bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competitive membrane wetting of polymer blends in artificial cells initiates phase separation and promotes fractionation
Authors: Watanabe Chiho , Furuki Tomohiro , Kanakubo Yuki , Kanie Fumiya , Koyanagi Keisuke , Takeshita Jun , Yanagisawa Miho 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBiomolecular condensates driven by liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) have received attention as novel activity regulators of living organisms. In intracellular LLPS, an important question is what type of biomolecules form condensates under what conditions. In this regard, possible interactions between biomolecules have been investigated. Recently, LLPS condensates have been reported to regulate the membrane structure upon wetting. However, the possibility of membrane wetting, in which the membrane conversely regulates the LLPS, remains unexplored. Using droplets of short polyethylene glycol and long dextran blends encapsulated with a lipid membrane, we demonstrate that membrane wetting regulates LLPS in cell-size spaces and alters the equilibrium state. In smaller droplets, the two-phase region expands beyond the bulk system, and the fractionation degree increases, particularly during the separation between short PEG and long dextran. We explain the space-size dependent LLPS based on the competitive membrane wetting between the polymers. Smaller droplets promote the membrane wetting of short PEG, which enhances the depletion force between long dextran molecules and finally induces LLPS. This shows that competition for membrane wettability among various molecules can regulate LLPS in cell-size spaces, rendering this LLPS principle feasible in living cells.
Environmental risks and occupational health hazards of bidi workers and their communities in India: protocol for systematic scoping review
Authors: Tyagi Jyoti , Beri Deepti , Bhaumik Soumyadeep 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundTobacco consumption is a leading preventable cause of disease and premature deaths. In India bidis are the most common form of smoking tobacco product. Bidi manufacturing is an agro-forest based cottage industry and is generally rolled at home. These workers are exposed to nicotine, tar and other particles through skin leading to occupational health risks in not only themselves but also in their families and communities. There are concerns on environmental risks of bidi manufacturing in home too.AimTo assess the environmental risks and occupational health hazards of bidi workers and their communities in India.MethodWe will conduct a scoping review to identify, map and analyse evidence around environmental risks and occupational health hazards in bidi workers and their families and communities. We will search in seven electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE+EMBASE Classic, CINAHL, Environment complete-EBSCO, GreenFILE-EBSCO, Web of Science and WHO-IRIS). Screening will be done independently by at least two reviewers, with disagreements resolve by consensus. We will extract data for the included studies using a standardised data extraction in an independent fashion, with disagreements resolved by consensus. We will conduct a narrative synthesis.
Impact assessment of mobility restrictions, testing, and vaccination on the COVID-19 pandemic in India
Authors: Shin Jeonghyun , Khuong Quynh Long , Abbas Kaja , Oh Juhwan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundBefore the availability of vaccines, countries largely relied on mobility restriction and testing to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim is to assess the combined impact of mobility restriction, testing, and vaccination on the COVID-19 pandemic in India.MethodsWe conducted a multiple regression analysis to assess the impact of mobility, testing, and vaccination on COVID-19 incidence between April 28, 2021 to November 24, 2021 using data from Our World in Data and Google Mobility Report. The 7-day moving average was applied to offset the daily fluctuations in the mobility and testing. Each independent variable was lagged to construct a temporal relationship, and waning vaccination efficacy was taken into consideration. We performed additional analysis for three time periods between March 28, 2020 to November 24, 2021 (1st: March 28, 2020 ∼ October 7, 2020, 2nd: October 8, 2020 ∼ April 27, 2021, 3rd: April 28, 2021 ∼ November 24, 2021) to examine potential heterogeneity over time.ResultsMobility (0.041, 95% CI: 0.033 to 0.048), testing (-0.008, 95% CI: -0.015 to -0.001), and vaccination (quadratic term: 0.004, 95% CI: 0.003 to 0.005, linear term: -0.130, 95% CI: -0.161 to -0.099) were all associated with COVID-19 incidence. For vaccination rate, the decrease of number of cases demonstrated a U-shaped curve, while mobility showed a positive association and testing showed an inverse association with COVID-19 incidence. Mobility restriction was effective during all three periods – March 28, 2020 to November 24, 2021 (0.009, 0.048, and 0.026 respectively). Testing was effective during the second and third period – October 8, 2020 to November 24, 2021 (-0.036, and -0.006 respectively).ConclusionMobility restriction and testing were effective even in the presence of vaccination. This shows the positive value of mobility restrictions, testing, and vaccination from the health system perspective on COVID-19 prevention and control, especially with continual emergence of variants in India and globally. At the same time, this health system gain must be balanced with the challenges in the delivery of non-COVID health services and broader socio-economic impact in deciding the prolonged continuance of mobility restriction.
Spatial Cluster Modeling of Rodent Infestations and Leptospirosis Risks in SE Asian Urban Areas
Authors: Wibowo Andri , Vazela Erze , Prasetyo Alifa A. , Firdaus Alfian F. , Fajrina Lulu , Annisa Feby , Dinilah Izzah , Nisrina Adinda , Chairunnisa Fayza , Aulia Farras Putri , Megakusuma Diah , Dharmawan M. Adrian 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUrban areas in the Southeast Asia Region are characterized by rainfall, river networks, and rodent infestations. Combinations of these adverse conditions will lead to the increasing risk of leptospirosis as usually contained in rodents. Then this study aims to assess the spatial pattern of rodent infestations and estimate the potential leptospirosis risks using environmental variables including distance to the river and rainfall in a city in SE Asia. The spatial modeling of rodent infestations was developed based on GIS and interpolation analysis. Meanwhile, the cluster modeling of rodent infestations was developed using the K-means clustering method. The results revealed the rodent infestations represented by two rodent species were Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus. R. rattus has a higher abundance than R. norvegicus. In contrast, R. norvegicus has wider distribution areas than R. rattus. Regarding the distribution areas, both species overlapped in the Southern parts of the city. R. rattus and R. norvegicus showed a distinct cluster characterized by a high rodent population with affinity for the nearest river, and this indicates the urban inhabitants near the river have more leptospirosis risk. The model of leptospirosis risks estimated an urban area of 35.182 km2 or 17.56% having leptospirosis potential.
A Qualitative Study Regarding Messages of the COVID-19 Vaccine from Vaccinated Healthcare Providers and Healthy Adults
Authors: Sano Shuji , Sato Satomi , Ohmagari Norio , Takahashi Osamu 
Published: March 2022

1.AbstractBackgroundTo promote the vaccination against COVID-19, person-to-person communication from vaccinated people will play an important role. The objectives of this study are to identify what messages were shared by vaccinated people, and the relationship between these messages and their background.MethodsThis study was an exploratory and prospective basis with individual interviews. The participants were healthcare providers and healthy adults who were recruited at a vaccination site in Chuo-City, Tokyo. The online interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview. Based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), the participants were asked about their perspectives on vaccines and what they talked about after their vaccination. The interviews were categorized into each item of the HBM and analyzed using NVivo software.ResultsDuring August to October 2021, five healthcare providers and seven healthy adults were enrolled in the study. One healthy adult could not be contacted resulting in a total of 11 participants interviewed. Both the healthcare providers and the healthy adults mainly talked about side effects after their vaccination, and to ease the other persons’ concerns based on their experience. Meanwhile, there were differences in the recommendations for vaccination between the two groups. The healthcare providers were strongly aware of the severity of COVID-19 infection and recommended vaccination to others as a useful measure to suppress becoming severely ill. On the other hand, the healthy adults recommended the vaccine with varying degree depending on their expectations and concerns about the vaccine and external factors such as living with a family member.ConclusionBoth the healthcare providers and healthy adults shared similar messages to ease the vaccination concerns of others. However, their vaccine recommendation level was varied, which may be influenced not only by expectations and concerns toward the vaccine, but also by external factors such as family members living together.
Strengthening health service delivery and governance through institutionalizing ‘Urban Health Atlas’ - a geo-referenced Information Communication and Technology tool: lessons learned from an implementation research in three cities in Bangladesh
Authors: Shafique Sohana , Bhattacharyya Dipika Shankar , Hossain Tarek , Hasan Shaikh Mehdi , Ahmed Shakil , Islam Rubana , Adams Alayne M. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIntroductionUrban health governance in Bangladesh is complex as multiple actors are involved and no comprehensive data are currently available on infrastructure, services, or performance either in public and private sectors of the healthcare system. The Urban Health Atlas (UHA) – a novel and interactive geo-referenced, web-based visualization tool was developed in Bangladesh to provide geospatial and service information to decision makers involved in urban health service planning and governance. Our objective was to study the opportunities for institutionalization of the UHA into government health systems responsible for urban healthcare delivery and document the facilitators and barriers to its uptake.MethodsThis mixed-methods implementation research was carried out during 2017-2019 in three cities in Bangladesh: Dhaka, Dinajpur and Jashore. During the intervention period, six hands-on trainings on UHA were provided to 67 urban health managers across three study sites. Both in-depth and key informant interviews were conducted to understand user experience and document stakeholder perceptions of institutionalizing UHA.ResultsCapacity building on UHA enhanced understanding of health managers around its utility for service delivery planning, decision making and oversight. Uptake of UHA was challenged by inadequate ICT infrastructure, shortage of human resources and general lack of ICT skill among the managers. Motivating key decision makers and stakeholders about the potential of UHA and engaging them from the inception helped the institutionalization process.ConclusionWhile uptake of UHA by government health managers appears possible with dedicated capacity building initiatives, its use and regular update are challenged by multiple factors at the implementation level. A clear understanding of context, actors and system readiness is foundational in determining whether the institutionalization of health ICTs is timely, realistic or relevant.
A mixed methods study of community-based health insurance enrollment trends and underlying challenges in two districts of northeast Ethiopia: a proxy for its sustainability
Authors: Hussien Mohammed , Azage Muluken , Bayou Negalign Berhanu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundCommunity-based health insurance initiatives in low- and middle-income countries are plagued by persistently low coverage due to their voluntary orientation. In Ethiopia, the schemes’ membership growth has not been well investigated so far. This study sought to examine the scheme’s enrollment trend over a five-year period, and to explore the various challenges that underpin membership growth from the perspectives of various key stakeholders.MethodsThe study employed a mixed methods case study in two districts of northeast Ethiopia: Tehulederie and Kallu. Quantitative data was collected by reviewing the databases of schemes. Key informant interviews and in-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face with 19 key stakeholders and nine community members, respectively. Study participants were purposely selected using the maximum variation technique. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Thematic analysis was employed with both deductive and inductive coding approaches.ResultsEnrollment in the two districts has shown an inconsistent trend over the study period (2017 to 2021). The scheme in Tehulederie has a relatively better enrollment trend, particularly in terms of membership retention, which could be due to the strong foundation laid by a rigorous public awareness campaign and technical support during the pilot phase. The challenges contributing to the observed level of performance have been summarized under four main themes that include quality of health care, claims reimbursement for insurance holders, governance practices, and community awareness and acceptability.ConclusionsThe scheme experienced negative growth ratios in both districts with inconsistent trends, showing that the scheme is not functionally viable. It will regress unless relevant stakeholders at all levels of government demonstrate political will and commitment to its implementation, as well as advocate for the community. Interventions should target on the highlighted challenges in order to boost membership growth and ensure the viability of the community-based health insurance.
COVID-19 outcomes associated with clinical and demographic characteristics in patients hospitalized with severe and critical disease in Peshawar
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Azharuddin  , Yousaf Muhammad , Khan Sajjad , Khan Abdul Jalil , Iqbal Zafar , Jan RahmanUllah , Khan Shahid , Khan Muhammad Salman 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundAs a novel disease, understanding the relationship between the clinical and demographic characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and their outcome is critical. We investigated this relationship in hospitalized patients in a tertiary healthcare setting.Aims/objectivesTo study COVID-19 severity and outcomes in relation to clinical and demographic characteristics of in admitted patientsMethodologyIn this cross-sectional study, medical records for 1087 COVID-19 patients were reviewed to extract symptoms, comorbidities, demographic characteristics, and outcomes data. Statistical analyses included the post-stratification chi-square test, independent sample t-test, multivariate logistic regression, and time-to-event analysis.ResultsThe majority of the study participants were >50 years old (67%) and male (59%) and had the following symptoms: fever (96%), cough (95%), shortness of breath (73%), loss of taste (77%), and loss of smell (77%). Regarding worst outcome, multivariate regression analysis showed that these characteristics were statistically significant: shortness of breath (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 31.3; 95% CI, 11.87–82.53; p < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (aOR 28.3; 95% CI,9.0–89.6; p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (aOR 5.1; 95% CI;3.2–8.2; p < 0.001), ischemic heart disease (aOR 3.4; 95% CI,1.6–7; p = 0.001), nausea and vomiting (aOR 3.3; 95% CI, 1.7–6.6; p = 0.001), and prolonged hospital stay (aOR 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.08; p = 0.001), while patients with rhinorrhea were significantly protected (aOR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2–0.5; p < 0.001). A Kaplan–Meier curve showed that the symptoms of shortness of breath, ICU admission, fever, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea increased the risk of mortality.ConclusionIncreasing age, certain comorbidities and symptoms, and direct admission to the ICU increased the risk of worse outcomes. Further research is needed to determine risk factors that may increase disease severity and devise a proper risk-scoring system to initiate timely management.
Tracking population mental health before and across stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in young adults
Authors: Kwong Alex S. F. , Northstone Kate , Pearson Rebecca M. , McIntosh Andrew M. , Timpson Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2022

SummaryThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with worsening mental health. Longitudinal studies have monitored changes in mental health from pre-pandemic levels, identifying critical points for mental health as COVID-19 restrictions evolve. Here we highlight changes in depression and anxiety in the UK from pre-pandemic across four pandemic occasions: April and June 2020, January, and July 2021 – corresponding to changes in COVID-19 restrictions. Data were from >5,000 27–29-year-olds from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We found that anxiety almost doubled throughout the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic levels and remained high until July 2021 when COVID-19 restrictions were fully lifted. Depression was lower than pre-pandemic levels in April 2020 but increased as the pandemic evolved until July 2021. Women, those with existing mental/physical health conditions and those with economic hardship were most at risk of sustained poorer mental health across the pandemic. Our results highlight the importance of longitudinal studies for tracking mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and across virus suppression policy changes.
Impact of Vaccination, Prior Infection, and Therapy on Delta and Omicron Variants
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Zein Joe , Ji Xinge , Lin Dan-Yu 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe studied 249,070 patients who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 in the Cleveland Clinic Health System between October 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022. We found that vaccination, especially with recent boosting, was more effective than prior infection and monoclonal antibody therapy against both the delta and omicron variants. Vaccination and prior infection were much less effective against infection with the omicron variant than with the delta variant, but the opposite was true of death after infection. Boosting greatly increased the effectiveness of the two mRNA vaccines against both infection and death, although its effects waned markedly after 6 months. In addition, monoclonal antibody therapy was notably less effective at preventing death from the omicron variant than from the delta variant. Finally, the relatively low mortality of the omicron variant was due to both the reduced lethality of this variant and the increased population immunity acquired from booster vaccination and previous infection.
Assessing Direct and Spillover Effects of Intervention Packages in Network-Randomized Studies
Authors: Buchanan Ashley L. , Hernández-Ramírez Raúl Ulises , Lok Judith J. , Vermund Sten H. , Friedman Samuel R. , Forastiere Laura , Spiegelman Donna 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTIntervention packages may result in a greater public health impact than single interventions. Understanding the separate impact of each component in the overall package effectiveness can improve intervention delivery. We adapted an approach to evaluate the effects of a time-varying intervention package in a network-randomized study. In some network-randomized studies, only a subset of participants in exposed networks receive the intervention themselves. The spillover effect contrasts average potential outcomes if a person was not exposed themselves under intervention in the network versus no intervention in a control network. We estimated effects of components of the intervention package in HIV Prevention Trials Network 037, a Phase III network-randomized HIV prevention trial among people who inject drugs and their risk networks using Marginal Structural Models to adjust for time-varying confounding. The index participant in an intervention network received a peer education intervention initially at baseline, then boosters at 6 and 12 months. All participants were followed to ascertain HIV risk behaviors. There were 560 participants with at least one follow-up visit, 48% of whom were randomized to the intervention, and 1,598 participant-visits were observed. The spillover effect of the boosters in the presence of initial peer education training was a 39% rate reduction (Rate Ratio = 0.61; 95% confidence interval= 0.43, 0.87). These methods will be useful to evaluate intervention packages in studies with network features.
Metabolic associations with stroke, dementia, and imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease: a comprehensive metabolomics study
Authors: Harshfield Eric L , Markus Hugh S 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundCerebral small vessel disease is a major cause of ischemic stroke and vascular dementia, which are among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Metabolomics can help identify novel risk factors to better understand pathogenesis, predict disease progression and severity, and identify therapeutic targets.MethodsWe analyzed metabolomics profiles from 118,021 UK Biobank participants with baseline metabolomics measurements (baseline surveys, 2006-2010; latest follow-up, March 2022). We examined cross-sectional associations of 325 metabolites with clinical diagnoses of stroke and dementia and MRI markers of small vessel disease. We also evaluated relationships between metabolites and future risk of stroke and dementia and performed Mendelian randomization to ascertain causal relationships.ResultsAmong 118,021 participants (54% women; mean recruitment age, 56.5 years), 2,477 stroke and 1,785 dementia events were recorded (median follow-up, 13.1 years). In cross-sectional analyses, lower levels of apolipoproteins, free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, fatty acids, lipoprotein particle concentrations, phospholipids, and triglycerides were associated with increased white matter microstructural damage on diffusion tensor MRI. Lower levels of amino acids and fatty acids and higher levels of ketone bodies were associated with increased risk of dementia. In longitudinal analyses, lipoprotein subclasses of very large HDL were associated with increased risk of stroke, and acetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and relative lipoprotein lipid concentrations were associated with increased risk of dementia. Mendelian randomization analyses identified strong evidence supporting causal relationships for many associations.Conclusionsbiomarker profiling platform and experimentation In this large-scale metabolomics study, we found multiple metabolites associated with stroke, dementia, and MRI markers of small vessel disease. Further studies may help develop personalized prediction models for patients at increased risk of stroke and dementia and provide insights into mechanistic pathways and future treatment approaches.Key PointsQuestionAre metabolites associated with stroke, dementia, and MRI markers of cerebral small vessel disease?FindingsIn an analysis of individual-participant data from 118,021 participants, we identified 289 metabolites that were significantly associated with stroke, dementia, and MRI markers of small vessel disease.MeaningMetabolic markers were associated with risk of stroke, dementia, and MRI markers of small vessel disease, which could be used to develop personalized prediction models and novel treatment approaches for patients at increased risk of vascular-related conditions.