bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P1562 Normal reference values of three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived right atrial volumes and volume-based functional properties in healthy adult subjects
Authors: Nemes A , Kormanyos A , Domsik P , Kalapos A , Ambrus N , Lengyel C , Forster T 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
The right atrium (RA) has several roles including a systolic reservoir, early diastolic conduit and late-diastolic booster pump functions. The present study aimed to assess normal reference values of three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)-derived RA volumetric data and volume-based functional properties (stroke volumes, SVs and emptying fractions, EFs) in healthy adult subjects.

Methods
260 healthy adult subjects in sinus rhythm with complete clinical and demographic dataset have been included in the present study. However, due to inferior image quality 110 subjects have been excluded. The remaining population comprised 150 cases (31.0 ± 11.6 years, 79 males). Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE have been performed in all subjects.

Results
While systolic maximum RA volume did not change over age decades, early and late-diastolic RA pre-atrial contraction volume and minimum RA volume increased over time. Significantly larger values could be detected in more than 50 year-old healthy subjects as compared to younger subjects. Total atrial SV remained almost unchanged over age decades with a significant reduction in subjects aged &gt;50 years. Passive atrial SV showed a continuous reduction over age decades and significant difference could be demonstrated between subjects aged 18-29 years and &gt;50 years. Active atrial SV increased over age decades with a significant reduction in subjects aged &gt;50 years. Total atrial EF did not show any changes over age decades, but a significant reduction could be demonstrated in cases aged &gt;50 years. Passive atrial EF showed significant continuous reduction over age decades. Active atrial EF did not change in younger ages, it was the highest at ages 40-49 years with a significant impairment after 50 years. Females proved to have tendentiously higher RA volumes respecting the cardiac cycle regardless of age. No significant differences could be demonstrated between RA stroke volumes between genders except between 40-49 years when females had tendentiously higher values. RA emptying fractions were non-significantly, but tendentiously higher in females as compared to that of males regardless of age.

Conclusions
Normal reference values of 3DSTE-derived RA volumes and volume-based functional properties and their age- and gender dependency were defined in healthy adult subjects.
P1566 Evaluation of haptic feedback for interaction with volumetric image data in virtual reality
Authors: Deng S , Singh E , Wheeler G , Pushparajah K , Schnabel J A , Simpson J M , Gomez Herrero A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Work supported by the NIHR i4i funded 3D Heart project [II-LA-0716-20001]

Background
3D printing is used for surgical planning of complex congenital heart disease (CHD) because it provides an intuitive 3D representation of the image data. However, the 3D print is static and it can be costly and time consuming to create. Virtual Reality (VR) is a cheaper alternative that is able to visualise volumetric images in 3D directly from the scanner, both statically (CT and MR) and dynamically (cardiac ultrasound). However, VR visualisation is not as tangible as a 3D print - this is because it lacks the haptic feedback which would make the interactions feel more natural.

Purpose
Evaluate if adding haptic feedback (vibration) to the visualisation of volume image data in VR improves measurement accuracy and user experience.

Method
We evaluated the effect of vibration haptic feedback in our VR system using a synthetic cylinder volume dataset. The cylinder was displayed in two conditions: (1) with no haptic feedback, and (2) with haptic feedback. Ten non-clinical participants volunteered in the evaluation. They were blinded to these two test conditions. The participants were asked to measure the cylinder’s diameter horizontally and vertically, and its length, in each test condition. The measurement results were compared to the ground truth to assess the measurement accuracy. Each participant also completed a questionnaire comparing their experience of the two test conditions during the experiment.

Results
The results show a marginal improvement of measurement accuracy with haptic feedback, compared to no haptics (see Figure a). However, this improvement was not statistically significant. The haptic feedback did improve the participants’ confidence about their performance and increased the ease of use in VR, hence, they preferred the haptics condition to the no haptics condition (see Figure b). Moreover, although 70% of the participants reported relying on the visual cue more than on the haptic cue, 90% found that the haptic cue was helpful for deciding where to place the measurement point. Also, 88.9% of the participants felt more immersed in the VR scene with haptic feedback.

Conclusion
Our evaluation suggests that although haptic feedback may only marginally improve measurement accuracy, participants nevertheless preferred it because it improved confidence in their performance, increased ease of use, and facilitated a more immersive user experience.
Abstract P1566 Figure.
P1568 Echocardiographic changes and ventricular mechanics in the indeterminate form of chagas disease
Authors: Del Castillo J M , Mazzarollo C , Diniz J V , Oliveira K B , Araujo D C L , Alencar M P C , Albuquerque E S , Sena A D M , Brindeiro-Filho D , Silveira C A M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
According to the WHO, Chagas disease affects 8 to 10 million people, mainly in the Americas and in some European countries, with more than 10 thousand annual deaths. It presents an acute phase followed by a chronic, categorized as indeterminate, cardiac or digestive forms. After infestation, most patients remain asymptomatic, but 40% progress to symptomatic form at the rate of 1.8 to 5% patients/year. Evidence of myocardial fibrosis in 41% of these patients was found by magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective
To evaluate, by echocardiography, patients with Chagas disease, indeterminate phase, analysing dimensions, function and parameters of deformation and mechanical dispersion in left and right cardiac cavities.

Method
The study included 44 asymptomatic patients, 36 female, mean age 51 ± 10 years with positive Chagas serology and a control group of 44 healthy individuals, 35 female, mean age 52 ± 10 years. Left and right cavitary dimensions were evaluated, systolic and diastolic function, global myocardial deformation and mechanical dispersion. The groups were compared by the paired "t" test with significance level &lt;5%.

Results
Demographic data (age, body surface area) with no significant differences. Left ventricular (LV) diameters (p &lt;0.0001), septal thickness (p = 0.01), mass index (p &lt;0.0001) and diameters and indexed volume of left atrium (LA) were higher in Chagas patients (p &lt;0.0001). Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) showed no significant difference between groups. The mitral E wave velocity showed no significant difference, but the e" wave velocity of tissue Doppler (p = 0.02) and the E/e" ratio (p = 0.002) were higher in Chagas patients. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) (p &lt;0.0001) and mechanical dispersion of the LV (p &lt;0.0001) were lower in Chagas patients. Basal right ventricular (RV) diameter, tricuspid annulus excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid regurgitation velocity did not show differences and fractional area change of the RV (p = 0.03) was lower in Chagas patients. Longitudinal strain of the RV free wall (p = 0.01) was lower in Chagas patients and mechanical dispersion of RV (p =0.002) was higher.

Conclusion
Asymptomatic patients with Chagas disease (undetermined phase), when compared with healthy individuals of the same age group, presented larger cavitary diameters, diastolic disfunction and, deformation parameters of the left and right ventricles, with increased mechanical dispersion in both chambers. These data seem to corroborate recent results obtained by magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium, suggesting areas of myocardial fibrosis in these patients.
P1569 Left ventricle structure and function relations with renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system activity and plasma markers of fibrosis in patients with ACS underwent PCI
Authors: Krestjyaninov M , Razin V A , Gimaev R H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays significant role in development of myocardial fibrosis and LV remodelling which may increase severity of stroke and myocardial infarction.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate relations between activity of RAAS and left ventricle structure and function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) underwent PCI.
We examined 204 patients (both men and women) with ACS which were undergoing PCI.
The mean age of patients was 51.0 (11) years.

In all patients was performed
ECG in 12 leads; EchoCG; evaluation plasma levels of aldosterone, angiotensin 2 (AT2), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Statistical significance was defined at the level of methods for p &lt; 0,05.
Results of correlative analysis revealed relations between ILV mass and aldosterone (R = 0.57; p &lt; 0.001), ACE (R = 0.59; p &lt; 0.001), AT2 (R = 0.58; p &lt; 0.001) and TIMP-1 (R = 0.54; p &lt; 0.001). There were relations between E/A and AT2 (R = 0.23; p = 0.049), TIMP-1 (R = 0.22; p = 0.038); between IGF-1 and DT (R = 0.21; p = 0.045). This could be due to the growth in fibroblasts and cardiaomyocytes and increase in myocardial stiffness.
The results of the comparison of RAAS activity markers, structural and functional parameters of the LV in patients with different LV geometry can be seen in Table 1.
Thus, the results of the study show that activation of RAAS leads to increase in myocardial stiffness; and that RAAS activity and plasma markers of fibrosis was significantly higher in patients with concentric and eccentric LV hypertrophy.
RAAS activity & LV geometry and function Parameters LV geometry models Normal Geometry n = 25 Concentric Remodelling n = 18 Concentric Hypertrophy n = 89 Eccentric Hypertrophy n = 72 Angiotensin 2 (pg/ml) 36.2 (11.6) 28.2 (5.5) 58.4 (46.; 64.5)*†‡ 45.8 (13.2)*† ACE (u/l) 44.4 (17.4) 30.3 (20.1; 33.0)* 67.6 (28.3)*† 57.1 (39.0; 68.0)† Aldosterone (pg/ml) 111.0 (76.8; 136.6) 101.2 (80.0; 120.5)* 152.4 (135.2; 177.3)*†‡ 136.0 (129.0; 152.0)*† TIMP-1 (ng/ml) 222.9 (80.9) 237.5 (140.0; 322.0)* 358.0 (259.0; 493.0)*†‡ 329.2 (102.5)*† IGF-1 (ng/ml) 174.2 (25.1) 174.5 (160.0; 179.0) 146.0 (129.0; 167.0)*† 148.9 (20.7)*† ILV mass (g/m&sup2;) 85.0 (79.1; 92.4) 94.7 (92.4; 97.9)* 146.3 (127.0; 171.1)*†‡ 127.0 (115.7; 149.0)*† E/A 0.7 (0.1) 0.8 (0.7; 0.9) 0.9 (0.8; 1.2)* 0.9 (0.8; 1.1)*† DT (ms) 194.3 (22.2) 185.4 (19.5) 198.9 (44.3)† 179.1 (26.8) E/e" 8.0 (0.9) 6.1 (5.4; 8.6)* 6.9 (5.5; 9.2)* 8.8 (3.0)† * - p &lt; 0.05 in comparison with patients with normal geometry; † - p &lt; 0.05 in comparison with patients with concentric remodelling; ‡ - p &lt; 0.05 in comparison with patients with eccentric hypertrophy.
P1578 The prognostic value of left ventricle longitudinal strain and cardiac biomarkers in asymptomatic patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation
Authors: Verseckaite R , Vaiciuliene D , Laukaitiene J , Jonkaitiene R , Mizariene V , Jurkevicius R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Because of adaptive remodelling of the left ventricle (LV), patients with chronic severe aortic regurgitation (AR) can remain asymptomatic for prolonged periods. The main clinical challenge is to avoid irreversible damage to the myocardium and LV dysfunction, but the time of surgery should be such that the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks at that particular time. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of global LV longitudinal strain (GLS) and natriuretic peptide in severe AR.

Methods
Comprehensive and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography was performed in 84 patients with severe AR. Patients were divided into the asymptomatic group (n = 56; 41 men; mean age 46.1 ± 15.4 years) and the group with indications for AV surgery (n = 28; 27 men; mean age 49.0 ± 14.3 years). Asymptomatic patients were followed for about 4.4 ± 2.4 years. The primary endpoint was to detect the development of HF symptoms, deterioration in the LVEF(≤50%) and/or severe LV dilatation (EDD &gt; 70mm or ESS &gt; 50mm).

Results
Patients with the need of AV surgery showed a significantly larger impairment in GLS and higher increase in the values of NT-proBNP compared to asymptomatic patients (-17.2 ± 2.6 vs. -19.1 ± 2.4%, and 149.4 [86.6–500] vs. 112.5 [45.3–180.8]pg/mL, P &lt; 0.05, resp.). Of the 56 patients who were initially asymptomatic, 49 patients were prospectively monitored. The primary endpoint was reached in 16 (33%) patients with AR. Despite the preserved LVEF at baseline, patients in need of AV surgery had lower GLS compared to those who remained stable while being monitored (-17.1 ± 2.3 vs. -20.1 ± 1.8%, P &lt; 0.05). The baseline levels of NT-proBNP were higher among patients who progressed to needing AV surgery in comparison to that in no need of AV surgery at follow-up (194 [135-421.8] vs. 75.9 [34.1-136.7]pg/ml, P &lt; 0.05). In multivariate analysis, GLS and NT-proBNP were independent predictors of AV surgery. ROC analysis showed that the probability of primary endpoint occurrence was greater in patients with GLS &gt;-18.5% (AUC:0.85, P &lt; 0.05) and NT-proBNP &gt;130pg/ml (AUC:0.81, P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion
GLS and NT-proBNP may be used as independent prognostic predictors of optimal timing of operation in asymptomatic severe AR during follow-up.
Multivariate analysis Variables OR (95% CI) P Age 0.97 (0.89-1.06) 0.54 LV ESD 1.02 (0.78-1.34) 0.87 LV EF 1.07 (0.74-1.56) 0.71 GLS 3.36 (1.09-10.36) 0.035 NT-proBNP 1.02 (1.0-1.04) 0.049
Relaxant and antiadrenergic effects of ranolazine in human saphenous vein
Authors: Marchio Patricia , Guerra-Ojeda Sol , Aldasoro Martín , Valles Soraya Lilian , Martín-Gonzalez Iván , Martínez-León Juan Bautista , Mauricio Maria Dolores , Vila Jose Maria 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Ranolazine improves vascular function in animal models. We evaluate the effects of ranolazine on vascular function and adrenergic response in human saphenous vein.

METHODS
Rings from 53 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were mounted in organ baths. Concentration–response curves to ranolazine were constructed in rings precontracted with phenylephrine, endothelin-1, vasopressin, KCl and the thromboxane A2 analogue U-46619. In rings precontracted with phenylephrine, relaxation to ranolazine was tested in the absence and presence of endothelial factors inhibitors, K+ channel blockers and verapamil. The effects of ranolazine on frequency–response and concentration–response curves to phenylephrine were performed in the absence and presence of endothelial factors inhibitors and K+ channel blockers. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase, α1 adrenergic receptor and large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel protein expressions were measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS
Ranolazine (10−9–10−4 M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation only in rings precontracted with phenylephrine that was reduced by endothelial denudation, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (10−4 M), charybdotoxin (10−7 M) and verapamil (10−6 M). Ranolazine diminished adrenergic contractions induced by electrical field stimulation (2–4 Hz) and phenylephrine (10−9–10−5 M) that were prevented by tetraethylammonium (10−3 M) and charybdotoxin (10−7 M). Ranolazine significantly decreased α1 adrenergic receptor and increased large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel protein expression in the saphenous vein.

CONCLUSIONS
Ranolazine diminishes the adrenergic vasoconstriction, acting as α1 antagonist, and by increasing large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel involvement. The relaxant effects of ranolazine are partially mediated by endothelial nitric oxide, large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels and the blockade of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.
The Dutch influenza vaccination policy and medication use, outpatient visits, hospitalization and mortality at age 65
Authors: Van Ourti Tom , Bouckaert Nicolas 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Our objective was to obtain estimates of the impact of the Dutch vaccination programme on medication use, outpatient visits, hospitalization and mortality at age 65.

Methods
We linked population-wide mortality, hospitalization and municipality registries to identify influenza-related deaths and hospitalizations, and used health interview surveys to identify medication use and outpatient visits during 1996–2008. We applied a regression discontinuity design to estimate the intention-to-treat effect of the personal invitation for a free influenza vaccination sent to every Dutch inhabitant at age 65 years on each of the outcomes, separately in influenza-epidemic and non-epidemic months.

Results
Invitation receipt for free influenza vaccination at age 65 led to a 9.8 percentage points [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.5 to16.1; P &lt; 0.01] rise in influenza vaccination. During influenza-epidemic months, it was associated with 1.5 fewer influenza/pneumonia deaths per 100 000 individuals (95% CI = −3.1 to −0.0; P = 0.05), a 15 percentage point lower probability to use prescribed medicines (95% CI = −28 to −3; P = 0.02) and 0.13 fewer General Practitioner (GP) visits per month (95% CI = −0.28 to 0.02; P = 0.09), while the association with hospitalizations due to influenza/pneumonia was small and imprecisely estimated (seven more hospitalizations per 100 000 individuals, 95% CI = −20 to 33; P = 0.63). No associations were found with any outcomes during non-epidemic months.

Conclusions
Personal invitations for a free influenza vaccination sent to every Dutch inhabitant at age 65 took pressure off primary health care but had small effects on hospitalizations and mortality.
High mortality in manual occupations and the role of alcohol in 2001–15
Authors: Rinne Hanna , Laaksonen Mikko , Notkola Veijo 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
The aim was to identify specific manual occupations with high mortality and to examine whether there are differences in the role of alcohol in explaining the excess mortality among manual occupations with high all-cause mortality.

Methods
A register-based study of employees aged 30–64 years, followed for mortality 2001–15. Age standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated to compare the mortality rates of manual occupations. The contribution of alcohol-related mortality to excess mortality was obtained by comparing the excess mortality in all deaths and deaths not related to alcohol.

Results
Men had 31 and women 11 manual occupations with SMR statistically significantly over 120 compared with all employees. Mortality rates were highest among building construction labourers (SMR 180) among men and building caretakers (SMR 155) among women. With few exceptions, high mortality was a combination of high alcohol-related and high non-alcohol-related mortality. Among men, the contribution of alcohol-related mortality to the excess all-cause mortality compared with all employees was over 10% in half of the high-mortality occupations. The contribution was highest among welders and flame cutters (50%) and lowest among farmer’s locums (−50%). Among women the contribution was highest among building caretakers (15%).

Conclusions
High-mortality occupations had high mortality even without alcohol-related deaths. However, alcohol-related mortality was generally higher than mortality for other causes; therefore, alcohol-related mortality increased further the excess mortality. Diminishing the alcohol-related mortality would level excess mortality of these occupations but not eliminate it.
Mathematical modeling of the ‘inoculum effect': six applicable models and the MIC advancement point concept
Authors: Salas Jessica R , Jaberi-Douraki Majid , Wen Xuesong , Volkova Victoriya V 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial treatment regimens against bacterial pathogens are designed using the drug's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measured at a bacterial density of 5.7 log10(colony-forming units (CFU)/mL) in vitro. However, MIC changes with pathogen density, which varies among infectious diseases and during treatment. Incorporating this into treatment design requires realistic mathematical models of the relationships. We compared the MIC–density relationships for Gram-negative Escherichia coli and non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia (for n = 4 drug-susceptible strains per (sub)species and 1–8 log10(CFU/mL) densities), for antimicrobial classes with bactericidal activity against the (sub)species: β-lactams (ceftriaxone and oxacillin), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin), aminoglycosides (gentamicin), glycopeptides (vancomycin) and oxazolidinones (linezolid). Fitting six candidate mathematical models to the log2(MIC) vs. log10(CFU/mL) curves did not identify one model best capturing the relationships across the pathogen–antimicrobial combinations. Gompertz and logistic models (rather than a previously proposed Michaelis–Menten model) fitted best most often. Importantly, the bacterial density after which the MIC sharply increases (an MIC advancement-point density) and that density's intra-(sub)species range evidently depended on the antimicrobial mechanism of action. Capturing these dependencies for the disease–pathogen–antimicrobial combination could help determine the MICs for which bacterial densities are most informative for treatment regimen design.
Effect of tuber sections and processing conditions on the physicochemical properties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)) flour
Authors: Iheagwara M C , Chibuzo I H , Ibeabuchi J C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Objective
The study was conducted to ascertain the effect of tuber sections, heat treatment, and rehydration with process chemicals of varying concentrations on the physicochemical properties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)) flour.

Materials and Methods
The flour samples were generated as raw, boiled, and steamed from the head, middle, and tail sections of the tuber. These were compared with their whole tuber counterpart. The magnitude and extent of the factorial influence were measured using the effects on swelling index (SI), water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity, total soluble solids (TSS), blue value index (BVI), gelling point temperature (GPT), boiling point temperature (BPT), and pH.

Results
The results obtained showed that the proximate composition from the tuber sections and the whole did not differ significantly (P &lt; 0.05). The tuber processing method (TPM) and tuber processing duration (TPD) effected significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) in all the test parameter except for pH respectively.

Conclusion
From the investigation, it was observed that the test variables have significant effects on the physicochemical properties of the sweet potato flour.