bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term outcomes of percutaneous tricuspid annuloplasty with Cardioband device
Authors: Pardo Sanz Ana , Gómez José Luis Zamorano , Tahoces Luisa Salido , Ruiz Juan Manuel Monteagudo , Martín Ana García , Gómez Ariana González , Baydes Rocío Hinojar , Sequeiros María Abellás , Fernández Marcelo Sanmartín , Barceló José Luis Mestre , Ferrer Eduardo González , Santos Sara Fernández , Lobán Covadonga Fernández-Golfín , Recalde Ángel Sánchez 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has adverse effects on outcomes, with limited therapeutic options. We report the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous annuloplasty as a treatment of  ≥severe functional TR in a single centre.

Methods and results
Prospective, single-arm, single-centre study that enrolled 24 consecutive patients with at least severe functional TR undergoing percutaneous annuloplasty with Cardioband system between 2019 and 2021. Clinical and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected, with a mean follow-up of 279 ± 246 days. At baseline, 66.6% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classes III and IV and 100% had significant oedema. Technical success was 91.6%. At the end of follow-up, there was one death. Echocardiography showed a significant reduction in septolateral annular diameter of 10.4 mm (P &lt; 0.001) that remained stable at the end of follow-up. The severity of the TR was also reduced. About 81.8% of patients were in NYHA Classes I and II. The number of patients with significant oedema decreased to 46% (P = 0.01). Six-minute walk distance improved by 68.8 m (P = 0.12).

Conclusion
Percutaneous annuloplasty with Cardioband system is an effective and safe treatment for patients with symptomatic, ≥severe functional TR. Annular reduction and TR severity reduction remained significant and sustained for 1 year. Patients experienced improvements in quality of life and exercise capacity.
How useful is it to teach affixes in intermediate classes?
Authors: Ur Penny 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
It is assumed by many teachers and materials writers that it is important to teach at all levels the forms and meanings of derivational prefixes and suffixes, as an important aid to learning new words in English. However, corpus evidence suggests that knowledge of the meanings of such components occurring within the most common 5,000 words in English—a rough upper target vocabulary level for intermediate-level (B1) students—does not, in most cases, help learners at this level to understand the words of which they form a part. It is concluded that probably only a relatively small number of prefixes and suffixes are worth teaching in courses for intermediate classes.
Which ‘imperfect vaccines’ encourage the evolution of higher virulence?
Authors: Bull James J , Antia Rustom 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and objectivesTheory suggests that some types of vaccines against infectious pathogens may lead to the evolution of variants that cause increased harm, particularly when they infect unvaccinated individuals. This theory was supported by the observation that the use of an imperfect vaccine to control Marek’s disease virus in chickens resulted in the virus evolving to be more lethal to unvaccinated birds. This raises the concern that the use of some other vaccines may lead to similar pernicious outcomes. We examine that theory with a focus on considering the regimes in which such outcomes are expected.MethodologyWe evaluate the plausibility of assumptions in the original theory. The previous theory rested heavily on a particular form of transmission–mortality–recovery trade-off and invoked other assumptions about the pathways of evolution. We review alternatives to mortality in limiting transmission and consider evolutionary pathways that were omitted in the original theory.ResultsThe regime where the pernicious evolutionary outcome occurs is narrowed by our analysis but remains possible in various scenarios. We propose a more nuanced consideration of alternative models for the within-host dynamics of infections and for factors that limit virulence. Our analysis suggests imperfect vaccines against many pathogens will not lead to the evolution of pathogens with increased virulence in unvaccinated individuals.Conclusions and implicationsEvolution of greater pathogen mortality driven by vaccination remains difficult to predict, but the scope for such outcomes appears limited. Incorporation of mechanistic details into the framework, especially regarding immunity, may be requisite for prediction accuracy.Lay SummaryA virus of chickens appears to have evolved high mortality in response to a vaccine that merely prevented disease symptoms. Theory has predicted this type of evolution in response to a variety of vaccines and other interventions such as drug treatment. Under what circumstances is this pernicious result likely to occur? Analysis of the theory in light of recent changes in our understanding of viral biology raises doubts that medicine-driven, pernicious evolution is likely to be common. But we are far from a mechanistic understanding of the interaction between pathogen and host that can predict when vaccines and other medical interventions will lead to the unwanted evolution of more virulent pathogens. So, while the regime where a pernicious result obtains may be limited, caution remains warranted in designing many types of interventions.
Technology, labour market institutions and early retirement
Authors: Yashiro Naomitsu , Kyyrä Tomi , Hwang Hyunjeong , Tuomala Juha 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
There are two important barriers to increasing the employment of older workers under rapid technological change. First, older workers engaged in codifiable, routine tasks are particularly prone to the risk of being displaced by computers and robots. Second, several countries have in place various labour market institutions that encourage early retirement, such as exceptional entitlements or looser criteria for unemployment and disability benefits applied to older individuals. We present evidence that these two factors reinforce each other to push older workers out of employment. We find that older workers who are more exposed to digital technologies face a higher risk of exiting employment and that this effect is significantly magnified when they are eligible for an extension of unemployment benefits until the earliest age for drawing old age pension. Furthermore, we present a simple simulation to illustrate that a policy reform that tightens the eligibility for the benefits extension increases mostly the employment of older workers that are more exposed to digital technologies. Our findings provide an important implication on policies to promote longer working lives under rapid technological change. They highlight the importance of closing institutional pathways to early retirement to encourage employers and older workers to make the necessary investment that would allow older workers to keep up with technological change and work longer.
Improved agricultural input delivery systems for enhancing technology adoption: evidence from a field experiment in Ethiopia
Authors: Yitayew Asresu , Abdulai Awudu , Yigezu Yigezu A 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn this study, we test the hypothesis that small-scale testing can reduce the risk and uncertainty of trying new technologies. We conducted a field experiment, in a cluster randomised control trial setting, to examine whether the availability of divisible packages of seeds influences smallholder farmers’ decisions to try a new wheat variety. Our results show that the adoption of the newly introduced wheat variety was higher in the villages where small seed packages were introduced. We find that smallholder farmers tend to experiment on the newly introduced variety on their farmland and are less likely to adopt the new variety as a coping mechanism for risk exposure at the stage of experimentation. The results from treatment heterogeneity reveal that supplying seed in small bags had differential causal effects on individual farmers. The intervention which made small seed bags available impacted relatively younger and poorer farmers the most. This finding provides an insight into the significance of seed delivery in small bags to improve the use of seeds of new varieties by smallholders.
Heart transplantation: focus on donor recovery strategies, left ventricular assist devices, and novel therapies
Authors: Crespo-Leiro Maria Generosa , Costanzo Maria Rosa , Gustafsson Finn , Khush Kiran K , Macdonald Peter S , Potena Luciano , Stehlik Josef , Zuckermann Andreas , Mehra Mandeep R 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHeart transplantation is advocated in selected patients with advanced heart failure in the absence of contraindications. Principal challenges in heart transplantation centre around an insufficient and underutilized donor organ pool, the need to individualize titration of immunosuppressive therapy, and to minimize late complications such as cardiac allograft vasculopathy, malignancy, and renal dysfunction. Advances have served to increase the organ donor pool by advocating the use of donors with underlying hepatitis C virus infection and by expanding the donor source to use hearts donated after circulatory death. New techniques to preserve the donor heart over prolonged ischaemic times, and enabling longer transport times in a safe manner, have been introduced. Mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to transplantation has allowed patients with advanced heart failure to avoid progressive deterioration in hepato-renal function while awaiting an optimal donor organ match. The management of the heart transplantation recipient remains a challenge despite advances in immunosuppression, which provide early gains in rejection avoidance but are associated with infections and late-outcome challenges. In this article, we review contemporary advances and challenges in this field to focus on donor recovery strategies, left ventricular assist devices, and immunosuppressive monitoring therapies with the potential to enhance outcomes. We also describe opportunities for future discovery to include a renewed focus on long-term survival, which continues to be an area that is under-studied and poorly characterized, non-human sources of organs for transplantation including xenotransplantation as well as chimeric transplantation, and technology competitive to human heart transplantation, such as tissue engineering.
Adding salt to foods and hazard of premature mortality
Authors: Ma Hao , Xue Qiaochu , Wang Xuan , Li Xiang , Franco Oscar H , Li Yanping , Heianza Yoriko , Manson JoAnn E , Qi Lu 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
We analyzed whether the frequency of adding salt to foods was associated with the hazard of premature mortality and life expectancy.

Methods and results
A total of 501 379 participants from UK biobank who completed the questionnaire on the frequency of adding salt to foods at baseline. The information on the frequency of adding salt to foods (do not include salt used in cooking) was collected through a touch-screen questionnaire at baseline. We found graded relationships between higher frequency of adding salt to foods and higher concentrations of spot urinary sodium or estimated 24-h sodium excretion. During a median of 9.0 years of follow-up, 18 474 premature deaths were documented. The multivariable hazard ratios [95% confidence interval (CI)] of all-cause premature mortality across the increasing frequency of adding salt to foods were 1.00 (reference), 1.02 (0.99, 1.06), 1.07 (1.02, 1.11), and 1.28 (1.20, 1.35) (P-trend &lt; 0.001). We found that intakes of fruits and vegetables significantly modified the associations between the frequency of adding salt to foods and all-cause premature mortality, which were more pronounced in participants with low intakes than those with high intakes of these foods (P-interaction = 0.02). In addition, compared with the never/rarely group, always adding salt to foods was related to 1.50 (95% CI, 0.72–2.30) and 2.28 (95% CI, 1.66–2.90) years lower life expectancy at the age of 50 years in women and men, respectively.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that higher frequency of adding salt to foods is associated with a higher hazard of all-cause premature mortality and lower life expectancy.
Characteristics, management, and outcomes of patients with multiple native valvular heart disease: a substudy of the EURObservational Research Programme Valvular Heart Disease II Survey
Authors: Tribouilloy Christophe , Bohbot Yohann , Kubala Maciej , Ruschitzka Frank , Popescu Bogdan , Wendler Olaf , Laroche Cécile , Bartha Elektra , Ince Huseyin , Simkova Iveta , Vahanian Alec , Iung Bernard 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
To assess the characteristics, management, and survival of patients with multiple native valvular heart disease (VHD).

Methods and results
Among the 5087 patients with ≥1 severe left-sided native VHD included in the EURObservational VHD II Survey (maximum 3-month recruitment period per centre between January and August 2017 with a 6-month follow-up), 3571 had a single left-sided VHD (Group A, 70.2%), 363 had one severe left-sided VHD with moderate VHD of the other ipsilateral valve (Group B, 7.1%), and 1153 patients (22.7%) had ≥2 severe native VHDs (left-sided and/or tricuspid regurgitation, Group C). Patients with multiple VHD (Groups B and C) were more often women, had greater congestive heart failure (CHF) and comorbidity, higher left atrial volumes and pulmonary pressures, and lower ejection fraction than Group A patients (all P ≤ 0.01). During the index hospitalization, 36.7% of Group A (n = 1312), 26.7% of Group B (n = 97), and 32.7% of Group C (n = 377) underwent valvular intervention (P &lt; 0.001). Six-month survival was better for Group A than for Group B or C (both P &lt; 0.001), even after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and Charlson index [hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62 (1.10–2.38) vs. Group B and HR 95% CI 1.72 (1.32–2.25) vs. Group C]. Groups B and C had more CHF at 6 months than Group A (both P &lt; 0.001). Factors associated with mortality in Group C were age, CHF, and comorbidity (all P &lt; 0.010).

Conclusion
Multiple VHD is common, encountered in nearly 30% of patients with left-sided native VHD, and associated with greater cardiac damage and leads to higher mortality and more heart failure at 6 months than single VHD, yet with lower rates of surgery.
Landiolol for refractory tachyarrhythmias in the intensive care unit: case reports
Authors: Gangl Clemens , Krychtiuk Konstantin A , Schoenbauer Robert , Speidl Walter S 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Tachyarrhythmias are common complications of critically ill patients treated on intensive care units. Landiolol is an ultra-short acting beta-blocker with a very high beta1-selectivity. Therefore, landiolol effectively reduces heart rate with only minimal negative effects on blood pressure and inotropy. This article describes two cases of successful treatment of supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias with landiolol in critically ill patients.
Effectiveness and reporting of nutrition interventions in cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review
Authors: Kocanda Lucy , Schumacher Tracy L , Plotnikoff Ronald C , Whatnall Megan C , Fenwick Matthew , Brown Leanne J , Rollo Megan E , Jansson Anna , Burrows Tracy L , Duncan Mitch J , Britton Ben , May Jennifer , Kerr Jane , Rutherford Julie , Boyle Andrew , Inder Kerry , Collins Clare E 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
Dietary modification is essential for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited published evidence syntheses to guide practice in the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) setting. This systematic review’s objective was to assess effectiveness and reporting of nutrition interventions to optimize dietary intake in adults attending CR.

Methods and results
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition interventions within CR were eligible for inclusion and had to have measured change in dietary intake. MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library were searched from 2000 to June 2020, limited to publications in English. Evidence from included RCTs was synthesized descriptively. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. This review is registered on PROSPERO; CRD42020188723. Of 13 048 unique articles identified, 11 were eligible. Randomized controlled trials were conducted in 10 different countries, included 1542 participants, and evaluated 29 distinct dietary intake outcomes. Five studies reported statistically significant changes in diet across 13 outcomes. Most nutrition interventions were not reported in a manner that allowed replication in clinical practice or future research.

Conclusion
There is a gap in research testing high-quality nutrition interventions in CR settings. Findings should be interpreted in the light of limitations, given the overall body of evidence was heterogenous across outcomes and study quality; 6 of 11 studies were conducted more than 10 years old. Future research should investigate strategies to optimize and maintain nutrition improvements for patients attending CR.

Registration
PROSPERO; CRD42020188723.
Multi-national survey on the methods, efficacy, and safety on the post-approval clinical use of pulsed field ablation (MANIFEST-PF)
Authors: Ekanem Emmanuel , Reddy Vivek Y , Schmidt Boris , Reichlin Tobias , Neven Kars , Metzner Andreas , Hansen Jim , Blaauw Yuri , Maury Philippe , Arentz Thomas , Sommer Philipp , Anic Ante , Anselme Frederic , Boveda Serge , Deneke Tom , Willems Stephan , van der Voort Pepijn , Tilz Roland , Funasako Moritoshi , Scherr Daniel , Wakili Reza , Steven Daniel , Kautzner Josef , Vijgen Johan , Jais Pierre , Petru Jan , Chun Julian , Roten Laurent , Füting Anna , Rillig Andreas , Mulder Bart A , Johannessen Arne , Rollin Anne , Lehrmann Heiko , Sohns Christian , Jurisic Zrinka , Savoure Arnaud , Combes Stephanes , Nentwich Karin , Gunawardene Melanie , Ouss Alexandre , Kirstein Bettina , Manninger Martin , Bohnen Jan Eric , Sultan Arian , Peichl Petr , Koopman Pieter , Derval Nicolas , Turagam Mohit K , Neuzil Petr ,   MANIFEST-PF Cooperative
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation modality that has demonstrated preferential tissue ablation, including no oesophageal damage, in first-in-human clinical trials. In the MANIFEST-PF survey, we investigated the ‘real world’ performance of the only approved PFA catheter, including acute effectiveness and safety—in particular, rare oesophageal effects and other unforeseen PFA-related complications.

Methods and results
This retrospective survey included all 24 clinical centres using the pentaspline PFA catheter after regulatory approval. Institution-level data were obtained on patient characteristics, procedure parameters, acute efficacy, and adverse events. With an average of 73 patients treated per centre (range 7–291), full cohort included 1758 patients: mean age 61.6 years (range 19–92), female 34%, first-time ablation 94%, paroxysmal/persistent AF 58/35%. Most procedures employed deep sedation without intubation (82.1%), and 15.1% were discharged same day. Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was successful in 99.9% (range 98.9–100%). Procedure time was 65 min (38–215). There were no oesophageal complications or phrenic nerve injuries persisting past hospital discharge. Major complications (1.6%) were pericardial tamponade (0.97%) and stroke (0.4%); one stroke resulted in death (0.06%). Minor complications (3.9%) were primarily vascular (3.3%), but also included transient phrenic nerve paresis (0.46%), and TIA (0.11%). Rare complications included coronary artery spasm, haemoptysis, and dry cough persistent for 6 weeks (0.06% each).

Conclusion
In a large cohort of unselected patients, PFA was efficacious for PVI, and expressed a safety profile consistent with preferential tissue ablation. However, the frequency of ‘generic’ catheter complications (tamponade, stroke) underscores the need for improvement.
Combined epicardial and endocardial approach for redo radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lee Kwang No , Kim Do Young , Boo Ki Yung , Kim Yun Gi , Roh Seung Young , Shim Jaemin , Choi Jong Il , Kim Young Hoon 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Aims
An epicardial approach is an effective means to detect and eliminate residual potentials in non-transmural lesions created during prior endocardial ablation. We sought to determine the impact of a combined epicardial and endocardial approach compared with a conventional endocardial approach, on recurrence-free survival after redo ablation.

Methods and results
Participants with recurred persistent atrial fibrillation after prior endocardial ablation were randomized (1:1) to undergo treatment with the combined approach (epicardial followed by endocardial ablation) for the treatment group or conventional approach (endocardial ablation only) for the control group. The primary outcome was the time to recurrence of atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia following a 90-day blanking period within 12 months after the procedure. The secondary safety outcome was the occurrence of procedure-related complications within 24 h after the procedure. Of 100 randomized participants {median age, 59.0 [(interquartile range (IQR): 53.8–64.3] years, including 16% women, with one prior ablation (IQR: 1–1)}, 93 (93%) completed the trial. Events relevant to the primary outcome occurred in 16 patients in the treatment group and in 21 patients in the control group {Kaplan–Meier estimator percentages, 32 vs. 42%; hazard ratio, 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37–1.37]}. The periprocedural complication rate was lower in the treatment group [2 vs. 16%; odds ratio, 0.11 (95% CI: 0.00–0.87)] with similar achievement of the procedural endpoint in the two groups.

Conclusion
In the redo procedure for persistent atrial fibrillation, the combined approach had no significant difference of recurrence-free survival and a lower procedural complication rate compared with the conventional approach.
The politics of vaccine hesitancy in Europe
Authors: Stoeckel Florian , Carter Charlie , Lyons Benjamin A , Reifler Jason 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
Vaccine hesitancy threatens public health. Some evidence suggests that vaccine hesitancy in Europe may be linked with the success of populist parties, but more systematic analysis is needed.

Methods
We examine the prevalence of individual-level vaccine hesitancy across the European Union (EU) and its association with political orientations. We also analyze whether success of populist parties is linked with vaccine hesitancy and uptake. We draw on individual-level Eurobarometer data from 2019, with a total of 27 524 respondents across the EU. We also rely on national and regional-level populist party vote shares. Finally, for a time-series analysis, we rely on aggregated populist party support as measured in the European Social Survey waves 1–9 (2002–18), and national immunization coverage rates from the WHO from 2002 to 2018.

Results
While vaccine hesitancy is confined to a minority of the population, this group is large enough to risk herd immunity. Political orientations on a left-right dimension are not strongly linked to vaccine hesitancy. Instead, vaccine hesitancy is associated with anti-elite world views and culturally closed rather than cosmopolitan positions.

Conclusions
Vaccine hesitancy is not only present in all EU member states but also maps on broader dimensions of cultural conflict. Hesitancy is rooted in a broader worldview, rather than misperceptions about health risks. Pro-vaccine interventions need to consider the underlying worldview, rather than simply targeting misperceptions.