bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
67 Echocardiography vs. computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance for the detection of left heart thrombosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aimo Alberto , Ntritsos Georgios , Masci Pier-Giorgio , Figliozzi Stefano , Klettas Dimitrios , Stamatelopoulos Kimon , Delialis Dimitrios , Emdin Michele , Georgiopoulos Georgios 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Aims
Accurate and reproducible diagnostic techniques are essential to detect left-sided cardiac thrombi (either in the left ventricle [LV] or in the left atrial appendage [LAA]) and to guide the onset and duration of antithrombotic treatment while minimizing the risk for thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events.

Methods and results
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to compare the diagnostic performance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) vs. cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for the detection of LV thrombi, and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) vs. computed tomography (CT) for the detection of LAA thrombi. Six studies were included in the first meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivity and specificity values were 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37-81%) and 97% (95% CI, 94-99%). The shape of the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96 suggested a high accuracy. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of CT vs. TEE. The pooled values of sensitivity and specificity were 97% (95% CI, 77-100%) and 94% (95% CI, 87-98%). The pooled DOR was 500 (95% CI, 52-4810), and the pooled LR+ and LR- values were 17% (95% CI, 7-40%) and 3% (95% CI, 0-28%). The shape of the HSROC curve and the 0.99 AUC suggested a high accuracy of CT vs. TEE.

Conclusion
TTE is a valid alternative to DE-CMR for the identification of LV thrombi, and CT has a good accuracy compared to TEE for the detection of LAA thrombosis.
270 Prevalence, prescriptions, outcomes and costs of type 2 diabetic patients with or without prior coronary artery disease or stroke: a longitudinal 5-year claims-data analysis of over 7 million inhabitants
Authors: Calabria Silvia , Dondi Letizia , Andreotti Felicita , Ronconi Giulia , Piccinni Carlo , Capponcelli Anna , Pedrini Antonella , Esposito Imma , Martini Nello , Maggioni Aldo P 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Aims
Contemporary, real-world data on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are limited. We analysed prevalence, comorbidities, outcomes and costs of T2DM patients with and without coronary artery disease (CAD) or stroke in &gt; 7 million inhabitants.

Methodsand results
T2DM patients were identified in 2015 (accrual period) from the Ricerca e Salute (ReS) database linking administrative records to demographics. From 2013 to 2015 information, four cohorts were considered: #1 with CAD and/or stroke; #2 without CAD and/or stroke; #3 with chronic CAD but no myocardial infarction or stroke; #4 with chronic CAD undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Hospitalizations, drugs and other outpatient care were assessed from 2015 to 2017. Prevalence of T2DM was 6% (441,085/7,365,954). CAD and/or stroke in the previous 3 years affected 7.5% of T2DM patients (33,153); this cohort was generally older, male, comorbid, with more prescriptions, hospital admissions (50% vs. 13.4%) and recurrences compared to cohort #2. Yearly costs were &gt;3-fold for cohort #1 vs. #2, main drivers being hospitalizations in the former and drugs in the latter. Unexpectedly, two-year cardiovascular events were significantly higher in cohort #4 compared to any other. Guideline-recommended therapies were suboptimal in all.

Conclusion
The present analysis points to three areas of potential improvement in T2DM management: (1) undertreatment of T2DM patients with recommended drugs; (2) three-fold event rates and costs in T2DM patients with, compared to those without, prior cardiovascular events; (3) highest risk of events in those with chronic CAD and PCI, warranting specific studies aimed at defining more effective preventive strategies.
342 Impact of temporary traffic bans on the risk of acute coronary syndromes in a large metropolitan area
Authors: De Luca Alessandra , Proietti Igino , Trani Carlo , Berni Andrea , Sergi Sonia Cristina , Speciale Giulio , Tanzilli Gaetano , Tomai Fabrizio , Di Giosa Alessandro , Marchegiani Giada , Zoccai Giuseppe Biondi , Versaci Francesco 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Aims
Strong epidemiologic evidence has highlighted the role of pollution, on top of adverse climate features, as a novel cardiovascular risk factor. However, mechanistic proof that reducing pollution may be beneficial to prevent atherothrombotic events is limited. We aimed at appraising the impact of temporary traffic bans in a large metropolitan area on the risk of acute coronary syndromes.

Methods and results
Aggregate and anonymized data from 15 tertiary cardiac care centers were obtained detailing pre-coronarivus disease 2019 (COVID-19) daily cases of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), including those treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Data on pollutants and climate were sought for the same days. Mixed level regression was used to compare the week before vs. after the traffic ban (Fortnight analysis), the 3 days before vs. after (Weekly analysis) and the Sunday before vs. after (Sunday analysis). A total of 8 days of temporary traffic bans were included, occurring between 2017 and 2020, totaling 802 STEMI and 1196 NSTEMI in the Fortnight analysis, 382 STEMI and 585 in the Weekly analysis, and 148 STEMI and 210 NSTEMI in the Sunday analysis. Fortnight and Sunday analysis did not disclose a significant impact of traffic ban on STEMI or NSTEMI (all P &gt; 0.05). Conversely, Weekly analysis showed non-significant changes for STEMI but a significant decrease in daily NSTEMI when comparing the 3 days before the traffic ban with the ban day (P = 0.043), as well as the 3 days before vs. the 3 days after the ban (P = 0.025). No statistically significant effect of traffic ban was found at Fortnight, Weekly or Sunday analyses for daily mean concentrations of benzene, carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (PM) &lt;2.5 µm or PM &lt; 10 µm (all P &gt; 0.05). However, minimum daily concentrations showed a significant reduction of ozone during the ban in comparison to the week preceding it (P = 0.034), nitric oxide during the ban in comparison to the 3 days preceding it (P = 0.046), and an increase in benzene during the ban in comparison to the Sunday before (P = 0.039).

Conclusion
Temporary traffic bans may favorably reduce coronary atherothrombotic events, and in particular NSTEMI, even if not globally and immediately impacting on environmental pollution. Further controlled studies are required to confirm and expand this hypothesis-generating results.
70 Deep learning to diagnose cardiac amyloidosis from cardiac magnetic resonance findings
Authors: Aimo Alberto , Martini Nicola , Barison Andrea , Latta Daniele Della , Vergaro Giuseppe , Aquaro Giovanni Donato , Ripoli Andrea , Emdin Michele , Chiappino Dante 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Aims
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is part of the diagnostic work-up for cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Deep learning (DL) is an application of artificial intelligence that may allow to automatically analyze CMR findings and establish the likelihood of CA.

Methods and results
1.5 T CMR was performed in 187 subjects with suspected CA (n = 92, 49% with unexplained left ventricular—LV—hypertrophy; n = 95, 51% with blood dyscrasia and suspected light-chain amyloidosis). Patients were randomly assigned to the training (n = 121, 65%), validation (n = 28, 15%), and testing subgroups (n = 38, 20%). Short axis (SA), 2-chamber (2 C), 4-chamber (4 C) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images were evaluated by 3 networks (DL algorithms). The tags “amyloidosis present” or “absent” were attributed when the average probability of CA from the 3 networks was ≥50% or &lt; 50%, respectively. The DL strategy was compared to a machine learning (ML) algorithm considering all manually extracted features (LV volumes, mass and function, LGE pattern, early blood-pool darkening, pericardial and pleural effusion, etc.), to reproduce exam reading by an experienced operator. The DL strategy displayed good diagnostic accuracy (84%), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.96. The precision (positive predictive value), recall score (sensitivity), and F1 score (a measure of test accuracy) were 78%, 94%, and 86% respectively. A ML algorithm considering all CMR features had a similar diagnostic yield to DL strategy (AUC 0.93 vs. 0.96; p = 0.45).

Conclusion
A DL approach evaluating LGE acquisitions displayed a similar diagnostic performance for CA to a ML-based approach, which simulates CMR reading by experienced operators.
77 Routine outpatients visits during SARS-CoV2 global pandemic
Authors: Fedele Teresa , Orefice Silvia , Fiorillo Ludovica , Cuomo Vittoria , Capone Valentina , Casciano Ofelia , Luciano Federica , Canonico Mario Enrico , Santoro Ciro , Esposito Roberta 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Aims
The inability to carry office visits was collateral damage caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tele-health is a relatively new, and yet fundamental amid the current crisis, resource to bridge the gap between phisicians and patients.

Methods and results
We report our experience with telemedicine and describe the major events occured in our patients. 121 consecutive adult patients with arterial hypertension (F/M: 56/65; mean age: 66.8 years) were enrolled. 33 patients (27%) had also diabetes, 94 (78%) were also affected from dyslipidemia and 11 (9%) had CAD. They all referred to our ambulatory of hypertension, in most of case for several years. Given the impossibility to continue routine outpatient visits during lockdown, they were all phone called by three residents in order to detect their state of health or any events they could have experienced over this period. They were all asked about their own blood pressure values, the occurrence of new symptoms and of new-onset both cardiovascular and non cardiovascular events. We also followed a self-made preset form. 31 of them (26%) experienced cardiovascular symptoms/events during this period: 11 had hypertensive peaks, in one case associated with nausea and vomiting while 2 of them had hypotensive episodes; 10 had typical angina and/or dyspnoea while 4 had atypical angina; 6 had palpitations; 1 of them developed new onset atrial fibrillation resolved with pharmacologic cardioversion during hospitalization; 1 had syncope; 1 patient reported new onset peripheral oedema; 2 patients died during lockdown for non cardiovascular causes. 17 of them also developed non cardiovascular symptoms, 7 of whom were severe anxiety and/or panic attacks. Almost all patients had important lifestyle changes, in 15 cases (12.3%) associated with weight increase.

Conclusion
The impossibility to access to routine outpatient visits during lockdown due to global pandemic of SARS-CoV2, has brought out the risk of underestimating consequences of chronic disease, in absence of appropriate Follow-up. Nevertheless, the two deaths we report were not related to cardiovascular disease. The risk is that both the missing of cardiovascular control visit and the extension of the waiting list, could provoke serious complications in patients suffering from chronic cardiovascular disease.
Race and Ethnic Group Disparities in Emotional Distress Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bui Cindy N , Peng Changmin , Mutchler Jan E , Burr Jeffrey A 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Framed within Conservation of Resources theory, this study addressed race–ethnic differences in the relationships between emotional distress and current and expected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic stressors.

Research Design and Methods
The study employed data from the Household Pulse Survey, a large national survey collecting weekly data to understand the experiences of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic (age 55 and above; N = 94,550). Emotional distress included depression and anxiety symptoms. COVID-19 stressors included current and expected income, housing, health care, and food insecurities.

Results
Older persons of color reported higher rates of stressors and emotional distress than their White counterparts. In relation to current stressors, older Black persons responded with less emotional distress and older Latino persons responded with more emotional distress than older White persons. In addition, older persons of color were more likely to expect future resource losses related to COVID-19, and the association between these expectations and emotional distress varied by race–ethnic group.

Discussion and Implications
The findings reflected the disproportionate negative impact of COVID-19 stressors on emotional distress among older persons of color, providing a baseline for future studies to further examine the impacts of the pandemic among diverse older adult populations.
Sectoral systems of innovation in the era of the fourth industrial revolution: an introduction to the special section
Authors: Li Daitian , Liang Zheng , Tell Fredrik , Xue Lan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe sectoral system framework has been adopted to study innovation and industrial dynamics in a wide range of sectors. However, recent development of the so-called “fourth industrial revolution” technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, additive manufacturing, advanced robotics, Internet of Things, smartphones, and autonomous vehicles, has been blurring the boundaries of existing sectors, bringing both opportunities and challenges for sectoral systems research. In this introductory essay, we first provide a quick review on the sectoral systems of innovation literature, clarifying some conceptual and methodological issues. Then, we discuss how the fourth industrial revolution might reshape sectoral systems along three different dimensions (i.e. technological, market, and policy dimensions). Finally, we introduce articles in this special section and call for future research on this intriguing topic.
The Gastrointestinal Microbiota of the Common Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Sheh Alexander 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe microbiota is heavily involved in both health and disease pathogenesis, but defining a normal, healthy microbiota in the common marmoset has been challenging. The aim of this review was to systematically review recent literature involving the gastrointestinal microbiome of common marmosets in health and disease. Twelve sources were included in this review. The gut microbiome composition was reviewed across institutions worldwide, and taxonomic shifts between healthy individuals were described. Unlike the human gut microbiome, which is dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, the marmoset gut microbiome shows great plasticity across institutions, with 5 different phyla described as dominant in different healthy cohorts. Genera shared across institutions include Anaerobiospirillum, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Collinsella, Fusobacterium, Megamonas, Megasphaera, Phascolarctobacterium, and Prevotella. Shifts in the abundance of Prevotella or Bifidobacterium or invasion by pathogens like Clostridium perfringens may be associated with disease. Changes in microbial composition have been described in healthy and diseased marmosets, but factors influencing the severe changes in microbial composition have not been established. Multi-institutional, prospective, and longitudinal studies that utilize multiple testing methodologies are required to determine sources of variability in the reporting of marmoset microbiomes. Furthermore, methods of microbial manipulation, whether by diet, enrichment, fecal microbiome transplantation, etc, need to be established to modulate and maintain robust and resilient microbiome communities in marmoset colonies and reduce the incidence of idiopathic gastrointestinal disease.
Comparison of the Vaginal Microbiota in Postmenopausal Black and White Women
Authors: Hudson Patricia L , Ling Wodan , Wu Michael C , Hayward Matthew R , Mitchell Alissa J , Larson Joseph , Guthrie Katherine A , Reed Susan D , Kwon Douglas S , Mitchell Caroline M 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background
We compared vaginal microbial communities in postmenopausal black and white women.

Methods
Shotgun sequencing of vaginal swabs from postmenopausal women self-identified as black or white was compared using MiRKAT.

Results
Vaginal community dominance by Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillusgasseri was more common in 44 postmenopausal black women (n = 12, 27%) than among 44 matched white women (n = 2, 5%; P = .01). No individual taxa were significantly more abundant in either group.

Conclusions
We identified small overall differences in vaginal microbial communities of black and white postmenopausal women. L. crispatus dominance was more common in black women.

Clinical Trials Registration
NCT02516202 (MsFLASH05) and NCT01418209 (MsFLASH03).
Intensive Care Unit–Like Care of Nonhuman Primates with Ebola Virus Disease
Authors: Blair Paul W , Kortepeter Mark G , Downey Lydia G , Madar Cristian S , Downs Isaac L , Martins Karen A , Rossi Franco , Williams Janice A , Madar Annie , Schellhase Christopher W , Bearss Jeremy J , Zeng Xiankun , Bavari Sina , Soloveva Veronica , Wells Jay B , Stuthman Kelly S , Garza Nicole L , Vantongeren Sean A , Donnelly Ginger C , Steffens Jesse , Kalapaca Jennifer , Wiseman Perry , Henry Joseph , Marko Shannon , Chappell Mark , Lugo-Roman Luis , Ramos-Rivera Elliot , Hofer Christian , Blue Eugene , Moore Joshua , Fiallos Jimmy , Wetzel Darrel , Pratt William D , Unangst Tami , Miller Adele , Sola James J , Reisler Ronald B , Cardile Anthony P 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundEbola virus disease (EVD) supportive care strategies are largely guided by retrospective observational research. This study investigated the effect of EVD supportive care algorithms on duration of survival in a controlled nonhuman primate (NHP) model.MethodsFourteen rhesus macaques were challenged intramuscularly with a target dose of Ebola virus (1000 plaque-forming units; Kikwit). NHPs were allocated to intensive care unit (ICU)–like algorithms (n = 7), intravenous fluids plus levofloxacin (n = 2), or a control group (n = 5). The primary outcome measure was duration of survival, and secondary outcomes included changes in clinical laboratory values.ResultsDuration of survival was not significantly different between the pooled ICU-like algorithm and control groups (8.2 vs 6.9 days of survival; hazard ratio; 0.50; P = .25). Norepinephrine was effective in transiently maintaining baseline blood pressure. NHPs treated with ICU-like algorithms had delayed onset of liver and kidney injury.ConclusionsWhile an obvious survival difference was not observed with ICU-like care, clinical observations from this model may aid in EVD supportive care NHP model refinement.
Intestinal Antibody Responses to 2 Novel Live Attenuated Type 2 Oral Poliovirus Vaccines in Healthy Adults in Belgium
Authors: Brickley Elizabeth B , Connor Ruth I , Wieland-Alter Wendy , Weiner Joshua A , Ackerman Margaret E , Arita Minetaro , Gast Chris , De Coster Ilse , Van Damme Pierre , Bandyopadhyay Ananda S , Wright Peter F 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn a blinded phase 1 trial (EudraCT 2017-0000908-21; NCT03430349) in Belgium, healthy adults (aged 18–50 years) previously immunized exclusively with inactivated poliovirus vaccine were administered a single dose of 1 of 2 novel type 2 oral poliovirus vaccines (nOPV2-c1: S2/cre5/S15domV/rec1/hifi3 (n = 15); nOPV2-c2: S2/S15domV/CpG40 (n = 15)) and isolated for 28 days in a purpose-built containment facility. Using stool samples collected near days 0, 14, 21, and 28, we evaluated intestinal neutralization and immunoglobulin A responses to the nOPV2s and found that nOPV2-c1 and nOPV2-c2 induced detectable poliovirus type 2–specific intestinal neutralizing responses in 40.0% and 46.7% of participants, respectively.
Role of Immunoglobulin M and A Antibodies in the Neutralization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2
Authors: Klingler Jéromine , Weiss Svenja , Itri Vincenza , Liu Xiaomei , Oguntuyo Kasopefoluwa Y , Stevens Christian , Ikegame Satoshi , Hung Chuan-Tien , Enyindah-Asonye Gospel , Amanat Fatima , Baine Ian , Arinsburg Suzanne , Bandres Juan C , Kojic Erna Milunka , Stoever Jonathan , Jurczyszak Denise , Bermudez-Gonzalez Maria , Nádas Arthur , Liu Sean , Lee Benhur , Zolla-Pazner Susan , Hioe Catarina E 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions of people globally. Virus infection requires the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein. Although studies have demonstrated anti-spike and -RBD antibodies to be protective in animal models, and convalescent plasma as a promising therapeutic option, little is known about immunoglobulin isotypes capable of blocking infection.

Methods
We studied spike- and RBD-specific immunoglobulin isotypes in convalescent and acute plasma/serum samples using a multiplex bead assay. We also determined virus neutralization activities in plasma and serum samples, and purified immunoglobulin fractions using a vesicular stomatitis pseudovirus assay.

Results
Spike- and RBD-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG1, and IgA1 were produced by all or nearly all subjects at variable levels and detected early after infection. All samples displayed neutralizing activity. Regression analyses revealed that IgM and IgG1 contributed most to neutralization, consistent with IgM and IgG fractions’ neutralization potency. IgA also exhibited neutralizing activity, but with lower potency.

Conclusion
IgG, IgM, and IgA are critical components of convalescent plasma used for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Politics of Teaching International Relations in the Arab World: Reading Walt in Beirut, Wendt in Doha, and Abul-Fadl in Cairo
Authors: Darwich May , Valbjørn Morten , Salloukh Bassel F , Hazbun Waleed , Samra Amira Abu , Saddiki Said , Saouli Adham , Albloshi Hamad H , Makdisi Karim 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCan International Relations (IR) as it is taught in the Arab world be said to be an “American social science” or is it taught differently in different places? The forum addresses this question through an exploration of what and how scholars at Arab universities are teaching IR and how institutional, historical, and linguistic, as well as political and individual factors shape classroom dynamics in the Arab world. This forum attempts to bring the classroom into the Global/Post-Western debate by showing how IR can be taught differently in different places with a focus on a region under-represented in IR debates: the Arab world. The essays, exhibiting diversity in pedagogical strategies and theoretical perspectives, provide a window into how the “international” is perceived and taught locally by teachers and students in various Arab contexts. While the influence from the American “core” of the discipline is obvious, the forum documents how the theoretical and conceptual foundations of IR based on Western perspectives and history do not travel intact. The essays collectively provide evidence of different kinds of IRs not just across but also within regions and show that studying pedagogy can become a way to study how disciplinary IR varies contextually.