bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterising the treatment of thromboembolic events after COVID-19 vaccination in 4 European countries and the US: An international network cohort study
Authors: Markus Aniek F. , Strauss Victoria Y. , Burn Edward , Li Xintong , Delmestri Antonella , Reich Christian , Yin Can , Mayer Miguel A. , Ramírez-Anguita Juan-Manuel , Marti Edelmira , Verhamme Katia M. C. , Rijnbeek Peter R. , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Jödicke Annika M. 
Published: March 2023

Background: Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) has been identified as a rare adverse event following some COVID-19 vaccines. Various guidelines have been issued on the treatment of TTS. We aimed to characterize the treatment of TTS and other thromboembolic events (venous thromboembolism (VTE), and arterial thromboembolism (ATE) after COVID-19 vaccination and compared to historical (pre-vaccination) data in Europe and the US.Methods: We conducted an international network cohort study using 8 primary care, outpatient, and inpatient databases from France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, The United Kingdom, and The United States. We investigated treatment pathways after the diagnosis of TTS, VTE, or ATE for a pre-vaccination (background) cohort (01/2017—11/2020), and a vaccinated cohort of people followed for 28 days after a dose of any COVID-19 vaccine recorded from 12/2020 onwards).Results: Great variability was observed in the proportion of people treated (with any recommended therapy) across databases, both before and after vaccination. Most patients with TTS received heparins, platelet aggregation inhibitors, or direct Xa inhibitors. The majority of VTE patients (before and after vaccination) were first treated with heparins in inpatient settings and direct Xa inhibitors in outpatient settings. In ATE patients, treatments were also similar before and after vaccinations, with platelet aggregation inhibitors prescribed most frequently. Inpatient and claims data also showed substantial heparin use.Conclusion: TTS, VTE, and ATE after COVID-19 vaccination were treated similarly to background events. Heparin use post-vaccine TTS suggests most events were not identified as vaccine-induced thrombosis with thrombocytopenia by the treating clinicians.
Nitrogen and phosphorous dynamics with stand development of Pinus massoniana plantations in Southeast China
Authors: Guo Wen , Jiao Pengyu , Lopez C M. Larry , Chen Zelong , Wei Lili , Liu Xian , Hu Yalin , Wang Yuzhe 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionNutrient resorption is a key mechanism to conserve nutrients and overcome nutrient limitation in perennial plants. As an important afforested tree species in subtropical regions, Pinus massoniana grows well in nutrient-poor environments, however, the age-related pattern of nutrient acquisition strategy and the underlying mechanisms in P. massoniana plantations remain unclear.MethodsIn this study, concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were measured in green and senesced needles, roots and soil samples collected from P. massoniana plantations with different stand ages (9-, 17-, 26-, 34- and 43-year-old) in south China. From these samples, nutrient resorption efficiency (RE) and stoichiometry were calculated.ResultsNeedle PRE significantly decreased with stand age, while there was no clear pattern of NRE along the stand development. Green needle N:P in older stands was significantly lower than in younger ones. Senesced needle C:P and N:P significantly decreased with stand age. Root and soil available P concentrations were significantly higher in older stands than in younger ones, and PRE was negatively correlated with soil available P concentration.DiscussionThere was a shift from “conservative consumption” to “resource spending” P-use strategy, and P limitation decreased with stand development of P. massoniana plantations. The results provide information of changes in nutrients dynamics, which is relevant for the sustainable management of subtropical forest plantations.
Dynamic eye avoidance patterns in the high autistic traits group: An eye-tracking study
Authors: Xue Huiqin , Zhang Ludan , Wang Junling , Liu Wei , Liu Shuang , Ming Dong 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionReduced fixation to the eye area is the main characteristic of social deficits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder; a similar pattern may exist in individuals with high autistic traits. However, their scanning patterns to the eye area of emotional faces are still unclear on the time scale.MethodsIn the present study, we recruited 46 participants and divided them into the high autistic traits (HAT) group (23 participants) and the low autistic traits (LAT) group (20 participants) based on their Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores. Moreover, we captured their eye movement patterns when observing different angular emotional faces. We extracted the proportional fixation time to the eye area under different time windows.ResultsThe results showed that the fixation time of the HAT group was always significantly smaller than that of the LAT group (p &lt; 0.05), and the difference between the two groups increased in the middle and late stages of face presentation. The results of the linear regression analysis showed that the proportional fixation time was negatively correlated with AQ scores (p &lt; 0.05), indicating that the proportional fixation time to the eye area could be a potential indicator to measure the level of autistic traits. We then calculated the latency to orient the eye area and the latency to disengage the eye area to explore the priority of observation of the eyes. The results showed that compared with the LAT group, the HAT group has a longer latency to orient the eye area (p &lt; 0.05) and has longer latency to disengage the eye area (p &lt; 0.05), illustrating that the HAT group saw the eyes more slowly and left them faster.
Relationships between postpartum depression, sleep, and infant feeding in the early postpartum: An exploratory analysis
Authors: Rudzik Alanna E. F. , Robinson-Smith Lyn , Tugwell Francesca , Ball Helen L. 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThe study objectives were to determine the relationships between postpartum depression and maternal and infant sleep parameters and to examine the impact of infant feeding method on infant and maternal sleep and postpartum depression symptomatology.MethodsParticipants were 61 new mothers aged 18 to 45 years old, and their full-term, normal birth-weight, singleton infants. Participants were recruited from a large teaching hospital in northeast England. Data collection took place in participants’ homes. The study used a prospective longitudinal design, with data collected at six, 12 and 18 weeks postpartum. We collected data on total sleep time, longest sleep period, wake after sleep onset, and night waking for mothers and infants objectively from actigraphic records and subjectively from maternal sleep logs. Participants reported on sleep disturbances using the General Sleep Disturbances Scale, on maternal sleepiness, and on depression symptomatology using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.ResultsScores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and General Sleep Disturbances Scale were consistently correlated with each other (6 weeks r = 0.452,p &lt; 0.01; 12 weeksr = 0.317,p &lt; 0.05; 18 weeksr = 0.493,p &lt; 0.01), and did not correlate with objective measures or subjective reports of maternal or infant sleep. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores at six, 12 and 18 weeks were predicted by General Sleep Disturbances Scale, prior Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score, or both, but not by sleep parameters. With regard to infant feeding method, EPDS score was not higher among exclusively breastfeeding than among exclusively formula-feeding participants at any time point (6 weeks  t =0.306,p = 0.762; 12 weeks  t =0.343,p = 0.733; 18 weeks  t =0.426;p = 0.673). Different pathways emerged to predict Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score for exclusively breastfeeding and exclusively formula-feeding women.DiscussionPostpartum depression may be associated with disturbed sleep due to negative perception of sleep among depressed women, rather than disrupted sleep causing postpartum depression. With regard to infant feeding method, exclusively breastfeeding women are not more likely to suffer from postpartum depression, and different pathways may predict development of postpartum depression symptoms in exclusively breastfeeding and exclusively formula feeding women.
Do hospitals need to establish multiple hospital districts? A hospital-based perspective on the benefits of scale
Authors: Zheng Yuan , Yuqing Zhang , Mengping Zhang , Jun Li 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundDuring the fight against COVID-19, China’s public hospitals played the main role in taking on the most urgent, dangerous and arduous medical treatment and work. Therefore, in order to promote the high-quality development of hospitals, it is necessary to support some potential public hospitals to build and develop a “One Hospital with Multiple Campuses System” (OHMC) based on controlling the size of single hospitals, and to quickly convert their functions in the event of a severe epidemic.MethodsThe Cobb–Douglas production function and log-transformed production function were used to measure the appropriate hospital size for 22 public hospitals in a region of China.ResultsThe eight OHMC hospitals that planned to be build are basically qualified to handle the conditions and potential of multi-districts from the perspective of economy of scale. The OHMC hospitals in operation appear to have weakened incremental scale rewards, because they are in the process of development, but they are still higher than the overall level of single-campus hospitals.ConclusionThe expansion of hospital scale may bring the advantages of group development, but it may also bring about problems including rising hospital cost, increasing management and operation cost, inefficient allocation of medical resources and unbalanced development.
Pandemic distress associated with segregation and social stressors
Authors: Turpin Rodman , Giorgi Salvatore , Curtis Brenda 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundRacial/ethnic minorities are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are more likely to experience structural and interpersonal racial discrimination, and thus social marginalization. Based on this, we tested for associations between pandemic distress outcomes and four exposures: racial segregation, coronavirus-related racial bias, social status, and social support.MethodsData were collected as part of a larger longitudinal national study on mental health during the pandemic (n = 1,309). We tested if county-level segregation and individual-level social status, social support, and coronavirus racial bias were associated with pandemic distress using cumulative ordinal regression models, both unadjusted and adjusted for covariates (gender, age, education, and income).ResultsBoth the segregation index (PR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.03, 1.36) and the coronavirus racial bias scale (PR = 1.17; 95% CI 1.06, 1.29) were significantly associated with pandemic distress. Estimates were similar, after adjusting for covariates, for both segregation (aPR = 1.15; 95% CI 1.01, 1.31) and coronavirus racial bias (PR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.02, 1.24). Higher social status (aPR = 0.74; 95% CI 0.64, 0.86) and social support (aPR = 0.81; 95% CI 0.73, 0.90) were associated with lower pandemic distress after adjustment.ConclusionSegregation and coronavirus racial bias are relevant pandemic stressors, and thus have implications for minority health. Future research exploring potential mechanisms of this relationship, including specific forms of racial discrimination related to pandemic distress and implications for social justice efforts, are recommended.
Looking back at prospective modeling of outbreak response strategies for managing global type 2 oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV2) cessation
Authors: Thompson Kimberly M. , Kalkowska Dominika A. , Badizadegan Kamran 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionDetection of poliovirus transmission and ongoing oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) use continue to delay poliomyelitis eradication. In 2016, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) coordinated global cessation of type 2 OPV (OPV2) for preventive immunization and limited its use to emergency outbreak response. In 2019, GPEI partners requested restart of some Sabin OPV2 production and also accelerated the development of a genetically modified novel OPV2 vaccine (nOPV2) that promised greater genetic stability than monovalent Sabin OPV2 (mOPV2).MethodsWe reviewed integrated risk, economic, and global poliovirus transmission modeling performed before OPV2 cessation, which recommended multiple risk management strategies to increase the chances of successfully ending all transmission of type 2 live polioviruses. Following OPV2 cessation, strategies implemented by countries and the GPEI deviated from model recommended risk management strategies. Complementing other modeling that explores prospective outbreak response options for improving outcomes for the current polio endgame trajectory, in this study we roll back the clock to 2017 and explore counterfactual trajectories that the polio endgame could have followed if GPEI had: (1) managed risks differently after OPV2 cessation and/or (2) developed nOPV2 before and used it exclusively for outbreak response after OPV2 cessation.ResultsThe implementation of the 2016 model-based recommended outbreak response strategies could have ended (and could still substantially improve the probability of ending) type 2 poliovirus transmission. Outbreak response performance observed since 2016 would not have been expected to achieve OPV2 cessation with high confidence, even with the availability of nOPV2 prior to the 2016 OPV2 cessation.DiscussionAs implemented, the 2016 OPV2 cessation failed to stop type 2 transmission. While nOPV2 offers benefits of lower risk of seeding additional outbreaks, its reduced secondary spread relative to mOPV2 may imply relatively higher coverage needed for nOPV2 than mOPV2 to stop outbreaks.
Using machine learning to predict lymph node metastasis in patients with renal cell carcinoma: A population-based study
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Yi Xinglin , Tang Zhe , Xie Pan , Yin Na , Deng Qiumiao , Zhu Lin , Luo Hu , Peng Kanfu 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundLymph node (LN) metastasis is strongly associated with distant metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and indicates an adverse prognosis. Accurate LN-status prediction is essential for individualized treatment of patients with RCC and to help physicians make appropriate surgical decisions. Thus, a prediction model to assess the hazard index of LN metastasis in patients with RCC is needed.MethodsPartial data were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Data of 492 individuals with RCC, collected from the Southwest Hospital in Chongqing, China, were used for external validation. Eight indicators of risk of LN metastasis were screened out. Six machine learning (ML) classifiers were established and tuned, focused on predicting LN metastasis in patients with RCC. The models were integrated with big data analytics and ML algorithms. Based on the optimal model, we developed an online risk calculator and plotted overall survival using Kaplan–Meier analysis.ResultsThe extreme gradient-boosting (XGB) model was superior to the other models in both internal and external trials. The area under the curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.930, 0.857, 0.856, and 0.873, respectively, in the internal test and 0.958, 0.935, 0.769, and 0.944, respectively, in the external test. These parameters show that XGB has an excellent ability for clinical application. The survival analysis showed that patients with predicted N1 tumors had significantly shorter survival (p &lt; 0.0001).ConclusionOur study shows that integrating ML algorithms and clinical data can effectively predict LN metastasis in patients with confirmed RCC. Subsequently, a freely available online calculator (https://xinglinyi.shinyapps.io/20221004-app/) was built, based on the XGB model.
Psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the COVID Stress Scales in Hong Kong
Authors: Ng Ting Kin , Chan Wai , Wang Kitty Wan Ching 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThe COVID Stress Scales (CSS) assess six domains of COVID-19-related stress, including (a) COVID danger, (b) COVID socioeconomic consequences, (c) COVID xenophobia, (d) COVID contamination, (e) COVID traumatic stress symptoms, and (f) COVID compulsive checking. Although the CSS have been validated in various cultural contexts, their psychometric properties in Hong Kong have not been examined. This study endeavors to validate the traditional Chinese version of the 36-item CSS (CSS-36) and the 18-item CSS (CSS-18) in Hong Kong.MethodParticipants were 521 Hong Kong undergraduate students (61% female) aged from 18 to 26 years (M = 20.65, SD = 1.56). An online questionnaire was used for data collection.ResultsThe results of confirmatory factor analyses supported a six-factor structure for both the CSS-36 and the CSS-18. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses established the gender invariance of the six-factor model for both the CSS-36 and the CSS-18. The CSS-36 and the CSS-18 exhibited good internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity with fear of COVID-19 and negative emotional states.DiscussionThe findings offer evidence for the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the CSS-36 and the CSS-18 in the Hong Kong context.
Evaluation of oral health-related quality of life and its association with mental health status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era: A study from Central Saudi Arabia
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu Ashokkumar , Alharbi Majed Sonitan , Salahuddin Mohammad , Al-Hazmi Ahmad Homoud , ALruwaili Bashayer Farhan , Alsaidan Aseel Awad , Almutairi Ahmad Saeed , Almuhaydib Rayyanah Nasser , Alrashoudi Latifah Ibrahim 
Published: March 2023

Background and objectivesThe association between oral and mental health is reciprocal, in which poor oral health may lead to several mental health issues, especially among patients with diabetes. The present study evaluated oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) and its association with mental health conditions among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in central Saudi Arabia.MethodsThe Arabic version of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) were used to assess the OHRQOL and mental health status of patients with diabetes. We utilized logistic regression analysis to identify the predictors of poor OHRQOL, and Spearman’s correlation test to identify any correlations between OHIP-14 and overall DASS-21 scores, as well as each subscale.ResultsOf the 677 patients included in the present study, 52.7% had a poor OHRQOL, which was significantly higher (positive association) among patients with a longer duration of diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.31; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.96–4.17) and those who did not periodically monitor their oral health (AOR = 2.85; 95% CI = 1.76–3.89). Some forms (mild, moderate, severe, or extremely severe) of depression, anxiety, and stress were observed in 59.7, 71.1, and 67.1% of the participants, respectively. Furthermore, we found that the total OHRQOL scores had a significant positive association with depression (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.34–3.71, p = 0.001), anxiety (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.22–2.79, p = 0.003), and stress (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.14–2.19, p = 0.026).ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest the importance of appropriate and targeted health education programs for T2DM patients to ensure periodic dental examinations and oral health. Additionally, we recommend counseling sessions for all T2DM patients with trained healthcare providers to improve their mental health status during follow-up visits at outpatient diabetes care centers.
β-defensin-4 as an endogenous biomarker in cows with mastitis
Authors: Neumann Stephan , Siegert Stephan , Fischer Anneke 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionDefensins are peptides with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. Their concentration could be altered during infections and thus provide information on the prognosis and course of the disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the defensin concentration in cows with mastitis in order to find correlations between clinical expression and course of the disease and the defensin concentration in milk and blood.MethodsA total of 85 dairy cows were examined. Of these, 30 animals suffered from acute clinical mastitis, 25 animals were diagnosed with subclinical mastitis and 30 animals were considered a healthy comparison group. Beta-Defensin-4 (DEFB-4) was determined by a species-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Bovine Defensin Beta 4 ELISA Kit, MyBioSource).ResultsThe highest concentrations of DEFB-4 were detected in the animals with acute clinical mastitis. Values of 0 to 895 pg/mL (median: 115 pg/mL) were measured in milk and 40–1,016 pg/mL (median: 245 pg/mL) in serum. The concentrations of this group differed significantly from those of the animals with subclinical mastitis (p &lt; 0.0001 serum; p = 0.015 milk). In this group, concentrations of 15–211 pg/mL (median: 46 pg/mL) were recorded in milk and 20-271 pg/mL (median: 85 pg/mL) in serum.DiscussionOur results also show that in cases of acute mastitis after 12 days of treatment there is still an active inflammatory process in the tissue, because no significant reduction of somatic cells and defensin could be found after re-examination. Since the DEFB-4 concentrations of animals with clinical mastitis that had to be treated with antibiotics differed significantly from those of animals with subclinical mastitis that did not require antibiotic treatment, it can be assumed that bovine DEFB-4 is an important endogenous parameter for the defense against bacterial infections of the udder.
Positive Touch Deprivation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects on Anxiety, Stress, and Depression among Italian General Population
Authors: Bruno Francesco , Tagliaferro Carlotta , Canterini Sonia , Laganà Valentina , Contrada Marianna , Fioravanti Chiara , Altomari Natalia , Pistininzi Rebecca , Tarantino Francesca , Placanica Alessia , Greco Ersilia Martina , Capicotto Francesca , Spadea Saverio , Coscarella Anna Maria , Bonanno Martina , Scarfone Federica , Luchetta-Mattace Sara , Filice Alessia , Pettinato Annamaria , Avramovic Ana , Lau Chloe , Marunic Georgia , Chiesi Francesca 
Published: March 2023

Physical distancing due to the COVID-19 Pandemic has limited the opportunities for family members, friends, and significant others to show physical affection (i.e., hugs, kisses, caresses, holding hands) during social interactions. The present study investigated the effects of positive touch and psychological distress in 991 Italian participants (Mage = 34.43, SD = 14.27). Results showed the frequency of hugs with the cohabiting partner significantly decreased the symptoms of depression (β = −1.187, p = 0.018, eβ = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.11–0.82), whereas the frequency of caresses with cohabiting relatives predicted the symptoms of anxiety (β = 0.575, p = 0.034, eβ = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.04–3.03). The frequency of hugs (β = −0.609, p = 0.049, eβ = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30–1.00), and kisses (β = 0.663, p = 0.045, eβ = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.01–3.71) with non-cohabiting relatives predicted the symptoms of anxiety (χ2 = 1.35, df = 5, p = 0.93). These results suggest the importance of positive touch on psychological well-being in the social context.