bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Cardiac Function in Children by Strain Imaging and its Correlation with Conventional Echocardiographic Parameter
Authors: Chatterjee Suman , Mukherjee Somnath , Rani Neha , Kumar Prashant , Kumar Prakash , Sarkar Achyut 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
The objectives of this study were to find out of normal reference value for age-dependent longitudinal strain values in children and find its correlation with conventional echocardiographic parameters.

Methods:
In total, 100 healthy normal children aged between 2 and 15 years were enrolled and divided into three age groups, namely, 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years. Using the GE Vivid 7 ultrasound platform with 4 or 7 MHz probes, both LV and RV global longitudinal strains and conventional echocardiographic parameters were acquired.

Results:
In normal healthy children, left ventricular GLS values were –20.10 to –19.68 (mean: –19.89), –21.93 to –21.02 (mean: –21.48), and –20.87 to –20.41 (mean: –20.64)) in children aged 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years and right ventricular GLS values were –16.80 to –16.44 (mean: –16.62), –27.85 to –27.27 (mean: –27.56), –28.44 to –27.93 (mean: –28.19) in the above three groups, respectively. No significant increase was noted in the left ventricular strain value from basal to the apical segment from age group 2 years to 15 years and no gender differences were seen. None of the conventional echocardiographic parameters commonly used to assess the left or right ventricular systolic function had a significant correlation with LVGLS and RVGLS.

Conclusions:
The mean LVGLS values were –19.89, –21.48, and –20.64 and RVGLS were –16.62, –27.56, and –28.19 in healthy normal children aged 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years, respectively, and conventional echocardiographic parameters did not have any significant correlation with these values.
Inadequate Response to Adenosine Infusion During Cardiac Stress Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Gupta Slomi , Simha Parimala Prasanna , Singh Naveen G. , Nagaraja P S , Barthur Ashita , Ganga Kartik , Prabhakar V 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT

Aim:
To determine the factors associated with an inadequate response to adenosine infusion during cardiac stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Study Design:
It is a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction:
Stress cardiac MRI is a highly accurate and non-invasive method to diagnose coronary artery disease (CAD). Stress MRI is performed by inducing stress with adenosine infusion. There is an increase in systemic and myocardial blood flow (MBF) with vasodilator agents. Capillaries are maximally dilated in a diseased artery and cannot sustain increased myocardial oxygen demand. It results in delayed delivery of contrast, which leads to an area of perfusion defect in the myocardium. These perfusion defects can be accurately seen by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and help in the prognosis of patients.

Methods:
A retrospective study on patients subjected to cardiac stress MRI was conducted in a Tertiary Care Cardiac Center from January 2019 to January 2022. In total, 99 patients underwent adenosine stress perfusion cardiac MRI. All patients received an adenosine infusion of 140 mcg/kg/min for 2 min. Subsequently, the dosage was increased by 20 mcg/kg/min every 2 min to a maximum of 210 mcg/kg/min until an adequate stress response was achieved. Adequate stress was defined as two or more of the following criteria: 1) Increase in heart rate >/= 10 beats per minute. 2) Decrease in systolic blood pressure SBP by >/= 10 mm Hg Symptoms like chest discomfort, breathlessness, and headache. Patients who satisfied two or more of the above criteria were labeled as responders and the patients who did not satisfy the above criteria with the maximum dose of 210 mcg/kg/min of adenosine infusion were labeled as non-responders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with forward and backward stepwise selection was used to identify predictors in non-responders. Basic demographic variables with P value </= 0.2 were examined for inclusion in the model. A P value </= 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:
Nine patients (9.1%) showed inadequate stress response to adenosine infusion even with a maximum dose of 210 mcg/kg/min. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was a predictor of inadequate response to adenosine infusion.

Conclusion:
Inadequate stress response to adenosine occurred in 9.1% of subjects with an infusion of 140–210 ug/kg/min. LVEDV is an independent and strong predictor in non-responders.
Management of Patients with the Intravascular Ventricular Assist System (iVAS) for Non-Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Karuppiah Sathappan , Remskar Mojca , Prielipp Richard 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT
Intravascular ventricular assist system (iVAS) is an investigative device in clinical trials for the management of advanced heart failure. It works on the principle of counterpulsation, similar to the classic intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP). We present a case of a 66-year-old man with iVAS in situ who required emergency laparotomy for a strangulated umbilical hernia. Patients with mechanical circulatory devices (MCD) are presenting more frequently for emergency and even elective noncardiac operations. Managing such patients poses significant challenges to the perioperative team due to its novelty and paucity of management recommendations.
The Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate as a Potential Hepatocellular Cancer Surveillance Tool
Authors: David Nyam Paul , Davwar Pantong Mark , Duguru Mary John , Makpu Jireh Dan , Okwute Atta , Stephen McHenry Ifeanyi , Okeke Edith Nonyelum 
Published: July 2022

Background:
There is a global search for biomarkers that will aid with the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at an early stage when it is amenable to available treatment options. The inflammatory marker – erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) has been studied for several decades for its role in inflammatory processes and malignancies. We evaluate its role as a potential surveillance tool for HCC in Jos, northern Nigeria.

Objective:
The study aims to determine if ESR can differentiate between patients at risk of HCC who have no liver fibrosis (patients with chronic hepatitis B infection)/liver cirrhosis, and those with HCC.

Methods:
This is a retrospective study among adult patients aged 18 years and above using secondary data obtained from patients who were recruited for previous studies carried out at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (From August 2019 to October 2021). HCC was confirmed using a triphasic computed tomography scan. FibroScan was carried out to determine the stage of fibrosis of the liver. The ESR rate was determined using the Westergren method. ANOVA was used to determine the difference between groups of patients.

Results:
There were 316 participants in this study, males were 140 (44.4%) and females were 176 (55.6%). Those with HCC were 88 (27.8%) whereas, those without HCC were 228 (72.2%). The mean age of the studied population was 47 ± 11.6 years. For those with HCC, it was 48.6 ± 13.4 years and for those without HCC, it was 47.4 ± 13.3. The mean ESR for those with HCC versus those without HCC was 60.67 ± 37.9mm/h versus 22.53 ± 8.3 mm/h, P = 0.001. ESR could discriminate between those with HCC from those without HCC, with an area under the curve of .803, sensitivity of 80%, and specificity of 67%.

Conclusion:
There is a need for novel methods that aid the early detection of HCC since evidence has shown that surveillance and early tumor detection improve survival. ESR is a simple, easy, and cheap test that has the potential to serve as a marker of early occurrence of HCC and should be further evaluated for this property in a prospective study.
Concept of BIDI years
Authors: Datta Rashmi , Singh Shalendra , Joshi Arjun , Marwah Vikas 
Published: July 2022

Background:
The cumulative effect of cigarette smoking is usually measured by “pack years,” but the same is not present for Bidis. This study was conducted to calculate the concept of “bidi years” in comparison to the concept of “pack-years” for a cigarette

Methods:
Thirty random samples, each of bidis and cigarettes, were selected through a survey of common brands used by smokers in India. The nicotine and carbon monoxide (CO) contents were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography methods, respectively

Results:
The average nicotine content in thirty samples of different Bidis and Cigarettes was 214.46 ± 57.8 and 616.31 ± 22.6 mg/dL, respectively (P < 0.001). The CO content with a lower mean of 15.57 ± 5.88 was observed in cigarettes as compared to 70.4 ± 22.08 in bidies (P < 0.001). The weight of one cigarette is 0.56 times that of the weight of one bidi. Based on the nicotine content, the equivalent pack years for bidis is calculated as 43 bidis per day per year

Conclusion:
Based on the nicotine content, it is proposed that the equivalent for one cigarette pack-year or 20 cigarette years are taken as 43 bidis per day per year. Even though each bidi stick has an average of 0.46 times the nicotine content of cigarettes, longer abstinence as compared to cigarette is required to bring the nicotine level to normal due to the deeper puffs needed. With the CO content of bidis being 4.5 times that of cigarettes, it is advised that the minimum duration of cessation of smoking before operative procedures be 24 h as compared to 6 h for cigarettes.
The role of LENT and PROMISE scores in predicting survival in malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Ermin Sinem , Özdoğan Yasemin , Batum Özgür , Yılmaz Ufuk 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a condition, that can be seen in 15% of patients diagnosed with cancer. Because of the short overall survival, it is important to identify the appropriate treatment. In addition to the palliation of secondary symptoms due to MPE, it should also be decided in which cases a more aggressive treatment is to be followed. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the performance of LENT and clinical PROMISE scores in predicting survival in patients with MPE

Methods:
Age, sex, smoking history, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, cancer type, history of chemotherapy/radiotherapy, laboratory values, and pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase were recorded. The LENT and the PROMISE scores were calculated and risk categories were determined. During the follow-up, blood tests and tomography controls were performed on the patients as routine. The overall survival was calculated as the period from the date of diagnosis of MPE to death or until December 31, 2019

Results:
A total of 169 patients were included. The median age was 65 (26–86). In the single-variable analysis, there was a significant increase in mortality risk in the poor performance score and if the LENT risk group progressed from the low-to medium-/high-risk group or PROMISE categories A to B, A to C or A to D. In multivariate analysis, mortality risk in 1, 3, 6, and 12 months increased significantly in poor performance score, in PROMISE category B, C, and D. In high LENT risk-group, an increased mortality risk was shown in only 12 months of survival

Conclusions:
Our data show that poor performance score (ECOG 3-4), PROMISE category B, C, and D significantly increase mortality risk and the LENT score is inadequate in predicting survival.
Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment among Adults in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State
Authors: Hudu Umar Fatima , Odugbo Ojo Perpetua , Mpyet Caleb Damilep 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment among adults in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Nigeria. This was a rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) study in which a multistaged sampling technique was used to select a total of 22 clusters. Households were selected by the compact segment technique, which were visited door by door until 39 persons aged 50 years and above are identified and recruited for the study. Examination and diagnosis was made based on the RAAB protocol to determine the major cause of visual impairment. The prevalence of visual impairment and blindness was 18.8% [confidence interval (CI) = 16.2–21.4%] and 5.6% (CI = 4.2–7.0%), respectively. The wards with the highest prevalence of visual impairment are Rigiza (45%), Gangare (35%), and Ibrahim Katsina ward (35%). About 96.8% causes of visual impairments and 95% causes of blindness were avoidable with cataract [78 (48.8%)], glaucoma [26 (16.3%)], uncorrected refractive error [25 (15.6%)], cataract surgical complications [17 (10.6%)], and couching [5 (3.1%)] being the most common causes of visual impairment and cataract [18 (37.5%)], glaucoma [16 (33.3%)], and couching [5 (10.4%)] being the most common causes of blindness. The prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 18.8% in Jos North Local Government Council, and this varies among the wards with Rigiza, Gangare, and Ibrahim Katsina having the highest prevalence. Most of the causes were avoidable. There is a need to reorganize the existing eye-care program and also integrate eye-care services into the existing health-care services that are not rendering eye-care services in the LGA so as to reduce the burden of blindness and visual impairment.
Ocular Manifestations of Rubella Virus Disease in a 32-Year-Old Female Patient Case Report
Authors: Grace Ogbonna , Fidelis Anyika , Rosemary Ehigbor 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Rubella (German measles) is a viral disease that affects all age groups. It is spread through contact with airborne droplets of the virus found in the cough or sneeze of infected people. It can also be spread through sharing of cutleries and drinks with infected persons. Following rubella infection, symptoms may be nonspecific as with most viral infections, and may include: arthralgia, cough, runny nose, low grade fever, maculopapular rashes, and lymphadenopathy. Rubella infection cannot be clinically differentiated from other viral diseases based on symptoms. However, it is important for clinicians to know symptoms which may be suggestive of rubella for quick differentials and implementation of precautionary measures against its spread, hence this case report. In this study, we report a case of rare ocular involvement of the third cranial nerve in a 32-year-old black woman with rubella which resulted in pain on superior eye movement and partial eyelid ptosis. The patient also reported experiencing blurred vision, light sensitivity, and objects appearing washed out. All her symptoms appeared 17 days after she had embarked on an international travel (through Ethiopia) and sharing a can of drink with a child who she did not know his measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination status. She tested positive to rubella immunoglobulin M test. However, all of the patient's ocular symptoms resolved 6 weeks after their onset following the resolution of the rubella symptoms.
Serum Levels of Vitamin C among Patients with and Without Age-Related Cataract at The University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Kalambe Aisha S. , Muhammad Rilwan C. , Ayanniyi Abdulkabir A. , Imam Abubakar 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Objectives:
To evaluate serum levels of vitamin C in patients aged between 45 and 60 years with and without age-related cataract.

Methods:
One hundred and eighty consenting adults were recruited for this hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study and distributed equally into the cataract and no-cataract groups. They were interviewed using a pretested questionnaire on their demographics, health, lifestyle, and nutritional habits followed by full ocular examination. All the subjects had blood drawn and serum vitamin C assayed using the Cell Biolabs’ Oxiselect Ascorbic Acid Assay kit. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21 statistical software. P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
One hundred and seventy-eight serum vitamin C assays were analyzed (response rate of 98.9%). One hundred and fifty-eight (88.8%) participants had low levels of vitamin C, whereas 20 (11.2%) had normal levels. Serum vitamin C levels were significantly higher among the no-cataract group than the cataract group with mean values of 0.121 to 0.567 mg/dL [mean ± 2 standard deviation (SD)] and 0.160 to 0.454 mg/dL (mean ± 2SD), respectively [P = 0.004 and 95% confidence interval of −0.64 to −0.013]. Serum vitamin C levels were significantly higher among the male participants in each group (P = 0.004). Serum vitamin C was found to have a weak positive correlation with the age of the participants (P = 0.577).

Conclusion:
In a vitamin C-depleted study population, serum vitamin C was found to have an inverse relationship with age-related cataract.
Molecular Detection of Rickettsia felis in Fleas of Companion Animals in East Texas
Authors: Wang Lixin , Rupani Ammie , Grado Luis A. , Lopez Salazara Luis M. , Trinidad LaReyna A. , Cook Jerry L. , Bechelli Jeremy 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT.
Flea-borne spotted fever is an emerging insect-borne rickettsial infection caused by Rickettsia felis and has been identified worldwide. This study sought to explore the prevalence of rickettsiae associated with fleas on companion dogs and cats from Walker and Montgomery Counties in East Texas. Fleas were collected from animals entering local veterinary clinics for routine checkups. Collected fleas were identified as Ctenocephalides felis or Pulex irritans and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of rickettsiae and subsequent sequencing. An estimation of the bcMLE (bias-corrected maximum likelihood estimation) of pooled samples was calculated. Four hundred eighty-eight fleas (comprising C. felis and P. irritans) were collected from 16 cats and 77 dogs. Our results demonstrate R. felis in 21 pools of fleas from dogs (bcMLE 15.28%) and a bcMLE of 7.25% from flea samples collected from cats. Sequence analysis revealed R. felis as the only Rickettsia that could be amplified in our samples using the rickettsial citrate synthase gene and subsequent sequencing. In this study, the presence of R. felis in fleas from companion cats and dogs suggests a potential risk of flea-borne spotted fever in humans who encounter flea-infested animals.
Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Huluka Dawit Kebede , Etissa Eyob Kebede , Ahmed Sebrina , Abule Hiluf Abate , Getachew Nebiyu , Abera Sisay , Seyoum Abebaw Bekele , Araya Hiruy , Gebreyes Tsegaye , Tadesse Anteneh Bethlehem , Gebremedhin Getachew Demoz , Gebregziabher Yonas , Tefera Rediet Yitagesu , Tereda Addisu Birhanu , Feleke Yohannes , Abebe Yonathan , Gebremariam Tewodros Haile , Ahmed Hanan Yusuf , Amogne Wondwossen , Haisch Deborah A. , Sherman Charles B. , Schluger Neil W. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT.
Data from much of Africa are still scarce on the clinical characteristics, outcomes of treatment, and factors associated with disease severity and mortality of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Eka Kotebe General Hospital, Ethiopia’s first COVID-19 treatment center. All consecutive symptomatic SARS CoV-2 RT-PCR positive individuals, aged 18 and older, admitted to the hospital between March 13 and September 16, 2020, were included. Of the total 463 cases, 319 (68.9%) were male. The median age was 45 years (interquartile range 32–62). The most common three symptoms were cough (69%), shortness of breath (SOB; 44%), and fatigue (37%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity, followed by diabetes mellitus. The age groups 40 to 59 and ≥ 60 were more likely to have severe disease compared with those < 40 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.88–6.31 and aOR = 3.46, 95% CI: 1.91–6.90, respectively). Other factors associated with disease severity included the presence of any malignancy (aOR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.32–16.33) and SOB (aOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 2.35–6.25). The age group ≥ 60 was significantly associated with greater in-hospital mortality compared with those < 40 years. In addition, the presence of any malignancy, SOB, and vomiting were associated with higher odds of mortality. In Ethiopia, most COVID-19 patients were male and presented with cough, SOB, and fatigue. Older age, any malignancy, and SOB were associated with disease severity; these factors, in addition to vomiting, also predicted mortality.
Associations between Antenatal Syphilis Test Results and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Western Kenya
Authors: Laktabai Jeremiah , Mobley Victoria L. , Prudhomme-O’Meara Wendy , Taylor Steve M. 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT.
Maternal syphilis remains a major contributor to poor pregnancy outcomes. Syphilis point-of-care (POC) tests are now used for pregnancy screening; the effect of screening on outcomes is unclear. We enrolled women presenting to antenatal care (ANC) in a matched cohort study at a single site in Kenya tested by either a syphilis-only or an HIV/syphilis dual POC test. Syphilis POC-positive women (patients) were matched 1:2 with POC-negative women (control subjects) on gravidity, gestational age, and HIV status, and were monitored through delivery. Syphilis serum testing was performed every 8 weeks. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed up to 1 month after delivery and compared using prevalence ratios. A total of 151 women were enrolled (51 patients and 100 control subjects) at a mean of 22 weeks gestation; 24% were HIV positive and 40% were paucigravid. A positive Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test was more common among patients (64.7%) than control subjects (11.1%, P < 0.001). Only two women met the definition for incident syphilis. Pregnancy outcomes were available for 147 women. The prevalence of low birthweight (LBW) was greater among patients (15.2%) than control subjects (5.4%, P = 0.052). Of the 109 women with concordant syphilis POC and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test results at ANC enrollment, LBW prevalence was significantly greater among test-positive (25%) than test-negative (4.9%) women (adjusted prevalence ratio, 5.84; 95% CI, 1.08–31.5). Despite treatment with penicillin, latent syphilis at ANC enrollment was associated with a more than 5-fold increased risk of LBW. Alternate implementation strategies for syphilis POC testing may be necessary to realize the potential of ANC syphilis screening to improve pregnancy outcomes.
Body Lice among People Experiencing Homelessness and Access to Hygiene Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Preventing Trench Fever in Denver, Colorado, 2020
Authors: Marshall Kristen E. , Martinez Heather E. , Woodall Tracy , Guerrero Andrés , Mechtenberg Jessica , Herlihy Rachel , House Jennifer 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT.
Eight people with human body louse-borne Bartonella quintana infections were detected among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Denver during January–September 2020, prompting a public health investigation and community outreach. Public health officials conducted in-person interviews with PEH to more fully quantify body lice prevalence, transmission risk factors, access to PEH resources, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected resource access. Recent body lice exposure was reported by 35% of 153 interview participants. In total, 75% of participants reported reduced access to PEH services, including essential hygiene activities to prevent body lice, during Colorado’s COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Future pandemic planning should consider hygiene resource allocation for PEH populations to prevent emerging and reemerging infections such as B. quintana.