METHODS: This ecological cross-sectional study utilised a geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing techniques to analyse the spatiotemporal distribution of leptospirosis in Selangor from 2011 to 2019. Laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases (n = 1,045) were obtained from the Selangor State Health Department. Using ArcGIS Pro, spatial autocorrelation analysis (Moran's I) and Getis-Ord Gi* (hotspot analysis) was conducted to identify hotspots based on the monthly aggregated cases for each subdistrict. Satellite-derived rainfall and land surface temperature (LST) data were acquired from NASA's Giovanni EarthData website and processed into monthly averages. These data were integrated into ArcGIS Pro as thematic layers. Machine learning algorithms, including support vector machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) were employed to develop predictive models for leptospirosis hotspot areas. Model performance was then evaluated using cross-validation and metrics such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and F1-score.
RESULTS: Moran's I analysis revealed a primarily random distribution of cases across Selangor, with only 20 out of 103 observed having a clustered distribution. Meanwhile, hotspot areas were mainly scattered in subdistricts throughout Selangor with clustering in the central region. Machine learning analysis revealed that the LGBM algorithm had the best performance scores compared to having a cross-validation score of 0.61, a precision score of 0.16, and an F1-score of 0.23. The feature importance score indicated river water level and rainfall contributes most to the model.
CONCLUSIONS: This GIS-based study identified a primarily sporadic occurrence of leptospirosis in Selangor with minimal spatial clustering. The LGBM algorithm effectively predicted leptospirosis hotspots based on the analysed hydroclimatic factors. The integration of GIS and machine learning offers a promising framework for disease surveillance, facilitating targeted public health interventions in areas at high risk for leptospirosis.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 271 stroke survivors and was conducted at the Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, from September 2023 to January 2024. Participants independently completed the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Short Version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SV-SS-QoL) as part of a convenience sampling method, while medical professionals assessed the Barthel Index (BI) using the same sampling framework. Multivariable linear regression analyses were employed to determine the factors associated with the persistence of PSF.
RESULTS: The mean FSS score was 35.04 ± 11.60, while the average score for the SV-SS-QoL was 34.28 ± 9.51, and the BI score averaged 77.79 ± 25.90. Approximately 45.8% of participants (n = 124) experienced PSF. The mean score on the PHQ-9 was 7.63 ± 6.13. A significant negative correlation was identified between fatigue and both QoL and ADLs (P
METHODS: Patients with acute intermediate-risk PE and a right ventricular (RV)/left ventricular (LV) diameter ratio of ≥0.9 were eligible for enrollment in this prospective, multicenter, single-arm study. The primary effectiveness end point was reduction in the RV/LV ratio at 48 hours. The primary safety end point was the rate of major adverse events (MAEs) defined as subjects who experienced major bleeding, device-related deaths, clinical deterioration, or pulmonary vascular or cardiac injury within 48 hours postprocedurally.
RESULTS: In total, 122 subjects were enrolled at 25 sites. Mean procedure time was 37.2 ± 17.7 minutes. There were statistically significant reductions in mean 48-hour postprocedural RV/LV diameter ratio (-0.45 ± 0.27; P < .001). Postprocedural mean pulmonary arterial pressure also significantly declined from 27.8 ± 7.8 mm Hg before the procedure to 21.8 ± 7.2 mm Hg (P < .001). There was a 35.5% mean reduction in clot burden as measured by the modified Miller index score. Five (4.1%) subjects developed 7 MAEs during the postprocedural 48-hour assessment period, the majority of which were access site bleeding.
CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous mechanical aspiration thrombectomy with the AlphaVac system provided a safe and effective treatment for acute intermediate-risk PE with a significant reduction in RV/LV ratio and clot burden with a low rate of adverse events.
METHODS: We analyzed data from patients with AMICS presenting to multiple centers across the Gulf region between January 2020 and December 2022. Patients were grouped according to SCAI-Cardiogenic Shock Working Group classification: group 1 (SCAI shock stages B/C) and group 2 (SCAI shock stages D/E). Primary end points were survival at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Both univariate and multivariate statistical methods were employed in the analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 1513 patients from the Gulf Cardiogenic Shock registry, were included with 31.1% in group 1 and 68.9% in group 2. The median follow-up was 6 months. Survival rates in group 1 were 87%, 72%, 56%, and 48% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively, whereas group 2 exhibited survival rates of 66%, 29%, 14%, and 4%, respectively, over the same periods. Survival progressively declined with advancing SCAI shock stages, with stage B having the highest survival rates and stage E the lowest (P < .001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified higher SCAI stages as strong predictors of increased mortality, with patients in group 2 having a more than 3-fold higher risk of mortality compared to those in group 1 (hazard ratio, 3.13; 95% CI, 2.40-4.07; P < .001). Additionally, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, advanced age, and the presence of tachyarrhythmias were associated with increased mortality risk.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to validate SCAI-Cardiogenic Shock Working Group stages in a large cohort of patients with AMICS. The SCAI shock staging classification was significantly associated with higher short- and long-term mortality in this cohort, with patients in more advanced stages (D/E) experiencing markedly worse survival outcomes. These findings underscore the utility of SCAI staging in stratifying long-term risk among AMICS patients in the Gulf region. Identification of cardiogenic shock patients at SCAI stages D and E with early hemodynamic monitoring and treating them aggressively with newer mechanical circulatory support in the early stages may improve patient survival.
METHODS: Age-standardised rates per 100,000 population for prevalence, annual incidence and YLDs were compared across regions and countries, as well as the socio-demographic index (SDI). Trends were expressed as percentage changes (PC) and estimates were reported with uncertainty intervals (UI).
RESULTS: Globally, in 2021, the age-standardised rates per 100,000 population for the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, MASLD and cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases were 3583.6 (95%UI 3293.6-3887.7), 1717.8 (1385.5-2075.3), 15018.1 (13756.5-16361.4) and 20302.6 (18845.2-21791.9) respectively. From 2010 to 2021, the PC in age-standardised prevalence rates were-20.4% for hepatitis B, -5.1% for hepatitis C, +11.2% for MASLD and + 2.6% for cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases. Over the same period, the PC in age-standardized incidence rates were -24.7%, -6.8%, +3.2%, and +3.0%, respectively. Generally, negative associations, but with fluctuations, were found between age-standardised prevalence rates for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases and the SDI at a global level. However, MASLD prevalence peaked at moderate SDI levels.
CONCLUSIONS: The global burden of chronic liver diseases remains substantial. Hepatitis B and C have decreased in prevalence and incidence in the last decade, while MASLD, cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases have increased, necessitating targeted public health strategies and resource allocation.