bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pilot Study of a Novel At-Home Posterior Tibial Nerve System for Overactive Bladder Syndrome
Authors: Burton Claire S. , Sokol Eric R. 
Published: July 2023

Importance
Urgency urinary incontinence and overactive bladder are common conditions. Third-line therapies are often underutilized because of either being too invasive or being burdensome for the patient.

Objective
We aimed to determine the efficacy and acceptability of a noninvasive, home-based posterior tibial nerve treatment system for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome.

Study Design
In this pilot study, 10 postmenopausal women with urgency urinary incontinence were given the SoleStim System for home-based posterior tibial nerve stimulation. Symptoms at baseline and completion of the 8-week study were determined by 3-day voiding diary and quality-of-life questionnaire (Overactive Bladder Questionnaire) to assess for reduction in incontinence episodes.

Results
All patients were 100% adherent to the SoleStim System application over the 8-week period and reported statistically significant reductions in the mean number of voids (−16.3%, P = 0.022), urgency episodes (−31.2%, P = 0.02), and urgency urinary incontinence episodes (−31.4%, P = 0.045). Forty percent of participants reported a decrease of ≥50% in their urgency urinary incontinence episodes. SoleStim was scored a value of 1.8 ± 2.0 (mean ± SD) on a 10-point usability scale, indicating that it was highly acceptable from an ease-of-use perspective. No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions
The SoleStim System improved key overactive bladder (frequency, urgency, and urgency urinary incontinence episodes) and quality-of-life metrics. The results from this pilot study suggest that the SoleStim System may be a safe, effective, and highly acceptable at-home overactive bladder therapy.
Task-dependent Alteration in Delta Band Corticomuscular Coherence during Standing in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Authors: Kukkar Komal K. , Rao Nishant , Huynh Diana , Shah Sheel , Contreras-Vidal Jose L. , Parikh Pranav J. 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTBalance control is an important indicator of mobility and independence in activities of daily living. How the changes in functional integrity of corticospinal tract due to stroke affects the maintenance of upright stance remains to be known. We investigated the changes in functional coupling between the cortex and lower limb muscles during a challenging balance task over multiple frequency bands in chronic stroke survivors. Eleven stroke patients and nine healthy controls performed a challenging balance task. They stood on a computerized platform with/without somatosensory input distortion created by sway-referencing the support surface, thereby varying the difficulty levels of the task. We computed corticomuscular coherence between Cz (electroencephalography) and leg muscles and assessed balance performance using Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed-up and go (TUG) and center of pressure (COP) measures. We found lower delta frequency band coherence in stroke patients when compared with healthy controls under medium difficulty condition for distal but not proximal leg muscles. For both groups, we found similar coherence at other frequency bands. On BBS and TUG, stroke patients showed poor balance. However, similar group differences were not consistently observed across COP measures. The presence of distal versus proximal effect suggests differences in the (re)organization of the corticospinal connections across the two muscles groups for balance control. We argue that the observed group difference in the delta coherence might be due to altered mechanisms for the detection of somatosensory modulation resulting from sway-referencing of the support platform for balance control.
Physiological Perspective of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Older Peoples in Bangladesh
Authors: Jahan Sharmila , Islam Md. Rabiul , Rahman Tania , Kabir Md. Feroz , Hossain Md. Kabir , Hossain K M Amran , Hossain Md. Zahid , Rahman Ehsanur , Islam Md. Waliul , Chakrovorty Sonjit Kumar , Sarker Altaf Hossain , Moula Golam , Antara Atqiya 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMusculoskeletal disorders are debilitating conditions that significantly impact on the state of health, especially in elderly people. The study, which employed a cross-sectional design and practical sampling, included 206 participants from all over Bangladesh with musculoskeletal issues of varying severity and impact. The study was carried out between January and June of 2022. The majority of them experienced musculoskeletal pain. It was also common to have limited mobility as a result of arthritic change, which eventually affected daily activities like taking care of oneself. To improve the health of the elderly female population, more study must be conducted to identify the many factors that contribute to musculoskeletal issues. The development of effective prevention and rehabilitation programs must then be based on this knowledge.
Replication of a neuroimaging biomarker for striatal dysfunction in psychosis
Authors: Rubio Jose M , Lencz Todd , Cao Hengyi , Kraguljac Nina , Dhamala Elvisha , Homan Philipp , Horga Guillermo , Sarpal Deepak K. , Argyelan Miklos , Gallego Juan , Cholewa John , Barber Anita , Kane John , Malhotra Anil 
Published: July 2023

AbstractTo bring biomarkers closer to clinical application, they should be generalizable, reliable, and maintain performance within the constraints of routine clinical conditions. The functional striatal abnormalities (FSA), is among the most advanced neuroimaging biomarkers in schizophrenia, trained to discriminate diagnosis, with post-hoc analyses indicating prognostic properties. Here, we attempt to replicate its diagnostic capabilities measured by the area under the curve (AUC) in receiver operator characteristic curves discriminating individuals with psychosis (n=101) from healthy controls (n=51) in the Human Connectome Project for Early Psychosis. We also measured the test-retest (run 1 vs 2) and phase encoding direction (i.e., AP vs PA) reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Additionally, we measured effects of scan length on classification accuracy (i.e., AUCs) and reliability (i.e., ICCs). Finally, we tested the prognostic capability of the FSA by the correlation between baseline scores and symptom improvement over 12 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in a separate cohort (n=97). Similar analyses were conducted for the Yeo networks intrinsic connectivity as a reference. The FSA had good/excellent diagnostic discrimination (AUC=75.4%, 95%CI=67.0%-83.3%; in non-affective psychosis AUC=80.5%, 95%CI=72.1-88.0%, and in affective psychosis AUC=58.7%, 95%CI=44.2-72.0%). Test-retest reliability ranged between ICC=0.48 (95%CI=0.35-0.59) and ICC=0.22 (95%CI=0.06-0.36), which was comparable to that of networks intrinsic connectivity. Phase encoding direction reliability for the FSA was ICC=0.51 (95%CI=0.42-0.59), generally lower than for networks intrinsic connectivity. By increasing scan length from 2 to 10 minutes, diagnostic classification of the FSA increased from AUC=71.7% (95%CI=63.1%-80.3%) to 75.4% (95%CI=67.0%-83.3%) and phase encoding direction reliability from ICC=0.29 (95%CI=0.14-0.43) to ICC=0.51 (95%CI=0.42-0.59). FSA scores did not correlate with symptom improvement. These results reassure that the FSA is a generalizable diagnostic – but not prognostic – biomarker. Given the replicable results of the FSA as a diagnostic biomarker trained on case-control datasets, next the development of prognostic biomarkers should be on treatment-response data.
Examining the Evolution and Drivers of COVID-19 Transmission Waves in Ghana, 2020 – 2022
Authors: Tamal Christopher Sunkwa , Ohene Sally-Ann , Okine Rafiq Nii , Adjabeng Michael , Guyo Argata Guracha , Osei-Sarpong Fred , Avevor Patrick , Owusu-Asare Ama Akyampoma , Asiedu-Bekoe Franklin , Kwarteng Gideon , Kuma-Aboagye Patrick , Kasolo Francis Chisaka 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundGhana reported the first COVID-19 cases on 12 March 2020. Response actions were rolled out along seven thematic pillars to limit the importation, detect and contain the virus, effectively manage cases, ensure effective coordination and maintain essential services. A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach was adopted for the response. The government instituted restriction measures at various stages of the response to contain the pandemic or limit the impact of the pandemic on the health, social and economic wellbeing of the citizens. Four distinct transmission waves were recorded within the first 2 years of the pandemic. The study examined the key drivers of the major waves.MethodsA descriptive analysis of the pandemic from March 2020 to March 2022 was conducted using data reported through the country’s COVID-19 surveillance platforms. All RT-PCR confirmed cases reported from the 16 administrative regions over the two-year period were analysed. The effective reproduction number was computed using a model developed by Cori and colleagues.ResultsA total of 160,761 cases with 99.1% (159,227) recoveries or discharges were reported as of 12 March 2022. The Greater Accra Region reported 56.3% of the confirmed cases. Within the period, 1,445 deaths (CFR= 0.9%) were reported. Approximately 2.3 million tests (76,774 per million population) tests were conducted with a cumulative test positivity rate of 6.8%. COVID-19 vaccination was enrolled a year after the first cases were reported and 21.3% of the target population was fully vaccinated as of 12 March 2022. Ghana recorded four major COVID-19 transmission waves characterized mainly by variants of concern and sub-optimal adherence to the public health and social measures.ConclusionScaling up and enhancing community acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination as well optimizing the current surveillance and response systems are essential is sustaining the current gains and limiting the emergence of new variants of concern.
Cardiovascular Risks Associated with Patients Infected with Scrub Typhus: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Yeh Jih-Kai , Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Chen Shao-Wei , Wu Chia-Ling , Lin Yu-Sheng , Cheng Chun-Wen , Chang Chih-Hsiang , Wu Michael , Chu Pao-Hsien , Chang Shang-Hung , Huang Yu-Tung 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundScrub typhus is an infectious disease that affects multiple organs. However, the long-term cardiovascular (CV) risk in survivors remains unknown.MethodA retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) to investigate the CV risk of scrub typhus survivors from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015. People who had prior CV events before the diagnosis of scrub typhus were excluded. The CV outcomes of interest were acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure hospitalization (HFH), hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), aneurysm or dissection of aorta, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and CV death.ResultA total of 2,269 patients with scrub typhus and without a prior CV event were identified (mean age 47.8±16.1 years, 38.0% female). The health control cohort (n=2,264) was selected to compare by the frequency matching with age, gender, and co-morbidities with patients with scrub typhus. The incidence of HFH, new-onset AF, and total events was significantly higher among patients with scrub typhus than the control cohort with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-3.42 for HFH; 2.48, 95% CI: 1.23-5.0 for new-onset AF; 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08-1.91 for total CV events, respectively. The event rates of other outcomes were similar between the two groups.ConclusionIn the cohort study, survivors of scrub typhus are at heightened risk of subsequent CV events, especially for HFH and new-onset AF. These findings serve as an important reminder to physicians regarding the significant CV risk that remains present following acute scrub typhus infection.
Nocturnal hypertension and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients with pre-heart failure phase: Prospective cohort HSCAA study
Authors: Kidawara Yonekazu , Kadoya Manabu , Igeta Masataka , Morimoto Akiko , Miyoshi Akio , Kakutani-Hatayama Miki , Kanzaki Akinori , Konishi Kosuke , Kusunoki Yoshiki , Daimon Takashi , Asakura Masanori , Ishihara Masaharu , Koyama Hidenori 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTBackgroundDiabetes is an important risk factor of heart failure (HF) and is associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. However, integrated importance of diabetes and its comorbid conditions, such as altered nocturnal blood pressure (BP) variation, as predictors of diastolic dysfunction is not known in pre-HF period. The present study was conducted as longitudinal examination of the predictive value of nocturnal hypertension profiles on progression of LV diastolic dysfunction in diabetic and non-diabetic patients without heart diseases.MethodsPre-heart failure 422 subjects (154 diabetes, 268 non-diabetes) were followed for 36.8 ± 18.2 months. The relationships among the patterns of nocturnal hypertension and the outcome of LV diastolic dysfunction, defined as increase in E/e’ >14, were investigated in the patients with and without diabetes.ResultsThe interaction effect of the diabetes status and the patterns of nocturnal hypertension on the hazard rate of the occurrence of E/e’>14 was statistically significant (p=0.017). Kaplan-Meier analysis results revealed that diabetic patients with non-dipper (p=0.016 vs. dipper) and riser (p=0.007 vs. dipper) had a significantly greater risk for a diastolic dysfunction event. Furthermore, multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that non-dipper (HR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.11–8.06, p = 0.029) and riser (HR: 3.58; 95% CI:1.24–10.35, p = 0.018) patterns were significantly associated with elevated risk of the outcome of LV diastolic dysfunction. In contrast, no similar significant associations were found in non-diabetic patients.ConclusionsDuring pre-HF periods, nocturnal hypertension is an important predictor for progression of LV diastolic dysfunction in diabetic patients.Non-standard Abbreviation and AcronymsHSCAA: Hyogo Sleep Cardio-Autonomic Atherosclerosis
More than medications: A patient-centered assessment of Parkinson’s disease care needs during hospitalization
Authors: Shurer Jessica , Golden Shannon L. S. , Mihas Paul , Browner Nina 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) increases the risk of hospitalization and complications while in the hospital. Patient-centered care emphasizes active participation of patients in decision-making and has been found to improve satisfaction with care. Engaging in discussion and capturing hospitalization experience of a person with PD (PwP) and their family care partner (CP) is a critical step towards the development of quality improvement initiatives tailored to the unique hospitalization needs of PD population.ObjectivesThis qualitative study aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities for PD patient-centered care in hospital setting.MethodsFocus groups were held with PwPs and CPs to capture first-hand perspectives and generate consensus themes on PD care during hospitalization. A semi-structured guide for focus group discussions included questions about inpatient experiences and interactions with the health system and clinical team. Data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsA total of twelve PwPs and thirteen CPs participated in seven focus groups. Participants were 52% female and 28% nonwhite; 84% discussed unplanned hospitalizations. This paper focuses on two specific categories that emerged from the data analysis. The first category explores the impact of PD diagnosis on the hospital experience, specifically during planned and unplanned hospitalizations. The second category delves into the unique needs of PwPs and CPs during hospitalization, which included the importance of proper PD medication management, the need for improved hospital ambulation protocols, and the creation of disability informed hospital environment specific for PD.ConclusionPD diagnosis impacts the care experience, regardless of the reason for hospitalization. While provision of PD medications was a challenge during hospitalization, participants also desired flexibility of ambulation protocols and an environment that accommodated their disability. Findings highlight the importance of integrating the perspectives of PwPs and CPs when targeting patient-centered interventions to improve hospital experiences and outcomes.
Proteomic prediction of common and rare diseases
Authors: Carrasco-Zanini Julia , Pietzner Maik , Davitte Jonathan , Surendran Praveen , Croteau-Chonka Damien C. , Robins Chloe , Torralbo Ana , Tomlinson Christopher , Fitzpatrick Natalie , Ytsma Cai , Kanno Tokuwa , Gade Stephan , Freitag Daniel , Ziebell Frederik , Denaxas Spiros , Betts Joanna C. , Wareham Nicholas J. , Hemingway Harry , Scott Robert A. , Langenberg Claudia 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundFor many diseases there are delays in diagnosis due to a lack of objective biomarkers for disease onset. Whether measuring thousands of proteins offers predictive information across a wide range of diseases is unknown.MethodsIn 41,931 individuals from the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project (UKB-PPP), we integrated ∼3000 plasma proteins with clinical information to derive sparse prediction models for the 10-year incidence of 218 common and rare diseases (81 – 6038 cases). We compared prediction models based on proteins with a) basic clinical information alone, b) basic clinical information + 37 clinical biomarkers, and c) genome-wide polygenic risk scores.ResultsFor 67 pathologically diverse diseases, a model including as few as 5 to 20 proteins was superior to clinical models (median delta C-index = 0.07; range = 0.02 – 0.31) and to clinical models with biomarkers for 52 diseases. In multiple myeloma, for example, a set of 5 proteins significantly improved prediction over basic clinical information (delta C-index = 0.25 (95% confidence interval 0.20 – 0.29)). At a 5% false positive rate (FPR), proteomic prediction (5 proteins) identified individuals at high risk of multiple myeloma (detection rate (DR) = 50%), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (DR = 55%) and motor neuron disease (DR = 29%). At a 20% FPR, proteomic prediction identified individuals at high-risk for pulmonary fibrosis (DR= 80%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DR = 75%).ConclusionsSparse plasma protein signatures offer novel, clinically useful prediction of common and rare diseases, through disease-specific proteins and protein predictors shared across multiple diseases.(Funded by Medical Research Council, NIHR, Wellcome Trust.)
Worldwide trends in COVID-19 related attacks against healthcare
Authors: Duffhues Willeke , Barten Dennis , De Cauwer Harald , Mortelmans Luc , van Osch Frits , Tin Derrick , Koopmans Marion P.G. , Ciottone Gregory 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, violence targeting healthcare reportedly increased. Attacks against healthcare have the potential to impair the public health response and threaten the availability of healthcare services. However, there is little systematic understanding of the extent and characteristics of healthcare attacks in the setting of a pandemic. This study aimed to investigate global trends regarding COVID-19 related attacks against healthcare from January 2020 until January 2023.MethodologyCOVID-19 related incidents that occurred between January 2020 and January 2023 were extracted from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition database and screened for eligibility. Data collected per incident included temporal factors; country; setting; attack and weapon type; perpetrator; motive; number of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients killed, injured or kidnapped; and whether the incident caused damage to a health facility.ResultsThis study identified 255 COVID-19 related attacks against healthcare. The attacks occurred globally and throughout the course of the pandemic. Incidents were heterogeneous with regards to motives, attack types and outcomes. At least 18 HCWs were killed, 147 HCWs were injured and 86 facilities were damaged or destroyed. There were two periods with a peak incidence of reports. The first peak occurred during the beginning of the pandemic, and predominantly concerned stigma-related attacks against healthcare. The second peak, in 2021, was mainly composed of conflict-related attacks in Myanmar, and attacks targeting the global vaccination campaign.ConclusionCOVID-19 related attacks against healthcare occurred globally and in a variety of settings throughout the course of the pandemic. The findings of this study can be used to prevent and mitigate healthcare attacks during the ongoing and future pandemics.
The effect of sleep-corrected social jetlag on crystalized intelligence, school performance, and functional connectome in early adolescence
Authors: Yang Fan Nils , Picchioni Dante , Duyn Jeff H. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractApproximately half of adolescents encounter a mismatch between their sleep patterns on school days and free days, also referred to as “social jetlag”. This condition has been linked to various adverse outcomes, such as poor sleep, cognitive deficits, and mental disorders. However, prior research was unsuccessful in accounting for other variables that are correlated with social jetlag, including sleep duration and quality. To address this limitation, we applied a propensity score matching method on a sample of 8853 11-12-year-olds from the two-year follow-up (FL2) data of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. We identified 3366 pairs of participants with high sleep-corrected social jetlag (SJLsc, over 1 hour) and low SJLsc (<= 1 hour) at FL2, as well as 1277 pairs at three-year follow-up (FL3), after matching based on 11 covariates including socioeconomic status, demographics, and sleep duration and quality. Our results showed that high SJLsc, as measured by the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire, was linked to reduced crystallized intelligence, lower school performance - grades, and decreased functional connectivity between cortical networks and subcortical regions, specifically between cingulo-opercular network and right hippocampus (cerc-hprh). Further mediation and longitudinal mediation analyses revealed that cerc-hprh connection mediated the associations between SJLsc and crystallized intelligence at FL2, and between SJLsc and grades at both FL2 and FL3. We validated these findings by replicating these results using objective SJLsc measurements obtained via Fitbit watches. Overall, our study highlights the negative association between social jetlag and crystallized intelligence during early adolescence.