bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left bundle branch area pacing in heart failure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis with meta‐regression
Authors: El Iskandarani Mahmoud , Golamari Reshma , Shatla Islam , Ujueta Francisco , Mihos Christos G. , Escolar Esteban , Elajami Tarec K. , Weiss Raul 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionLeft bundle branch area pacing is an alternative to biventricular pacing. In this study, we aim to summarize the available evidence on the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of left bundle branch block area pacing (LBBAP).ObjectivesThe study summarizes the available evidence on the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of left bundle branch block area pacing (LBBAP).BackgroundCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduced mortality and hospitalizations in heart failure (HF) patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35% and concomitant LBBB. Recently LBBAP has been studied as a more physiological alternative to achieve CRT.MethodA search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were performed to identify studies examining the role of LBBAP for CRT in heart failure. Comprehensive meta‐analysis version 4 was used for meta‐regression to examine variables that contribute to data heterogeneity.ResultEighteen studies, 17 observational and one randomized controlled trial (RCT) were examined. A total of 3906 HF patients who underwent CRT (2036 LBBAP vs. 1870 biventricular pacing [BVP]) were included. LBBAP was performed successfully in 90.4% of patients. Compared to baseline, LBBAP was associated with a reduction in QRS duration (MD: −47.23  ms 95% confidence interval [CI]: −53.45, −41.01), an increase in LVEF (MD: 15.22%, 95% CI: 13.5, 16.94), and a reduction in NYHA class (MD: −1.23, 95% CI: −1.41, −1.05). Compared to BVP, LBBAP was associated with a significant reduction in QRS duration (MD: −20.69 ms, 95% CI: −25.49, −15.88) and improvement in LVEF (MD: 4.78%, 95% CI: 3.30, 6.10). Furthermore, LBBAP was associated with a significant reduction in HF hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.56) and all‐cause mortality (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.86) compared to BVP.ConclusionLBBAP was associated with improved ventricular electrical synchrony compared to BVP, as well as better echocardiographic and clinical outcomes.
High protein requirements of juvenile Atlantic wolffish, Anarhichas lupus: Effects of dietary protein levels on growth, health, and welfare
Authors: Hinchcliffe James , Roques Jonathan A. C. , Roos Josefin , Langeland Markus , Hedén Ida , Sundh Henrik , Sundell Kristina , Björnsson Björn Thrandur , Jönsson Elisabeth 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to investigate the optimal dietary protein requirement and the effect of varying protein levels on the growth and health of juvenile, wild‐caught Atlantic wolffish, Anarhichas lupus, a promising candidate for cold‐water aquaculture diversification. Six iso‐energetic (ca. 18.3 MJ kg−1), fish meal‐based experimental diets were formulated with crude protein levels ranging from 35% to 60%, with graded increments of 5% in a 12‐week feeding trial in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and condition factor (K) were evaluated in response to dietary protein levels. Liver, muscle, and blood parameters were assessed for possible changes in protein and lipid metabolism and welfare. Overall growth was highly variable throughout the experiment on all diets, as expected for a wild population. The feed with highest in protein (60%) inclusion resulted in the highest growth rates, with an average weight gain of 37.4% ± 33.8% and an SGR of 0.31% ± 0.2% day−1. This was closely followed by feeds with 55% and 50% protein inclusion with an average weight gain of 22.9% ± 34.8% and 28.5% ± 38.3%, respectively, and an SGR of 0.18% ± 0.3% day−1 and 0.22% ± 0.3% day−1, respectively. Fish fed the high protein diets generally had increased hepatic lipid deposition (17%–18%) and reduced free fatty acid levels (3.1–6.8 μmol L−1) in the plasma relative to fish that were fed the lower protein diets (35%–45%). No effects of diet were found on plasma protein levels or muscle protein content. Furthermore, stress parameters such as plasma cortisol and glucose levels were unaffected by diet, as were plasma ghrelin levels. Overall, these results suggest that a high protein inclusion in the diet for Atlantic wolffish is required to sustain growth with a minimum protein level of 50%.
Effect of blood collection tube containing protease inhibitors on the pre‐analytical stability of Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers
Authors: Chen Yijun , Zeng Xuemei , Diaz Jihui L. , Sehrawat Anuradha , Lafferty Tara K. , Boslett James J. , Klunk William E. , Pascoal Tharick A. , Villemagne Victor L. , Cohen Ann D. , Lopez Oscar I. , Yates Nathan A. , Karikari Thomas K. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe reliability of plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be compromised by protease‐induced degradation. This can limit the feasibility of conducting plasma biomarker studies in environments that lack the capacity for immediate processing and appropriate storage of blood samples. We hypothesized that blood collection tube supplementation with protease inhibitors can improve the stability of plasma biomarkers at room temperatures (RT). In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of blood biomarker stability in traditional ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes versus BD™ P100 collection tubes, the latter being coated with a protease inhibitor cocktail. The stability of six plasma AD biomarkers was evaluated over time under RT conditions. We evaluated three experimental approaches. In Approach 1, pooled plasma samples underwent storage at RT for up to 96 h. In Approach 2, plasma samples isolated upfront from whole blood collected into EDTA or P100 tubes were stored at RT for 0 h or 24 h before biomarker measurements. In Approach 3, whole blood samples were collected into paired EDTA and P100 tubes, followed by storage at RT for 0 h or 24 h before isolating the plasma for analyses. Biomarkers were measured with Single Molecule Array (Simoa) and immunoprecipitation‐mass spectrometry (IP‐MS) assays. Both the IP‐MS and Simoa methods revealed that the use of P100 tubes significantly improves the stability of Aβ42 and Aβ40 across all approaches. However, the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio levels were significantly stabilized only in the IP‐MS assay in Approach 3. No significant differences were observed in the levels of plasma p‐tau181, GFAP, and NfL for samples collected using either tube type in any of the approaches. Supplementation of blood collection tubes with protease inhibitors could reduce the protease‐induced degradation of plasma Aβ42 and Aβ40, and the Aβ42/40 ratio for the IP‐MS assay. These findings have crucial implications for preanalytical procedures, particularly in resource‐limited settings.image
Social support from manager and co‐workers in relation to registered nurses' work motivation in three healthcare settings: A cross‐sectional study of a Swedish national sample
Authors: Ahlstedt Carina , Moberg Linda , Brulin Emma , Nyberg Anna 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundHaving more registered nurses (RNs) leave their workplace, with a shortage of RNs in healthcare as a consequence, might pose a risk to patient safety. According to the Job Demands Resource model, social support is a resource that can enhance work motivation, and if RNs are motivated at work, their willingness to remain in the workplace may increase.ObjectiveThe aims were to explore (1) differences in RNs' experiences of social support from their immediate manager and co‐workers between different healthcare settings, (2) associations between RNs' experiences of social support and aspects of work motivation, and (3) if these associations differed in strength between healthcare settings.DesignA cross‐sectional study design.MethodsA stratified population of Swedish RNs, n = 2290, working in either hospitals, primary care, or home healthcare, responded to a survey in 2022. Chi‐squared tests and linear and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Interaction was measured by adding an interaction term to the fully adjusted regression models. The findings' generalizability was strengthened by including calibrating weights in all analyses.ResultsRNs in primary care reported higher social support from their immediate manager than RNs in hospitals and home healthcare. RNs in home healthcare reported lower social support from co‐workers than RNs in hospitals and primary care. There were statistically significant associations between higher levels of social support from the immediate manager and co‐workers, respectively, and higher ratings in all aspects of work motivation: work engagement (manager: beta coefficient [b] = 0.08, confidence interval [CI] 95% = 0.05; 0.10; co‐workers: b = 0.12, CI 95% = 0.08; 0.16), job satisfaction (manager: b = 0.24, CI 95% = 0.21; 0.27; co‐workers: b = 0.22, CI 95% = 0.16; 0.28), opportunities to provide high‐quality care (manager: b = 0.15, CI 95% = 0.11; 0.18; co‐workers: b = 0.19, CI 95% = 0.13; 0.24), satisfaction with the employer (manager: b = 0.46, CI 95% = 0.42; 0.50; co‐workers: not statistically significant) and intention to remain at the workplace (manager: odds ratio = 1.89, CI 95% = 1.69; 2.13; co‐workers: odds ratio = 1.42, CI 95% = 1.17; 1.72). The associations differed in strength between hospitals, primary care, and home healthcare.ConclusionsStrengthening social support from the immediate manager and co‐workers appears to be a way to increase RNs' work motivation, including their intention to remain at the workplace. This may be important, particularly in primary care and home healthcare.Clinical RelevanceTo strengthen RNs' work motivation and willingness to stay in the workplace, it appears important for healthcare organizations to provide RN social support.
Identification of quality‐of‐life clusters by the Quebec sleep questionnaire in sleep apnea patients
Authors: Sériès Frédéric , Lacasse Yves , Lajoie Annie 
Published: May 2024

SummaryPatients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may present different symptoms. The clinical importance of symptom clustering is supported by the difference in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases between hypersomnolent and non‐hypersomnolent sleep apnea patients. The objective of this study was to determine if quality‐of‐life clusters could be identified from the Quebec Sleep Questionnaire (QSQ) in OSA patients. Latent class analysis was used to identify clusters in a multivariate analysis of dichotomic variables (presence or absence of symptoms) for each item the QSQ obtained from 147 patients who fulfilled the questionnaire during its validation and subsequent trials (75.5% males, age: 53 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI): 30.4 ± 4.7 kg/m2, apnea/hypopnea index (AHI): 31.3 ± 14.8/h). Three clusters were identified. Quality of life was preserved in patients of cluster 1 (20.4% of patients). Patients of cluster 2 (32.6% of patients) had a moderately impaired quality of life, mainly due to daytime somnolence and poor sleep quality. Patients with impaired quality of life (cluster 3, 46.9% of patients) had an important impact in every domain of the QSQ with the highest sleepiness and daytime symptom impairments. Gender, BMI, and AHI did not differ between the three clusters. In conclusion, different quality‐of‐life clusters can be identified from the QSQ in sleep apnea patients. These clusters are similar to those reported previously. Further studies are needed to validate these clusters in larger and independent cohorts, to evaluate how they respond to OSA treatment, and their relationship with incident outcomes.
Experiences accessing nutritious foods and perceptions of nutritional support needs among pregnant and post‐partum mothers with low income in the United States
Authors: Benson Jessie , DeVries Matthew , McLaurin‐Jiang Skye , Garner Christine D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAccess to nutritious foods, a social determinant of health, contributes to disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes such as mental health, breastfeeding intensity and cardiometabolic risk. This study explored perceived nutrition access and intake among pregnant or post‐partum women eligible for Medicaid. Qualitative, semistructured interviews were conducted with 18 women who were either currently pregnant (n = 4) or up to 12 months post‐partum (n = 14) in 2021–2022. Mothers spoke English (n = 11) or Spanish (n = 7) and lived in the Texas Panhandle. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, translated (Spanish to English) and verified. Two or more researchers coded each interview until consensus was reached using thematic analysis with ATLAS.ti software. The study revealed five drivers for nutrition access. (1) Social factors influenced nutrition; those with less support expressed limited ability to eat healthfully. (2) The Women, Infants and Children program was perceived as a helpful resource for some, while others faced challenges obtaining it. (3) Stress was bidirectionally related to unhealthy food choices, with food sometimes used as a coping mechanism. (4) Mothers prioritized their babies and others and had limited ability and time to prepare healthy meals. (5) Most participants felt they received inadequate nutrition guidance from their healthcare providers. Participants provided positive responses to a proposed nutritious home‐delivered meal intervention. Low‐income women may experience nutritional challenges specific to this life stage. Interventions that reduce stress and burden of household tasks (e.g. cooking) and improve education and access to nutritious foods may improve mothers' ability to consume nutritious foods.
Embedded supervision: China's prosecutorial public interest litigation against government
Authors: Wang Yueduan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA commonly held view maintains that diminished autonomy substantially weakens the capacity of legal institutions to challenge state entities, particularly in authoritarian contexts. This study offers an alternative perspective through an empirical analysis of China's recent implementation of prosecutor‐led public interest litigation against state agencies. It suggests that integration within an authoritarian framework might, at least temporarily, enhance the leverage of justice institutions over state entities that violate laws, thereby aiding in navigating the challenges of law enforcement in a restrictive political environment. The research indicates that prosecutors have elicited compliance from the scrutinized agencies by deploying a strategic mix of legal deterrence, informal collaboration, and political threat. This approach is tailored to align with the objectives of local party‐state authorities, thereby securing their support and facilitating governmental compliance. Nonetheless, this political integration concurrently constrains the capacity for such legal initiatives to challenge the discretionary power of upper‐tier or more powerful agencies. These insights reveal the complex interplay between institutional independence and legal enforcement within authoritarian regimes.
Corticomotor pathway function and recovery after stroke: a look back and a way forward
Authors: Shanks Maxine J. , Byblow Winston D. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractStroke is a leading cause of adult disability that results in motor deficits and reduced independence. Regaining independence relies on motor recovery, particularly regaining function of the hand and arm. This review presents evidence from human studies that have used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to identify neurophysiological mechanisms underlying upper limb motor recovery early after stroke. TMS studies undertaken at the subacute stage after stroke have identified several neurophysiological factors that can drive motor impairment, including membrane excitability, the recruitment of corticomotor neurons, and glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. However, the inherent variability and subsequent poor reliability of measures derived from motor evoked potentials (MEPs) limit the use of TMS for prognosis at the individual patient level. Currently, prediction tools that provide the most accurate information about upper limb motor outcomes for individual patients early after stroke combine clinical measures with a simple neurophysiological biomarker based on MEP presence or absence, i.e. MEP status. Here, we propose a new compositional framework to examine MEPs across several upper limb muscles within a threshold matrix. The matrix can provide a more comprehensive view of corticomotor function and recovery after stroke by quantifying the evolution of subthreshold and suprathreshold MEPs through compositional analyses. Our contention is that subthreshold responses might be the most sensitive to reduced output of corticomotor neurons, desynchronized firing of the remaining neurons, and myelination processes that occur early after stroke. Quantifying subthreshold responses might provide new insights into post‐stroke neurophysiology and improve the accuracy of prediction of upper limb motor outcomes.
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Pacing Strategies in Elite Individual-Medley Swimmers: A Decision-Tree Approach
Authors: Yang Chin-Kuei , Hsu Yu-Chia , Chang Chen-Kang 
Published: May 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to examine pacing strategies and identify the stroke that has the most significant impact on overall performance in men’s and women’s 200-m and 400-m individual-medley events from 2000 to 2021. Methods: The time in each lap and overall race was retrieved from the World Aquatics website. The standardized time for each stroke in individual medley was calculated by dividing the actual time by a reference time specific to each stroke. The reference time was derived from the respective laps in single-stroke finals in the 2017 World Swimming Championships. The decision-tree method was used for analysis. The dependent variables were qualified or nonqualified in heats and semifinals, and winning medals in finals. The independent variables were the ratio of standardized time in each stroke to the sum of standardized time in all 4 strokes. Results: Swimmers who spent a higher ratio of standardized time in the butterfly stroke (>0.236–0.245) are associated with a higher likelihood of winning medals or qualifying for the next stage in most men’s and women’s 200-m and 400-m individual medley. Butterfly exhibited the highest normalized importance that distinguished medalists from nonmedalists in the finals. The front-crawl stroke is the second most important determinant in medalists in men’s and women’s 200-m individual medley, whereas backstroke and breaststroke were the second most important in men’s and women’s 400-m individual medley, respectively. Conclusion: Individual-medley swimmers who were excellent in butterfly and conserved energy in butterfly had a higher likelihood of success.
Disease burden and risk factors of children aged 0–14 years in China: a retrospective study on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Chen Jingjing , Liu Dan , Zeng Linan , Jia Zhi-Jun , Cheng Guo , Xiao Xue , Zhang Lingli 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyse the current status, trends and risk factors of disease burden from 1990 to 2019 among Chinese children.Design and participantsIt was a retrospective study on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD 2019). Data of disease burden and risk factors were extracted from the GBD 2019. Children were divided into two groups of <5 and 5–14 years. Data were analysed using GBD results query tool, Excel and Pareto analysis.Primary outcome measuresDisability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and deaths.ResultsThe overall disease burden for both children <5 years and those aged 5–14 years significantly decreased from 1990 to 2019. For children aged <5 years, in 2019, the leading cause of deaths and DALYs were ‘neonatal disorders’, and the top risk factor was ‘low birth weight’. Compared with data of 1990, the ranking of causes of deaths and DALYs in 2019 saw the most significant increase for ‘HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections’ and ‘skin and subcutaneous diseases’ respectively. Conversely, the ranking of deaths/DALYs causes that dropped most significantly was ‘nutritional deficiencies’. For children aged 5–14, in 2019, the leading deaths and DALYs causes were ‘unintentional injuries’ and ‘mental disorders’ respectively. The top risk factors were ‘alcohol use’ and ‘short gestation’, respectively. The ranking of deaths and DALYs causes rose most significantly were ‘HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections’ and ‘neonatal disorders’, respectively. Conversely, the ranking of deaths causes that dropped most significantly were ‘other infectious diseases’, ‘enteric infections’ and ‘nutritional deficiencies’. For DALYs, the causes that dropped most significantly in ranking were ‘other infectious diseases’.ConclusionsThe disease burden of children has significantly changed from 1990 to 2019, with notable differences between children aged <5 and 5–14 years. To optimise the allocation of health resources, it is necessary to adjust management strategies based on the latest disease burden.
Effects of implementation of a care bundle on rates of necrotising enterocolitis and own mother’s milk feeding in the East Midlands: protocol for a mixed methods impact and process evaluation study
Authors: Abramson Janine , Szatkowski Lisa , Bains Manpreet , Orton Elizabeth , Budge Helen , Spruce Marie , Ojha Shalini 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionPrevention of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is vital for improving neonatal outcomes. Feeding own mother’s milk helps prevent NEC. Rates of own mother’s milk feeding in the East Midlands are lower than the national average and the incidence of NEC is higher. The East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (EMNODN) has created a care bundle to improve these in babies born at <32 weeks’ gestation, the group at the highest risk of NEC. The bundle was introduced in September 2022 and embedded by December 2022. We will evaluate its effectiveness and conduct a process evaluation to understand barriers and facilitators to implementation.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a retrospective cohort study (workstream 1) using data from the National Neonatal Research Database (NNRD). We will identify infants receiving any own mother’s milk on day 14 and at discharge, and cases of severe NEC. We will aggregate outcomes by birth month and use interrupted time series analysis to estimate an incidence rate ratio for changes after the care bundle was embedded, relative to pre-implementation. We will model data from all other NNRD units and assess whether there are any concurrent changes to exclude confounding due to other events.We will apply the RE-AIM framework (workstream 2), supplemented by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Framework for Implementation Fidelity, to conduct a mixed methods evaluation in EMNODN units. We will triangulate data from several sources, including questionnaires and semistructured interviews with parents and healthcare professionals, and data from patient records.Ethics and disseminationThe study has approval from the South East Scotland Research Ethics Committee 01 and the Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales (IRAS 323099). Results will be disseminated via scientific journals and conferences, to neonatal service commissioners and through public-facing infographics.Trial registration numberNCT05934123.