PeerJ Preprints: Global Healthhttps://peerj.com/preprints/index.atom?journal=peerj&subject=4800Global Health articles published in PeerJ PreprintsNoncommunicable diseases prevention in low- and middle-income countries: an overview of Health in All Policies (HiAP)https://peerj.com/preprints/279622019-09-162019-09-16Ndubuisi Ebele
NCD causes an estimated 35 million deaths annually and accounts for 60% of all deaths globally, of which 80% is in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). NCDs will account for 80% of the global burden of disease by 2020. And will be responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in LMIC, more than double the current trend today. NCD is no longer an emerging problem in developing countries, it is assuming an alarming dimension, and it's taking on the proportion of an epidemic. The known risk factors for significant NCDs are well documented. The critical risk factors are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol. To reverse the current trend that leads to an increase in poor dietary pattern, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol use- will require policies that transcend the health sector and policy change in different areas such as finance, urban planning, education, agriculture, and transportation.
NCD causes an estimated 35 million deaths annually and accounts for 60% of all deaths globally, of which 80% is in low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC). NCDs will account for 80% of the global burden of disease by 2020. And will be responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in LMIC, more than double the current trend today. NCD is no longer an emerging problem in developing countries, it is assuming an alarming dimension, and it's taking on the proportion of an epidemic. The known risk factors for significant NCDs are well documented. The critical risk factors are tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful use of alcohol. To reverse the current trend that leads to an increase in poor dietary pattern, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol use- will require policies that transcend the health sector and policy change in different areas such as finance, urban planning, education, agriculture, and transportation.Injury surveillance in a rural sub-Saharan setting: Results from a pilot surveillance initiative in Nzega District, Tanzaniahttps://peerj.com/preprints/18842019-08-152019-08-15Laura DavisAlyssa BechtoldMarc KaeraaLukas LacavaHamisi A. KigwangallaMichael L. Wilson
Introduction: Ninety percent of all injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries and most of these injuries are largely preventable. Most injury surveillance systems are focused in large urban settings, which largely ignore injury mechanisms in rural contexts which are critical settings for planning future prevention efforts. Methods: Injury event information was collected from July 1 to July 31, 2013 at Nzega District Hospital (NDH) in central Tanzania using an injury questionnaire derived from World Health Organization injury surveillance guidelines. One hundred injured patients were enrolled and surveyed about the location of their injury, cause and other contextual and demographic factors. Results: Seventy-nine percent of participants were males and the most prevalent injury cause for all participants was road traffic collisions, making up 31\% of the injuries. Violence was the second most prevalent cause, accounting for 28\% of the injuries, and the number one cause of injuries for women. Twenty-three percent (n=7) of patients suffering from injuries due to road traffic collisions were given a prognosis of long-term disability of six months or more. Conclusion: Nzega District experienced a large number of injuries in a one-month period, consistent with other studies conducted in low- and middle-income country settings and is higher than several infectious diseases already considered pressing public health problems. More comprehensive data collection is required in order to fully understand the extent of this public health problem.
Introduction: Ninety percent of all injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries and most of these injuries are largely preventable. Most injury surveillance systems are focused in large urban settings, which largely ignore injury mechanisms in rural contexts which are critical settings for planning future prevention efforts. Methods: Injury event information was collected from July 1 to July 31, 2013 at Nzega District Hospital (NDH) in central Tanzania using an injury questionnaire derived from World Health Organization injury surveillance guidelines. One hundred injured patients were enrolled and surveyed about the location of their injury, cause and other contextual and demographic factors. Results: Seventy-nine percent of participants were males and the most prevalent injury cause for all participants was road traffic collisions, making up 31\% of the injuries. Violence was the second most prevalent cause, accounting for 28\% of the injuries, and the number one cause of injuries for women. Twenty-three percent (n=7) of patients suffering from injuries due to road traffic collisions were given a prognosis of long-term disability of six months or more. Conclusion: Nzega District experienced a large number of injuries in a one-month period, consistent with other studies conducted in low- and middle-income country settings and is higher than several infectious diseases already considered pressing public health problems. More comprehensive data collection is required in order to fully understand the extent of this public health problem.Synthesis, characterization, and biological evaluation of new spebrutinib analogues: potential candidates with enhanced activity and reduced toxicity profileshttps://peerj.com/preprints/277552019-05-242019-05-24Zaid M Jaber Al-ObaidiOmar F Abdul-RasheedMonther F MahdiAyad M R Raauf
Background: Cancer is regarded as an undoubtable major concern for both researchers and the general public because of its high mortality rates. While breast cancer has the highest incidence of malignancy globally, colon cancer also has high morbidity and mortality rates. Currently, researchers are working on designing, synthesizing, and biologically investigating the effects of some potential anticancer candidates.
Methods: The authors successfully synthesized and characterized two potential spebrutinib analogues. These analogues were evaluated with the employment of MCF-7, HCT116, and MDCK cell lines.
Results: With respect to the spebrutinib standard, one of these analogues had superior activity against the MCF-7 cell line (IC50; 10.744 µg/mL against 13.566 µg/mL for spebrutinib) and an enhanced toxicity profile on the MDCK cell line (IC50; 8.653 mg/mL against 4.011 mg/mL for spebrutinib).
Background: Cancer is regarded as an undoubtable major concern for both researchers and the general public because of its high mortality rates. While breast cancer has the highest incidence of malignancy globally, colon cancer also has high morbidity and mortality rates. Currently, researchers are working on designing, synthesizing, and biologically investigating the effects of some potential anticancer candidates.Methods: The authors successfully synthesized and characterized two potential spebrutinib analogues. These analogues were evaluated with the employment of MCF-7, HCT116, and MDCK cell lines.Results: With respect to the spebrutinib standard, one of these analogues had superior activity against the MCF-7 cell line (IC50; 10.744 µg/mL against 13.566 µg/mL for spebrutinib) and an enhanced toxicity profile on the MDCK cell line (IC50; 8.653 mg/mL against 4.011 mg/mL for spebrutinib).Chikungunya: time to change the paradigm of a non-fatal disease.https://peerj.com/preprints/276552019-04-162019-04-16André R R FreitasPatrick Gerardin
Since the initial description of the first human cases the chikungunya has been considered as a non-lethal virus. Since the emergence of the global virus in 2005, it has become increasingly common in the scientific literature to describe many cases of death, including in young people without preexisting diseases. In addition, it has been observed that in settings where, for some reason, death cases are not properly reported for epidemiological surveillance, it is possible to identify mortality due to chikungunya through the excess of deaths occurring during the period of chikungunya epidemics. Even so, international public health bodies still do not recognize in their official documents the importance of chikungunya as the cause of death. We believe it is necessary to review these positions and to increase investment in research to improve knowledge about the pathophysiology of severe forms and to review investment priorities in vaccines and other forms of chikungunya prevention.
Since the initial description of the first human cases the chikungunya has been considered as a non-lethal virus. Since the emergence of the global virus in 2005, it has become increasingly common in the scientific literature to describe many cases of death, including in young people without preexisting diseases. In addition, it has been observed that in settings where, for some reason, death cases are not properly reported for epidemiological surveillance, it is possible to identify mortality due to chikungunya through the excess of deaths occurring during the period of chikungunya epidemics. Even so, international public health bodies still do not recognize in their official documents the importance of chikungunya as the cause of death. We believe it is necessary to review these positions and to increase investment in research to improve knowledge about the pathophysiology of severe forms and to review investment priorities in vaccines and other forms of chikungunya prevention.Exploring the health informatics occupational group in the 2018 Australian health information workforce censushttps://peerj.com/preprints/276262019-04-022019-04-02Kerryn Butler-HendersonKathleen GrayChristopher PearceAnn RitchieJulie BrophyLouise K SchaperVicki BennettAngela Ryan
There has been no empirical evidence about the health informatics workforce in Australia produced in the last ten years. This study reports the findings from an analysis of a subset of the 2018 Australian Health Informatics Workforce Census data. Analysing 420 responses that were identified as the occupational group Health Informatics, the results indicate that whilst most of the workforce is classified as aged (>45 years), many respondents are still relatively early in their health informatics careers. Furthermore, most do not possess any formal education in health informatics and almost a quarter undertake their health informatics role alongside another health-related role. The broad range of position titles and functions demonstrates the breadth within this workforce. Ongoing monitoring of this occupational group is required to inform workforce reform and renewal.
There has been no empirical evidence about the health informatics workforce in Australia produced in the last ten years. This study reports the findings from an analysis of a subset of the 2018 Australian Health Informatics Workforce Census data. Analysing 420 responses that were identified as the occupational group Health Informatics, the results indicate that whilst most of the workforce is classified as aged (>45 years), many respondents are still relatively early in their health informatics careers. Furthermore, most do not possess any formal education in health informatics and almost a quarter undertake their health informatics role alongside another health-related role. The broad range of position titles and functions demonstrates the breadth within this workforce. Ongoing monitoring of this occupational group is required to inform workforce reform and renewal.Can the levels of toothache-related interests of Google and YouTube users differ between developed and developing countries over the years?https://peerj.com/preprints/275702019-03-072019-03-07Matheus LottoPatricia EA AguirreAnna P StriederAgnes FP CruvinelThiago Cruvinel
Background: The preferences of Web users can be influenced by distinct factors of populations, such as the ability of obtaining, processing, and understanding health information adequately. In this sense, hypothetically, source-based patterns of health-related Web searches might differ between individuals from developed and developing countries, due to their educational backgrounds. This study aimed to determine the trends of toothache-related searches performed on Google Search and YouTube, regarding differences between developed and developing countries. Methods: This longitudinal study analyzed computational metadata on toothache-related interests of Internet users. Google Trends was accessed to obtain the monthly variation of relative search volume (RSV) of the topic "Toothache-Disease" on Google (G) and YouTube (YT) through 2008 to 2017. Autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation plots, ARIMA models, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn’s and T tests were performed for evaluating trends, 12-month forecasts and the differences of annual ratios of YT/G searches between developed and developing countries, respectively (P<0.05). Results: Uptrends of RSVs were observed in both country groups over time, although 12-month forecasts tended to plateau. The volumes of searches were larger in developed countries, becoming closer to those observed in developing countries in last years. Independently of country groups, the ratios YT/G remained relatively constant throughout the period, indicating a greater interest in toothache-related information available on Google. Conclusion: In conclusion, toothache-related searches from Google and YouTube increased during the last decade. The preferences of Web users seemed to be influenced by the differences found in the availability and penetration of the Internet, and education levels between developed and developing countries.
Background: The preferences of Web users can be influenced by distinct factors of populations, such as the ability of obtaining, processing, and understanding health information adequately. In this sense, hypothetically, source-based patterns of health-related Web searches might differ between individuals from developed and developing countries, due to their educational backgrounds. This study aimed to determine the trends of toothache-related searches performed on Google Search and YouTube, regarding differences between developed and developing countries. Methods: This longitudinal study analyzed computational metadata on toothache-related interests of Internet users. Google Trends was accessed to obtain the monthly variation of relative search volume (RSV) of the topic "Toothache-Disease" on Google (G) and YouTube (YT) through 2008 to 2017. Autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation plots, ARIMA models, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn’s and T tests were performed for evaluating trends, 12-month forecasts and the differences of annual ratios of YT/G searches between developed and developing countries, respectively (P<0.05). Results: Uptrends of RSVs were observed in both country groups over time, although 12-month forecasts tended to plateau. The volumes of searches were larger in developed countries, becoming closer to those observed in developing countries in last years. Independently of country groups, the ratios YT/G remained relatively constant throughout the period, indicating a greater interest in toothache-related information available on Google. Conclusion: In conclusion, toothache-related searches from Google and YouTube increased during the last decade. The preferences of Web users seemed to be influenced by the differences found in the availability and penetration of the Internet, and education levels between developed and developing countries.Health information work - a scoping review protocolhttps://peerj.com/preprints/275352019-02-152019-02-15Kathleen M GrayCecily A Gilbert
Background: The work of managing health data, health information or health knowledge is a vital, yet unacknowledged, function in our current health system. This protocol is for a literature review which explores the evolution and development of the concept of health information work. Methodology: A scoping review of published literature in the domains of health sciences, information technology and information sciences has been carried out. A thematic and bibliometric analysis of the resulting set of publications is currently being undertaken. Results: The review results will shed light on the responsibilities and the contribution of the health information workforce, with a synthesis of themes identified in the literature, and analysis of publication year spans, prominent authors, institutions and source journals.
Background: The work of managing health data, health information or health knowledge is a vital, yet unacknowledged, function in our current health system. This protocol is for a literature review which explores the evolution and development of the concept of health information work. Methodology: A scoping review of published literature in the domains of health sciences, information technology and information sciences has been carried out. A thematic and bibliometric analysis of the resulting set of publications is currently being undertaken. Results: The review results will shed light on the responsibilities and the contribution of the health information workforce, with a synthesis of themes identified in the literature, and analysis of publication year spans, prominent authors, institutions and source journals.Dysregulation of RNA editing may help explain pathogenicity mechanisms of congenital Zika syndrome and Guillain-Barre syndromehttps://peerj.com/preprints/274012018-12-032018-12-03Helen PiontkivskaNoel-Marie PlonskiMichael M MiyamotoMarta L Wayne
Many Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis-related studies have focused primarily on virus-driven pathology and neurotoxicity, instead of considering the possibility of pathogenesis as an (unintended) consequence of host innate immunity: specifically, as the side-effect of an otherwise well-functioning machine. The hypothesis presented here suggests a new way of thinking about the role of host immune mechanisms in disease pathogenesis, focusing on dysregulation of post-transcriptional RNA editing as a candidate driver of a broad range of observed neurodevelopmental defects and neurodegenerative clinical symptoms in both infants and adults linked with ZIKV infections. We collect and synthesize existing evidence of ZIKV-mediated changes in expression of adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs), known links between abnormal RNA editing and pathogenesis, as well as ideas for potential translational applications, including genomic profile-based molecular diagnostic tools and/or treatment strategies.
Many Zika virus (ZIKV) pathogenesis-related studies have focused primarily on virus-driven pathology and neurotoxicity, instead of considering the possibility of pathogenesis as an (unintended) consequence of host innate immunity: specifically, as the side-effect of an otherwise well-functioning machine. The hypothesis presented here suggests a new way of thinking about the role of host immune mechanisms in disease pathogenesis, focusing on dysregulation of post-transcriptional RNA editing as a candidate driver of a broad range of observed neurodevelopmental defects and neurodegenerative clinical symptoms in both infants and adults linked with ZIKV infections. We collect and synthesize existing evidence of ZIKV-mediated changes in expression of adenosine deaminases that act on RNA (ADARs), known links between abnormal RNA editing and pathogenesis, as well as ideas for potential translational applications, including genomic profile-based molecular diagnostic tools and/or treatment strategies.Crowdsourcing in medical research: theory and practicehttps://peerj.com/preprints/273312018-11-082018-11-08Joseph TuckerSuzanne DayWeiming TangBarry Bayus
The field of crowdsourcing for medicine has substantially expanded. We define crowdsourcing as an organization having a large group attempt to solve community problem, then share the solution with the broader public. Large groups of individuals can participate in medical research through open contests, hackathons, and related activities. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the definition, theory, and practice of crowdsourcing in medicine in order to facilitate crowdsourcing research. This multi-disciplinary review defines crowdsourcing for health, identifies theoretical antecedents (collective intelligence and open source models), and explores implications of the approach. Several critiques of crowdsourcing are also examined. Although several crowdsourcing definitions exist, there are two essential elements: (1) having a large group of individuals, including experts and non-experts, propose potential solutions; (2) sharing solutions with the public through implementation or open access materials. The public can be a central force in framing a common problem and developing feasible and compelling solutions. Crowdsourcing is related to, but distinct from other participatory research approaches. Crowdsourcing can be a useful for informing medical research, programs, and policy. A growing evidence base suggests that crowdsourcing in medicine can result in high-quality outcomes, broad community engagement, and more open science.
The field of crowdsourcing for medicine has substantially expanded. We define crowdsourcing as an organization having a large group attempt to solve community problem, then share the solution with the broader public. Large groups of individuals can participate in medical research through open contests, hackathons, and related activities. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the definition, theory, and practice of crowdsourcing in medicine in order to facilitate crowdsourcing research. This multi-disciplinary review defines crowdsourcing for health, identifies theoretical antecedents (collective intelligence and open source models), and explores implications of the approach. Several critiques of crowdsourcing are also examined. Although several crowdsourcing definitions exist, there are two essential elements: (1) having a large group of individuals, including experts and non-experts, propose potential solutions; (2) sharing solutions with the public through implementation or open access materials. The publiccan be a central force in framing a common problem and developing feasible and compelling solutions. Crowdsourcing is related to, but distinct from other participatory research approaches. Crowdsourcing can be a useful for informing medical research, programs, and policy. A growing evidence base suggests that crowdsourcing in medicine can result in high-quality outcomes, broad community engagement, and more open science.Fecal microbiota transplantation research output from 2004 to 2017: a bibliometric analysishttps://peerj.com/preprints/272592018-10-072018-10-07Yan LiZiyuan ZouYushan HuangXiaohui BianYanru WangChen YangJiao ZhaoLang Xie
Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging therapy against Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although the therapy has gained prominence, there has been no bibliometric analysis of FMT. Methods: Studies published from 2004 to 2017 were extracted from the Science Citation Index Expanded. Bibliometric analysis were used to evaluate the number or cooperation of publications, countries, citations, references, journals, authors, institutions and keywords. Results: A total of 796 items were included, showing an increasing trend annually. Publications mainly came from 10 countries, led by the US (n = 363). In the top 100 articles ranked by the number of citations (range 47-1158), American Journal of Gastroenterology (2017 IF = 10.231) took the top spot. The co-citation network had 7 co-citation clusters headed by ‘recurrent Clostridium difficile infection’. The top 7 keywords with the strongest citation bursts had three parts, ‘microbiota’, ‘ diarrhea ’, and ‘case series’. All keywords were divided into four domains, ‘disease’, ‘nosogenesis’, ‘trial’, and ‘therapy’. Conclusions: This study shows the research performance of FMT from 2004 to 2017 and helps investigators master the trend of FMT, which is also an ongoing hotspot of research.
Background: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an emerging therapy against Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although the therapy has gained prominence, there has been no bibliometric analysis of FMT. Methods: Studies published from 2004 to 2017 were extracted from the Science Citation Index Expanded. Bibliometric analysis were used to evaluate the number or cooperation of publications, countries, citations, references, journals, authors, institutions and keywords. Results: A total of 796 items were included, showing an increasing trend annually. Publications mainly came from 10 countries, led by the US (n = 363). In the top 100 articles ranked by the number of citations (range 47-1158), American Journal of Gastroenterology (2017 IF = 10.231) took the top spot. The co-citation network had 7 co-citation clusters headed by ‘recurrent Clostridium difficile infection’. The top 7 keywords with the strongest citation bursts had three parts, ‘microbiota’, ‘ diarrhea ’, and ‘case series’. All keywords were divided into four domains, ‘disease’, ‘nosogenesis’, ‘trial’, and ‘therapy’. Conclusions: This study shows the research performance of FMT from 2004 to 2017 and helps investigators master the trend of FMT, which is also an ongoing hotspot of research.