bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of medicaid expansion on disparities in revascularization in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Glance Laurent G. , Thirukumaran Caroline P. , Shippey Ernie , Lustik Stewart J. , Dick Andrew W. 
Published: December 2020

IntroductionBlacks are more likely to live in poverty and be uninsured, and are less likely to undergo revascularization after am acute myocardial infarction compared to whites. The objective of this study was to determine whether Medicaid expansion was associated with a reduction in revascularization disparities in patients admitted with an acute myocardial infarction.MethodsRetrospective analysis study using data (2010–2018) from hospitals participating in the University Health Systems Consortium, now renamed the Vizient Clinical Database. Comparative interrupted time series analysis was used to compare changes in the use of revascularization therapies (PCI and CABG) in white versus non-Hispanic black patients hospitalized with either ST-segment elevation (STEMI) or non-ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI) after Medicaid expansion.ResultsThe analytic cohort included 68,610 STEMI and 127,378 NSTEMI patients. The percentage point decrease in the uninsured rate for STEMIs and NSTEMIs was greater for blacks in expansion states compared to whites in expansion states. For patients with STEMIs, differences in black versus white revascularization rates decreased by 2.09 percentage points per year (95% CI, 0.29–3.88, P = 0.023) in expansion versus non-expansion states after adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics. Black patients hospitalized with STEMI in non-expansion states experienced a 7.24 percentage point increase in revascularization rate in 2014 (95% CI, 2.83–11.7, P < 0.001) but did not experience significant annual percentage point increases in the rate of revascularization in subsequent years (1.52; 95% CI, -0.51–3.55, P = 0.14) compared to whites in non-expansion states. Medicaid expansion was not associated with changes in the revascularization rate for either blacks or whites hospitalized with NSTEMIs.ConclusionMedicaid expansion was associated with greater reductions in the number of uninsured blacks compared to uninsured whites. Medicaid expansion was not associated, however, with a reduction in revascularization disparities between black and white patients admitted with acute myocardial infarctions.
Estimation of the incubation period of COVID-19 in Vietnam
Authors: Bui Long V. , Nguyen Ha T. , Levine Hagai , Nguyen Ha N. , Nguyen Thu-Anh , Nguyen Thuy P. , Nguyen Truong T. , Do Toan T. T. , Pham Ngoc T. , Bui My Hanh 
Published: December 2020

Objective
To estimate the incubation period of Vietnamese confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Methods
Only confirmed COVID-19 cases who are Vietnamese and locally infected with available data on date of symptom onset and clearly defined window of possible SARS-CoV-2 exposure were included. We used three parametric forms with Hamiltonian Monte Carlo method for Bayesian Inference to estimate incubation period for Vietnamese COVID-19 cases. Leave-one-out Information Criterion was used to assess the performance of three models.

Results
A total of 19 cases identified from 23 Jan 2020 to 13 April 2020 was included in our analysis. Average incubation periods estimated using different distribution model ranged from 6.0 days to 6.4 days with the Weibull distribution demonstrated the best fit to the data. The estimated mean of incubation period using Weibull distribution model was 6.4 days (95% credible interval (CrI): 4.89–8.5), standard deviation (SD) was 3.05 (95%CrI 3.05–5.30), median was 5.6, ranges from 1.35 to 13.04 days (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles). Extreme estimation of incubation periods is within 14 days from possible infection.

Conclusion
This analysis provides evidence for an average incubation period for COVID-19 of approximately 6.4 days. Our findings support existing guidelines for 14 days of quarantine of persons potentially exposed to SARS-CoV-2. Although for extreme cases, the quarantine period should be extended up to three weeks.
Effectiveness of a quality improvement intervention to increase adherence to key practices during female sterilization services in Chhattisgarh and Odisha states of India
Authors: Srivastava Ashish , Chhibber Geeta , Bhatnagar Neeta , Nash-Mercado Angela , Samal Jyoti , Trivedi Bhagyashree , Srivastava Vinod , Rawlins Barbara , Yadav Vivek , Sood Bulbul , Biesma Regien , Kim Young-Mi , Stekelenburg Jelle 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundIn response to longstanding concerns around the quality of female sterilization services provided at public health facilities in India, the Government of India issued standards and quality assurance guidelines for female sterilization services in 2014. However, implementation remains a challenge. The Maternal and Child Survival Program rolled out a package of competency-based trainings, periodic mentoring, and easy-to-use job aids in parts of five states to increase service providers’ adherence to key practices identified in the guidelines.MethodsThe study employed a before-and-after quasi-experimental design with a matched comparison arm to examine the effect of the intervention on provider practices in two states: Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Direct observations of female sterilization services were conducted in selected public health facilities, using a checklist of 30 key practices, at two points in time. Changes in adherence to key practices from baseline to endline were compared at 12 intervention and 12 comparison facilities using a difference in difference analysis.ResultsSeveral key practices were well-established prior to the intervention, with adherence levels over 90% at baseline, including hemoglobin and urine testing, use of sterile surgical gloves and instruments, and recommended surgical technique. However, adherence to many other practices was extremely low at baseline. The program significantly increased adherence to nine practices, including those related to ascertaining client’s medical eligibility, client-provider interaction, the consent process, and post-operative care. The greatest improvement was observed in the provision of written instructions for clients prior to discharge. At endline, however, adherence remained below 50% for 14 practices.ConclusionLow adherence to key practices at baseline confirmed the need for quality improvement interventions in female sterilization services. While the intervention improved adherence to certain practices around admission and post-operative care, inadequate human resources and infrastructure, among other factors, may have blunted the impact of the intervention.
Barriers, facilitators, and solutions to familial hypercholesterolemia treatment
Authors: Jones Laney K. , Sturm Amy C. , Seaton Terry L. , Gregor Christina , Gidding Samuel S. , Williams Marc S. , Rahm Alanna Kulchak 
Published: December 2020

Background
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited lipid disorder that confers high risk for premature cardiovascular disease but remains undertreated. Causes are multifactorial and multilevel, ranging from underprescribing (at the clinician-level) to medication nonadherence (at the patient-level). We evaluated patient and clinician stakeholder barriers and facilitators for treatment of FH to explore possible solutions to the problem.

Methods and results
Semi-structured interviews and focus groups guided by the Practical, Robust, Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM), were conducted with 33 patients and 17 clinician stakeholders across three healthcare systems. A total of14 patients and 9 clinician stakeholders participated in on-site focus groups and the remainder were individual interviews. Transcripts were coded using an iterative process to create a static codebook. We characterized patient and clinician stakeholder barriers into three categories: medical care-, medication-, and life-related. Feasibility of brainstormed solutions varied and was not always representative of the needs of all stakeholders. Patients suggested a need for childhood screening for FH and doctors being persistent about the importance of treating FH, creation of a patient peer group, data transparency, advocacy, and policy changes that would enable patients to receive better treatment. Clinician stakeholders suggested the need for clinical champions. Both groups of stakeholders discussed the need for education about FH.

Conclusions
Proposed solutions to improve treatment of FH proffered by participants in this study included resources for both patients and clinician stakeholders that clarify cardiovascular disease risks from FH, develop programs to screen for and identify FH at younger ages, and foster open conversations between patients and clinicians about treatment.
Acadesine suppresses TNF-α induced complement component 3 (C3), in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells
Authors: Efstathiou Nikolaos E. , Moustafa Giannis A. , Maidana Daniel E. , Konstantinou Eleni K. , Notomi Shoji , Barbisan Paulo R. T. , Georgakopoulos Constantine D. , Miller Joan W. , Vavvas Demetrios G. 
Published: December 2020

RationaleAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most prevalent form of irreversible blindness in the developed world. Aging, inflammation and complement dysregulation affecting the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), are considered significant contributors in its pathogenesis and several evidences have linked tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and complement component 3 (C3) with AMD. Acadesine, an analog of AMP and an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, has been shown to have cytoprotective effects in human clinical trials as well as having anti-inflammatory and anti-vascular exudative effects in animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if acadesine is able to suppress TNF-α induced C3 in RPE cells.MethodsARPE-19 and human primary RPE cells were cultured and allowed to grow to confluence. TNF-α was used for C3 induction in the presence or absence of acadesine. Small molecule inhibitors and siRNA were used to determine if acadesine exerts its effect via the extracellular or intracellular pathway and to evaluate the importance of AMPK for these effects. The expression level of C3 was determined by immunoblot analysis.ResultsAcadesine suppresses TNF-α induced C3 in a dose dependent manner. When we utilized the adenosine receptor inhibitor dipyridamole (DPY) along with acadesine, acadesine’s effects were abolished, indicating the necessity of acadesine to enter the cell in order to exert it’s action. However, pretreatment with 5-iodotubericidin (5-Iodo), an adenosine kinase (AK) inhibitor, didn’t prevent acadesine from decreasing TNF-α induced C3 expression suggesting that acadesine does not exert its effect through AMP conversion and subsequent activation of AMPK. Consistent with this, knockdown of AMPK α catalytic subunit did not affect the inhibitory effect of acadesine on TNF-α upregulation of C3.ConclusionsOur results suggest that acadesine suppresses TNF-α induced C3, likely through an AMPK-independent pathway, and could have potential use in complement over activation diseases.
Basic Income and Sovereign Money: The Alternative to Economic Crisis and Austerity Policy, Geoff Crocker (2020)
Authors: Clark Norman 
Published: December 2020

Review of: Basic Income and Sovereign Money: The Alternative to Economic Crisis and Austerity Policy, Geoff Crocker (2020)
Cham: Palgrave Macmillan, 98 pp.,
ISBN 978-3-03036-747-3, h/bk, £44.99, ISBN 978-3-03036-748-0, e/bk, £35.99
Trabajadores maduros y prevención de riesgos laborales: un análisis desde la negociación colectiva
Authors: Chabannes Matthieu 
Published: December 2020

Todas las previsiones demográficas a corto y medio plazo describen una Europa envejecida con un marcado predominio de los trabajadores de mayor edad en el mercado laboral. Ello constituye para las empresas el nuevo reto de gestionar plantillas con este rasgo, adoptando y desarrollando fórmulas concretas de protección y prevención de riesgos laborales adaptadas a sus condiciones. Además, se trata de conseguir que el desempeño del trabajo no contribuya a un desgaste acelerado de la salud de los trabajadores, con los consiguientes riesgos y costes. Con un entorno de trabajo adecuado, el objetivo es mantener durante más tiempo las habilidades y capacidades de estos trabajadores y hacer posible el objetivo marcado por las políticas europeas y españolas de prolongar de la vida laboral de estos trabajadores. Así, el presente artículo se propone, en primer lugar, establecer el contexto general del envejecimiento de la población y sus consecuencias en el mercado de trabajo y seguido, se traza la relación entre prolongación de la vida laboral y la prevención de riesgos laborales. En segundo lugar, ante la inexistencia en nuestra normativa reguladora de una protección preventiva específica para los trabajadores de más edad, la negociación colectiva constituye un instrumento idóneo para ayudar a la adopción de buenas prácticas organizativas. En este sentido, se procede al análisis de los recientes convenios colectivos estatales y provinciales con el fin de verificar si entre sus cláusulas se tiene en cuenta la variable de la edad de sus trabajadores para adoptar medidas específicas de protección.
Identification of Human Urine Stains by HPLC Analysis of 17-Ketosteroid Conjugates
Authors: Nakazono T , Kashimura S , Hayashiba Y , Hisatomi T , Hara K 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
A new method for identifying human urine stains utilizing high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of five major 17-ketosteroid conjugates: dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, etiocholanolone sulfate, etiocholanolone glucuronide, androsterone sulfate, and androsterone glucuronide was examined. Samples of urine stains were extracted with borate buffer solution (pH 9.3) and the extracts were applied onto a Sep-Pak tC18 cartridge. The analytes were eluted from the cartridge with methanol. The eluates were prelabeled with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in trichloroacetic acid-benzene solution and were separated by HPLC on a reversed-phase ODS column using a mobile phase of 80% methanol in a buffer consisting of 25 mM sodium acetate in 2% acetic acid. The eluates were monitored by a spectrophotometer at 380 nm. While all five 17-ketosteroid conjugates were clearly detected in the human urine stain samples, traces of only some of these conjugates were detected in the animal samples. Therefore, the presence of all five 17-ketosteroid conjugates indicated human specificity. In addition to the above finding, the properties of those five 17-ketosteroid conjugates were confirmed by electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS).
Signed Reward Prediction Errors in the Ventral Striatum Drive Episodic Memory
Authors: Calderon Cristian B. , De Loof Esther , Ergo Kate , Snoeck Anna , Boehler Carsten N. , Verguts Tom 
Published: December 2020

Recent behavioral evidence implicates reward prediction errors (RPEs) as a key factor in the acquisition of episodic memory. Yet, important neural predictions related to the role of RPEs in episodic memory acquisition remain to be tested. Humans (both sexes) performed a novel variable-choice task where we experimentally manipulated RPEs and found support for key neural predictions with fMRI. Our results show that in line with previous behavioral observations, episodic memory accuracy increases with the magnitude of signed (i.e., better/worse-than-expected) RPEs (SRPEs). Neurally, we observe that SRPEs are encoded in the ventral striatum (VS). Crucially, we demonstrate through mediation analysis that activation in the VS mediates the experimental manipulation of SRPEs on episodic memory accuracy. In particular, SRPE-based responses in the VS (during learning) predict the strength of subsequent episodic memory (during recollection). Furthermore, functional connectivity between task-relevant processing areas (i.e., face-selective areas) and hippocampus and ventral striatum increased as a function of RPE value (during learning), suggesting a central role of these areas in episodic memory formation. Our results consolidate reinforcement learning theory and striatal RPEs as key factors subtending the formation of episodic memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRecent behavioral research has shown that reward prediction errors (RPEs), a key concept of reinforcement learning theory, are crucial to the formation of episodic memories. In this study, we reveal the neural underpinnings of this process. Using fMRI, we show that signed RPEs (SRPEs) are encoded in the ventral striatum (VS), and crucially, that SRPE VS activity is responsible for the subsequent recollection accuracy of one-shot learned episodic memory associations.
Pediatric Emergency Department Visits at US Children’s Hospitals During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: DeLaroche Amy M. , Rodean Jonathan , Aronson Paul L. , Fleegler Eric W. , Florin Todd A. , Goyal Monika , Hirsch Alexander W. , Jain Shobhit , Kornblith Aaron E. , Sills Marion R. , Wells Jordee M. , Neuman Mark I. 
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric emergency department (ED) visits is not well characterized. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of pediatric ED visits and resource use during the pandemic.METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional study using the Pediatric Health Information System for ED visits to 27 US children’s hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 15, 2020, to August 31, 2020) and a 3-year comparator period (March 15 to August 31, 2017–2019). ED visit rates, patient and visit characteristics, resource use, and ED charges were compared between the time periods. We specifically evaluated changes in low–resource-intensity visits, defined as ED visits that did not result in hospitalization or medication administration and for which no laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, or procedures were performed.RESULTS:ED visit rates decreased by 45.7% (average 911 026 ED visits over 2017–2019 vs 495 052 visits in 2020) during the pandemic. The largest decrease occurred among visits for respiratory disorders (70.0%). The pandemic was associated with a relative increase in the proportion of visits for children with a chronic condition from 23.7% to 27.8% (P &lt; .001). The proportion of low–resource-intensity visits decreased by 7.0 percentage points, and total charges decreased by 20.0% during the pandemic period.CONCLUSIONS:The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a marked decrease in pediatric ED visits across a broad range of conditions; however, the proportional decline of poisoning and mental health visits was less pronounced. The impact of decreased visits on patient outcomes warrants further research.
Pediatric Ambulatory Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Rinke Michael L. , Heo Moonseong , Saiman Lisa , Bundy David G. , Rosenberg Rebecca E. , DeLaMora Patricia , Rabin Barbara , Zachariah Philip , Mirhaji Parsa , Ford William J. H. , Obaro-Best Oghale , Drasher Michael , Klein Elizabeth , Peshansky Alexandre , Oyeku Suzette O. 
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:
Inpatient pediatric central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) cause morbidity and increased health care use. Minimal information exists for ambulatory CLABSIs despite ambulatory central line (CL) use in children. In this study, we identified ambulatory pediatric CLABSI incidence density, risk factors, and outcomes.

METHODS:
Retrospective cohort with nested case-control study at 5 sites from 2010 through 2015. Electronic queries were used to identify potential cases on the basis of administrative and laboratory data. Chart review was used to confirm ambulatory CL use and adjudicated CLABSIs. Bivariate followed by multivariable backward logistic regression was used to identify ambulatory CLABSI risk factors.

RESULTS:
Queries identified 4600 potentially at-risk children; 1658 (36%) had ambulatory CLs. In total, 247 (15%) patients experienced 466 ambulatory CLABSIs with an incidence density of 0.97 CLABSIs per 1000 CL days. Incidence density was highest among patients with tunneled externalized catheters versus peripherally inserted central catheters and totally implanted devices: 2.58 CLABSIs per 1000 CL days versus 1.46 vs 0.23, respectively (P &lt; .001). In a multivariable model, clinic visit (odds ratio [OR] 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–5.5) and low albumin (OR 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.3) were positively associated with CLABSI, and prophylactic antimicrobial agents for underlying conditions within the preceding 30 days (OR 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12–0.40) and operating room CL placement (OR 0.36; 95% CI: 0.16–0.79) were inversely associated with CLABSI. A total of 396 patients (85%) were hospitalized because of ambulatory CLABSI with an 8-day median length of stay (interquartile range 5–13).

CONCLUSIONS:
Ambulatory pediatric CLABSI incidence density is appreciable and associated with health care use. CL type, patients with low albumin, prophylactic antimicrobial agents, and placement setting may be targets for reduction efforts.
Concurrent detection of five Yellow dwarf viruses (B/CYDVs) in wheat in Mardin (Turkey) and phylogenetic relationship of BYDV-PAV
Authors: KARAOZAN Abdulselam , USTA Mustafa 
Published: December 2020

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a natural host of many viruses. Yellow dwarf viruses belonging to the Luteoviridae family are important virus species that cause economic loss by restricting wheat production worldwide. Surveys were conducted in 2017 to determine Yellow dwarf viruses (BYDV-PAV, BYDV-MAV, BYDV-SGV, BYDV-RMV, and CYDV-RPV) and their infection rates in wheat production areas in Mardin province. 400 fresh leaf samples collected were tested by Multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (m-RT-PCR). The overall infection rate was found to be 3%. BYDV-PAV has been identified as the most widespread virus with a 2.5% presence rate. It was found out that BYDV-SGV, CYDV-RPV, and BYDV-RMV infections were lower, with rates of 1.75%, 0.5% and 0.25% respectively. In the current study, double infections were detected in 8 samples. The overall infection rate of the detected viruses (BYDV-PAV, BYDV-SGV, CYDV-RPV, BYDV-RMV) was found to be lower than the records reported in previous similar studies. No BYDV-MAV infection was found in any of the wheat samples tested. The cDNA of the coat protein (CP) gene of a BYDV-PAV isolate randomly selected from virus-positive samples was cloned, bidirectionally sequenced, and the phylogenetic relationship revealed. According to the phylogenetic analysis with 19 different isolates in the NCBI database of BYDV-PAV Mardin isolate, it showed the highest genetic similarity by 95.52% with the Germany isolate (KY634926) while the lowest similarity rate was 89.22% with the Germany and Pakistan isolates (KY634886 and JQ811489). The presence of BYDV-PAV, BYDV-SGV, CYDV-RPV, and BYDV-RMV were reported for the first time with this survey study conducted in Mardin.