bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bilateral Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex High-Definition Transcranial Direct-Current Stimulation Improves Time-Trial Performance in Elite Cyclists
Authors: Pollastri Luca , Gallo Gabriele , Zucca Milena , Filipas Luca , La Torre Antonio , Riba Ugo , Molino Luigi , Geda Elisabetta 
Published: December 2020

Background: The effects of anodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) on endurance exercise performance are not yet fully understood. Different stimulated areas and low focality of classical tDCS technique may have led to discordant results. Purpose: This study investigated the effect of a bilateral anodal high-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the cycling time-trial (TT) performance and physiological and perceptual response at moderate intensity in elite cyclists. Methods: A total of 8 elite cyclists (maximal oxygen consumption: 72.2 [4.3] mL·min−1·kg−1) underwent in a double-blind, counterbalanced, and randomized order the experimental treatment (HD-tDCS) or control treatment (SHAM). After 20 minutes of receiving either HD-tDCS on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 and F4) or SHAM stimulation, the participants completed a constant-load trial (CLT) at 75% of the second ventilatory threshold. Thereafter, they performed a simulated 15-km TT. The ratings of perceived exertion, heart rate, cadence, oxygen consumption, and respiratory exchange ratio were recorded during the CLT; the ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate were recorded during the TT. Results: The total time to complete the TT was 1.3% faster (HD-tDCS: 1212 [52] s vs SHAM: 1228 [56] s; P = .04) and associated with a higher heart rate (P < .001) and a tendency toward higher mean power output (P = .05). None of the physiological and perceptual variables measured during the CLT highlighted differences between the HD-tDCS and SHAM condition. Conclusions: The findings suggest that bilateral HD-tDCS on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex improves cycling TT performance without altering the physiological and perceptual response at moderate intensity, indicating that an upregulation of the prefrontal cortex could enhance endurance exercise performance.
The role of the microbiota in human genetic adaptation
Authors: Suzuki Taichi A. , Ley Ruth E. 
Published: December 2020

Getting to the guts of local evolution
The microbiota of mammals is a product of coevolution. However, humans exhibit a range of adaptive peculiarities that can be quite geographically specific. The human microbiota also displays a variety of community compositions and a range of overlapping and redundant metabolic characteristics that can alter host physiology. For example, lactase persistence is a genetic characteristic of European populations, but in populations lacking the lactase gene, milk sugar digestion is endowed by the microbiota instead. Suzuki and Ley review the evidence for the role that the microbiota plays in local adaptation to new and changing human circumstances.

Science
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Prospective cohort study of water immersion for labour and birth compared with standard care in an Irish maternity setting
Authors: Barry Paula L , McMahon Lean E , Banks Ruth AM , Fergus Ann M , Murphy Deirdre J 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveTo examine the birth outcomes for women and babies following water immersion for labour only, or for labour and birth.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingMaternity hospital, Ireland, 2016–2019.ParticipantsA cohort of 190 low-risk women who used water immersion; 100 gave birth in water and 90 laboured only in water. A control group of 190 low-risk women who received standard care.MethodsLogistic regression analyses examined associations between water immersion and birth outcomes adjusting for confounders. A validated Childbirth Experience Questionnaire was completed.Main outcome measuresPerineal tears, obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI), postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), neonatal unit admissions (NNU), breastfeeding and birth experiences.ResultsCompared with standard care, women who chose water immersion had no significant difference in perineal tears (71.4% vs 71.4%, adj OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.39) or in OASI (3.3% vs 3.8%, adj OR 0.91; 0.26–2.97). Women who chose water immersion were more likely to have a PPH ≥500 mL (10.5% vs 3.7%, adj OR 2.60; 95% CI 1.03 to 6.57), and to exclusively breastfeed at discharge (71.1% vs 45.8%, adj OR 2.59; 95% CI 1.66 to 4.05). There was no significant difference in NNU admissions (3.7% vs 3.2%, adj OR 1.06; 95% CI 0.33 to 3.42). Women who gave birth in water were no more likely than women who used water for labour only to require perineal suturing (64% vs 80.5%, adj OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.30 to 1.33), to experience OASI (3.0% vs 3.7%, adj OR 1.41; 95% CI 0.23 to 8.79) or PPH (8.0% vs 13.3%, adj OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.26 to 2.09). Women using water immersion reported more positive memories than women receiving standard care (p<0.01).ConclusionsWomen choosing water immersion for labour or birth were no more likely to experience adverse birth outcomes than women receiving standard care and rated their birth experiences more highly.
Effect of Housing First on violence-related traumatic brain injury in adults with experiences of homelessness and mental illness: findings from the At Home/Chez Soi randomised trial, Toronto site
Authors: Mejia-Lancheros Cilia , Lachaud James , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Matheson Flora I. , Nisenbaum Rosane , O’Campo Patricia , Hwang Stephen W. 
Published: December 2020

ObjectivesPeople experiencing homelessness have a high prevalence and incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to violence. Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions to reduce TBI in this population. This study assessed the effect of Housing First (HF) on violence-related TBI in adults with experiences of homelessness and mental illness.DesignPragmatic randomised trial.Participants381 participants in the Toronto site of the At Home/Chez randomised trial.InterventionHF participants were provided with scattered-site housing using rent supplements and supports from assertive community treatment or intensive case management teams (n=218, 57.2%). Control participants had access to treatment as usual (TAU) in the community (n=163, 42.8%).Main outcome measuresPrimary outcomes were an incident physical violence-related TBI event and the number of physical violence-related TBI events during the follow-up period (January 2014 to March 2017). Interval-censored survival time regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression were used to assess the effect of HF on primary outcomes.ResultsAmong study participants, 9.2% (n=35) had an incident physical violence-related TBI event, and the mean physical violence-related TBI events was 0.16 (SD ±0.6). Compared with TAU participants, HF participants did not have a significantly lower risk of an incident violence-related TBI event (adjusted HR : 0.58 (95% CI, 0.29 to 1.14)), but they had a significantly lower number of physical violence-related TBI events (unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.22 (95% CI, 0.06 to 0.78); adjusted IRR: 0.15 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.48)).ConclusionHF may be a useful intervention to reduce the burden of TBI due to physical violence among homeless individuals with mental illness.Trial registration numberISRCTN42520374.
Adiposity change and mortality in middle-aged to older Chinese: an 8-year follow-up of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study
Authors: Huang Ying Yue , Jiang Chao Qiang , Xu Lin , Zhang Wei Sen , Zhu Feng , Jin Ya Li , Thomas G Neil , Cheng Kar Keung , Lam Tai Hing 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveTo examine the associations of change in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) over an average of 4 years with subsequent mortality risk in middle-aged to older Chinese.DesignProspective cohort study based on the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.SettingCommunity-based sample.Participants17 773 participants (12 956 women and 4817 men) aged 50+ years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcome measures were cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality. Causes of death were obtained via record linkage, and coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (tenth revision).Results1424 deaths (53.4% women) occurred in the 17 773 participants (mean age 61.2, SD 6.8 years) during an average follow-up of 7.8 (SD=1.5) years, and 97.7% of participants did not have an intention of weight loss . Compared with participants with stable BMI, participants with BMI loss (>5%), but not gain, had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.49, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.71), which was greatest in those who were underweight (HR=2.45, 95% CI 1.31 to 4.59). Similar patterns were found for WC. In contrast, for participants with a BMI of ≥27.5 kg/m2, BMI gain, versus stable BMI, was associated with 89% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR=1.89, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.88), 72% higher risk of CVD mortality (HR=1.72, 95% CI 0.80 to 3.72) and 2.27-fold risk of cancer mortality (HR=2.27, 95% CI 1.26 to 4.10).ConclusionIn older people, unintentional BMI/WC loss, especially in those who were underweight was associated with higher mortality risk. However, BMI gain in those with obesity showed excess risks of all-cause and cancer mortality, but not CVD mortality. Frequent monitoring of changes in body size can be used as an early warning for timely clinical investigations and interventions and is important to inform appropriate health management in older Chinese.
US veterans administration diabetes risk (VADR) national cohort: cohort profile
Authors: Avramovic Sanja , Alemi Farrokh , Kanchi Rania , Lopez Priscilla M , Hayes Richard B , Thorpe Lorna E , Schwartz Mark D 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe veterans administration diabetes risk (VADR) cohort facilitates studies on temporal and geographic patterns of pre-diabetes and diabetes, as well as targeted studies of their predictors. The cohort provides an infrastructure for examination of novel individual and community-level risk factors for diabetes and their consequences among veterans. This cohort also establishes a baseline against which to assess the impact of national or regional strategies to prevent diabetes in veterans.ParticipantsThe VADR cohort includes all 6 082 018 veterans in the USA enrolled in the veteran administration (VA) for primary care who were diabetes-free as of 1 January 2008 and who had at least two diabetes-free visits to a VA primary care service at least 30 days apart within any 5-year period since 1 January 2003, or veterans subsequently enrolled and were diabetes-free at cohort entry through 31 December 2016. Cohort subjects were followed from the date of cohort entry until censure defined as date of incident diabetes, loss to follow-up of 2 years, death or until 31 December 2018.Findings to dateThe incidence rate of type 2 diabetes in this cohort of over 6 million veterans followed for a median of 5.5 years (over 35 million person-years (PY)) was 26 per 1000 PY. During the study period, 8.5% of the cohort were lost to follow-up and 17.7% died. Many demographic, comorbidity and other clinical variables were more prevalent among patients with incident diabetes.Future plansThis cohort will be used to study community-level risk factors for diabetes, such as attributes of the food environment and neighbourhood socioeconomic status via geospatial linkage to residence address information.
Study protocol: treatment with caffeine of the very preterm infant in the delivery room: a feasibility study
Authors: Dani Carlo , Cecchi Alessandra , Remaschi Giulia , Mercadante Domenica , la Marca Giancarlo , Boni Luca , Mosca Fabio 
Published: December 2020

IntroductionEarly treatment with caffeine in the delivery room has been proposed to decrease the need for mechanical ventilation (MV) by limiting episodes of apnoea and improving respiratory mechanics in preterm infants. Thus, the purpose of this feasibility study is to verify the hypothesis that intravenous or enteral administration of caffeine can be performed in the preterm infant in the delivery room.Methods and analysisIn this multicentre prospective study, infants with 25+0–29+6 weeks of gestational age will be enrolled and randomised to receive 20 mg/kg of caffeine citrate intravenously, via the umbilical vein, or enterally, through an orogastric tube, within 10 min of birth. Caffeine plasma level will be measured at 60±15 min after administration and 60±15 min before the next dose (5 mg/kg). The primary endpoint will be evaluation of the success rate of intravenous and enteral administration of caffeine in the delivery room. Secondary endpoints will be the comparison of success rate of intravenous versus oral administration and the evaluation of the need for MV in treated infants. In the absence of previous references, we arbitrarily decided to study 20 infants treated with intravenous caffeine and 20 infants treated with enteral caffeine. Primary endpoint will be evaluated measuring the success rate of intravenous and enteral caffeine administration which will be considered a success when it is followed by the achievement of the caffeine therapeutic level (8–25 µg/mL) 60±15 min before administration of the second dose.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA: AIFA/RSC/P/32755) and by Comitato Etico Pediatrico Regione Toscana. The results will be published in peer-reviewed academic journals.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04044976; EudraCT number 2018-003626-91.
Impact of a compression garment, on top of the usual care, in patients with breast cancer with early disturbance of the lymphatic transport: protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Thomis Sarah , Devoogdt Nele , Bechter-Hugl Beate , Nevelsteen Ines , Neven Patrick , Fourneau Inge 
Published: December 2020

IntroductionBreast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) is a common phenomenon. When lymphoedema is diagnosed late, options for treatment are diminished. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are very important to alter the potential deleterious evolution. Lymphofluoroscopy visualises the superficial lymphatic architecture in detail, giving the opportunity to detect a disturbance in the lymphatic transport (ie, dermal backflow) before the lymphoedema is clinically visible.The main objective is to investigate if there is an additional effect of a compression garment on top of the usual care (ie, information and exercises) in patients with early disturbance of the lymphatic transport after breast cancer treatment. Development of clinical lymphoedema and/or deterioration of the dermal backflow visualised by lymphofluoroscopy is investigated.MethodologyAll patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery with unilateral axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel node biopsy in the Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic of the University Hospitals Leuven are being considered. Patients are assessed before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months postoperatively. At each visit, a clinical assessment is performed determining the volume difference between both arms and hands (through circumference measurements and water displacement), the water content, the extracellular fluid, the pitting status and the skinfold thickness. Quality of life questionnaires are filled in. At each visit, a lymphofluoroscopy is performed as well. When a disturbance of the lymphatic transport is seen on lymphofluoroscopy, without the presence of clinical lymphoedema, the patient is randomised in either a control group receiving usual care or a preventive treatment group receiving usual care and a compression garment (whether or not combined with a glove).Ethics and disseminationThe trial is conducted in compliance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (2008), the principles of Good Clinical Practice and in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements. This protocol has been approved by the Ethical Committee of the University Hospitals Leuven. Results will be disseminated by peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentation at international congresses.Trial registration numberNCT03210311ConclusionThe investigators hypothesise that development of clinical BCRL can be prevented and/or the dermal backflow can be stabilised or improved, if a preventive treatment with compression garment is started in the early phase of disturbance.
Risk of serious spinal adverse events associated with epidural corticosteroid injections in the Medicare population
Authors: Eworuke Efe , Crisafi Leah , Liao Jiemin , Akhtar Sandia , Van Clief Martha , Racoosin Judith A , Wernecke Michael , MaCurdy Thomas E , Kelman Jeffrey A , Graham David J 
Published: December 2020

Background
Epidural corticosteroid injections (ESIs) are widely performed and have an unquantified risk of serious spinal adverse events (SSAEs). We sought to determine the rate of SSAEs following ESI and to compare the rates by spinal level, injection approach and corticosteroid formulation.

Methods
We included patients enrolled in Medicare parts A and B who had an ESI between 1 January 2009 and 30 September 2015. We identified potential cases as patients with spine-related diagnoses within 3 days after the first eligible ESI. Event categorization as probable, possible or non-case was based on review of medical records. The rates of probable and possible cases were expressed per 1 000 000 patients overall, and by spinal level, injection approach and corticosteroid formulation. A score test was used to compare these rates.

Results
We identified 1 355 957 eligible ESIs during the study period. Of the 110 potential cases, 43 were selected for medical record review and 11 were categorized as probable, yielding a rate of 8.1 per 1 000 000 patients (95% CI 4.5 to 14.5). Risk of SSAEs was statistically higher with cervical/thoracic injections (29.4, 95% CI 12.5 to 68.8) compared with lumbar/sacral injections (5.1, 95% CI 2.3 to 11.0) (p value 0.001). Event rates for lumbar/sacral non-transforaminal injections was 8.8 (95% CI 4.0 to 19.1). Event rates for particulate (7.5, 95% CI 3.9 to 14.2) and non-particulate formulations (13.1, 95% CI 3.6 to 47.9) appeared similar (p value 0.47).

Conclusion
Between 2009 and 2015, rates of SSAEs following ESI in the Medicare population were low. Patients receiving cervical/thoracic ESIs were at higher risk of SSAE than those receiving lumbar/sacral ESIs. Event rates were similar for each corticosteroid formulation.
Effects of urbanization and nest-box design on reproduction vary by species in three cavity-nesting passerines in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Dale C.A. , Reudink M.W. , Ratcliffe L.M. , McKellar A.E. 
Published: December 2020

Artificial nest boxes provide an important resource for secondary cavity-nesting passerines, whose populations may be limited by the availability of nesting sites. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the design and placement of boxes may affect the reproductive success of the birds that use them. In this study, we asked whether the habitat surrounding a nest box or the type of box influenced reproduction in three cavity-nesting passerines. We studied Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana Swainson, 1832), Mountain Bluebirds (Sialia currucoides (Bechstein, 1798)), and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot, 1808)) breeding in artificial nest boxes at sites across 70 km of the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. Sites varied in their degree of urbanization, from relatively undisturbed ranchland, to cultivated vineyards, to frequently disturbed “suburban” habitat, and boxes varied in type of entrance (slot or hole). Western Bluebirds nested earlier in vineyards, and Tree Swallows produced significantly fewer fledglings in suburban habitat. In addition, Tree Swallows nested earlier and produced more fledglings in slot boxes. Our results suggest that conservation actions for cavity-nesting passerines may depend on the target species, which in turn should dictate the appropriate box type and habitat when erecting or replacing nest boxes.
Confronting Einstein Yang Mills Higgs dark energy in light of observations
Authors: Adak Debabrata 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe study the observational aspects of Einstein Yang Mills Higgs dark energy model and constrain the parameters space from the latest observational data from type Ia supernovae, observational Hubble data, baryon acoustic oscillation data and cosmic microwave background radiation shift parameter data. It is found from the analysis of data that the Higgs field in presence of gauge fields can successfully describe the present accelerated expansion of the universe consistent with the astrophysical observations.
Poor Survival and Differential Impact of Genetic Features of Black Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Bhatnagar Bhavana , Kohlschmidt Jessica , Mrózek Krzysztof , Zhao Qiuhong , Fisher James L. , Nicolet Deedra , Walker Christopher J. , Mims Alice S. , Oakes Christopher , Giacopelli Brian , Orwick Shelley , Boateng Isaiah , Blachly James S. , Maharry Sophia E. , Carroll Andrew J. , Powell Bayard L. , Kolitz Jonathan E. , Stone Richard M. , Byrd John C. , Paskett Electra D. , de la Chapelle Albert , Garzon Ramiro , Eisfeld Ann-Kathrin 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Clinical outcome of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with cytogenetic and molecular factors and patient demographics (e.g., age and race). We compared survival of 25,523 non-Hispanic Black and White adults with AML using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program data and performed mutational profiling of 1,339 patients with AML treated on frontline Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (Alliance) protocols. Black patients had shorter survival than White patients, both in SEER and in the setting of Alliance clinical trials. The disparity was especially pronounced in Black patients &lt;60 years, after adjustment for socioeconomic (SEER) and molecular (Alliance) factors. Black race was an independent prognosticator of poor survival. Gene mutation profiles showed fewer NPM1 and more IDH2 mutations in younger Black patients. Overall survival of younger Black patients was adversely affected by IDH2 mutations and FLT3-ITD, but, in contrast to White patients, was not improved by NPM1 mutations.

Significance:
We show that young Black patients have not benefited as much as White patients from recent progress in AML treatment in the United States. Our data suggest that both socioeconomic factors and differences in disease biology contribute to the survival disparity and need to be urgently addressed.
See related commentary by Vyas, p. 540.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 521