bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association Between the Risk for Cardiovascular Events and Antiviral Treatment for Herpes Zoster
Authors: Kim Jinkwon , Jeon Jimin , Lee Hye Sun , Lee Kyung-Yul 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular risk increases following herpes zoster. We investigated whether treatment with antiviral agents, steroids, and common cardiovascular medications was associated with the risk of postherpetic cardiovascular events.

Methods
This was a nationwide population-based, retrospective, cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service health claims data in Korea. We included patients with a first-ever diagnosis of herpes zoster in 2003–2014 and no prior cardiovascular event. The primary outcome was the occurrence of composites of myocardial infarction (International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, code I21) and stroke (codes I60–I63) since the herpes zoster. We analyzed the exposure (intravenous or oral administration) to antiviral agents, steroids, antithrombotics, and statins within ±7 days from the index date of herpes zoster diagnosis. Follow-up was performed until occurrence of the primary outcome, death, or 31 December 2015, whichever came first.

Results
Of 84 993 patients with herpes zoster, the proportions of patients who received the treatment with antiviral agents, steroids, antithrombotics, and statins were 90.5%, 48.0%, 9.1%, and 7.9%, respectively. During the mean (standard deviation) follow-up period of 5.4 (3.1) years, 1523 patients experienced the primary outcome. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that treatment with antiviral agents (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, .71–.95) and statins (0.71; .59–.85) were significantly associated with the lower risk of primary outcome. Use of antithrombotics and steroids were not associated with the risk.

Conclusions
After herpes zoster, treatment with antiviral agents was significantly associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events. We need more information on the cardiovascular protective role of herpes zoster treatments.
Medication in adults after atrial switch for transposition of the great arteries: clinical practice and recommendations
Authors: Woudstra Odilia I , Kuijpers Joey M , Jongbloed Monique R M , van Dijk Arie P J , Sieswerda Gertjan T , Vliegen Hubert W , Egorova Anastasia D , Kiès Philippine , Duijnhouwer Anthonie L , Robbers-Visser Daniëlle , Konings Thelma C , Zwinderman Aeilko H , Meijboom Folkert J , Mulder Barbara J M , Bouma Berto J 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Aims
Heart failure is the main threat to long-term health in adults with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) corrected by an atrial switch operation (AtrSO). Current guidelines refrain from recommending heart failure medication in TGA-AtrSO, as there is insufficient data to support the hypothesis that it is beneficial. Medication is therefore prescribed based on personal judgements. We aimed to evaluate medication use in TGA-AtrSO patients and examine the association of use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors and β-blockers with long-term survival.

Methods and results
We identified 150 TGA-AtrSO patients [median age 30 years (interquartile range 25–35), 63% male] included in the CONCOR registry from five tertiary medical centres with subsequent linkage to the Dutch Dispensed Drug Register for the years 2006–2014. Use of RAAS inhibitors, β-blockers, and diuretics increased with age, from, respectively, 21% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14–40], 12% (95% CI 7–21), and 3% (95% CI 2–7) at age 25, to 49% (95% CI 38–60), 51% (95% CI 38–63), and 41% (95% CI 29–54) at age 45. Time-varying Cox marginal structural models that adjusted for confounding medication showed a lower mortality risk with use of RAAS inhibitors and β-blockers in symptomatic patients [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.13 (95% CI 0.03–0.73); P = 0.020 and HR = 0.12 (95% CI 0.02–0.17); P = 0.019, respectively]. However, in the overall cohort, no benefit of RAAS inhibitors and β-blockers was seen [HR = 0.93 (95% CI 0.24–3.63); P = 0.92 and HR = 0.98 (0.23–4.17); P = 0.98, respectively].

Conclusion
The use of heart failure medication is high in TGA-AtrSO patients, although evidence of its benefit is limited. This study showed lower risk of mortality with use of RAAS inhibitors and β-blockers in symptomatic patients only. These findings can direct future guidelines, supporting use of RAAS inhibitors and β-blockers in symptomatic, but not asymptomatic patients.
Infant mortality among native-born children of immigrants in France, 2008–17: results from a socio-demographic panel survey
Authors: Wallace Matthew , Khlat Myriam , Guillot Michel 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundWithin Europe, France stands out as a major country that lacks recent and reliable evidence on how infant mortality levels vary among the native-born children of immigrants compared with the native-born children of two parents born in France.MethodsWe used a nationally representative socio-demographic panel consisting of 296 400 births and 980 infant deaths for the period 2008–17. Children of immigrants were defined as being born to at least one parent born abroad and their infant mortality was compared with that of children born to two parents born in France. We first calculated infant mortality rates per 1000 live births. Then, using multi-level logit models, we calculated odds ratios of infant mortality in a series of models adjusting progressively for parental origins (M1), core demographic factors (M2), father's socio-professional category (M3) and area-level urbanicity and deprivation score (M4).ResultsWe documented a substantial amount of excess infant mortality among those children born to at least one parent from Eastern Europe, Northern Africa, Western Africa, Other Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas, with variation among specific origin countries belonging to these groups. In most of these cases, the excess infant mortality levels persisted after adjusting for all individual-level and area-level factors.ConclusionsOur findings, which can directly inform national public health policy, reaffirm the persistence of longstanding inequality in infant mortality according to parental origins in France and add to a growing body of evidence documenting excess infant mortality among the children of immigrants in Europe.
Tyrosine tRNA synthetase as a novel extracellular immunomodulatory protein in Streptococcus anginosus
Authors: Shimoyama Yu , Ishikawa Taichi , Kodama Yoshitoyo , Kimura Shigenobu , Sasaki Minoru 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACT
Streptococcus anginosus is frequently detected in patients with infective endocarditis, abscesses or oral cancer. Although S. anginosus is considered the causative pathogen of these diseases, the pathogenic mechanisms of the bacterium have remained unclear. Previously, we suggested that an extracellular antigen from S. anginosus (SAA) serves as a pathogenic factor by inducing nitric oxide production in murine macrophages. In the present study, we identified SAA using LC–MS/MS and assessed the biological activities of His-tagged recombinant SAA in murine macrophages. SAA was identified as a tyrosine tRNA synthetase (SaTyrRS) that was isolated from the extracellular fraction of S. anginosus but not from other oral streptococci. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase and TNF-α mRNA expression was induced in recombinant SaTyrRS-stimulated murine macrophages. However, their mRNA expression was not induced in macrophages stimulated with truncated or heat-inactivated recombinant SaTyrRS, and the activation motif was identified as Arg264–Thr270. Consequently, these results indicated that SaTyrRS could be a novel and specific immunomodulatory protein in S. anginosus.
End-of-Life Orders, Resource Utilization, and Costs Among Injured Older Adults Requiring Emergency Services
Authors: Lin Amber L , Newgard Craig , Caughey Aaron B , Malveau Susan , Dotson Abby , Eckstrom Elizabeth 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) are increasingly utilized to assist patients approaching the end of life in documenting goals of care. We evaluated the association of POLST, resource utilization, and costs to 1 year among injured older adults requiring emergency services.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort of injured older adults ≥65 years with continuous Medicare fee-for-service coverage transported by emergency medical services (EMS) in 2011 across 4 counties in Oregon. Data sources included EMS, Medicare claims, vital statistics, and state POLST, inpatient and trauma registries. Outcomes included hospital admission, receipt of aggressive medical interventions, costs, and hospice use. We matched patients on patient characteristics and comorbidities to control for bias.Results: We included 2116 patients of which 484 (22.9%) had a POLST form prior to 911 contact. Of POLST patients, 136 (28.1%) had orders for full treatment, 194 (40.1%) for limited interventions, and 154 (31.8%) for comfort measures. There were no significant associations for care during the index event. However, in the year after the index event, patients with care limitations had higher adjusted hospice use (limited interventions OR 1.7 [95% CI: 1.2–2.6]; comfort OR, 2.0 [95% CI: 1.3–3.0]) and lower adjusted post-discharge costs (no POLST, $32,399 [95% CI: 30,041–34,756]; limited interventions, $18,729 [95% CI: 12,913–24,545]; and comfort $15,593 [95% CI: 12,091–19,095]). There were no significant associations for all other outcomes.Conclusions: Care limitations specified in POLST forms among injured older adults transported by EMS are associated with increased use of hospice and decreased costs to 1 year.
Estimating Older Adult Mortality From COVID-19
Authors: Sharma Andy 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to employ simulations to model the probability of mortality from COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus) for older adults in the United States given at best and at worst cases.

Methods
This study first examined current epidemiological reports to better understand the risk of mortality from COVID-19. Past epidemiological studies from severe acute respiratory syndrome were also examined given similar virology. Next, at best and at worst mortality cases were considered with the goal of estimating the probability of mortality. To accomplish this for the general population, microdata from the National Health Interview Survey pooled sample (2016, 2017, and 2018 public-use NHIS with a sample of 34,881 adults at least 60 years of age) were utilized. Primary measures included age and health status (diabetes, body mass index, and hypertension). A logit regression with 100,000 simulations was employed to derive the estimates and probabilities.

Results
Age exhibited a positive association for the probability of death with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.22 (p &lt; .05, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.42). A positive association was also found for body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.03, p &lt; .01, 95% CI: 1.02–1.04) and hypertension (OR 1.36, p &lt; .01, 95% CI: 1.09–1.66) for the at best case. Diabetes was significant but only for the at best case.

Discussion
This study found mortality increased with age and was notable for the 74–79 age group for the at best case and the 70–79 age group of the at worst case. Obesity was also important and suggested a higher risk for mortality. Hypertension also exhibited greater risk but the increase was minimal. Given the volume of information and misinformation, these findings can be applied by health professionals, gerontologists, social workers, and local policymakers to better inform older adults about mortality risks and, in the process, reestablish public trust.
Caremongering and Assumptions of Need: The Spread of Compassionate Ageism During COVID-19
Authors: Vervaecke Deanna , Meisner Brad A 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the pervasive ageism that exists in our society. Although instances of negative or hostile ageism have been identified, critical attention to the nuances of ageism throughout the pandemic, such as the prevalence and implications of positive or compassionate ageism, has lagged in comparison. This commentary uses stereotype content theory to extend the conversation regarding COVID-19 and ageism to include compassionate ageism. We offer the “caremongering” movement, a social movement driven by social media to help individuals affected by COVID-19, as a case study example that illustrates how compassionate ageism has manifested during the pandemic. The implications of compassionate ageism that have and continue to occur during the pandemic are discussed using stereotype embodiment theory. Future actions that focus on shifting attention from the intent of ageist actions and beliefs to the outcomes for those experiencing them are needed. Further, seeking older individuals’ consent when help is offered, recognizing the diversity of aging experiences, and thinking critically about ageism in its multiple and varied forms are all required.
Differences in Biologic Utilization and Surgery Rates in Pediatric and Adult Crohn’s Disease: Results From a Large Electronic Medical Record-derived Cohort
Authors: Kurowski Jacob A , Milinovich Alex , Ji Xinge , Bauman Janine , Sugano David , Kattan Michael W , Achkar Jean-Paul 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background and Aims
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic illness that affects both the pediatric and adult populations with an increasing worldwide prevalence. We aim to identify a large, single-center cohort of patients with CD using natural language processing (NLP) in combination with codified data and extract surgical rates and medication usage from the electronic medical record (EMR).

Methods
Patients with CD were identified from the entire Cleveland Clinic EMR using ICD codes and CD-specific terms identified by NLP to fit a logistic regression model. Cohorts were developed for pediatric-onset (younger than 18 years) and adult-onset (18 years and older) CD. Surgeries were identified using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes and NLP. Crohn’s disease–related medications were extracted using physician orders in the EMR.

Results
Patients with pediatric-onset (n = 2060) and adult-onset (n = 4973) CD were identified from 2000 to 2017 with a positive predictive value of 98.5%. Rate of CD-related abdominal surgery over time was significantly higher in adult-onset compared with pediatric-onset CD (10-year surgery rate 49.9% vs 37.7%, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Treatment with biologics was significantly higher in pediatric vs adult-onset CD cohorts (63.6% vs 49.2%; P &lt; 0.001). The overall rate of CD-related abdominal surgery was significantly higher in those who received &lt;6 months of a biologic compared with ≥6 months of a biologic for both cohorts (pediatric 64.1% vs 39.1%, P ≤ 0.001; adult 69.3% vs 56.5%, P ≤ 0.001). Additionally, 60.9% in pediatric-onset CD and 43.5% in adult-onset CD treated with ≥6 months of biologic therapy have not required abdominal surgery. On multivariable analysis, perianal surgery was a significant risk factor for abdominal surgery in both cohorts.

Conclusion
We used a combination of codified and NLP data to establish the largest, North American, single-center EMR cohort of pediatric- and adult-onset CD patients and determined that biologics are associated with lower rates of surgery over time, potentially altering the natural history of the disease.
Imputation of missing data from time-lapse cameras used in recreational fishing surveys
Authors: Afrifa-Yamoah Ebenezer , Taylor Stephen M , Fisher Aiden , Mueller Ute 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
While remote camera surveys have the potential to improve the accuracy of recreational fishing estimates, missing data are common and require robust analytical techniques to impute. Time-lapse cameras are being used in Western Australia to monitor recreational boating activities, but outages have occurred. Generalized linear mixed effect models formulated in a fully conditional specification multiple imputation framework were used to reconstruct missing data, with climatic and some temporal classifications as covariates. Using a complete 12-month camera record of hourly counts of recreational powerboat retrievals, data were simulated based on ten observed camera outage patterns, with a missing proportion of between 0.06 and 0.61. Nine models were evaluated, including Poisson and negative binomial models, and their associated zero-inflated variants. The imputed values were cross-validated against actual observations using percent bias, mean absolute error, root mean square error, and skill score as performance measures. In 90% of the cases, 95% confidence intervals for the total imputed estimates from at least one of the models contained the total actual counts. With no systematic trends in performance among the models, zero-inflated Poisson and its bootstrapping variant models consistently ranked among the top 3 models and possessed the narrowest confidence intervals. The robustness and generality of the imputation framework were demonstrated using other camera datasets with distinct characteristics. The results provide reliable estimates of the number of boat retrievals for subsequent estimates of fishing effort and provide time series data on boat-based activity.
From Text to Political Positions on Foreign Aid: Analysis of Aid Mentions in Party Manifestos from 1960 to 2015
Authors: Dietrich Simone , Milner Helen V , Slapin Jonathan B 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLooking at texts of election manifestos, this paper examines systematic differences among political parties within and across countries in how they position themselves on foreign aid and in how these manifesto pledges translate into commitments to disburse aid. Conventional wisdom suggests that left-leaning parties may be more supportive of foreign aid than rightwing parties, but also that foreign aid may not be sufficiently electorally salient for parties to stake out positions in campaign materials, such as manifestos. We leverage a new data set that codes party positions on foreign aid in election manifestos for 13 donors from 1960 to 2015. We find that parties differ systematically in how they engage with foreign aid. Left-leaning governments are more likely to express positive sentiment vis-à-vis aid than right-leaning governments. We evaluate the effects of positions on aid outcomes and find that positive aid views expressed by the party in government translate into higher aid commitments, though only for left-leaning parties.
Development and validation of a lateral flow immunoassay for rapid detection of VanA-producing enterococci
Authors: Oueslati Saoussen , Volland Hervé , Cattoir Vincent , Bernabeu Sandrine , Girlich Delphine , Dulac Ducan , Plaisance Marc , Laroche Maxime , Dortet Laurent , Simon Stéphanie , Naas Thierry 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Background
VRE are nosocomial pathogens with an increasing incidence in recent decades. Rapid detection is crucial to reduce their spread and prevent infections and outbreaks.

Objectives
To evaluate a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) (called NG-Test VanA) for the rapid and reliable detection of VanA-producing VRE (VanA-VRE) from colonies and broth.

Methods
NG-Test VanA was validated on 135 well-characterized enterococcal isolates grown on Mueller–Hinton (MH) agar (including 40 VanA-VRE). Different agar plates and culture broths widely used in routine laboratories for culture of enterococci were tested.

Results
All 40 VanA-VRE clinical isolates were correctly detected in less than 15 min irrespective of the species expressing the VanA ligase and the medium used for bacterial growth. No cross-reaction was observed with any other clinically relevant ligases (VanB, C1, C2, D, E, G, L, M and N). Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay were 100% for VanA-VRE grown on MH agar plates. NG-Test VanA accurately detects VanA-VRE irrespective of the culture medium (agar and broth). Band intensity was increased when using bacteria grown on vancomycin-containing culture media or on MH close to the vancomycin disc as a consequence of VanA induction. The limit of detection of the assay was 6.3 × 106 cfu per test with bacteria grown on MH plates and 4.9 × 105 cfu per test with bacteria grown on ChromID® VRE plates.

Conclusions
NG-Test VanA is efficient, rapid and easy to implement in the routine workflow of a clinical microbiology laboratory for the confirmation of VanA-VRE.
Patched Green's function method applied to acoustic wave propagation in disordered media: an interdisciplinary approach
Authors: Moura Francisco A , Barbosa Wagner A , Duarte Edwin F , Silva Danyelle P , Ferreira Mauro S , Lucena Liacir S , de Araújo João M 
Published: September 2020

AbstractModern visualization can be formulated as inversion problems that aim to obtain structural information about a complex medium through wave excitations. However, without numerically efficient forward calculations, even state-of-the-art inversion procedures are too computationally intensive to implement. We adapt a method previously used to treat transport in electronic waveguides to describe acoustic wave motion in complex media with high gains in computational time. The method consists of describing the system as if it was made of disconnected parts that are patched together. By expressing the system in this manner, wave-propagation calculations that otherwise would involve a very large matrix can be done with considerably smaller matrices instead. In particular, by treating one of such patches as a target whose parameters are changeable, we are able to implement target-oriented optimization in which the model parameters can be continuously refined until the ideal result is reproduced. The so-called Patched Green's function (PGF) approach is mathematically exact and involves no approximations, thus improving the computational cost without compromising accuracy. Given the generality of our method, it can be applied to a wide variety of inversion problems. Here we apply it to the case of seismic modeling where acoustic waves are used to map the earth subsurface in order to identify and explore mineral resources. The technique is tested with realistic seismic models and compared to standard calculation methods. The reduction in computational complexity is remarkable and paves the way to treating larger systems with increasing accuracy levels.
Management of Hepatitis C in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Statler Victoria A , Espinosa Claudia 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections has changed dramatically in recent years with the use of direct antiviral agents (AADs). New AADs have excellent safety profile and demonstrated to be highly effective. Interferon free regimens are now recommended for children and adolescents but significant barriers for treatment exist. Overcoming those barriers will facilitate HCV elimination. This review covers varied topics to familiarize providers with the current status of pediatric HCV management in light of newly available DAAs medications.