Socio-demographic differences in the dietary inflammatory index from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2018: a comparison of multiple imputation versus complete case analysis.

Objective: Studies using the dietary inflammatory index often perform complete case analyses (CCA) to handle missing data, which may reduce the sample size and increase the risk of bias. Furthermore, population-level socio-economic differences in the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) have not been recently studied. Therefore, we aimed to describe socio-demographic differences in E-DII scores among American adults and compare the results using two statistical approaches for handling missing data, i.

Race- and Ethnicity-Related Differences in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Using Natural Language Processing.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the predominant form of HF in older adults. It represents a heterogenous clinical syndrome that is less well understood across different ethnicities.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the clinical presentation and assess the diagnostic performance of existing HFpEF diagnostic tools between ethnic groups.

Using State Agency Reports to Augment Ohio's Agricultural Injury Surveillance Efforts.

Background: Agriculture is a hazardous industry with undocumented injury events. Credible surveillance measures are critical for this industry, especially to guide injury prevention programs with targeted recommendations for specific commodity groups and populations. This multi-phase study explored the feasibility for two state agency databases, the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) Program and the Emergency Medical Services Incident Reporting System (EMSIRS), to augment the state's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) annual reports.

Artificial intelligence methods for improved detection of undiagnosed heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Aim: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains under-diagnosed in clinical practice despite accounting for nearly half of all heart failure (HF) cases. Accurate and timely diagnosis of HFpEF is crucial for proper patient management and treatment. In this study, we explored the potential of natural language processing (NLP) to improve the detection and diagnosis of HFpEF according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) diagnostic criteria.

Ablation of typical atrial flutter using mini electrode measurements for maximum voltage-guided ablation: A randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Novel ablation catheters with mini electrode (ME) sensing have become available but their utility is unclear. We investigated whether ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) for atrial flutter (AFL) would be improved using ME signals.

Methods: Sixty-one patients (76% male, 63 ± 10 years) with CTI-dependent AFL underwent ablation using a maximum voltage-guided approach, randomized to either standard 8 mm non-irrigated catheter with bipolar signals or IntellaTip MiFi catheter using ME signals alone.

Public Health Surveillance of Behavioral Health Emergencies through Emergency Medical Services Data.

To identify the demographic, clinical and EMS characteristics of events documented as behavioral health emergencies (BHE) by EMS. This was a cross-sectional study using the 2018 National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) Version 3 dataset. All events that had patient care provided with a documented impression (field diagnosis) of ICD-10 codes F01-F99 (i.

Syncope, Epilepsy and Ictal Asystole: A Case Series and Narrative Review.

Importance: Syncope is a common presentation to emergency departments, and cardiac and neurological aetiologies are the predominant causes. Ictal asystole is a rare cardio-neural phenomenon seen in epilepsy syndromes whereby a seizure causes asystole (≥3 s) leading to syncope.

Observations: We present three cases of ictal asystole, together with a narrative review of the literature to assess the prevalence of the condition and review the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management.

Manager Support for Wellness Champions: A Case Study for Consideration and Practice Implications.

Background: Wellness champion networks are deemed an important component to workplace wellness programs. By encouraging colleagues to engage in healthy behaviors, champions can help improve employee health and well-being outcomes, while reducing healthcare costs and increasing productivity. However, little evidence exists regarding factors that impact the effectiveness of a wellness champion.

Three-Dimensionally-Printed Bioactive Ceramic Scaffolds: Construct Effects on Bone Regeneration.

Background/purpose: The utilization of three-dimensionally (3D)-printed bioceramic scaffolds composed of beta-tricalcium phosphate in conjunction with dipyridamole have shown to be effective in the osteogenesis of critical bone defects in both skeletally immature and mature animals. Furthermore, previous studies have proven the dura and pericranium's osteogenic capacity in the presence of 3D-printed scaffolds; however, the effect galea aponeurotica on osteogenesis in the presence of 3D scaffolds remains unclear.

Method/description: Critical-sized (11 mm) bilateral calvarial defects were created in 35-day old rabbits (n = 7).

Mobile echodensities on intracardiac device leads: Is it always a cause for concern?

Background: Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) frequently undergo transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). As a result, incidental mobile echodensities (MEDs) attached to device leads are commonly detected. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and clinical outcomes of incidental MEDs on CIED leads.

The desire for physiological pacing: Are we there yet?

Pacing is a well established therapy for bradycardia support and certain types of heart failure. Despite technological advances the optimal pacing lead position remains controversial. Right ventricular pacing, particularly apical has been the site of choice but the induction of abnormal cardiac depolarization and the recognition of an increased risk of impairment of left ventricular systolic function, heart failure and mortality has driven a desire for a true physiological pacing system.

The quest for physiological pacing-Does one size fit all?

Pacing is an established and ubiquitous treatment of bradycardias and some types of heart failure. The optimal pacing lead position which maximizes cardiac function and minimizes deterioration of ventricular function remains controversial. The desire to achieve a physiological pacing system that mimics cardiac function has led to the investigation of several potential pacing sites.

Access With Education Improves Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Preschool Children.

Objective: To compare effects of interventions aimed at increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in children.

Design: Pre-post comparison and intervention study with randomly grouped classrooms.

Setting: Head Start classrooms.

Statin users have an elevated risk of dysglycemia and new-onset-diabetes.

Objective: Statins are one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States; however, there is a concern that they are associated with new-onset-diabetes (NOD) development. We sought to understand the risk of dysglycemia and NOD for a cohort of individuals that reflect real-world physician prescribing patterns.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among individuals with indications for statin use (n = 7064).

The Prevalence of Pacing-Induced Cardiomyopathy (PICM) in Patients With Long Term Right Ventricular Pacing - Is it a Matter Of Definition?

Background: Chronic right ventricular pacing may contribute to deterioration in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) in patients with chronic right ventricular pacing.

Methods: Patients attending a pacemaker clinic were retrospectively identified as having had transthoracic echocardiographic LVEF measurement during the 12 months prior to device implantation.

Advances in atrioventricular and interventricular optimization of cardiac resynchronization therapy - what's the gold standard?

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is one of the most important advances in heart failure management in the last twenty years. Approximately one-third of patients appear not to respond to therapy. Although there are a number of possible mechanisms for non-response, an important factor is suboptimal atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) timing intervals.

An Evaluation of Reach for a Work Site Implementation of the National Diabetes Prevention Program Focusing on Diet and Exercise.

Purpose: Our objective is to evaluate the "reach" component of the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework by comparing prediabetics who were and were not interested in enrolling in a free work site diabetes prevention program (DPP) during the first year of the program. Reach is defined as the proportion of eligible participants who enroll in a health program.

Design: A cross-sectional study design was used.

Elective Cardioversion in the Era of Novel Oral Anticoagulants - Does a Nurse Administered Verbal Questionnaire for Compliance Negate the Need for Routine Transoesophageal Echocardiography?

Background: Anticoagulation prior to elective external direct current cardioversion (EDCCV) is mandatory. The inability to monitor compliance with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) raises a potential safety issue. We aimed to evaluate whether a structured, nurse-led assessment of compliance prior to EDCCV ensures safety without the need for routine transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE).

Cardiac Sarcoidosis, Left Ventricular Impairment and Chronic Right Ventricular Pacing: Pacing or Pathology?

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is an uncommon and under-recognised disease which most frequently presents with atrioventricular (AV) block and may also present with ventricular arrhythmias and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Because of its protean clinical manifestations, confirming a diagnosis of CS is often challenging.

Methods: We report two cases where patients presented with atrioventricular (AV) block without evidence of underlying myocardial disease, underwent chronic dual-chamber pacing, and presented several years later with severe LV systolic dysfunction.

Surface ECG and Fluoroscopy are Not Predictive of Right Ventricular Septal Lead Position Compared to Cardiac CT.

Background: Controversy exists regarding the optimal lead position for chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing. Placing a lead at the RV septum relies upon fluoroscopy assisted by a surface 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). We compared the postimplant lead position determined by ECG-gated multidetector contrast-enhanced computed tomography (MDCT) with the position derived from the surface 12-lead ECG.

Using the Surface ECG to Identify Right Ventricular Pacing Lead Position: A Cautionary Tale.

Chronic right ventricular (RV) apical pacing may lead to the development of heart failure in some patients. Although pacing of the RV septum has been proposed as an alternative, positioning a lead in the true septum has proven challenging. In addition to fluoroscopy at implant, it has been suggested that 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) can be used to determine septal lead position; however, studies show this may be inaccurate.

Characteristics of Cavotricuspid Isthmus Ablation for Atrial Flutter Guided by Novel Parameters Using a Contact Force Catheter.

Introduction: This study sought to investigate specific contact force (CF) parameters to guide cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation and compare the outcome with a historical control cohort.

Methods And Results: Patients (30) undergoing CTI ablation were enrolled prospectively in the Study cohort and compared with a retrospective Control cohort of 30 patients. Ablation in the Study cohort was performed using CF parameters >10 g and <40 g and a Force Time Integral (FTI) of 800 ± 10 g.