizing antibodies against two or more flaviviruses. We also identified that residing in Sindia (ZIKV, OR, 9.428; 95% CI: 1.882-47.223 & WNV, OR, 6.039; 95% CI: 1.855-19.658) and Kedougou (ZIKV, OR, 7.487; 95% CI: 1.658-33.808 & WNV, OR, 1.142; 95% CI: 0.412-3.164) was a significant risk factor for ZIKV and WNV exposure. In contrast, history of malaria significantly reduced the risk of WNV exposure (aOR, 0.402; 95% CI: 0.203-0.794). This study underscores the complexity of flavivirus epidemiology in West Africa and the necessity for enhanced surveillance to inform public health strategies.
Klebsiella pneumoniae infection increases risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in the UK Biobank cohort
Authors: Lehrer Steven , Rheinstein Peter H. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundInfections, including bacterial pathogens, have been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) risk. Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common hospital-acquired pathogen associated with significant inflammation, which may contribute to neurodegeneration. This study investigates the relationship between K. pneumoniae infections and AD in the UK Biobank cohort.MethodsUsing UK Biobank data, we assessed AD diagnoses based on linked healthcare records and identified K. pneumoniae infections using ICD-10 codes B96.1 and J15.0. A cohort of 502,494 participants was analyzed for AD incidence in relation to demographic factors, educational years, APOE isoforms, and history of K. pneumoniae infection. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between K. pneumoniae infection and AD risk.ResultsAD incidence was significantly higher among participants with a history of K. pneumoniae infection (1.0%) compared to those without (0.2%; p < 0.001, Fisher’s exact test two tailed). Logistic regression analysis revealed that K. pneumoniae infection was associated with an increased risk of AD (OR = 3.32, p < 0.001), independent of age, sex, education, and APOE isoform. Additionally, AD risk was higher among ε4ε4 carriers and increased with age but decreased with additional years of education.ConclusionOur findings suggest that K. pneumoniae infection may be an independent risk factor for AD. This association underscores the need for further research into infection control and its role in mitigating neurodegenerative disease risk, particularly in populations susceptible to healthcare-associated infections.Graphical abstractKlebsiella pneumoniae infection increases risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. The gut-brain axis may be involved.
Racial Composition in K-12 Schooling and Cognitive Health of Older Black Adults
Authors: Best Merci N. , Laurent Sarah E. , Doyle Cassidy , Torres Elisa R. , Mahmoudi Elham , Zahodne Laura B. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSystemic educational factors have implications for cognitive health across the life course. Due tode jureandde factorracial segregation in the United States (U.S.), K-12 school quality varies by racial composition, which we hypothesize contributes to higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) older adults. This study adopts a life course perspective to investigate the association between K-12 schools’ racial composition and later-in-life cognitive health among U.S.– born and educated NHB older adults in the Health and Retirement Study (N=2,105). Using the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Life History Mail Survey, we categorized racial composition of K-12 schools as only majority non-Hispanic White (NHW) schools (n=193), only majority NHB schools (n=1,387), or both school types (n=525). Multiple linear regressions assessed relationships between school racial composition and total cognition, episodic memory, and vocabulary, controlling for age, gender, childhood factors, and U.S. region of residence at age 10. Attending only NHW schools or both school types was associated with better total cognition (p<.01 andp<.001, respectively) and episodic memory (p<.05 andp<.01, respectively) than attending only NHB schools. Attending both school types was also associated with better vocabulary (p<.0001). Structural equation models revealed that 45-66% of these associations were mediated by participants’ educational attainment. Our findings highlight the long-term cognitive benefits of attending some NHW schools and underscore the need for initiatives promoting equity in NHB schools. Further, our findings suggest bicultural education may provide language benefits, despite potential interpersonal discrimination toward NHB students.