bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A chronological review of COVID-19 case fatality rate and its secular trend and investigation of all-cause mortality and hospitalization during the Delta and Omicron waves in the United States: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Jing-Xing , Liao Pei-Lun , Wei James Cheng-Chung , Hsu Shu-Bai , Yeh Chih-Jung 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 690 million deaths worldwide. Different results concerning the death rates of the Delta and Omicron variants have been recorded. We aimed to assess the secular trend of case fatality rate (CFR), identify risk factors associated with mortality following COVID-19 diagnosis, and investigate the risks of mortality and hospitalization during Delta and Omicron waves in the United States.MethodsThis study assessed 2,857,925 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the United States from January 2020, to June 2022. The inclusion criterion was the presence of COVID-19 diagnostic codes in electronic medical record or a positive laboratory test of the SARS-CoV-2. Statistical analysis was bifurcated into two components, longitudinal analysis and comparative analysis. To assess the discrepancies in hospitalization and mortality rates for COVID-19, we identified the prevailing periods for the Delta and Omicron variants.ResultsLongitudinal analysis demonstrated four sharp surges in the number of deaths and CFR. The CFR was persistently higher in males and older age. The CFR of Black and White remained higher than Asians since January 2022. In comparative analysis, the adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and hospitalization were higher in Delta wave compared to the Omicron wave. Risk of all-cause mortality was found to be greater 14–30 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis, while the likelihood of hospitalization was higher in the first 14 days following a COVID-19 diagnosis in Delta wave compared with Omicron wave. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed the cumulative probability of mortality was approximately 2-fold on day 30 in Delta than in Omicron cases (log-rank p &lt; 0.001). The mortality risk ratio between the Delta and Omicron variants was 1.671 (95% Cl 1.615–1.729, log-rank p &lt; 0.001). Delta also had a significantly increased mortality risk over Omicron in all age groups. The CFR of people aged above 80 years was extremely high as 17.33%.ConclusionMale sex and age seemed to be strong and independent risk factors of mortality in COVID-19. The Delta variant appears to cause more hospitalization and death than the Omicron variant.
Transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the Brazilian state of Pará
Authors: Pinho Catarina T. , Vidal Amanda F. , Negri Rocha Tatianne Costa , Oliveira Renato R. M. , da Costa Barros Maria Clara , Closset Laura , Azevedo-Pinheiro Jhully , Braga-da-Silva Cíntia , Silva Caio Santos , Magalhães Leandro L. , do Carmo Pinto Pablo Diego , Souza Giordano Bruno Soares , dos Santos Vieira José Ricardo , Burbano Rommel Mario Rodríguez , de Sousa Maísa Silva , de Souza Jorge Estefano Santana , Nunes Gisele , da Silva Moises Batista , da Costa Patrícia Fagundes , Salgado Claudio Guedes , Sousa Rita Catarina Medeiros , Degrave Wim Maurits Sylvain , Ribeiro-dos-Santos Ândrea , Oliveira Guilherme 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionAfter three years since the beginning of the pandemic, the new coronavirus continues to raise several questions regarding its infectious process and host response. Several mutations occurred in different regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, such as in the spike gene, causing the emergence of variants of concern and interest (VOCs and VOIs), of which some present higher transmissibility and virulence, especially among patients with previous comorbidities. It is essential to understand its spread dynamics to prevent and control new biological threats that may occur in the future. In this population_based retrospective observational study, we generated data and used public databases to understand SARS-CoV-2 dynamics.MethodsWe sequenced 1,003 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from naso-oropharyngeal swabs and saliva samples from Pará from May 2020 to October 2022. To gather epidemiological data from Brazil and the world, we used FIOCRUZ and GISAID databases.ResultsRegarding our samples, 496 (49.45%) were derived from female participants and 507 (50.55%) from male participants, and the average age was 43  years old. The Gamma variant presented the highest number of cases, with 290 (28.91%) cases, followed by delta with 53 (5.28%). Moreover, we found seven (0.69%) Omicron cases and 651 (64.9%) non-VOC cases. A significant association was observed between sex and the clinical condition (female, p = 8.65e-08; male, p = 0.008961) and age (p = 3.6e-10).DiscussionAlthough gamma had been officially identified only in December 2020/January 2021, we identified a gamma case from Belém (capital of Pará State) dated May 2020 and three other cases in October 2020. This indicates that this variant was circulating in the North region of Brazil several months before its formal identification and that Gamma demonstrated its actual transmission capacity only at the end of 2020. Furthermore, the public data analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 dispersion dynamics differed in Brazil as Gamma played an important role here, while most other countries reported a new infection caused by the Delta variant. The genetic and epidemiological information of this study reinforces the relevance of having a robust genomic surveillance service that allows better management of the pandemic and that provides efficient solutions to possible new disease-causing agents.
Factors affecting caregivers’ participation in support groups for people living with HIV in Tanzania
Authors: Kikoyo Levina , Exavery Amon , Charles John , Temu Akwila , Barankena Asheri , Ally Amal , Mseya Remmy , Mbwambo Tumainiel , Fovo Rose , Tarimo Aidan , Mubyazi Godfrey Martin , Balampama Marianna , Kuhlik Erica , Ventimiglia Tom , Lema Elizabeth 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionSupport groups for people living with HIV (PLHIV) are essential for increasing adherence, retention, addressing their psychosocial needs and improving patient literacy. However, factors that influence participation of caregivers living with HIV (LHIV) in these groups are scarcely documented, particularly for those caring for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC).MethodsThis study used baseline data collected between 1st October 2021 and 30th September 2022 from the PEPFAR/USAID-funded Adolescents and Children HIV Incidence Reduction, Empowerment and Virus Elimination (ACHIEVE) project in Tanzania to investigate factors that affect participation of caregivers LHIV in support groups for PLHIV. A total of 74,249 HIV-positive OVC caregivers who were already receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and had a confirmed care and treatment centre identification number were included in the analysis. Factors affecting group participation were identified through multilevel analysis using multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression.ResultsResults showed that 84.2% of the caregivers were participants in the support groups for PLHIV. Their mean age was 36 years, and the majority (82.1%) were female. Multivariable analysis revealed that participation in the groups was more likely among caregivers living in urban areas (aOR = 1.39 [1.24, 1.55]), with primary education (aOR = 1.17 [1.07, 1.28]), and without disabilities (aOR = 0.62 [0.47, 0.82]). However, participation was less likely among widowed (aOR = 0.91 [0.84, 0.999]), single or unmarried (aOR = 0.86 [0.78, 0.95]), and those with secondary education or higher levels than never attended (aOR = 0.69 [0.60, 0.80]), moderate hunger (aOR = 0.86 [0.79, 0.93]), and those aged 30 years or older (p&lt; 0.001).DiscussionA sizeable proportion (15.8%) of the caregivers were not in support groups for PLHIV, ranging from 12.3% among those in households with severe hunger to 29.7% among disabled ones. The study highlights the need for tailored interventions to increase participation in support groups for PLHIV, particularly for caregivers who are disabled, live in rural areas, are older, widowed, and/or unmarried, and those in poor households.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caregivers on childhood immunization in Okaikoi sub-metro of Accra, Ghana
Authors: Danso Samuel E. , Frimpong Augustina , Seneadza Nana A. H. , Ofori Michael F. 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundImmunization remains one of the most cost-effective health interventions. However, there are still issues of vaccine hesitancy especially in caregivers who are required to protect their children from vaccine-preventable diseases. This thwarts the overall vaccine coverage in disease-endemic areas such as sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, to determine the factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in caregivers, this study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers on childhood immunization in Okaikoi, a sub-metro of Accra in Ghana.MethodsA cross-sectional study on childhood immunization was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caregivers. A total of 120 caregivers with infants aged 12 months to 23 months were interviewed with a structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended queries.ResultsFrom the community, infants whose caregivers had adhered completely to immunization constituted 53.3% while the rest were partially immunized. The two main deterrents to complete immunization were time constraints (25.8%) and forgetfulness (17.5%). It was observed that vaccination uptake and maternal level of education, as well as vaccination adverse reaction, did not impact the completion of the EPI program by these caregivers. Unfortunately, it was noted that caregivers with higher education levels were unable to complete their vaccination schedules due to their busy work schedules. Nonetheless, the main deterrent to adhering to complete childhood immunization was poor maternal knowledge (58%).ConclusionThe study revealed that, the caregivers in the community had poor knowledge on vaccination and its benefits, and therefore, with no strict adherence to vaccination schedules. This promoted the incomplete immunization of children in the community by their caregivers. Also, since the main source of information with regard to immunization in the sub-metro was through the antenatal and postnatal child welfare clinics and the media, we recommend that the health workers collaborate with media personnel to ensure that standardized information is disseminated.
Instantaneous reproduction number and epidemic growth rate for predicting COVID-19 waves: the first 2 years of the pandemic in Spain
Authors: Llorca Javier , Gómez-Acebo Inés , Alonso-Molero Jessica , Dierssen-Sotos Trinidad 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionSeveral indicators were employed to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, our objective was to compare the instantaneous reproductive number and the epidemic growth rate in the Spanish population.MethodsData on daily numbers of cases, admissions into hospitals, admissions into ICUs, and deaths due to COVID-19 in Spain from March 2020 to March 2022 were obtained. The four “pandemic state indicators”, which are daily numbers of cases, admissions into hospitals, admissions into ICUs, and deaths due to COVID-19 in Spain from March 2020 to March 2022 were obtained from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. The epidemic growth rate was estimated as the derivative of the natural logarithm of daily cases with respect to time. Both the reproductive number and the growth rate, as “pandemic trend indicators,” were evaluated according to their capacity to anticipate waves as “pandemic state indicators.”ResultsUsing both the reproductive number and the epidemic growth rate, we were able to anticipate most COVID-19 waves. In most waves, the more severe the presentation of COVID-19, the more effective the pandemic trend indicators would be.ConclusionBesides daily number of cases or other measures of disease frequency, the epidemic growth rate and the reproductive number have different roles in measuring the trend of an epidemic. Naïve interpretations and the use of any indicator as a unique value to make decisions should be discouraged.
Protocol of the CONSORT and SPIRIT Extension for multicenter clinical trials
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Dong Chongya , Wang Nana , Chan Chunpong , Lau Chung Tai , Wang Juan , Miao Jiangxia , Yao Chen , Li Youping , Lyu Aiping , Moher David , Bian Zhaoxiang 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundMulticenter clinical trials play an indispensable role for assessing the efficacy of a new intervention or treatment, particularly in Phase II or III studies. Previous studies have shown that these studies often suffer from inadequate reporting of key details related to their design, implementation, and analysis, both in the protocol and final reports. This limitation reduces the practical and scientific value of the findings. Furthermore, the lack of guidance on how to report multicenter features can contribute to poor reporting. Therefore, this study aims to develop guidelines to improve the reporting of multicenter trials, including two Extensions of the CONSORT 2010 and the SPIRIT 2013.Methods/designThe standard methodology for developing health research reporting guidelines involves the following steps: (i) Identifying the need for development and launching the research project; (ii) Preparing the registration and reviewing the literatures; (iii) Proposing the initial Checklists and conducting the Delphi exercise; (iv) Arranging the consensus meeting and formulating the Checklists; (v) Conducting the pilot test and drafting explanatory documents (E&amp;E); (vi) Seeking comments from advisory group and finalizing the guidelines; and (vii) Developing the publication and dissemination strategies.ConclusionBy using the CONSORT and SPIRIT checklists as starting points, the development of extensions specific to multicenter trials can help researchers design and report high-quality clinical research. This, in turn, can facilitate the application of study findings in the current evidence-based healthcare system.
Performance Analysis of Six Semi-Automated Tumour Delineation Methods on [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Bianconi Francesco , Salis Roberto , Fravolini Mario Luca , Khan Muhammad Usama , Minestrini Matteo , Filippi Luca , Marongiu Andrea , Nuvoli Susanna , Spanu Angela , Palumbo Barbara 
Published: September 2023

Background. Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the seventh most common neoplastic disorder at the global level. Contouring HNC lesions on [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) scans plays a fundamental role for diagnosis, risk assessment, radiotherapy planning and post-treatment evaluation. However, manual contouring is a lengthy and tedious procedure which requires significant effort from the clinician. Methods. We evaluated the performance of six hand-crafted, training-free methods (four threshold-based, two algorithm-based) for the semi-automated delineation of HNC lesions on FDG PET/CT. This study was carried out on a single-centre population of n=103 subjects, and the standard of reference was manual segmentation generated by nuclear medicine specialists. Figures of merit were the Sørensen–Dice coefficient (DSC) and relative volume difference (RVD). Results. Median DSC ranged between 0.595 and 0.792, median RVD between −22.0% and 87.4%. Click and draw and Nestle’s methods achieved the best segmentation accuracy (median DSC, respectively, 0.792 ± 0.178 and 0.762 ± 0.107; median RVD, respectively, −21.6% ± 1270.8% and −32.7% ± 40.0%) and outperformed the other methods by a significant margin. Nestle’s method also resulted in a lower dispersion of the data, hence showing stronger inter-patient stability. The accuracy of the two best methods was in agreement with the most recent state-of-the art results. Conclusions. Semi-automated PET delineation methods show potential to assist clinicians in the segmentation of HNC lesions on FDG PET/CT images, although manual refinement may sometimes be needed to obtain clinically acceptable ROIs.
CHONDROCYTES SECRETORY PHENOTYPE ASSOCIATED WITH AGING: ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS AND PROSPECTS FOR PEPTIDE BIOREGULATION
Authors: Мякишева С.Н. , Линькова Н.С. , Кожевникова Е.О. , Рыжак Г.А. 
Published: September 2023

Остеоартрит (ОА) является социально значимым ассоциированным с возрастом заболеванием, для терапии которого проводится поиск новых эффективных лекарственных средств. Развитие ОА коррелирует с формированием секреторного фенотипа хондроцитов, ассоциированного со старением (SASP). Цель обзора — анализ пула сигнальных молекул, формирующих SASP хондроцитов при ОА, и обоснование возможности пептидной хондропротекции. Установлено, что SASP хондроцитов характеризуется снижением синтеза сиртуинов, нарушением ремоделирования межклеточного матрикса и активацией продукции цитокинов. Сигумир, полипептидный комплекс хрящевой и костной тканей молодых животных, и трипептид AED (Карталакс) показали высокую эффективность в моделях ОА на животных и при пероральном применении у пациентов старших возрастных групп с OA. Эти пептидные вещества регулируют синтез проапоптозных и пролиферотропных молекул, формирующих SASP хондроцитов.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a socially signifi cant age-associated disease, for the treatment of which a search for new effective drugs is underway. The development of OA correlates with the development of the aging-associated secretory chondrocyte phenotype (SASP). The purpose of the review is to analyze the pool of signaling molecules that form SASP of chondrocytes in OA and substantiate the possibility of peptide chondroprotection. It has been established that SASP of chondrocytes is characterized by a decrease in the synthesis of sirtuins, impaired remodeling of the extracellular matrix, and activation of cytokine production. Sigumir, a polypeptide complex of cartilage and bone tissues of young animals, and the AED tripeptide (Kartalax) have shown high effi cacy in animal models of OA and oral administration in patients with OA of older age groups. These peptide substances regulate the synthesis of proapoptotic and proliferotropic molecules that form the SASP of chondrocytes.
A MODEL FOR ASSESSING AND CORRECTING THE RISK OF DEVELOPING PRESSURE ULCERS IN THE SYSTEM OF LONG-TERM CARE FOR GERIATRIC PATIENTS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY
Authors: Башкирёва А.С. , Колосова Г.В. , Баранова Н.П. , Богданова Д.Ю. , Бондаренко Т.В. , Шишко А.В. , Асатрян А.Г. , Аникеев П.П. 
Published: September 2023

Статья посвящена результатам третьего этапа научно-практического проекта по внедрению передовых социальных практик на основе инновационных геронтотехнологий в систему долговременного ухода за пациентами гериатрического профиля. Установлено, что старческий ксероз, или «хрупкость» кожи, встречается у 75 % населения старше 65 лет, когда повышенная сухость кожи приводит к шелушению, формированию микротрещин, появлению сенильного зуда, нарушений сна, развитию пролежней и, как следствие, снижению двигательной активности. В ходе проекта была выработана тактика ухода за «хрупкой» кожей у пациентов со старческим ксерозом и риском развития пролежней. В статье представлены сведения об актуальных проблемах диагностики, коррекции и профилактики пролежней у маломобильных пациентов пожилого и старческого возраста. Изложены результаты сравнительного анализа степени выраженности пролежней и их влияния на качество жизни в системе долговременного ухода за маломобильными пациентами гериатрического профиля до и после применения эмолента Cicalfate+ Eau Thermale Avène («Pierre Fabre», Франция). Построена модель и даны практические рекомендации по применению наиболее информативных и адекватных шкал для прогнозирования и оценки риска развития пролежней у пациентов старших возрастных групп.
The article is devoted to the results of the third stage of the scientifi c and practical project on the introduction of advanced social practices based on innovative gerontotechnologies into the system of long-term care for geriatric patients. It has been established that senile xerosis or skin «frailty» occurs in 75% of the population over 65 years old, when increased dryness of the skin leads to peeling, the formation of microcracks, the appearance of senile itching, sleep disturbances, the development of pressure ulcers and, as a result, a decrease in motor activity. During the project, a tactic was developed for the care of «frail» skin in patients with senile xerosis and the risk of pressure ulcers. The article presents information about the current problems of diagnosis, correction and prevention of pressure ulcers in patients with limited mobility of elderly and senile age. The results of a comparative analysis of the severity of pressure ulcers and their impact on the quality of life in the system of long-term care for geriatric patients with limited mobility before and after the use of Cicalfate+ Eau Thermale Avène («Pierre Fabre», France) emollient were presented. A model was built and practical recommendations were given on the use of the most informative and adequate scales for predicting and assessing the risk of developing pressure ulcers in patients of older age groups.
PERANCANGAN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK MENGGUNAKAN TEKNOLOGI MULTISENSOR SEBAGAI SISTEM MONITORING KUALITAS UDARA
Authors: Silvia Ade , Halimatussa’diyah2 R.A , Rizky Aldi Rahmad , Latifah Nyayu 
Published: September 2023

Along with the current development, air quality is very vulnerable to being polluted. Factors that affect air quality are an increase in infrastructure development, factories, motor vehicle fumes and any other human activity. Based on these factors, an air quality monitoring system that is integrated into a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) system is needed. In this study, a Wireless Sensor Network will be designed using Multisensor Network technology that works in real time to measure pollutant gas levels using the TGS 2442 sensor as a measure of carbon monoxide (CO) , MG811 sensor as a measure of carbon dioxide (CO2) , TGS 2611 sensor as a measure of HydroCarbon (HC), the DHT-11 sensor as a temperature and humidity meter and the SHARPGP2Y1010 sensor as a measure of particulate levels in the air (PM10). The data from this sensor reading is sent to the server using a Raspberry pi microprocessor. Furthermore, the data will be processed until it becomes information that can be used by users or the general public.