bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Icodextrin use for peritoneal dialysis in Australia: A cohort study using Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry
Authors: Rangaswamy Dharshan , Guddattu Vasudeva , Webster Angela C , Borlace Monique , Boudville Neil , Clayton Philip , Badve Sunil , Johnson David W , Sud Kamal 
Published: February 2020

Background: Icodextrin is a high molecular weight, starch-derived glucose polymer that is used as an osmotic agent in peritoneal dialysis (PD) to promote ultrafiltration. There has been wide variation in its use across Australia and the rest of the world, but it is unclear whether these differences are due to patient- or centre-related factors. Methods: Using the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, all adult patients (>18 years) who started PD in Australia between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2014 were included. The primary outcome was icodextrin use at PD commencement. Hierarchical logistic regression clustered around the treatment centre was applied to determine the patient- and centre-related characteristics associated with icodextrin use. The impact of centre-level practice pattern variability on icodextrin uptake was estimated using the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Of 5948 patients starting on PD in 58 centres during the study period, 2002 (33.7%) received icodextrin from the outset. Overall uptake of icodextrin increased from 29% in 2010 to 42.5% in 2014. Patient-level characteristics associated with an increased likelihood of commencing PD with icodextrin included male sex (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.35–1.77; p < 0.001), prior haemodialysis or kidney transplantation (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.09–1.47), obesity (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.41–1.96), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.32, 95% CI 2.03–2.64) and residing in a postcode with the highest decile of socio-economic status (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.85). The centre-level characteristic associated with an increased likelihood of commencing PD with icodextrin was routine assessment of a peritoneal equilibration test (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.27–1.66). Centres with fewer patients on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) were less likely to start on icodextrin (APD proportion <57%; OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20–0.99). Centre factors accounted for 25% of the variation in icodextrin use solution among incident PD patients (ICC 0.25). Conclusions: Icodextrin use in incident Australian PD patients is increasing variable and associated with both patient and centre characteristics. Centre-related factors explained 25% of variability in icodextrin use.
Health-related quality of life on combination therapy with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in comparison with hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Tanaka Mototsugu , Ishibashi Yoshitaka , Hamasaki Yoshifumi , Kamijo Yuka , Idei Mayumi , Kawahara Takuya , Nishi Takahiro , Takeda Michio , Nonaka Hiroshi , Nangaku Masaomi , Mise Naobumi 
Published: February 2020

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of dialysis patients has not been well examined, especially in combination therapy with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis (PD+HD) patients. We compared the HRQOL of PD+HD patients with that of HD and PD patients. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted on 36 PD+HD, 103 HD, and 90 PD patients in Japan who completed the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36, version 1.3. HRQOL scores were summarized into physical- (PCS), mental- (MCS), role/social- (RCS), and kidney disease component summaries (KDCS). Results: Of the PD+HD patients, 31 (86%) transferred from PD and 5 (14%) transferred from HD. They had the longest dialysis vintage and the smallest urine volume. PCS, MCS, and KDCS HRQOL scores of PD+HD patients were comparable with those of HD and PD patients. However, the RCS score for PD+HD was significantly higher than that for HD ( p = 0.020) and comparable with that for PD. PD+HD and PD were associated with significantly higher RCS scores than HD after adjusting for age, gender, diabetic nephropathy, dialysis vintage, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Conclusions: For RCS, HRQOL in PD+HD patients was better than that in HD and comparable with that in PD patients, whereas the PCS, MCS, and KDCS HRQOL scores of PD+HD patients were comparable with those of HD and PD patients.
Incremental peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Blake Peter G , Dong Jie , Davies Simon J 
Published: February 2020

Incremental peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been variably defined. It involves taking advantage of the residual renal function that is usually present at initiation of dialysis to initially prescribe less onerous lower doses of PD while still achieving individualized clearance goals. We propose that incremental PD be defined as a strategy, rather than a particular regime, in which: (1) less than standard “full-dose” PD is initially prescribed in recognition of the value of residual renal function; (2) peritoneal clearance is initially less than the individualized clearance goal but the combination of peritoneal plus renal clearance achieves or exceeds that goal clearance; and (3) there is a clear intention to increase dose of PD as renal clearance declines and/or symptoms appear. Incremental PD by its nature lessens the workload of dialysis for those doing PD, reduces cost and exposure of the peritoneal membrane to glucose, and may lessen mechanical symptoms. Evidence that incremental PD improves clinical outcomes compared to the use of full-dose PD is lacking but one randomized controlled trial, multiple observational studies, and a systematic review all suggest that outcomes are at least as good. Given that incremental PD costs less and is inherently less onerous, it is reasonable, pending larger randomized trials, to adopt this strategy.
Volume management as a key dimension of a high-quality PD prescription
Authors: Wang Angela Yee-Moon , Dong Jie , Xu Xiao , Davies Simon 
Published: February 2020

Background: Appropriate volume control is one of the key goals in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) prescription. As such it is an important component of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) guideline for “High-quality PD prescription” necessitating a review of the literature on volume management. The workgroup recognized the importance of including within its scope measures of volume status and blood pressure in prescribing high-quality PD therapy. Methods: A Medline and PubMed search for publications addressing volume status and its management in PD since the publication of the 2015 ISPD Adult Cardiovascular and Metabolic Guidelines, from October 2014 through to July 2019, was conducted. Results: There were no randomized controlled trials on blood pressure intervention and six randomized trials of bioimpedance-guided volume management. Generally, all studies were of small sample size, short duration, and used surrogate markers as primary outcomes. As a consequence, only “practice points” were drawn. High-quality goal-directed PD prescription should aim to achieve and maintain clinical euvolemia taking residual kidney function and its preservation into account, so that both fluid removal from peritoneal ultrafiltration and urine output are considered and residual kidney function is not compromised. Blood pressure should be included as a key objective parameter in assessing the quality of PD prescription but there is currently no evidence for a specific target in PD. Clinical examination remains the keystone of routine clinical care. Conclusions: High-quality goal-directed PD prescription should include volume management as one of the key dimensions.
Effluent lipopolysaccharide is a prompt marker of peritoneal dialysis-related gram-negative peritonitis
Authors: Yan Hao , Ma Dahua , Yang Shuang , Ni Zhaohui , Fang Wei 
Published: February 2020

Background: To investigate the value of effluent lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for early detection of gram-negative peritonitis (GNP) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: PD-related peritonitis episodes occurring between January 2016 and December 2018 were included in the study. Effluent LPS and the other infectious parameters were measured at peritonitis presentation, and peritonitis was categorized as GNP, non-GNP, and culture-negative peritonitis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to evaluate the efficacy of effluent LPS to distinguish GNP. Results: A total of 161 peritonitis episodes were analyzed, including 49 GNP episodes and 82 non-GNP episodes. In contrast with non-GNP, GNP presented with higher effluent leukocyte count (3236 (1497–6144) vs. 1904 (679–4071) cell mm−3, p = 0.008), increased effluent LPS (1.552 (0.502–2.500) vs. 0.016 (0.010–0.030) EU mL−1, p < 0.001), lower blood leukocyte count (9.95 ± 3.18 vs. 11.56 ± 4.37 × 109 L−1, p = 0.017), greater neutrophil predominance (87.1 ± 4.6% vs. 83.4 ± 7.7%, p = 0.001), and greater “procalcitonin” (PCT, 4.90 (2.20–12.60) vs. 1.00 (0.51–4.07) µg L−1, p < 0.001). It took 5.2 ± 3.1 h to report the results of effluent LPS. Effluent LPS cutoff value of >0.035 EU mL−1 showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.972 (95% CI 0.951–0.994, p < 0.001) in differentiating GNP from non-GNP with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 80.5%, and its joint utilization with PCT further increased the specificity (91.4%) to discriminate GNP. Conclusions: PD effluent LPS could be an applicable early marker of gram-negative organism-related peritonitis in PD patients.
Evaluating a remote patient monitoring program for automated peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Ariza Juan G , Walton Surrey M , Sanabria Mauricio , Bunch Alfonso , Vesga Jasmin , Rivera Angela 
Published: February 2020

Background: The benefits of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) have been established, but patient adherence to treatment remains a concern. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) programs are a potential solution; however, the cost implications are not well established. This study modeled, from the payer perspective, expected net costs and clinical consequences of a novel RPM program in Colombia. Methods: Amarkov model was used to project costs and clinical outcomes for APD patients with and without RPM. Clinical inputs were directly estimated from Renal Care Services data or taken from the literature. Dialysis costs were estimated from national fees. Inpatient costs were obtained from a recent Colombian study. The model projected overall direct costs and several clinical outcomes. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (DSA and PSA) were also conducted to characterize uncertainty in the results. Results: The model projected that the implementation of an RPM program costing US$35 per month in a cohort of 100 APD patients over 1 year would save US$121,233. The model also projected 31 additional months free of complications, 27 fewer hospitalizations, 518 fewer hospitalization days, and 6 fewer peritonitis episodes. In the DSA, results were most sensitive to hospitalization rates and days of hospitalization, but cost savings were robust. The PSA found there was a 91% chance for the RPM program to be cost saving. Conclusion: The results of the model suggest that RPM is cost-effective in APD patients which should be verified by a rigorous prospective cost analysis.
Acupuncture for postprandial distress syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Tu Jian-Feng , Yang Jing-Wen , Wang Li-Qiong , Zheng Yang , Zhang Li-Wen , Li Yong-Ting , Zhang Xin , Shi Guang-Xia , Wang Jun , Zhao Jing-Jie , Du Yi , Chen San-San , Cheng Lu , Liu Cun-Zhi 
Published: February 2020

Background: Evidence for treating postprandial distress syndrome with acupuncture is limited. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of verum acupuncture versus sham acupuncture in patients with postprandial distress syndrome. Methods: A total of 42 eligible patients were randomly allocated to either verum acupuncture or sham acupuncture groups in a 1:1 ratio. Each patient received 12 sessions over 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the response rate based on the overall treatment effect (OTE) 4 weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes included dyspepsia symptom severity and adverse events. Results: In each group, 19 patients (91.5%) completed the study. Thirteen patients receiving verum acupuncture and seven patients receiving sham acupuncture were classified as responders according to OTE (61.9% vs 33.3%; rate difference 28.6%; p = 0.06). Dyspepsia symptom severity at the end of treatment also differed significantly between verum acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups (5.9 units vs 3.7 units; between-group difference 2.2 (95% CI, 0.2–4.2); p = 0.04). No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: Four weeks of acupuncture may represent a potential treatment for postprandial distress syndrome. The treatment protocol and outcome measures used in this trial were feasible. Since this was a pilot study, the efficacy of acupuncture still needs to be determined by a larger, adequately powered trial.
Leptin levels are associated with multiple sclerosis risk
Authors: Biström Martin , Hultdin Johan , Andersen Oluf , Alonso-Magdalena Lucia , Jons Daniel , Gunnarsson Martin , Vrethem Magnus , Sundström Peter 
Published: February 2020

Background: Obesity early in life has been linked to increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Leptin and insulin are both associated with obesity, making them suitable candidates for investigating this connection. Objective: To determine if leptin and insulin are risk factors for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: In this nested case–control study using blood samples from Swedish biobanks, we compared concentrations of leptin and insulin in 649 individuals who later developed RRMS with 649 controls matched for biobank, sex, age and date of sampling. Only pre-symptomatically drawn samples from individuals below the age of 40 years were included. Conditional logistic regression was performed on z-scored values to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A 1-unit leptin z-score increase was associated with increased risk of MS in individuals younger than 20 years (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–1.9) and in all men (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0–2.0). In contrast, for women aged 30–39 years, there was a lower risk of MS with increased leptin levels (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.54–1.0) when adjusting for insulin levels. Conclusion: We show that the pro-inflammatory adipokine leptin is a risk factor for MS among young individuals.
Long non-coding RNA AGER-1 inhibits colorectal cancer progression through sponging miR-182
Authors: Lin Mingzhu , Li Yinyan , Xian Jianfeng , Chen Jinbin , Feng Yingyi , Mao Chun , Pan Yujie , Li Zhi , Zeng Yuyuan , Yang Lei , Lu Jiachun , Wei Yisheng , Qiu Fuman 
Published: February 2020

Objective: Abundant evidence has illustrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a vital role in the regulation of tumor development and progression. Ectopic expression of a novel lncRNA, termed lnc-AGER-1, has been discovered in cancers, and this lncRNA was reported to exert an anti-tumor effect. However, its biological mechanism remains unelucidated in colorectal cancer. Methods: A total of 159 paired colorectal cancer specimens and adjacent tissues was applied to detect the expression of lnc-AGER-1 by the quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and a series of functional assays was executed to uncover the role of this lncRNA on colorectal cancer. Results: We found that the expression of lnc-AGER-1 in the tumor tissues was significantly down-regulated, while compared with adjacent normal tissues (0.0115 ± 0.0718 vs. 0.0347 ± 0.157; P < 0.0001). Also, lnc-AGER-1 was observably associated with clinical T status (r = −0.184, P = 0.024). Patients with advanced T status exerted a significantly lower level of lnc-AGER-1 than those with early T status (20.0% vs. 40.7%, P = 0.021). Over-expression of lnc-AGER-1 inhibited cell proliferation and migration efficiency, and induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and promoted cell apoptosis. Further research proved that lnc-AGER-1 altered the expression of its neighbor gene, AGER, through acting as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-182 in colorectal cancer. Conclusion: lnc-AGER-1 has a suppressive role in colorectal cancer development via modulating AGER, which may serve as a target for colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Preoperative Rotator Muscle Strength Ratio Predicts Shoulder Function in Patients After Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Lee Sang Min , Seo Yong Gon , Park Won Hah , Yoo Jae Chul 
Published: February 2020

Background: Shoulder function after rotator cuff repair is associated with patient satisfaction after surgery. Several studies have demonstrated that the muscle strength ratio (external rotators/internal rotators) is an important factor to evaluate shoulder function, but little is known about the relationship between the preoperative muscle strength ratio and postoperative shoulder function. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the preoperative muscle strength ratio of the shoulder rotators on function after rotator cuff repair. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study participants were patients with small- to medium-sized rotator cuff tears diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging; 77 patients were included in the analysis. Preoperative muscle strength was assessed through use of isokinetic equipment. Patients were classified into 2 groups (normal and abnormal) according to a normal strength ratio range of 55% to 75%, with “abnormal” meaning a deviation of more than 15% from the normal range. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and the Constant score were used to evaluate shoulder function preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. Results: There were 30 patients in the normal group and 47 in the abnormal group, with a preoperative muscle strength ratio of 63.5% ± 5.5% and 42.6% ± 6.1%, respectively. The ASES score was 88.6 ± 9.1 in the normal group and 77.5 ± 13.6 in the abnormal group at 2 years postoperatively, and the Constant score was 82.7 ± 8.4 in the normal group and 69.5 ± 13.4 in the abnormal group at 2 years postoperatively. A significant difference was found in postoperative shoulder function between the normal and abnormal groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the preoperative muscle strength ratio was associated with postoperative shoulder function. The preoperative muscle strength ratio should be considered an important predictor of shoulder function after rotator cuff repair.
Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Councils: A Guide to Their Development and Ongoing Implementation
Authors: Richard Julie , Azar Rima , Doucet Shelley , Luke Alison 
Published: February 2020

Background: Patient and family engagement is increasingly recognized in the care of children with complex health conditions. Through the implementation of Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs), health-care institutions are working to improve patient care by nurturing partnerships among patients/families, managers, and clinicians. Despite the potential for PFACs, empirical research about their implementation remains scarce. Objective: To address this gap, this study explored the recruitment, retention, and implementation strategies used by Canadian PFACs. Design: We used a qualitative descriptive design. Participants: We interviewed 10 spokespersons from Canadian PFACs. Results: We found themes within 2 stages of implementation. The first stage, getting PFACs started, included 4 themes: (1) using evolving recruitment methods, (2) preparing for effective participation, (3) ensuring diversity within PFACs, and (4) preparing terms of reference. The second stage involved strategies to support ongoing PFACs implementation and included 1 overall theme: facilitating optimal PFACs participation. The underlying link between themes was that establishing/maintaining PFACs is an ongoing learning curve. Conclusion: Our findings have the potential to inform new and existing PFACs.
Electric Shock Retinopathy: Case Report of a Late Retinal Manifestation
Authors: Valera-Cornejo Diego Alejandro , García-Roa Marlon , Ramírez-Neria Paulina , Romero-Morales Verónica , Villalpando-Gómez Yolanda , García-Franco Renata 
Published: February 2020

Purpose: This is a case report of a male patient who suffered a high-voltage electrical burn and presented with bilateral pigmentary retinopathy. Methods: A 40-year-old man presented with bilateral vision loss following a high-voltage electrical injury sustained 10 years earlier. Family history, ocular history, and anterior segment evaluation were unremarkable. Results: Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc pallor, widespread areas of chorioretinal atrophy, and pigmentary changes surrounding the optic disc that partially involved the macula with some spared areas located on the superior retina. Conclusions: Retinal manifestations following a high-voltage electrical injury can resemble other hereditary and inflammatory diseases with similar clinical patterns, therefore, a meticulous family, medical, and clinical evaluation is essential.
The genetic correlation between feed conversion ratio and growth rate affects the design of a breeding program for more sustainable fish production
Authors: Besson Mathieu , Komen Hans , Rose Gus , Vandeputte Marc 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background
Most fish breeding programs aim at improving growth rate and include feed conversion ratio (FCR) neither in the breeding goal nor in the selection index, although decreasing FCR is known to increase farm profit and decrease environmental impacts. This is because FCR is difficult to measure in fish that live in groups and FCR is assumed to have a favourable (negative) genetic correlation with growth, although the magnitude of this correlation is unknown. We investigated the effect of the genetic correlation between growth and FCR on the economic and environmental responses of a two-trait breeding goal (growth and FCR), compared to a single-trait breeding goal (growth only). Next, we evaluated the weights to assign to growth and FCR in a two-trait breeding goal to maximize sustainability of fish production.

Methods
We used pseudo-best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) index calculations to simulate a breeding program for sea bass. For the single-trait breeding goal, the trait in the breeding goal and in the index was thermal growth coefficient (TGC) and for the two-trait breeding goal, the traits in the breeding goal were TGC and FCR and the traits in the index were TGC and percentage of fat in the dorsal muscle (an indirect measure of FCR). We simulated responses to selection for genetic and phenotypic correlations between TGC and FCR ranging from 0 to − 0.8. Then, in the two-trait breeding goal, we calculated the economic return and the change in eutrophication when using economic values (EV) or environmental values (ENV).

Results
When the genetic correlation between TGC and FCR was lower than − 0.45, we found major differences in economic returns and in eutrophication between single and two-trait breeding programs. At a correlation of − 0.25, the two-trait breeding goal based on EV increased economic return by 25% compared to the single-trait breeding goal, while using ENV decreased eutrophication by 1.34% per ton of fish produced after one generation of selection.

Conclusions
The genetic correlation between TGC and FCR affects the magnitude of economic losses due to omitting FCR in the breeding program. In addition, the genetic correlation affects the importance of choosing EV or ENV to reduce eutrophication and increase profit.