bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progressive Changes in Brain Regional Homogeneity Induced by Electroconvulsive Therapy Among Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Tong Wenjing , Dong Zhao , Guo Wenbin , Zhang Meng , Zhang Yujuan , Du Yunhong , Zhao Jingping , Lv Luxian , Liu Yahui , Wang Xueke , Kou Yanna , Zhang Haisan , Zhang Hongxing 
Published: December 2021

Objectives
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has significant effects on improving psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia (SZ), but the changes of brain function induced by it are unclear. The purpose of the study was to explore progressive ECT-induced changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo) at multiple time points before, during, and after a course of ECT.

Methods
The 27 in-patients with SZ (SZ group) who met the recruitment criteria accepted clinical evaluations and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before the first ECT (pre-ECT), after the first ECT (ECT1), and after the eighth ECT (ECT8), all conducted within 10 to 12 hours. Forty-three healthy controls (HCs; HC group) who matched well with the patients for age, sex, and years of education were recruited. For Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and ReHo, progressive changes were examined.

Results
Pair-wise comparisons of patient pre-ECT, ECT1, and ECT8 ReHo values with HC ReHo values revealed that ECT normalized the ReHo values in bilateral superior occipital gyrus (SOG), right lingual gyrus (LG), left medial prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, improved ReHo in bilateral SOG and right LG appeared after the first ECT application. The ReHo values in right middle occipital gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, and right inferior parietal lobule were not significantly altered by ECT. The total PANSS score was lower even after the first ECT application (mean ΔPANSSECT1, 11.7%; range, 2%–32.8%) and markedly reduced after the eighth application (mean ΔPANSSECT8, 86.3%; range, 72.5%–97.9%).

Conclusions
The antipsychotic effects of ECT may be achieved through regulating synchronization of some regions such as bilateral SOG, right LG, and left medial prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, the enhanced synchronizations also take place in other regions.
Trends and country-level variation in age at first sex in sub-Saharan Africa among birth cohorts entering adulthood between 1985 and 2020
Authors: Nguyen Van Kính , Eaton Jeffrey W 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundDebuting sexual intercourse marks exposure to pregnancy or fatherhood and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), sexual debut varies according to cultural, religious, and economic factors, and encouraging delay has been a longstanding component of behavioural HIV prevention strategies. Age at first sex (AFS) is routinely collected in national household surveys, but data are affected by reporting biases, limiting utility to monitor trends and guide sexual health interventions.MethodsWe collated individual-level data from nationally-representative household surveys to analyse timing and national trends in AFS in 42 SSA countries. We used a log-skew-logistic distribution to characterize the time to AFS in a Bayesian spatio-temporal model, providing estimates of the sexual debut rate by sex, age, time, and country. We statistically adjusted for reporting biases by comparing AFS reported by the same birth cohorts in multiple survey rounds, allowing different reporting biases by sex and country.ResultsMedian AFS in 2015 ranged from 15.8 among Angolan women to 25.3 among men in Niger. AFS was younger for women than men in 37/40 countries. The gap was largest for Sahel region countries and minimal in southern African countries. The distribution of female AFS was asymmetric with half debuting sex in an age range of 3.9 years [IQR 3.4–5.0 across countries]. Median AFS increased slightly between 1985 and 2020, ranging 0.84 years [IQR 0.11–1.55] and 0.79 [IQR -0.23–1.98] for females and males, respectively. The gender gap changed little over time in most countries. Female teens often reported higher AFS compared to when asked in their late twenties while male teens reported lower AFS; both sexes recalled a higher AFS in older ages compared to their thirties.ConclusionsAFS increased slightly in most SSA countries, but changes were modest relative to large and persistent variation between countries and sexes, indicating relatively entrenched socio-cultural practices around sexual debut. Sexual health, family planning, and HIV/STI prevention services should adapt to local practices rather than focusing interventions to change AFS. These estimates for rates of sexual debut provide data to guide programmatic prioritization and implementation of sexual health services.
Topological data analysis identifies distinct biomarker phenotypes during the ‘inflammatory’ phase of COVID-19
Authors: Blair Paul W. , Brandsma Joost , Chenoweth Josh , Richard Stephanie A. , Epsi Nusrat J. , Mehta Rittal , Striegel Deborah , Clemens Emily G. , Lindholm David A. , Maves Ryan C. , Larson Derek T. , Mende Katrin , Colombo Rhonda E. , Ganesan Anuradha , Lalani Tahaniyat , Colombo Christopher J , Malloy Allison A. , Snow Andrew L. , Schully Kevin L. , Lanteri Charlotte , Simons Mark P. , Dumler John S. , Tribble David , Burgess Timothy , Pollett Simon , Agan Brian K. , Clark Danielle V. ,   the EPICC COVID-19 Cohort Study Group
Published: December 2021

AbstractOBJECTIVESThe relationships between baseline clinical phenotypes and the cytokine milieu of the peak ‘inflammatory’ phase of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) are not yet well understood. We used Topological Data Analysis (TDA), a dimensionality reduction technique to identify patterns of inflammation associated with COVID-19 severity and clinical characteristics.DESIGNExploratory analysis from a multi-center prospective cohort study.SETTINGEight military hospitals across the United States between April 2020 and January 2021.PATIENTSAdult (≥18 years of age) SARS-CoV-2 positive inpatient and outpatient participants were enrolled with plasma samples selected from the putative ‘inflammatory’ phase of COVID-19, defined as 15-28 days post symptom onset.INTERVENTIONSNone.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTSConcentrations of 12 inflammatory protein biomarkers were measured using a broad dynamic range immunoassay. TDA identified 3 distinct inflammatory protein expression clusters. Peak severity (outpatient, hospitalized, ICU admission or death), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated with logistic regression for associations with each cluster. The study population (n=129, 33.3% female, median 41.3 years of age) included 77 outpatient, 31 inpatient, 16 ICU-level, and 5 fatal cases. Three distinct clusters were found that differed by peak disease severity (p <0.001), age (p <0.001), BMI (p<0.001), and CCI (p=0.001).CONCLUSIONSExploratory clustering methods can stratify heterogeneous patient populations and identify distinct inflammation patterns associated with comorbid disease, obesity, and severe illness due to COVID-19.
Interpretable and Predictive Deep Modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Sequence
Authors: Sokhansanj Bahrad A. , Zhao Zhengqiao , Rosen Gail L. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTAs the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to rapidly mutate and change in ways that impact virulence, transmissibility, and immune evasion. Genome sequencing is a critical tool, as other biological techniques can be more costly, time-consuming, and difficult. However, the rapid and complex evolution of SARS-CoV-2 challenges conventional sequence analysis methods like phylogenetic analysis. The virus picks up and loses mutations independently in multiple subclades, often in novel or unexpected combinations, and, as for the newly emerged Omicron variant, sometimes with long explained branches. We propose interpretable deep sequence models trained by machine learning to complement conventional methods. We apply Transformer-based neural network models developed for natural language processing to analyze protein sequences. We add network layers to generate sample embeddings and sequence-wide attention to interpret models and visualize multiscale patterns. We demonstrate and validate our framework by modeling SARS-CoV-2 and coronavirus taxonomy. We then develop an interpretable predictive model of disease severity that integrates SARS-CoV-2 spike protein sequence and patient demographic variables, using publicly available data from the GISAID database. We also apply our model to Omicron. Based on knowledge prior to the availability of empirical data for Omicron, we predict: 1) reduced neutralization antibody activity (15-50 fold) greater than any previously characterized variant, varying between Omicron sublineages, and 2) reduced risk of severe disease (by 35-40%) relative to Delta. Both predictions are in accord with recent epidemiological and experimental data.
Relationship between temperature and relative humidity on the initial spread of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Brazil
Authors: Anselmo Olinto Maria Teresa , Garcez Anderson , Brunelli Gabriel , Olinto Flávio Anselmo , Fanton Marcos , Canuto Raquel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionClimate conditions may have influence on the transmission of COVID-19. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the impact of temperature and relative humidity on COVID-19 cases and deaths during the initial phase of the epidemic in Brazil.MethodologyThis is an ecological study based on secondary data. Daily data on new COVID-19 cases and deaths and on climate indicators was collected from February 20th to April 18th, 2020 (n=59 days), for all state capital cities in Brazil and the Federal District (Brasília). The studied climate indicators included mean temperature, temperature amplitude, mean relative humidity, relative humidity amplitude, and percentage of days with mean relative humidity less than or equal to 65%. Correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were performed for all cities and was also stratified by quintiles of the COVID-19 incidence rate.ResultsMean daily temperature was positively correlated with the number of days until the first COVID-19 case was reported. A lower mean relative humidity was correlated with lower number of cases and deaths in Brazil, especially when the relative humidity was less than or equal to 65%. Higher temperatures and humidity amplitudes were correlated with lower COVID-19 mortality. Additionally, after controlling for humidity, cumulative cases of COVID-19 were inversely associated with temperature in cities with mean temperatures less than 25.8 °C.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that variations in temperature and humidity across the Brazilian territory may have influenced the spread of the novel coronavirus during the initial phase of the epidemic in the country.
Vitamin D Status & Latitude Predict Brain Lesions in Adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: van Haren Keith , Wilkes Jacob , Moser Ann B. , Raymond Gerald V. , Richardson Troy , Aubourg Patrick , Collins Timothy W. , Mowry Ellen M , Bonkowsky Joshua L. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTA subset of boys with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) develop inflammatory demyelinating brain lesions. Risk factors are largely undefined. We used two independent cohorts to assess whether low vitamin D status predicts lesion development. In our first cohort, we measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 53 plasma samples from 20 pre-lesional ALD boys followed at two centers; half subsequently developed lesions. In our second cohort, we measured latitude (using home ZIP code) among 230 ALD boys in a database of 51 US pediatric hospitals; over half developed lesions. In regression models, low plasma vitamin D and northerly latitudes independently predicted ALD brain lesions.
COVID-19 in children in NSW, Australia, during the 2021 Delta outbreak: Severity and Disease spectrum
Authors: Williams Phoebe , Koirala Archana , Saravanos Gemma , Lopez Laura , Glover Catherine , Sharma Ketaki , Williams Tracey , Carey Emma , Shaw Nadine , Dickins Emma , Sitaram Neela , Ging Joanne , Bray Paula , Crawford Nigel , McMullan Brendan , Macartney Kristine , Wood Nicholas , Fulton Beth , Lau Christine , Britton Philip N 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTObjective(s)To describe the severity and clinical spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Australian children during the 2021 Delta outbreak.Design, Setting & ParticipantsA prospective cohort study of children <16 years with a positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test cared for by the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (SCHN) virtual and inpatient medical teams between 1 June – 31 October 2021.Main outcome measuresDemographic and clinical data from all admitted patients and a random sample of outpatients managed under the SCHN virtual care team were analysed to identify risk factors for admission to hospital.ResultsThere were 17,474 SARS-CoV-2 infections in children <16 years in NSW during the study period, of whom 11,985 (68.6%) received care coordinated by SCHN. Twenty one percent of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 were asymptomatic. For every 100 SARS-CoV-2 infections in children <16 years, 1.26 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.46) required hospital admission for medical care; while 2.46 (95% CI 2.18 to 2.73) required admission for social reasons only. Risk factors for hospitalisation for medical care included age <6 months, a history of prematurity, age 12 to <16 years, and a history of medical comorbidities (aOR 7.23 [95% CI 2.92 to 19.4]). Of 17,474 infections, 15 children (median age 12.8years) required ICU admission; and 294 children required hospital admission due to social or welfare reasons.ConclusionThe majority of children with SARS-CoV-2 infection (Delta variant) had asymptomatic or mild disease. Hospitalisation was uncommon and occurred most frequently in young infants and adolescents with comorbidities. More children were hospitalised for social reasons than for medical care.
Divergent SARS CoV-2 Omicron-specific T- and B-cell responses in COVID-19 vaccine recipients
Authors: GeurtsvanKessel Corine H. , Geers Daryl , Schmitz Katharina S. , Mykytyn Anna Z. , Lamers Mart M , Bogers Susanne , Gommers Lennert , Sablerolles Roos S.G. , Nieuwkoop Nella N. , Rijsbergen Laurine C. , van Dijk Laura L.A. , de Wilde Janet , Alblas Kimberley , Breugem Tim I. , Rijnders Bart J.A. , de Jager Herbert , Weiskopf Daniela , van der Kuy P. Hugo M. , Sette Alessandro , Koopmans Marion P.G. , Grifoni Alba , Haagmans Bart L. , de Vries Rory D. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is spreading rapidly, even in vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about immune escape. Here, we studied neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 D614G (wildtype, WT), and the B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of concern (VOC) in a cohort of 60 health care workers (HCW) after immunization with ChAdOx-1 S, Ad26.COV2.S, mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2. High binding antibody levels against WT SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) were detected 28 days after vaccination with both mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2), which significantly decreased after 6 months. In contrast, antibody levels were lower after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination but did not wane. Neutralization assays with authentic virus showed consistent cross-neutralization of the Beta and Delta variants in study participants, but Omicron-specific responses were significantly lower or absent (up to a 34-fold decrease compared to D614G). Notably, BNT162b2 booster vaccination after either two mRNA-1273 immunizations or Ad26.COV.2 priming partially restored neutralization of the Omicron variant, but responses were still up to-17-fold decreased compared to D614G. CD4+ T-cell responses were detected up to 6 months after all vaccination regimens; S-specific T-cell responses were highest after mRNA-1273 vaccination. No significant differences were detected between D614G- and variant-specific T-cell responses, including Omicron, indicating minimal escape at the T-cell level. This study shows that vaccinated individuals retain T-cell immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, potentially balancing the lack of neutralizing antibodies in preventing or limiting severe COVID-19. Booster vaccinations may be needed to further restore Omicron cross-neutralization by antibodies.
Waning of SARS-CoV-2 booster viral-load reduction effectiveness
Authors: Levine-Tiefenbrun Matan , Yelin Idan , Alapi Hillel , Herzel Esma , Kuint Jacob , Chodick Gabriel , Gazit Sivan , Patalon Tal , Kishony Roy 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to reduce viral load of breakthrough infections (BTIs), an important factor affecting infectiousness. This viral-load protective effect has been waning with time post the second vaccine and later restored with a booster shot. It is currently unclear though for how long this regained effectiveness lasts. Analyzing Ct values of SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR tests of over 22,000 infections during a Delta-variant-dominant period in Israel, we found that this viral-load reduction effectiveness significantly declines within months post the booster dose. Adjusting for age, sex and calendric date, Ct values of RdRp gene initially increased by 2.7 [CI: 2.3-3.0] relative to unvaccinated in the first month post the booster dose, yet then decayed to a difference of 1.3 [CI: 0.7-1.9] in the second month and became small and insignificant in the third to fourth months. The rate and magnitude of this post-booster decline in viral-load reduction effectiveness mirror those observed post the second vaccine. These results suggest rapid waning of the booster’s effectiveness in reducing infectiousness, possibly affecting community-level spread of the virus.
SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant: exploring healthcare workers’ awareness and perception of vaccine effectiveness: a national survey during the first week of WHO variant alert
Authors: Temsah Mohamad-Hani , Aljamaan Fadi , Alenezi Shuliweeh , Alhasan Khalid , Alrabiaah Abdulkarim , Assiri Rasha , Bassrawi Rolan , Alhaboob Ali , Alshahrani Fatimah , Alarabi Mohamad , Alaraj Ali , Alharbi Nasser S , Halwani Rabih , Jamal Amr , Al-Eyadhy Ayman , AbdulMajeed Naif , Alfarra Lina , Almashdali Wafa , Al-Zamil Fahad , Barry Mazin , Memish Ziad A. , Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Alsubaie Sarah 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundAs the SARS-CoV2 Omicron variant spreads in several countries, healthcare workers’ (HCWs) perceptions and worries regarding vaccine effectiveness and boosters warrant reassessment.MethodsAn online questionnaire among HCWs in Saudi Arabia (KSA) was distributed from Dec 1st to 6th 2021 to assess their perceptions, vaccine advocacy to the Omicron variant, and their perception of the effectivness of infection prevention measures and vaccination to prevent its spread, their Omicron variant related worries in comparison to the other variants, and their agreement with mandatory vaccination in general for adults.ResultsAmong the 1285 HCW participants, two-thirds were female, 49.8 % were nurses, 46.4% were physicians, and 50.0% worked in tertiary care hospitals. 66.9% considered vaccination to be the most effective way to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant and future variants. The respondents however perceived social distancing (78.0%), universal masking (77.8%), and avoiding unnecessary travel (71.4%) as slightly superior to vaccination to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants. HCWs aging 55 or older agreed singficanlty with vaccine ineffictivness to control Omicron spread, while those who believed in non-pharmacolgical infection prevention measures agreed signifcantly with vaccination for that purpose. Male HCWs had a significant agreement with mandatory vaccination of all eligible adult populations. On the other hand, unwilling HCWs to receive the vaccine had strong disagreements with mandatory vaccination.ConclusionsThe current study in the first week of Omicron showed that only two-thirds of HCWs felt that vaccination was the best option to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant, indicating the need for further motivation campaigns for vaccination and booster dose. HCWs had a strong belief in infection prevention measures to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants that should be encouraged and augmented.
Sociodemographic factors and self-restraint from social behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mori Takahiro , Nagata Tomohisa , Ikegami Kazunori , Hino Ayako , Tateishi Seiichiro , Tsuji Mayumi , Matsuda Shinya , Fujino Yoshihisa , Mori Koji ,   for the CORoNaWork project
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe control of human flow has led to better control of COVID-19 infections. Japan’s state of emergency, unlike other countries, is not legally binding but is rather a request for individual self-restraint; thus, factors must be identified that do not respond to self-restraint, and countermeasures considered for those factors to enhance its efficacy. We examined the relationship between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint toward going out in public during a pandemic in Japan. This cross-sectional study used data for February 18–19, 2021, obtained from an internet survey; 19,560 participants aged 20–65 were included in the analysis. We identified five relevant behaviors: (1) taking a day trip; (2) eating out with five people or more; (3) gathering with friends and colleagues; (4) shopping for other than daily necessities; (5) shopping for daily necessities. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint for each of the behaviors. Results showed that for behaviors other than shopping for daily necessities, women, those aged 60–65, married people, highly educated people, high-income earners, desk workers and those who mainly work with interpersonal communication, and those with underlying disease reported more self-restraint. Older people had less self-restraint than younger people toward shopping for daily necessities; an underlying disease had no effect on the identified behavior. Specialized interventions for these groups that include recommendations for greater self-restraint may improve the efficacy of the implementing measures that request self-restraint.