bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development and implementation of an advanced pharmacy technician leadership program
Authors: Craynon Ryan , Thomas Mark , Rose Robert , Squibb Bailey 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To develop administrative and leadership skills in pharmacy technicians through the implementation of a 6-month advanced technician leadership program.

Summary
Health-system pharmacy administrative and leadership (HSPAL) residency programs have been established to develop administrative and leadership skills in pharmacists for more than 60 years. Similar opportunities for pharmacy technicians do not exist despite technicians being placed in leadership positions. Our pharmacy department developed a 6-month advanced pharmacy technician leadership program utilizing the pharmacist HSPAL residency framework and adapting it to focus on pharmacy technicians. Rotations span inpatient and ambulatory leadership, with both pharmacist and technician leaders serving as preceptors. The training program has been established for over 3 years and has produced a total of 6 graduates, of whom 5 have assumed technician leadership roles within our department. The training program has built a pipeline of highly trained technician leaders and decreased the time required to fill technician supervisor openings by 80%. Program graduates have reported the most improvement in management skills, functional skills and knowledge, and communication skills.

Conclusion
Creation of an advanced, pharmacy technician–specific leadership program focusing on development of leadership and administrative skills provides short- and long-term benefits to health-system pharmacy departments.
Functional quantile principal component analysis
Authors: Méndez-Civieta Álvaro , Wei Ying , Diaz Keith M. , Goldsmith Jeff 
Published: October 2024

Summary
This paper introduces functional quantile principal component analysis (FQPCA), a dimensionality reduction technique that extends the concept of functional principal components analysis (FPCA) to the examination of participant-specific quantiles curves. Our approach borrows strength across participants to estimate patterns in quantiles, and uses participant-level data to estimate loadings on those patterns. As a result, FQPCA is able to capture shifts in the scale and distribution of data that affect participant-level quantile curves, and is also a robust methodology suitable for dealing with outliers, heteroscedastic data or skewed data. The need for such methodology is exemplified by physical activity data collected using wearable devices. Participants often differ in the timing and intensity of physical activity behaviors, and capturing information beyond the participant-level expected value curves produced by FPCA is necessary for a robust quantification of diurnal patterns of activity. We illustrate our methods using accelerometer data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and produce participant-level 10%, 50%, and 90% quantile curves over 24 h of activity. The proposed methodology is supported by simulation results, and is available as an R package.
Public Health Benefits of Applying Evidence-Based Best Practices in Managing Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19
Authors: Kalil Andre C , Chandak Aastha , Moore Luke S P , Ahuja Neera , Kolditz Martin , Casciano Roman , Kadambi Ananth , Yaghoubi Mohsen , Tsiodras Sotirios , Malin Jakob J , Mozaffari Essy , Bartoletti Michele 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
As coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related mortality remains a concern, optimal management of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 continues to evolve. We developed a population model based on real-world evidence to quantify the clinical impact of increased utilization of remdesivir, the effectiveness of which has been well established in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods
The PINC AI healthcare database records for patients hospitalized for COVID-19 from January to December 2023 were stratified by those treated with or without remdesivir (“RDV” and “no RDV”) and by supplemental oxygen requirements: no supplemental oxygen charges (NSOc), low-flow oxygen (LFO), and high-flow oxygen/non-invasive ventilation. Key vulnerable subgroups such as elderly and immunocompromised patients were also evaluated. The model applied previously published hazard ratios (HRs) to 28-day in-hospital mortality incidence to determine the number of potential lives saved if additional no RDV patients had been treated with remdesivir upon hospital admission.

Results
Of 84 810 hospitalizations for COVID-19 in 2023, 13,233 no RDV patients were similar in terms of characteristics and clinical presentation to the RDV patients. The model predicted that initiation of remdesivir in these patients could have saved 231 lives. Projected nationally, this translates to &gt;800 potential lives saved (95% confidence interval, 469–1126). Eighty-nine percent of potential lives saved were elderly and 19% were immunocompromised individuals. Seventy-six percent were among NSOc or LFO patients.

Conclusions
This public health model underscores the value of initiating remdesivir upon admission in patients hospitalized for COVID-19, in accordance with evidence-based best practices, to minimize lives lost because of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.
The Emboless® venous chamber efficiently reduces air bubbles: a randomized study of chronic hemodialysis patients
Authors: Forsberg Ulf , Jonsson Per , Stegmayr Bernd 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
When blood passes the extracorporeal circuit, air microbubbles (MBs) contaminate the blood. Some MBs will end up as microemboli in the lung, heart, and brain. MB exposure has no medical purpose and is considered to be bio-incompatible. Selecting venous chambers with a high removal rate of MBs is warranted to reduce the risks of air bio-incompatibility. The primary aim was to compare the Fresenius 5008 (F5008-VC) and the Emboless® (Emboless-VC) venous chambers regarding the elimination of MBs in the return bloodline during hemodialysis (HD).

Methods
Twenty patients underwent 80 sessions of cross-over HD using both the F5008-VC and the Emboless-VC randomized such that half started with the F5008-VC and half with the Emboless-VC. For 32 of the 80 sessions, measurements were also performed during hemodiafiltrations (HDF) after the initial HD. MBs were measured with an ultrasound device (within the size range of 20–500 µm) at the “inlet” and “outlet” bloodline of the venous chambers. The Wilcoxon pairwise test compared the percentage of MB elimination between venous chambers.

Results
During HD, the median reduction of MBs for the outlet was 39% with the F5008-VC and 76% with the Emboless-VC (P &lt; .001). During HDF, the reduction was 28% with the F5008-VC and 70% with the Emboless-VC (P &lt; .001).

Conclusion
Fewer MBs and subsequently fewer microemboli entered the bloodline of the patient using the Emboless-VC compared to the F5008-VC venous chamber during HD and during HDF. Venous chambers with a high removal rate of MBs will reduce the extent of air emboli.
Error and attack vulnerability of Apollonian networks
Authors: Safaei Farshad , Kouchak Mohammad Mahdi Emadi 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
This article examines the resilience of different Apollonian network (AN) types—deterministic, random, and evolutionary—to systematic attacks. ANs, members of the family of maximal planar graphs, possess unique properties such as high clustering coefficients, small-world properties, scale-free behavior, Euclidean and space-filling properties, and modularity. These peculiarities require a thorough investigation of their robustness. This work presents a novel approach to studying ANs by implementing evolutionary Apollonian networks (EANs). These EANs include various probabilities distribution functions, including exponential, degenerate, logistic, Pareto, and stable (Cauchy, Lévy, Normal) distributions. To improve the robustness of these networks, we propose a novel edge rewiring mechanism using a genetic algorithm (GA). The GA aims to optimize a combined metric that includes the Flow Robustness of Degree (SFRD), Betweenness (SFRB), and Dangalchev's closeness (SFRC) centralities while preserving the original degree distribution and structural properties of the network. To evaluate the effectiveness of this approach, we use various robustness measures to assess the resilience of different AN types. The results show that SFRB, SFRD, and SFRC effectively rank ANs based on their robustness.
Advances in myocardial energy metabolism: metabolic remodelling in heart failure and beyond
Authors: Sun Qiuyu , Karwi Qutuba G , Wong Nathan , Lopaschuk Gary D 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The very high energy demand of the heart is primarily met by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, with glycolysis providing a smaller amount of ATP production. This ATP production is markedly altered in heart failure, primarily due to a decrease in mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Although an increase in glycolytic ATP production partly compensates for the decrease in mitochondrial ATP production, the failing heart faces an energy deficit that contributes to the severity of contractile dysfunction. The relative contribution of the different fuels for mitochondrial ATP production dramatically changes in the failing heart, which depends to a large extent on the type of heart failure. A common metabolic defect in all forms of heart failure [including heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF), and diabetic cardiomyopathies] is a decrease in mitochondrial oxidation of pyruvate originating from glucose (i.e. glucose oxidation). This decrease in glucose oxidation occurs regardless of whether glycolysis is increased, resulting in an uncoupling of glycolysis from glucose oxidation that can decrease cardiac efficiency. The mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids by the heart increases or decreases, depending on the type of heart failure. For instance, in HFpEF and diabetic cardiomyopathies myocardial fatty acid oxidation increases, while in HFrEF myocardial fatty acid oxidation either decreases or remains unchanged. The oxidation of ketones (which provides the failing heart with an important energy source) also differs depending on the type of heart failure, being increased in HFrEF, and decreased in HFpEF and diabetic cardiomyopathies. The alterations in mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and glycolysis in the failing heart are due to transcriptional changes in key enzymes involved in the metabolic pathways, as well as alterations in redox state, metabolic signalling and post-translational epigenetic changes in energy metabolic enzymes. Of importance, targeting the mitochondrial energy metabolic pathways has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach to improving cardiac function and cardiac efficiency in the failing heart.
Improvement in patient selection, management and outcomes in infant heart transplant from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Endo Toyokazu , Trivedi Jaimin , Kozik Deborah , Alsoufi Bahaaldin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The study’s primary outcome was to evaluate if post-transplant survival has improved over the last 2 decades. Secondary outcomes were the infant’s waitlist mortality, waitlist time and identifying factors that affected the infant’s survival.

METHODS
United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried for infants (age ≤ 1) who were listed for heart transplantation between 2000 and 2020. The years were divided into 3 eras (Era 1 2000–2006, Era 2 2007–2013 and Era 3 2014–2020). Non-parametric tests, Chi-Squared, Log-Rank test and Cox-Proportional hazard ratio were used for analysis (α = 0.05).

RESULTS
4234 infants were listed for heart transplants between 2000 and 2020. At the time of listing, Infants in era 3 were more likely to be heavier [in kg (P &lt; 0.001)] and had better renal function (P &lt; 0.001). Additionally, they were less likely to be on dialysis (P &lt; 0.001), on a ventilator (P &lt; 0.001) and on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P &lt; 0.001). There has been a significant increase in left ventricular assist device use (P &lt; 0.001), though there was no difference in waitlist (0.154) or post-transplant survival (0.51). In all 3 eras, waitlist survival (P &lt; 0.001) and post-transplant survival (P &lt; 0.001) have improved significantly. Congenital heart disease and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were associated with worse waitlist survival in all 3 eras (P &lt; 0.05). Infants are now waiting longer on the waitlist (in days) (33 Era 1 vs 46 Era 2 vs 67 Era 3, P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
Infant heart transplant outcomes have improved, but they are now waiting longer on the waitlist. Further improvement in increasing the donor pool, expert consensus on listing strategies and donor utilization is needed to improve outcomes.
Adults with congenital heart disease: what every cardiologist should know about their care
Authors: Budts Werner , Prokšelj Katja , Lovrić Daniel , Kačar Polona , Gatzoulis Michael A , Brida Margarita 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
As patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) continue to enjoy longer lives, non-congenital cardiologists and other healthcare professionals are increasingly encountering them in their practice and are challenged by their specific needs. Most under- and post-graduate medical training tends to overlook this common pathology, resulting in insufficient awareness of post-repair or post-palliation residual lesions and sequelae from previous interventions. In a strive towards improving the quality of care for this ever-growing cardiovascular patient cohort, it is prudent to outline the areas of concern and specific management needs pertaining to adult patients with CHD and share it with non-CHD professionals. The purpose of this paper is to offer essential guidance to physicians, including cardiologists, when they encounter a patient with CHD in a non-congenital healthcare setting.
Comparison of exercise training modalities and change in peak oxygen consumption in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a secondary analysis of the OptimEx-Clin trial
Authors: Mueller Stephan , Kabelac Marina , Fegers-Wustrow Isabel , Winzer Ephraim B , Gevaert Andreas B , Beckers Paul , Haller Bernhard , Edelmann Frank , Christle Jeffrey W , Haykowsky Mark J , Sachdev Vandana , Kitzman Dalane W , Linke Axel , Adams Volker , Wisloff Ulrik , Pieske Burkert , van Craenenbroeck Emeline , Halle Martin 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Aims
Exercise training (ET) is an effective therapy in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but the influence of different ET characteristics is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the associations between ET frequency, duration, intensity [% heart rate reserve (%HRR)] and estimated energy expenditure (EEE) with the change in peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2) over 3 months of moderate continuous training (MCT, 5×/week) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT, 3×/week) in HFpEF.

Methods and results
ET duration and heart rate (HR) were recorded with a smartphone application. EEE was calculated using the HR data during ET and the individual HR-V̇O2 relationships during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Differences between groups and associations between ET characteristics and peak V̇O2 change were assessed with linear regression analyses. Peak V̇O2 improved by 9.2 ± 13.2% after MCT and 8.7 ± 15.9% after HIIT (P = 0.67). The average EEE of 1 HIIT session was equivalent to ∼1.42 MCT sessions and when adjusted for EEE, the mean difference between MCT and HIIT was –0.1% (P = 0.98). For both MCT and HIIT, peak V̇O2 change was positively associated with ET frequency (MCT: R2 = 0.103; HIIT: R2 = 0.149) and duration/week (MCT: R2 = 0.120; HIIT: R2 = 0.125; all P &lt; 0.05). Average %HRR was negatively associated with peak V̇O2 change in MCT (R2 = 0.101; P = 0.034), whereas no significant association was found in HIIT (P = 0.234). Multiple regression analyses explained ∼1/3 of the variance in peak V̇O2 change.

Conclusion
In HFpEF, isocaloric HIIT and MCT seem to be equally effective over 3 months. Within each mode, increasing ET frequency or duration/week may be more effective to improve peak V̇O2 than increasing ET intensity.
Health perceptions of adverse weather in older adults in England: analysis of 2019/20 survey data
Authors: Turner Grace Anne , Moreira de Sousa Agostinho , O’Connell Emer , Kovats Sari , Brooks Katya , Landeg Owen , Ismail Sharif , Rajamani Anusha , Hajat Shakoor 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Risks to older adults (OA) (aged 65+ years) associated with hot and cold weather in the UK are well-documented. The study aim is to explore OA perception of health risks from high and low temperatures, health-protective measures undertaken, and implications for public health messaging. In 2019/20, Ipsos MORI conducted face-to-face surveys with OA in England (n = 461 cold weather survey, n = 452 hot weather survey). Participants reported temperature-related symptoms, risk perceptions for different groups, and behaviours during hot and cold weather. Analysis involved binomial logistic regression models to assess potential factors (demographics, vulnerability, behaviours) associated with older adults’ health risk perception in hot and cold weather. Less than half of OA in both surveys agreed that hot or cold weather posed a risk to their health. OA with higher education, annual income &gt;£25 000 or home ownership were less likely to perceive their health at risk during cold weather and regional differences in hot weather were identified. OA who recognized those the same age or living alone as at an increased risk were more likely to perceive their own health as at risk. OA were more likely to self-identify health risks when reporting those aged 65 yrs+ to be at an increased risk in cold weather. Various temperature-related protective behaviours were associated with older adults’ risk perception in hot and cold weather. These findings provide evidence for public health agencies to target high risk individuals, and modify temperature-related public health messaging to protect OA.
Drosophila ring chromosomes interact with sisters and homologs to produce anaphase bridges in mitosis
Authors: Lin Ho-Chen , Golic Mary M , Hill Hunter J , Lemons Katherine F , Vuong Truc T , Smith Madison , Golic Forrest , Golic Kent G 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Ring chromosomes are known in many eukaryotic organisms, including humans. They are typically associated with a variety of maladies, including abnormal development and lethality. Underlying these phenotypes are anaphase chromatin bridges that can lead to chromosome loss, nondisjunction, and breakage. By cytological examination of ring chromosomes in Drosophila melanogaster, we identified 5 causes for anaphase bridges produced by ring chromosomes. Catenation of sister chromatids appears to be the most common cause, and these bridges frequently resolve during anaphase, presumably by the action of topoisomerase II. Sister chromatid exchange and chromosome breakage followed by sister chromatid union also produce anaphase bridges. Mitotic recombination with the homolog was rare, but was another route to generation of anaphase bridges. Most surprising was the discovery of homolog capture, where the ring chromosome was connected to its linear homolog in anaphase. We hypothesize that this is a remnant of mitotic pairing and that the linear chromosome is connected to the ring by multiple wraps produced through the action of topoisomerase II during establishment of homolog pairing. In support, we showed that in a ring/ring homozygote, the 2 rings are frequently catenated in mitotic metaphase, a configuration that requires breaking and rejoining of at least 1 chromosome.
CoCoPyE: feature engineering for learning and prediction of genome quality indices
Authors: Birth Niklas , Leppich Nicolina , Schirmacher Julia , Andreae Nina , Steinkamp Rasmus , Blanke Matthias , Meinicke Peter 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The exploration of the microbial world has been greatly advanced by the reconstruction of genomes from metagenomic sequence data. However, the rapidly increasing number of metagenome-assembled genomes has also resulted in a wide variation in data quality. It is therefore essential to quantify the achieved completeness and possible contamination of a reconstructed genome before it is used in subsequent analyses. The classical approach for the estimation of quality indices solely relies on a relatively small number of universal single-copy genes. Recent tools try to extend the genomic coverage of estimates for an increased accuracy.

Results
We developed CoCoPyE, a fast tool based on a novel 2-stage feature extraction and transformation scheme. First, it identifies genomic markers and then refines the marker-based estimates with a machine learning approach. In our simulation studies, CoCoPyE showed a more accurate prediction of quality indices than the existing tools. While the CoCoPyE web server offers an easy way to try out the tool, the freely available Python implementation enables integration into existing genome reconstruction pipelines.

Conclusions
CoCoPyE provides a new approach to assess the quality of genome data. It complements and improves existing tools and may help researchers to better distinguish between low-quality draft and high-quality genome assemblies in metagenome sequencing projects.