bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory Markers Associated With Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease: The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study
Authors: Bahrami Hossein , Budoff Matthew , Haberlen Sabina A. , Rezaeian Pantea , Ketlogetswe Kerunne , Tracy Russell , Palella Frank , Witt Mallory D. , McConnell Michael V. , Kingsley Lawrence , Post Wendy S. 
Published: June 2016

Background
Despite evidence for higher risk of coronary artery disease among HIV+ individuals, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We investigated associations of inflammatory markers with subclinical coronary artery disease in 923 participants of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (575 HIV+ and 348 HIV− men) who underwent noncontrast computed tomography scans for coronary artery calcification, the majority (n=692) also undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography.

Methods and Results

Outcomes included presence and extent of coronary artery calcification, plus computed tomography angiography analysis of presence, composition, and extent of coronary plaques and severity of coronary stenosis. HIV+ men had significantly higher levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, C‐reactive protein, and soluble‐tumor necrosis factor‐α receptor (sTNFαR) I and II (all
P
<0.01) and a higher prevalence of noncalcified plaque (63% versus 54%,
P
=0.02) on computed tomography angiography. Among HIV+ men, for every SD increase in log‐interleukin‐6 and log intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, there was a 30% and 60% increase, respectively, in the prevalence of coronary stenosis ≥50% (all
P
<0.05). Similarly, sTNFαR I and II in HIV+ participants were associated with an increase in prevalence of coronary stenosis ≥70% (
P
<0.05). Higher levels of interleukin‐6, sTNFαR I, and sTNFαR II were also associated with greater coronary artery calcification score in HIV+ men (
P
<0.01).

Conclusions
Higher inflammatory marker levels are associated with greater prevalence of coronary stenosis in HIV+ men. Our findings underscore the need for further study to elucidate the relationships of inflammatory pathways with coronary artery disease in HIV+ individuals.
Stroke in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Winterholler Martin , Holländer Christian , Kerling Frank , Weber Irina , Dittrich Sven , Türk Matthias , Schröder Rolf 
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose—
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent skeletal muscle myopathy. Nearly all patients develop cardiomyopathy in their second decade of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, cause, and outcome of stroke in a German cohort of patients with DMD.

Methods—
Retrospective analysis of medical records of 54 DMD patients, who lived in a regional facility for handicapped people (Wichernhaus Altdorf, Germany) between 1963 and 2013.

Results—
Fifty-four DMD patients were followed up for 7.4 years on average. Mean age at admission and discharge from the long-term care facility or death were 11.4 and 18.8 years, respectively. Covering a total observation period of 400 patient-years, we identified 4 DMD patients with juvenile arterial ischemic strokes. Off-label systemic thrombolysis in 2 patients resulted in a nearly complete regression of stroke-related symptoms, but 1 patient died of septic pneumonia and cardiac failure 24 days after thrombolysis therapy. In the other 2 patients, who had their ischemic strokes in 1994 and 1998, severe infarction-related symptoms persisted, and 1 patient died 13 days later. DMD-associated cardiomyopathy without evidence of atrial fibrillation was the only risk factor for ischemic stroke in all patients.

Conclusions—
This study indicates an increased risk for ischemic strokes in DMD patients. Regular cardiological assessment of all DMD patients is mandatory to evaluate the individual risk profile for cardioembolic events and to adapt therapeutic strategies.
Diagnostic Yield and Safety of Brain Biopsy for Suspected Primary Central Nervous System Angiitis
Authors: Torres Jose , Loomis Caitlin , Cucchiara Brett , Smith Michelle , Messé Steven 
Published: June 2016

Background and Purpose—
The utility and safety of brain biopsy for suspected primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) are uncertain. Factors predictive of a positive biopsy have not been well described. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and safety of brain biopsy in suspected PACNS and determine whether any prebiopsy variables are associated with a positive biopsy.

Methods—
This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic brain biopsy for PACNS at a single institution. The relationship between biopsy yield and patient demographics, surgical technique, laboratory testing, neuroimaging, biopsy characteristics, and prebiopsy immunosuppressive therapy were examined.

Results—

PACNS was confirmed in 9 of 79 patients (11%). Biopsy identified alternative diagnoses in 24 patients (30%), with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (8 patients), encephalitis (5 patients), demyelination (3 patients), and CNS lymphoma (3 patients) most commonly found. There was no correlation between a positive biopsy and cerebrospinal fluid results, neuroimaging, surgical technique, biopsy characteristics, or preoperative immunosuppressive therapy. Smaller biopsies (
P
=0.02) and closed procedures (
P
=0.013) were less likely to yield a diagnosis. Postoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (16%), 3 (4%) of which were serious.

Conclusions—
Brain biopsy leads to pathological confirmation of vasculitis in a minority of suspected PACNS cases but alternative diagnoses are often identified. Importantly, rare but meaningful complications may occur.
Associations between Social Determinants of Health and Pregnancy among Young People: A Systematic Review of Research Published during the Past 25 Years
Authors: Maness Sarah B. , Buhi Eric R. 
Published: June 2016

Objective. Major health disparities exist in pregnancy among young people. Although social determinant of health (SDH) approaches in interventions are promoted to reduce these disparities, little research exists that synthesizes empirical links between SDHs and pregnancy among young people. This systematic literature review utilized the Healthy People 2020 SDH framework to analyze and synthesize the empirical associations between SDHs and pregnancy among young people. Methods. We included studies that were published in the past 25 years from PubMed, PsycINFO®, and Academic Search™ Premier databases. Twenty-two studies met all inclusion criteria and, following the Matrix Method, were assessed for methodological quality and empirical links between determinant areas and pregnancy. Results. Seventeen studies reported an empirical association between at least one SDH and pregnancy among young people. Areas most represented were poverty and family structure. No studies examined the relationship between pregnancies among young people and quality of housing, access to healthy foods, access to health-care services and primary care, health technology, social cohesion, perceptions of discrimination/equity, access to employment, employment status, school policies that support health promotion, safe school environments, or higher education enrollment. Conclusion. This research indicates a need to expand the range of SDHs that are analyzed with pregnancy among young people and to focus interventions on areas that have been determined to have an empirical link with pregnancy.
Evaluating Shared Laboratory Services: Detecting Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex and Drug Resistance Using Molecular and Culture-Based Methods
Authors: Tans-Kersten Julie , Lin Shou-Yean Grace , Desmond Edward , Warshauer David 
Published: June 2016

Objectives. We explored sharing nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and molecular and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing between two state public health tuberculosis (TB) laboratories, and evaluated turnaround times and cost-effectiveness. Methods. From September 1, 2012, to May 30, 2013, the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (Wisconsin Lab) submitted specimens to the Microbial Diseases Laboratory of the California Department of Public Health (California Lab) for NAAT and molecular drug susceptibility testing (MDST) by pyrosequencing, and culture-based TB drug susceptibility testing by the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 system. Results. A total of 182 specimens were referred to the California Lab, and 47 TB cases and 12 drug-resistant cases were identified. The average time for specimen transport was two days, which included one day for processing and packaging in the submitting laboratory. The average turnaround time for NAAT was 0.3 days at the Wisconsin Lab and 3.8 days at the California Lab, including time for specimen transport. Turnaround time for culture-based drug susceptibility testing increased by a median of 16 days when specimens were sent to the California Lab, but MDST results were reported in fewer than four days, a median of 22 days sooner than any culture-based drug susceptibility testing results. Conclusion. This study revealed advantages and disadvantages associated with sharing services, and identified opportunities for improvement. Referral of specimens resulted in longer turnaround times for mycobacteriology test results and additional costs for transporting specimens. However, specialized testing such as pyrosequencing may not be available in low TB incidence areas, and these rapid results can have positive effects on patient management and TB control.
Distribution, Determinants, and Prevention of Falls among the Elderly in the 2011–2012 California Health Interview Survey
Authors: Qin Zijian , Baccaglini Lorena 
Published: June 2016

Objectives. Falls in the geriatric population are a major public health issue. With the anticipated aging of the population, falls are expected to increase nationally and globally. We estimated the prevalence and determinants of falls in adults aged ≥65 years and calculated the proportion of elderly who fell and made lifestyle changes as a result of professional recommendations. Methods. We included adults aged ≥65 years from the 2011–2012 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and categorized them into two groups based on whether or not they had had at least two falls in the previous 12 months. We performed logistic regression analysis adjusted for the complex survey design to determine risk factors for falls and compare the odds of receiving professional recommendations among elderly with vs. without falls. Results. Of an estimated 4.3 million eligible elderly participants in the CHIS (2011–2012), an estimated 527,340 (12.2%) fell multiple times in the previous 12 months. Of those, 204,890 (38.9%) were told how to avoid falls by a physician and 211,355 (40.1%) received medical treatment, although fewer than 41.0% had made related preventive changes to avoid future falls. Falls were associated with older age, less walking, and poorer physical or mental health. Non-Asians had higher odds of falling compared with Asians (adjusted odds ratio 5 1.69, 95% confidence interval 1.16, 2.45). Most participants reported changing medications, home, or daily routines on their own initiative rather than after professional recommendations. Conclusion. Patients with a history of falls did not consistently receive professional recommendations on fall prevention-related lifestyle or living condition changes. Given the high likelihood of a serious fall, future interventions should focus on involving primary care physicians in active preventive efforts before a fall occurs.
Using Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data to Supplement Active Surveillance for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease: Is the Extract Worth the Exertion?
Authors: Nichols Megin C. , Bareta Joseph , Coyle Alexander , Landen Michael 
Published: June 2016

Objective. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) surveillance systems monitor morbidity, mortality, and vaccine impact; accurate surveillance is important to detect changes in epidemiology. We evaluated completeness of IPD reporting in New Mexico by comparing data from the Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database (HIDD) and the New Mexico Active Bacterial Core Surveillance (ABCs) program. Methods. We linked data from the HIDD and the ABCs program. We defined cases of IPD in the HIDD among New Mexico residents with hospitalizations during 2007–2009 as specific (320.1 or 038.2) or nonspecific (481, 320.2, or 041.2) using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. To validate if HIDD records that could not be matched to ABCs data were true IPD cases, we reviewed laboratory data and determined if Streptococcus pneumoniae ( S. pneumoniae) had been isolated from a sterile body site. Results. We examined 732 HIDD records for cases that were not matched in the ABCs database; of such records, S. pneumoniae was isolated from a sterile body site in 10 HIDD records. Conclusion. ABCs data detected the majority of IPD cases in New Mexico. Laboratory and medical record review is essential when using HIDD data because ICD-9-CM coding alone does not ensure data accuracy. The addition of IPD cases to the ABCs program from the HIDD was minimally beneficial to active surveillance and reporting completeness in New Mexico. States that rely exclusively on passive reporting and that have access to HIDD data might use linkages of pneumococcal and IPD-specific ICD-9-CM–coded HIDD data to improve IPD surveillance and case ascertainment.
Barriers to Treatment among New York City Residents with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection, 2014
Authors: King Andrea , Bornschlegel Katherine , Johnson Nirah , Rude Eric , Laraque Fabienne 
Published: June 2016

Objective. New, highly effective hepatitis C virus (HCV) medications recently changed the landscape of HCV treatment. Access to treatment, however, is limited. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted an enhanced surveillance project to better understand the reasons patients are not treated for HCV. Methods. In June 2014, we randomly selected 300 adults who were reported through routine surveillance as having a positive HCV ribonucleic acid test result and who had seen a medical provider since June 2012. We collected information on demographics, treatment, and barriers to treatment from these 300 patients and their providers by telephone, fax, mail, and medical record review. Results. Of 179 providers, 74 (41%) cited co-occurring conditions and 50 (28%) cited patients not keeping follow-up or referral appointments with specialists as common barriers to treatment. Forty providers (22%) reported that they do not prescribe HCV medications and instead refer patients to specialists for treatment. Of 89 patients citing barriers to treatment, 30 (34%) cited co-occurring conditions, 26 (29%) cited concerns about side effects, 21 (24%) indicated not feeling sick, 15 (17%) cited waiting for a better treatment regimen, and 12 (13%) cited medication costs or insurance issues. Only 11 providers and 10 patients denied any barriers to treatment. Conclusion. Increasing the number of New York City residents with HCV infection who are treated and cured will require programs to increase provider capacity, change provider behavior in treating patients with substance use and medical conditions, improve patient awareness of new medications, provide patient navigation and care coordination support through treatment, and initiate advocacy and policy work.
County Health Factors Associated with Avoidable Deaths from Cardiovascular Disease in the United States, 2006–2010
Authors: Greer Sophia , Schieb Linda J. , Ritchey Matthew , George Mary , Casper Michele 
Published: June 2016

Objective. Many cardiovascular deaths can be avoided through primary prevention to address cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors or better access to quality medical care. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the relationship between four county-level health factors and rates of avoidable death from CVD during 2006–2010. Methods. We defined avoidable deaths from CVD as deaths among U.S. residents younger than 75 years of age caused by the following underlying conditions, using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes: ischemic heart disease (I20–I25), chronic rheumatic heart disease (I05–I09), hypertensive disease (I10–I15), or cerebrovascular disease (I60–I69). We stratified county-level death rates by race (non-Hispanic white or non-Hispanic black) and age-standardized them to the 2000 U.S. standard population. We used County Health Rankings data to rank county-level z scores corresponding to four health factors: health behavior, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. We used Poisson rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to compare rates of avoidable death from CVD by health-factor quartile. Results. In a comparison of worst-ranked and best-ranked counties, social and economic factors had the strongest association with rates of avoidable death per 100,000 population from CVD for the total population (RR=1.49; 95% CI 1.39, 1.60) and for each racial/ethnic group (non-Hispanic white: RR=1.37; 95% CI 1.29, 1.45; non-Hispanic black: RR=1.54; 95% CI 1.42, 1.67). Among the non-Hispanic white population, health behaviors had the next strongest association, followed by clinical care. Among the non-Hispanic black population, we observed a significant association with clinical care and physical environment in a comparison of worst-ranked and best-ranked counties. Conclusion. Social and economic factors have the strongest association with rates of avoidable death from CVD by county, which reinforces the importance of social and economic interventions to address geographic disparities in avoidable deaths from CVD.
Dual-Routine HCV/HIV Testing: Seroprevalence and Linkage to Care in Four Community Health Centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Authors: Coyle Catelyn , Kwakwa Helena 
Published: June 2016

Objective. Despite common risk factors, screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV at the same time as part of routine medical care (dual-routine HCV/HIV testing) is not commonly implemented in the United States. This study examined improvements in feasibility of implementation, screening increase, and linkage to care when a dual-routine HCV/HIV testing model was integrated into routine primary care. Methods. National Nursing Centers Consortium implemented a dual-routine HCV/HIV testing model at four community health centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 1, 2013. Routine HCV and opt-out HIV testing replaced the routine HCV and opt-in HIV testing model through medical assistant-led, laboratory-based testing and electronic medical record modification to prompt, track, report, and facilitate reimbursement for tests performed on uninsured individuals. This study examined testing, seropositivity, and linkage-to-care comparison data for the nine months before (December 1, 2012–August 31, 2013) and after (September 1, 2013–May 31, 2014) implementation of the dual-routine HCV/HIV testing model. Results. A total of 1,526 HCV and 1,731 HIV tests were performed before, and 1,888 HCV and 3,890 HIV tests were performed after dual-routine testing implementation, resulting in a 23.7% increase in HCV tests and a 124.7% increase in HIV tests. A total of 70 currently HCV-infected and four new HIV-seropositive patients vs. 101 HCV-infected and 13 new HIV-seropositive patients were identified during these two periods, representing increases of 44.3% for HCV antibody-positive and RNA-positive tests and 225.0% for HIV-positive tests. Linkage to care increased from 27 currently infected HCV-positive and one HIV-positive patient pre-dual-routine testing to 39 HCV-positive and nine HIV-positive patients post-dual-routine testing. Conclusion. The dual-routine HCV/HIV testing model shows that integrating dual-routine testing in a primary care setting is possible and leads to increased HCV and HIV screening, enhanced seropositivity diagnosis, and improved linkage to care.
Ten Sites, 10 Years, 10 Lessons: Scale-up of Routine HIV Testing at Community Health Centers in the Bronx, New York
Authors: Futterman Donna , Stafford Stephen , Meissner Paul , Lyle-Gassama Michelle , Blank Arthur , DuBois Lindsay , Swartz Jonathan 
Published: June 2016

Objective. In response to the current CDC recommendations for routine HIV testing in clinical settings, the Adolescent AIDS Program at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, developed the Advise, Consent, Test, Support routine HIV testing model (ACTS) in 2003. ACTS was piloted in 10 community health centers operated by Montefiore because they serve populations most at risk for HIV/AIDS. Methods. ACTS streamlined and codified the counseling and testing process, provided a routine HIV testing practice change plan, and provided training and communication materials that promoted routine HIV testing. To determine program success, we measured the number of patients seen at the clinics, the number of HIV test-eligible patients (those aged 13–64 years and not pregnant), the number and percent of patients receiving HIV testing, HIV test results, and the number of patients linked to care. Results. HIV testing in the 10 sites increased nearly threefold during the pilot period (2003–2007), from 3,944 of 49,125 eligible patients (8%) tested in 2003 to 11,212 of 55,629 eligible patients (20%) tested in 2007. With little ongoing support, the sites continued or maintained improvements: 13,226 of 56,686 eligible patients (23%) were tested in 2008, 15,965 of 57,025 eligible patients (28%) were tested in 2011, 17,483 of 60,514 eligible patients (29%) were tested in 2012, and 17,971 of 63,172 eligible patients (28%) were tested in 2013. Sites identified 433 HIV-positive patients from 2006 to 2013 (0.2%–0.6% annual seropositivity), and 96% of them were linked to care within 90 days of HIV diagnoses (range: 92% to 98% annually). Conclusion. ACTS demonstrated that substantial and sustained increases in routine HIV testing can be achieved in health-care settings, not by adding personnel or financial resources, but by using the model's practice change plan and streamlined HIV testing approach.