bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minimum 3.5-year outcomes of operative treatment for Achilles tendon partial tears in the midportion and retrocalcaneal area
Authors: Lohrer Heinz 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAchilles tendon partial tears are not easy to diagnose and to manage. Most frequently, they are located in the midportion and insertional area. These entities result from different pathologic pathways and different treatment strategies are applied. The outcome is rarely investigated.MethodsThis study includes patients who underwent surgery for partial tears in the midportion or retrocalcaneal Achilles tendon area between the years 2009 and 2015 by a single surgeon. Patients were prospectively assessed preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, using the VISA-A-G questionnaire. The final retrospective follow-up was performed after a minimum of 3.5 years postoperatively. Forty-eight Achilles tendon partial tears at the level of the retrocalcaneal bursa (impingement lesions) and 27 midportion Achilles tendon partial tears were identified. After applying rigorous exclusion criteria, 21 and 16 cases, respectively, remained for the final follow-up. Results were analysed by descriptive statistics.ResultsThe VISA-A-G outcome scores improved significantly from preoperative to six months, 12 months, and final postoperative assessment. Preoperatively, the average VISA-A-G score was 42.1 (range, 18–73) for patients operated for Achilles tendon partial tears at the level of the retrocalcaneal bursa and 44.6 (range, 10–73) for the midportion Achilles tendon partial tear group, respectively (p = 0.690). At final follow-up 88.8 (range, 15 to 100) and 96.9 (range, 71 to 100) were scored in the respective treatment groups (p = 0.002).ConclusionsIn Achilles tendon partial tears recalcitrant to conservative treatment, operative intervention is highly successful in most cases, irrespective of the level of the injury. Twelve months postoperatively and at final follow-up, however, results were significantly better in the midportion Achilles tendon partial tear group.Trial registrationDRKS, DRKS00014266. Registered 06 April 2018. 'Retrospectively registered', https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=results .
Non-specific diagnoses are frequent in patients hospitalized after calling 112 and their mortality is high – a register-based Danish cohort study
Authors: Nielsen Frederikke Vestergaard , Nielsen Mette Rønn , Lorenzen Ida Lund , Amstrup Jesper , Kløjgaard Torben Anders , Færk Emil , Bøggild Henrik , Christensen Erika Frischknecht 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background The number of patients calling for an ambulance increases. A considerable number of patients receive a non-specific diagnosis at discharge from the hospital, and this could imply less serious acute conditions, but the mortality has only scarcely been studied. The aim of this study was to examine the most frequent sub-diagnoses among patients with hospital non-specific diagnoses after calling 112 and their subsequent mortality. Methods A historical cohort study of patients brought to the hospital by ambulance after calling 112 in 2007-2014 and diagnosed with a non-specific diagnosis, chapter R or Z, in the International Classification of Diseases, 10 th edition (ICD-10). 1-day and 30-day mortality was analyzed by survival analyses and compared by the log-rank test. Results We included 74,847 ambulance runs in 53,937 unique individuals. The most frequent diagnoses were ‘unspecified disease’ (Z039), constituting 47.0 % (n 35,279). In children 0-9 years old, ‘febrile convulsions’ was the most frequent non-specific diagnosis used in 54.3 % (n 1,602). Overall, 1- and 30-day mortality was 2.2 % (n 1,205) and 6.0 % (n 3,258). The highest mortality was in the diagnostic group ‘suspected cardiovascular disease’ (Z035) and ‘unspecified disease’ (Z039) with 1-day mortality 2.6 % (n 43) and 2.4 % (n 589), and 30 day mortality of 6.32 % (n 104) and 8.1 % (n 1,975). Conclusion Among patients calling an ambulance and discharged with non-specific diagnoses the 1- and 30-day mortality, despite modest mortality percentages lead to a high number of deaths.
Determinants of Uptake of Malaria Preventive Interventions among Pregnant Women in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Wafula Solomon Tsebeni , Mendoza Hilbert , Nalugya Aisha , Musoke David , Waiswa Peter 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Consistent use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) have been recommended as cost-effective interventions for malaria prevention during pregnancy in endemic areas. However, the coverage of these interventions during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is still suboptimal. In this study, we investigated the uptake of IPTp and ITNs, and associated factors among women during their recent pregnancy in Eastern Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 2,062 women who had delivered within the last 12 months in three districts in Eastern Uganda. The primary outcomes were consistent ITN use and optimal uptake (at least 3 doses) of IPTp. A modified Poisson regression was used to examine the association between consistent ITN use and the uptake of optimal doses of IPTp with independent variables. Data were analyzed using Stata 14 software. Results The level of uptake of IPTp3 (at least three doses) was 14.7 %, while IPTp2 (at least two doses) was 60.0%. The majority (86.4%) of mothers reported regularly sleeping under mosquito nets for the full duration of pregnancy. Uptake of IPTp3 was associated with engaging in farming (adjusted PR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.28 – 2.28]) or business (adjusted PR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.05 – 2.44]), and attending at least 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits (adjusted PR = 1.72, 95%CI [1.34 – 2.22]). On the other hand, consistent ITN use was associated with belonging to the fourth wealth quintile (adjusted PR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.02 – 1.14]) or fifth wealth quintile (adjusted PR = 1.08, 95% CI [1.02- 1.15]), and attending at least 4 ANC visits (adjusted PR = 1.07, 95% CI [1.03- 1.11]). Conclusion Uptake of IPTp3 and consistent ITN use during pregnancy were lower than recommended guidelines, thus threatening the progress so far made towards malaria elimination. Our findings highlight the need for more efforts to enhance utilisation of ANC services, which is likely to increase the uptake of these two key malaria preventive measures during pregnancy.
Automated synthesis of 18F radiolabelled indole containing Oncrasin-like molecules; a comparison of iodonium salts and boronic ester chemistry.
Authors: McDonald Alexander Franklin , Goh Yit Woo , White Jonathan M , Scott Andrew M , Ackermann Uwe 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Oncrasin-1 is a small molecule which was identified from a screen of KRAS mutant cancer cells and has shown specificity for KRAS mutant cell killing. We aimed to develop a radiolabelled form of Oncrasin-1 to enable in-vivo imaging of mutant KRAS expression in malignant tumours. This work outlines the synthesis of 3 fluorinated derivatives and development of iodonium salt and boronic ester precursors for radiolabelling with the 18F isotope. Attempted synthesis of iodonium salts showed that the indole structure is incompatible with oxidizing conditions required for iodonium salt formation. Synthesis and radiolabelling of boronic acid pinacol ester precursors were successful and resulted in RCY of 10–25% across the 3 different substitution patterns. The successful synthesis of these tracers will allow for investigation of Oncrasin based molecules as potential diagnostics for cancers expressing mutant KRAS protein.
Conditional quantiles estimation of the incubation period of COVID-19
Authors: Liu Xiaohui , Wang Lei , Ma Xiansi , Wang Jiewen 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : In December 2019, some cases of pneumonia with unknown etiology were identified in Wuhan, Hubei province in China. The World Health Organization (WHO) has named this disease as COVID-19, standing for ``2019 coronavirus disease", and announced the disease have become a public health incident on December 31, 2019. This study aimed to investigate the conditional distribution of the incubation period of COVID-19 on the age of infected cases, and estimate its corresponding conditional quantiles from information on 2172 confirmed cases from 29 provinces outside Hubei in China. Methods : We collected data including the infection dates, onset dates, and ages of the confirmed cases from the websites of the centres of disease control, or the daily public reports through February 16th, 2020. A new maximum likelihood method was developed to account for the biased sampling, or right truncation, issue of the data as the epidemic is still ongoing. The estimators can be shown to be consistent asymptotically under mild conditions. Results : Based on the collected data, we found that the conditional quantiles of the incubation period distribution of COVID-19 varies over ages. In detail, the high conditional quantiles of people in the middle age group are shorter than those of others. We estimated that the 0.95-th quantile related to people in the age group 23$\sim$55 is less than 15 days. Conclusions : Observing that the conditional quantiles vary over ages, we may take more precise measures for people of different ages. For example, we may consider carrying out an age-dependent quarantine duration, rather than a uniform 14-days quarantine, in practice. Remarkably, we may need to extend the current quarantine duration for people aged $0\sim22$ and over 55 because the related 0.95-th quantiles are much greater than 14 days.
Effects of brisk walking on blood pressure in the Chinese Han occupational population with a sedentary lifestyle: A baseline control trial
Authors: Yu Yingxiang , Chang Cuiqing , Wu Yifan , Xie Lan , Guo Chengcheng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Physical activity has proven to be effective in improving blood pressure (BP), but research on the beneficial exercise volume for BP control is limited. We assessed the intervention effects of walking on BP in the Chinese Han occupational population with a sedentary lifestyle to explore the appropriate exercise volume needed for BP control.Methods: A total of 802 subjects were recruited from enterprises and institutions for our study. This study was designed as an intervention study for a baseline control trial. All participants received a 3-month open and prescription pedometer-assisted self-monitoring walking intervention. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between physical activity and changes in systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP. We divided the effective step counts into five levels: 4000-<6000 (level 1), 6000-<8000 (level 2), 8000-<10000 (level 3), 10000-12000 (level 4), and >12000 (level 5) steps/day for statistical analysis to evaluate the exercise intervention efficiency.Results: Data of 688 participants who completed the study were analyzed. After 3 months, SBP and DBP decreased by 1.9 and 2.0 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.05). Taking level 5 (>12000 steps/day) as reference, SBP can be better controlled at levels 1-4: level 1 had the best effect (-6.05 mmHg, P=0.007), followed by level 2 (-3.54 mmHg, P=0.006), showing a significant dose-effect relationship between exercise and SBP. Furthermore, the effective step count of 6000-<8000 steps/day was better in controlling SBP in males (-4.26 mmHg, P = 0.014), while 4000-<6000 steps/day had a better effect on females (-6.86 mmHg, P = 0.037). The significant dose-effect relationship was only observed in the 36-50 age group. However, no significant dose-effect relationship between exercise and DBP.Conclusions: Brisk walking can effectively control BP in the Chinese Han occupational population with a sedentary lifestyle. There was a significant dose-effect relationship between exercise and SBP with differences in sex and age. Trial registration: ChiCTR-OOh-16010229. Registered 5 January 2017 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=17362.
Bone metastasis unique plasma exosomal microRNA signature in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Pi Can , Yang Xiaorong , Yu Ruoying , Fan Xiaojun , Peng Xiaoxiao , Zhang Xuchao , Chen Zhihong , Wu Xue , Shao Yang W , Wu Yi-Long , Zhou Qing 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
20–40% of lung cancer patients develop bone metastasis (BM) with significantly decreased overall survival. Currently, BM is mainly diagnosed by CT scan or MRI when symptom develops. Novel biomarkers with higher prediction value of BM are needed.
Methods
Prospective analysis was undertaken on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with (BM+) and without BM (BM-). Plasma exosomal RNA was isolated and sequenced from peripheral blood of patients. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression networks analysis (WGCNA) of mi-RNA sequencing data were performed between two groups.
Results
Hierarchical clustering based on the total miRNA profile can clearly separate cancer patients and healthy individuals (H), but not patients BM + or BM-. WGCNA identified three consensus clusters (A, B, C) of highly correlated miRNAs, among which cluster B (144 miRNAs) showed significantly differential expression in lung cancer patients, especially in BM + group. Three differentially expressed miRNAs between BM + and BM- patients within cluster B were identified as miR-574-5p, a suppressor of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, was down-regulated, while miR-328-3p and miR-423-3p, two activators of the same pathway, were up-regulated in BM + patients. Pathway analysis of cluster B miRNAs revealed enrichment in metabolic pathways that may involve in preconditioning of the metastatic niche. Cluster A miRNAs (n = 49) also showed trend of upregulation in BM + patients. Interestingly, pathway analysis indicated that 43 of them are associated with chromosome14, which has been suggested to promote EMT and bone metastasis.
Conclusion
These data indicated that a cluster of mi-RNAs showed significantly differential expression in BM + group, including miR-574-5p, miR-328-3p and miR-423-3p.
Lactobacillus reuteri can reduce Gardnerella induced bacterial vaginosis in mice and modulate immune markers
Authors: Shahzadi Kiran , Ahmad Syed Zeeshan , Ahmad Syed Shoaib , Arshad Najma 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacilli, which constitute a strong line of defense against vaginal diseases like Bacterial vaginosis (BV). Bacterial Vaginosis is a polymicrobial disease characterized by gradual replacement of predominant population of Lactobacillus with anaerobic uropathogens such as Gardnerella vaginalis (GV), Prevotella and Mobiluncus spp. Due to antibiotic resistance in these pathogens, Lactobacillus spp. have been given attention in the prophylaxis and prevention of infections such as, urinary tract infections, genital infections and BV. Current study describes role of L. reuteri in reducing BV in a GV induced BV murine model. In addition, immunomodulatory effects of L. reuteri were assessed by analyzing gene expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers by real time PCR in vaginal tissue.Methods Study was divided into two parts. In phase 1, two groups of mice were intravaginally administered with L. reuteri and GV at a dose of 1 x 10 6 CFUml -1 and 5 x 10 5 CFUml -1 respectively and their colonization was confirmed by re-isolation of these strains in vaginal washes. In phase 2, prophylactic efficacy of L. reuteri in GV induced BV mice model were observed by considering clinical scoring, re-isolation frequency, bacterial load, change in epithelium of vaginal tissue and tissue inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers.Results A significant reduction in clinical scores and re-isolation frequency was noticed in GV challenged pre- L. reuteri colonized animals (prophylactic group). On 10 th day, L. reuteri restricted the growth of GV and kept its count significantly lower than in GV positive control group. Reduction in epithelial thickness and exfoliation was noticed in histological sections of treated group as compare to that in positive control group. In addition to their antimicrobial potential against GV, a depletion in IL-6, IL-1β and elevation in IFN-γ was noticed in L. reuteri treated GV challenged mice.Conclusions Based on aforementioned findings, it is concluded that L. reuteri could be considered a natural candidate for therapies of female genital infections.
Intracellular AFP Blocks All-trans retinoic acid induced ATG7 expression and Autophagy in Hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Feng Rilu , Shi Ying , Chen Dexi , Weng Honglei , Ding Huiguo , Zhang Chenguang 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Retinoic acid and retinoid acid receptor (RA-RAR) signaling exhibits suppressive functions in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through multiple mechanisms. However, whether RA-RAR signaling induces autophagy that contributes its anti-tumor activity in HCC remains elusive.Methods: The effects of RA-RAR pathway were investigated in two HCC cell lines: AFP positive PLC/PRF/5 cells and AFP negative HLE cells. Cell autophagy, apoptosis and proliferation were analyzed by Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP), Immunofluorescence staining, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), Caspase-3 activity and Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8.Results: ATRA dosage-dependently induced high levels of cell autophagy through its specific nuclear receptor RAR in both the PLC/PRF/5 and HLE cells. ChIP assay showed that RAR bind to response elements of key autophagy-initiated gene autophagy-relevant protein (ATG) 7 gene in the 5’-flanking region. Analyses based on CoIP further revealed that AFP formed complex with RAR in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Knockdown of AFP reduced the AFP and RAR combination, and thus up-regulated the expression of ATG7 gene and cell autophagy. Interestingly, in the HLE cells, AFP overexpressed and combination with RAR resulted in down-regulated ATG7 gene expression and reduction of cell autophagy. In both cell lines, ATRA inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, which was impacted by AFP action.Conclusion: The current study indicated that autophagy participated in the functionality of ATRA on HCC cells and AFP is a key regulator of ATRA induced autophagy through forming complexes with RAR in HCC cells.
Application of Network Meta-Analysis to Assess the Comparative Effectiveness of Oral Care Interventions in Preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in Critically Ill Patients.
Authors: PS Satheeshkumar , Sonis Stephen 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background In this research, we assessed the efficacy of a novel analytic, network metanalysis (NMA), in creating a hierarchy to define the most effective oral care intervention (OCI) for the prevention and management of ventilation-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods We applied NMA to a previously published robust pairwise meta-analysis (PMA). Statistical analyses were based on comparing rates of total VAP events between intervention groups and placebo-usual care groups. We synthesized a netgraph, reported ranking order of the treatment and summarized our output by a forest plot with a reference treatment placebo/usual care. Results With our inclusion and exclusion critiera for the NMA we extracted 25 studies (4473 subjects). The NMA included 16 treatments, 29 pairwise comparisons and 15 designs. Based on the results of multiple comparisons with frequentist ranking probability P scores, tooth brushing (P score fixed of 0.9353, P score random of 0.8892), toothbrushing with povidone iodine (P score fixed of 0.9091, P score random 0.8801), and furacillin (P score fixed of 0.8798, P score random 0.8358) were the best three interventions for preventing VAP. Conclusion NMA appeared to be an effective platform from which multiple interventions reported in disparate clinical trials could be compared to derive a hierarchical assessment of efficacy in the intervention of VAP. According to the NMA outcome, toothbrushing alone or toothbrushing along with a potent antiseptic mouthwash povidone iodine was related to the highest response rate in preventing VAP in critically ill patients followed by furacillin and chlorhexidine 0.2%, respectively.
Intravenous and oral copper kinetics, biodistribution and dosimetry in healthy humans studied by [64Cu]copper PET/CT
Authors: Kjærgaard Kristoffer , Sandahl Thomas , Frisch Kim , Højrup Karina , Keiding Susanne , Vilstrup Hendrik , Ott Peter , Gormsen Lars Christian , Munk Ole Lajord 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Purpose: Copper is essential for enzymatic processes throughout the body. [64Cu]copper (64Cu) positron emission tomography (PET) has been investigated as a diagnostic tool for certain malignancies, but has not yet been used to study copper homeostasis in humans. In this study, we determined the hepatic removal kinetics, biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of 64Cu in healthy humans by both intravenous and oral administration of the radiotracer. Methods: Six healthy participants underwent PET/CT studies with intravenous or oral administration of 64Cu. A 90 min dynamic PET scan of the liver was followed by three whole-body PET/CT scans at 1.5, 6, and 20 h after tracer administration. PET data were used for estimation of hepatic kinetics, biodistribution, effective doses, and absorbed doses for critical organs. Results: After intravenous administration, 64Cu uptake was highest in the liver, intestinal walls and pancreas; the gender-averaged effective dose was 62 ± 5 μSv/MBq (mean ± SD). After oral administration, 64Cu was almost exclusively taken up by the liver while leaving a significant amount of residual radiotracer in the gastrointestinal lumen, resulting in an effective dose of 113 ± 1 μSv/MBq. Excretion of 64Cu in urine and faeces after intravenous administration was negligible. Hepatic removal kinetics showed that 64Cu clearance from blood was 0.10 ± 0.02 mL blood/min/mL liver tissue, and the rate constant for excretion into bile or blood was 0.003 ± 0.002 min-1. Conclusion: 64Cu biodistribution and radiation dosimetry are affected by the manner of tracer administration with high uptake by the liver, intestinal walls, and pancreas after intravenous administration; after oral administration, 64Cu is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and deposited primarily in the liver. Administration of 50 MBq 64Cu yielded images of high quality for both administration forms with radiation doses approximately 3.1 and 5.7 mSv, respectively, allowing for sequential studies in humans.﻿Trial Registration Number: EudraCT no. 2016-001975-59. Registration date: 19/09/2016.
Association between psoriasis and migraine: what should we expect from a meta-analysis?
Authors: Xu Rui , Xiong Ying , Wei Xiaolan , Huang Xiaobao , Chen Yuting , Han Jande 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Although many studies have demonstrated the commodity of psoriasis with migraine and indicated that they may have similar susceptibility genes and pathophysiologic mechanism, the clinic association between the migraine and psoriasis remains unclear. Methods We have already searched Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science for case–control, cross-sectional, or cohort studies, and extract rate, odds or risk of migraine in subjects with psoriasis or without psoriasis. Using defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, finally include nine studies. Pooling of the suitable data was applied when necessary. Results Five cross-sectional studies included 6355 psoriasis patients and 934413 controls, migraine highly occurred in psoriasis patient (pooled OR 1.64; 95% confidence interval [1.28; 2.11]). In addition, with 4375 psoriasis patients provided, the rate of migraine occurred in psoriasis patient (pooled rate 0.21; 95% confidence interval [0.13; 0.35]). Conclusion Migraine and psoriasis present a clear co-occurrence and similar pathophysiologic mechanism, which lead to the assumption that the two diseases might be linked. Screening and selection of proper assessment of migraine among psoriasis patients are warranted and needed.