bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Performance of the 2017 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Classification Criteria for Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody–Associated Vasculitis in a Peruvian Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Pimentel-Quiroz Victor R. , Sánchez-Torres Alfredo , Reátegui-Sokolova Cristina , Gamboa-Cárdenas Rocío V. , Sánchez-Schwartz César , Medina-Chinchón Mariela , Zevallos Francisco , Noriega-Zapata Erika , Alfaro-Lozano José , Cucho-Venegas Jorge M. , Rodríguez-Bellido Zoila , Pastor-Asurza César A. , Acevedo-Vásquez Eduardo , Perich-Campos Risto , Alarcón Graciela S. , Ugarte-Gil Manuel F. 
Published: April 2021

Aim
To validate the new classification criteria for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis in a real-life Peruvian cohort of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis patients.

Methods
We reviewed medical records from a Peruvian tertiary care center from January 1990 to December 2019. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis was diagnosed based on the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, the 2012 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference definitions, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) algorithm, and the clinical acumen of the treating rheumatologists. We classified all patients using the “former criteria” (the 1990 ACR criteria for granulomatosis with polyangiitis [GPA] and eosinophilic GPA [EGPA] and the 1994 Chapel Hill Consensus Conference definition for microscopic polyangiitis [MPA]), the EMEA algorithm, and the “new criteria” (the 2017 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Criteria). The level of agreement (using Cohen κ) was calculated using the clinical diagnosis as the criterion standard.

Results
We identified 212 patients, 12 of whom were excluded. One hundred fifty-four (77%) had MPA, 41 (20.5%) GPA, and 5 (2.5%) EGPA. The new criteria performed well for MPA (κ = 0.713) and EGPA (κ = 0.659), whereas the EMEA algorithm performed well for GPA (κ = 0.938). In the overall population, the new criteria showed better agreement (κ = 0.653) than the EMEA algorithm (κ = 0.506) and the former criteria (κ = 0.305).

Conclusions
The 2017 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism Provisional Criteria showed better agreement for the clinical diagnosis of all the patients overall and had the best performance for MPA and EGPA. The EMEA algorithm had the best performance for GPA.
Outcomes of Saphenous Vein Intervention in the Management of Superficial Venous Incompetence
Authors: Gasior Sara A. , O’Donnell John P. M. , Aherne Thomas M. , Jalali Amirhossein , Tang Tjun , Ryan Éanna J. , Walsh Stewart R. 
Published: April 2021

Objective:
To determine the most effective modality of intervention to treat saphenous vein insufficiency.

Summary of Background Data:
Endovenous therapies have instigated a paradigm shift in the management of superficial venous incompetence. When compared with open surgery, endovenous interventions (foam sclerotherapy, radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), mechanochemical ablation, and CAE closure) potentially offer reduced morbidity with similar procedural efficacy.

Methods:
A systematic review and series of network meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials were performed assessing risks of procedural failure (within 6-weeks) and recurrence (6-weeks to 5-years), defined by ultrasound, between the different modalities of intervention for superficial venous incompetence. Treatment comparisons addressing risks of common adverse events, venous clinical severity score, and pain were also performed.

Results:
A systematic search identified 51 articles, describing 36 randomized controlled trials, incorporating 7576 limbs. Outcome data on 10 modalities of intervention were analyzed up to 5-year follow-up. CAE resulted in the lowest risk of procedural failure within 6-weeks. Foam sclerotherapy had the highest risk of recurrence while high ligation with stripping (HLS) and Conservatrice Hemodynamique de l’Insuffisance Veineuse en Ambulatoire were ranked best to reduce long-term recurrence. No intervention increased risks of venous thromboembolism and there was minimal difference in morbidity between treatments. All interventions improved venous clinical severity score (range −1.02 to −4.95), however, radiofrequency ablation demonstrated the greatest improvement, followed by EVLA and HLS between 2 to 5-years. EVLA was associated with the highest risk of pain, while mechanochemical ablation offered the least.

Conclusions:
Although CAE offered the lowest risk of initial procedural failure, HLS resulted in lower rates of long-term recurrence without considerably increasing morbidity when compared with other endovenous options.
The COVID-19 pandemic: challenges in providing supportive care to those with cardiovascular disease in a time of plague
Authors: Hill Loreena , Lambrinou Ekaterini , Moser Debra K. , Beattie James M. 
Published: April 2021

Purpose of review
COVID-19 has permeated the very essence of human existence and society and disrupted healthcare systems. The attrition stemming from this highly contagious disease particularly affects those rendered vulnerable by age and infirmity, including those with underlying cardiovascular disease. This article critically reviews how best to integrate supportive care into the management of those affected.

Recent findings
Numerous studies have described the pathophysiology of COVID-19, including that specifically arising in those with cardiovascular disease. Potential treatment strategies have emerged but there is limited guidance on the provision of palliative care. A framework for implementation of this service needs to be developed, perhaps involving the training of non-specialists to deliver primary palliative care in the community, bolstered by the use of telemedicine. The appropriate use of limited clinical resources has engendered many challenging discussions and complex ethical decisions. Prospective implementation of future policies requires the incorporation of measures to assuage moral distress, burnout and compassion fatigue in healthcare staff who are psychologically and physically exhausted.

Summary
Further research based on patient-centred decision making and advance care planning is required to ensure the supportive needs of COVID-19 patients with cardiovascular disease are adequately met. This research should focus on interventions applicable to daily healthcare practice and include strategies to safeguard staff well-being.
Basic Tests of Autonomic Function
Authors: Chow Kevin E. , Dhyani Ruchi , Chelimsky Thomas C. 
Published: April 2021

Summary:
Over the past 3 decades, tests of autonomic function have become increasingly standardized across most laboratories, particularly with commercially available equipment similar to other neurophysiologic tests. Most neurologically based laboratories perform four or five tests of autonomic function. Two of these, the sudomotor axon reflex response and the thermoregulatory sweat test (which some laboratories do not perform because it requires extensive equipment), examine sudomotor autonomic function. The remaining three, the cardiovascular response to a tilt table test, the cardiovascular response to the Valsalva maneuver, and the cardiac response to deep breathing examine cardiovascular autonomic function. Tests of sweating typically localize the lesion in the neuraxis, differentiating between central nervous system pathways, the spinal cord, or pre- or postganglionic roots or nerves. Tests of cardiovascular function delineate specific autonomic subsystem involvement, whether vagal parasympathetic as reflected in the deep breathing response and specific phases of the Valsalva maneuver or sympathetic adrenergic as reflected in the tilt table test and the other phases of the Valsalva. This review details the basic performance, analysis, and interpretation of these and a few other tests, with illustrative patient cases.
Cupriavidus cauae sp. nov., isolated from blood of an immunocompromised patient
Authors: Kweon Oh Joo , Ruan Wenting , Khan Shehzad Abid , Lim Yong Kwan , Kim Hye Ryoun , Jeon Che Ok , Lee Mi-Kyung 
Published: April 2021

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultative aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as MKL-01T and isolated from the blood of immunocompromised patient, was genotypically and phenotypically characterized. The colonies were found to be creamy yellow and convex. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that strain MKL-01T was most closely related to

Cupriavidus gilardii

LMG 5886T, present within a large cluster in the genus

Cupriavidus

. The genome sequence of strain MKL-01T showed the highest average nucleotide identity value of 92.1 % and digital DNA–DNA hybridization value of 44.8 % with the closely related species

C. gilardii

LMG 5886T. The genome size of the isolate was 5 750 268 bp, with a G+C content of 67.87 mol%. The strain could grow at 10–45 °C (optimum, 37–40 °C), in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5%) and at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Strain MKL-01T was positive for catalase and negative for oxidase. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
ω7c/C16 : 1
ω6c and/or C16 : 1
ω6c/C16 : 1
ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
ω7c and/or C18 : 1
ω6c). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified polar lipid. Moreover, strain MKL-01T contained ubiquinone Q-8 as the sole respiratory quinone. Based on its molecular, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain MKL-01T represents a novel species of the genus

Cupriavidus

; the name Cupriavidus cauae sp. nov. is proposed for this strain. The type strain is MKL-01T.
The association between loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological distress
Authors: Konno Yusuke , Nagata Masako , Hino Ayako , Tateishi Seiichiro , Tsuji Mayumi , Ogami Akira , Yoshimura Reiji , Matsuda Shinya , Fujino Yoshihisa ,   for the CORoNaWork Project
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the association between loneliness and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional, online study from 22 to 26 December 2020. A total of 27,036 participants, all employed at the time of the survey, were included in the analysis. Participants were asked if they felt loneliness in a single-item question. The Kessler 6 (K6) was used to assess psychological distress defined as K6 scores of 5 or higher, and 13 or higher. The odds ratios (ORs) of psychological distress associated with loneliness were estimated using a multilevel logistic model nested in the prefecture of residence, with adjustment for age, sex, marital status, equivalent income, educational level, smoking, alcohol consumption, job type, number of workplace employees, and cumulative incidence rate of COVID-19 in the prefecture. Communication with friends, acquaintances, and family was strongly associated with psychological distress, so we adjusted for these factors and eating meals alone. Results showed a significant association between loneliness and psychological distress (OR = 36.62, 95%CI = 32.95-40.69). Lack of friends to talk to, lack of acquaintances to ask for help, and lack of people to communicate with through social networking sites were all strongly associated with psychological distress, as were family time and solitary eating. Even after adjusting for these factors, loneliness was still strongly associated with psychological distress (OR = 29.36, 95%CI = 26.44-32.98). The association between loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic and psychological distress indicates the need for intervention.
The allometric propagation of COVID-19 is explained by human travel
Authors: Tuladhar Rohisha , Grigolini Paolo , Santamaria Fidel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe analyzed the number of cumulative positive cases of COVID-19 as a function of time in countries around the World. We tracked the increase in cases from the onset of the pandemic in each region for up to 150 days. We found that in 81 out of 146 regions the trajectory was described with a power-law function for up to 30 days. We also detected scale-free properties in the majority of sub-regions in Australia, Canada, China, and the United States (US). We developed an allometric model that was capable of fitting the initial phase of the pandemic and was the best predictor for the propagation of the illness for up to 100 days. We then determined that the power-law COVID-19 exponent correlated with measurements of human mobility. The COVID-19 exponent correlated with the magnitude of air passengers per country. This correlation persisted when we analyzed the number of air passengers per US states, and even per US metropolitan areas. Furthermore, the COVID-19 exponent correlated with the number of vehicle miles travelled in the US. Together, air and vehicular travel explained 70 % of the variability of the COVID-19 exponent. Taken together, our results suggest that the scale-free propagation of the virus is present at multiple geographical scales and is correlated with human mobility. We conclude that models of disease transmission should integrate scale-free dynamics as part of the modeling strategy and not only as an emergent phenomenological property.
Visually-biased perception in cochlear implant users: a study of the McGurk and sound-induced flash illusions
Authors: Butera Iliza M. , Stevenson Ryan A. , Gifford René H. , Wallace Mark T. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTThe reduction in spectral resolution by cochlear implants oftentimes requires complementary visual speech cues to aid in understanding. Despite substantial clinical characterization of auditory-only speech outcome measures, relatively little is known about the audiovisual integrative abilities that most cochlear implant (CI) users rely on for daily speech comprehension. In this study, we tested audiovisual integration in 63 CI users and 69 normal-hearing (NH) controls using the McGurk and sound-induced flash illusions. This study is the largest to-date measuring the McGurk effect in this population and the first to test the sound-induced flash illusion. When presented with conflicting audiovisual speech stimuli (i.e., the phoneme “ba” dubbed onto the viseme “ga”), we found that 55 CI users (87%) reported a fused percept of “da” or “tha” on at least one trial. However, overall, we found that CI users experienced the McGurk effect less often than controls—a result that was concordant with results with the sound-induced flash illusion where the pairing of a single circle flashing on the screen with multiple beeps resulted in fewer illusory flashes for CI users. While illusion perception in these two tasks appears to be uncorrelated among CI users, we identified a negative correlation in the NH group. Because neither illusion appears to provide further explanation of variability in CI outcome measures, further research is needed to determine how these findings relate to CI users’ speech understanding, particularly in ecological listening conditions that are naturally multisensory.
SARS-CoV-2 Detection from the Built Environment and Wastewater and Its Use for Hospital Surveillance
Authors: Hinz Aaron , Xing Lydia , Doukhanine Evgueni , Hug Laura A. , Kassen Rees , Ormeci Banu , Kibbee Richard J. , Wong Alex , MacFadden Derek , Nott Caroline 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundSARS-CoV-2 causes significant morbidity and mortality in health care settings. Our understanding of the distribution of this virus in the built healthcare environment and wastewater, and relationship to disease burden, is limited.MethodsWe performed a prospective multi-center study of environmental sampling of SARS-CoV-2 from hospital surfaces and wastewater and evaluated their relationships with regional and hospital COVID-19 burden. We developed and validated a qPCR-based approach to surface sampling, and swab samples were collected weekly from different locations and surfaces across two tertiary care hospital campuses for a 10-week period during the pandemic, along with wastewater samples.ResultsOver a 10-week period, 963 swab samples were collected and analyzed. We found 61 (6%) swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2, with the majority of these (n=51) originating from floor samples. Wards that actively managed patients with COVID-19 had the highest frequency of positive samples (p<0.01). Detection frequency in built environment swabs was significantly associated with active cases in the hospital throughout the study (p<0.025). Wastewater viral signal changes appeared to predate change in case burden.ConclusionsEnvironment sampling for SARS-CoV-2, in particular from floors, may offer a unique and resolved approach to surveillance of COVID-19.
Rapid spread and high impact of the Variant of Concern P.1 in the largest city of Brazil
Authors: Barbosa Gabriela Rodrigues , Leão Moreira Luiz Vinicius , Oliveira Justo Alberto Fernando , Perosa Ana Helena , Cunha Chaves Ana Paula , Bueno Mariana Sardinha , de Souza Luna Luciano Kleber , Conte Danielle Dias , Almeida Carvalho Joseane Mayara , Prates Janesly , Dantas Patricia Sousa , Faico-Filho Klinger Soares , Camargo Clarice , Resende Paola Cristina , Mendonça Siqueira Marilda , Bellei Nancy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFirst in Manaus in the Brazilian Northern region, the Variant of Concern P.1 traveled 3800 kilometers southeast to endanger Sao Paulo contributing to the collapse of the health system. Here, we show evidence of how fast the VOC P.1 has spread in the most populated city in South America.
Neuroimaging correlates and predictors of response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine in PTSD: preliminary evidence
Authors: Norbury Agnes , Rutter Sarah B. , Collins Abigail B. , Costi Sara , Jha Manish K. , Horn Sarah R. , Kautz Marin , Corniquel Morgan , Collins Katherine A. , Glasgow Andrew M. , Brallier Jess , Shin Lisa M. , Charney Dennis S. , Murrough James W. , Feder Adriana 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPromising initial data indicate that the glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine may be beneficial in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we explore the neural correlates of ketamine-related changes in PTSD symptoms, using a rich battery of functional imaging data (two emotion-processing tasks and one task-free scan), collected from a subset of participants of a randomized clinical trial of repeated-dose intravenous ketaminevsmidazolam (totalN=21). In a pre-registered analysis, we tested whether changes in ana prioriset of imaging measures from a target neural circuit were predictive of improvement in PTSD symptoms, using leave-one-out cross-validated elastic-net regression models (regions of interest in the target circuit consisted of the dorsal and rostral anterior cingulate cortex, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior hippocampus, anterior insula, and amygdala). Improvements in PTSD severity were associated with increased functional connectivity between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and amygdala during emotional face-viewing (change score retained in model with minimum predictive error in left-out subjects, standardized regression coefficient [β]=2.90). This effect was stronger in participants who received ketamine compared to midazolam (interaction β=0.86), and persisted following inclusion of concomitant change in depressive symptoms in the analysis model (β=0.69). Improvement following ketamine was also predicted by decreased dorsal anterior cingulate activity during emotional conflict regulation, and increased task-free connectivity between the vmPFC and anterior insula (βs=-2.82, 0.60). Exploratory follow-up analysis via dynamic causal modelling revealed that whilst improvement in PTSD symptoms following either drug was associated with decreased excitatory modulation of amygdala→vmPFC connectivity during emotional face-viewing, increased top-down inhibition of the amygdala by the vmPFC was only observed in participants who improved under ketamine. Individuals with low prefrontal inhibition of amygdala responses to faces at baseline also showed greater improvements following ketamine treatment. These preliminary findings suggest that, specifically under ketamine, improvements in PTSD symptoms are accompanied by normalization of hypofrontal control over amygdala responses to social signals of threat.
“You’re just there, alone in your room with your thoughts” A qualitative study about the impact of lockdown among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: McKinlay Alison R. , May Tom , Dawes Joanna , Fancourt Daisy , Burton Alexandra 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults have been greatly affected by quarantine measures during the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Quantitative evidence suggests that many young people have struggled with their mental health throughout “lockdown”, but little is understood about the qualitative impact of social distancing restrictions on mental health, wellbeing and social life. We therefore sought to elicit the views and experiences of adolescents and young adults living in the UK during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 37 participants aged 13-24.ResultsWe identified 4 superordinate themes most commonly described by participants about their experiences during the pandemic, including: a) missing social contact during lockdown, b) disruption to education, c) changes to social relationships, and d) improved wellbeing during lockdown. Although we identified some positive experiences during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health and stronger relationship ties, many said they struggled with loneliness, a decline in mental health, and anxiety about socialising after the pandemic.ConclusionsFindings suggest that some young people may have felt less stigma talking about their mental health now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many are worried about how the pandemic has affected their education and social connections and may require additional psychological, practical and social support. Our findings highlight the important role that education providers play in providing a source of information and support to adolescents and young adults during times of uncertainty.
Behavioral nudges increase COVID-19 vaccinations: Two randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dai Hengchen , Saccardo Silvia , Han Maria A , Roh Lily , Raja Naveen , Vangala Sitaram , Modi Hardikkumar , Pandya Shital , Croymans Daniel M 
Published: April 2021

AbstractFighting the COVID-19 pandemic requires quick and effective strategies to maximize vaccine uptake. We present two sequential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that tackle this challenge with behavioral science insights. We deliver text-based nudges to UCLA Health patients one day (first RCT; N=113,229) and eight days (second RCT; N=90,662) after they receive notifications of vaccine eligibility. In the first RCT, text messages designed to make vaccination salient and easy to schedule boost appointment and vaccination rates by 86% and 26%, respectively. Nudges that make patients feel endowed with the vaccine heighten these effects, but addressing vaccine hesitancy via a video-based information intervention does not yield benefits beyond simple text. These results hold across ethnicity and age groups. By contrast, online experiments (N=2,003) soliciting hypothetical responses to the same messages reveal the opposite patterns, underscoring the importance of pilot-testing behavioral nudges in the real world before scaling them up. In the second RCT, we further find that receiving a second reminder boosts appointment and vaccination rates by 52% and 16%, respectively. Our findings suggest that text-based nudges can substantially increase and accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations at almost zero marginal cost, highlighting the promising role of behavioral science in addressing a critical component of the COVID-19 pandemic response.