bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporary mechanical circulatory support devices: updates from recent studies
Authors: Marbach Jeffrey A. , Chweich Haval , Miyashita Satoshi , Kapur Navin K. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review
Over the past several years, the role of short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices has become the dominant focus in efforts to improve outcomes in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). Alongside these efforts, temporary MCS devices have been increasingly used to support patients prior to cardiac surgery, during high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention, awaiting cardiac transplantation, and in the setting of refractory cardiac arrest. The present review aims to provide an update on the recent literature evaluating the evolving role of temporary MCS devices, and to provide insights into the current challenges and future directions of MCS research.

Recent findings
Recent observational data have demonstrated potential roles for intra-aortic balloon pump preoperatively in high-risk patients awaiting coronary artery bypass grafting, and advanced heart failure patients awaiting transplantation. Impella continues to demonstrate promising results as part of an early MCS strategy in CS, as a temporary bridge to transplantation, and as a mechanism for left ventricular unloading in patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Finally, the first randomized trial of ECMO facilitated resuscitation in the United States demonstrated improved survival in patients with refractory out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Summary
Though randomized data remains limited, observational data continue to support the role of temporary MCS devices in a variety of clinical settings.
In-kind donations to healthcare facilities during COVID-19: Experiences from a large medical center in northern Taiwan
Authors: Lin Ching-Wei , Hsu Ya-Chuan , Wu Chien-Cheng , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Hwang Shinn-Jang 
Published: May 2021

Background:
In early 2020, a global outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused high mortality rates and public panic. Worldwide demand for personal protective equipment has risen, with diminishing supplies and shortages reported. During the pandemic, charitable donations have been made by the public, aimed at helping medical staff. Based on the open data, we investigate the charitable in-kind donations received by a large medical center in northern Taiwan (Taipei Veterans General Hospital [TPEVGH]) in Taiwan during the pandemic.

Methods:
The period of investigation was the first half of the year 2020. TPEVGH has received various public donations. The list of donations published on the hospital’s official website was analyzed. The variables in the analysis were donation category, donation percentage, number of donations, and total donation amount.

Results:
Most in-kind donations were food and beverages (55.1%), with a monetary value of 3 124 510 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) (24.3%). Medical equipment accounted for the second-highest number of items (34.8%) but was the highest monetary value (70.6%; 9 275 945 of 12 875 855 NTD). Daily necessities accounted for the lowest number of items (10.1%) and had a total monetary value of 475 400 NTD (3.7%). Over two-thirds were beverages (68.4%), all of which were bottles or cans for easy storage. Despite only five items (13.2%) being juice, the donation size was the largest, accounting for nearly half (47.1%) of the total monetary value. Only one item was fruit, which was high-class organic apples. The monetary value of this item was the highest (7.8%) among all donated food. Most donated snacks were biscuits.

Conclusion:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most public donations to TPEVGH were food and daily necessities. While every donation should be appreciated, accepting high volumes of donations might incur donation management problems. Further research could be focused on managerial aspects, for example, quality and safety checking, storage, and distribution.
Workplace Discrimination and Short Sleep Among Healthcare Workers
Authors: Maglalang Dale Dagar , Katigbak Carina , Gómez María Andrée López , Sorensen Glorian , Hopcia Karen , Hashimoto Dean M. , Pandey Shanta , Takeuchi David T. , Sabbath Erika L. 
Published: May 2021

Objective:
Examine the association of discrimination and short sleep and the buffering effect of people-oriented culture in the workplace among nurses and patient care associates.

Methods:
Used a mixed-methods design from the 2018 Boston Hospital Workers Health Study (N = 845) and semi-structured interviews among nurse directors (N = 16).

Results:
We found that people-oriented culture reduced the odds of short sleep and slightly attenuated the association of discrimination and short sleep. People-oriented culture did not buffer the effects of discrimination on short sleep. Qualitative findings showed that discrimination occurred between co-workers in relation to their job titles and existing support in the workplace does not address discrimination.

Conclusions:
Healthcare industries need to implement specific programs and services aimed at addressing discrimination which can potentially improve health outcomes among workers.
A Challenging Diagnosis: PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome Presenting as Isolated Soft-tissue Vascular Anomalies
Authors: Hill Lauren R. S. , Duis Jessica , Kulungowski Ann M. , Annam Aparna , Siegele Bradford , Nakano Taizo A. 
Published: May 2021

Objective:
Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS) has been known to present with a constellation of congenital anomalies including macrocephaly, vascular malformations, and hamartomas. Identifying a pathogenic germline PTEN mutation early is vital as all patients share a markedly increased risk for malignancy. Diagnosing children, however, is challenging as age-related penetrance makes it difficult to meet established diagnostic criteria.

Methods:
We present 4 patients with isolated soft-tissue masses of the extremity who lacked the classic constellation of systemic features of PHTS but were found to carry germline PTEN mutations on sequencing performed on involved tissue and subsequently confirmed in peripheral blood specimens.

Results:
Although none of the patients met published diagnostic criteria to indicate genetic PTEN screening, the growing differential diagnosis of soft-tissue vascular anomalies of the extremity increasingly requires sequencing of involved tissue to accurately characterize a lesion. Diagnosing these patients with a cancer predisposition syndrome radically changed their surveillance regimens which have resulted in the identification of concerning lesions of the thyroid and cervix.

Conclusion:
PTHS can present as an isolated PTEN hamartomas of soft tissue lesion with minimal systemic findings.
Coronavirus disease 2019, vitamin D and kidney function
Authors: Szeto Betsy , Fan Lena , Nickolas Thomas L. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review
The purpose of this review is to summarize the emerging studies analyzing the association between vitamin D and risk of COVID-19 infection and severity, as well as the early interventional studies investigating the protective effect of vitamin D supplementation against COVID-19.

Recent findings
Studies investigating the association between vitamin D levels and risk of COVID-19 infection and risk of severe disease and mortality among those infected have yielded mixed results. Thus far, the majority of studies investigating the association between vitamin D and COVID-19 have been observational and rely on vitamin D levels obtained at the time of admission, limiting causal inference. Currently, clinical trials assessing the effects of vitamin D supplementation in individuals with COVID-19 infection are extremely limited. Randomized, interventional trials may offer more clarity on the protective effects of vitamin D against COVID-19 infection and outcomes.

Summary
Decreased levels of vitamin D may amplify the inflammatory effects of COVID-19 infection, yet, data regarding the mortality benefits of vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19-infected individuals are still limited. Current observational data provides the impetus for future studies to including randomized controlled trials to determine whether vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19-infected individuals with kidney disease can improve mortality outcomes.
Assessment of LV diastolic dysfunction in myocardial perfusion imaging: a correlative study with transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Malek Hadi , Samiei Niloufar , Yaghoobi Nahid , Bavaghar Nafiseh , Firoozabadi Hasan , Rastgou Fereidoon , Bakhshande Hooman , Rajabi Ahmad Bitarafan , Hedayati Raheleh 
Published: May 2021

Objective
Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a feasible method in the evaluation of left ventricular perfusion and function. The purpose of this study was to determine the threshold and grading of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) using gated SPECT MPI.

Methods
A total of 149 patients were recruited in the study. All of the patients underwent a standard 2-day stress/rest gated MPI study and transthoracic echocardiography within 2 weeks. The reconstructed rest-only images were analyzed by Cedar-Sinai’s quantitative gated SPECT and the LV diastolic parameters, including peak filling rate (PFR), time to PFR (TTPF) and secondary PFR (PFR2) to PFR ratio were provided and compared to echocardiographic data.

Results
68 (45.6%) and 81 (54.4%) of patients were categorized in LVDD-absent and LVDD-present groups on the basis of LVDD evidence in echocardiography, respectively. receiver-operating-characteristic analysis for PFR and TTPF was performed, resulting in diagnostic sensitivities of 70 and 57% and specificities of 60 and 75% for PFR <2.6 end-diastolic volumes (EDV)/s and TTPF>160.5 ms, respectively. Applying our previously used thresholds of <1.70 EDV/s for PFR, >208 ms for TTPF and >1 for PFR2/PFR, sensitivities and specificities of 9.9 and 96.6%, 9.9 and 95.6% and 13.8 and 88% were resulted, respectively. Grading of LVDD on the basis of MPI-obtained diastolic parameters showed considerable overlapping data by interquartile range.

Conclusion
Gated SPECT MPI can be used as a highly specific means for detection of LV diastolic dysfunction when compared to echocardiography. However, grading of severity of diastolic heart failure appears to be impracticable.
Resurgence of regional flaps for head and neck reconstruction
Authors: Gray Mingyang L. , Drake Virginia E. , Desai Shaun C. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review
The strain on healthcare resources in light of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many head and neck surgeons to explore reconstructive options that may decrease length of stay. Here, we review three common and versatile regional flaps used in head and neck reconstruction that are comparable alternatives to free tissue transfer.

Recent findings
Initial anatomic descriptions of the facial artery musculocutaneous (FAMM) flap, the supraclavicular artery island flap and the submental artery island flap were published decades ago. Since then, many have proposed modifications to these descriptions to improve technical ease and patient outcomes. Benefits of regional flaps include ease of harvest, comparable outcomes to free tissue microvascular flaps, shorter operative time and hospital length of stay. Drawbacks to regional flaps include limitations to size and reach, partial necrosis, wound dehiscence and surgeon experience. The integrity of the vascular pedicle is also contingent upon vessel preservation during the cancer ablation.

Summary
Although a resurgence of regional flaps began well before the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions began looking for alternatives to free flap reconstruction to conserve healthcare resources and minimize patient hospitalization time in the past year. There has been a revival of regional flaps such as the FAMM, supraclavicular and submental flaps that are valuable reconstructive options for many defects of the head and neck.
Facial paralysis: timing of repair and management of the nonflaccidly paralyzed face
Authors: Sanchez Anthony , Pannu Jaibir , Fuller Jennifer C. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review
To explore recent advances in therapeutic interventions for nonflaccid facial paralysis (NFFP), including new evidence for surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Timing of treatment is also discussed, along with possible future treatments.

Recent findings
NFFP remains a difficult disease to treat. Chemodenervation with botulinum toxin remains a first-line treatment to suppress aberrant and antagonistic movements during voluntary use of muscles. More permanent treatments such as selective neurectomy, myectomy, and nerve and muscle transfers have been shown to offer promising results for the nonflaccidly paralyzed face.

Summary
NFFP is commonly seen in patients who have incomplete recovery from facial paralysis, and carries high psychosocial morbidity. A large array of treatments have been described in the literature, both procedural and nonprocedural. Both treatment type and timing are important in optimal patient recovery.
Recent updates in the management of infants and children with hyperinsulinism
Authors: Thornton Paul S. 
Published: May 2021

Purpose of review
To highlight recent advances in early diagnosis and the changing treatment paradigm for hyperinsulinism (HI) which can result in shorter hospitalizations, higher rates of cure and improved neurological outcome.

Recent findings
Recent literature has shown that following publication of the pediatric endocrinology society guidelines for diagnosing hypoglycemia there have been higher rates of diagnosis of acquired and genetic HI. Studies of neurological outcome have found that poor outcomes are associated with delay between initial hypoglycemia and instigation of treatment for HI, hypoglycemic seizures and frequency of glucose <20 mg/dL. Rapid genetic testing can decrease the time from the discovery of diazoxide unresponsiveness to referral to multidisciplinary centers with the availability of 18-F-L 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography (18F-DOPA PET). Proper selection of patients for 18F-DOPA PET and careful interpretation of the images can result in greater than 90% cure for patients with focal HI.

Summary
Recent advances in the early diagnosis of HI and rapid turnaround genetic testing can lead to prompt transfer to centers with multidisciplinary care teams where proper selection of patients for 18F-DOPA PET scan gives the best opportunity for cure for patients with focal disease. Minimizing severe hypoglycemia maximizes the opportunity for improved neurological outcome.
The Impact of Coagulopathy on Clinical Outcomes following Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Liu Farrah C. , Miller Travis J. , Wan Derrick C. , Momeni Arash 
Published: May 2021

Summary:
Autologous breast reconstruction has evolved considerably from pedicled muscle-based approaches to microsurgical perforator-based techniques. Patients with documented coagulopathy, however, remain a particularly challenging population. The authors present their experience in microsurgical breast reconstruction in patients with coagulopathy and discuss their treatment protocol. A prospectively maintained database was queried for patients with coagulopathy who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction between 2016 and 2019. Information regarding patient demographics, type of coagulopathy, and anticoagulation regimen were retrieved, and clinical outcomes were investigated. Nineteen patients who underwent 34 microsurgical breast reconstructions with free abdominal flaps were included in the study. The most common coagulopathy was factor V Leiden [n = 7 (38.6 percent)]. Nine patients (47.4 percent) developed thrombotic complications (the majority occurring intraoperatively); notably, arterial and venous thrombosis in four (21.1 percent) and two patients (10.5 percent), respectively. Postoperative thrombotic complications included pulmonary embolism [n = 2 (10.5 percent)] and flap congestion secondary to venous thrombosis [two flaps (5.9 percent)]. Only one flap loss was observed secondary to delayed venous thrombosis on postoperative day 6 (2.9 percent). The anticoagulation regimen in the majority of patients consisted of intraoperative intravenous administration of heparin (2000 U [bolus]) followed by a 5-day heparin infusion at 500 U/hour [n = 10 (52.6 percent)]. The high rate of thrombotic complications in patients with coagulopathy who underwent microsurgical breast reconstruction is contrasted by a low flap loss rate. Although coagulopathy is a risk factor for thrombotic complications, successful microsurgical breast reconstruction is still possible in the majority of patients.
Seropositivity of HBV & HCV among the Family Members of Chronic Viral Hepatitis Patients
Authors: Siddique Abu Bakar , Uddin Mohammad Nezam , Das Kajal Kanti , Biswas Rajat Sanker Roy 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionHepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the global public health challenge. Family members of the HBV and HCV infected patients have a higher risk of exposure to many blood-borne diseases including Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C viral infections as well. So the objectives of the present study was to evaluate seropositivity of HBV and HCV among family members of. chronic viral hepatitis patients.MethodsThis study was conducted 80 family members of 50 patients with chronic HBV and HCV infection. After ethical clearance and written consent, 1st degree family members of those chronically infected hepatitis patients were explained about the objectives of the study and a standard questionnaire were introduced and recorded. Venous blood samples was taken from every participant with universal precautions and was tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Hepatitis B surface antigen, anti HCV. Data analysis was done later by SPSS.ResultsEighty family members of 50 HBV and HCV positive cases where screened where HBV infection(45;90%) was more then HCV infection(5;90%). Male were 45(56.3%) and female were 35 (43.8%) male to male ratio 1.28:1. Total 23 (28.8%) subjects were vaccinated against HBV. One subject had history of blood transfusion and dental procedure each, extramarital sex activity was found in 2 (2.5%), and sleeping in the same room was found in 31(38.6%) subjects. History analysis revealed, 3(3.8%) were positive for HBV, 29 (36.3%) were found negative and 48(60%) were unaware of their status; again 77 (96.3%) are unaware of their anti HCV status. HBsAg and Anti HCV screening status of the relatives revealed HBsAg and anti HCV was found positive in 4 (5%) and 1 (1.3%) cases respectively.ConclusionRelatives of the HBV and HCV infected patients are also at risk. So they should take proper preventive measures and should be vaccinated.
Anti-microbiota vaccines modulate the tick microbiome in a taxon-specific manner
Authors: Mateos-Hernández Lourdes , Obregon Dasiel , Wu-Chuang Alejandra , Maye Jennifer , Bornères Jeremie , Versillé Nicolas , de la Fuente José , Díaz-Sánchez Sandra , Bermúdez-Humarán Luis G. , Torres-Maravilla Edgar , Estrada-Peña Agustín , Hodžić Adnan , Šimo Ladislav , Cabezas-Cruz Alejandro 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAnti-tick microbiota vaccines have been shown to impact tick feeding but its specificity has not been demonstrated. In this study we aimed to investigate the impact of immune targeting of keystone microbiota bacteria on tick performance, and tick microbiota structure and function. Vaccination againstEscherichia coli, the selected keystone taxon, increased tick engorgement weight and reduced bacterial diversity inIxodes ricinusticks compared to those that fed on mice immunized againstLeuconostoc mesenteroides, a non-keystone taxon or mock-immunized group. The abundance ofEscherichia-Shigella, but notLeuconostocwas significantly reduced in ticks fed onE. coli-immunized mice and this reduction was correlated with a significant increase in host antibodies (Abs) of the isotype IgM and IgG specific toE. coliproteins. This negative correlation was not observed between the abundance ofLeuconostocin ticks and anti-L. mesenteroidesAbs in mice. We also demonstrated by co-occurrence network analysis, that immunization against the keystone bacterium restructure the hierarchy of the microbial community in ticks and that anti-tick microbiota vaccines reduced the resistance of networks to directed removal of taxa. Functional pathways analysis showed that immunization with a live bacterial vaccine can also induce taxon-specific changes in the abundance of pathways. Our results demonstrated that anti-tick microbiota vaccines can modulate the tick microbiome and that the modification is specific to the taxon chosen for host immunization. These results guide interventions for the control of tick infestations and pathogen infection/transmission.
How spatial attention affects the decision process: looking through the lens of Bayesian hierarchical diffusion model & EEG analysis
Authors: Ghaderi-Kangavari Amin , Parand Kourosh , Ebrahimpour Reza , Nunez Michael D. , Rad Jamal Amani 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTModel-based cognitive neuroscience elucidates the cognitive processes and neurophysiological oscillations that lead to behavioral performance in cognitive tasks (e.g., response times and accuracy). In this paper we explore the underlying latent process of spatial prioritization in perceptual decision processes, based on one well-known sequential sampling model (SSM), the drift-diffusion model (DDM), and subsequent nested model comparison. Neural components of spatial attention which contributed to the latent process and behavioral performance in a visual face-car perceptual decision were detected based on both time-frequency decomposition and event-related potential (ERP) analysis. For estimating DDM parameters (i.e. the drift rate, the boundary separation, and the non-decision time), a Bayesian hierarchical approach is considered, which allows inferences to be performed simultaneously on the group and individual level. Our cognitive modeling analysis revealed that spatial attention changed the non-decision time parameter across experimental conditions, such that a model with a changing non-decision time parameter provides a better fit to the data than other model parameters, quantified using the deviance information criterion (DIC) score and R-squared. Using multiple regression analysis on the contralateral minus neutral N2 sub-component (N2nc) at central electrodes, it can be concluded that poststimulus N2nc can predict mean response times (RTs) and non-decision time parameters related to spatial prioritization. However the contralateral minus neutral alpha power (Anc) at parieto-occipital electrodes can only predict the mean RTs and not the non-decision time relating to spatial prioritization. It was also found that the difference of contralateral minus neutral neural oscillations were more reflective of the modulation of the top-down spatial attention in comparison to the difference of ipsilateral minus neutral neural oscillations. These results suggest that individual differences in spatial attention are encoded by contralateral (and not ipsilateral) N2 oscillations and non-decision times. This work highlights how model-based Cognitive Neuroscience can further reveal the role of EEG in spatial attention during perceptual decision making.