bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can 595-nm Pulsed Dye Laser in Conjunction With an Optical Clearing Agent Improve the Treatment of Port-Wine Stains?
Authors: Yu Wenxin , Chen Yanyu , Cen Qingqing , Zhu Jiafang , Lin Xiaoxi 
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND
Studies have demonstrated that glycerol can act as an optical clearing agent (OCA) to increase the light penetration through the skin and laser deposition to the target chromophore, thus potentially increasing the efficacy of laser treatment.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a pulsed dye laser (PDL) in combination with an OCA can increase the efﬁcacy in treating port-wine stains (PWSs).

METHODS
Thirteen patients with untreated PWSs underwent 3 treatment sessions at 6-week intervals. Each PWS was divided into OCA + PDL sites (PDL treatment after topical use of 0.5 mL hydrous glycerol for 5 minutes), PDL sites, and untreated sites. The chromametric evaluation and visual evaluation (VAS) of the efﬁcacy and the assessment of side effects were conducted 3 months after the ﬁnal treatment.

RESULTS
Visual evaluation was 2.69 versus 2.07 (p = .025) and 3.38 versus 3.07 (p = .04) for OCA + PDL and PDL-only sites after the first and second sessions. After the third session, the chromameter and VAS indicated no significant difference between the 2 sites. Permanent side effects were not observed.

CONCLUSION
Greater efficacy was observed after the first 2 treatments on the OCA + PDL sites. Although after multiple sessions, the OCA + PDL treatment did not improve efficacy over just PDL alone.
Dietary Antioxidant Insufficiency Is Associated With Increased Inflammatory Markers and Poorer Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Wu Jia-Rong , Song Eun Kyeung , Moser Debra K. , Lennie Terry A. 
Published: April 2022

Background
Antioxidant insufficiency, elevated inflammatory markers, and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF).

Objective
The objective of this study was to examine the associations among dietary antioxidant intake, inflammatory markers, and HRQOL in patients with HF.

Methods
This was a secondary analysis of 265 patients with HF who completed a 4-day food diary. We assessed intake of 10 antioxidants: alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, vitamins C and E, zinc, and selenium. Antioxidant insufficiency was reflected by a measured level for each antioxidant that was below the estimate average requirement or lower than median for antioxidants without an estimate average requirement. Inflammatory markers including serum C-reactive protein, cytokines (interleukins 6 and 10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and soluble receptors (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) were assessed with enzyme immunoassay. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure at 12 months.

Results
Dietary antioxidant insufficiency predicted C-reactive protein (β = 0.135, P = .032) and interleukin 10 (β = −.155, P = .027). Patients with higher antioxidant insufficiency had higher C-reactive protein and lower interleukin 10. Both antioxidant insufficiency (β = 0.13, P = .049) and higher C-reactive protein (β = 0.16, P = .019) were independently associated with poorer HRQOL while adjusting for covariates.

Conclusions
Dietary antioxidant insufficiency was associated with increased markers of inflammation and poorer HRQOL. Improvement of diet quality among patients with HF may be a fruitful area of research for enhancing HRQOL.
Slips, Trips, and Falls: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Authors: Peir Gene H. , Fink Alia , Mantasas Nick , Cheng Jenhao J. , Worten Katherine , Shah Rahul K. 
Published: April 2022

Introduction:
Employee safety and the reduction of Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred are a focus of the Solutions for Patient Safety Network. One significant contributor to the Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred rate at Children’s National Hospital is employee slips, trips, or falls.

Methods:
Children’s National Hospital implemented a multidisciplinary quality improvement with executive leadership vision and support. We implemented quality techniques (including Key Driver Diagrams, Pareto Charts, and continuous Plan-Do-Study-Act) and designed novel Environmental Services interventions.

Results:
Children’s National Hospital achieved a 44.3% reduction in monthly average reported slips, trips, or fall events from baseline and sustained over a 2-year study period.

Conclusion:
A leadership-driven multidisciplinary approach to quality initiatives with team leaders capable of making and enacting real-time policy changes led to novel interventions and a successful reduction of employee slips, trips, and falls events over time, which are broadly generalizable.
A 15-Year Review of Clinical Practice Patterns in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Based on Continuous Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Authors: Sasson Daniel C. , Yuksel Selcen S. , Shah Nikhil D. , Kearney Aaron M. , Kalliainen Loree K. , Gosain Arun K. 
Published: April 2022

Background:
The American Board of Plastic Surgery has been collecting practice data on carpal tunnel syndrome treatment since 2004 as part of its Continuous Certification Program. These data allow plastic surgeons to compare their surgical experience to national trends and analyze those trends in relation to current evidence-based medicine.

Methods:
Data on carpal tunnel syndrome treatment from 2004 to 2014 were compared to those from 2015 to 2020. National practice trends observed in these data were evaluated relative to current literature regarding evidence-based practices.

Results:
A total of 11,090 carpal tunnel syndrome cases were included from 2004 to 2020. Electrodiagnostic and imaging studies were performed on most patients despite adding little sensitivity and specificity when physical examination tests are performed and not being considered cost-effective. An open “mini” approach has remained the most common surgical technique in carpal tunnel release for the last 15 years, with growing usage (53 percent versus 59 percent, p < 0.001). Splinting has decreased significantly over the last 15 years, from usage in 39 percent of patients to 28 percent (p < 0.001). Formal postoperative hand therapy has declined from 27 percent of patients to 22 percent (p < 0.001). Despite their low efficacy, 63 percent of patients received one or more perioperative doses of antibiotics.

Conclusions:
Analysis of the Continuous Certification Program tracer data from the American Board of Plastic Surgery provides an excellent overview of current practice and its development over the 15 years since its inception. This analysis provides insight into how effectively plastic surgeons have remained aligned with developments in best practices in treating carpal tunnel syndrome.
Continuous Monitoring Detected Respiratory Depressive Episodes in Proximity to Adverse Respiratory Events During the PRODIGY Trial
Authors: Kor Jennifer J. , Sprung Juraj , Khanna Ashish K. , Weingarten Toby N. 
Published: April 2022

Purpose
The PRediction of Opioid-induced respiratory Depression In patients monitored by capnoGraphY (PRODIGY) trial was a multicenter prospective trial conducted to develop a risk prediction score for opioid-induced respiratory depressive (OIRD) episodes. Several subjects in the PRODIGY trial developed critical respiratory depressive events, which were qualified as reportable adverse events (AEs). In this study, we determine whether those patients also had an episode of OIRD as detected by continuous capnography and pulse oximetry leading up to the critical clinical event.

Methods
Blinded capnography and pulse oximetry data from PRODIGY patients who had critical respiratory depressive AE were reviewed. The occurrence and timing of OIRD episodes were recorded in relationship to the AE.

Results
Of the 1335 subjects in PRODIGY, 7 patients had 8 reportable pulmonary AE and 187 OIRDs (150 apnea episodes, 14 bradypnea episodes, 23 hypoxic episodes) with median 12 (5–19.5) OIRDs per patient. Five patients were monitored before the AE, and multiple preceding OIRD episodes were detected. One patient had 2 AE, the first (hypoxemia) was recognized upon application of pulse oximetry. This patient subsequently had multiple OIRDs until the second AE occurred (somnolence requiring naloxone administration). Another patient’s AE (hypotension and bradypnea) was recognized upon monitor application and subsequently had many OIRD episodes.

Conclusions
In the PRODIGY trial, patients who had a pulmonary AE had multiple preceding OIRDs detected by continuous capnography and pulse oximetry. When monitoring was initiated before the AE, numerous OIRDs, mostly apneic episodes preceded AE, suggesting continuous monitoring of both ventilation and oxygenation may allow for early detection and possible prediction of future clinical decompensation.
Solid Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity in the Eurotransplant Area During the First Year of COVID-19
Authors: Putzer Gabriel , Gasteiger Lukas , Mathis Simon , van Enckevort Arjan , Hell Tobias , Resch Thomas , Schneeberger Stefan , Martini Judith 
Published: April 2022

Background.
Transplantation activity during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was severely affected worldwide. This retrospective analysis aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on organ donations and transplantations in the Eurotransplant region during the first 12 mo of the pandemic. Specifically, we compared donor and transplantation numbers during both waves to determine whether transplant systems adapted to this new reality.

Methods.
All reported organ donations and transplantations from March 1, 2015, to February 28, 2021, were collected from the Eurotransplant International Foundation registry. The observation period from 2020 to 2021 was divided into three 4-mo periods, which were then compared with the corresponding periods of the preceding 5 y. COVID-19 cases for Eurotransplant countries were retrieved from the OurWorldInData.org database.

Results.
Overall, the number of organ donors decreased by 18.3% (P < 0.0001) and the number of organ transplantations by 12.5% (P > 0.0001) compared with previous years. Pancreas transplantation was the most affected, followed by kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplant. In detail, during period 1, the number of organ donors decreased by 26.2% (P < 0.0001) and the number of organ transplantations by 16.5% (P < 0.0001), in period 2 by 5.5% (P < 0.0091) and 4.9% (P < 0.0001), and in period 3 by 23.1% (P < 0.0001) and 16.4% (P < 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions.
Organ donation and transplantation decreased drastically also during the second wave; however, despite the severity of the second wave, the decline was comparable with that of the first wave.
Therapeutic efficacy of four antiviral drugs in treatment of COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Liang-kun , Gu Wen-chao , Li Ling , Jian Chen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global crisis in public health, however, there are still no safe and effective drugs to resist COVID-19 until now. We will use network meta-analysis to analysis available evidence from RCTs to compare the safety and efficacy of four antiviral drugs (including Ribavirin, Arbidol, Chloroquine Phosphate and Interferon) alone or in combination, in patients with COVID-19 on the basis of standard treatment, to reveal the robustness and strength of evidence for relative efficacy against COVID-19, which will provide better evidence for future clinical decision-making.MethodsUsing English and Chinese search strategies to search 8 databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, WANFANG Database and VIP. In addition, manual search for references in publications has been supplemented by electronic search. To enhance the effectiveness of this study, only randomized controlled trials of four antiviral drugs (Ribavirin, Arbidol, Chloroquine Phosphate, Interferon) used alone or in combination with the primary therapy shall be included.AnalysisThe nucleic acid turning negative, complete absorption of lung inflammation, adverse reactions, aggravation and death shall be the primary outcome measures; whereas temperature return to normal, hospitalization, and positive rate after discharge will be the secondary outcomes. To ensure the quality of the systematic evaluation of this study, study screening, data extraction and quality evaluation will be carried out independently by two reviewers, and any differences will be resolved through consultation between them or by a third reviewer.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic review will evaluate the efficacy of four antiviral drugs (Ribavirin, Arbidol, Chloroquine Phosphate and Interferon) for Covid-19 in adults. Since all included data will be obtained from published articles, it does not require ethical approval and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42022300104.
Effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients with haematological malignancies
Authors: Shibeeb Sapha , Ajaj Ilham , Al-Jighefee Hadeel , Abdallah Atiyeh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundImmunocompromised patients, including those with haematological malignancies, are among the high-risk group to develop severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications. The effectiveness of passive immunotherapy with convalescent plasma (CP) on such patients diagnosed with COVID-19 has not been reviewed. Therefore, the aim of this review was to systematically appraise the current evidence for the efficacy of this therapy in haematological malignancies patients with COVID-19 infection.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted up-to October 2021, using four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Scopus. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the included studies. Data collection analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel 365 and GraphPad Prism software.Results17 studies met the inclusion criteria; these records included 258 COVID-19 patients with haematological malignancies and treated with CP therapy (CPT). The main findings from the reviewed data suggests CPT may be associated with improved clinical outcomes including (a) higher survival rate, (b) improved SARS-CoV-2 clearance and presence of detectable anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies post CP transfusion, (c) improved hospital discharge time, and recovery after 1 month of CP therapy. Furthermore, treatment with convalescent plasma was not associated with development of adverse events.ConclusionOwing to its safety and beneficial effects in improving clinical outcomes, CPT appears to be an effective supportive therapeutic option for haematological malignancy patients infected with COVID-19.
Quantifying the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 wastewater concentrations and building-level COVID-19 prevalence at an isolation residence using a passive sampling approach
Authors: Acer Patrick T. , Kelly Lauren M. , Lover Andrew A. , Butler Caitlyn S. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in the excreta of individuals with COVID-19 and has demonstrated a positive correlation with various clinical parameters. Consequently, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approaches have been implemented globally as a public health surveillance tool to monitor the community-level prevalence of infections. Over 270 higher education campuses monitor wastewater for SARS-CoV-2, with most gathering either composite samples via automatic samplers (autosamplers) or grab samples. However, autosamplers are expensive and challenging to manage with seasonal variability, while grab samples are particularly susceptible to temporal variation when sampling sewage directly from complex matrices outside residential buildings. Prior studies have demonstrated encouraging results utilizing passive sampling swabs. Such methods can offer affordable, practical, and scalable alternatives to traditional methods while maintaining a reproducible SARS-CoV-2 signal. In this regard, we deployed tampons as passive samplers outside of a COVID-19 isolation unit (a segregated residence hall) at a university campus from February 1, 2021 – May 21, 2021. Samples were collected several times weekly and remained within the sewer for a minimum of 24 hours (n = 64). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was quantified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) targeting the viral N1 and N2 gene fragments. We quantified the mean viral load captured per individual and the association between the daily viral load and total persons, adjusting for covariates using multivariable models to provide a baseline estimate of viral shedding. Samples were processed through two distinct laboratory pipelines on campus, yielding highly correlated N2 concentrations. Data obtained here highlight the success of passive sampling utilizing tampons to capture SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater coming from a COVID-19 isolation residence, indicating that this method can help inform public health responses in a range of settings.HighlightsDaily SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads in building-level wastewater were positively associated with the total number of COVID-19 positive individuals in the residenceThe variation in individual fecal shedding rates of SARS-CoV-2 extended four orders of magnitudeWastewater sample replicates were highly correlated using distinct processing pipelines in two independent laboratoriesWhile the isolation residence was occupied, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in all passive samples
Both COVID-19 infection and vaccination induce high-affinity cross-clade responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Emmenegger Marc , Fiedler Sebastian , Brugger Silvio D. , Devenish Sean R. A. , Morgunov Alexey S. , Ilsley Alison , Ricci Francesco , Malik Anisa Y. , Scheier Thomas , Batkitar Leyla , Madrigal Lidia , Rossi Marco , Lynn Andrew K. , Saleh Lanja , von Eckardstein Arnold , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Aguzzi Adriano 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe B.1.1.529 (omicron) variant has rapidly supplanted most other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Using microfluidics-based antibody affinity profiling (MAAP), we have recently shown that current therapeutic monoclonal antibodies exhibit a drastic loss of affinity against omicron. Here, we have characterized affinity and IgG concentration in the plasma of 39 individuals with multiple trajectories of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination as well as in 2 subjects without vaccination or infection. Antibody affinity in patient plasma samples was similar against the wild-type, delta, and omicron variants (KA ranges: 122±155, 159±148, 211±307 μM-1, respectively), indicating a surprisingly broad and mature cross-clade immune response. We then determined the antibody iso- and subtypes against multiple SARS-CoV-2 spike domains and nucleoprotein. Postinfectious and vaccinated subjects showed different profiles, with IgG3 (p = 0.002) but not IgG1, IgG2 or IgG4 subtypes against the spike ectodomain being more prominent in the former group. Lastly, we found that the ELISA titers against the wildtype, delta, and omicron RBD variants correlated linearly with measured IgG concentrations (R=0.72) but not with affinity (R=0.29). These findings suggest that the wild-type and delta spike proteins induce a polyclonal immune response capable of binding the omicron spike with similar affinity. Changes in titers were primarily driven by antibody concentration, suggesting that B-cell expansion, rather than affinity maturation, dominated the response after infection or vaccination.
Mortality in Switzerland in 2021
Authors: Locatelli Isabella , Rousson Valentin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze mortality trends in Switzerland in 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsUsing data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, we compared mortality in Switzerland in 2021 with that of previous years in terms of standardized weekly deaths, standardized (annual) mortality rates (overall and stratified by age and sex) and life expectancy.ResultsAfter a favorable first half of the year and a fairly standard second half in terms of mortality in Switzerland, the year 2021 ended with a wave of deaths of moderate intensity related to the 5th wave of COVID-19. Overall, and after a notable increase in mortality in 2020 (+9.2% compared to 2019), the pre-pandemic mortality level was approximately recovered in 2021 (+0.6% compared to 2019). Life expectancy, after declining by 10 months for men and 6 months for women in 2020, returned in 2021 to levels slightly above those of 2019 for women (85.7 years, +0.1 years from 2019) and regained 2018 levels for men (81.6 years, still -0.3 years from 2019). The age group responsible for the small remaining loss for men was the 50-70 age group, which had similar mortality in 2020 and 2021.ConclusionsThe second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland was characterized by an approximate return to pre-pandemic mortality levels, with a faster recovery for women than for men compared to 2020.
Time series cross-correlation between home range and number of infected people during the medium-term of the COVID-19 pandemic in a suburban city
Authors: Kato Haruka , Takizawa Atsushi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractControl of human mobility is among the most effective measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to clarify the correlation between home range and the number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the medium-term of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibaraki City. Home ranges are analyzed by the Minimum Convex Polygon method using mobile phone GPS location history data. We analyzed the time series cross-correlation between home range lengths and the number of infected people. Results reveal a slight positive correlation between home range and the number of infected people after one week during the medium-term of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding home range length, the cross-correlation coefficient is 0.4030 even at a lag level of six weeks, which has the most significant coefficient. Thus, a decrease in home range is only one of the indirect factors contributing toward a reduction in the number of infected people. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature by evaluating key public health challenges from the perspective of controliing the spread of the COVID-19 infectuion. Its findings has implications for policy makers, practitioners, and urban scientists seeking to promote urban sustainability.