bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different Covid-19 Outcomes Among Systemic Rheumatic Diseases: A Nation-wide Cohort Study
Authors: Bournia Vasiliki-Kalliopi , Fragoulis George E. , Mitrou Panagiota , Mathioudakis Konstantinos , Tsolakidis Anastasios , Konstantonis George , Tseti Ioulia , Vourli Georgia , Tektonidou Maria G. , Paraskevis Dimitrios , Sfikakis Petros P. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundNationwide data at a country level on Covid-19 in unvaccinated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are scarce.MethodsBy interlinking data from national electronic registries, covering nearly 99% of the Greek population (approximately 11,000,000), between March 2020 and February 2021, when vaccination became available, we recorded confirmed infections and Covid-19-associated hospitalizations and deaths in essentially all adult patients with RA, AS, PsA, SLE, and SSc under treatment (n=74,970, median age of 67.5, 51.2, 58.1, 56.2, 62.2 years, respectively) and in individually matched (1:5) on age, sex, and region of domicile random comparators from the general population.ResultsBinary logistic regression analysis after adjusting for age, sex and biologic agents, revealed that RA, PsA, SLE and SSc, but not AS patients, had significantly higher risk of infection (by 43%, 25%, 20% and 49%, respectively), and hospitalization for Covid-19 (by 81%, 56%, 94%, and 111%, respectively), possibly due, at least in part, to increased testing and lower threshold for admission. Patients with RA and SSc had indeed higher Covid-19 associated mortality rates [OR:1.86 (95% CI 1.37 to 2.52) and OR:2.90 (95% CI 0.97 to 8.67), respectively] compared to the general population. Each additional year of age increased the risk of hospitalization for Covid-19 by 3% (OR 1.030, 95% CI: 1.028 to 1.034) and the risk of Covid-19 related death by 8% (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.09), independently of gender, systemic rheumatic disease, and biologic agents. A further analysis using AS patients as the reference category, adjusting again for age, sex and use of biologic agents showed that patients with SSc had increased mortality (OR: 6.90, 95% CI: 1.41 to 33.72), followed by SLE (OR: 4.05 95% CI: 0.96 to 17.12) and RA patients (OR: 3.65, 95% CI: 1.06 to 12.54), whereas PsA patients had comparable mortality risk with AS patients.ConclusionComparing to the general population, Covid-19 may have a more severe impact in real-world patients with systemic rheumatic disease. Covid-19 related mortality is increased in subgroups of patients with specific rheumatic diseases, especially in older ones, underscoring the need for priority vaccination policies and access to targeted treatments.
How are declarations of interest working? A cross sectional study in declarations of interest in medical practice in Scotland and England in 2020/2021
Authors: McCartney M , Hartman RB , Feldman H , MacDonald R , Sullivan F , Heneghan C , McCutcheon C 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo understand arrangements for doctors’ declarations of interest in Scotland and England in the context of current recommendations.DesignCross sectional study of a random selection of NHS hospital registers of interest by two independent observers in England, all NHS Boards in Scotland, and a random selection of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England.SettingNHS Trusts in England (NHSE), NHS Boards in Scotland, CCGs in England, and private healthcare organisations.ParticipantsRegisters of declarations of interest published in a random sample of 67 of 217 NHS Trusts, a random sample of 15 CCGs of in England, registers held by all 14 NHS Scotland boards, a purposeful selection of private hospitals/clinics in the UK.Main Outcome MeasuresAdherence to NHSE guidelines on declarations of interests, and comparison in Scotland.Results76% of registers published by Trusts did not routinely include all declaration of interest categories recommended by NHS England. In NHS Scotland only 14% of Boards published staff registers of interest. Of these employee registers (most obtained under Freedom of Information), 27% contained substantial retractions. In England, 96% of Clinical Commissioning Groups published a Gifts and Hospitality register, with 67% of CCG staff declaration templates and 53% of governor registers containing full standard NHS England declaration categories. Single organisations often held multiple registers lacking enough information to interpret them. Only 35% of NHS Trust registers were organised to enable searching. None of the private sector organisations studied published a comparable declarations of interest register.ConclusionDespite efforts, the current system of declarations frequently lacks ability to meaningfully obtain complete health care professionals’ declaration of interests.
Temporal trends, socio-economic inequalities in obesity and responses by federal government, Nepal: a systematic review of observational studies, policies, strategies and plans, 2005-2019
Authors: Bhurtyal Ashok , Adhikari Dushala 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundObesity has risen to epidemic proportions in low-income countries such as Nepal whose achievements in reducing maternal and child-undernourishment is well known. However, scientific evidence concerning recent transition towards obesity and corresponding responses by the state remains scanty. This review purported to assess the trends and disparities in obesity prevalence among women and children, and to analyse the governmental policies and programmes.MethodsWe searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 2005 and April 10, 2019, and websites of Demographic and Health Survey, Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey, and Micronutrient Status Survey. We extracted data on the prevalence of obesity and overweight from the selected studies and synthesised narratively. Overweight and obesity prevalence data from the latest available nationwide surveys were disaggregated by gender, geographical location and household wealth quintile. We retrieved the federal governmental policies, strategies and plans from the websites of Ministry of Health and Population and the National Nutrition and Food Security Secretariat, National Planning Commission.ResultsTwenty studies that reported prevalence of overweight and/or obesity, with data from 79,082 men and women aged 15 years or more and 11,866 children under five years, were included. Obesity or overweight among men and women increased from 20.0% in 2004 to 36.1% in 2016 while obesity alone rose from 5.3% to 7.5%. Prevalence of childhood obesity or overweight remained very low, although doubled between 2006 and 2016, from 0.6% to 1.2%. Prevalences of overweight and obesity were much higher among women, inhabitants of urban areas and central provinces, and the affluent. Governmental policies, strategies and plans on nutrition were primarily designed to control undernutrition, with some direct and indirect implications for preventing obesity.ConclusionsPrevalence of overweight and obesity increased substantially between 2005 and 2019, disproportionately affecting socio-economic and geographical groups in Nepal. Governmental efforts to contain the obesity epidemic should be reinforced by actions that are more specifically targeted to addressing obesogenic environments.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42019132332
High vaccine effectiveness against severe Covid-19 in the elderly in Finland before and after the emergence of Omicron
Authors: Baum Ulrike , Poukka Eero , Leino Tuija , Kilpi Terhi , Nohynek Hanna , Palmu Arto A. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe elderly are highly vulnerable to severe Covid-19. Waning immunity and emergence of Omicron have caused concerns about reduced effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines. The objective was to estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe Covid-19 among the elderly.MethodsThis nationwide, register-based cohort analysis included all residents aged 70 years and over in Finland. The follow-up started on December 27, 2020, and ended on March 31, 2022. The outcomes of interest were Covid-19-related hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) admission timely associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. VE was estimated as one minus the hazard ratio comparing the vaccinated and unvaccinated and taking into account time since vaccination. Omicron-specific VE was evaluated as the effectiveness observed since January 1, 2022.ResultsThe cohort included 896220 individuals. Comirnaty (BioNTech/Pfizer) VE against Covid-19-related hospitalization was 93% (95% CI 89%–95%) and 85% (95% CI 82%–87%) 14–90 and 91–180 days after the second dose; VE increased to 95% (95% CI 94%–96%) 14–60 days after the third dose. VE of other homologous and heterologous three dose series was similar. Protection against severe Covid-19 requiring ICU treatment was even better. Since January 1, 2022, Comirnaty VE was 98% (95% CI 92%–99%) and 92% (95% CI 87%–95%) 14–90 and 91–180 days after the second and 98% (95% CI 95%–99%) 14–60 days after the third dose.ConclusionsVE against severe Covid-19 is high among the elderly. It waned slightly after two doses, but a third restored the protection. VE against severe Covid-19 remained high even after the emergence of Omicron.
Analysis of immunization time, amplitude, and adverse events of seven different vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 across four different countries
Authors: Romero-Ibarguengoitia Maria Elena , González-Cantú Arnulfo , Pozzi Chiara , Levi Riccardo , Mollura Maximiliano , Sarti Riccardo , Sanz-Sánchez Miguel Angel , Rivera-Salinas Diego , Hernández-Ruíz Yodira Guadalupe , Armendariz-Vázquez Ana Gabriela , Del Rio-Parra Gerardo Francisco , Barco-Flores Irene Antonieta , González-Facio Rosalinda , Azzolini Elena , Barbieri Riccardo , de Azevedo Dias Alessandro Rodrigo , Henriques-Guimaraes Milton , Bastos-Borges Alessandra , Acciardi Cecilia , Paez-Bo Graciela , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Rescigno Maria 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundScarce information exists in relation to the comparison of seroconversion and adverse events following immunization (AEFI) with different SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Our aim was to correlate the magnitude of the antibody response to vaccination with previous clinical conditions and AEFI.MethodsA multicentric comparative study where SARS-CoV-2 spike 1-2 IgG antibodies IgG titers were measured at baseline, 21-28 days after the first and second dose (when applicable) of the following vaccines: BNT162b2 mRNA, mRNA-1273, Gam-COVID-Vac, Coronavac, ChAdOx1-S, Ad5-nCoV and Ad26.COV2. Mixed model and Poisson generalized linear models were performed.ResultsWe recruited 1867 subjects [52 (SD 16.8) years old, 52% men]. All vaccines enhanced anti-S1 and anti-S2 IgG antibodies over time (p<0.01). The highest increase after the first and second dose was observed in mRNA-1273 (p<0.001). There was an effect of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection; and an interaction of age with SARS-CoV-2, Gam-COVID-Vac and ChAdOx1-S (p<0.01). There was a negative correlation of Severe or Systemic AEFI (AEs) of naïve SARS-CoV-2 subjects with age and sex (p<0.001); a positive interaction between the delta of antibodies with Gam-COVID-Vac (p=0.002). Coronavac, Gam-COVID-Vac and ChAdOx1-S had less AEs compared to BNT162b (p<0.01). mRNA-1273 had a higher number of AEFIs. The delta of the antibodies showed an association with AEFIs in previously infected individuals (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe magnitude of seroconversion is predicted by age, vaccine type and SARS-CoV-2 exposure. AEs are correlated with age, sex, and vaccine type. The delta of the antibody response is positively correlated with AEs in patients previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2.Registration numberNCT05228912
Alcohol use and poor sleep quality: a longitudinal twin study across 36 years
Authors: Helaakoski Viola , Kaprio Jaakko , Hublin Christer , Ollila Hanna M. , Latvala Antti 
Published: March 2022

AbstractPoor sleep is one of the multiple health issues associated with heavy alcohol consumption. While acute effects of alcohol intake on sleep have been widely investigated, the longitudinal associations remain relatively underexplored. The objective of our research was to shed light on cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between alcohol use and insomnia symptoms over time, and to elucidate the role of familial confounding factors in such associations. Using self-report questionnaire data from the Older Finnish Twin Cohort (N=13,851), we examined how alcohol consumption and binge drinking are associated with sleep quality during a period of 36 years. Cross-sectional logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between poor sleep and alcohol misuse, including heavy and binge drinking, at all four time points (OR range =1.61-3.37, P <0.05), suggesting that higher alcohol intake is associated with poor sleep quality over the years. Longitudinal cross-lagged analyses indicated that moderate, heavy and binge drinking predict poor sleep quality (OR range =1.25-1.76, P <0.05), but not the reverse. Within-pair analyses suggested that the associations between heavy drinking and poor sleep quality were not fully explained by genetic and environmental influences shared by the co-twins. In conclusion, our findings support previous literature in that alcohol use is associated with poor sleep quality, such that alcohol use predicts poor sleep quality later in life, but not vice versa, and that the association is not fully explained by familial factors.
Periodontopathogens in oral cancer: a meta-analysis of bacterial taxa of the oral microbiome associated with risk factors of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Salam Abdus , Khan Faisal 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the distribution of microbial taxa that are present in abundance in the oral cavity of patients diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). We begin with a search for relevant literature on the OSCC microbiome in electronic databases (PubMed and Google Scholar). From the identified literature, studies were considered for data extraction based on an inclusion criteria according to PRISMA guidelines. From an initial 1217 published studies, a total of 15 relevant studies were identified that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These studies were conducted for the detection of microbial taxa in the oral cavities of patients with OSCC by correlation with healthy controls for differential microbial abundance. The data from the selected studies provided evidence on microbial taxa in different anatomical sites of the oral cavity i.e. gingival region, tongue, buccal site and floor of the mouth. The most common method for the detection of microbial flora in the literature was 16s rRNA sequencing. Only those studies from the literature were considered for further analysis that showed the association of risk factors i.e. tobacco smoking and smokeless, betel quid, alcohol and periodontitis with OSCC. Risk factors in the resulting 6 studies showed a strong odd’s ratio (OR) with statistical significance (p-value <0.05). The calculated risk ratio (RR) of these risk factors also demonstrated substantial heterogeneity. These studies showed an increase in the abundance of periodontopathogens belonging to the genusFusobacterium, Capnocytophaga, Prevotella, ParvimonasandPorphyromonas. The microbial taxa associated in abundance with risk factors of OSCC such as smoked or smokeless tobacco, betel quid and alcohol were quite similar to the microbial taxa that cause periodontitis. The detection for abundance of periodontopathogens in OSCC a class of putative biomarkers at early stages of tumor development in OSCC, in individuals exposed to these risk factors.
Surveillance of COVID-19 cases associated with dental settings using routine health data from the East of Scotland with a description of efforts to break chains of transmission from October 2020 to December 2021
Authors: Goldrick Niall Mc , O’Keefe Emma 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionDental settings have been considered high risk setting s for COVID-19. A Dental Public Health Team in South East Scotland have worked to risk assess the situation timeously to break chains of transmission.AimTo present routine data produced from a contact tracing service for COVID-19 cases in the dental setting with a focus on transmission.DesignObservational retrospective analysis of a routine data set of COVID-19 cases associated with a dental setting reported via the national contact tracing system for two health board areas in the east of Scotland.MethodsCOVID-19 cases were confirmed by PCR testing. Descriptive statistics are used to summarise the data collected over a 13-month period (Oct 2020-Dec 2021). A narrative presents themes identified during contact tracing that led to transmission within a dental setting and includes a case study.ResultsA total of 811 incidents are included. No evidence of staff to patient transmission or vice versa was found in this study. Staff to staff transmission occurred in non-clinical areas contributing to 33% of total staff cases.ConclusionTransmission of COVID-19 in a dental setting in the context of this study appears to be confined to non-clinical areas. Future pandemic plans should include tools to aid with implementation of guidance in non-clinical areas.In brief pointsOutbreaks of COVID-19 in a dental setting appear to be confined to the non-clinical areas of dental practices.We have found no evidence of staff to patient transmission or vice versa using our contact tracing methods.Future pandemic preparedness would benefit from including current quality improvement tools to aid with implementation of new standard operating procedures and other regularly changing guidance.
Association of frailty, age, and biological sex with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity in older adults
Authors: Shapiro Janna R. , Park Han-Sol , Aytenfisu Tihitina Y. , Caputo Christopher , Lee John , Johnston Trevor S. , Li Huifen , Hauk Pricila , Jacobsen Henning , Li Yukang , Abrams Engle , Kocot Andrew J. , Yang Tianrui , Huang Yushu , Cramer Steven M. , Betenbaugh Michael J. , Debes Amanda K. , Morgan Rosemary , Milstone Aaron M. , Karaba Andrew H. , Leng Sean X. , Klein Sabra L. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundMale sex and old age are risk factors for severe COVID-19, but the intersection of sex and aging on antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has not been characterized.MethodsPlasma samples were collected from older adults (75-98 years) before and after three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, and from younger adults (18-74 years) post-dose two, for comparison. Antibody binding to SARS-CoV-2 antigens (spike protein [S], S-receptor binding domain [S-RBD], and nucleocapsid [N]) and functional activity against S were measured against the vaccine virus and variants of concern (VOC).ResultsVaccination induced greater antibody titers in older females than males, with both age and frailty associated with reduced antibody responses to vaccine antigens in males, but not females. ACE2 binding inhibition declined more than anti-S or anti-S-RBD IgG in the six months following the second dose (28-fold vs. 12- and 11-fold decreases in titer). The third dose restored functional antibody responses and eliminated disparities caused by sex, age, and frailty in older adults. Responses to the VOC were significantly reduced relative to the vaccine virus, with older males having lower titers to the VOC than females. Older adults had lower responses to the vaccine and VOC viruses than younger adults, with disparities being greater in males than females.ConclusionOlder and frail males may be more vulnerable to breakthrough infections due to low antibody responses before receipt of a third vaccine dose. Promoting third dose coverage in older adults, especially males, is crucial to protecting this vulnerable population.Brief summarySARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination induces greater antibody response in older females than males, and age and frailty reduce responses in males only. These effects are eliminated by a third vaccine dose, highlighting the need for third dose coverage, especially in older males.
“We don’t routinely check vaccination background in adults”: A national qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to vaccine delivery and uptake in adult migrants through UK primary care
Authors: Carter Jessica , Mehrotra Anushka , Knights Felicity , Deal Anna , Crawshaw Alison F , Farah Yasmin , Goldsmith Lucy P , Wurie Fatima , Ciftci Yusuf , Majeed Azeem , Hargreaves Sally 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted shortfalls in the delivery of vaccine programmes to some adult migrant groups; however, little is known around care pathways and engagement of these older cohorts in routine vaccinations in primary care, including catch-up programmes. Guidelines exist, but the extent to which they are put into practice and prioritised is unclear.ObjectivesTo explore the views of primary care professionals around barriers and facilitators to catch-up vaccination in adult migrants (defined as foreign born; over 18 years) with incomplete or uncertain vaccination status and for routine vaccines to inform development of future interventions to improve vaccine uptake in this group and improve coverage.DesignQualitative interview study with purposive sampling and thematic analysisSettingUK primary care, 50 included practices.Participants64 primary care professionals (PCPs): 48 clinical including GPs, Practice Nurses and healthcare assistants (HCAs); 16 administrative staff including practice managers and receptionists (mean age 45 years; 84.4% female; a range of ethnicities).ResultsParticipants highlighted direct and indirect barriers to catch-up vaccines in adult migrants who may have missed vaccines as children, missed boosters, and not be aligned with the UK’s vaccine schedule, from both a personal and service-delivery level, with themes including: lack of training and knowledge of guidance around catch-up vaccination among staff; unclear or incomplete vaccine records; and lack of incentivization (including financial reimbursement) and dedicated time and care pathways. Adult migrants were reported as being excluded from many vaccination initiatives, most of which focus exclusively on children. Where delivery models existed they were diverse and fragmented but included a combination of opportunistic and proactive programmes. PCPs noted that migrants expressed to them a range of views around vaccines, from positivity to uncertainty, to refusal, with specific nationality groups reported as more hesitant to get vaccinated with specific vaccines, including MMR.ConclusionsWHO’s new Immunization Agenda (IA2030) has called for greater focus to be placed on delivering vaccination across the life-course, targeting under-immunised groups for catch-up vaccination at any age, with UK primary care services therefore having a key role to play. Vaccine uptake in adult migrants could be improved through implementing new financial incentives or inclusion of adult migrant vaccination targets in QOF, strengthening care pathways and training, and working directly with local community groups to improve understanding around the benefits of vaccination at all ages.