bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ambient air pollution and clinical dementia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wilker Elissa H , Osman Marwa , Weisskopf Marc G 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the role of air pollutants in risk of dementia, considering differences by study factors that could influence findings.

Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources
EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, Psycinfo, and OVID Medline from database inception through July 2022.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies
Studies that included adults (≥18 years), a longitudinal follow-up, considered US Environmental Protection Agency criteria air pollutants and proxies of traffic pollution, averaged exposure over a year or more, and reported associations between ambient pollutants and clinical dementia. Two authors independently extracted data using a predefined data extraction form and assessed risk of bias using the Risk of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Exposures (ROBINS-E) tool. A meta-analysis with Knapp-Hartung standard errors was done when at least three studies for a given pollutant used comparable approaches.

Results

2080 records identified 51 studies for inclusion. Most studies were at high risk of bias, although in many cases bias was towards the null. 14 studies could be meta-analysed for particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM
2.5
). The overall hazard ratio per 2 μg/m
3
PM
2.5
was 1.04 (95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.09). The hazard ratio among seven studies that used active case ascertainment was 1.42 (1.00 to 2.02) and among seven studies that used passive case ascertainment was 1.03 (0.98 to 1.07). The overall hazard ratio per 10 μg/m
3
nitrogen dioxide was 1.02 ((0.98 to 1.06); nine studies) and per 10 μg/m
3
nitrogen oxide was 1.05 ((0.98 to 1.13); five studies). Ozone had no clear association with dementia (hazard ratio per 5 μg/m
3
was 1.00 (0.98 to 1.05); four studies).

Conclusion

PM
2.5
might be a risk factor for dementia, as well as nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen oxide, although with more limited data. The meta-analysed hazard ratios are subject to limitations that require interpretation with caution. Outcome ascertainment approaches differ across studies and each exposure assessment approach likely is only a proxy for causally relevant exposure in relation to clinical dementia outcomes. Studies that evaluate critical periods of exposure and pollutants other than PM
2.5
, and studies that actively assess all participants for outcomes are needed. Nonetheless, our results can provide current best estimates for use in burden of disease and regulatory setting efforts.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42021277083.
Future number of people with diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Germany until 2040: an analysis based on claims data
Authors: Voeltz Dina , Brinks Ralph , Tönnies Thaddäus , Hoyer Annika 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionWe aim to project the number of people with diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Germany between 2010 and 2040.Research design and methodsWe first estimate the age-specific and sex-specific incidence and prevalence of type 1 diabetes in Germany in 2010 using data from 65 million insurees of the German statutory health insurance. Then, we use the illness-death model to project the prevalence of type 1 diabetes until 2040. We alter the incidence and mortality underlying the illness-death model in several scenarios to explore the impact of possible temporal trends on the number of people with type 1 diabetes.ResultsApplying the prevalence from 2010 to the official population projections of Germany’s Federal Statistical Office yields a total number of 252 000 people with type 1 diabetes in Germany in 2040 (+1% compared with 2010). Incorporating different annual trends of the incidence and mortality in the projection model results in a future number of people with type 1 diabetes between 292 000 (+18%) and 327 000 (+32%).ConclusionsFor the first time in Germany, we provide estimates for the incidence, prevalence, and number of people with diagnosed type 1 diabetes for the whole German population between 2010 and 2040. The relative increase of the people with type 1 diabetes ranges from 1% to 32% in 2040 compared with 2010. The projected results are mainly influenced by temporal trends in the incidence. Ignoring these trends, that is, applying a constant prevalence to population projections, probably underestimates future chronic disease numbers.
Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 incidence and seroconversion among university students and employees: a longitudinal cohort study in California, June–August 2020
Authors: Hunter Lauren A , Wyman Stacia , Packel Laura J , Facente Shelley N , Li Yi , Harte Anna , Nicolette Guy ,   the IGI SARS-CoV-2 Testing Consortium, Di Germanio Clara , Busch Michael P , Reingold Arthur L , Petersen Maya L 
Published: April 2023

ObjectivesTo identify incident SARS-CoV-2 infections and inform effective mitigation strategies in university settings, we piloted an integrated symptom and exposure monitoring and testing system among a cohort of university students and employees.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingA public university in California from June to August 2020.Participants2180 university students and 738 university employees.Primary outcome measuresAt baseline and endline, we tested participants for active SARS-CoV-2 infection via quantitative PCR (qPCR) test and collected blood samples for antibody testing. Participants received notifications to complete additional qPCR tests throughout the study if they reported symptoms or exposures in daily surveys or were selected for surveillance testing. Viral whole genome sequencing was performed on positive qPCR samples, and phylogenetic trees were constructed with these genomes and external genomes.ResultsOver the study period, 57 students (2.6%) and 3 employees (0.4%) were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection via qPCR test. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that a super-spreader event among undergraduates in congregate housing accounted for at least 48% of cases among study participants but did not spread beyond campus. Test positivity was higher among participants who self-reported symptoms (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 12.7; 95% CI 7.4 to 21.8) or had household exposures (IRR 10.3; 95% CI 4.8 to 22.0) that triggered notifications to test. Most (91%) participants with newly identified antibodies at endline had been diagnosed with incident infection via qPCR test during the study.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that integrated monitoring systems can successfully identify and link at-risk students to SARS-CoV-2 testing. As the study took place before the evolution of highly transmissible variants and widespread availability of vaccines and rapid antigen tests, further research is necessary to adapt and evaluate similar systems in the present context.
Efficacy and safety of novel oral anticoagulants for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: protocol for an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Xia Yunqing , Tang Liang , Hu Yu 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionNovel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been used in antithrombotic therapy in patients with cancer, and their efficacy and safety have been evaluated in several meta-analyses. Although a large body of findings has accumulated to support the benefit of NOACs for the treatment and prevention of cancer-associated thromboembolism, there is no convincing evidence because of inconsistent results across studies and questionable data quality. Its efficacy and safety remain controversial, especially with regard to the risk of bleeding.Methods and analysisWe will search PubMed, Embase and Web of science, Cochrane Library on 19 April 2022 (searches will be updated until complete) to identify systematic reviews, meta-analyses and pooled analyses of the efficacy and safety of NOACs for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism. The quality of eligible systematic evaluations will be measured by A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews. For each outcome, if a random effects model is not used, we will extract the data and estimate a 95% CI using the random effects model approach. For each random effects estimate, a 95% prediction interval is calculated. Heterogeneity between studies will be quantified using the I2metric. In addition, if an assessment contains at least three articles, we will reanalyse the assessment using Egger’s asymmetry test to detect and visualise possible publication bias in the articles.Ethics and disseminationNo formal ethical approval is required since we will use publicly available data. We will disseminate the findings of the umbrella review through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022342053.
Birang Daruganora: a protocol for a qualitative study to elicit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community views about cultural needs and experiences for a new Australian health facility
Authors: Carrigan Ann , Austin Elizabeth E , Clay-Williams Robyn , Hibbert Peter D , Maka Katherine , Holden Narelle , Grigg Shai , Loy Graeme , Braithwaite Jeffrey 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionTo address challenges regarding the delivery of healthcare, governments and health services are focusing on the implementation of models that are flexible, person-centred, cost-effective and integrate hospital services more closely with primary healthcare and social services. Such models increasingly embed consumer codesign, multidisciplinary teams and leverage digital technologies, such as telehealth, attempting to deliver care more seamlessly and to continually improve services. This paper provides a study protocol to describe a method to explore Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander consumer and healthcare provider needs and expectations for the design and development of a new healthcare facility in Australia.Methods and analysisA qualitative study of consumer members’ and health providers’ needs and expectations. Data collection includes a short consumer-specific and provider-specific, demographic questionnaire and culturally appropriate facilitator-coordinated consultation workshops. Data will be analysed thematically (qualitatively).Ethics and disseminationThe results will be actively disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, reports to stakeholders and community meetings. This study was reviewed and approved by a health service-based Ethics Committee in New South Wales, Australia and the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Committee.
Causal associations between major depressive disorder and COVID-19
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Zhao Yi , Cao Hongbao , Zhang Fuquan 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate whether major depressive disorder (MDD) could aggravate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or whether the genetic liability to COVID-19 could trigger MDD.AimsWe aimed to assess bidirectional causal associations between MDD and COVID-19.MethodsWe performed genetic correlation and Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses to assess potential associations between MDD and three COVID-19 outcomes. Literature-based network analysis was conducted to construct molecular pathways connecting MDD and COVID-19.ResultsWe found that MDD has positive genetic correlations with COVID-19 outcomes (rg: 0.10–0.15). Our MR analysis indicated that genetic liability to MDD is associated with increased risks of COVID-19 infection (odds ratio (OR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00 to 1.10, p=0.039). However, genetic liability to the three COVID-19 outcomes did not confer any causal effects on MDD. Pathway analysis identified a panel of immunity-related genes that may mediate the links between MDD and COVID-19.ConclusionsOur study suggests that MDD may increase the susceptibility to COVID-19. Our findings emphasise the need to increase social support and improve mental health intervention networks for people with mood disorders during the pandemic.
TRPC6 inhibitor (BI 764198) to reduce risk and severity of ARDS due to COVID-19: a phase II randomised controlled trial
Authors: Ware Lorraine B , Soleymanlou Nima , McAuley Danny Francis , Estrada Vicente , Diaz George A , Lacamera Peter , Kaste Renee , Choi Wansuk , Gupta Abhya , Welte Tobias 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundDespite the availability of COVID-19 vaccinations, there remains a need to investigate treatments to reduce the risk or severity of potentially fatal complications of COVID-19, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the transient receptor potential channel C6 (TRPC6) inhibitor, BI 764198, in reducing the risk and/or severity of ARDS in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 and requiring non-invasive, supplemental oxygen support (oxygen by mask or nasal prongs, oxygen by non-invasive ventilation or high-flow nasal oxygen).MethodsMulticentre, double-blind, randomised phase II trial comparing once-daily oral BI 764198 (n=65) with placebo (n=64) for 28 days (+2-month follow-up). Primary endpoint: proportion of patients alive and free of mechanical ventilation at day 29. Secondary endpoints: proportion of patients alive and discharged without oxygen (day 29); occurrence of either in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit admission or mechanical ventilation (day 29); time to first response (clinical improvement/recovery); ventilator-free days (day 29); and mortality (days 15, 29, 60 and 90).ResultsNo difference was observed for the primary endpoint: BI 764198 (83.1%) versus placebo (87.5%) (estimated risk difference –5.39%; 95% CI –16.08 to 5.30; p=0.323). For secondary endpoints, a longer time to first response (rate ratio 0.67; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.99; p=0.045) and longer hospitalisation (+3.41 days; 95% CI 0.49 to 6.34; p=0.023) for BI 764198 versus placebo was observed; no other significant differences were observed. On-treatment adverse events were similar between trial arms and more fatal events were reported for BI 764198 (n=7) versus placebo (n=2). Treatment was stopped early based on an interim observation of a lack of efficacy and an imbalance of fatal events (Data Monitoring Committee recommendation).ConclusionsTRPC6 inhibition was not effective in reducing the risk and/or severity of ARDS in patients with COVID-19 requiring non-invasive, supplemental oxygen support.Trial registration numberNCT04604184.
Epigastric hernias in children and the use of ultrasound in its diagnosis
Authors: König Tatjana T , Oerters Laura S , Spiller Ljuba , Schwind Martin , Born Mark , Oetzmann von Sochaczewski Christina , Heydweiller Andreas C 
Published: April 2023

IntroductionThere is a paucity of clinical data on pediatric epigastric hernias despite them accounting for up to 6% of all hernia repairs in children. We aimed to provide additional data to supplement those 117 cases of a recent systematic review and to further clarify the role of ultrasound in diagnosing pediatric epigastric hernia.MethodsWe retrospectively included all 60 patients treated for epigastric hernias in children in two tertiary pediatric surgical departments within 12 years. Associations were tested via point-biserial correlation analyses.ResultsEpigastric hernias primarily affected preschool children with a median age of 39 months. The vast majority of patients (88%) presented with swelling that was occasionally (30%) accompanied by pain. Fascial defects could be found during clinical examination in 45% of patients with a median size of 5 mm (95% CI 3 to 10). Smaller defects were less likely to be palpable (r=−0.44, 95% CI −0.08 to −0.7, p=0.021). Likewise, ultrasound was used more frequently with smaller fascial defect sizes (r=−0.51, 95% CI −0.16 to −0.74, p=0.007). Laparoscopic repair was used in 11 patients (19%) and more often (4/11) in combination with another simultaneous procedure than open repair (11/48).ConclusionsEpigastric hernias are primarily a condition of the preschool child. Ultrasound can be beneficial if the diagnosis cannot be made clinically; otherwise, it is abdicable if it does not change the management of the patient’s epigastric hernia. Laparoscopic repairs might be beneficial for children with multiple defects or simultaneous procedures.
Hybrid PET/Compton-camera imaging: an imager for the next generation
Authors: Llosá Gabriela , Rafecas Magdalena 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCompton cameras can offer advantages over gamma cameras for some applications, since they are well suited for multitracer imaging and for imaging high-energy radiotracers, such as those employed in radionuclide therapy. While in conventional clinical settings state-of-the-art Compton cameras cannot compete with well-established methods such as PET and SPECT, there are specific scenarios in which they can constitute an advantageous alternative. The combination of PET and Compton imaging can benefit from the improved resolution and sensitivity of current PET technology and, at the same time, overcome PET limitations in the use of multiple radiotracers. Such a system can provide simultaneous assessment of different radiotracers under identical conditions and reduce errors associated with physical factors that can change between acquisitions. Advances are being made both in instrumentation developments combining PET and Compton cameras for multimodal or three-gamma imaging systems, and in image reconstruction, addressing the challenges imposed by the combination of the two modalities or the new techniques. This review article summarizes the advances made in Compton cameras for medical imaging and their combination with PET.
Semi-quantum bi-signature scheme based on Bell states
Authors: Yang Chun-Wei , Cheng Ching-Lin 
Published: April 2023

Currently, quantum signature protocols assume that all participants in the protocol (signers, verifiers, and arbitrators) should exhibit quantum capabilities. If quantum devices are lacking, the quantum signature protocol cannot be implemented. However, quantum devices are not widely used, and not all users can own quantum devices. Boyer et al. first proposed the concept of the semi-quantum environment. Zhao et al. proposed a semi-quantum signature protocol with double signers based on the W state. Yang et al. discovered that in the semi-quantum signature protocol with double signers developed by Zhao et al., an internal attacker could launch an impersonation attack during the verification and signature stages to capture the private key and use it to impersonate the user’s identity. In addition, the eavesdropper can obtain all the secret information of the signers by performing a man-in-the-middle attack. All three attack modes can pass the eavesdropping check. Hence, if these security problems are not solved, the signature of the semi-quantum signature protocol with double signers proposed by Zhao et al. cannot be completed safely. Therefore, based on Bell states, a new semi-quantum signature protocol of double signers was developed in this study. The proposed protocol not only resists impersonation attacks and man-in-the-middle attacks but also resists other common attack modes.
Fat Pointers for Temporal Memory Safety of C
Authors: Zhou Jie , Criswell John , Hicks Michael 
Published: April 2023

Temporal memory safety bugs, especially use-after-free and double free bugs, pose a major security threat to C programs. Real-world exploits utilizing these bugs enable attackers to read and write arbitrary memory locations, causing disastrous violations of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Many previous solutions retrofit temporal memory safety to C, but they all either incur high performance overhead and/or miss detecting certain types of temporal memory safety bugs.
In this paper, we propose a temporal memory safety solution that is both efficient and comprehensive. Specifically, we extend Checked C, a spatially-safe extension to C, with temporally-safe pointers. These are implemented by combining two techniques: fat pointers and dynamic key-lock checks. We show that the fat-pointer solution significantly improves running time and memory overhead compared to the disjoint-metadata approach that provides the same level of protection. With empirical program data and hands-on experience porting real-world applications, we also show that our solution is practical in terms of backward compatibility---one of the major complaints about fat pointers.
A Verification Methodology for the Arm® Confidential Computing Architecture: From a Secure Specification to Safe Implementations
Authors: Fox Anthony C. J. , Stockwell Gareth , Xiong Shale , Becker Hanno , Mulligan Dominic P. , Petri Gustavo , Chong Nathan 
Published: April 2023

We present Arm's efforts in verifying the specification and prototype reference implementation of the Realm Management Monitor (RMM), an essential firmware component of Arm Confidential Computing Architecture (Arm CCA), the recently-announced Confidential Computing technologies incorporated in the Armv9-A architecture. Arm CCA introduced the Realm Management Extension (RME), an architectural extension for Armv9-A, and a technology that will eventually be deployed in hundreds of millions of devices. Given the security-critical nature of the RMM, and its taxing threat model, we use a combination of interactive theorem proving, model checking, and concurrency-aware testing to validate and verify security and safety properties of both the specification and a prototype implementation of the RMM. Crucially, our verification efforts were, and are still being, developed and refined contemporaneously with active development of both specification and implementation, and have been adopted by Arm's product teams.
We describe our major achievements, realized through the application of formal techniques, as well as challenges that remain for future work. We believe that the work reported in this paper is the most thorough application of formal techniques to the design and implementation of any current commercially-viable Confidential Computing implementation, setting a new high-water mark for work in this area.
A futura atividade político-partidária e a responsabilidade ética do magistrado
Authors: Falcão Joaquim , Osório Laura 
Published: April 2023

The Brazilian Federal Constitution and the Code of Judicial Ethics establish that judges are forbidden to take part in party political activities in order to preserve their judicial integrity. That is an ethical responsibility their profession entails. But what does party political activity really mean? Which activities are actually barred? Through real and illustrative cases taken from the practice and agenda of Brazilian constitutionalism, we aim to demonstrate that party affiliation is not the only form of party political activity prohibited to magistrates