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Catheter ablation is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia in children. Current improvements in technology have allowed progressive reduction in radiation exposure associated with the procedure. To assess the impact of three-dimensional mapping, we compared acute procedural results collected from the Catheter Ablation with Reduction or Elimination of Fluoroscopy registry to published results from the Prospective Assessment after Pediatric Cardiac Ablation study.
Methods:
Inclusion and exclusion criteria from the Prospective Assessment after Pediatric Cardiac Ablation study were used as guidelines to select patient data from the Catheter Ablation with Reduction or Elimination of Fluoroscopy registry to compare acute procedural outcomes between cohorts. Outcomes assessed include procedural and fluoroscopy exposure times, success rates of procedure, and complications.
Results:
In 786 ablation procedures, targeting 498 accessory pathways and 288 atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia substrates, average procedural time (156.5 versus 206.7 minutes, p < 0.01), and fluoroscopy time (1.2 versus 38.3 minutes, p < 0.01) were significantly shorter in the study group. Success rates for the various substrates were similar except for manifest accessory pathways which had a significantly higher success rate in the study group (96.4% versus 93.0%, p < 0.01). Major complication rates were significantly lower in the study group (0.3% versus 1.6%, p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
In a large, multicentre study, three-dimensional systems show favourable improvements in clinical outcomes in children undergoing catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardia compared to the traditional fluoroscopic approach. Further improvements are anticipated as technology advances.
In this paper, we describe the system design and capabilities of the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope at the conclusion of its construction project and commencement of science operations. ASKAP is one of the first radio telescopes to deploy phased array feed (PAF) technology on a large scale, giving it an instantaneous field of view that covers $31\,\textrm{deg}^{2}$ at $800\,\textrm{MHz}$. As a two-dimensional array of 36$\times$12 m antennas, with baselines ranging from 22 m to 6 km, ASKAP also has excellent snapshot imaging capability and 10 arcsec resolution. This, combined with 288 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth and a unique third axis of rotation on each antenna, gives ASKAP the capability to create high dynamic range images of large sky areas very quickly. It is an excellent telescope for surveys between 700 and $1800\,\textrm{MHz}$ and is expected to facilitate great advances in our understanding of galaxy formation, cosmology, and radio transients while opening new parameter space for discovery of the unknown.
Perceived discrimination is associated with worse mental health. Few studies have assessed whether perceived discrimination (i) is associated with the risk of psychotic disorders and (ii) contributes to an increased risk among minority ethnic groups relative to the ethnic majority.
Methods
We used data from the European Network of National Schizophrenia Networks Studying Gene-Environment Interactions Work Package 2, a population-based case−control study of incident psychotic disorders in 17 catchment sites across six countries. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the associations between perceived discrimination and psychosis using mixed-effects logistic regression models. We used stratified and mediation analyses to explore differences for minority ethnic groups.
Results
Reporting any perceived experience of major discrimination (e.g. unfair treatment by police, not getting hired) was higher in cases than controls (41.8% v. 34.2%). Pervasive experiences of discrimination (≥3 types) were also higher in cases than controls (11.3% v. 5.5%). In fully adjusted models, the odds of psychosis were 1.20 (95% CI 0.91–1.59) for any discrimination and 1.79 (95% CI 1.19–1.59) for pervasive discrimination compared with no discrimination. In stratified analyses, the magnitude of association for pervasive experiences of discrimination appeared stronger for minority ethnic groups (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.12–2.68) than the ethnic majority (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.65–3.10). In exploratory mediation analysis, pervasive discrimination minimally explained excess risk among minority ethnic groups (5.1%).
Conclusions
Pervasive experiences of discrimination are associated with slightly increased odds of psychotic disorders and may minimally help explain excess risk for minority ethnic groups.
This SHEA white paper identifies knowledge gaps and challenges in healthcare epidemiology research related to COVID-19 with a focus on core principles of healthcare epidemiology. These gaps, revealed during the worst phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, are described in 10 sections: epidemiology, outbreak investigation, surveillance, isolation precaution practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental contamination and disinfection, drug and supply shortages, antimicrobial stewardship, healthcare personnel (HCP) occupational safety, and return to work policies. Each section highlights three critical healthcare epidemiology research questions with detailed description provided in supplemental materials. This research agenda calls for translational studies from laboratory-based basic science research to well-designed, large-scale studies and health outcomes research. Research gaps and challenges related to nursing homes and social disparities are included. Collaborations across various disciplines, expertise and across diverse geographic locations will be critical.
To describe the epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) bacteriuria and to determine whether urinary catheters increase the risk of subsequent CRE bacteremia.
Design:
Using active population- and laboratory-based surveillance we described a cohort of patients with incident CRE bacteriuria and identified risk factors for developing CRE bacteremia within 1 year.
Setting:
The study was conducted among the 8 counties of Georgia Health District 3 (HD3) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Patients:
Residents of HD3 with CRE first identified in urine between 2012 and 2017.
Results:
We identified 464 patients with CRE bacteriuria (mean yearly incidence, 1.96 cases per 100,000 population). Of 425 with chart review, most had a urinary catheter (56%), and many resided in long-term care facilities (48%), had a Charlson comorbidity index >3 (38%) or a decubitus ulcer (37%). 21 patients (5%) developed CRE bacteremia with the same organism within 1 year. Risk factors for subsequent bacteremia included presence of a urinary catheter (odds ratio [OR], 8.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8–34.9), central venous catheter (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.7–10.6) or another indwelling device (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6–11.4), urine culture obtained as an inpatient (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.3–25.9), and being in the ICU in the week prior to urine culture (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1–7.8). In a multivariable analysis, urinary catheter increased the risk of CRE bacteremia (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.2–23.6).
Conclusions:
In patients with CRE bacteriuria, urinary catheters increase the risk of CRE bacteremia. Future interventions should aim to reduce inappropriate insertion and early removal of urinary catheters.
The Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) is the first large-area survey to be conducted with the full 36-antenna Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope. RACS will provide a shallow model of the ASKAP sky that will aid the calibration of future deep ASKAP surveys. RACS will cover the whole sky visible from the ASKAP site in Western Australia and will cover the full ASKAP band of 700–1800 MHz. The RACS images are generally deeper than the existing NRAO VLA Sky Survey and Sydney University Molonglo Sky Survey radio surveys and have better spatial resolution. All RACS survey products will be public, including radio images (with
$\sim$
15 arcsec resolution) and catalogues of about three million source components with spectral index and polarisation information. In this paper, we present a description of the RACS survey and the first data release of 903 images covering the sky south of declination
$+41^\circ$
made over a 288-MHz band centred at 887.5 MHz.
The fibrous scaffolds for bone tissue engineering that mimic the extracellular matrix with bioactive and bactericidal properties could provide adequate conditions for regeneration of damaged bone. Electrospun ultrathin fiber covered with nano-hydroxyapatite is a favorable fibrous scaffold design. We developed a fast and reproducible strategy to produce polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) nanofibrous scaffolds with bactericidal and bioactive properties. Fibrous PVDF scaffolds were obtained first by the electrospinning method. Then, their surfaces were modified using oxygen plasma treatment followed by electrodeposition of nHAp. This process formed nanofibrous and superhydrophilic PVDF fibers (133.6 nm, fiber average diameter) covered with homogeneous nHAp (202.6 nm, average particle diameter) crystals. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry demonstrated the presence of calcium phosphate, indicating a Ca/P molar ratio of approximately 1.64. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy spectra identified β-phase of nHAp. Thermal analysis indicated a slight reduction in stability after nHAp electrodeposition. Bactericidal assays showed that nHAp exhibited 99.8% efficiency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The PVDF/Plasma and PVDF/nHAp groups had the highest cell viability, total protein, and alkaline phosphatase activity by 7 days after exposure of the scaffolds to MG63 cell culture. Therefore, the developed scaffolds are an exciting alternative for application in bone regeneration.
To provide comprehensive information on the epidemiology and burden of respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation (RSVH) in preterm infants, a pooled analysis was undertaken of seven multicentre, prospective, observational studies from across the Northern Hemisphere (2000–2014). Data from all 320–356 weeks' gestational age (wGA) infants without comorbidity were analysed. RSVH occurred in 534/14 504 (3.7%) infants; equating to a rate of 5.65 per 100 patient-seasons, with the rate in individual wGA groups dependent upon exposure time (P = 0.032). Most RSVHs (60.1%) occurred in December–January. Median age at RSVH was 88 days (interquartile range (IQR): 54–159). Respiratory support was required by 82.0% of infants: oxygen in 70.4% (median 4 (IQR: 2–6) days); non-invasive ventilation in 19.3% (median 3 (IQR: 2–5) days); and mechanical ventilation in 10.2% (median 5 (IQR: 3–7) days). Intensive care unit admission was required by 17.9% of infants (median 6 days (IQR: 2–8) days). Median overall hospital length of stay (LOS) was 5 (IQR: 3–8) days. Hospital resource use was similar across wGA groups except for overall LOS, which was shortest in those born 35 wGA (median 3 vs. 4–6 days for 32–34 wGA; P < 0.001). Strategies to reduce the burden of RSVH in otherwise healthy 32–35 wGA infants are indicated.
Zn is an essential nutrient for humans; however, a sensitive biomarker to assess Zn status has not been identified. The objective of this study was to determine the reliability and sensitivity of Zn transporter and metallothionein (MT) genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to Zn exposure ex vivo and to habitual Zn intake in human subjects. In study 1, human PBMCs were cultured for 24 h with 0–50 µm ZnSO4 with or without 5 µm N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN), and mRNA expression of SLC30A1-10, SLC39A1-14, MT1 subtypes (A, B, E, F, G, H, L, M and X), MT2A, MT3 and MT4 mRNA was determined. In study 2, fifty-four healthy male and female volunteers (31·9 (sd 13·8) years, BMI 25·7 (sd 2·9) kg/m2) completed a FFQ, blood was collected, PBMCs were isolated and mRNA expression of selected Zn transporters and MT isoforms was determined. Study 1: MT1E, MT1F, MT1G, MT1H, MT1L, MT1M, MT1X, MT2A and SLC30A1 increased with increasing concentrations of Zn and declined with the addition of TPEN. Study 2: Average daily Zn intake was 16·0 (sd 5·3) mg/d (range: 9–31 mg/d), and plasma Zn concentrations were 15·5 (SD 2·8) μmol/l (range 11–23 μmol/l). PBMC MT2A was positively correlated with dietary Zn intake (r 0·306, P = 0·03) and total Zn intake (r 0·382, P < 0·01), whereas plasma Zn was not (P > 0·05 for both). Findings suggest that MT2A mRNA in PBMCs reflects dietary Zn intake in healthy adults and may be a component in determining Zn status.
Approximately, 1.7 million individuals in the United States have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This has disproportionately impacted adults, but many children have been infected and hospitalised as well. To date, there is not much information published addressing the cardiac workup and monitoring of children with COVID-19. Here, we share the approach to the cardiac workup and monitoring utilised at a large congenital heart centre in New York City, the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Hydrogen lithography has been used to template phosphine-based surface chemistry to fabricate atomic-scale devices, a process we abbreviate as atomic precision advanced manufacturing (APAM). Here, we use mid-infrared variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry (IR-VASE) to characterize single-nanometer thickness phosphorus dopant layers (δ-layers) in silicon made using APAM compatible processes. A large Drude response is directly attributable to the δ-layer and can be used for nondestructive monitoring of the condition of the APAM layer when integrating additional processing steps. The carrier density and mobility extracted from our room temperature IR-VASE measurements are consistent with cryogenic magneto-transport measurements, showing that APAM δ-layers function at room temperature. Finally, the permittivity extracted from these measurements shows that the doping in the APAM δ-layers is so large that their low-frequency in-plane response is reminiscent of a silicide. However, there is no indication of a plasma resonance, likely due to reduced dimensionality and/or low scattering lifetime.
Registry-based trials have emerged as a potentially cost-saving study methodology. Early estimates of cost savings, however, conflated the benefits associated with registry utilisation and those associated with other aspects of pragmatic trial designs, which might not all be as broadly applicable. In this study, we sought to build a practical tool that investigators could use across disciplines to estimate the ranges of potential cost differences associated with implementing registry-based trials versus standard clinical trials.
Methods:
We built simulation Markov models to compare unique costs associated with data acquisition, cleaning, and linkage under a registry-based trial design versus a standard clinical trial. We conducted one-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, varying study characteristics over broad ranges, to determine thresholds at which investigators might optimally select each trial design.
Results:
Registry-based trials were more cost effective than standard clinical trials 98.6% of the time. Data-related cost savings ranged from $4300 to $600,000 with variation in study characteristics. Cost differences were most reactive to the number of patients in a study, the number of data elements per patient available in a registry, and the speed with which research coordinators could manually abstract data. Registry incorporation resulted in cost savings when as few as 3768 independent data elements were available and when manual data abstraction took as little as 3.4 seconds per data field.
Conclusions:
Registries offer important resources for investigators. When available, their broad incorporation may help the scientific community reduce the costs of clinical investigation. We offer here a practical tool for investigators to assess potential costs savings.
Innovation Concept: Dizziness is an increasingly common presenting complaint in the emergency department (ED), accounting for >2% of visits annually or almost 30% of visits in patients aged over 65. Approximately half of all cases of dizziness in older adults are caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The use of computerized tomography (CT) to rule out serious but rare underlying central nervous system (CNS) causes in patients with dizziness in the ED is increasing despite guidelines supporting the use of clinical exam maneuvers such as the Dix-Hallpike test and therapeutic canalith repositioning maneuvers. Evidence indicates that these clinical tools are underutilized due to clinician discomfort or lack of understanding in performing and interpreting the maneuvers, supporting brief and accessible clinical resources that incorporate video examples to address this. Methods: Through an iterative process the authors have developed a smartphone app that is designed to facilitate the clinical diagnosis of BPPV and provide treatment maneuvers where appropriate. The app is being tested by clinicians practicing emergency medicine or primary care in Northern Ontario. Curriculum, Tool, or Material: The BPPV Tool is designed as a step-wise guide to diagnose BPPV. Clinicians will be prompted to perform specific exam maneuvers based on clinical findings, and can follow short example videos or written directions. Potentially precipitated nystagmus is described along with example videos. Provocative tests include the Dix-Hallpike and Supine Roll. If appropriate, the clinician will be prompted to perform therapeutic repositioning maneuvers such as the Epley or Gufoni, with associated sample videos, descriptions, and billing information where available. If at any point a clinician's exam findings are not in keeping with a diagnosis of BPPV, they will be alerted to this and stop progressing through the app. Conclusion: The BPPV Tool is an accessible and easily disseminated smartphone app designed to improve clinician comfort in reliably diagnosing BPPV. Diagnosing this common condition clinically is supported in the literature and can reduce the number of unnecessary CT scans performed, which would reduce healthcare costs and ED length of stay for these visits, and could reduce the number of patient transfers from peripheral sites for imaging.
This study presents two years of characterization of a warm temperate rhodolith bed in order to analyse how certain environmental changes influence the community ecology. The biomass of rhodoliths and associated species were analysed during this period and in situ experiments were conducted to evaluate the primary production, calcification and respiration of the dominant species of rhodoliths and epiphytes. The highest total biomass of rhodoliths occurred during austral winter. Lithothamnion crispatum was the most abundant rhodolith species in austral summer. Epiphytic macroalgae occurred only in January 2015, with Padina gymnospora being the most abundant. Considering associated fauna, the biomass of Mollusca increased from February 2015 to February 2016. Population densities of key reef fish species inside and around the rhodolith beds showed significant variations in time. The densities of grouper (carnivores/piscivores) increased in time, especially from 2015 to 2016. On the other hand, grunts (macroinvertebrate feeders) had a modest decrease over time (from 2014 to 2016). Other parameters such as primary production and calcification of L. crispatum were higher under enhanced irradiance, yet decreased in the presence of P. gymnospora. Community structure and physiological responses can be explained by the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors, which are driven by environmental changes over time. Biomass changes can indicate that herbivores play a role in limiting the growth of epiphytes, and this is beneficial to the rhodoliths because it decreases competition for environmental resources with fleshy algae.
People with severe enduring mental illness (SMI) are at least twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population, with 60% of excess mortality rate attributable to physical illness.
Methods
We report implementation in primary care of screening and intervention for cardiometabolic risk factors in SMI in Cheshire, UK. Data search was performed through the EMIS software provider.
Results
453 patients (55.8% male 44.2% female) on the SMI Register in Cheshire, UK were screened for dysglycaemia (screening rate 57.3 %) and dyslipidaemia (screening rate 36.2%). There were no differences in BMI by gender, but a greater proportion of women (25% vs 20%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Fasting glucose was in the impaired fasting glycaemia range (6.1-6.9mM) in 6.5% of those screened and at or above the threshold for type 2 diabetes (7.0mM) in 17.3% of the group. Fasting serum cholesterol was high at >5mmol/L in 62.8% of those screened for whom the mean cholesterol was 6.2±0.8 mmol/L). Despite high rates of dysglycaemia and dyslipidaemia, systolic blood pressure was greater than 140mmHg in only 13% of those examined. 61% were active smokers.
Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed a direct relation between fasting glucose levels and BMI (beta = 0.22, p< 0.001) independent of age, gender, systolic blood pressure and fasting cholesterol and triglycerides.
Conclusion
There is scope for cardiometabolic risk reduction in patients with severe mental illness. Measures to encourage weight reduction and smoking cessation would be vital in risk reduction strategies.
There is increasing evidence for a neurobiological basis of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), includinggenetic liability, aberrant serotonergic function, neuropsychological deficits and structural and functional brain abnormalities. However, few functional brain imaging studies have been conducted using tasks of clinically relevant functions such as impulse control and reinforcement processing. Here we report on a study investigating the neural basis of behavioural inhibition and reward sensitivity in ASPD using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Methods
17 medication-free male individuals with DSM IV ASPD and 14 healthy controls were included. All subjects were screened for Axis I pathology and substance misuse. Scanner tasks included two block design tasks: one Go/No-Go task and one reward task. Scanning was carried out on a 1.5T Phillips system. Whole brain coverage was achieved using 40 axial slices with 3.5mm spacing a TR of 5 seconds. Data were analysed using SPM5 using random effects models.
Results
Results of the Go/No-Go task confirmed brain activation previously described in the processing of impulse inhibition, namely in the orbitofrontal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate, and these were enhanced in the PD group. The reward task was associated with BOLD response changes in the reward network in both groups. However, these BOLD responses were reduced in the ASPD group, particularly in prefrontal areas.
Conclusions
Our results further support the notion of prefrontal dysfunction in ASPD. However, contrary to previous studies suggesting “hypofrontality” in this disorder, we found task specific increased and decreased BOLD responses.
Modafinil was tested for efficacy in facilitating abstinence in cocaine-dependent patients, compared to placebo.
Methods:
This is a double-blind placebo-controlled study, with 12 weeks of treatment and a 4-week follow-up. 210 treatment-seekers with DSM-IV diagnosis of cocaine dependence consented and enrolled. 72 participants were randomized to placebo, 69 to modafinil 200mg, and 69 to modafinil 400mg, taken once daily on awakening. Participants attended the clinic three times per week for assessments and urine drug screens, and had one hour of individual psychotherapy once per week. The primary outcome was the increase in weekly percentage of non-use days. Secondary outcomes included: decrease in the weekly median log of urine benzoylecgonine, subgroup analyses of balancing factors and co-morbid conditions, self-report of alcohol use, addiction severity, craving, and risk behaviors for HIV.
Results:
125 participants completed 12 weeks of treatment (60%). The GEE regression analysis showed that for the total sample, the difference between modafinil groups and placebo in the weekly percentage of cocaine non-use days over the 12-week treatment period was not statistically significant (p=0.95). A post-hoc analysis showed a significant effect for modafinil, only in the subgroup of cocaine patients without alcohol dependence. Modafinil 200mg also showed significant effects of an increase in the total number of consecutive non-use days for cocaine (p=0.02), and a reduction in craving (p=0.04).
Conclusions:
These data suggest that modafinil, in combination with individual behavioral therapy, was effective for increasing cocaine non-use days in participants without co-morbid alcohol dependence, and in reducing craving.
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) is a long-acting prodrug stimulant for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Objective
Review efficacy and safety data from two double-blind, randomized trials (SPD489-325 and SPD489-326) in patients with ADHD aged 6–17 years.
Methods
In SPD489-325, patients received placebo or optimized doses of LDX or the reference treatment, osmotic-release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH) for ≤7 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV) total score. Statistical comparison of LDX versus OROS-MPH was not pre-specified. In SPD489-326, a ≥26-week open-label LDX period preceded a 6-week, placebo-controlled, randomized-withdrawal period (RWP). The primary endpoint was treatment failure (50% increase in ADHD-RS-IV total score and ≥2-point increase in Clinical Global Impressions-Severity score from RWP baseline). Efficacy was assessed in the full analysis sets.
Results
In SPD489-325 (N=317), placebo-adjusted least-squares-mean changes in ADHD-RS-IV total score from baseline to endpoint were: LDX, –18.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: –21.5, –15.7; p<0.001; effect size 1.80) and OROS MPH, –13.0 (–15.9, –10.2; p<0.001; 1.26). In SPD489-326 (N=262, open-label period; N=153, RWP), 15.8% and 67.5% of patients receiving LDX and placebo, respectively, met treatment failure criteria at RWP endpoint (differen –51.7%; 95% CI: –65.0%, –38.5%; p<0.001). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events in LDX-treated patients were decreased appetite, headache and decreased weight.
Conclusions
Short-term LDX treatment improved symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents. Continued LDX treatment was associated with maintenance of efficacy compared with placebo. The safety profile of LDX was generally consistent with that of stimulant therapy.