bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Myocardial mechanics of percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Juan , Shi Yu , Sievert Horst , Taub Cynthia C , Bertog Stefan , Ta Shengjun , Changhui Lei , Senser Ethan , Wang Jing , Hu Rui , Huang Junzhe , Ruan Fangqi , Han Yupeng , Li Xiaojuan , Wang Bo , Zhao Xueli , Liu Jiao , Hsi David H , Liu Liwen 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveEchocardiography-guided Percutaneous IntraMyocardial Septal Radiofrequency Ablation (PIMSRA, Liwen procedure) is a novel treatment option for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The impact of PIMSRA on myocardial mechanics is unknown.MethodsBetween October 2016 and June 2019, PIMSRA and 3-dimentional speckle tracking echocardiography were performed in 82 patients. Echocardiographic imaging, qualitative and quantitative clinical assessment were completed at baseline, immediately postprocedure and 1-year follow-up.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in the peak left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradients immediately following PIMSRA and at 1-year follow-up (resting gradients: from 83.50 (61.25) to 23.00 (41.75) mm Hg, p<0.001 and 13.50 (21.75) mm Hg, p<0.001, respectively; stress-induced gradients: from 118.25 (96.02) to 47.00 (74.50) mm Hg (1 year), p<0.001). There was an improvement in exercise time on stress echocardiography (p<0.001) and distance by 6 min walk test (p=0.034). Immediately after PIMSRA, there was a significant reduction in radial and circumferential strain in the ablated segments (p<0.001), with no change of longitudinal strain. At 1-year follow-up, the radial and circumferential strain recovered in the ablated segments. Meanwhile, left ventricular regional and global longitudinal strain had improved significantly (p<0.05).ConclusionsPIMSRA is an effective treatment for symptomatic HOCM that resulted in a sustained improvement in exercise capacity, a persistent decrease in LVOT gradient, and a measurable increase in myocardial contractile function.Trial registration numberNCT04777188.
Thyroid autoantibodies
Authors: Dwivedi Shivangi Nikhil , Kalaria Tejas , Buch Harit 
Published: October 2022

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TSH-R-Ab or TRAb) testing plays a pivotal role in arriving at the aetiological diagnosis in patients with thyrotoxicosis. A positive test establishes the diagnosis of Graves’ disease (GD) while a negative result in conjunction with imaging studies supports other possible aetiologies. In patients with GD, TRAb levels at diagnosis and at the time of withdrawal of antithyroid drugs can identify patients who are unlikely to achieve remission and guide clinical management decisions. We provide an algorithm that incorporates TRAb in the decision-making process for the management of thyrotoxicosis. The utility of TRAb in predicting the risk of fetal and neonatal thyroid dysfunction is established and widely accepted in guidelines. TRAb may also help in the diagnosis of Graves’ orbitopathy, especially in euthyroid or hypothyroid patients and its role in guiding its management is evolving as a useful adjunct to the clinical parameters used in making therapeutic decisions.Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) indicate thyroid autoimmunity. The most common use of TPOAb is to identify patients at a higher risk of progression to treatment-requiring hypothyroidism. They also aid the diagnosis of immune thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s encephalopathy. Thyroglobulin measurement is used to help guide differentiated thyroid cancer treatment. TgAb is used as an accompanying test with thyroglobulin measurement as its presence can interfere with the thyroglobulin assay. A negative TgAb result reduces the likelihood of, but does not exclude, interference with thyroglobulin assay.
Quantification of physiological and mental workloads of faster and slower finishers of a long-distance military training activity
Authors: Chatterjee Tirthankar , Bhattacharyya D , Yadav A , Pal M 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundLong-distance runs with equipment are practised in military training establishments to develop physical stamina and prepare for battles. A study was planned to quantify and compare the physiological and mental workloads of the early and late finishers of a military endurance run through the jungle terrain of north-eastern India in hot and humid conditions.MethodsTwenty-five soldiers of the Indian Army completed a 15 km run through a rural and jungle track with 6.5 kg of equipment. Twelve participants who finished the race before 130 min were categorised as ‘early finishers’, and 13 were categorised as ‘late finishers’ who finished the race after 130 min. Physiological parameters, viz., heart rate (HR), breathing rate (BR), estimated core temperature (ECT), peak acceleration (PAC), and physiological intensity (PHYI) and mechanical intensity (MECHI) were recorded using BioHarness V.3 (Zephyr Technologies, USA) and NASA Task Load Index scores were obtained to assess mental workload. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to assess the level of significance at a p value of <0.05.ResultsHR, ECT and PAC were significantly higher (167.9 and 156.0 beats/min, 39.0℃ and 38.4℃, and 1.1 and 1.0 g, respectively) for the first group compared with the second group. The second group expressed higher BR and subjective responses (‘total scores’ were 76.5 and 82.5, respectively) than the first. The PHYI was significantly higher (from 7.2 to 6.3) for the first group, whereas the MECHI was similar in both groups.ConclusionThe successful completion by the first group can be attributed to their motivation to continue heavy work in an adverse environment, and their ability to negotiate with natural obstacles was reflected through controlled subjective responses. Adoption of a possible safe and stable approach to the same task might have led the second group to take a longer duration, exert higher mental effort and demand lower physiological cost.
Ever and cumulative occupational exposure and lung function decline in longitudinal population-based studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rabbani Golam , Nimmi Naima , Benke Geza P , Dharmage Shyamali C , Bui Dinh , Sim Malcolm R , Abramson Michael J , Alif Sheikh M 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesAdverse occupational exposures can accelerate age-related lung function decline. Some longitudinal population-based studies have investigated this association. This study aims to examine this association using findings reported by longitudinal population-based studies.MethodsOvid Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using keywords and text words related to occupational exposures and lung function and 12 longitudinal population-based studies were identified using predefined inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Lung function decline was defined as annual loss of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) or the ratio (FEV1/FVC). Fixed and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to calculate pooled estimates for ever and cumulative exposures. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2test, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots.ResultsEver exposures to gases/fumes, vapours, gases, dusts, fumes (VGDF) and aromatic solvents were significantly associated with FEV1decline in meta-analyses. Cumulative exposures for these three occupational agents observed a similar trend of FEV1decline. Ever exposures to fungicides and cumulative exposures to biological dust, fungicides and insecticides were associated with FEV1decline in fixed-effect models only. No statistically significant association was observed between mineral dust, herbicides and metals and FEV1decline in meta-analyses.ConclusionPooled estimates from the longitudinal population-based studies have provided evidence that occupational exposures are associated with FEV1decline. Specific exposure control and respiratory health surveillance are required to protect the lung health of the workers.
Do different job demands interact as predictors of long-term sickness absence? A register-based follow-up on 55 467 Danish workers
Authors: Clausen Thomas , Sørensen Jeppe Karl , Dalsager Louise , Karlsen Iben Louise , Kristiansen Jesper 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesTo assess interactions between combinations of quantitative demands, emotional demands, unclear and contradictory demands, and violence/threats of violence in the prospective association with risk of long-term sickness absence (LTSA).MethodsWe included 55 467 employees from the 2012, 2014 and 2016 waves of the Work Environment and Health in Denmark (WEHD) survey. We measured the four independent variables in the WEHD survey and assessed risk of LTSA in a national register during 12 months of follow-up. Using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, sex, educational attainment and job group, we estimated risk of LTSA and assessed deviation from additivity using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI).ResultsFor combinations of high emotional demands and high quantitative demands (HR 1.50; 95% CI 1.33 to 1.70; RERI 0.06; 95% CI −0.15 o 0.26) and high emotional demands and violence/threats of violence (HR 1.76; 95% CI 1.53 to 2.02; RERI 0.12; 95% CI −0.43 to 0.66) we found no indications of deviations from additive effects in predicting LTSA. For combinations of violence/threats of violence and high quantitative demands (HR 1.90; 95% CI 1.64 to 2.20; RERI 0.36; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.71) and unclear and contradictory demands and high quantitative demands (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.31 to 1.62; RERI 0.23; 95% CI 0.04 to 0.42) the results indicated an excess risk of LTSA above additivity (ie, superadditivity).ConclusionsParticipants reporting high quantitative demands combined with either violence/threats of violence or unclear and contradictory demands showed a higher risk of LTSA than expected, indicating superadditivity. Results have implications for preventing negative health effects related to adverse psychosocial working conditions.
Worse long-term renal outcome of lupus nephritis patients of African descent living in Europe
Authors: Enfrein Antoine , Pirson Valérie , Le Guern Véronique , Karras Adexandre , Tamirou Farah , Costedoat-Chalumeau Nathalie , Houssiau Frederic 
Published: October 2022

IntroductionPrognosis of lupus nephritis (LN) among patients of African descent living in Europe has been understudied.MethodsIn a retrospective study performed in two European university hospitals, we compared the prognosis of LN in patients of African descent or Caucasians. Remission was defined as a urine protein to creatinine (uP/C) ratio<0.5 g/g and a serum creatinine value<120% of baseline. Renal relapse was defined as the reappearance of a uP/C>1 g/g, leading to a repeat kidney biopsy and/or immunosuppressive treatment change. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate≤60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Adherence was retrospectively assessed through medical files and/or hydroxychloroquine level measurements.Results52 patients of African descent and 85 Caucasian patients were included in this analysis. Class III and isolated class V LN were more common among patients of African descent. Time to first renal remission did not differ between ethnic subgroups. By contrast, patients of African descent suffered from earlier renal flares, CKD was more common and time to CKD was shorter after a flare. In a multivariate analysis, African ancestry was an independent risk factor for progression to CKD. We observed no significant difference in non-adherence to treatment between the two groups.ConclusionLN patients of African descent have worse renal outcomes, mainly explained by a higher rate of renal flare.
Respiratory distress symptom intervention for non-pharmacological management of the lung cancer breathlessness–cough–fatigue symptom cluster: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yorke Janelle , Johnson Miriam J , Punnett Grant , Smith Jaclyn , Blackhall Fiona , Lloyd Williams Mari , Mackereth Peter , Haines Jemma , Ryder David , Krishan Ashma , Davies Linda , Khan Aysha , Molassiotis Alex 
Published: October 2022

ObjectivesIn lung cancer, three prominent symptoms, such as breathlessness, cough and fatigue, are closely related with each other forming a ‘respiratory distress symptom cluster’. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the respiratory distress symptom intervention (RDSI) for the management of this symptom cluster in people with lung cancer.MethodsA single blind, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial conducted in eight centres in England, UK. A total of 263 patients with lung cancer were randomised, including 132 who received RDSI and 131 who received standard care. To be eligible, participants self-reported adverse impact in daily life from at least two of the three symptoms, in any combination. Outcomes were change at 12 weeks for each symptom within the cluster, including Dyspnoea-12 (D-12), Manchester Cough in Lung Cancer (MCLC) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue.ResultsAt baseline, nearly 60% of participants reported all three symptoms. At trial completion the total trial attrition was 109 (41.4%). Compared with the control group, the RDSI group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in D-12 (p=0.007) and MCLC (p<0.001). The minimal clinically important difference MCID) was achieved for each outcome: D-12 –4.13 (MCID >3), MCLC −5.49 (MCID >3) and FACIT-F 4.91 (MCID >4).ConclusionRDSI is a clinically effective, low-risk intervention to support the management of the respiratory distress symptom cluster in lung cancer. However, the study did experience high attrition, which needs to be taken onto consideration when interpreting these results.Trial registration numberNCT03223805.
Standard smokeless tobacco packaging: potential impact on perceived attractiveness, warning label visibility and harm perceptions among adults in Bangladesh
Authors: Czaplicki Lauren , Saraf Sejal , Kroart Laura , Rasheduzzaman A B M , Islam M Shamimul , Cohen Joanna E 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundIn Bangladesh, smokeless tobacco (SLT) is available in a variety of pack shapes and sizes. Lack of standard packaging could limit compliance with pictorial health warning label (HWL) requirements. We explored Bangladeshi SLT users’ and non-users’ perceptions of a proposed standard pack shape forgul(tobacco powder) andzordha(chewing tobacco), including the role that HWL placement plays on harm perceptions.MethodsWe conducted 28 focus groups across three regions of Bangladesh: Dhaka, Sylhet and Khulna. Groups were stratified equally by urban/rural residence, gender and SLT use. Trained facilitators used a standardised guide to discuss perceived attractiveness, noticeability of HWLs and perceived harm of current versus standard packs.ResultsMost groups found bright colours, ‘brand owner’ portrait imagery, and strong, sturdy pack material of current packs attractive. Many of the same features increased perceived attractiveness of the standard packs. Pictorial HWLs on the standard packs appeared larger and increased the visibility and noticeability of HWLs compared with current packs. Lack of HWLs or limited visibility of HWL due to discolouration contributed to lower levels of perceived harm of the current packs. In contrast, HWL prominence and placement on both sides of the standard pack increased perceived harm of standard packs.ConclusionThe findings suggest a standard shape and size for SLT sold in Bangladesh, coupled with proper implementation of HWLs per the law, could improve HWL noticeability and increase harm perceptions. Additional plain packaging policies that also standardise pack colour may be required to reduce attractive colours and branding.
Frequency and severity of respiratory infections prior to COPD diagnosis and risk of subsequent postdiagnosis COPD exacerbations and mortality: EXACOS-UK health care data study
Authors: Whittaker Hannah , Nordon Clementine , Rubino Annalisa , Morris Tamsin , Xu Yang , De Nigris Enrico , Müllerová Hana , Quint Jennifer K 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveLittle is known about how lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) before chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with future exacerbations and mortality. We investigated this association in patients with COPD in England.MethodsClinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum, Hospital Episode Statistics and Office of National Statistics data were used. Start of follow-up was patient’s first ever COPD diagnosis date and a 1-year baseline period prior to start of follow-up was used to find mild LRTIs (general practice (GP) events/no antibiotics), moderate LRTIs (GP events+antibiotics) and severe LRTIs (hospitalised). Patients were categorised as having: none, 1 mild only, 2+ mild only, 1 moderate, 2+ moderate and 1+ severe. Negative binomial regression modelled the association between baseline LRTIs and subsequent COPD exacerbations and Cox proportional hazard regression was used to investigate mortality.ResultsIn 215 234 patients with COPD, increasing frequency and severity of mild and moderate LRTIs were associated with increased rates of subsequent exacerbations compared with no recorded LRTIs (1 mild adjusted IRR 1.16, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.18, 2+ mild IRR 1.51, 95% CI 1.46 to 1.55, 1 moderate IRR 1.81, 95% CI 1.78 to 1.85, 2+ moderate IRR 2.55, 95% CI 2.48 to 2.63). Patients with 1+ severe LRTI (vs no baseline LRTIs) also showed an increased rate of future exacerbations (adjusted IRR 1.75, 95% CI, 1.70 to 1.80). This pattern of association was similar for risk of all-cause and COPD-related mortality; however, patients with 1+ severe LRTIs had the highest risk of all-cause and COPD mortality.ConclusionIncreasing frequency and severity of LRTIs prior to COPD diagnosis were associated with increasing rates of subsequent exacerbations, and increasing risk of all-cause and COPD-related mortality.
Antibiotic prophylaxis for tube thoracostomy placement in trauma: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
Authors: Freeman Jennifer J , Asfaw Sofya H , Vatsaas Cory J , Yorkgitis Brian K , Haines Krista L , Burns J Bracken , Kim Dennis , Loomis Erica A , Kerwin Andy J , McDonald Amy , Agarwal, Suresh , Fox Nicole , Haut Elliott R , Crandall Marie L , Como John J , Kasotakis George 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundAntibiotic prophylaxis is routinely administered for most operative procedures, but their utility for certain bedside procedures remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis and developed evidence-based recommendations on whether trauma patients receiving tube thoracostomy (TT) for traumatic hemothorax or pneumothorax should receive antibiotic prophylaxis.MethodsPublished literature was searched through MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase (via Elsevier), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (via Wiley), Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov databases by a professional librarian. The date ranges for our literature search were January 1900 to March 2020. A systematic review and meta-analysis of currently available evidence were performed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology.ResultsFourteen relevant studies were identified and analyzed. All but one were prospective, with eight being prospective randomized control studies. Antibiotic prophylaxis protocols ranged from a single dose at insertion to 48 hours post-TT removal. The pooled data showed that patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis were significantly less likely to develop empyema (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.86, p=0.01). The benefit was greater in patients with penetrating injuries (penetrating OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.59, p=0.002, vs blunt OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.06 to 1.12, p=0.07). Administration of antibiotic prophylaxis did not significantly affect pneumonia incidence or mortality.DiscussionIn adult trauma patients who require TT insertion, we conditionally recommend antibiotic prophylaxis be given at the time of insertion to reduce incidence of empyema.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018088759.
Search strategy for gluinos at the LHC with a Higgs boson decaying into tau leptons
Authors: Arganda Ernesto , Delgado Antonio , Morales Roberto A. , Quirós Mariano 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe possibility in supersymmetric scenarios that the dark matter candidate is a Higgsino-like neutralino means that its production can be associated with Higgs bosons. Taking advantage of this fact, we propose a LHC search strategy for gluinos with $$\tau $$
τ
leptons in the final state, coming from the decay of a Higgs boson. We consider the strong production of a pair of gluinos, one of which decays into the Higgsino plus jets while the other decays into the bino plus jets. In turn, this bino decays into the Higgsino plus a Higgs boson which finally decays into a $$\tau $$
τ
-lepton pair. Therefore, the experimental signature under study consists of 4 jets, 2 $$\tau $$
τ
leptons, and a large amount of missing transverse energy. This work represents a proof of principle of a search that is sensitive to a spectrum such that the gluino does not directly decay to the dark matter candidate but to an intermediate electroweakino that then produces Higgs bosons in its subsequent decay. Our cut-based search strategy allows us to reach, for a LHC center-of-mass energy of 14 TeV and a total integrated luminosity of 1 ab$$^{-1}$$

-
1

, significances of up to 2 standard deviations, considering systematic uncertainties in the SM background of 30%. The projections for 3 ab$$^{-1}$$

-
1

are encouraging, with significances at the evidence level, which in more optimistic experimental scenarios could exceed 4 standard deviations.
First-class names for effect handlers
Authors: Xie Ningning , Cong Youyou , Ikemori Kazuki , Leijen Daan 
Published: October 2022

Algebraic effects and handlers are a promising technique for incorporating composable computational effects into functional programming languages. Effect handlers enable concisely programming with different effects, but they do not offer a convenient way to program with different instances of the same effect. As a solution to this inconvenience, previous studies have introduced _named effect handlers_, which allow the programmer to distinguish among different effect instances. However, existing formalizations of named handlers are both involved and restrictive, as they employ non-standard mechanisms to prevent the escaping of handler names.
In this paper, we propose a simple and flexible design of named handlers. Specifically, we treat handler names as first-class values, and prevent their escaping while staying within the ordinary λ-calculus. Such a design is enabled by combining named handlers with _scoped effects_, a novel variation of effects that maintain a scope via rank-2 polymorphism. We formalize two combinations of named handlers and scoped effects, and implement them in the Koka programming language. We also present practical applications of named handlers, including a neural network and a unification algorithm.
Parsing randomness
Authors: Goldstein Harrison , Pierce Benjamin C. 
Published: October 2022

Random data generators can be thought of as parsers of streams of randomness. This perspective on generators for random data structures is established folklore in the programming languages community, but it has never been formalized, nor have its consequences been deeply explored.
We build on the idea of freer monads to develop free generators, which unify parsing and generation using a common structure that makes the relationship between the two concepts precise. Free generators lead naturally to a proof that a monadic generator can be factored into a parser plus a distribution over choice sequences. Free generators also support a notion of derivative, analogous to the familiar Brzozowski derivatives of formal languages, allowing analysis tools to "preview" the effect of a particular generator choice. This gives rise to a novel algorithm for generating data structures satisfying user-specified preconditions.