bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Personalised Cardiac Rehabilitation Outreach Service Reduces Mortality and Hospitalisations in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction
Authors: Al-Falahi Zaidon , Femia Giuseppe , Gardiner Linda , Ekholm Jodie , Kadappu Kishore , Rajaratnam Rohan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundHeart failure (HF) has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant improvements in the management of HF, the overall outcomes remain poor. In addition to pharmacotherapy and device therapy, non-pharmacological interventions are needed to mitigate the effects of this illness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the heart failure outreach program on the rate of mortality, HF hospitalisations and guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HF in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD).MethodsIn this observational, registry based study, adult patients diagnosed with Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) within the South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and invited to participate in the heart failure outreach service between March 2011 and January 2016 were included in the study. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. In addition, we examined the rate of optimal medical therapy, HF hospitalisations and the total lengths of stay.ResultsA total of 818 patients were included in the study; 470 (57.5%) patients were enrolled and 348 (42.5 %) not enrolled into the program. At the end of the follow up period (median 978 days, interquartile range (IQR) 720-1237), the primary outcome of mortality was observed significantly less in the enrolled group (122 (26%) vs. 133 (38.2%), p<0.001) independently of other variables. In addition, significantly fewer enrolled patients had >3 hospital admissions for HF (16.2% vs. 35.6%, p<0.001) and reduced median admission days (14.5 days [IQR 8-25] vs 22 [IQR 12-37], p <0.001). Patients enrolled into the program were much more likely to be on GDMT (76.6% vs 56.6%, p<0.001).ConclusionsEnrolment in the heart failure outreach program was associated with a significant reduction in mortality as well as a reduction in the frequency and length of hospital admissions. In addition, the rate of GDMT was significantly higher in the enrolled group. With the high prevalence of heart failure, these programs should be considered in the routine management of patients with HFrEF.
Maternal Fc-mediated non-neutralizing antibody responses correlate with protection against congenital human cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Semmes Eleanor C. , Miller Itzayana G. , Jenks Jennifer A. , Wimberly Courtney E. , Berendam Stella J. , Harnois Melissa J. , Webster Helen , Hurst Jillian H. , Kurtzberg Joanne , Fouda Genevieve G , Walsh Kyle M. , Permar Sallie R. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common congenital infection and a leading cause of stillbirth, neurodevelopmental impairment, and pediatric hearing loss worldwide. Development of a maternal vaccine or therapeutic to prevent congenital infection has been hindered by limited knowledge of the immune responses that protect against placental HCMV transmission in maternal primary and nonprimary infection. To identify protective antibody responses, we measured anti-HCMV IgG binding and anti-viral functions in maternal and cord blood sera from HCMV transmitting (n=41) and non- transmitting (n=40) mother-infant dyads identified via a large U.S.-based public cord blood bank. In a predefined immune correlate analysis, maternal monocyte-mediated antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) and high avidity IgG binding to HCMV envelope glycoproteins were associated with decreased risk of congenital HCMV infection. Moreover, HCMV-specific IgG engagement of FcγRI and FcγRIIA, which mediate non-neutralizing antibody responses, was enhanced in non-transmitting mother-infant dyads and strongly correlated with ADCP. These findings suggest that Fc effector functions including ADCP protect against placental HCMV transmission. Taken together, our data indicate that future active and passive immunization strategies to prevent congenital HCMV infection should target Fc-mediated non-neutralizing antibody responses.
Beyond well-mixed: a simple probabilistic model of airborne disease transmission in indoor spaces
Authors: Tan Sijian , Zhang Zhihang , Maki Kevin , Fidkowski Krzysztof J. , Capecelatro Jesse 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe develop a simple model for assessing risk of airborne disease transmission that accounts for non-uniform mixing in indoor spaces and is compatible with existing epidemiological models. A database containing 174 high-resolution simulations of airflow in classrooms, lecture halls, and buses is generated and used to quantify the spatial distribution of expiratory droplet nuclei for a wide range of ventilation rates, exposure times, and room configurations. Imperfect mixing due to obstructions, buoyancy, and turbulent dispersion results in concentration fields with significant variance. The spatial non-uniformity is found to be accurately described by a shifted lognormal distribution. A well-mixed mass balance model is used to predict the mean, and the standard deviation is parameterized based on ventilation rate and room geometry. When employed in a dose-response function risk model, infection probability can be estimated considering spatial heterogeneity that contributes to both short- and long-range transmission.
Does the presence of health insurance and health facilities improve healthcare utilisation for major morbidities among Indigenous communities and older widows: Evidence from the India Human Development Surveys I and II
Authors: George Mathew Sunil , Niyosenga Theo , Mohanty Itismita 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we examine whether access to treatment for major morbidity conditions is determined by the social class of the person who needs treatment. Secondly, we assess whether health insurance coverage and the presence of a PHC have any significant impact on the utilisation of health services, either public or private, for treatment and, more importantly, whether the presence of health insurance and PHC modify the treatment use behaviour for the two excluded communities of interest namely Indigenous communities and older widows using data from two rounds (2005 and 2012) of the nationally representative India Human Development Survey (IHDS). We estimated a multilevel mixed effects model with treatment for major morbidity as the outcome variable and social groups, older widows, the presence of a PHC and the survey wave as the main explanatory variables. The results confirmed access to treatment for major morbidity was affected by social class with Indigenous communities and older widows less likely to access treatment. Health insurance coverage did not have an effect that was large enough to induce a positive change in the likelihood of accessing treatment. The presence of a functional PHC increased the likelihood of treatment for all social groups except Indigenous communities. This is not surprising as Indigenous communities generally live in locations where the terrain is more challenging and decentralised healthcare up to the PHC might not work as effectively as it does for others. The social class to which one belongs has a significant impact on the ability of a person to access healthcare. Efforts to address inequity needs to take this into account and design interventions that are decentralised and planned with the involvement of local communities to be effective. Merely addressing one or two barriers to access in an isolated fashion will not lead to equitable access.
External validation and updating of a prediction model for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Cooray Shamil D. , De Silva Kushan , Enticott Joanne , Dawadi Shrinkhala , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Soldatos Georgia , Paul Eldho , Versace Vincent , Teede Helena J. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe Monash early pregnancy prediction model calculates risks of developing GDM and is internationally externally validated and implemented in practice, however some gaps remain.ObjectiveTo validate and update Monash GDM model, revising ethnicity categorisation, updating to recent diagnostic criteria, to improve performance and generalisability.MethodsRoutine health data for singleton pregnancies from 2016 to 2018 in Australia included updated GDM diagnostic criteria. The Original Model predictors were included (age, body mass index, ethnicity, diabetes family history, past-history of GDM, past-history of poor obstetric outcomes, ethnicity), with ethnicity revised. Updating model methods were: recalibration-in-the-large (Model A); re-estimation of intercept and slope (Model B), and; coefficients revision using logistic regression (Mode1 C1 with original eight ethnicity categories, and Mode1 C2 with updated 6 ethnicity categories). Analysis included ten-fold cross-validation, performance measures (c-statistic, calibration-in-the-large value, calibration slope and expected-observed (E:O) ratio) and closed testing examining log-likelihood scores and AIC compared models.ResultsIn 26,474 singleton pregnancies (4,756, 18% with GDM), we showed that temporal validation of the original model was reasonable (c-statistic 0.698) but with suboptimal calibration (E:O of 0.485). Model C2 was preferred, because of the high c-statistic (0.732), and it performed significantly better in closed testing compared to other models.ConclusionsUpdating of the original model sustains predictive performance in a contemporary population, including ethnicity data, recent diagnostic criteria, and universal screening context. This supports the value of risk prediction models to guide risk-stratified care to women at risk of GDM.Trial registration detailsThis study was registered as part of the PeRSonal GDM study on the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000915954); Pre-results.
A prospective diagnostic evaluation of accuracy of self-taken and healthcare worker-taken swabs for rapid COVID-19 testing
Authors: Savage Helen R. , Finch Lorna , Body Richard , Watkins Rachel L. ,   LSTM Diagnostics group,   CONDOR steering group, Hayward Gail , Cook Eloïse , Cubas-Atienzar Ana I , Cuevas Luis E. , MacPherson Peter , Adams Emily R. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo compare self-taken and healthcare worker (HCW)-taken throat/nasal swabs to perform rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) for SARS-CoV-2, and how these compare to RT-PCR. We hypothesised that self-taken samples are non-inferior for use with RDTs and in clinical and research settings could have substantial individual and public health benefit.DesignA prospective diagnostic accuracy evaluation as part of the ‘Facilitating Accelerated Clinical Evaluation of Novel Diagnostic Tests for COVID -19 (FALCON C-19), workstream C (undifferentiated community testing)’.SettingNHS Test and Trace drive-through community PCR testing site (Liverpool, UK). ParticipantsEligible participants 18 years or older with symptoms of COVID-19. 250 participants recruited; one withdrew before analysis.SamplingSelf-administered throat/nasal swab for the Covios® RDT, a trained HCW taken throat/nasal sample for PCR and HCW comparison throat/nasal swab for RDT.Main outcome measuresSensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated; comparisons between self-taken and HCW-taken samples used McNemar’s test.ResultsSeventy-five participants (75/249, 30.1%) were positive by RT-PCR. RDTs with self-taken swabs had a sensitivity of 90.5% (67/74, 95% CI: 83.9-97.2), compared to 78.4% (58/74, 95% CI: 69.0-87.8) for HCW-taken swabs (absolute difference 12.2%, 95% CI: 4.7-19.6, p=0.003). Specificity for self-taken swabs was 99.4% (173/174, 95% CI: 98.3-100.0), versus 98.9% (172/174, 95% CI: 97.3-100.0) for HCW-taken swabs (absolute difference 0.6%, 95% CI: 0.5-1.7, p=0.317). The PPV of self-taken RDTs (98.5%, 67/68, 95% CI: 95.7-100.0) and HCW-taken RDTs (96.7%, 58/60, 95% CI 92.1-100.0) were not significantly different (p=0.262). However, the NPV of self-taken swab RDTs was significantly higher (96.1%, 173/180, 95% CI: 93.2-98.9) than HCW-taken RDTs (91.5%, 172/188, 95% CI 87.5-95.5, p=0.003).ConclusionSelf-taken swabs for COVID-19 testing offer substantial individual benefits in terms of convenience, accuracy, and reduced risk of transmitting infection. Our results demonstrate that self-taken throat/nasal samples can be used by lay individuals as part of rapid testing programmes for symptomatic adults.Trial RegistrationIRAS ID:28422, clinical trial ID: NCT04408170SummaryWhat is already known on this topic?Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs)for SARS-CoV-2 Ag are a cheaper point-of-care alternative to RT-PCR for diagnosing COVID-19 disease.The accuracy of tests can vary dependent on sampling technique, test processing and reading of results.What this study adds?Self-taken throat-nasal swabs for RDTs can be used by symptomatic adults to give reliable results to diagnose SARS-CoV-2.Self-sampling can be implemented with little training and no assistance.
Left Hemisphere Bias of NIH Stroke Scale is Most Severe for Middle Cerebral Artery Strokes
Authors: Vitti Emilia , Kim Ganghyun , Stockbridge Melissa D. , Hillis Argye E. , Faria Andreia V. 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTBackground and AimNIHSS score is higher for left versus right hemisphere strokes of equal volumes. However, differences in each vascular territory have not been evaluated yet. We hypothesized that left versus right differences are driven by the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, and there is no difference between hemispheres for other vascular territories.MethodsThis study is based on data from 802 patients with evidence of acute or early subacute ischemic stroke. These patients had infarct restricted to one major arterial territory (MCA, n=437; PCA, n=209; ACA, n=21; vertebrobasilar, n=46) and received NIHSS and MRI at hospital admission. We examined differences in patients with left or right strokes regarding to lesion volume, NIHSS, and other covariates (age, sex, race). We used linear models to test the effects of these covariates on NIHSS. We looked at the whole sample as well as in the sample stratified by NIHSS (<=5 or >5) and by lesion location (MCA or PCA).ResultsPatients with left MCA strokes had significantly higher NIHSS than those with right strokes. Only patients with MCA strokes showed NIHSS score affected by the hemisphere when controlling for stroke volume and patient’s age. This difference was driven by the more severe strokes (NIHSS>5). In addition, stroke volume and patient’s age significantly correlated with NIHSS.ConclusionRight MCA infarcts are larger than left MCA infarcts associated with a given NIHSS score, after accounting for other significant associations, such as patient’s age. It is important to consider this systematic bias in the NIHSS when using the score for inclusion criteria for treatment or trials. Patients with right MCA stroke may be under-treated and left with disabling deficits that are not captured by the NIHSS.
The Impact of Mass Exodus on the Resurgence of COVID19 Cases: Study Case of Regions in Indonesia
Authors: Nuraini Nuning , Sukandar Kamal Khairudin , Aini Wirdatul 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe inclusion of the human mobility aspect is essential for understanding the behavior of COVID-19 spread, especially when millions of people travel across borders near Eid Al-Fitr. This study aims at grasping the effect of mass exodus among regions on the active cases of COVID-19 in a mathematical perspective. We construct a multi-region SIQRD (Susceptible-Infected-Quarantined-Recovered-Death) model that accommodates the direct transfer of people from one region to others. The mobility rate is estimated using the proposed Dawson-like function, which requires the Origin-Destination Matrix data. Assuming only susceptible, unapparent infected, and recovered individuals travel near Eid Al-Fitr, the rendered model is well-depicting the actual data at that time, giving either a significant spike or decline in the number of active cases due to the mass exodus. Most agglomerated regions like Jakarta and Depok City experienced the fall of active cases number, both in actual data and the simulated model. However, most rural areas experienced the opposite, like Bandung District and Cimahi City. This study should confirm that most travelers originated from big cities to the rural regions and scientifically justifies that massive mobility affects the COVID-19 transmission among areas.
Assessment of exposure to Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites and Bisphenol A (BPA) and its importance for the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases
Authors: Carli Fabrizia , Ciociaro Demetrio , Gastaldelli Amalia 
Published: December 2021

AbstractExposomics analyses have highlighted the importance of biomonitoring of human exposure to pollutants, even non-persistent, for the prevention of non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) widely used in industry and in a large range of daily life products that increase the risk of endocrine and cardiometabolic diseases especially if the exposure starts during childhood. Thus, it is important the biomonitoring of exposure to these compounds not only in adulthood but also in childhood. This was the goal of the LIFE-PERSUADED project that measured the exposure to phthalates (DEHP metabolites, MEHP, MEHHP, MEOHP) and BPA in Italian mother-children couples of different ages. In this paper we describe the method that was set up for the LIFE PERSUADED project and validated during in the proficiency test (ICI/EQUAS) showing that accurate determination of urinary phthalates and BPA can be achieved starting from small sample size (0.5ml) using two MS techniques applied in cascade on the same deconjugated matrix.
CLIPreg: Constructing translational regulatory networks from CLIP-, Ribo- and RNA-seq
Authors: Kerouanton Baptiste , Schäfer Sebastian , Ho Lena , Chothani Sonia , Rackham Owen J. L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMotivationThe creation and analysis of gene regulatory networks have been the focus of bioinformatic research and underpins much of what is known about gene regulation. However, as a result of a bias in the availability of data-types that are collected, the vast majority of gene regulatory network resources and tools have focused on either transcriptional regulation or protein-protein interactions. This has left other areas of regulation, for instance translational regulation, vastly underrepresented despite them having been shown to play a critical role in both health and disease.ResultsIn order to address this we have developed CLIPreg, a package that integrates RNA, Ribo and CLIP-sequencing data in order to construct translational regulatory networks coordinated by RNA-binding proteins. This is the first tool of its type to be created, allowing for detailed investigation into a previously unseen layer of regulation.Availability and implementationCLIPreg is available at https://github.com/SGDDNB/CLIPreg.Contactowen.rackham@duke-nus.edu.sg or sonia.chothani@u.duke.nus.edu
Active populations and growth of soil microorganisms are framed by mean annual precipitation in three California annual grasslands
Authors: Foley Megan M. , Blazewicz Steven J. , McFarlane Karis J. , Greenlon Alex , Hayer Michaela , Kimbrel Jeffrey A. , Koch Benjamin J. , Monsaint-Queeney Victoria , Morrison Keith , Morrissey Ember , Hungate Bruce A. , Pett-Ridge Jennifer 
Published: December 2021

AbstractEarth system models project altered precipitation regimes across much of the globe; in California, the winter wet season is predicted to extend into spring, and the summer dry period to lengthen. How these precipitation trends will affect microbial traits and soil carbon (C) cycling is a key knowledge gap. Specifically, we do not have a mechanistic understanding of the linkages between soil moisture legacy effects, microbial population dynamics and soil C persistence. Using quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP), we compared total and growing soil microbial communities across three California annual grasslands that span a rainfall gradient yet developed on similar parent material. We also assessed multiple edaphic variables, including the radiocarbon (14C) age of soil C, and found soil C turnover time increased with annual precipitation, but that soil microbes respired recently-fixed C regardless of site rainfall history. Samples were assayed in the wet season, when we expected environmental conditions would be most similar across sites. We hypothesized that growing communities would be more compositionally similar across the gradient than the total background microbiome. We also predicted that the long-term legacy effect of soil water limitation would be reflected in a lower community growth capacity at the driest site. We found that the proportion of the total community that was detected as growing was 28%, 48% and 58% at the wet, intermediate and dry sites, respectively. The composition of growing communities strongly resembled that of total communities, and growing communities were no more similar across the gradient than total communities, indicating a strong effect of climate of the structure of growing microbial communities. Members of three phyla, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria, were responsible for ∼79% of the cumulative 18O assimilation and 80% of all taxa that we defined as ‘growers’. Bacterial growth rates were low at the driest site relative to the intermediate and wettest sites. Reduced growth at the driest site was observed across major phyla, including the Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes and Proteobacteria. Microbial communities at the driest site displayed phylogenetic clustering, suggesting that climate history impacts microbial growth through environmental filtering for slow growing taxa. Taxonomic identity was a strong predictor of growth, such that the growth rates of a taxon at one site predicted its growth rates at the others. This cross-site coherence in growth is likely a consequence of genetically determined physiological traits, and is consistent with the idea that evolutionary history influences growth rate.