bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inter/Intra‐Atrial Dissociation in Patients With Maze Procedure and Its Clinical Implications: Pseudo‐Block and Pseudo‐Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Do Ungjeong , Nam Gi‐Byoung , Kim Minsoo , Cho Min Soo , Kim Jun , Choi Kee‐Joon , Kim You‐Ho 
Published: November 2020

Background
Severe conduction delay and inter/intra‐atrial dissociation may occur in patients who undergo an extensive catheter ablation or a maze procedure for atrial tachyarrhythmia. We report a series of patients with inter/intra‐atrial dissociation that mimicked complete atrioventricular block or ventricular tachycardia.

Methods and Results
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 7 patients who were referred for the evaluation of atrioventricular block (patients 1–6) or ventricular tachycardia (patient 7) that occurred after biatrial maze procedure and valvular surgery. During the electrophysiologic study, slow atrial or junctional escape rhythm dissociated from isolated atrial activity mimicked complete atrioventricular blocks. Intra‐atrial dissociation of the right atrium or left atrium was observed. Atrioventricular nodal conduction from the nondissociated atrium to the ventricle was preserved in all patients, while the conduction from the dissociated atrium was blocked. In patient 7, the pacing of the ventricle by tracking of atrial tachycardia from the nondissociated left atrium/coronary sinus mimicked ventricular tachycardia during pacemaker interrogation. A total of 5 patients received new permanent pacemaker implantations during the index hospitalization for the surgery (n=2) or as a deferred procedure (n=3) according to the treatment for sick sinus syndrome.

Conclusions
Pseudo‐atrioventricular block or pseudo‐ventricular tachycardia may occur because of inter/intra‐atrial dissociation after a maze procedure. The selection of patients for permanent pacemaker implantation should be determined based on the patient’s symptoms and the status of the escape pacemaker and not on the apparent atrioventricular block. Proper diagnosis is important to avoid unnecessary implantation of a pacemaker or a defibrillator.
Drivers of service delivery modes in Dutch local government: an analysis over time and across domains
Authors: Schoute Martijn , Gradus Raymond , Budding Tjerk 
Published: November 2020

This study investigates the influence of service, financial and political characteristics on municipalities’ choices of four service delivery modes in the Dutch local government setting, thereby making a distinction between services in the physical and in the operational domain. It shows that, overall, use of inter-municipal cooperation and, to a lesser extent, municipality-owned firms increased substantially from 2010 to 2018. For use of private firms, we find remarkable differences. Whereas this use increased for the physical domain, it decreased for the operational domain. For both domains, we find that in-house production decreased substantially. We also find that the influence of especially transaction cost characteristics on the likelihood that municipalities choose a certain institutional form differs between 2010 and 2018, as well as between the physical and the operational domain. Points for practitioners Our finding that the use of in-house production decreased substantially from 2010 to 2018 suggests that municipalities are looking for mixed institutional forms, such as inter-municipal cooperation, to realize economies of scale. We observe that service delivery modes are especially driven by service characteristics, thereby stressing the importance of transaction cost motives in decisions about service delivery modes. However, our study also shows that financial and political characteristics have some influence. As the effects of the latter are not stable, we show that the way to implement reforms may vary over time and across domains.
Leveraging 31 Million Google Street View Images to Characterize Built Environments and Examine County Health Outcomes
Authors: Nguyen Quynh C. , Keralis Jessica M. , Dwivedi Pallavi , Ng Amanda E. , Javanmardi Mehran , Khanna Sahil , Huang Yuru , Brunisholz Kimberly D. , Kumar Abhinav , Tasdizen Tolga 
Published: November 2020

Objectives Built environments can affect health, but data in many geographic areas are limited. We used a big data source to create national indicators of neighborhood quality and assess their associations with health. Methods We leveraged computer vision and Google Street View images accessed from December 15, 2017, through July 17, 2018, to detect features of the built environment (presence of a crosswalk, non–single-family home, single-lane roads, and visible utility wires) for 2916 US counties. We used multivariate linear regression models to determine associations between features of the built environment and county-level health outcomes (prevalence of adult obesity, prevalence of diabetes, physical inactivity, frequent physical and mental distress, poor or fair self-rated health, and premature death [in years of potential life lost]). Results Compared with counties with the least number of crosswalks, counties with the most crosswalks were associated with decreases of 1.3%, 2.7%, and 1.3% of adult obesity, physical inactivity, and fair or poor self-rated health, respectively, and 477 fewer years of potential life lost before age 75 (per 100 000 population). The presence of non–single-family homes was associated with lower levels of all health outcomes except for premature death. The presence of single-lane roads was associated with an increase in physical inactivity, frequent physical distress, and fair or poor self-rated health. Visible utility wires were associated with increases in adult obesity, diabetes, physical and mental distress, and fair or poor self-rated health. Conclusions The use of computer vision and big data image sources makes possible national studies of the built environment’s effects on health, producing data and results that may inform national and local decision-making.
Role of Narrow Band Imaging Endoscopy in Preoperative Evaluation of Laryngeal Leukoplakia: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Campo Flaminia , Ralli Massimo , Di Stadio Arianna , Greco Antonio , Pellini Raul , de Vincentiis Marco 
Published: November 2020

Introduction:Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion considered to be within the spectrum of histopathological results from parakeratosis, through stages of dysplasia to invasive cancer. Narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy has been introduced to improve early diagnosis of benign and malignant laryngeal lesions. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative evaluation of vocal fold leukoplakia with NBI endoscopy in comparison with histology.Methods:A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using 3 different databases: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. The included articles in the systematic review were identified combining each of the following terms: “narrow band imaging” OR “NBI,” [AND] with each of these terms: “laryngeal leukoplakia,” OR “vocal fold leukoplakia,” OR “vocal cord leukoplakia.”Results:The articles that fully met the inclusion criteria were 5 case series, conducted between January 2010 and February 2018, and published between 2017 and 2019. The selected articles included 312 patients (86% males and 14% females), affected by 382 vocal cord leukoplakia, evaluated with NBI endoscopy and that underwent surgical microlaryngoscopy with biopsy. Based on the studies included in the review, accuracy of NBI in predicting malignancy within leukoplakia ranged from 81% to 97.8%, demonstrating to be an accurate method to predict the risk of malignant transformation of vocal fold leukoplakia.Conclusion:Narrow band imaging can help otolaryngologists in the decision-making process on the necessity to perform a biopsy and transoral surgery or long-term follow-up. Larger studies are necessary to confirm the high association of NBI evaluation of the epithelium surrounding the leukoplakia with the histological diagnosis.
Drainage smell and peritonitis are efficient indicators of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic rectal cancer resection
Authors: Shiwakoti Enesh , Song Jianning , Li Jun , Wu Shanshan , Zhang Zhongtao 
Published: November 2020

Objective Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a frequent complication after laparoscopic rectal cancer resection (LRCR). The main objective of the present study was to identify accurate indicators of AL after LRCR. Methods A retrospective case-control study was performed of 185 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer between March 2012 and February 2017 at Beijing Friendship Hospital. Potential indicators of AL were examined via univariate and multivariate analyses. The performance of multivariate analysis was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results The overall AL rate was 17.84%. Multivariate analysis identified drainage smell (odds ratio [OR = 35.318, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.114 to 175.338) and peritonitis [OR = 17.475, 95% CI = 1.540 to 198.318) as independent indicators of AL. The area under the ROC curve was 0.720 (95% CI = 0.606 to 0.835). Conclusion Drainage smell and peritonitis could be reliable and accurate indicators of AL after LRCR.
Pathogenesis of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis: a narrative review
Authors: He Linhai , Zhang Zhiyong , Xiao E , He Yang , Zhang Yi 
Published: November 2020

Objective To comprehensively review the literature and summarize the results from human and animal studies related to the possible causes and pathogenesis of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA). Materials and Methods The Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science databases were used to search for articles related to traumatic TMJA from 2011 to 2020. All articles were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, collected, and analyzed. Results Nineteen relevant articles were collected. These articles were classified into three groups: predisposing and etiological factors, cellular studies, and molecular studies. Conclusion The pathological mechanisms are similar between TMJA and nonunion hypertrophy. Aberrant structural and etiological factors as well as disordered cellular and molecular mechanisms might contribute to TMJA formation. Although preclinical and clinical data have provided new evidence on the pathogenesis of traumatic TMJA, the molecular mechanisms and biological events require further exploration.
Simultaneous determination of calycosin, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, and paeoniflorin in rat plasma by HPLC-MS/MS: application in the pharmacokinetic analysis of HQCF
Authors: Gu Yulong , Piao Xianglan , Zhu Dan 
Published: November 2020

Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to simultaneously determine three bioactive components of the Huangqi Chifeng decoction (HQCF) in rat plasma. Methods Taxol was used as an internal standard in the developed method. Chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column using a gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (v/v) and 0.1% formic acid in water (v/v) as the mobile phases at a flow rate of 0.4 mL·minute−1. All compounds were monitored via selected reaction monitoring with an electrospray ionization source. Results The lower limits of quantification of paeoniflorin, calycosin, and prim- O-glucosylcimifugin were 15.0, 0.75, and 0.75 ng·mL−1, respectively. The calibration curves indicated optimal linearity ( r > 0.99) across the concentration ranges. The specificity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability of the method were validated. This method was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetics study of the three compounds in rat plasma. Conclusion The pharmacokinetics results provide insights into the mechanisms of HQCF in vivo and its future clinical application.
Scapular Dyskinesis Is Not an Isolated Risk Factor for Shoulder Injury in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hogan Campbell , Corbett Jo-Anne , Ashton Simon , Perraton Luke , Frame Rachel , Dakic Jodie 
Published: November 2020

Background: Scapular dyskinesis has been considered a risk factor for athletic shoulder injury; however, findings in the prospective literature have demonstrated mixed results. Purpose: To determine if scapular dyskinesis increases the risk of shoulder injury in athletes. Study Design: Meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on the MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, SPORTDiscus, and Embase databases to identify prospective studies examining scapular dyskinesis and shoulder injury risk in athletes. Studies were included if they assessed participants using a dynamic scapular assessment at baseline and monitored for the development of shoulder injury. Data from the studies were subject to meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel method to produce a pooled risk ratio. Results: Seven studies were eligible for inclusion, resulting in 212 shoulder injuries observed across 923 athletes. Scapular dyskinesis was present in 46% of participants, and these athletes had an injury rate of 25%. The presence of scapular dyskinesis displayed a trend to increase the risk of shoulder injury, but this was not statistically significant (risk ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.85-1.34; P = .59). Conclusion: Scapular dyskinesis was not significantly associated with the development of shoulder injury in athletes. Registration: CRD42019133089 (PROSPERO).
Finding a proper “Mate”: Comparison of left ventricular assist devices using cerebral oximetry
Authors: Montgomery Morgan L , Stannard Blaine , Dzedzik Siarhei , Lin Hung-Mo , Anyanwu Anelechi , Levin Matthew A , Trinh Muoi 
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Axial-flow and centrifugal-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have been utilized in the management of heart failure, but it remains unknown whether these devices differ in end-organ perfusion. Our goal was to evaluate the association between device type and regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2), and determine if this confers any benefit in short-term postoperative outcomes. Methods: Adult patients who underwent primary LVAD implantation at our institution from 2014 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into axial-flow and centrifugal-flow groups. Intraoperative rSO2 readings were used to calculate the change in mean rSO2 from pre- to post-bypass. Multivariable modeling was performed to compare delta rSO2 between groups, and to analyze the association between LVAD type and postoperative outcomes. Results: There were 152 patients included, of which 76 had an axial-flow device and 76 had a centrifugal-flow device implanted. The rSO2 level increased from pre-bypass to post-bypass on average 3.5% (CI: 2.1 to 5.0) for the axial group compared to 0.1% (CI: −1.2 to 1.4) for the centrifugal group, which was a significant difference (β = −2.22, CI: −4.21 to −0.32, p = 0.022). Axial devices approached significance for lower odds of postoperative complications (OR: 0.35, CI: 0.11 to 1.06, p = 0.063), and were associated with significantly shorter ICU LOS (β = −0.36, CI: −0.60 to −0.11, p = 0.004). Conclusion: Axial devices resulted in a greater increase in rSO2 than centrifugal pumps after separation from CPB. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the effect of LVAD selection on long-term end-organ perfusion and subsequent patient outcomes.
China’s Accession to the WTO and the Collapse That Never Was
Authors: Jefferies William 
Published: November 2020

This article examines the application of neoclassical economics to the discussion of China’s transition to the market in the 1990s and its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. It shows how this theory shaped, and misled, forecasts of the impact of that accession and of China’s subsequent economic performance. It discusses the debate between mini-bang and big-bang transition policies in the 1990s and shows the two sides shared far more in common than separated them. Both sides misestimated, in fact grossly underestimated, the dynamism of China’s economy. It shows how widely anticipated predictions of crisis and collapse with China’s WTO accession were the natural result of the assumptions of the neoclassical model. It suggests that a rival model of market transition based on Bukharin and Kuznets has much to offer. JEL Classification: P22, P26, P21, B24
Predictors of End of Life Discussions Among Minority Older Women Living With HIV Infection
Authors: Cianelli Rosina , Villegas Natalia , Lewis-Pierre LaToya , Valdes Beatriz , Iriarte Evelyn 
Published: November 2020

Background: Among the 39,782 newly HIV diagnosed individuals in the U.S., 17% were aged 50+. Although premature aging, morbidity, and mortality are issues for older people living with HIV that threaten their quality of life, less attention has been focused on end of life (EOL) discussions. Objectives: To examine predictors of EOL discussions with significant others, family members, and friends. Methods: Cross-sectional design was used for this study guided by the The Socio Ecological Model (SEM). Sample: 119 Black and 19 Hispanic women aged 50+ living with HIV. Results: Predictors of EOL discussions were education, living with a partner, religiosity, and pain, which were at the individual-intrapersonal level of the SEM. Discussion: Findings from this study have important implications for health policy makers and clinicians because they cast a bright light on the substantial continued effort that is needed to improve EOL discussions.
Clinical characteristics of cats referred for evaluation of subclinical cardiac murmurs
Authors: Franchini Alessandra , Abbott Jonathan A , Lahmers Sunshine , Eriksson Andrea 
Published: November 2020

Objectives The aim of this study was to define the clinical characteristics of cats referred for evaluation of subclinical cardiac murmurs, and, secondarily, to identify predictors of echocardiographic identification of cardiac disease. Methods One hundred and sixty-three apparently healthy cats with subclinical murmurs were retrospectively enrolled. Medical records of cats older than 1 year of age referred for the evaluation of subclinical murmurs were reviewed. Cats were considered healthy if clinical signs of systemic disease or cardiac disease were not reported and cats were not receiving cardiac medications. Logistic regression was used to identify clinical variables that predict echocardiographic identification of cardiac disease. Results One hundred and eight cats (66.3%) had echocardiographic evidence of cardiac disease with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy being the most common (80.5%). Left atrial enlargement was uncommon; in 90% of cats with echocardiographically identified cardiac disease, the left atrial aortic ratio from two-dimensional echocardiography was <1.51. Cats with cardiac disease were more likely to be male ( P = 0.016), weigh more ( P <0.01) and have a murmur of intensity ⩾3/6 ( P = 0.019) than cats without cardiac disease. Murmur intensity ⩾grade 3/6 ( P = 0.01) and male sex ( P = 0.01) were independent predictors of echocardiographic evidence of cardiac disease in multivariable analysis. Conclusions and relevance The majority of cats referred for evaluation of subclinical cardiac murmurs have cardiac disease. Based on left atrial dimensions, cardiac disease is generally mild. Male sex and a loud cardiac murmur are associated with the identification of cardiac disease.
Tapered and non-tapered prosthetic grafts in upper extremity dialysis access: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jasty Venkata Sai , Haddad David , Mohan Babu , Zhou Wei , Siracuse Jeffrey J , Tan Tze-Woei 
Published: November 2020

Objective: It is unclear whether tapered arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) are superior to non-tapered AVGs when it comes to preventing upper extremity ischemic steal syndrome. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of tapered and non-tapered AVGs using systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A literature search was systemically performed to identify all English publications from 1999 to 2019 that directly compared the outcomes of upper extremity tapered and non-tapered AVGs. Outcomes evaluated were the primary patency at 1-year (number of studies ( n) = 4), secondary patency at 1-year ( n = 3), and risk of ischemic steal ( n = 5) and infection ( n = 4). Effect sizes of individual studies were pooled using random-effects model, and between-study variability was assessed using the I2 statistic. Results: Of 5808 studies screened, five studies involving 4397 patients have met the inclusion criteria and included in the analysis. Meta-analyses revealed no significant difference for the risk of ischemic steal syndrome (pooled odds ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% Confidence Incidence (CI) 0.29–2.91, p = 0.89, I2 = 48%) between the tapered and non-tapered upper extremity AVG. The primary patency (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.93–1.90, p = 0.12, I2 = 10%) and secondary patency at 1-year (OR 1.49, 95% CI 0.84–2.63, p = 0.17, I2 = 13%), and rate of infection (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.30–1.27, p = 0.19, I2 = 29%) were also similar between the tapered and non-tapered AVG. Conclusions: The risk of ischemic steal syndrome and patency rate are comparable for upper extremity tapered and non-tapered AVGs. This meta-analysis does not support the routine use of tapered graft over non-tapered graft to prevent ischemic steal syndrome in upper extremity dialysis access. However, due to small number of studies and sample sizes as well as limited stratification of outcomes based on risk factors, future studies should take such limitations into account while designing more robust protocols to elucidate this issue.
Cardiovascular safety of Glimepiride: An indirect comparison from CAROLINA and CARMELINA
Authors: Ghosh Sujoy , Mukhopadhyay Pradip , Pandey Prabhakar , Chatterjee Purushottam , Pandit Kaushik 
Published: November 2020

Background: Despite having unquestionable glucose lowering efficacy, current guidelines no more favour the uses of sulphonylureas for CV safety concern, except when cost is an issue. However, formal cardiovascular outcome trial (CVOT) is not available. Materials and methods: We performed an indirect treatment comparison to find the hazard ratio for 3-point MACE, all-cause death, CV death and non-CV death between glimepiride and placebo based on two large CVOTs which established the CV safety of linagliptin (CARMELINA and CAROLINA). Results: Glimepiride was shown to have a non-inferior risk compared to placebo for 3-point MACE (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.850, 1.274), all-cause mortality (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.880, 1.317), CV death (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.732, 1.259), and non-CV death (HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.893, 1.733). Conclusion: Cardiovascular safety of glimepiride is re-assuring and may help patients with type 2 diabetes world-over to avail the benefit of this affordable efficacious medication.