bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Inequalities in Population Health: A Phenome-Wide Study Examining the Association between Education and 833 diseases in Denmark
Authors: Pallesen Anna Vera Jørring , Mierau Jochen , Mortensen Laust Hvas 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe social processes that shape people’s environment and ways of living tend to create inequalities in health. Better education is often, but not always, associated with lower disease incidence and better prognosis through a multitude of different mechanisms. Most often, research in this area examine few diseases of interest, thereby creating an array of disjoint analyses that lack comparability. The objective of this study is to create a novel atlas covering 833 diseases illustrating the associated educational gradients across a wide spectrum of health outcomes.MethodLongitudinal, register-based study conducted on all Danish residents aged 30 years and over (N=4,258,789) between 2012 and 2021. We applied a phenome-wide approach to assess associations between three ISCED-based educational levels (low, medium, high) and the incidence of 833 diseases defined by ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Age-standardized incidence rates were estimated using Poisson regression adjusted for sex and birth cohort.ResultsEducational inequalities were observed in virtually all diseases studied and were, thus, not limited to particular disease areas. We found incidence rates of the vast majority of diseases increased with higher educational level (N=569). For 77 diagnoses, we observed an inverse educational gradient. Lower educated individuals had, with few exceptions, the highest incidence rates for non-communicable and communicable diseases.ConclusionsOur atlas provides a full and detailed representation of the association between education and disease incidence. It brings attention to all diseases – not only the most prevalent – and makes it possible to examine the role of education across the universe of diseases.
Prolonged grief during and beyond the pandemic: Factors associated with levels of grief in a four time-point longitudinal survey of people bereaved in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Harrop Emily , Mirra Renata Medeiros , Goss Silvia , Longo Mirella , Byrne Anthony , Farnell Damian JJ , Seddon Kathy , Penny Alison , Machin Linda , Sivell Stephanie , Selman Lucy E 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has been a devastating and enduring mass-bereavement event, with uniquely difficult sets of circumstances experienced by people bereaved at this time. However, little is known about the long-term consequences of these experiences, including the prevalence of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) and other conditions in pandemic-bereaved populations.MethodsA longitudinal survey of people bereaved in the UK between 16 March 2020 and 2 January 2021, with data collected at baseline (n=711), c. 8 (n=383), 13 (n=295) and 25 (n=185) months post- bereavement. Using measures of Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) (Traumatic Grief Inventory), grief vulnerability (Adult Attitude to Grief Scale), and social support (Inventory of Social Support), this analysis examines how participant characteristics, characteristics of the deceased and pandemic- related circumstances (e.g. restricted visiting, social isolation, social support) are associated with grief outcomes, with a focus on levels of PGD.ResultsAt baseline, 628 (88.6%) of participants were female, with a mean age of 49.5 (SD 12.9). 311 (43.8%) deaths were from confirmed/suspected COVID-19. Sample demographics were relatively stable across time points 34.6% of participants met the cut-off for indicated PGD at c. 13 months bereaved and 28.6% at final follow-up. Social isolation and loneliness in early bereavement and lack of social support over time strongly contributed to higher levels of PGD, whilst feeling well supported by healthcare professionals following the death was associated with reduced levels of PGD. Characteristics of the deceased most strongly associated with lower PGD scores, were a more distant relationship (e.g. death of a grandparent), an expected death and death occurring in a care- home. Participant characteristics associated with higher levels of PGD included low level of formal education and existence of medical conditions.ConclusionResults suggest higher than expected levels of PGD compared with pre-pandemic times, with important implications for bereavement policy, provision and practice now (e.g. strengthening of social and specialist support) and in preparedness for future pandemics and mass-bereavement events (e.g. guidance on infection control measures and rapid support responses).
Public Perceptions and Discussions of Premium Cigars on Reddit
Authors: Xie Zidian , Lee Sarah , Xu Emily , Li Dongmei 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTIntroductionWhile premium cigars have similar addictive, toxic, and carcinogenic constituents as other cigars and cigarettes, about 1% of the US adults reported premium cigar use from 2010 to 2019. This study aimed to understand public perceptions and discussions of premium cigars on Reddit, one of the most popular social media platforms.MethodsUsing keywords such as “premium cigar”, we extracted 2,238 Reddit posts from Reddit Archive between July 2019 and June 2021. Among them, 1,626 posts were related to premium cigars. By employing the inductive approach, we manually coded each Reddit post on premium cigars to understand public perceptions and discussions of premium cigars by summarizing them into different topics and subtopics.ResultsLongitudinal analysis showed that the number of Reddit posts on premium cigars increased since June 2020. Content analysis showed that among Reddit posts related to premium cigars, the most popular topic is “Information sharing” (75.72%), in which Reddit users shared their perceptions about premium cigars, asked for advice, and provided some recommendations about premium cigars. Over one-quarter of posts (27.17%) are sharing user experiences of premium cigars (such as taste). Nearly one-fifth (18.99%) of posts are discussing the affordability of premium cigars. In addition, 7.87% of posts are discussing legal/policy issues related to premium cigars, and 6.82% of posts are related to the health risks of premium cigars compared to cigarettes.ConclusionsPublic perceptions including misperceptions, user experiences, and affordability related to premium cigars have been actively discussed on Reddit.ImplicationsWith the increasing trend of premium cigar use, it is necessary to understand how premium cigars are perceived by the public and why they are becoming more popular. This study provides the first evidence on public perceptions and discussions of premium cigars on social media, which could provide useful information on future regulatory policies that aim to prevent the prevalence of premium cigars to protect public health.
The DCM Project Portal: A direct-to-participant platform of The DCM Research Project
Authors: Jordan Elizabeth S. , Grover Phoenix L. , Lin Jay , Starkey Carl A. , Finley Elizabeth A. , Ni Hanyu , Hershberger Ray E. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractStudy ObjectiveTo develop a digital platform to conduct family-based, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) genetic research.DesignInnovative approaches are needed to achieve large family enrollment targets. The DCM Project Portal, a direct-to-participant electronic recruitment, consent, and communication tool, was designed using prior experience with traditional enrollment methods, characteristics and feedback of current participants, and internet access of the US population.ParticipantsDCM patients (probands) and their family members.ResultsThe portal was designed as a self-guided, three module (registration, eligibility, and consent) process with internally created supporting informational and messaging resources integrated throughout. The experience can be tailored to user type and the format adapted with programmatic growth. Characteristics of participants of the recently completed DCM Precision Medicine Study were assessed as an exemplary user population. A majority of the diverse (34% non-Hispanic Black (NHE-B), 9.1% Hispanic; 53.6% female) proband (n=1223) and family members (n=1781) participants aged>18 years reportednot at allorrarelyhaving problems learning about their health from written information (81%) and a high confidence in completing medical forms (77.2%very muchoroftenconfident). A majority of participants across age and race-ethnicity groups reported internet access, with highest rates of no reported access in those>77 years, NHE-B, and Hispanic, which reflects patterns similar to rates reported by the US Census Bureau as of 2021.ConclusionsDigital enrollment tools offer opportunity to improve access and efficiency. The portal is an example of a digital approach to family-based genetic research.
Factors predicting the visual outcome of intracorneal ring segment for keratoconus
Authors: Khanthik Apisit , Yaisawang Sasi , Puangsricharern Vilavun , Reinprayoon Usanee , Satitpitakul Vannarut , Kasetsuwan Ngamjit 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo find predictive factors and to construct predictive models using epidemiological and clinical preoperative factors for the visual acuity change after intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in keratoconus patients.MethodsMedical records of 287 keratoconic eyes implanted with ICRS at Chula Refractive Surgery Centre of a tertiary university hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) between January 2012 and March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed for epidemiological and clinical preoperative variables, including those derived from Scheimpflug tomography. The correlation between these variables and postoperative uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity change (ΔUDVA and ΔCDVA; logMAR scale) at 6 months was explored. Two hundred forty eight eyes (excluding cases with unmeasurable refraction) were randomized into 2 groups: the equation group (198 eyes) and the validation group (50 eyes). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop the predictive model from the equation group.ResultsTwenty preoperative variables were statistically correlated with ΔCDVA. Only the preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVAp) strongly correlated with ΔCDVA (R = - 0.746). ΔUDVA correlated with only preoperative visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, and maximum Ambrósio relational thickness (ARTmax). CDVAp, spherical power (SPH), and anterior minimum sagittal curvature (Rmin) were the best predictors of ΔCDVA. The proposed model, ΔCDVA = 0.589 - 0.713×CDVAp - 0.010×SPH - 0.082×Rmin, had an acceptable predictability (R2 = 53.4%). The prediction was correct in 82% of the eyes within 0.22 logMAR.ConclusionsPotential predictive factors and models for ICRS-induced changes in visual acuity were proposed as adjunctive tools for clinicians. Such tools could be used for case selection and during counseling before ICRS implantation to maximize surgical outcomes.
Multivariable risk modelling and survival analysis with machine learning in SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Ciarmiello Andrea , Tutino Francesca , Giovannini Elisabetta , Milano Amalia , Barattini Matteo , Yosifov Nikola , Calvi Debora , Setti Maurizio , Sivori Massimiliano , Sani Cinzia , Bastreri Andrea , Staffiere Raffaele , Stefanini Teseo , Artioli Stefania , Giovacchini Giampiero 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimWe evaluated the performance of a machine learning model based on demographic variables, blood tests, pre-existing comorbidities, and CT-based radiomic features to predict critical outcome in patients with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 694 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Clinical and demographic data were extracted from clinical records. Radiomic data were extracted from CT. Patients were randomized to the training (80%, n=556) or test (20%, n=138) dataset. The training set was used to define the association between severity of disease and comorbidities, laboratory tests, demographic and CT-based radiomic variables, and to implement a risk prediction model. Models were evaluated using the C statistic and Brier scores. The test set was used for external validation.ResultsPatients who died (n=157) were predominantly male (66%) over the age of 50 with (median [range] C-reactive protein (CRP)=5 [1, 37] mg/dL, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)=494 [141, 3,631] U/I and D-dimer=6.006 [168, 152.015] ng/ml). Surviving patients (n=537) had (median [range]) CRP=3 [0, 27] mg/dL, LDH=484 [78, 3.745] U/I, and D-dimer=1.133 [96, 55.660]ng/ml. The strongest risk factors were D-dimer, age, and cardiovascular disease.The model implemented using the variables identified by the LASSO Cox regression analysis classified 152 of the 157 (97%) non-survivors as high risk individuals (Odd ratio=54.2 [21.9, 134.4]). Median survival in this group (14 [12, 19] days) was not different from that observed in non-survivors (12 [10, 14] days).ConclusionsA machine learning model based on combined data available on the first days of hospitalization (demographics, CT-radiomics, comorbidities, and blood biomarkers), can identify SARS-CoV-2 patients at risk of serious illness and death.
Refining the impact of genetic evidence on clinical success
Authors: Minikel Eric Vallabh , Painter Jeffery L , Dong Coco Chengliang , Nelson Matthew R. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe cost of drug discovery and development is driven primarily by failure, with just ∼10% of clinical programs eventually receiving approval. We previously estimated that human genetic evidence doubles the success rate from clinical development to approval. In this study we leverage the growth in genetic evidence over the past decade to better understand the characteristics that distinguish clinical success and failure. We estimate the probability of success for drug mechanisms with genetic support is 2.6 times greater than those without. This relative success varies among therapy areas and development phases, and improves with increasing confidence in the causal gene, but is largely unaffected by genetic effect size, minor allele frequency, or year of discovery. These results suggest we are far from reaching peak genetic insights to aid the discovery of targets for more effective drugs.
Patient characteristics associated with clinically coded long COVID: an OpenSAFELY study using electronic health records
Authors: Wei Yinghui , Horne Elsie MF , Knight Rochelle , Cezard Genevieve , Walker Alex , Fisher Louis , Denholm Rachel , Taylor Kurt , Walker Venexia , Riley Stephanie , Williams Dylan M , Willans Robert , Davy Simon , Bacon Sebastian , Goldacre Ben , Mehrkar Amir , Denaxas Spiros , Greaves Felix , Silverwood Richard J , Sheikh Aziz , Chaturvedi Nish , Wood Angela M , Macleod John , Steves Claire , Sterne Jonathan AC 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTDespite reports of post-COVID-19 syndromes (long COVID) are rising, clinically coded long COVID cases are incomplete in electronic health records. It is unclear how patient characteristics may be associated with clinically coded long COVID. With the approval of NHS England, we undertook a cohort study using electronic health records within the OpenSAFELY-TPP platform in England, to study patient characteristics associated with clinically coded long COVID from 29 January 2020 to 31 March 2022. We estimated age-sex adjusted hazard ratios and fully adjusted hazard ratios for coded long COVID. Patient characteristics included demographic factors, and health behavioural and clinical factors. Among 17,986,419 adults, 36,886 (0.21%) were clinically coded with long COVID. Patient characteristics associated with coded long COVID included female sex, younger age (under 60 years), obesity, living in less deprived areas, ever smoking, greater consultation frequency, and history of diagnosed asthma, mental health conditions, pre-pandemic post-viral fatigue, or psoriasis. The strength of these associations was attenuated following two-dose vaccination compared to before vaccination. The incidence of coded long COVID was higher after hospitalised than non-hospitalised COVID-19. These results should be interpreted with caution given that long COVID was likely under-recorded in electronic health records.
Type 2 diabetes and fracture risk: deciphering the complex relationship with both genetic and observational evidence
Authors: Zhao Pianpian , Sheng Zhifeng , Xu Lin , Li Peng , Xiao Wenjin , Yuan Chengda , Xu Zhanwei , Yang Mengyuan , Qian Yu , Zhong Jiadong , Gu Jiaxuan , Karasik David , Zheng Hou-Feng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe “diabetic bone paradox” suggested that type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients would have higher areal bone mineral density (BMD) but higher fracture risk than individuals without T2D. In this study, we found that the genetically predicted T2D was associated with higher BMD and lower risk of fracture in both wGRS and two-sample MR analyses. We also identified ten genomic loci shared between T2D and fracture, with the top signal at SNP rs4580892 in the intron of geneRSPO3. And the higher expression in adipose subcutaneous and higher protein level in plasma ofRSPO3were associated with increased risk of T2D, but decreased risk of fracture. In the prospective study, T2D was observed to be associated with higher risk of fracture, but BMI mediated 30.2% of the protective effect. However, when stratified by the risk factors secondary to the disease, we observed that the effect of T2D on the risk of fracture decreased when the number of risk factors secondary to T2D decreased, and the association became non-significant if the T2D patients carried none of the risk factors. In conclusion, the genetically determined T2D might not be associated with higher risk of fracture. And the shared genetic architecture between T2D and fracture suggested a top signal aroundRSPO3gene. The observed effect size of T2D on fracture risk decreased if the risk factors secondary to T2D could be eliminated. Therefore, it is important to manage the complications of T2D to prevent the risk of fracture.
Simultaneous detection and quantification of multiple pathogen targets in wastewater
Authors: Rao Gouthami , Capone Drew , Zhu Kevin , Knoble Abigail , Linden Yarrow , Clark Ryan , Lai Amanda , Kim Juhee , Huang Ching-Hua , Bivins Aaron , Brown Joe 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a critical tool for public health surveillance, building on decades of environmental surveillance work for pathogens such as poliovirus. Work to date has been limited to monitoring a single pathogen or small numbers of pathogens in targeted studies; however, few studies consider simultaneous quantitative analysis of a wide variety of pathogens, which could greatly increase the utility of wastewater surveillance. We developed a novel quantitative multi-pathogen surveillance approach (35 pathogen targets including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths) using TaqMan Array Cards (TAC) and applied the method on concentrated wastewater samples collected at four wastewater treatment plants in Atlanta, GA from February to October of 2020. From sewersheds serving approximately 2 million people, we detected a wide range of targets including many we expected to find in wastewater (e.g., enterotoxigenicE. coliandGiardiain 97% of 29 samples at stable concentrations) as well as unexpected targets includingStrongyloides stercoralis(a human threadworm rarely observed in the USA). Other notable detections included SARS-CoV-2, but also several pathogen targets that are not commonly included in wastewater surveillance likeAcanthamoebaspp.,Balantidium coli,Entamoeba histolytica, astrovirus, norovirus, and sapovirus. Our data suggest broad utility in expanding the scope of enteric pathogen surveillance in wastewaters, with potential for application in a variety of settings where pathogen quantification in fecal waste streams can inform public health surveillance and selection of control measures to limit infections.
Air pollution, lung function and mortality: survival and mediation analyses in UK Biobank
Authors: Guyatt Anna L , Cai Yutong Samuel , Doiron Dany , Tobin Martin D , Hansell Anna L 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundAir pollution is associated with lower lung function, and both are associated with premature mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Evidence remains scarce on the potential mediating effect of impaired lung function on the association between air pollution and mortality or CVD.MethodsWe used data from the UK Biobank cohort (∼200,000 individuals) with 8-year follow-up to mortality and incident CVD. Exposures to PM10, PM2.5, and NO2at baseline were assessed by land-use regression modelling. Lung function [forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)] was measured by spirometry and transformed to Global Lung Function Initiative z-scores. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards and causal proportional hazards mediation analysis models were fitted, stratified by smoking status.ResultsLower FEV1and FVC were associated with all-cause and CVD mortality, and incident CVD. Point estimates for the mortality outcomes were larger in ever-smokers than never-smokers (all-cause mortality Hazard Ratio (HR) per decrease FEV1GLI z-score, ever smokers: 1.29 [95%CI:1.24-1.34], versus never-smokers: HR 1.16 [95%CI:1.12-1.21]). Long-term exposure to PM2.5or NO2was associated with incident CVD, with similar effect sizes for ever and never smokers. Mediated proportions of the air pollution—all-cause mortality estimates driven by FEV1were 18% [95%CI: 2%-33%] for PM2.5, and 27% [95%CI: 3%-51%] for NO2. The estimated mediated proportions for air pollution—incident CVD were 9% [95%CI: 4%-13%] for PM2.5and 16% [95%CI: 6%-25%] for NO2.ConclusionsLower FEV1may mediate some associations between air pollution on mortality and CVD outcomes, with more pronounced effect sizes for NO2than for PM2.5.Take-home messageAdverse effects of air pollution on lower lung function (FEV1) potentially mediate 10-30% of the effects of PM2.5or NO2on mortality and incident cardiovascular disease.
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Audiology Service Delivery: Observational Study of the Role of Social Media in Patient Communication
Authors: Hussain Adeel , Hussain Zain , Gogate Mandar , Dashtipour Kia , Goman Adele , Sheikh Aziz , Hussain Amir 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted an era in hearing health care that necessitates a comprehensive rethinking of audiology service delivery. There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals with hearing loss who seek information online. An estimated 430 million individuals worldwide suffer from hearing loss, including 11 million in the United Kingdom. The objective of this study was to identify NHS audiology service social media posts and understand how they were used to communicate service changes within audiology departments at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.Facebook and Twitter posts relating to audiology were extracted over a six week period (March 23 to April 30 2020) from the United Kingdom. We manually filtered the posts to remove those not directly linked to NHS audiology service communication. The extracted data was then geospatially mapped, and themes of interest were identified via a manual review. We also calculated interactions (likes, shares, comments) per post to determine the posts’ efficacy. A total of 981 Facebook and 291 Twitter posts were initially mined using our keywords, and following filtration, 174 posts related to NHS audiology change of service were included for analysis. The results were then analysed geographically, along with an assessment of the interactions within the included posts. NHS Trusts and Boards should consider incorporating and promoting social media to communicate service changes. Users would be notified of service modifications in real-time, and different modalities could be used (e.g. videos), resulting in a more efficient service.