bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring human mixing patterns based on time use and social contact data and their implications for infectious disease transmission models
Authors: Hoang Thang Van , Willem Lander , Coletti Pietro , Kerckhove Kim Van , Minnen Joeri , Beutels Philippe , Hens Niel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe increasing availability of data on social contact patterns and time use provides invaluable information for studying transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. Social contact data provide information on the interaction of people in a population whereas the value of time use data lies in the quantification of exposure patterns. Both have been used as proxies for transmission risks within in a population and the combination of both sources has led to investigate which kind of social encounters are most relevant to describe transmission risk.MethodsWe used social contact and time use data from 1707 participants from a survey conducted in Flanders, Belgium in 2010-2011. We calculated weighted exposure time and social contact matrices to analyze age- and gender-specific mixing patterns and to quantify behavioral changes by distance from home. We compared the value of both data sources, individually and combined, for explaining seroprevalence and incidence data on parvovirus-B19, Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) and influenza-like illnesses (ILI), respectively.ResultsAssortative mixing and inter-generational interaction is more pronounced in the exposure matrix due to the high proportion of time spent at home. This pattern is less pronounced in the social contact matrix, which is more impacted by the reported contacts at school and work. The average number of contacts declined with distance, however on the individual-level, we observed an increase in the number of contacts and the transmission potential by distance when travelling.We found that both social contact data and time use data provide a good match with the seroprevalence and incidence data at hand. When comparing the use of different combinations of both data sources, we found that the social contact matrix based on close contacts of at least 4 hours appeared to be the best proxy for parvovirus-B19 transmission. Social contacts and exposure time were both on their own able to explain VZV seroprevalence data though combining both scored best. Compared with the contact approach, the time use approach provided the better fit to the ILI incidence data.ConclusionsOur work emphasises the common and complementary value of time use and social contact data for analysing mixing behavior and infectious disease transmission. We derived spatial, temporal, age-, gender- and distance-specific mixing patterns, which are informative for future modelling studies.
Long term effectiveness of inactivated vaccine BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells) against COVID-19 associated severe and critical hospitalization in Morocco
Authors: Belayachi Jihane , Obtel Majdouline , Razine Rachid , Abouqal Redouane 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTIONWe provide national estimates of the real-world Vaccine effectiveness (VE) based on nationally available surveillance data. The study aimed to estimate the effectiveness of the inactivated Covid-19 vaccine BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells) Sinopharm vaccine currently deployed in Morocco to reduce the risk of hospitalization from a severe infection of SARS- CoV-2 virus within 9 months after vaccination.METHODSWe conducted a test-negative, case-control study among a population aged 18 years or older who were tested by rt-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection from February to October 2021 in Morocco. From the national laboratory COVID-19 database; we identified cases who were rt-PCR positive amongst severe and critical COVID-19 cases and controls who had a negative rt-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2. From the national vaccination register (NVR); individuals vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine (Vero Cell) and those unvaccinated were identified and included in the study. The linkage between databases was conducted for the study of Vaccination status based on the timing of the vaccine receipt relative to the SARS-CoV-2 rt-PCR test date. For each person, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, we identified a propensity score-matched control participant who was tested negative. We estimated vaccine effectiveness using conditional logistic regression.RESULTSAmong 12884 persons who tested positive and 12885 propensity score-matched control participants, the median age was 62 years, 47.2% of whom were female. As a function of time after vaccination of second dose vaccination, vaccine effectiveness during the first month was 88% (95% CI, 84-91), 87% (95% CI: 83-90) during the second and third month, 75% (95% CI: 67-80) during the fourth month, 61% (95% CI: 54-67) during the fifth month, and 64% (95% CI: 59-69) beyond the sixth month. VE remained high and stable during the first three months in the two-age subgroup. In the fourth month, the VE in the older population aged 60 years and above (64%) was reduced by 20 points compared to VE in the younger population (84%).CONCLUSIONA Sinopharm vaccine is highly protective against serious SARS-CoV-2 infection under real-world conditions. Protection remained high and stable during the first three months following the second dose and decreases slightly beyond the fourth month especially beyond 60 years.
Utility of 3D printing in the surgical management of intra-articular distal humerus fractures: A protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Baburaj Vishnu , Patel Sandeep , Kumar Vishal , Dhillon Mandeep Singh 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe quality of reduction in distal humerus fractures plays a crucial role in obtaining good postoperative functional outcomes. The use of 3D printed models for preoperative planning could help improve reduction and hence potentially influencing outcomes after surgery.ObjectivesThis systematic review aims to compare the outcome of surgeries done with the help of 3D printing assistance to those done with conventional techniques in distal humerus intraarticular fractures.MethodsA systematic review will be conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Ovid will be searched with a pre-defined search strategy. Bibliography of included articles will also be searched for more potential studies. Original research articles published since inception till the date of search in English language that compare the outcomes of 3D print-assisted surgery with those done without the help of 3D printing will be included. Review articles, conference abstracts and animal studies will be excluded. Outcome measures will be extracted from the selected studies and analysed with the help of appropriate software.
Effectiveness of a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine booster dose for prevention of infection, hospitalization or death in two nation-wide nursing home systems
Authors: McConeghy Kevin W. , Bardenheier Barbara , Huang Andrew W. , White Elizabeth M. , Feifer Richard A. , Blackman Carolyn , Santostefano Christopher M. , Lee Yoojin , DeVone Frank , Halladay Christopher W. , Rudolph James L. , Zullo Andrew R. , Mor Vincent , Gravenstein Stefan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster dose has been recommended for all nursing home residents. However, we lack effectiveness data on boosters preventing infection, death and hospitalization in this frail population.MethodsWe emulated nested target trials in two large nursing home systems in parallel to evaluate the effectiveness of a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine booster at preventing infection, hospitalization, or death. Residents who completed a 2-dose series of the mRNA vaccine and were eligible for a booster were included in from September 22, 2021 to November 5, 2021. Outcomes were measured through December 18, 2021, including test-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, or death. The vaccine effectiveness at day 42 was estimated with a Kaplan-Meier estimator, both unadjusted and weighted with the inverse probability of treatment.ResultsThe two NH systems were large and multi-state, System 1 included 200 NH (8,538 control and 5,721 boosted residents) and System 2 included 127 NHs (4,100 control and 2,291 boosted residents). Booster vaccination reduced infections by 50.4% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 29.4%, 64.7%) SARS-CoV-2 infections in System 1 and 58.2% (32.3%, 77.8%) in System 2. Boosted residents in System 1 also had a 97.3% (86.9%, 100.0%) reduction in SARS-CoV-2 associated death, but too few events for comparison in System 2.ConclusionsDuring a Delta predominant period, SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination significantly reduced infection in two U.S. nursing home systems. In the larger System 1 a 97% reduction in SARS-CoV-2 related death was also observed. These findings strongly support administration of vaccine boosters to nursing home residents.
Critical success factors for high routine immunization performance: A case study of Senegal
Authors: Sakas Zoe , Hester Kyra A. , Rodriguez Katie , Diatta Saly Amos , Ellis Anna S. , Gueye Daouda Malick , Matapano Dawn , Mboup Pr Souleymane , Ogutu Emily Awino , Yang Chenmua , Bednarczyk Robert A. , Freeman Matthew C. , Sarr Moussa ,   the Vaccine Exemplars Research Consortium
Published: January 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe essential components of a vaccine delivery system are well-documented, but robust evidence is lacking on how policies and implementation strategies are operationalized to drive catalytic improvements in coverage. To address this gap, we identified success factors that supported improvements in routine immunization coverage in Senegal, especially from 2000 to 2019.METHODSWe identified Senegal as an exemplar in the delivery of childhood vaccines through analysis of DTP1 and DTP3 coverage data. Through interviews and focus group discussions at the national, regional, district, health facility, and community-level, we investigated factors that contributed to high and sustained vaccination coverage. We conducted a thematic analysis through application of implementation science frameworks to determine critical success factors. We triangulated these findings with quantitative analyses using publicly available data.RESULTSThe following success factors emerged: 1) Strong political will and prioritization of resources for immunization programming supported urgent allocation of funding and supplies; 2) Collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Social Action and external partners fostered innovation, capacity building, and efficiency; 3) Improved surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation allowed for timely and evidence-based decision making; 4) Community ownership of vaccine service delivery supported tailored programming and quick response to local needs; and 5) Community health workers spearheaded vaccine promotion and demand generation for vaccines.CONCLUSIONThe vaccination program in Senegal was supported by evidence-based decision making at the national-level, alignment of priorities between governmental entities and external partners, and strong community engagement initiatives that fostered local ownership of vaccine delivery and uptake. High routine immunization coverage was likely driven by prioritization of immunization programming, improved surveillance systems, a mature and reliable community health worker program, and tailored strategies for addressing geographical, social, and cultural barriers.
Acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of a remote dementia educational training among healthcare professionals
Authors: Perales-Puchalt Jaime , Townley Ryan , Niedens Michelle , Vidoni Eric D , Greiner K Allen , Zufer Tahira , Schwasinger-Schmidt Tiffany , McGee Jerrihlyn L , Arreaza Hector , Burns Jeffrey M 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundOptimal care for families living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) has the potential to improve their lives. However, ADRD care remains under-implemented among healthcare professionals, partly due to professionals’ limited ADRD training and inexperience. Professional training might help, but most training is in person, time-intensive, and does not focus on the potential of early detection, client empowerment, and cultural competency. We aimed to explore the acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of an online ADRD training, The Dementia Update Course, which addressed these issues. We hypothesized that the Dementia Update Course would lead to increased levels of perceived ADRD care competency among healthcare professionals.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods research design using pre-post training assessments. The training included 59 primary care providers (PCPs) and other healthcare professionals (e.g., medical specialists, nurses, social workers). The Dementia Update Course was a remote 6.5-hour training that included didactic lectures, case discussion techniques, and materials on ADRD detection and care. Outcomes included two 5-point Likert scales on acceptability, eleven on perceived dementia care competency, and the three subscales of the General Practitioners Confidence and Attitude Scale for Dementia. We used paired samples t-tests to assess the mean differences in all preliminary effectiveness outcomes.ResultsThe training included 18.0% of professionals that self-identified as non-White or Latino and 37.7% of professionals who served in rural areas. Most participants (90.0% and 87.5%) reported a high likelihood to recommend the training and high satisfaction respectively. All preliminary effectiveness outcomes analyzed in the total sample experienced a statistically significant improvement from pre- to post-training averaging 0.7 points in 1-5 scales (p<0.05). Most outcomes improved statistically among PCPs too.ConclusionsA relatively brief, remote, and inclusive ADRD training led to high levels of acceptability and improved perceived ADRD care competency among PCPs and other healthcare professionals. Future research should include a control group and assess guideline compliance, behavioral outcomes, and health outcomes among people with ADRD and their families.
Clinical experience with paliperidone palmitate in a specialty hospital in the Philippines: A short report
Authors: Alinea Amadeo A. , Antonio Carl Abelardo T. , Bermudez Amiel Nazer C. , Cochon Kim L. , Martinez Maria Fatima V. , Guevarra Jonathan P. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo describe the clinical outcomes related to the introduction of paliperidone palmitate in a specialty hospital in the PhilippinesDesignCross-sectional study among patients seen at the psychiatry service of a specialty hospital catering to veterans who were initiated on paliperidone palmitate. We reviewed and abstracted baseline patient data from the medical record of eligible patients. Outcome of treatment was collected through a one-time objective assessment of the patient by a third-party psychiatrist using the Structured Clinical Interview for Symptoms of Remission (SCI-SR) tool.Main ResultA total of 30 patients were recruited for the study from August 2020 and June 2021, the majority of whom were males (80%), residents of the National Capital Region (50%), and single (20%). The median duration from schizophrenia diagnosis to initiation of paliperidone treatment was 19.50 years (IQR: 16.60 – 33.50). In eight patients (22.67%), other antipsychotic drugs were discontinued following initiation of paliperidone treatment; in the remaining 22 participants (73.33%), paliperidone was taken concurrently with other antipsychotic drugs. The median duration from the initiation of paliperidone treatment to follow-up assessment was 27.20 months (IQR: 24.73 – 30.50), with all participants having at least 6 months of treatment. At follow-up assessment, all participants were classified to be in remission.ConclusionIn this study among patients with schizophrenia seen in a specialty hospital in the Philippines, we found evidence that clinical outcomes with paliperidone palmitate were comparable to those given a combination of oral and long-acting antipsychotics.
A rigorous and versatile statistical test for correlations between time series
Authors: Yuan Alex E. , Shou Wenying 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn disciplines from biology to climate science, a routine task is to compute a correlation between a pair of time series, and determine whether the correlation is statistically significant (i.e. unlikely under the null hypothesis that the time series are independent). This problem is challenging because time series typically exhibit autocorrelation, which cannot be properly analyzed with the standard iid-oriented statistical tests. Although there are well-known parametric tests for time series, these are designed for linear correlation statistics and thus not suitable for the increasingly popular nonlinear correlation statistics. Among nonparametric tests, the conditions that guarantee correct false positive rates are either restrictive or unclear. Here we describe the truncated time-shift (TTS) test, a nonparametric procedure to test for dependence between two time series. We prove that this test is valid as long as one of the time series is stationary, a minimally restrictive requirement among current tests. The TTS test is versatile because it can be used with any correlation statistic. Using synthetic data, we demonstrate that this test performs correctly even while other tests suffer high false positive rates. In simulation examples, simple guidelines for parameter choices allow high statistical power to be achieved with sufficient data. We apply the test to data sets from climatology, animal behavior and microbiome science, verifying previously discovered dependence relationships and detecting additional relationships.
Grandmaternal allergen exposure causes distinct epigenetic trajectories in offspring associated with airway hyperreactivity and inflammation
Authors: Lebold Katie M. , Cook Madeline , Pincus Alexandra B. , Nevonen Kimberly A. , Davis Brett A. , Carbone Lucia , Calco Gina N. , Fryer Allison D. , Jacoby David B. , Drake Matthew G. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTMaternal asthma increases childhood asthma risk through multiple mechanisms including epigenetic regulation of asthma-associated genes. DNA methylation is one form of epigenetic regulation that is both inherited and modified by environmental exposures throughout life. In this study, we tested whether grandmaternal house dust mite (HDM) allergen exposure altered airway physiology and inflammation, as well as DNA methylation in both airway epithelium and airway sensory neurons of second-generation offspring. Grandmaternal allergen exposure induced a limited number of epigenetic changes in offspring at baseline that were not associated with increased airway reactivity or inflammation. In contrast, grandmaternal allergen exposure significantly altered offspring’s response to HDM sensitization and challenge, inducing airway hyperreactivity to inhaled serotonin, increased airway inflammation, and potentiated DNA methylation. Gene sequences susceptible to methylation after allergen sensitization, and their corresponding biological processes and enriched pathways, were unique in offspring from HDM-exposed founders, indicating that grandmaternal allergen exposure established an epigenetic trajectory in offspring at birth that directed epigenetic and physiologic responses to subsequent allergen sensitization and challenge, contributing to inheritance of asthma risk.SUMMARYGrandmaternal allergen exposure establishes an intergenerational, tissue-specific epigenetic trajectory in offspring at birth, which uniquely directs responses to allergen sensitization and challenge later in life and contributes to inheritance of asthma risk.
Loss of the intracellular enzyme QPCTL limits chemokine function and reshapes myeloid infiltration to augment tumor immunity
Authors: Barreira da Silva Rosa , Leitão Ricardo , Pechuan Ximo , Werneke Scott , Oeh Jason , Javinal Vincent , Wang Yingyun , Phung Wilson , Everett Christine , Nonomiya Jim , Arnott David , Lu Cheng , Hsiao Yi-Chun , Koerber James T. , Hotzel Isidro , Ziai James , Modrusan Zora , Pillow Thomas , Roose-Girma Meron , Schartner Jill M. , Merchant Mark , Rutz Sascha , Eidenschenk Céline , Mellman Ira , Albert Matthew L. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACTTumor-associated macrophages are composed of distinct populations arising from monocytes or tissue macrophages, with a poorly understood link to disease pathogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that mouse monocyte migration was supported by glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase-like (QPCTL), an enzyme that mediates N-terminal modification of several subtrates, including the monocyte-chemoattractants CCL2 and CCL7, protecting them from proteolytic inactivation. Knockout of Qpctl disrupted monocyte homeostasis, attenuated tumor growth and reshaped myeloid cell infiltration, with loss of monocyte-derived populations with immunosuppressive and pro-angiogenic profiles. Antibody blockade of the receptor CSF1R, which more broadly eliminates tissue macrophages, reversed tumor growth inhibition in Qpctl−/− mice, and prevented lymphocyte infiltration. Modulation of QPCTL synergized with anti-PD-L1 to expand CD8+ T cells and limit tumor growth. QPCTL inhibition constitutes an effective approach for myeloid cell-targeted cancer immunotherapy.
The ALT pathway generates telomere fusions that can be detected in the blood of cancer patients
Authors: Muyas Francesc , Gómez Rodriguez Manuel José , Cortes-Ciriano Isidro , Flores Ignacio 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTelomere fusions (TFs) can trigger the accumulation of diverse genomic rearrangements and the acquisition of oncogenic alterations leading to malignant transformation and resistance to chemotherapy. Despite their relevance in tumour evolution, our understanding of the patterns and consequences of TFs in human cancer remains limited. Here, we have characterized the rates and spectrum of somatic TFs across >30 cancer types using whole-genome sequencing data. TFs are pervasive in human tumours with rates varying markedly across and within cancer types. In addition to end-to-end fusions, we find novel patterns of TFs that we mechanistically link to the activity of the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. We show that TFs can be detected in the blood of cancer patients, which enables cancer detection with high specificity and sensitivity even for early-stage tumours and cancer types for which early detection remains a high unmet clinical need, such as pancreatic cancer and brain tumours. Overall, we report a novel genomic footprint that enables characterization of the telomere maintenance mechanism of tumours and liquid biopsy analysis, which has implications for early detection, prognosis, and treatment selection.