bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Confronting Structural Racism in the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in the United States
Authors: Asabor Emmanuella N , Vermund Sten H 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Tuberculosis incidence in the United States is declining, yet projections indicate that we will not eliminate tuberculosis in the 21st century. Incidence rates in regions serving the rural and urban poor, including recent immigrants, are well above the national average. People experiencing incarceration and homelessness represent additional key populations. Better engagement of marginalized populations will not succeed without first addressing the structural racism that fuels continued transmission. Examples include:(1)systematic underfunding of contact tracing in health departments serving regions where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) live;(2) poor access to affordable care in state governments that refuse to expand insurance coverage to low-income workers through the Affordable Care Act;(3) disproportionate incarceration of BIPOC into crowded prisons with low tuberculosis screening rates; and(4) fear-mongering among immigrants that discourages them from accessing preventive health services. To eliminate tuberculosis, we must first eliminate racist policies that limit essential health services in vulnerable communities.
Simulink Implementation of the Data Distribution Service for Vehicular Controllers on Top of GBE and AFDX
Authors: Takrouni Manel , Bouhouch Rim , Hasnaoui Salem 
Published: November 2020

AbstractVehicular networks have seen major changes in the past few years in order to offer reliable and real-time capable high-speed data transmission between electrical and mechatronic components to map current and future innovative functions into distributed systems within automotive applications. In the same context, the real-time middleware data distribution service (DDS) is an appropriate alternative for the standard vehicular middleware considering that it handles quality of service (QoS) parameters including real-time ones. In this paper, we are proposing a new approach for DDS implementation and integration into the vehicular system by creating a model-based design blocks. To validate this implementation, we have used the case of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) vehicle benchmark as a simulation and test model. Therefore, we designed a Simulink vehicle as specified by SAE benchmark. Then, we have introduced a new methodology to link each module to a Simulink DDS blockset. The goal of this approach is to facilitate the use of DDS with vehicular controllers and to reduce the deployment and configuration complexities associated with DDS. It will also enable distributed real-time embedded systems developers to concentrate more on the business logic of the application instead of the low-level implementation details. The final developed architecture has been tested using three different types of real-time networks: FlexRay, Gigabit Ethernet and AFDX, to demonstrate that real-time application’s QoS are always met using this model.
Flow-driven right-to-left cardiac shunting in a patient with carcinoid heart disease and patent foramen ovale without elevated right atrial pressure: a case report and literature review
Authors: Dherange Parinita , Telles Nelson , Modi Kalgi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Carcinoid heart disease is present in approximately 20% of the patients with carcinoid syndrome and is associated with poor prognosis. It usually manifests with right-sided valvular involvement including tricuspid insufficiency and pulmonary stenosis. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in approximately 50% of the patients with carcinoid heart disease which is twice higher than the general population. Right-to-left shunting through a PFO can occur either due to higher right atrial pressure than left (pressure-driven) or when the venous flow is directed towards the PFO (flow-driven) in the setting of normal intracardiac pressures. We report a rare case of flow-driven right-to-left atrial shunting via PFO in a patient with carcinoid heart disease.

Case summary
A 54-year-old male with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumour to liver presented with progressive shortness of breath for 5 months. Patient was found to be hypoxic with oxygen saturation of 78% and examination revealed a holosystolic murmur. Arterial blood gas showed oxygen tension of 43 mmHg. A transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiogram showed aneurysmal inter-atrial septum with a PFO, severe tricuspid regurgitation directed anteriorly towards the inter-atrial septum leading to a marked right-to-left shunt. Right heart catheterization showed right atrial pressure of 8 mmHg, mean pulmonary artery pressure of 12 mmHg, and normal oxygen saturations in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary arteries. The patient then underwent closure of the PFO along with tricuspid valve and pulmonary valve replacement at an experienced cardiovascular surgical centre and has been asymptomatic since.

Conclusion
Right-to-left shunting through a PFO in patients with normal right atrial pressure can be successfully treated with closure of the PFO. Thus, understanding the mechanism of intracardiac shunts is important to accurately diagnose and treat this rare and fatal condition.
COVID-19 patient with coronary thrombosis supported with ECMO and Impella 5.0 ventricular assist device: a case report
Authors: Valchanov Kamen , Krishnan Unni , Hoole Stephen P , Davies Will R , Pettit Stephen , Jones Nicola , Parmar Jas , Catarino Pedro , Osman Mohamed , Berman Marius 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 can present with cardiovascular complications.

Case summary
We present a case report of a 43-year-old previously fit patient who suffered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with thrombosis of the coronary arteries causing acute myocardial infarction. These were treated with coronary stenting during which the patient suffered cardiac arrest. He was supported with automated chest compressions followed by peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). No immediate recovery of the myocardial function was observed and, after insufficient venting of the left ventricle was diagnosed, an Impella 5 pump was implanted. The cardiovascular function recovered sufficiently and ECMO was explanted and inotropic infusions discontinued. Due to SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary infection, hypoxia became resistant to conventional mechanical ventilation and the patient was nursed prone overnight. After initial recovery of respiratory function, the patient received a tracheostomy and was allowed to wake up. Following a short period of agitation his neurological function recovered completely. During the third week of recovery, progressive multisystem dysfunction, possibly related to COVID-19, developed into multiorgan failure, and the patient died.

Discussion
We believe that this is the first case report of coronary thrombosis related to COVID-19. Despite the negative outcome in this patient, we suggest that complex patients may in the future benefit from advanced cardiovascular support, and may even be nursed safely in the prone position with Impella devices.
Evaluation of the GERAADA score for prediction of 30-day mortality in patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Luehr Maximilian , Merkle-Storms Julia , Gerfer Stephen , Li Yupeng , Krasivskyi Ihor , Vehrenberg Johannes , Rahmanian Parwis , Kuhn-Régnier Ferdinand , Mader Navid , Wahlers Thorsten 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) score to predict 30-day mortality in patients suffering from acute aortic dissection type A (AADA) was recently introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the GERAADA score’s prediction corresponds with the authors’ institutional results.

METHODS
All consecutive AADA patients between 2010 and 2020 were included. Retrospective data collection comprised 11 preoperative parameters: age, sex, previous cardiac surgery, inotropic support at referral, resuscitation before surgery, aortic regurgitation, preoperative hemiparesis, intubation/ventilation at referral, preoperative organ malperfusion, extension of aortic dissection and location of primary entry site. Calculations of the GERAADA score were individually performed by a cardiac surgeon blinded to the study for all patients via a web-based application (https://www.dgthg.de/de/GERAADA_Score).

RESULTS
A total of 371 AADA patients were operated at the authors’ institution. The mean age was 62.7 ± 13.5 years and 233 (63%) were males. Prediction of 30-day mortality was accurate for the entire study cohort (actual vs predicted 30-day mortality: 15.1% vs 15.7%; P = 0.776) as well as for all 26 subgroups. In addition, preoperative resuscitation (P &lt; 0.001), advanced age (P = 0.042) and other/unknown malperfusion (P = 0.032) were identified as independent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS
The GERAADA score prediction of 30-day mortality after surgery is accurate, easily accessible due to its web-based platform and can be calculated with very basic preoperative clinical parameters. A prospective clinical trial is required to further evaluate the new GERAADA score as a useful tool to allow for improved decision-making in the emergency setting of AADA.
The feasibility and safety of left bundle branch pacing vs. right ventricular pacing after mid-long-term follow-up: a single-centre experience
Authors: Chen Xueying , Jin Qinchun , Bai Jin , Wang Wei , Qin Shengmei , Wang Jingfeng , Liang Yixiu , Su Yangang , Ge Junbo 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study is to prospectively assess the feasibility and safety of left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) when compared with right ventricular pacing (RVP) during mid-long-term follow-up in a large cohort.Methods and resultsPatients (n = 554) indicated for pacemaker implantation were prospectively and consecutively enrolled and were non-randomized divided into LBBP group and RVP group. The levels of cTnT and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide were measured and compared within 2 days post-procedure between two groups. Implant characteristics, procedure-related complications, and clinical outcomes were also compared. Pacing thresholds, sensing, and impedance were assessed during procedure and follow-up. Left bundle branch pacing was feasible with a success rate of 94.8% with high incidence of LBB potential (89.9%), selective LBBP (57.8%), and left deviation of paced QRS axis (79.7%) with mean Sti-LVAT of 65.07 ± 8.58 ms. Paced QRS duration was significantly narrower in LBBP when compared with RVP (132.02 ± 7.93 vs. 177.68 ± 15.58 ms, P &lt; 0.0001) and the pacing parameters remained stable in two groups during 18 months follow-up. cTnT elevation was more significant in LBBP when compared with RVP within 2 days post-procedure (baseline: 0.03 ± 0.03 vs. 0.02 ± 0.03 ng/mL, P = 0.002; 1 day post-procedure: 0.13 ± 0.09 vs. 0.04 ± 0.03 ng/mL, P &lt; 0.001; 2 days post-procedure: 0.10 ± 0.08 vs. 0.03 ± 0.08 ng/mL, P &lt; 0.001). The complications and cardiac outcomes were not significantly different between two groups.ConclusionLeft bundle branch pacing was feasible in bradycardia patients associated with stable pacing parameters during 18 months follow-up. Paced QRS duration was significantly narrower than that of RVP. Though cTnT elevation was more significant in LBBP within 2 days post-procedure, the complications, and cardiac outcomes were not significantly different between two groups.
Beyond Chronological Age: Frailty and Multimorbidity Predict In-Hospital Mortality in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Marengoni Alessandra , Zucchelli Alberto , Vetrano Davide Liborio , Armellini Andrea , Botteri Emanuele , Nicosia Franco , Romanelli Giuseppe , Beindorf Eva Andrea , Giansiracusa Paola , Garrafa Emirena , Ferrucci Luigi , Fratiglioni Laura , Bernabei Roberto , Onder Graziano 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
We evaluated whether frailty and multimorbidity predict in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 beyond chronological age.

Method
A total of 165 patients admitted from March 8th to April 17th, 2020, with COVID-19 in an acute geriatric ward in Italy were included. Predisease frailty was assessed with the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS). Multimorbidity was defined as the co-occurrence of ≥2 diseases in the same patient. The hazard ratio (HR) of in-hospital mortality as a function of CFS score and number of chronic diseases in the whole population and in those aged 70+ years were calculated.

Results
Among the 165 patients, 112 were discharged, 11 were transferred to intensive care units, and 42 died. Patients who died were older (81.0 vs 65.2 years, p &lt; .001), more frequently multimorbid (97.6 vs 52.8%; p &lt; .001), and more likely frail (37.5 vs 4.1%; p &lt; .001). Less than 2.0% of patients without multimorbidity and frailty, 28% of those with multimorbidity only, and 75% of those with both multimorbidity and frailty died. Each unitary increment in the CFS was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death in the whole sample (HR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.05–1.62) and in patients aged 70+ years (HR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.04–1.62), whereas the number of chronic diseases was not significantly associated with higher risk of death. The CFS addition to age and sex increased mortality prediction by 9.4% in those aged 70+ years.

Conclusions
Frailty identifies patients with COVID-19 at risk of in-hospital death independently of age. Multimorbidity contributes to prognosis because of the very low probability of death in its absence.
You Say Tomato, I Say Radish: Can Brief Cognitive Assessments in the U.S. Health Retirement Study Be Harmonized With Its International Partner Studies?
Authors: Kobayashi Lindsay C , Gross Alden L , Gibbons Laura E , Tommet Doug , Sanders R Elizabeth , Choi Seo-Eun , Mukherjee Shubhabrata , Glymour Maria , Manly Jennifer J , Berkman Lisa F , Crane Paul K , Mungas Dan M , Jones Richard N 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objectives
To characterize the extent to which brief cognitive assessments administered in the population-representative U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and its International Partner Studies can be considered to be measuring a single, unidimensional latent cognitive function construct.

Methods
Cognitive function assessments were administered in face-to-face interviews in 12 studies in 26 countries (N = 155,690), including the U.S. HRS and selected International Partner Studies. We used the time point of the first cognitive assessment for each study to minimize differential practice effects across studies and documented cognitive test item coverage across studies. Using confirmatory factor analysis models, we estimated single-factor general cognitive function models and bifactor models representing memory-specific and nonmemory-specific cognitive domains for each study. We evaluated model fits and factor loadings across studies.

Results
Despite relatively sparse and inconsistent cognitive item coverage across studies, all studies had some cognitive test items in common with other studies. In all studies, the bifactor models with a memory-specific domain fit better than single-factor general cognitive function models. The data fit the models at reasonable thresholds for single-factor models in 6 of the 12 studies and for the bifactor models in all 12 of the 12 studies.

Discussion
The cognitive assessments in the U.S. HRS and its International Partner Studies reflect comparable underlying cognitive constructs. We discuss the assumptions underlying our methods, present alternatives, and future directions for cross-national harmonization of cognitive aging data.
Political Alignment and Bureaucratic Pay
Authors: Fiva Jon H , Geys Benny , Heggedal Tom-Reiel , Sørensen Rune 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Building on agency-theoretical perspectives of public bureaucracies, we argue that politician–bureaucrat preference alignment can have important implications for bureaucrats’ pay. We study such private gains to bureaucrats from their political alignment with elected politicians using detailed data on all 1,632 top administrators active in all Norwegian municipalities over a period of 25 years (1991–2015). Whereas existing studies generally rely on proxies for politician–bureaucrat political alignment, a rare feature of our data allows measuring it directly since 27% of top bureaucrats ran for political office. We focus explicitly on individuals at the very top of the administrative hierarchy and are able to separate the intensive margin (i.e., wage increases) from any additional effects at the extensive margin (i.e., new appointments). Using close elections for inference in a regression discontinuity analysis, we find that politician–bureaucrat alignment significantly increases top bureaucrats’ wage even in the Norwegian civil service system. This has important implications also from a theoretical perspective. Our results indeed go against predictions from models with policy-motivated bureaucrats, but are consistent with politically aligned principal–agent matches being more productive.
Brunner’s Gland Hamartomas: Two Cases of This (Sometimes) Distinctive Lesion
Authors: Bush Allison , Francis Jonathan , Laczek Jeffrey 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Brunner’s gland hamartomas (BGHs) are rare, benign, primary duodenal tumors. The clinical presentations can vary, and confirming a diagnosis can be challenging because of the submucosal nature of the lesions. We report two cases of BGHs with different clinical presentations. The diagnoses were not determined initially, despite utilizing endoscopy, mucosal biopsies, endoscopic ultrasound, and, in one case, fine-needle aspiration. Confirmation of BGHs was subsequently made following endoscopic or surgical resection.
Cogenetic Dykes the Key to Identifying Diverse Magma Batches in the Assembly of Granitic Plutons
Authors: Guo Chun-Li , Wilde Simon A , Henderson Robert A , Li Qiu-Li , Yin Bing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study demonstrates that dykes that are coeval and cogenetic with plutons can provide an important tool for recognizing discrete batches of magma with similar overall chemical compositions and physical attributes, but different isotopic characteristics, and which contributed to pluton formation. The Qianlishan granitic pluton, located in the Qin–Hang fault zone separating the Yangtze block from the Cathaysia block in South China, was emplaced at 155–152 Ma in the Late Jurassic. It consists of a central zone of strongly differentiated zinnwaldite-bearing equigranular granite surrounded by a less differentiated porphyritic granite. The pluton is spatially associated with an extensive granitic dyke swarm dated here at 153–152 Ma, demonstrating a coeval relationship. Amongst the dykes, two discrete end-member sources can be identified from the bimodal nature of their zircon hafnium and oxygen systematics, with one group showing a range in εHf(t) of -11·9 to -8·0 and in δ18O of 9·0–10·4‰, whereas in the other group the ranges are from -7·3 to -4·1 and 8·4–9·4‰, respectively. This contrasts with the two phases of the Qianlishan pluton, which record wide ranges in εHf(t) of -11·1 to -5·1 and in δ18O of 8·3–10.4‰, but without bimodality. Hence, the overlapping Hf–O isotopic profiling shows the dykes and pluton to be cogenetic. Small-volume magma batches, with their rapid transport through the crust and quick cooling, are all typical features of dyke generation, thus preserving the original heterogeneous Hf–O isotopic signatures that are characteristic of two distinct crustal sources. However, although the pluton was formed from similar sources to the dykes, the bimodal source identity was lost during its assembly through mixing of the magma batches. These findings also provide a potential explanation for the wide range of zircon hafnium isotopic systematics typical of granitic plutons, as shown by sampling at all scales.
The oral and gut microbiome in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a systematic review
Authors: Chu Xiu-Jie , Cao Nv-Wei , Zhou Hao-Yue , Meng Xiang , Guo Biao , Zhang Hai-Yan , Li Bao-Zhu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundRecently, researchers have proposed a possible relationship between RA and the microbiome of the oral cavity and gut. However, this relation has not been systematically established. Herein, we conducted a comprehensive review of the pertinent literature to describe this possible association.MethodsWe systematically performed searches in databases, namely EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and PubMed, from inception to 7 June 2020 to identify case–control studies that compared the oral and gut microbiome in adult RA patients with those of controls. The primary outcome was specific bacterial changes between RA and controls. The secondary outcome was microbial diversity changes between RA and controls.ResultsIn total, 26 articles were considered eligible for inclusion and reported some differences. Therein, ≥3 articles reported decreased Faecalibacterium in the gut of early-RA (ERA)/RA patients compared with healthy controls (HCs). Also, ≥3 articles reported decreased Streptococcus and Haemophilus and increased Prevotella in the oral cavity of ERA/RA patients compared with HCs. In addition, some Prevotella species, including P. histicola and P. oulorum, showed increased trends in RA patients’ oral cavity, compared with HCs. The α-diversity of the microbiome was either increased or not changed in the oral cavity of RA patients, but it was more commonly either decreased or not changed in the gut of RA patients.ConclusionsIn this systematic review, we identified the microbiome associated with RA patients in comparison with controls. More research is needed in the future to find the deep relationship between RA and the microbiome.
Coping with Psoriasis or Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Fisher Shani , Ellen Moriah , Cohen Arnon D. , Kagan Ilya 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE
Psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are both chronic inflammatory skin diseases with significant comorbidity. This study aimed to examine how patients with psoriasis or HS cope with their conditions on a personal and psychosocial level, especially in times of clinical exacerbation and symptom deterioration.

DESIGN
This qualitative initial study used the phenomenology model to examine patients’ lived experiences through the lens of their disease. Via semistructured interviews and content analysis, researchers aimed to describe the subjective reality of people with HS or psoriasis and identify any common issues.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION
Six open pilot interviews with three patients with HS and three patients with psoriasis uncovered five cardinal domains affecting patients’ lives. After completing all the interviews, transcripts were analyzed and classified numerically by frequency of identified terms and keywords. After classifications and data ranking, the main issues were identified and separated into the five domains.

MAIN RESULTS
Researchers interviewed 20 patients (10 with psoriasis and 10 with HS). The five domains were distressing symptoms, struggling to cope with the disease, avoiding acute or recurrent eruptions, dealing with eruption, and information sources regarding the disease. Pain and pruritus were the most disturbing symptoms, and the remaining issues concerned the emotional, functional, and financial burden of these chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS
Even though the symptoms of HS and psoriasis are different, this study reveals common denominators regarding the emotional side of living with chronic skin disease.