bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smartphone-based cardiac implantable electronic device remote monitoring: improved compliance and connectivity
Authors: Manyam Harish , Burri Haran , Casado-Arroyo Ruben , Varma Niraj , Lennerz Carsten , Klug Didier , Carr-White Gerald , Kolli Kranthi , Reyes Ignacio , Nabutovsky Yelena , Boriani Giuseppe 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Aims
Remote monitoring (RM) is the standard of care for follow up of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices. The aim of this study was to compare smartphone-based RM (SM-RM) using patient applications (myMerlinPulse™ app) with traditional bedside monitor RM (BM-RM).

Methods and results
The retrospective study included de-identified US patients who received either SM-RM or BM-RM capable of implantable cardioverter defibrillators or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (Abbott, USA). Patients in SM-RM and BM-RM groups were propensity-score matched on age and gender, device type, implant year, and month. Compliance with RM was quantified as the proportion of patients enrolling in the RM system (Merlin.net™) and transmitting data at least once. Connectivity was measured by the median number of days between consecutive transmissions per patient. Of the initial 9714 patients with SM-RM and 26 679 patients with BM-RM, 9397 patients from each group were matched. Remote monitoring compliance was higher in SM-RM; significantly more patients with SM-RM were enrolled in RM compared with BM-RM (94.4 vs. 85.0%, P &lt; 0.001), similar number of patients in the SM-RM group paired their device (95.1 vs. 95.0%, P = 0.77), but more SM-RM patients transmitted at least once (98.1 vs. 94.3%, P &lt; 0.001). Connectivity was significantly higher in the SM-RM, with patients transmitting data every 1.2 (1.1, 1.7) vs. every 1.7 (1.5, 2.0) days with BM-RM (P &lt; 0.001) and remained better over time. Significantly more SM-RM patients utilized patient-initiated transmissions compared with BM-RM (55.6 vs. 28.1%, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusion
In this large real-world study, patients with SM-RM demonstrated improved compliance and connectivity compared with BM-RM.
The technique of balloon occlusion-assisted repair of a pseudoaneurysm originated from the side branch of an ascending aortic prosthetic graft via mini-thoracotomy
Authors: Handa Kazuma , Shijo Takayuki , Shimamura Kazuo , Miyagawa Shigeru 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
A 69-year-old woman underwent aortic root reimplantation and graft replacement of the ascending aorta 12 years ago. A pseudoaneurysm (2.5 cm × 3 cm) arising from the side branch of the ascending aortic prosthetic graft was incidentally detected on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. After endovascular balloon occlusion of the side branch through the left subclavian artery, the side branch was exposed via right mini-thoracotomy in the third intercostal space. After circumferential dissection, the side branch was ligated uneventfully. The patient was discharged home on postoperative day 7 without any complications.
Antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Smith Cameron A , Ashby Ben 
Published: November 2022

AbstractObjectives/aims: Prolonged infections of immunocompromised individuals have been proposed as a crucial source of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In principle, sustained within-host antigenic evolution in immunocompromised hosts could allow novel immune escape variants to emerge more rapidly, but little is known about how and when immunocompromised hosts play a critical role in pathogen evolution.Materials and methods: Here, we use a simple mathematical model to understand the effects of immunocompromised hosts on the emergence of immune escape variants in the presence and absence of epistasis.Conclusions: We show that when the pathogen does not have to cross a fitness valley for immune escape to occur (no epistasis), immunocompromised individuals have no qualitative effect on antigenic evolution (although they may accelerate immune escape if within-host evolutionary dynamics are faster in immunocompromised individuals). But if a fitness valley exists between immune escape variants at the between-host level (epistasis), then persistent infections of immunocompromised individuals allow mutations to accumulate, therefore, facilitating rather than simply speeding up antigenic evolution. Our results suggest that better genomic surveillance of infected immunocompromised individuals and better global health equality, including improving access to vaccines and treatments for individuals who are immunocompromised (especially in lower- and middle-income countries), may be crucial to preventing the emergence of future immune escape variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Left bundle branch area pacing in congenital heart disease
Authors: O’Connor Matthew , Riad Omar , Shi Rui , Hunnybun Dan , Li Wei , Jarman Julian W E , Foran John , Rinaldi Christopher A , Markides Vias , Gatzoulis Michael A , Wong Tom 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimsLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has been shown to be effective and safe. Limited data are available on LBBAP in the congenital heart disease (CHD) population. This study aims to describe the feasibility and safety of LBBAP in CHD patients compared with non-CHD patients.Methods and resultsThis is a single-centre, non-randomized observational study recruiting consecutive patients with bradycardia indication. Demographic data, ECGs, imaging, and procedural data including lead parameters were recorded. A total of 39 patients were included: CHD group (n = 13) and non-CHD group (n = 26). Congenital heart disease patients were younger (55 ± 14.5 years vs. 73.2 ± 13.1, P &lt; 0.001). Acute success was achieved in all CHD patients and 96% (25/26) of non-CHD patients. No complications were encountered in either group. The procedural time for CHD patients was comparable (96.4 ± 54 vs. 82.1 ± 37.9 min, P = 0.356). Sheath reshaping was required in 7 of 13 CHD patients but only in 1 of 26 non-CHD patients, reflecting the complex and distorted anatomy of the patients in this group. Lead parameters were similar in both groups; R wave (11 ± 7 mV vs. 11.5 ± 7.5, P = 0.881) and pacing threshold (0.6 ± 0.3 V vs. 0.7 ± 0.3, P = 0.392). Baseline QRS duration was longer in the CHD group (150 ± 28.2 vs. 118.6 ± 26.6 ms, P = 0.002). Despite a numerically greater reduction in QRS and a similar left ventricular activation time (65.9 ± 6.2 vs. 67 ± 16.8 ms, P = 0.840), the QRS remained longer in the CHD group (135.5 ± 22.4 vs. 106.9 ± 24.7 ms, P = 0.005).ConclusionLeft bundle branch area pacing is feasible and safe in CHD patients as compared to that in non-CHD patients. Procedural and fluoroscopy times did not differ between both groups. Lead parameters were satisfactory and stable over a short-term follow-up.
Opportunities for primary health care: a qualitative study of perinatal health and wellbeing during bushfire crises
Authors: Davis Deborah , Roberts Celia , Williamson Rebecca , Kurz Ella , Barnes Katelyn , Behie Alison M , Aroni Rosalie , Nolan Christopher J , Phillips Christine 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Background
During the summer of 2019/2020, Australia experienced a catastrophic wildfire season that affected nearly 80% of Australians either directly or indirectly. The impacts of climate crisis on perinatal health have only recently begun to receive attention. The objective of this study was to understand experiences of perinatal women during the bushfire and smoke events of 2019–2020 regarding health, health care, and public health messaging.

Methods
Semistructured interviews were conducted by phone or web conferencing platforms with 43 participants living in the south-east of Australia who were either pregnant or who had recently had a baby during the 2019/2020 fires.

Results
The health impacts on participants of the fires, associated smoke, and evacuations for some, were both physical and psychological. Many participants sought information regarding how to protect their own health and that of their unborn/recently born children, but reported this difficult to find.

Conclusions
Pregnant women and new mothers exposed to bushfire events are a risk group for adverse physical and psychological outcomes. At the time of the 2019/2020 Australian bushfires, exposed women could not easily access evidence-based information to mitigate this risk. Family practitioners are well placed to provide pregnant women and new mothers with this sought-after information, but they need to be prepared well in advance of future similar events.
Effects of modified biochars on the shifts of short-chain fatty acid profile, iron reduction, and bacterial community in paddy soil
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhong Linrui , Hu Yingju , Fu Leiling , Hu Xingxin , Gu Yujing , Xie Qingqing , Liang Fangyi , Liu Qi , Lu Yue 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Biochar is well known as an effective means for soil amendment, and modification on biochar with different methods could improve the benefits for environmental remediation. In this study, two modified biochars were generated with nitric acid (NBC) and hydrogen peroxide (OBC) pretreatment, and a control biochar was produced after washing with deionized water (WBC). The dynamics of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), iron concentration and bacterial community in rice paddy soil amended with different biochars or without adding biochar (CK) were studied during 70 days of anaerobic incubation. Compared to CK treatment, the accumulation of SCFAs was largely inhibited by the amendment of biochars. Besides, OBC and WBC increased the accumulation of Fe(II) at the initial stage of incubation. Via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, modified biochars caused significant response of bacterial community in comparison to WBC at Day 0–1, and three biochars favored bacterial α-diversity in the paddy soil at the end of the incubation. Interestingly, positive and negative correlations between NBC and several bacteria taxa (e.g. Geobacter, Fonticella and Clostridium) were observed. The study revealed that modified biochars had significant effects on the shifts of SCFAs, Fe(III) reduction and bacterial diversity, which provides fundamental information for future application of modified biochars in rice cropping ecosystem.
The relationship between zinc deficiency and infectious complications in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Li Xinhua , Wang Lu , He Na , Zhang Yeqiong , Pang Jiahui , Wang Heping , Yu Meng , Mei Yongyu , Peng Liang , Xu Wenxiong 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of zinc deficiency is high in patients with chronic liver disease, but few studies have hitherto explored the relationship between the serum zinc level and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). This study aimed to assess the association between zinc deficiency and infectious complications, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with HBV-related ACLF.

Methods
Patients with HBV-related ACLF from the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between January 2019 and December 2019 were retrospectively analysed in this study. Their demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrieved from the hospital information system and analysed. The Student’s t-test was used for normally distributed continuous variables between two groups and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent parameters.

Results
A total of 284 patients were included in this study, including 205 liver cirrhosis and 79 non-cirrhosis patients. The proportion of patients with zinc deficiency was the highest (84.5%), followed by subclinical zinc deficiency (14.1%) and normal zinc level (1.4%). Patients in the zinc deficiency group had a higher MELD score than the subclinical zinc deficiency or normal zinc group (P = 0.021). Age, total bilirubin, and serum zinc level were independent factors for infection (Ps &lt; 0.05). The serum zinc level in patients without complications at admission was significantly higher than that in patients with complications (P = 0.004). Moreover, the serum zinc level in patients with prothrombin time activity (PTA) of &lt;20% was significantly lower than that in patients with 20% ≤ PTA &lt; 30% (P = 0.007) and that in patients with 30% ≤ PTA &lt; 40% (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
Zinc deficiency is common in patients with HBV-related ACLF. Zinc deficiency is closely associated with infectious complications and MELD score in patients with HBV-related ACLF.
The Social Cost of Providing Care to Older Adults With and Without Dementia
Authors: Patterson Sarah E , Tate Ashley M , Hu Yi-Ling , Wang Jue (Jessie) , Schoeni Robert F , Choi HwaJung 
Published: November 2022

AbstractObjectivesSocial participation is known to enhance well-being. Caregiving responsibilities are more intense when caring for an older adult with than without dementia and may affect caregivers’ ability for social participation. We estimate social participation restrictions among caregivers for older persons with versus without dementia, variation within racial/ethnic group, and the mediating effect of care hours.MethodsWe use the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC) to study family caregivers for older adults. We estimate the prevalence of social participation (e.g., visiting family/friends, religious activities, group/club activities, going out) that were important to the caregiver but missed due to caregiving. We use logistic models to test for differences in restrictions by the older adult’s dementia status overall and within race/ethnic group, adjusting for caregiver and care receiver characteristics.ResultsOne-third of family caregivers for older adults with dementia reported restrictions due to caregiving, double the prevalence among caregivers of an older adult without dementia (33.3% vs 16.0%; p &lt; .001). This doubling gap persisted in adjusted models (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; p &lt; .01) but mainly for White, non-Hispanic caregivers (OR = 3.2; p &lt; .001). Substantially greater caregiving hours for people with versus without dementia was found (104 vs 60 hr per month), which is responsible for about 21% of the total difference in restrictions (p &lt; .05).DiscussionMore time spent among caregivers of persons with versus without dementia may be an important factor undermining social participation, but hours only partially explain the gap. Future interventions should consider how to facilitate social participation among caregivers.
Predicted and observed impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns: two Health Impact Assessments in Scotland and Wales
Authors: Green Liz , Ashton Kathryn , Bellis Mark , Clements Timo , Douglas Margaret 
Published: November 2022

AbstractHealth Impact Assessment is a key approach used internationally to identify positive or negative impacts of policies, plans and proposals on health and well-being. In 2020, HIAs were undertaken in Scotland and Wales to identify the potential health and well-being impacts of the ‘stay at home’ and physical distancing measures implemented at the start of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. There is sparse evidence evaluating whether the impacts predicted in HIAs occur following policy implementation. This paper evaluates the impacts anticipated in the COVID-19 HIAs against actual observed trends. The processes undertaken were compared and predicted impacts were tabulated by population groups and main determinants of health. Routine data and literature evidence were collated to compare predicted and observed impacts. Nearly all health impacts anticipated in both HIAs have occurred in the direction predicted. There have been significant adverse impacts through multiple direct and indirect pathways including loss of income, social isolation, disruption to education and services, and psychosocial effects. This research demonstrates the value of prediction in impact assessment and fills a gap in the literature by comparing the predicted impacts identified within the HIAs with observed trends. Post-COVID-19 recovery should centre health and well-being within future policies and decisions. Processes like HIA can support this as part of a ‘health in all policies’ approach to improve the health and well-being of populations.
Reviving health promotion in South Australia: The role of ideas, actors and institutional forces
Authors: Musolino Connie , van Eyk Helen , Freeman Toby , Fisher Matt , MacDougall Colin , Williams Carmel , Baum Fran 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Globally health promotion has remained marginalized while biomedical health systems have maintained and even increased their dominance. During 2019–2021 we drew on the local and historical knowledge of actors from multiple sectors through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, to assess the implications of the withdrawal of the state from health promotion in a suburban region of South Australia. Institutional theory enabled in-depth analysis of the ideas, actors, and institutional forces at play in the institutional field, and how these elements come together to maintain the dominance of medicine. We found that the ideas, actors and institutional forces supporting health promotion in the study region have weakened and fragmented. This has happened as biomedicine has increased its dominance in the region’s health system, mirroring international trends. The results point to a withdrawal of state and federal governments from health promotion, which has led to severe gaps in leadership and governance, and locally, to a decline in capacity and resources. The state health department reallocated resources to focus on individual behavioural change rather than more structural factors affecting health. While some activities aimed at the social determinants of health or community development strategies remained, these had minimal institutional support. The establishment of a state government wellbeing agency in 2020 prompted an exploration to determine whether the agency and the international wellbeing movement presents an opportunity for a revival of more comprehensive health promotion.
Community priorities for obesity prevention among low-income adults in Kuala Lumpur: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Kocher Erica , Wood Dallas , Lim Shiang-Cheng , Jackson-Morris Angie , Kataria Ishu , Ngongo Carrie , Sham Zhi , Chandran Arunah , Nugent Rachel , Mustapha Feisul Idzwan 
Published: November 2022

Summary
Non-communicable diseases and associated risk factors, such as obesity, are prevalent and increasing in Malaysia. To address this burden and the heightened vulnerability of low-income communities to these risk factors, the Better Health Programme Malaysia conducted a partial-profile discrete choice experiment (DCE) to inform the design of a community-based obesity-prevention programme. The DCE survey was conducted with community members (n = 1453) from three publicly supported low-cost, high-rise flat complexes in urban Kuala Lumpur. In the survey, community members were asked to choose between different sets of potential evidence-based interventions for obesity prevention. Their responses to these choice tasks were analysed to quantify preferences for these different health interventions using a random utility maximization model. Based on these results, we determined participants’ relative prioritization of the different options. The most preferred interventions were those that reduced the price of fruit and vegetables; altered cooking practices at restaurants and food vendors to reduce salt, sugar and oil; and offered reward incentives for completing online educational activities. Community members did not prioritize several evidence-based interventions, including changes to product placement or product labelling, suggesting that these effective approaches may be less familiar or simply not preferred by respondents. The DCE enabled the clear articulation of these community priorities for evidence-based interventions that focus on the supply and promotion of affordable healthy foods within the local food environment, as well as community demand for healthier food options.
ACR’s Connect and AI-LAB technical framework
Authors: Brink Laura , Coombs Laura P , Kattil Veettil Deepak , Kuchipudi Kashyap , Marella Sailaja , Schmidt Kendall , Nair Sujith Surendran , Tilkin Michael , Treml Christopher , Chang Ken , Kalpathy-Cramer Jayashree 
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Objective
To develop a free, vendor-neutral software suite, the American College of Radiology (ACR) Connect, which serves as a platform for democratizing artificial intelligence (AI) for all individuals and institutions.

Materials and Methods
Among its core capabilities, ACR Connect provides educational resources; tools for dataset annotation; model building and evaluation; and an interface for collaboration and federated learning across institutions without the need to move data off hospital premises.

Results
The AI-LAB application within ACR Connect allows users to investigate AI models using their own local data while maintaining data security. The software enables non-technical users to participate in the evaluation and training of AI models as part of a larger, collaborative network.

Discussion
Advancements in AI have transformed automated quantitative analysis for medical imaging. Despite the significant progress in research, AI is currently underutilized in current clinical workflows. The success of AI model development depends critically on the synergy between physicians who can drive clinical direction, data scientists who can design effective algorithms, and the availability of high-quality datasets. ACR Connect and AI-LAB provide a way to perform external validation as well as collaborative, distributed training.

Conclusion
In order to create a collaborative AI ecosystem across clinical and technical domains, the ACR developed a platform that enables non-technical users to participate in education and model development.
False-Positive Amphetamines in Urine Drug Screens: A 6-Year Review
Authors: Pope Jeffrey D , Drummer Olaf H , Schneider Hans G 
Published: November 2022

AbstractImmunoassays are routinely used to provide rapid urine drug screening results in the clinical setting. These screening tests are prone to false-positive results and ideally require confirmation by mass spectrometry. In this study, we have examined a large number of urine specimens where drugs other than amphetamines may have caused a false-positive amphetamine immunoassay screening result. Urine drug screens (12,250) in a clinical laboratory that used the CEDIA amphetamine/ecstasy method were reviewed for false-positive results over a 6-year period (2015–2020). An additional 3,486 referred samples, for which confirmatory--mass spectrometry was requested, were also reviewed. About 86 in-house samples and 175 referral samples that were CEDIA false-positive screens were further analyzed by an LC–QTOF general unknown screen. Potential cross-reacting drugs were identified, and their molecular similarities to the CEDIA targets were determined. Commercial standards were also analyzed for cross-reactivity in the amphetamine/ecstasy CEDIA screen. Positive amphetamine results in 3.9% of in-house samples and 9.9% of referred tests for confirmatory analysis were false positive for amphetamines. Of these false-positive specimens, on average, 6.8 drugs were detected by the LC–QTOF screen. Several drugs were identified as possible cross-reacting drugs to the CEDIA amphetamine/ecstasy assay. Maximum common substructure scores for 70 potential cross-reacting compounds were calculated. This was not helpful in identifying cross-reacting drugs. False-positive amphetamine screens make up to 3.9–9.9% of positive amphetamine screens in the clinical laboratory. Knowledge of cross-reacting drugs may be helpful when mass spectrometry testing is unavailable.