Digital Commons Network^™

Persistent Advanced Hiv Disease In Rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: Trends, Characteristics, And The Urgent Need For Targeted Interventions, Marcel K. Kitenge, Geoffrey Fatti, Ingrid Eshun-Wilson, Peter S. Nyasulu

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Advanced HIV disease (AHD) remains a persistent public health challenge. Data regarding the burden, characteristics and predictors of AHD is scarce specifically for rural settings of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to describe trends in annual CD4 count distribution and to characterise adult persons living with HIV (PLWH) on ART who have AHD in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort design of annual CD4 count distribution was conducted among antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients aged 18 years and older. We used routinely collected data from adults receiving ART in Eshowe and Mbongolwane areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, between …

Improving Outcomes Of Single-Sided Deaf Cochlear Implant Users By Reducing Interaural Frequency And Loudness Mismatches Through Device Programming, Laura K Holden, Rosalie M Uchanski, Noël Y Dwyer, Ruth M Reeder, Timothy A Holden, Jill B Firszt

2020-Current year OA Pubs

The study aimed to improve outcomes in Nucleus cochlear implant (CI) recipients with single-sided deafness (SSD) by reducing interaural frequency and loudness mismatches through device programming. In Experiment 1a, a modified frequency allocation table (FAT) was created to better match the tonotopicity of the contralateral ear and reduce interaural frequency mismatch. Twenty experienced SSD-CI users completed localization and speech recognition tests with their everyday FAT. Tests were repeated after 6 weeks' use of the modified FAT. Participants compared both FATs for 2 weeks before being tested again with each. For 10 newly implanted SSD-CI recipients (Experiment 1b), Group A was …

Risk Factors For Development Of Stroke In Patients With Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Support As Destination Therapy, Ioana B Florea, Nadia H Bakir, Meghan O Kelly, Joel D Schilling, Gregory A Ewald, Akinobu Itoh, Marc R Moon, Spencer J Melby, Ralph J Damiano, Kunal D Kotkar, Muhammad F Masood

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly used as destination therapy. Although postimplantation stroke rates have been described in the context of bridge-to-transplant or mixed cohorts, stroke development is not well evaluated in patients who receive continuous-flow LVAD with a destination therapy indication. This report characterizes the stroke profile of a modern institutional cohort of patients undergoing destination therapy and evaluates their risk factors for stroke onset.

METHODS: Patients implanted with continuous-flow LVAD as destination therapy at the reporting institution between January 2010 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Stroke was defined as any neurologic deficit …

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Occupational Co-Exposure To Biomechanical Factors And Neurotoxic Chemicals Using Job-Exposure Matrices And Self-Reported Exposure: Findings From The Constances Cohort, Julie Bodin, Clémence Rapicault, Alexis Descatha, Marc Fadel, Fabien Gilbert, Bradley Evanoff, Nathalie Bonvallot, Marcel Goldberg, Marie Zins, Yves Roquelaure

2020-Current year OA Pubs

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between occupational co-exposure to biomechanical risk factors, potentially neurotoxic chemicals and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a large cohort of French workers, using two methods to estimate chemical exposure: job-exposure matrices (JEM) and self-reported exposure.

METHODS: A randomly selected sample of adults were included between 2012 and 2018 in the French cohort CONSTANCES. Self-reported CTS was assessed using the first self-administered follow-up questionnaire, sent out approximately one year after baseline. Occupational exposure to biomechanical risk factors was assessed using self-administered questionnaire completed at inclusion. Lifetime occupational exposure to chemicals was assessed using two different methods: …

Colorectal Cancer Incidence Trends In Younger Versus Older Adults: An Analysis Of Population-Based Cancer Registry Data, Hyuna Sung, Rebecca L Siegel, Mathieu Laversanne, Chenxi Jiang, Eileen Morgan, Mariam Zahwe, Yin Cao, Freddie Bray, Ahmedin Jemal

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that colorectal cancer incidence is increasing among younger adults (aged < 50 years) in multiple high-income western countries in contrast with stabilising or decreasing trends in incidence in older adults (aged ≥50 years). This study aimed to investigate contemporary colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger adults versus older adults.

METHODS: Colorectal cancer incidence data, including year of diagnosis, sex, and 5-year age group for 50 countries and territories, were extracted from the WHO-International Agency for Research on Cancer Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus database. The Human Development Index 2022 was retrieved from the United Nations Development Programme and grouped into very high (>0·80), high (0·70-0·79), medium (0·55-0·69), and low (< 0·55) categories. Age-standardised incidence rates (ASR) per 100 000 person-years of early-onset (diagnosed between ages 25 to 49 years) and late-onset (diagnosed between ages 50 to 74 years) colorectal cancer (ICD 10th revision, C18-20), diagnosed between 1943-2003 and 2015-17, were calculated using the direct method and Segi-Doll world standard population). The primary study objective was to examine contemporary colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger adults versus older adults using data until 2017 from 50 countries and territories. Temporal trends were visualised and quantified with joinpoint regression, stratified by age at diagnosis (25-49 years or 50-74 years). Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were estimated.

FINDINGS: In the most recent 5 years (2013-17 for all countries analysed, except for Japan [2011-15], Spain [2012-16], and Costa Rica [2012-16]), …

Surgeon Interpretation Of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures In Upper Extremity Osteoarthritis, Rick S. Looman, Koen Oude Nijhuis, Sina Ramtin, David Ring, Daniel A. London, Ryan Calfee, Niels Brinkman, Science Of Variation Group

2020-Current year OA Pubs

PURPOSE: Measures that quantify levels of pain intensity, incapability, symptoms of distress, and unhelpful thinking were designed as research tools. We studied how surgeons interpret and act on these scores in the care of individual patients.

METHODS: In an online experiment, 67 upper limb specialists from the Science of Variation Group reviewed 10 fictious patient scenarios of trapeziometacarpal, wrist and elbow osteoarthritis (OA) and randomized elements of radiographic severity, levels of discomfort and incapability, deprivation index score (social health), and levels of distress and unhelpful thinking (mental health). Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression identified patient factors associated with surgeon concern, enthusiasm …

Ethical Implications Of Neurotechnology In Industry-Academia Partnerships: Insights From Patient And Research Participant Interviews, Meredith V. Parsons, Maya Skolnik, Judith Mwobobia, Erin D Solomon, James M. Dubois, Tristan Mcintosh

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Neurotechnologies often advance through industry-academia (IA) partnerships and offer insight into brain and nervous system functions, bringing improved diagnosis and treatment options to patients. Both neurotechnology and IA partnerships pose ethical challenges that can impact research participation experiences, patient treatment, and health outcomes.

METHODS: Investigators conducted interviews with 16 patients who used neurotechnology devices in therapeutic or research settings. Interviews explored participants' experiences using neurotechnology, perspectives on IA partnerships, preferences for neural data use and long-term care, and advice for future neurotechnology device users. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Participants were generally supportive of IA partnerships. …

Articles That May Change Your Practice: Reviewing Intraosseous Or Intravenous? Reviewing Intraosseous Versus Intravenous First Approach To Access In Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Data From Randomized Controlled Trials, Blaise Loughman, Fatou Ndaw, Aaron J Lacy, James L Li

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Articles That May Change Your Practice: Double-Sequential External Defibrillation In Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, Michael J Defilippo, Christianne L Jafari, James L Li, Aaron J Lacy

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Articles That May Change Your Practice: Prehospital Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Alerts And Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation In Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, James L Li, Aaron J Lacy, Bridgette B Svancarek

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Usability Of The Mayo Test Drive Remote Self-Administered Web-Based Cognitive Screening Battery In Adults Aged 35-100 With And Without Cognitive Impairment, Jay S Patel, Jason Hassenstab, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Mayo Test Drive (MTD): Mayo Test Development through Rapid Iteration, Validation and Expansion, is a web-based remote cognitive assessment platform for self-administered neuropsychological measures with previously demonstrated validity and reliability. We examined the usability of MTD and hypothesized that completion rates would be greater than 90%. We explored whether completion and participation rates differed by cognitive status and demographic factors.

METHODS: A total of 1,950 Mayo Clinic Study of Aging and Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center participants (97% White, 99% Non-Hispanic) were invited to participate in this ancillary, uncompensated remote study. Most invitees were cognitively unimpaired (CU;

RESULTS: Baseline …

Managing Tbsrtc Iii Thyroid Nodules: Evaluating Repeat Fna, Molecular Testing, And Surgery, Christopher Dilli, William Mi, Daniel L Miller

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Thyroid nodules are common, but most are benign. Concerning nodules undergo fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and are classified using The Bethesda System. Nodules with atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) [Bethesda III] have management options including surveillance, repeat FNA, molecular testing, and surgical evaluation. While molecular testing can reduce unnecessary surgeries, it is costly. This retrospective study assessed the feasibility of repeat FNA as a cost-effective alternative.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional retrospective study of AUS nodules from 5 hospitals between September 1, 2018, and March 1, 2024. Only initial FNA cases were included; pediatric cases and those lost …

An Exploratory Graphical Analysis Of The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Pre- And Post-Treatment Using Pooled Antidepressant Trial Secondary Data, David Byrne, Arunangshu Ghoshal, Fiona Boland, Susan Brannick, Robert M Carney, Pim Cuijpers, Alexandra L Dima, Kenneth E Freedland, Suzanne Guerin, David Hevey, Bishember Kathuria, Vincent Mcdarby, Emma Wallace, Frank Doyle

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: The 10-item Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a commonly used measure of depression in antidepressant clinical trials. Numerous studies have adopted classical test theory perspectives to assess the psychometric properties of this scale, finding generally positive results. However, its network configural structure and stability is unexplored across different time-points and treatment groups.

AIMS: To assess the network structure and stability of the MADRS in clinical settings pre- and post-treatment, and to determine a configurally invariant and stable model across time-points and treatment groups (placebo and intervention).

METHOD: Individual participant data for 6440 participants from 14 clinical trials of …

Effects Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Daily Function And Quality Of Life In Markedly Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: Findings From A One-Year, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial, A John Rush, Charles R Conway, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Depression treatments aim to minimize symptom burden and optimize quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial function.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the effects of adjunctive versus sham vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on QoL and function in markedly treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 493 adults with TRD and ≥4 adequate but unsuccessful antidepressant treatment trials (current episode) were randomized to active (n = 249) or sham (n = 244) VNS (plus treatment as usual) over a 12-month observation period. Quarterly outcomes included QoL with the Q-LES-Q, Mini-Q-LES-Q, and EQ-5D-5L, and function with the WHODAS 2.0 and Work Productivity …

Exploring Factors Contributing To Patient Decision-Making In The Care Journey To Elective Hernia Care In Kenya, Helen W. Li, Jesse Kiprono Too, Sarah Nyanchama Nyariki, Charles Nathan Nessle, Sara Malone, Rachel Matsumoto, Teddy Ashibende Aurah, Jeffrey A. Blatnik, Joanna Hunter-Squires, Ivan Seno Saruni

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Capacity for elective general surgical care is an important reflection of a health system's ability to meet a population's surgical needs and is currently known to be inadequate in many low- and middle-income countries. Patient agency is a key, understudied factor which shapes how and when patients ultimately decide to engage with formal care. Understanding factors which influence patient care seeking activity can have important implications for how current and future health systems may be utilized. This study aims to explore how patients approach the navigation and triage of their elective hernia condition within the Kenyan surgical care system. …

Improving Training On Hepatitis B Research In Nigeria: Findings From An Innovation Bootcamp To Strengthen Capacity, Maria A. Afadapa, Olufunto A. Olusanya, Peter Kalulu, Nkiruka Obodoechina, Temitope Ojo, Juliet Iwelunmor, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We organized an Innovation Bootcamp for young people in Nigeria to develop strategies promoting the uptake of the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine among newborns, which remains low, with an estimated coverage of 52%. This event was a collaborative, cross-disciplinary capacity-building platform to generate creative solutions addressing barriers to Hepatitis B vaccine uptake. The purpose of this study was to describe the bootcamp activities that address this gap and evaluate the impact of an Innovation Bootcamp designed to build research capacity among young Nigerians. The bootcamp was informed by Participatory Action Research focused at engaging young people as co-researchers to …

Diagnosis And Management Of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Current Insights, Abhinav Vayal-Veettil, C Prakash Gyawali

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) results from retrograde movement of gastric content into the esophagus and beyond, resulting in symptoms, mucosal injury and long-term complications. Typical symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation are highly suggestive of GERD, but atypical presentations require careful evaluation to rule out alternative diagnoses. Diagnostic modalities, including endoscopy, ambulatory reflux monitoring, and high-resolution manometry, play a pivotal role in confirming GERD and guiding personalized treatment. Management strategies consist of lifestyle modifications, pharmacologic therapy with anti-secretory agents, and adjunctive treatments such as alginates and baclofen. For refractory cases, surgical and endoscopic interventions offer durable symptom relief. Complications of GERD …

Surgeons, Physiatrists And Neurologists Speaking "Edx And Nerve Surgery": A Paradigm Shift For Nerve Injured Patients, Deng Pan, Aneri U Patel, J Megan Patterson, Anna Rose Johnson, Travis Gordon, Susan E Mackinnon

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Surgeons' ability to interpret electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies has greatly enhanced patient selection and outcome for nerve surgeries as it has informed our understanding of the classification of nerve injury. EDX measures axons present, lost, or demyelinated. It does not measure an area where axons experience chronic ischemia, making a Sunderland Zero nerve injury a clinical diagnosis that should be suspected when patients have normal EDX, decreased recruitment on electromyography (EMG), and no atrophy. Only observation of recovery in the earliest postoperative period would confirm a Sunderland Zero. In this article, we present an expanded classification of nerve injury, highlighting Sunderland …

Tracking The Evolving Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Implementation Science: Protocol For A Living Scoping Review Of Applications, Evaluation Approaches And Outcomes [Version 2; Peer Review: 2 Approved], Guillaume Fontaine, Byron J Powell, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities to improve the field of implementation science by supporting key activities such as evidence synthesis, contextual analysis, and decision-making to promote the adoption and sustainability of evidence-based practices. This living scoping review aims to: (1) map applications of AI in implementation research and practice; (2) identify evaluation approaches, reported outcomes, and potential risks; and (3) synthesize reported research gaps and opportunities for advancing the use of AI in implementation science.

METHODS: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the Cochrane guidance for living systematic reviews. A living scoping …

Tourette Syndrome Research Highlights From 2024 [Version 3; Peer Review: 2 Approved, 1 Approved With Reservations], Andreas Hartmann, Per Andrén, Cyril Atkinson-Clement, Virginie Czernecki, Cécile Delorme, Simon Morand-Beaulieu, Nanette Mol Debes, Kirsten Müller-Vahl, Peristera Paschou, Natalia Szejko, Apostolia Topaloudi, Kevin J Black

2020-Current year OA Pubs

We summarize research reports from 2024 relevant to Tourette syndrome, which the authors consider the most important or interesting. This working draft aims to submit this content for publication around the beginning of 2025 in the yearly Tourette Syndrome Research Highlights series on F1000Research. The authors welcome article suggestions and thoughtful feedback from readers, who can add a comment by clicking on the rectangular comment box icon to the left of the LOG IN link at the top of this page. For private comments, you can reach us by email ( [email protected] or [email protected]).

Whole Genome Sequence Analysis Of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Across 246 K Individuals, Margaret Sunitha Selvaraj, Lisa De Las Fuentes, Susan K. Dutcher, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Methylome Analysis Of Ftld Patients With Tdp-43 Pathology Identifies Epigenetic Signatures Specific To Pathological Subtypes, Cristina T. Vicente, Cyril Pottier, Carlos Cruchaga, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Domain Mapping Of Disease Mutations Reveals Pathogenic Sorl1 Variants In Alzheimer's Disease, Olav M. Andersen, Carlos Cruchaga, Maria Victoria Fernandez, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Multi-Ancestry Genome-Wide Meta-Analysis Of 56,241 Individuals Identifies Known And Novel Cross-Population And Ancestry-Specific Associations As Novel Risk Loci For Alzheimer's Disease, Farid Rajabli, Bruno A. Bonitez, Nigel J. Cairns, John C. Morriswashington University School Of Medicine In St. Louis, Carlos Cruchaga, Oscar Harari, Laura Ibanez, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Microbial Degradation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Food Supply Chain, Pankaj Kumar, Ajay Singh, Manikant Tripathi, Deepti Diwan, R Manimekalai, Minaxi Sharma, Sudisha Jogajah, Ramesh Chandra Dubey, Gauri Dutt Sharma

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Clinical Meaningfulness Of Slowing Cdr-Sb Progression With Disease-Modifying Therapies For Alzheimer's Disease, Sarah M Hartz, Suzanne E Schindler, Marissa L Streitz, Krista L Moulder, Jessica Mozersky, Guoqiao Wang, Chengjie Xiong, John C Morris

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: For many patients and caregivers, a major goal of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is to extend independence in instrumental and basic activities of daily living (IADLs and BADLs). The goal of this study was to estimate the effect of treatments on the time remaining independent in IADLs and BADLs.

METHODS: Participants at the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (Knight ADRC) who met eligibility criteria for recent DMT trials were studied: age ≥60 years at baseline, clinical diagnosis of very mild or mild AD dementia (global Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] score 0.5 or 1), biomarker confirmation …

Effects Of Obesity On Plasma Biomarker And Amyloid Pet Trajectories In Alzheimer's Disease, Soheil Mohammadi, Farzaneh Rahmani, Mahsa Dolatshahi, Suzanne E Schindler, Cyrus A Raji, Adni Collaborators

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its impact on AD blood biomarker (BBM) and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) trajectories is unknown.

METHODS: One thousand two hundred twenty-eight plasma samples from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were assessed using six leading commercial tests (C2N, Fujirebio, Janssen, ALZpath, Roche, and Quanterix). Amyloid PET scans were used to assess amyloid burden in Centiloids (CLs). Spearman partial correlations assessed cross-sectional associations, while linear mixed-effects models examined the longitudinal impact of obesity status on BBMs and CLs.

RESULTS: Higher body mass index at baseline was correlated with lower …

Schistosomiasis Interventions In Africa: Assessment And Systematic Review, Christopher Yaw Dumevi, George Boateng Kyei, Patience B Tetteh-Quarcoo, James-Paul Kretchy, Irene Ayi, Patrick F Ayeh-Kumi

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

System Readiness And The Patient Care Pathway For Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis And Treatment, B Joy Snider, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Promising therapeutic interventions that target the underlying pathophysiology are changing the landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. The AD care pathway must be transformed to meet the challenge of bringing these new therapies to the increasing number of people living with AD within the existing healthcare framework. Challenges include identifying patients who may benefit from treatment interventions early in the course of the disease, ensuring that diagnostic tools are accessible and accurate, and developing capabilities to monitor the effectiveness of interventions over time. These challenges must be addressed at all levels, from primary care settings to tertiary treatment centers; this …

Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis Of A Novel Dental Health Education Program To Improve Dental Care Utilization By Bhutanese-, Burmese-, And Swahili-Speaking Refugees In A Midwestern United States City, Chandra Swanson, Katherine Gordon, Kelly Kreisler, Elizabeth Montgomery Collins

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.