Predictive machine learning models for ascending aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid and tricuspid aortic valves undergoing cardiothoracic surgery: a prospective, single-centre and observational study

Objectives

The objective of this study was to develop clinical classifiers aiming to identify prevalent ascending aortic dilatation in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and tricuspid aortic valve (TAV).

Design and setting

A prospective, single-centre and observational cohort.

Participants

The study involved 543 BAV and 491 TAV patients with aortic valve disease and/or ascending aortic dilatation, excluding those with coronary artery disease, undergoing cardiothoracic surgery at the Karolinska University Hospital (Sweden).

Main outcome measures

Predictors of high risk of ascending aortic dilatation (defined as ascending aorta with a diameter above 40 mm) were identified through the application of machine learning algorithms and classic logistic regression models.

Exposures

Comprehensive multidimensional data, including valve morphology, clinical information, family history of cardiovascular diseases, prevalent diseases, demographic details, lifestyle factors, and medication.

Results

BAV patients, with an average age of 60.4±12.4 years, showed a higher frequency of aortic dilatation (45.3%) compared with TAV patients, who had an average age of 70.4±9.1 years (28.9% dilatation, p

Conclusion and recommendation

Cardiovascular risk profiles appear to be more predictive of aortopathy in TAV patients than in patients with BAV. This adds evidence to the fact that BAV-associated and TAV-associated aortopathy involves different pathways to aneurysm formation and highlights the need for specific aneurysm preventions in these patients. Further, our results highlight that machine learning approaches do not outperform classical prediction methods in addressing complex interactions and non-linear relations between variables.

Creating a psychosocial intervention combining growth mindset and implementation intentions (GMII) to reduce alcohol consumption: A mixed method approach

by Sacha Parada, Bérengère Rubio, Elsa Taschini, Xavier Laqueille, Malika El Youbi, Pierre Paris, Bernard Angerville, Alain Dervaux, Jean-François Verlhiac, Eve Legrand

This work aimed at creating a psychosocial intervention based on growth mindset theory and implementation intention strategies, in order to reduce alcohol consumption among users in the general population, and the clinical population of individuals with alcohol use disorder. A mixed method approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods among both populations. Four focus groups were first conducted to extract arguments in favor of a malleable view of alcohol consumption (study 1A), situations that trigger the desire to drink alcohol, as well as strategies used by people to counteract this need (study 1B). Data were analyzed using reflective thematic analysis in line with the scientific literature on alcohol consumption. The results were used to create a questionnaire scoring the relevance of each argument, situation and strategy (study 2). The 20 best scored arguments, situations and strategies were selected to create the intervention. The created intervention consisted in a popularized scientific article describing alcohol consumption as malleable, including the selected arguments and followed by two internalization exercises. Then, a volitional help sheet included the selected situations and solutions was presented, allowing forming up to three plans. The discussion focused on the added value of the created material compared to pre-existing tools in the literature, and presents plans to test the intervention in a future study.

Effects of service dogs on children with ASD’s symptoms and parents’ well-being: On the importance of considering those effects with a more systemic perspective

by Nicolas Dollion, Margot Poirier, Florian Auffret, Nathe François, Pierrich Plusquellec, Marine Grandgeorge, Handi’Chiens , Fondation Mira

The integration of a service dog can have numerous benefits for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, although integration takes place within a family, little is known about the dynamics of these benefits on the family microsystem. Thus, the aim of our study was to propose a more systemic perspective, not only by investigating the benefits of SD integration, but also by exploring the relationships between improvements in children with ASD, parents’ well-being, parenting strategies and the quality of the child-dog relationship. Twenty parent-child with ASD dyads were followed before, as well as 3 and 6 months after service dog integration. At each stage, parents completed an online survey which included: the Autism Behavior Inventory (ABI-S), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), the Parenting Stress Index Short Version (PSI-SF), the Monash Dog Owner Relationship Scale (MDORS) and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ). First, repeated measure one-way ANOVAs revealed that both children’s ASD symptoms and parents’ anxiety decreased significantly after service dog integration. Additionally, Spearman correlations revealed that the more ASD symptoms decreased, the more parent’s anxiety and parenting stress also decreased. Second, the quality of the child-dog relationship appeared to contribute to those benefits on both children’s ASD symptoms and parents’ well-being. Interestingly, parenting strategies seemed to adapt according to these benefits and to the quality of the child-dog relationship. Through a more systemic perspective, this study highlighted that the integration of a service dog involved reciprocal and dynamic effects for children with ASD and their parents, and shed new light on the processes that may underlie the effects of a service dog for children with ASD.

The effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with chronic kidney disease with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular and renal outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

by Carlos Ignacio Reyes-Farias, Marcelo Reategui-Diaz, Franco Romani-Romani, Larry Prokop

Background

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have shown a favorable effect on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, their efficacy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with or without T2DM has not yet been analyzed.

Objective

To assess the cardiovascular and renal effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with CKD with and without T2DM, including all CKD patients in the current literature.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and Scopus for randomized controlled trials of SGLT-2 inhibitors that evaluated cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with CKD, or trials in which these patients were a subgroup. We defined 2 primary outcomes: a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, and a composite renal outcome. For each outcome, we obtained overall hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals by using a random effects model.

Results

We included 14 randomized controlled trials. SGLT-2 inhibitors decreased the hazard for the primary cardiovascular outcome (HR 0.76; [95% CI 0.72–0.79]) and the primary renal outcome (HR 0.69; [95% CI 0.61–0.79]) in patients with CKD with or without T2DM. We did not find significant differences in the subgroup analyses according to diabetes status, baseline eGFR values or the type of SGLT-2 inhibitor used.

Conclusion

In patients with CKD, treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors in addition to standard therapy conferred protection against cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Further research on patients with non-diabetic CKD should be done to confirm the utility of these medications in this population. (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021275012).

Aquaporin splice variation differentially modulates channel function during marine teleost egg hydration

by Alba Ferré, François Chauvigné, Cinta Zapater, Roderick Nigel Finn, Joan Cerdà

Aquaporin-mediated oocyte hydration is a developmentally regulated adaptive mechanism that co-occurs with meiosis resumption in marine teleosts. It provides the early embryos with vital water until osmoregulatory systems develop, and in the majority of marine teleosts causes their eggs to float. Recent studies have shown that the subdomains of two water channels (Aqp1ab1 and Aqp1ab2) encoded in a teleost-specific aquaporin-1 cluster (TSA1C) co-evolved with duplicated Ywhaz-like (14-3-3ζ-like) binding proteins to differentially control their membrane trafficking for maximal egg hydration. Here, we report that in species that encode the full TSA1C, in-frame intronic splice variants of Aqp1ab1 result in truncated proteins that cause dominant-negative inhibition of the canonical channel trafficking to the plasma membrane. The inhibition likely occurs through hetero-oligomerization and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ultimate degradation. Conversely, in species that only encode the Aqp1ab2 channel we found an in-frame intronic splice variant that results in an intact protein with an extended extracellular loop E, and an out-of frame intronic splice variant with exon readthrough that results in a truncated protein. Both isoforms cause dominant-negative enhancement of the degradation pathway. However, the extended and truncated Aqp1ab2-type variants can also partially escape from the ER to reach the oocyte plasma membrane, where they dominantly-negatively inhibit water flux. The ovarian follicular expression ratios of the Aqp1ab2 isoforms in relation to the canonical channel are lowest during oocyte hydration, but subsequently highest when the canonical channel is recycled, thus leaving the eggs endowed with >90% water. These findings suggest that the expression of inhibitory isoforms of Aqp1ab1 and Aqp1ab2 may represent a new regulatory mechanism through which the cell-surface expression and the activity of the canonical channels can be physiologically modulated during oocyte hydration in marine teleosts.

Violence and aggression against nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Latin America. From the emerging leaders program of the Interamerican Society of Cardiology (SIAC)

Abstract

Introduction

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare providers have overcome difficult experiences such as workplace violence. Nurses are particularly vulnerable to workplace violence. The objective of this study was to characterize violence and aggression against nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America.

Methods

An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted in 19 Latin American countries to characterize the frequency and type of violent actions against front-line healthcare providers.

Results

Of the original 3544 respondents, 16% were nurses (n = 567). The mean age was 39.7 ± 9.0 years and 79.6% (n = 2821) were women. In total, 69.8% (n = 2474) worked in public hospitals and 81.1% (n = 2874) reported working regularly with COVID-19 patients. Overall, about 68.6% (n = 2431) of nurses experienced at least one episode of workplace aggression during the pandemic. Nurses experienced weekly aggressions more frequently than other healthcare providers (45.5% versus 38.1%, p < .007). Nurses showed a trend of lower reporting rates against the acts of aggression suffered (p = .076). In addition, nurses were more likely to experience negative cognitive symptoms after aggressive acts (33.4% versus 27.8%, p = .028). However, nurses reported considering changing their work tasks less frequently compared to other healthcare providers after an assault event (p = .005).

Conclusion

Workplace violence has been a frequent problem for all healthcare providers during COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America. Nurses were a particularly vulnerable subgroup, with higher rates of aggressions and cognitive symptoms and lower rate of complaints than other healthcare providers who suffered from workplace violence. It is imperative to develop strategies to protect this vulnerable group from aggressions during their tasks.

Ansiedad, depresión y soledad en cuidadores de personas con enfermedad crónica

Objetivo principal: Determinar la relación entre ansiedad, depresión y soledad en cuidadores familiares de adultos mayores con enfermedades crónicas. Metodología: Diseño descriptivo correlacional. Se utilizó la Escala hospitalaria de ansiedad y depresión (α=.83) y la escala de Soledad (α=.95). Se hizo un cálculo de tamaño de muestra con programa G-Power 3.1.9.7 y se aplicó un muestreo a conveniencia. Se analizó con estadística descriptiva e inferencial, como Pearson y chi2. Resultados principales: Participaron 178 cuidadores familiares con una m de 45 años. Se encontró relación de la edad con la percepción de soledad (r=-.200) y el tiempo del cuidado con la puntuación de depresión (r=-.199) y ansiedad (r=-.179). Conclusión principal: Se encontró que, a mayor edad del cuidador, mayor es la percepción de soledad, y a mayor tiempo de cuidado, menor es la depresión y ansiedad, permitiendo implementar futuros programas de atención para mejorar la calidad de vida de los cuidadores.

The initiation of Dutch newly qualified hospital-based midwives in practice, a qualitative study

In the Netherlands, a percentage of newly qualified midwives start work in maternity care as a hospital-based midwife, although prepared particularly for working autonomously in the community.

Motivos que llevan a las mujeres a optar por el parto domiciliario planificado

Objetivo principal: conocer los motivos que llevan a las mujeres a optar por el parto domiciliário planificado. Metodología: estudio descrip-tivo, exploratorio, con un enfoque cualitativo. Participaron en la investigaciõn nueve mujeres que han optado por tener su parto en casa. Recolección de datos se produjo a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, realizadas individualmente. Se utilizó la técnica de análisis de contenido de tipo temático. Resultados principales: del análisis emergieron los temas: Motivos que llevaron al parto domiciliário; Percep-ción de las mujeres sobre el parto domiciliário; Conductas de los profesionales de la salud en el parto domiciliário; y El enfermero frente a la asistencia al parto domiciliário. Conclusión principal: Las mujeres que optan por el parto domiciliario buscan una atención más humana sobre el parto, evitando una serie de intervenciones innecesarias, comunes en los hospitales.

Violencia obstétrica desde la perspectiva de las madres en un hospital de Serra Gaucha

Objetivo principal: identificar posibles situaciones de violencia obstétrica durante el ciclo embarazo-puerperal en la perspectiva de mujeres puerperales en un hospital de la Serra Gaúcha. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio con enfoque cualitativo. Once mujeres postparto participaron en el estudio. La recolección de datos se realizó a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas, realizadas de forma individual. Para el análisis de la información se utilizó la técnica de Análisis de Contenido de tipo Temático. Resultados principales: los siguientes temas surgieron del análisis: Percepciones de las mujeres puérperas sobre su experiencia en la atención del parto; y Prácticas inadecuadas durante la atención en el período de embarazo-puerperal. Conclusión principal: el estudio permitió conocer situaciones de violencia obstétrica que a veces no son reconocidas por las mujeres. La educación continua puede ser una estrategia para combatir la violencia obstétrica, a través de actualizaciones profesionales que permiten mejores prácticas de salud en el cuidado del parto y el parto.

Valoración de las infecciones del tracto urinario en ancianos institucionalizados. Propuesta de mejora en el abordaje clínico

Objetivo: analizar las ITU en una Residencia y diseñar una estrategia de manejo y prevención. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal de ancianos institucionalizados en una Residencia de Cádiz entre el 1/abril/2015 al 31/marzo/2016. Seleccionamos aquellos que padecieron al menos un episodio de ITU. No presentamos criterios de exclusión. Resultados: contamos con 119 residentes, (media de 88/mes), presentaron infección 44 (75% mujeres). Edad entre 71 y 102 años, moda y mediana de 84. Tasa de incidencia global 49%/año. Sondaje vesical un 15,90% e incontinencia urinaria 86,36%. El 79.1% fueron episodios agudos, 20.9% crónicos y el 68.08% recidivaron. Manifestaciones clínicas: fiebre, astenia, dolor, hiperglucemia y hematuria. Escherichia coli. como germen más habitual. Conclusión: constatamos alta prevalencia de ITU mejorable con estrategia de gestión multidisciplinar, evitando sobrediagnóstico y sobretratamiento y prevención primaria con probióticos.

Catéter venoso central de acceso periférico Bilumen. Procedimiento de inserción y criterios de selección

Rev Enferm;41(3): 168-175, mar. 2018. tab, ilus. [Artículo]