bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pond Acoustic Sampling Scheme: A draft protocol for rapid acoustic data collection in small waterbodies
Authors: Abrahams Carlos , Desjonquères Camille , Greenhalgh Jack 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFreshwater conservation is vital to the maintenance of global biodiversity. Ponds are a critical, yet often under‐recognized, part of this, contributing to overall ecosystem functioning and diversity. They provide habitats for a range of aquatic, terrestrial, and amphibious life, often including rare and declining species.Effective, rapid, and accessible survey methods are needed to enable evidence‐based conservation action, but freshwater taxa are often viewed as “difficult”—and few specialist surveyors are available. Datasets on ponds are therefore limited in their spatiotemporal coverage.With the advent of new recording technologies, acoustic survey methods are becoming increasingly available to researchers, citizen scientists, and conservation practitioners. They can be an effective and noninvasive approach for gathering data on target species, assemblages, and environmental variables. However, freshwater applications are lagging behind those in terrestrial and marine spheres, and as an emergent method, research studies have employed a multitude of different sampling protocols.We propose the Pond Acoustic Sampling Scheme (PASS), a simple protocol to allow a standardized minimal sample to be collected rapidly from small waterbodies, alongside environmental and methodological metadata. This sampling scheme can be incorporated into a variety of survey designs and is intended to allow access to a wide range of participants, without requiring complicated or prohibitively expensive equipment.Adoption of this sampling protocol would enable consistent sound recordings to be gathered by researchers and conservation organizations, and allow the development of landscape‐scale surveys, data sharing, and collaboration within an expanding freshwater ecoacoustic community—rather than individual approaches that produce incompatible datasets. The compilation of standardized data would improve the prospects for effective research into the soundscapes of small waterbodies and aid freshwater conservation efforts.
Development of dry‐nano‐polishing technique using reactive ion etching for ultra thin titanium wafer
Authors: Chino Teruya , Watanabe Yuta , Tsukiyama Yosuke , Sohgawa Masayuki , Abe Takashi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this study, we developed a dry‐nano‐polishing technique using reactive ion etching for ultra thin titanium wafer. The surface of titanium coated with photoresist is polished by reactive ion etching using SF6 /C4F8 gas. Etching speed of titanium and photoresist were adjusted to close to each other by changing temperature and ratio of SF6 /C4F8 gas. By etching titanium under these conditions, the smooth surface shape of the resist was transferred to titanium. By combining with photolithography, it is possible to polish a specific part.
Iron deficiency in heart failure
Authors: Loncar Goran , Obradovic Danilo , Thiele Holger , von Haehling Stephan , Lainscak Mitja 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIron deficiency is a major heart failure co‐morbidity present in about 50% of patients with stable heart failure irrespective of the left ventricular function. Along with compromise of daily activities, it also increases patient morbidity and mortality, which is independent of anaemia. Several trials have established parenteral iron supplementation as an important complimentary therapy to improve patient well‐being and physical performance. Intravenous iron preparations, in the first‐line ferric carboxymaltose, demonstrated in previous clinical trials superior clinical effect in comparison with oral iron preparations, improving New York Heart Association functional class, 6 min walk test distance, peak oxygen consumption, and quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure. Beneficial effect of iron deficiency treatment on morbidity and mortality of heart failure patients is waiting for conformation in ongoing trials. Although the current guidelines for treatment of chronic and acute heart failure acknowledge importance of iron deficiency correction and recommend intravenous iron supplementation for its treatment, iron deficiency remains frequently undertreated and insufficiently diagnosed in setting of the chronic heart failure. This paper highlights the current state of the art in the pathophysiology of iron deficiency, associations with heart failure trajectory and outcome, and an overview of current guideline‐suggested treatment options.
Association between sacubitril/valsartan initiation and real‐world health status trajectories over 18 months in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Thomas Merrill , Khariton Yevgeniy , Fonarow Gregg C. , Arnold Suzanne V. , Hill Larry , Nassif Michael E. , Chan Paul S. , Butler Javed , Thomas Laine , DeVore Adam D. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Albert Nancy M. , Patterson J. Herbert , Williams Fredonia B. , Spertus John A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsImproving the health status (symptoms, function, and quality of life) of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a primary treatment goal. Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI) improve short‐term health status in clinical practice, but the sustainability of these improvements is unknown.Methods and resultsIn CHAMP‐HF, a multicentre observational study of outpatients with HFrEF, patients initiated on ARNI were propensity score matched 1:2 to patients not using ARNI with Cox regression modelling time to ARNI initiation, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables, medical history, medications, and baseline Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores. Repeated measures models for the overall KCCQ score and each domain compared the health status trajectories of patients initiated on ARNI vs. not. Among 3930 participants, 746 (19.0%) began ARNI, of whom 576 were matched to 1152 non‐ARNI patients. Prior to matching, participants initiated on ARNI were younger, non‐Hispanic, had lower EFs, more commonly had a history of ventricular arrhythmia, were less likely to be taking an ACEI/ARB, and more likely to be treated with beta‐blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. There were no differences after matching. In the matched cohort, participants initiated on ARNI experienced improved health status by 3 months that persisted through 12 months [KCCQ Overall Summary Score (OSS) = 73.4 vs. 70.8; P < 0.001], with the largest benefit observed in the KCCQ Quality of Life domain (68.7 vs. 64.7; P < 0.001). Similar health status benefits were noted through 18 months (KCCQ‐OSS = 73.9 vs. 71.3; P < 0.001). A responder analysis showed that 12 patients would need to be initiated on ARNI for one to experience at least a large improvement (≥10 points) in health status benefit at 12 months.ConclusionsIn outpatient practice, ARNI therapy was associated with improved health status by 3 months and continued to 18 months after initiating therapy.
Derivation and validation of a two‐variable index to predict 30‐day outcomes following heart failure hospitalization
Authors: Averbuch Tauben , Lee Shun Fu , Mamas Mamas Andreas , Oz Urun Erbas , Perez Richard , Connolly Stuart James , Ko Dennis Tien‐Wei , Van Spall Harriette Gillian Christine 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe LACE index—length of stay (L), acuity (A), Charlson co‐morbidities (C), and emergent visits (E)—predicts 30‐day outcomes following heart failure (HF) hospitalization but is complex to score. A simpler LE index (length of stay and emergent visits) could offer a practical advantage in point‐of‐care risk prediction.Methods and resultsThis was a sub‐study of the patient‐centred care transitions in HF (PACT‐HF) multicentre trial. The derivation cohort comprised patients hospitalized for HF, enrolled in the trial, and followed prospectively. External validation was performed retrospectively in a cohort of patients hospitalized for HF. We used log‐binomial regression models with LACE or LE as the predictor and either 30‐day composite all‐cause readmission or death or 30‐day all‐cause readmission as the outcomes, adjusting only for post‐discharge services. There were 1985 patients (mean [SD] age 78.1 [12.1] years) in the derivation cohort and 378 (mean [SD] age 73.1 [13.2] years) in the validation cohort. Increments in the LACE and LE indices were associated with 17% (RR 1.17; 95% CI 1.12, 1.21; C‐statistic 0.64) and 21% (RR 1.21; 95% CI 1.15, 1.26; C‐statistic 0.63) increases, respectively, in 30‐day composite all‐cause readmission or death; and 16% (RR 1.16; 95% CI 1.11, 1.20; C‐statistic 0.64) and 18% (RR 1.18; 95% CI 1.13, 1.24; C‐statistic 0.62) increases, respectively, in 30‐day all‐cause readmission. The LE index provided better risk discrimination for the 30‐day outcomes than did the LACE index in the external validation cohort.ConclusionsThe LE index predicts 30‐day outcomes following HF hospitalization with similar or better performance than the more complex LACE index.
Parvovirus B19 DNA detectable in hearts of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, but absent or inactive in blood
Authors: Russcher Anne , Verdonschot Job , Molenaar‐de Backer Marijke W.A. , Heymans Stephane R.B. , Kroes Aloys C.M. , Zaaijer Hans L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsParvovirus B19 (B19V) is often assumed to be a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), based on the quantification of B19V DNA in endomyocardial biopsies (EMB). Whether the presence of B19V DNA correlates with active infection is still debated. Application of the enzyme endonuclease to blood samples results in degradation of B19V DNA remnants but leaves viral particles intact, which enables differentiation between active and past infection. In this study, the susceptibility to degradation by endonuclease of B19V DNA in blood was compared between DCM patients and a control group of recent B19V infections.Methods and resultsTwenty blood samples from 20 adult patients with DCM, who previously tested positive for B19V DNA in EMB and/or blood, were tested with B19V PCR before and after application of endonuclease to the samples. Six blood samples tested positive for B19V DNA with a mean viral load of 2.3 × 104 IU/mL. In five samples, B19V DNA became undetectable after endonuclease (100% load reduction); in one sample DNA load showed a 23% log load reduction (viral load before endonuclease: 9.1 × 104 IU/mL; after: 6.5 × 103 IU/mL). Presence of cardiac inflammation did not differ between patients with B19V DNAemia (1/4) and patients without B19V DNAemia (6/14) (P value = 1.0). In all 18 control samples of proven recent B19V infections, DNA remained detectable after application of endonuclease, showing only a mean log load reduction of 2.3% (mean viral load before endonuclease: 8.1 × 1011 IU/mL; after: 8.0 × 1011 IU/mL). Load reduction differed significantly between the DCM group and the control group; indicating the presence of intact viral particles in the control group with proven active infection and the presence of DNA remnants in the DCM group (P value = 0.000).ConclusionDuring recent B19V infection, viral DNA levels in blood were unaffected by endonuclease. In contrast, B19V DNA in blood in patients with DCM became undetectable or strongly reduced after application of endonuclease. Circulating viral DNA in this subset of patients with presumed parvovirus‐associated DCM does not consist of intact viral particles. Viral replicative activity cannot be assumed from demonstrating B19V DNA in cardiac tissue or in blood in DCM patients.
All‐cause mortality predicted by peak oxygen uptake differs depending on spirometry pattern in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Van Iterson Erik H. , Cho Leslie , Tonelli Adriano , Finet J. Emanuel , Laffin Luke J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsIn patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), it remains unclear how exacerbated impairments in peak exercise oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) caused by coexistent obstructive or restrictive ventilatory defects affect mortality risk. We evaluated in patients with HFrEF, whether demonstrating either an obstructive or restrictive‐patterned ventilatory defect on spirometry affects V̇O2peak to yield all‐cause mortality risk predicted by V̇O2peak that is spirometry pattern specific.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively analysed resting spirometry and treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing data of patients with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40%). The study sample (N = 329) was grouped by spirometry pattern: normal [Group 1: N = 101; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥ 0.70; FVC ≥ 80% predicted], restrictive without airflow obstruction (Group 2: N = 104; FEV1/FVC ≥ 0.70; FVC < 80% predicted), or obstructive (Group 3: N = 124; FEV1/FVC < 0.70). Patients were followed up to 1 year for the endpoint of all‐cause mortality. V̇O2peak was higher in Group 1 versus Groups 2 and 3 (13.4 ± 4.0 vs. 12.1 ± 3.7 and 12.2 ± 3.3 mL/kg/min, respectively; P = 0.014). Over the 1 year follow‐up, n = 9, n = 16, and n = 12 deaths occurred in Groups 1–3, respectively, with corresponding crude survival rates of 88%, 81%, and 92%, respectively (log‐rank; P = 0.352). V̇O2peak was associated with all‐cause mortality (crude hazard ratio = 0.77; P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, a significant V̇O2peak‐by‐spirometry group interaction yielded 1.99 (95% confidence interval, 1.14–3.46) and 2.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.44–4.11) higher mortality risk associated with V̇O2peak in Group 2 versus Groups 1 and 3, respectively.ConclusionsDemonstrating a restrictive pattern on spirometry yields the severest mortality risk associated with V̇O2peak. Using spirometry to screen patients with HFrEF for ventilatory defects has a potential role in improving risk stratification based on V̇O2peak.
Clinical phenotypes and prognosis of thyrotoxic heart failure and cardiomyopathy in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure
Authors: Kositanurit Weerapat , Kittipibul Veraprapas , Srichomkwun Panudda , Boonyaratavej Smonporn , Puwanant Sarinya 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to examine clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF) and thyrotoxicosis.MethodsPatients with thyrotoxic HF were compared with age and gender‐matched patients hospitalized for acute HF (controls). Thyr‐HF was defined by the Framingham criteria for HF and clinical hyperthyroidism. Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 55%.ResultsOf 11 109 consecutive patients hospitalized for acute HF between 1 January 2002 and 1 January 2017, 92 patients (0.8%) had thyrotoxic HF. Clinical and echocardiographic data were available in 87 patients (age 51 ± 16 years; 74% female), representing the study population. Compared with controls, patients with Thyr‐HF had a smaller body surface area (BSA), a higher LVEF, a lower LV end‐diastolic diameter, a higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), higher blood pressure, higher heart rate, and were more likely to have right‐sided HF at presentation (P < 0.01 for all). The survival rate among patients with thyrotoxic HF was higher than the control group (HR: 4.3; 95% CI: 2.1–9.5). Fifty‐eight percent of patients with thyrotoxic HF had thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. In multivariate analysis, TAPSE (OR = 46; 95% CI: 1.04–2008.20; P = 0.047) and leukocytosis (OR = 16; 95% CI 1.01–259.39; P = 0.049) correlated with thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy. LV recovery was observed in 69% of these patients.ConclusionsThyrotoxic HF was uncommon among patients hospitalized for acute HF. However, after definitive therapy, these patients had a more favourable prognosis than those hospitalized for acute HF without thyrotoxic HF. Clinical phenotypes of thyrotoxic HF include small BSA, middle‐aged female, HF‐pEF, and right‐sided HF. Thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy affected over half of the patients with thyrotoxic HF with a two‐third recovery rate.
Left ventricular geometry transition in hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Guan Ping , Gu Jun , Song Zhi‐ping , Wang Chang‐qian , Hu Wei , Zhang Jun‐feng 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) develops in response to hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and is associated with increased cardiovascular events. Although the progression to systolic heart failure is a known consequence of LV hypertrophy and HFpEF, few data are available on the LV geometry change and frequency of deterioration to systolic dysfunction in this population.Methods and resultsWe evaluated the baseline and follow‐up characteristics in 680 patients with LV hypertrophy and HFpEF in this prospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was 5 year all‐cause mortality. The changes of LV geometry and heart failure transition were analysed. Systolic dysfunction [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%] occurred in 182 patients (26.8%) during a 5 year follow‐up. Patients with LVEF deterioration were associated with a lower survival rate. Beta‐blocker prescription was a protective factor for preserved LVEF. And concentric LV geometry shifted to eccentric hypertrophy was uncommon (10.6%) during a 5 year follow‐up.ConclusionsA quarter of patients with hypertensive LV hypertrophy and HFpEF progresses to systolic dysfunction during a 5 year follow‐up, which was accompanied by poor clinical outcomes. And beta‐blocker therapy might play a protective role for preserved LVEF in this population.
Impact of diastolic dysfunction on outcome in heart failure patients with mid‐range or reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Liu Dan , Hu Kai , Lau Kolja , Kiwitz Tobias , Robitzkat Katharina , Hammel Clara , Lengenfelder Björn Daniel , Ertl Georg , Frantz Stefan , Nordbeck Peter 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsThe role of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in prognostic evaluation in heart failure (HF) patients with impaired systolic function remains unclear. We investigated the impact of echocardiography‐defined DD on survival in HF patients with mid‐range (HFmrEF, EF 41–49%) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF < 40%).Methods and resultsA total of 2018 consecutive hospitalized HF patients were retrospectively included and divided in two groups based on baseline EF: HFmrEF group (n = 951, aged 69 ± 13 years, 74.2% male) and HFrEF group (n = 1067, aged 68 ± 13 years, 76.3% male). Clinical data were collected and analysed. All patients completed ≥1 year clinical follow‐up. The primary endpoint was defined as all‐cause death (including heart transplantation) and cardiovascular (CV)‐related death. All‐cause mortality (30.8% vs. 24.9%, P = 0.003) and CV mortality (19.1% vs. 13.5%, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the HFrEF group than the HFmrEF group during follow‐up [median 24 (13–36) months]. All‐cause mortality increased in proportion to DD severity (mild, moderate, and severe) in either HFmrEF (17.1%, 25.4%, and 37.0%, P < 0.001) or HFrEF (18.9%, 30.3%, and 39.2%, P < 0.001) patients. The risk of all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.347, P = 0.015] and CV mortality (HR = 1.508, P = 0.007) was significantly higher in HFrEF patients with severe DD compared with non‐severe DD after adjustment for identified clinical and echocardiographic covariates. For HFmrEF patients, severe DD was independently associated with increased all‐cause mortality (HR = 1.358, P = 0.046) but not with CV mortality (HR = 1.155, P = 0.469).ConclusionsEchocardiography‐defined severe DD is independently associated with increased all‐cause mortality in patients with HFmrEF and HFrEF.
Five‐year survival and use of hospital services following ICD and CRT implantation: comparing real‐world data with RCTs
Authors: Bottle Alex , Faitna Puji , Aylin Paul , Cowie Martin R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsGuidelines recommend the use of an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) and/or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), typically with selected patients and short follow‐up.Methods and resultsWe describe the 5 year survival rate and use of hospital services following ICD and CRT implantation in England from April 2011 to March 2013 using the national hospital administrative database covering emergency department visits, inpatient admissions, and clinic appointments, linked to the national death register. Five‐year survival was 64% after ICD implantation and 58% after CRT implantation, with median survival times of 6.8 and 6.2 years, respectively. Hospital use was high in both device groups, for the 5 years prior and after implantation, peaking around the implantation date. Most hospital activity was not primarily related to heart failure. Healthcare costs were dominated by admissions, but emergency department and clinic activity were both high. Only the CRT group saw total per‐patient costs fall after the index month (implantation), driven by a slight fall in the heart failure admission rate. Patients were typically older than in the trials, but with similar co‐morbidity except for substantially more atrial fibrillation and less dementia. Survival and device complications were similar to the RCTs.ConclusionsClinical and cost‐effectiveness assessments of ICD and CRT implantation are supported by real‐world data, although the prevalence of atrial fibrillation remains substantially higher than in the RCTs.
Spot urine sodium in acute heart failure: differences in prognostic value on admission and discharge
Authors: Biegus Jan , Zymliński Robert , Fudim Marat , Testani Jeffrey , Sokolski Mateusz , Marciniak Dominik , Ponikowska Barbara , Guzik Mateusz , Garus Mateusz , Urban Szymon , Ponikowski Piotr 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsMost studies examined spot urine sodium's (sUNa+) prognostic utility during the early phase of acute heart failure (AHF) hospitalization. In AHF, sodium excretion is related to clinical status; therefore, we investigated the differences in the prognostic information of spot UNa+ throughout the course of hospitalization for AHF (admission vs. discharge).Methods and resultsThe study population were AHF patients (n = 172), who survived the index hospitalization. We compared the relationship between early (on admission, at 24 and 48 h) and discharge sUNa+ measurements with post‐discharge study endpoints: composite of 1 year all‐cause mortality and AHF rehospitalization (with time to first event analysis) as well as with each event in separation. There were 49 (28.5%) deaths, 40 (23.3%) AHF rehospitalizations, while the composite endpoint occurred in 69 (40.1%) during 1 year follow‐up. The sUNa+ had prognostic significance for the composite endpoint when assessed on admission, at 24 and at 48 h: hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) (per 10 mmol/L) were 0.88 (0.82–0.94); 0.87 (0.81–0.91); 0.90 (0.84–0.96), all P < 0.005. In contrast to early, active decongestion phase, discharge sUNa+ had no prognostic significance HR (95% CI) (per 10 mmol/L): 0.99 (0.93–1.06) P = 0.79 for the composite endpoint, which was independent from the dose of oral furosemide prescribed at that timepoint (average causal mediation effects: −0.38; P = 0.71). Similarly, discharge sUNa+ was neither associated with 1 year mortality HR (95% CI) (per 10 mmol/L): 0.97 (0.89–1.05) P = 0.48 nor with AHF rehospitalizations HR (95% CI) (per 10 mmol/l): 1.03 (0.94–1.12), P = 0.56. The comparison of longitudinal profiles of sUNa+ during hospitalization showed significantly higher values within the early, active decongestive phase in those who did not experience composite endpoint when compared with those who did: admission: 94 ± 34 vs. 76 ± 35; Day 1: 85 ± 36 vs. 65 ± 37; Day 2: 84 ± 37 vs. 67 ± 35, all P < 0.005 (mmol/L), respectively. There was no difference between those groups in discharge sUNa+: 73 ± 35 vs. 70 ± 35 P = 0.82 (mmol/L).ConclusionsSpot UNa+ assessed at early phase of hospitalization and at discharge have different prognostic significance, which confirms that it should be always interpreted along with clinical context.