Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure &lt;= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

Sensory ataxia rating scale: Development and validation of a functional scale for patients with sensory neuronopathies

Sensory neuronopathies (SN) result from dorsal root ganglia damage and manifest with a combination of sensory deficits and proprioceptive ataxia. Characterization of the natural history and development of therapeutic trials are hampered by the lack of clinical scales that capture the whole spectrum of SN-related manifestations. We propose and validate a rating instrument for SN. Three experienced neuromuscular specialists developed items to rate SN. The resultant instrument was later validated by the assessment of the intra-class correlation coefficient, for inter-rater validity in 48 SN patients, and later in a smaller subset of 16 patients to assess its intra-rater validity. Standardized Crombach's alpha and Oblimin rotation analysis were performed to verify internal consistency and items' relationship, respectively. Evaluation of Sensory Ataxia Rating Scale (SEARS)'s external validity was performed by comparison to: scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA), Beck balance scale (BBS), and INCAT sensory sum score (ISS). A 10-item scale with an intra-class correlation coefficient >0.95 for intra- and inter-rating measurements with a good internal consistency (standardized Cronbach's alpha of 0.83) were observed. There was a normal distribution of the scores without a floor or ceiling effect. A moderate to good correlation between SEARS and SARA, BBS, and ISS was observed. SEARS is a reliable, easy-to-perform and consistent instrument to rate SN. Larger cohorts and multicenter studies are needed to validate its usefulness towards possible treatment trials.243242246FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2013/26410-0; 2013/01766-

Effect of spent yeast fortification on physical parameters, volatiles and sensorial characteristics of home-made bread

The impact of bread fortification with dry spent yeast from brewing industry on physical, chemical and sensorial characteristics of home-made bread was evaluated with the goal of increasing its β-glucan content. A serving of 50 g of bread fortified with dry spent yeast increased β-glucan intake from 65 to 125 mg, which is within the guidelines suggested by European Food Safety Authority. Although this fortification darkened the crumb and increased crumb and crust springiness and had impact on volatile profile, concerning key odours only hexanal presented a significant increase in fortified bread. Two machine types (with 1 or 2 paddles) were tested but had a minor impact on bread characteristics. Descriptive analyses performed by a trained panel showed no significant differences in sensorial attributes. Dry spent yeast can be used as ingredient in home-made bread to increase β-glucan intake, and contribute to valorisation of this brewing by-product.Fil: Martins, Zita Emanuela. Universidade do Porto; PortugalFil: Erben, Melina. Universidade do Porto; Portugal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Gallardo, Anabella Elisabet. Universidade do Porto; Portugal. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Ricardo. Universidade do Porto; PortugalFil: Barbosa, Inês. Universidade do Porto; PortugalFil: Pinho, Olivia. Universidade do Porto; PortugalFil: Ferreira, Isabel M. P. L. V. O.. Universidade do Porto; Portuga