J Natl Med Assoc
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The decision tree used a generating set of rules based on various correlated variables for developing an algorithm from the target variable. Using the training dataset this paper used boosting tree algorithm for gender classification from twenty-five anthropometric measurements and extract twelve significant variables chest diameter, waist girth, biacromial, wrist diameter, ankle diameter, forearm girth, thigh girth, chest depth, bicep girth, shoulder girth, elbow girth and the hip girth with an accuracy rate of 98.42%, by seven decision rule sets serving the purpose of dimension reduction.
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia in the United States and is responsible for 1 in 7 ischemic strokes. While anticoagulation is effective at preventing strokes, prior work has highlighted significant disparities in anticoagulation prescribing. Furthermore, racial, ethnic, sex, and socioeconomic disparities in AF outcomes have been described. ⋯ Building upon prior work, our study demonstrates that racial and ethnic disparities have persisted in the management of AF. Additionally, we our work highlights that there are significant disparities in anticoagulation management for AF associated with sex, income, and education. More work is needed to identify mechanisms for these disparities and identify potential solutions to achieve pharmacoequity.
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Despite the implementation of holistic review in the medical school application process, there is little information about how this can be utilized in Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree pipeline programs, especially since many programs offer reserved spots to their students in the medical school. Implementing holistic review in a Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree program and intentionally structuring it to align with the medical school mission and admissions practices and processes, can improve the diversification of the physician workforce, contribute to more primary care doctors, and promote in-state practice. ⋯ We observed that having an intentional structured alignment in place allowed for implementation of holistic practices in the Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree admissions process. The high retention rates and specialty of graduates from the Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree Program support our intentional efforts to diversify our admissions committees and align the Combined Baccalaureate/Medical Degree program's holistic review admissions process with our School of Medicine mission and admissions practices and processes, as key strategies to reach our diversity-related goals.
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During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a worldwide reorganization of healthcare systems focusing on limiting the spread of the virus. The impact of these measures on heart failure (HF) admissions is scarcely reported in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) including Suriname. We therefore assessed HF hospitalizations before and during the pandemic and call for action to improve healthcare access in Suriname through the development and implementation of telehealth strategies. ⋯ HF admissions were reduced during the pandemic while HF readmissions increased compared to the pre-pandemic period. Due to in-person consultation restrictions, the HF clinic was inactive during the pandemic period. Distance monitoring of HF patients via telehealth tools could help in reducing these adverse effects. This call for action identifies key elements (digital and health literacy, telehealth legislation, integration of telehealth tools within the current healthcare sector) needed for the successful development and implementation of these tools in LMICs.
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Case Reports
Disseminated Streptococcus gallinaceus infection. A new breed of zoonotic Streptococcus.
Streptococcus gallinaceus is a new species of Streptococcus that was first isolated in 2004 in chickens. Infections in humans are associated with chicken exposure. There are very few case reports of human infections with this organism and none with disseminated infection. ⋯ He subsequently underwent anaortic valve repair. Pathology confirmed acute endocarditis with associated vegetations and granulation tissues. He was successfully treated with a six-week course of ceftriaxone.