Waleed Rashideh^1,*, Omar Abdullah Alshathry¹, Samer Atawneh², Hussein Al Bazar³, Mohammed Said AbualRub⁴

Intelligent Automation & Soft Computing, Vol.26, No.6, pp. 1285-1307, 2020, DOI:10.32604/iasc.2020.012995 - 24 December 2020

Abstract Scientific programs in higher educational institutes are measured by their performances in showing evidences for expected quality assurance levels and for obtaining the academic accreditation. However, obtaining an accreditation for a scientific program is a lengthy process, as it requires extensive efforts from all members belonging to the program. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation is a common form of quality assurance that is based on different areas such as computing, engineering and sciences. In order to determine the ABET accreditation, several processes and methods are assessed to guarantee the required accreditation. More >

WENXI GAO^1,2,#, QIANQIAN MA^3,#, CHENYU TANG^2,#, YUELI ZHAN⁴, YINONG DUAN², HUIHUA NI^5,*, YUNZHAO XU^5,6,*

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.4, pp. 597-605, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.011328 - 24 December 2020

Abstract Cervical cancer (CESC) is one of the most common cancers and affects the female genital tract. Consistent HPV infection status has been determined to be a vital cause of tumorigenesis. HPV infection may induce changes to the immune system and limit the host’s immune response. Immunotherapy is therefore essential to improving the overall survival of both locally advanced and recurrent CESC patients. Using 304 relevant samples from TCGA, we assessed immune cell function in CESC patients to better understand the status of both tumor micro-environment cells and immune cells in CESC. Functional enrichment analysis, pathway… More >

Shengwen Guo, Yuanyuan Tong, Liting Bai, Peiyao Zhang, Xin Duan^*, Jinping Liu^*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.5, pp. 275-285, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011894 - 23 September 2020

Abstract Objective: Serum ferritin has been identified as a prognostic marker in patients with a variety of diseases. In the present study we aim to determine the prevalence of risk factors and outcomes for hyperferritinemia in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart defects. Methods: The serum ferritin levels of 457 children between the ages of twentyeight days and three years undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery between June 1, 2017 and June 1, 2018 were analyzed. The prevalence of early postoperative hyperferritinemia was investigated; hyperferritinemia was defined as a ferritin level ≥250 ng/ml. Multivariable regression… More >

Alvise Guariento^1,2, Ilias P. Doulamis³, David Blitzer⁴, Claudia Cattapan², Massimo A. Padalino², Vladimiro L. Vida^2,*

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 127-139, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.012197 - 15 July 2020

Abstract Background: In an effort to reduce postoperative trauma and achieve more cosmetic results, minimally invasive approaches to correct congenital heart anomalies have been recently proposed and increasingly adopted. Here we describe our experience for the past 23 years. Methods: Patients who underwent a surgical procedure between February 1996 and March 2019 with a minimally invasive approach for the correction of congenital heart disease in our center were included in this study. A statistical analysis was carried out to compare the results of the different minimally invasive techniques. A meta-analysis was conducted to compare our results in… More >

Norihisa Toh^1,*, Yasuhiro Kotani², Teiji Akagi¹, Yosuke Kuroko², Kenji Baba³, Shin-ichi Otsuki³, Shingo Kasahara², Hiroshi Ito¹

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 1-11, 2020, DOI:10.32604/CHD.2020.011579 - 17 June 2020

Abstract Background: There is limited information on outcomes of adult patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) due to the low incidence of disease and the large variation of surgical histories. Methods: Among 58 patients with repaired PA-IVS, a total of 32 patients aged ≥16 years and who were followed at our institution between January 2003 and December 2018 were reviewed. Surgical history, clinical outcomes, and laboratory, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic data were obtained by chart review. Results: Follow-up was from the age of 16 years and the median age at the latest follow-up was 23.7 years.… More >

Amy E. Delaney¹, Nina M. Dadlez², Audrey C. Marshall²

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 665-670, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12821

Abstract Background: In pediatric cardiac care, many centers participate in multiple, national, domain‐specific registries, as a major component of their quality assessment and im‐ provement efforts. Small cardiac programs, whose clinical activities and scale may not be well‐suited to this approach, need alternative methods to assess and track quality.
Methods: We conceived of and piloted a rapid‐approach cardiac quality assessment, intended to encompass multiple aspects of the service line, in a low‐volume program. The assessment incorporated previously identified measures, drawn from multiple sources, and ultimately relied on retrospective chart review.
Results: A collaborative, multidisciplinary team formed and came to… More >

James A. Kuo¹, Tyler Hamby², Maham N. Munawar³, Eldad Erez⁴, Vincent K. H. Tam⁵

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 651-656, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12765

Abstract Objective: Various options exist for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) recon‐ struction in congenital heart disease. The Freestyle porcine aortic root may be used but its longevity is not well defined.
Design: We performed a retrospective review of all non‐Ross RVOT reconstructions using the Freestyle root in our institution. Survival and reintervention, either by sur‐ gery, transcatheter valve implantation, balloon valvuloplasty, or bare metal stent placement, were recorded. Factors associated with reintervention were assessed using Cox regression.
Results: Between January 2002 and December 2015, there were 182 patients identi‐ fied. Sixteen patients were lost to follow‐up and 3… More >

Varisara Pornprasertchai, Chodchanok Vijarnsorn, Supaluck Kanjanauthai, Paweena Chungsomprasong, Prakul Chanthong, Kritvikrom Durongpisitkul, Jarupim Soongswang

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 619-627, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12759

Abstract Background: The increasing number of patients with Ebstein anomaly (EA) surviving into adulthood implies improvements in the treatments for the complex lesion. We revisited the clinical outcomes of patients with EA to demonstrate their “real world” survival.
Objectives: To identify the survival and predictors of mortality in patients with EA who underwent medical or surgical management in the present era.
Methods: All patients who had EA with atrioventricular concordance between 1994 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics, initial echocardio‐ graphic findings, treatments, and outcomes were explored. The survival analysis was performed at the end of 2017. A… More >

Christopher R. Broda, Katherine B. Salciccioli, Keila N. Lopez, Peter R. Ermis, Douglas S. Moodie, Heather A. Dickerson

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 885-894, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12856

Abstract Background: Heterotaxy syndrome (HS) is a condition in which the thoracoabdominal organs demonstrate an abnormal lateral arrangement and is often associated with con‐ genital heart disease (CHD). Little is known about the adult HS population with CHD.
Objective: To describe the outcomes and sociodemographics of the adult CHD popu‐ lation with HS.
Methods: Records of patients 18 years of age or older with diagnoses of both CHD and HS at Texas Children's Hospital from 1964 to 2018 were reviewed.
Results: Sixty‐two patients metinclusion criteria.Median agewas 22.7 [IQR19.6‐30.0] years; 26 (42%) were female; and 13 (21%) of patients had a… More >

Ari Cedars¹, Luke Burchill², S. Lucy Roche³, Jonathan Menachem⁴, Kelly Axsom⁵, Kristen Tecson⁶

Congenital Heart Disease, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 958-962, 2019, DOI:10.1111/chd.12851

Abstract Background: There are no published data on post‐transplant outcomes in durable ven‐ tricular assist device (VAD)‐supported adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients.
Methods: We compared post‐transplant outcomes in VAD‐supported vs non‐VAD‐ supported ACHD patients using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.
Results: At 1 year, there was no difference in post‐transplant mortality between VAD‐supported (12 patients) and non‐VAD‐supported (671 patients) ACHD patients.
Conclusions: In appropriate ACHD patients, VAD use as a bridge to transplant is a reasonable strategy. More >