bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Digital COVID-19 surveillance tool for a mass gathering event - a prospective cohort study
Authors: Hohmuth N , Lang A-L , Remschmidt C , Leistner R 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Mass gatherings have been associated with a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. On-site research can foster knowledge of risk factors for infections and improve risk assessments and precautionary measures at future events. We tested a web-based participatory disease surveillance tool to detect COVID-19 infections at and after an outdoor mass gathering by collecting self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and tests.

Methods
We conducted a digital prospective observational cohort study among fully immunized attendees of a sports event that took place from September 2 to 5, 2021 in Thuringia, Germany. Participants used our study app to report demographic data, COVID-19 tests, symptoms, and their contact behavior. This self-reported data was used to define probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases during the full “study period” (08/12/2021 - 10/31/2021) and within the 14-day “surveillance period” during and after the event, in which the highest likelihood of an event related COVID-19 outbreak could be expected (09/04/2021 - 09/17/2021).

Results
A total of 2,808 of 9,242 (30.4%) event attendees participated in the study. During the study period, 776 symptoms and 5,255 COVID-19 tests were reported in the study app. During the surveillance period, seven PCR positive COVID-19 cases were found to be associated with the event. This translated to an estimated seven-day incidence of ∼125/100,000 cases (95% CI [67.7/100,000, 223/100,000]), which was comparable to the average age-matched incidence in Germany during this time (118.3/100,000).

Conclusions
COVID-19 cases attributable to the mass gathering were comparable to the German-wide age-matched incidence, implicating that our active participatory surveillance tool was able to detect mass gathering related infections. Further studies are needed to evaluate and apply our participatory disease surveillance tool in other mass gathering settings.

Key messages
• Our digital COVID-19 surveillance tool for mass gathering events was easy to implement within the organizational structure of the event and well accepted amongst event attendees.
• Our active participatory surveillance tool was able to detect mass gathering related infections comparable to the Germany-wide incidence.
Innovative methods for health monitoring in Europe: results of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Unim B , Forjaz MJ , Thissen M , Schutte N , Palmieri L 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Innovative solutions are used to monitor the spread of COVID-19, to research and develop vaccines, and to ensure online privacy and security. The aim of the study is to investigate which innovative methods, including algorithms and digital tools (e.g., social media, artificial intelligence, contact tracing applications) are used to monitor health issues related to COVID-19 in Europe, and who is using them.

Methods
A questionnaire was developed and administered online to European countries’ representatives and stakeholders of the project Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI). The survey investigated the use of innovative solutions and digital tools in Europe to monitor COVID-19 and vaccination programs, to research and develop diagnostics and teleconsultations, and to fight online disinformation. Legislative and ethical aspects were also considered. A descriptive data analysis was performed.

Results
19 responses were collected from 14 countries. Digital tools are used to monitor COVID-19 (13/14 countries), vaccination programs (12/14), for telemedicine (7/14), and to fight disinformation (10/14). Specific algorithms to detect the patterns of the pandemic spread are available in five countries. The main target groups of the tools are the general population, healthcare providers, patients and epidemiologists. The uptake rate of the tools ranged 5-100% across countries. Measures to evaluate the impact of digital tools (e.g., user surveys, reviews, evaluation teams) have been adopted in seven countries. Information on legislative and ethical aspects related to the use of digital solutions are available in 10 countries.

Conclusions
The development and use of innovative methods for population health monitoring and research purposes have been the key to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Improving the uptake rate, impact assessment of digital tools and fight against disinformation could enhance countries’ preparedness for future pandemics.

Key messages
• Given that digital solutions are deployed in population health monitoring, research, and for online privacy and security, they have a key role in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Enhancement of the uptake rate and assessment of digital tools, and fight against disinformation could strengthen countries’ preparedness for future pandemics.
The burden of disease due to COVID-19 in Sweden: a disability-adjusted life years (DALY) study
Authors: Shedrawy J , Ernst P , Lönnroth K , Nyberg F 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Many countries have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including Sweden, which has been in the spotlight regarding its policies and their impact on mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is of high interest to measure the disease burden of COVID-19 in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). DALYs have two main components: the years of life lost through premature death (YLL) and the number of years lived with disability (YLD). This study aims to measure DALYs due to COVID-19 in Sweden.

Methods
This study used data from the nationwide multi-register observational study SCIFI-PEARL (Swedish COVID-19 Investigation for Future Insights - a Population Epidemiology Approach using Register Linkage) covering the entire Swedish population. The methodology used in the modelling and calculation of DALYs was based on the Global Burden of Disease guidelines, using Sweden-specific life tables for estimated life expectancies.

Results
In Sweden, 152877 DALYs were lost to COVID-19 between March 2020 and October 2021, corresponding to 1447/ 100 000, 99,3% of which was attributed to YLL. DALYs loss occurred mainly among elderly groups with 66,78 % of DALYs being attributed to individuals above 70 years old. 57,6% of the lost DALYs occurred among men that lost more DALYs compared to females in all age groups.

Conclusions
Similar to other countries, the burden of COVID-19 in Sweden is concentrated mainly among the elderly, which contributed to the highest DALY loss due to mortality. Yet, DALY loss remains lower for COVID-19 compared to other major non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and neoplasms. The contribution of YLD was minimal. However, YLD due to post-Covid is not well understood and long-term disability is likely still underestimated.

Key messages
• The burden of COVID-19 was mainly due to premature mortality in the older age groups.
• More research is needed especially on post-COVID disability to derive better estimates of YLD.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health behaviour of university students in Hamburg, Germany
Authors: Loof M , Czech F , Fiedler M , Kewitz M , Kunze L , Munusy Y , Reintjes R 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The academic surveillance system SuSy has been collecting and analysing data regarding the health behaviour of health sciences and medical technology students twice a year since 2014. The aims of the project are to identify risk factors as well as trends and to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on university students. The data provides a suitable basis for planning and implementing health promotion and prevention measures to improve students’ health.

Methods
A cross-sectional assessment as part of a rolling cohort analysis overall captured data of more than 3,000 cases using quantitative paper-pencil and online questionnaires at a German university in Hamburg. In autumn 2021, 257 students (193 women, 62 men), aged 18 to 54 years participated in the survey. However, trends are only described among undergraduate health sciences students (n ≈ 150 each survey).

Results
During the COVID-19 pandemic the health behaviour of students has changed considerably in many aspects. After remaining almost constant for five years the percentage of students consuming analgetic drugs regularly increased significantly from 45 % to 68 % during the first two years of the pandemic. The percentage of students consuming soporific drugs and tranquilizers has doubled during the same time and reached a new high (28 %) in autumn 2021. Parallel to the implementation and relaxation of relevant restrictions the consumption of alcohol first decreased noticeably, but then rose to an even higher level. Also, the percentage of students exhibiting low mental well-being more than doubled from 18 % to 43 %.

Conclusions
The surveys indicate that students started to engage in riskier health behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic while being subjected to low mental well-being. In addition to the observed vulnerability, further research regarding students’ health is required to identify potential, yet generalisable health risks to enhance and initiate expedient preventive measures.

Key messages
• The development, implementation and regular enhancement of a student health-related surveillance system is advisable.
• University students need to receive more public health attention in the future.
Peristomal skin complications in ileostomy and colostomy patients: a systematic literature review
Authors: D'Ambrosio F , Pappalardo C , Scardigno A , Maida A , Ricciardi R , Calabrò GE 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Peristomal skin complications (PSCs) are one of the main post-operative complications of ostomy surgery. They have a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life and represent a challenge for healthcare professionals involved in their management. The majority of PSCs is preventable and costly. Knowing their burden could guide decision makers on the ostomy patients’ management who are predominantly cancer and chronic bowel disease patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to summarize existing literature regarding the clinical-epidemiological burden of PSCs in ostomy patients.

Methods
A systematic literature review was performed querying three database (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) from January 2012 to February 2022. It included studies in English language and focused on the clinical and epidemiological burden of PSCs in the adult patients with ileostomy and colostomy.

Results
Overall, 35 studies were considered. Epidemiological data on PSCs were not systematically collected in the available literature. The principal underlying disease requiring the ostomy surgery were rectal, colon and gynaecological cancers, inflammatory bowel diseases, diverticulitis, occlusion and intestinal perforation. It was described a range of PSCs from 11% to 45%. The PSCs were most commonly erythema, papules, erosion, ulceration and vesciculation. Skin complications increased the average number of hospitalization days and of hospital readmission within 120-day following surgery.

Conclusions
The data on PSCs are still limited. Estimating the PSCs burden could support healthcare professionals and decision makers called upon to identify the most appropriate responses to patients’ health needs. The management of these complications plays a vital role to improve patient’s quality of life and a multidisciplinary approach with the active involvement of stomatherapist, surgeon and dermatologist is critical. Furthermore, a better patient education and empowerment is needed.

Key messages
• Developing a multidisciplinary approach to managing PSCs is essential in order to provide the best treatment possible and the best outcomes for patients.
• Further studies should be conducted in order to better define the clinical-epidemiological burden of ileo- and colostomies and to support better health planning.
Drinking water quality as a risk factor for pupils’ health in rural schools in Serbia
Authors: Jovanovic D , Karadzic V , Vasic M , Jovanovic V , Paunovic K 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Access to safe drinking water in schools is essential for a good health, wellbeing, learning and dignity of pupils. The rural schools are most frequently connected to the rural water supply system or own water supply source, where the monitoring of drinking water quality is scarced. The study was conducted in the rural regions in Serbia in 2016, aiming at assessing drinking water quality and sanitary conditions of school water supply facilities.

Methods
In total 238 school facilities, including 108 in Šumadija and 130 in Pomoravlje District were investigated using laboratory testing of drinking water and sanitary inspection.

Results
Study revealed that 32% of analysed samples showed microbiological faecal contamination with bacteria E. coli, while 52% of samples showed physico-chemical non-compliance with the national standards, where higher nitrates were the most common cause. Overall non-compliance of drinking water from school rural water supply systems amounted to 66% of tested water samples. This study also showed the main technical shortcomings of school water supply facilities and distribution networks such as the lack of fencing of the water source, damaged or absence of drainage channels from the well concrete floor and poor construction characteristics of wells.

Conclusions
The results of this study, particularly presence of E. coli in drinking water may affect pupils’ health and is a consequence of poor sanitary conditions and maintenance of small rural drinking water supply systems and individual wells. It is necessary to provide continuous disinfection of water available in schools and to undertake measures for technical improvements in order to provide better sanitary protection of water sources and other water supply facilities in rural schools.

Key messages
• Drinking water quality in schools is vital for children public health.
• Raise awareness of local community on drinking water safety and enforce continuous monitoring of drinking water quality in small rural water supply systems in schools.
Strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of the IHR (2005) in low GNI countries
Authors: Vasic M , Karadzic V , Jovanovic D , Kilibarda B , Jovanovic V 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
The International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 are an international legal instrument adopted by World Health Organization General Assembly to strengthen global health security and empower the countries to prevent and respond to public health threats.

Methods
This study was done within the Joint Action on Strengthened International Health Regulations and Preparedness in the EU (SHARP JA) with the aim to assess the strengths and weaknesses in preparedness and IHR implementation in order to develop and improve countries’ IHR capacities. Desk-based review and analysis of available data from the States Parties Annual Report tool (SPAR) from 2019 were done. Data (for 13 IHR capacities with 24 indicators) were analyzed for 15 countries participating in SHARP JA with gross national income (GNI) less than 90% of the EU average.

Results
The overall capacity for IHR implementation in low GNI countries is 69%, ranging from 33% in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 84% in Spain. The highest capacities are recognized in the area of Legislation and financing - 78%, IHR Coordination & NFP Functions - 77%, Food Safety - 76%, and Health service provision - 76%. The weak areas with the need for further improvement are recorded in the Points of entry (PoE) - 51%, Risk Communication - 52%, Chemical events - 60%, National health emergency framework - 65%, Surveillance - 66%, and Human Resources - 67%. The overall IHR capacity of low GNI countries is lower compared to the SHARP JA countries and the European average (76% and 73% respectively).

Conclusions
The results have shown the strongest and the weakest points of the IHR implementation in low GNI countries. This indicates the need for capacity building and further development in identified areas (Points of entry, Risk Communication, Chemical events, National health emergency framework, Surveillance, and Human Resources).

Key messages
• The assessment of the strengths and weaknesses in preparedness and IHR implementation is the key prerequisite for identifying countries’ needs for their capacity enhancement.
• Special attention should be given to the strengthening low GNI countries’ capacities.
Healthcare utilization among aging Latvians with diminished activities of daily living
Authors: Queen C , Pasupathy R , Reine I 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

The population in Latvia is aging. Independence in performing activities of daily living (ADL) is a core aspect of functioning, and the elderly frequently experience limitations in functioning. Little is known about the utilization of healthcare of elderly Latvians with functional difficulties. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between functional difficulties and utilization of healthcare among the elderly in Latvia. This study had three overall objectives: (i) to investigate the determinants of utilization of health care for elderly Latvians with functional difficulties; (ii) examine the relationship between predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, and need with specific measures of access to care using the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations and to (iii) identify the nature and existence of health disparities among the elderly in Latvia, with and without functional difficulties. Data from the 2017 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) survey, with a sample size of 1479 was utilized. There was a statistically significant difference in the utilization of healthcare between individuals with and without functional disabilities (F(4,1) =759.615, p &lt; 0.01), with a higher utilization of healthcare among individuals with functional difficulties (p&lt; .01). The results of Automatic Linear Modeling indicate that significant (p &lt; 0.05) factors in predicting utilization of healthcare include factors such as age, public sickness benefit and disability pension, and overall health status. This study is significant because it fills critical gaps in knowledge that exist with respect to healthcare utilization for elderly Latvians with functional disabilities.

Key messages
• This study contributes to our understanding of healthcare utilization of aging Latvians.
• This study provides insight into the functional limitations of the aging Latvian population.
Visual Performance and Binocular/Accommodative Function of S.T.O.P. Contact Lenses Compared With MiSight
Authors: Tilia Daniel , Diec Jennie , Ehrmann Klaus , Falk Darrin , Fedtke Cathleen , Conrad Fabian , Wu Richard , Bakaraju Ravi C. 
Published: October 2022

Objectives:
The objective of this study was to compare the visual performance and binocular/accommodative function of two novel S.T.O.P. design (F2 and DT) contact lenses against MiSight when worn by myopic, young adults.

Method:
This was a prospective, randomized, cross-over, single-masked study. Each lens was worn daily wear with overnight peroxide disinfection for approximately 7 days. Visual performance was assessed with subjective ratings (0–100): clarity of vision and lack of ghosting (far away, intermediate, and near), vision when driving, overall vision satisfaction, and with monocular high-contrast and low-contrast visual acuity (HCVA/LCVA) at 6 m, binocular HCVA (6 m, 70 cm, 50 cm, and 40 cm), binocular LCVA (6 m and 70 cm). Binocular function was assessed with heterophorias (3 m and 40 cm). Accommodative function was assessed with monocular accommodative facility (AF: 40 cm) and dynamic monocular accommodative response (AR: 6 m, 70 cm, and 40 cm).

Results:
F2 was rated higher than MiSight for clarity of vision (near and intermediate) and lack-of-ghosting (P<0.001), while MiSight was rated higher than DT for clarity of vision (near, P<0.001). MiSight was better than F2 and DT for monocular HCVA (6 m) and binocular HCVA (6 m and 40 cm, P≤0.02), but the maximum difference was ≤2 letters. There were no differences between designs for heterophoria (P=0.61) nor were there any differences between DT and MiSight for any accommodative measure (P>0.1). F2 was higher for monocular-AF (P=0.007) and lower for AR (70 cm and 40 cm; P≤0.007) compared with MiSight.

Conclusions:
The visual performance and binocular/accommodative function of S.T.O.P. designs F2 and DT were comparable with MiSight. F2 outperformed MiSight in some aspects of subjective visual performance and monocular accommodative function.
Census: accurate, automated, deep, fast, and hierarchical scRNA-seq cell-type annotation
Authors: Ghaddar Bassel , De Subhajyoti 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe developed Census, an automated, hierarchical cell-type identification method for scRNA-seq data that can deeply annotate normal cells in mammalian tissues and identify malignant cells and their likely cell of origin. When benchmarked on 44 atlas-scale normal and cancer, human and mouse tissues, Census significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods across multiple metrics. Census is a fast and fully automated method, although users can seamlessly train their own models for customized applications.
An interactive and collaborative augmented reality environment for civil engineering education: steel reinforcement bars teaching as an example
Authors: Tan Yi , Xu Wenyu , Chen Keyu , Deng Chunyan , Wang Peng 
Published: October 2022

PurposeAt present, teaching methods based on 2D drawings are still commonly used for educating students on the location of steel reinforcement bars in concrete. However, traditional teaching methods have limitations as students can find it difficult to understand 2D drawings. This study aims to develop an interactive and collaborative augmented reality environment (ICARE) using augmented reality (AR) technology to improve students' engagement in learning.Design/methodology/approachThis study develops an ICARE prototype, which is organized into two stages: (1) The augmented teaching environment comprising of models and interactive components; (2) The AR collaborative application which uses Photon Unity Networking (PUN) plugin and Azure spatial anchors cloud service. The AR-based teaching environment runs with Universal Windows Platform (UWP) to enable development in the HoloLens 2 through Microsoft Visual Studio.FindingsAn experimental study was conducted, where 60 students were divided into three groups employing Drawings-based, building information modeling (BIM)-based and AR-based methods for teaching. After the test, the three groups of students were requested to complete a questionnaire. According to the analysis of the experimental results, the ICARE can improve students' comprehension, memory of learned materials and their ability to read and understand steel reinforcement drawings improving the quality of teaching, especially interactivity and engagement.Originality/valueAs illustrated in the experiments, the developed ICARE has outstanding performance over conventional approaches in civil engineering courses that can improve students' comprehension and memory of knowledge and their ability to read and understand steel bar drawings. This study provides empirical evidence that AR is a promising technology that can be integrated with traditional classroom instruction and can improve students' comprehension and memory of knowledge and their ability to read and understand steel bar drawings.