bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and factors associated with frailty in hospitalized older Patients
Authors: HAMMAMI Sonia , Zarrouk Amira , Piron Cecile , Almas Ioana , Sakly Nabil , Latteur Veronique 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome that leads to an increase of an age-related disorder of several physiological systems, and cognitive abilities decline. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of frailty among older persons in Belgium and we examined the factors associated with frailty with a principal focus en cognitive, dietary status, and inflammatory parameters Methods: A total of 124 participants (90 women, 34 men; age: mean ± SD: 85.9 ± 5.5 years) were studied, recruited from the Geriatrics department, Belgium. Nutritional, cognitive status and physical activity were assessed using Mini Mental State Examination score (MMSE), Mini Nutritional Assessment score (MNA), and Katz score, respectively. Frailty syndrome was evaluated using the modified Short Emergency Geriatric Assessment (SEGA) score. Medication and medical history were recorded. Analyzed biochemical parameters included C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count, blood creatinine, vitamin D level, and serum protein electrophoresis. According to SEGA score, participants were divided into non-frail (n=19), frail (n=25) and severely frail patients (n= 80). Results: The SEGA score was inversely correlated with MMSE, MNA and Katz score. SEGA score was negatively correlated to albumin levels (r = -0.30; p<0.001) and positively correlated to CRP, polypharmacy and age(r = 0.28, r = 0.37, r = 0.33 and p<0.01 respectively) . Logistic regression showed a strong association between frailty, Katz score, dementia, polypharmacy and living in nursing home. Conclusion : Our results provide useful information for understanding mechanisms of frailty. This will help to develop preventive strategies for the elderly at the pre-frailty stage.
Efficacy and clinical predictors of response to rTMS treatment in pharmacoresistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): A retrospective study
Authors: Rostami Reza , Kazemi Reza , Jabbari Arezoo , Madani Azam , Rostami Hosseinreza , Taherpour Mohammad Amin , Molavi Parviz , Jaafari Nematollah , Kuo Min-Fang , Vicario Carmelo M. , Nitsche Michael A. , Salehinejad Mohammad Ali 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Application of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been promising, but effects differ between patients. Knowledge about clinical predictors of rTMS response may help to increase clinical efficacy but is not available so far.
Methods: In a retrospective study, we investigated the efficacy of rTMS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) or supplementary motor area (SMA) in 65 pharmaco-resistant OCD outpatients recruited for rTMS treatment from July 2015 to May 2017. Patients received either SMA rTMS or bilateral DLPFC rTMS in case of reporting higher affective and depressive symptoms in addition to the primary OCD symptoms. OCD symptoms and depression/anxiety states were measured at baseline (before the 1 st session) and after the 20th session of rTMS. Additionally, we performed a binary logistic regression analysis on the demographic and clinical variables based on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) 3-factor and 2-factor models and individual items to investigate potential predictors of rTMS response.
Results: Patients’ scores in Y-BOCS and Beck anxiety/depression inventories were significantly decreased following rTMS treatment. 46.2% of all patients responded to rTMS, based on the criterion of at least a 30% reduction in Y-BOCS scores. Both stimulation protocols had similar effects in patients with similar baseline clinical-demographic characteristics. No significant demographic predictors of rTMS efficacy were identified. The factors “Obsession severity”, “resistance” and “disturbance” and the “Interference due to obsessions” and “resistance against compulsions” items of the Y-BOCS significantly predicted response to rTMS.
Conclusions: In patients with less intrusive/interfering thoughts, and low scores in the “obsession severity”, “disturbance”, and “resistance factors, rTMS might have superior effects. Identification of clinical and non-clinical predictors of response is relevant to personalize and adapt rTMS protocols in pharmaco-resistant OCD patients. Interpretation of rTMS efficacy should be done with caution due to the lack of a sham intervention condition.
A novel nomogram to predict the reliability of estimated glomerular filtration rate formula in oncology patients
Authors: Cheng Yichun , Huang Liu , Han Yunfeng , Vanisha Chummun , Ge Shuwang , Xu Gang 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Formulae of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on serum creatinine (Scr) are routinely used in oncology patients, however, they are inaccurate in some populations. Our aim was to assess the agreement of eGFR formulae and thereby build a nomogram to predict the reliability of estimates.

Methods: Measured GFR (mGFR) using isotope from 445 oncology patients were compared with eGFR from six formulae (Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), modified MDRD formulae for Chinese (C-MDRD), Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) Collaboration, Wright and full age spectrum (FAS)). Bias, precision and accuracy of eGFR formulae were examined. We also evaluated statistics of agreement: the total deviation index (TDI), the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and the coverage probability (CP). Multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify characteristics associated with inaccurate eGFR and construct a predictive nomogram.

Results: All eGFR formulae tended to overestimate the eGFR. The percentage of patients with eGFR within 30% the mGFR ranged from 38.0% to 62.8%. Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD showed low bias and high precision. The MDRD formula exhibited lowest TDI, meaning that 90% of estimations ranged from -36 to 36% of mGFR. Multivariate logistic regression showed that inaccuracy of MDRD was found in elderly patients or in patients with eGFR greater than 120 ml/min. A nomogram was constructed to help oncologists to predict the risk of inaccuracy of eGFR. The calibration curve showed good agreement.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the error of eGFR by any formulae was common and wide in Chinese oncology patients. Our nomogram may assist oncologists in decision-making when mGFR is needed.
Comparative analysis of retrograde intrarenal surgery and modified Ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy in management of lower pole renal stones (1.5-3.5 cm)
Authors: Li Zhuohang , Lai Cong , Shah Arvind K. , Xie Weibin , Liu Cheng , Huang Li , Li Kuiqing , Yu Hao , Xu Kewei 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background：To compare the safety and efficacy of retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and modified Ultra-mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (UMP) in semi-supine combined lithotomy position for the management of 1.5-3.5 cm lower pole renal stones (LPSs). Methods: A total of 63 patients with 1.5-3.5 cm LPSs who underwent RIRS (n= 33) or modified UMP (n= 30) in diameter between January 2017 and January 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Modified UMP was performed in semi-supine combined lithotomy position and a 9.5/11.5 F ureteral access sheath (UAS) was inserted during the procedure in order to maintain low pelvic pressure and to facilitate the removal of stone fragments. Base-line parameters, stone characteristics, illness condition, operation time, postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) drop, postoperative creatinine (Cr) elevation, length of hospital stay, length of postoperative hospital stay, stone-free rate (SFR) and complications were compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in base-line parameters, stone characteristics and illness condition. The mean operating time of RIRS group was longer than UMP group (95.61 ± 21.9 vs. 55.0 ± 16.1 min, p< 0.001). The mean postoperative Hb drop was less in RIRS group (7.42 ± 4.7 vs. 15.70 ± 9.8 g/L, p< 0.001). The length of hospital stay and postoperative hospital stay for RIRS were shorter than UMP (4.76 ± 1.1 vs. 5.83 ± 0.8 d, p< 0.001, 2.97 ± 0.9 vs. 4.07 ± 0.9 d, p< 0.001). The Early SFR was higher in UMP group (54.5 vs. 80.0%, p< 0.050) while SFR at 1-month and 3-months postoperatively was similar in both groups (p= 0.504, p= 0.675). There were no significant differences between the two groups in complications (p= 0.228). Conclusion：For patients with 1.5-3.5 cm LPSs, both modified UMP and RIRS are safe and viable. The modified UMP technique was used in this study, application semi-supine combined lithotomy position and the retention of UAS can improve the surgical efficiency and maintain low pressure perfusion in the kidney, which resulted in superior treatment efficacy. Therefore, we highly recommend this technique for LPSs with heavy stone burdens.
Disentangling the Genetics of Sarcopenia: prioritization of NUDT3 and KLF5 as genes for lean mass and HLA-DQB1-AS1 for hand grip strength based on associated SNPs
Authors: Singh Abhishek N. , Gasman Bili 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia is a skeletal muscle disease of clinical importance that occurs commonly in old age and in various disease sub-categories. Widening the scope of knowledge of the genetics of muscle mass and strength is important because it may allow to identify patients with an increased risk to develop a specific musculoskeletal disease or condition such as sarcopenia based on genetic markers. We used bioinformatics tools to identify gene loci responsible for regulating muscle strength and lean mass, which can then be a target for downstream lab experimentation validation. Single nuclear polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with various disease traits of muscles and specific genes were chosen according to their muscle phenotype association p-value, as traditionally done in Genome Wide Association Studies, GWAS. We've developed and applied a combination of expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and GWAS summary information, to prioritize causative SNP and point out the unique genes associated in the tissues of interest (muscle).
Results: We found NUDT3 and KLF5 for lean mass and HLA-DQB1-AS1 for hand grip strength as candidate genes to target for these phenotypes. The associated regulatory SNPs are rs464553, rs1028883 and rs3129753 respectively.
Conclusion: Transcriptome Wide Association Studies, TWAS, approaches of combining GWAS and eQTL summary statistics proved helpful in statistically prioritizing genes and their associated SNPs for the disease phenotype of study, in this case, Sarcopenia. Potentially regulatory SNPs associated with these genes can be then wet-lab verified, depending on the phenotype it is hypothesized to affect.
Transcriptome analysis of postharvest blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum‘Duke’) in response to cold stress
Authors: Zhang Fan , Ji ShuJuan , Wei BaoDong , Cheng Shunchang , Wang YaJuan , Hao Jia , Wang SiYao , Zhou Qian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is a small berry with high economic value. Although cold storage can extend the storage time of blueberry to more than 60 days, it leads to chilling injury (CI) displaying as pedicle pits; and the samples of 0°C-30 days was the critical point of CI. However, little is known about the mechanism and the molecular basis response to cold stress in blueberry have not been explained definitely. To comprehensively reveal the CI mechanisms in response to cold stress, we performed high-throughput RNA Seq analysis to investigate the gene regulation network in 0d (control) and 30d chilled blueberry. At the same time, the pitting and decay rate, electrolyte leakage (EL), malondialdehyde (MDA) proline content and GSH content were measured. Results: Two cDNA libraries from 0d (control) and 30d chilled samples were constructed and sequenced, generating a total of 35,060 unigenes with an N50 length of 1,348bp. Of these, 1852 were differentially expressed, with 1,167 upregulated and 685 downregulated. Forty-five cold-induced transcription factor (TF) families containing 1,023 TFs were identified. The DEGs indicated biological processes such as stress responses; cell wall metabolism; abscisic acid, gibberellin, membrane lipid, energy metabolism, cellular components, and molecular functions were significantly responsed to cold storage. The transcriptional level of 40 DEGs were verified by qRT-PCR. Conclusions: The postharvest cold storage leads serious CI in blueberry, which substantially decreases the quality, storability and consumer acceptance. The MDA content, proline content, EL increased and the GSH content decreased in this chilled process. The biological processes such as stress responses, hormone metabolic processes were significantly affected by CI. Overall, the results obtained here are valuable for preventing CI under cold storage and could help to perfect the lack of the genetic information of non-model plant species. Keywords: Blueberry; Differentially expressed genes; Low temperature storage; Pathways; Pitting; Transcriptome analysis
Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on short-term prognosis of 227 pyogenic liver abscess patients after hospitalization
Authors: Du Zhaoqing , Zhou Xinchen , Zhao Junzhou , Bi Jianbin , Ren Yifan , Zhang Jia , Lin Yuxin , Wu Zheng , Lv Yi , Zhang XuFeng , Wu Rongqian 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is an inflammatory disease with increasing incidence. When it occurs with diabetes mellitus (DM), risk of recurrence and the mortality may increase. However, the effect of DM on short-term prognosis of PLA patients after hospitalization remained unknown.
Methods: 227 PLA patients who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2011 to January 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. They were divided into two groups as DM group (n=61) and Non-DM group (n=166). In the DM group, HbA1C level <7% was considered to be good-control of glycaemia (n=23). The clinical characteristics and overall short-term survivals were analyzed.
Results: The proportion of PLA patients with DM was 26.87%. In the DM group, there was a higher incidence of hypertension and Candida spp. infection. Conservative administration and percutaneous drainage were mainly used in patients with good- (60.87%) and poor-control (60.53%) of glycaemia, respectively. During follow-up, 24 (10.57%) died due to uncontrolled systemic infections and other serious complications. Compared with PLA patients without DM, patients in the DM group had significantly increased 6-month mortality rate after discharge (Log-Rank test, P =0.021). Poor-control of glycaemia did not reduce the six-month survival, while the recurrence rate of PLA within three months showed an almost 3-fold increase (13.16% vs. 4.35%). Further multivariate analyses found that DM was the only independent risk factor for the PLA six-month survival (odd ratio [OR]: 3.019, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.138-8.010, P =0.026). However, the blood glucose level had no significant effect on the short-term survival of PLA patients with DM (Log-Rank test, P =0.218).
Conclusions: In PLA patients, DM aggravated short-term mortality and blood glucose levels should be well controlled.
Minimally invasive comprehensive treatment for granulomatous lobular mastitis
Authors: Wang Yaohuai , Song Junlong , Tu Yi , Chen Chuang , Sun Shengrong 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Objective: To describe a minimally invasive comprehensive treatment for granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) and compare its effect with the existing methods, particularly in terms of its recurrence rate and esthetic outcomes.
Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 69 GLM patients receiving the minimally invasive comprehensive treatment. Patients’ information, including age, clinical features, image characteristics, histopathological findings, mastitis history, treatment process, operative technique, recurrence, and esthetic effect, was evaluated.
Results: All patients were female with a median age of 32 (range 17 - 55) years. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 34 days, with a median of 6 days. The shortest time for complete rehabilitation was 2 days and the longest time was 365 days, with a median of 30 days. After a median follow-up of 391 days (range 162 - 690), 7 patients (10.14%) relapsed. The average cosmetic score was 2.62 ± 0.57 points and was mainly related to the past treatment, especially the surgical history.
Conclusion: Minimally invasive comprehensive treatment is a new method for the treatment of GLM, ensuring a therapeutic effect while maintaining breast beauty.
Early discontinuation of empirical antibiotic treatment in neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukaemia and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Niessen Floor Annabel , Mourik Maaike S. M. van , Bruns Anke H. W. , Raijmakers Reinier A. P. , de Groot Mark C.H. , Bruggen Tjomme van der 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Current guidelines advocate empirical antibiotic treatment (EAT) in haematological patients with febrile neutropenia. However, the optimal duration of EAT is unknown. In 2011, we have introduced a protocol, promoting discontinuation of carbapenems as EAT after three days in most patients and discouraging the standard use of vancomycin as EAT.[NF1] This study assesses the effect of this protocol on carbapenem and vancomycine use in high risk haematological patients and its safety.Methods: A retrospective before-after study was performed comparing a cohort from 2007 to 2011 (period I, before restrictive EAT use) with a cohort from 2011-2014 (period II, restrictive EAT use). Neutropenic episodes related to chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation (SCT) in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were analysed. The primary outcome was the use of carbapenems and vancomycin as EAT during neutropenia, expressed as days of therapy (DOT)/100 neutropenic days and analysed with interrupted time series (ITS). Also the use of other antibiotics was analysed to evaluate the overall antibiotic use[NF2] . Safety measurements included 30-day mortality, ICU admittance within 30 days after start of EAT and blood cultures positive for microorganisms sensitive to a carbapenem.Results: 362 neutropenic episodes with a median duration of 18 days were analysed, involving 201 patients. ITS analysis showed decreased carbapenem use with a step change of 16.1 DOT/100 neutropenic days (CI -26.73 to -1.41) and an overall reduction of 21.6% (8.7 DOT/100 neutropenic days). [NF3] Vancomycin use decreased with a step change of 13.7 DOT/100 neutropenic days (95% CI -23.66 to -2.90) and an overall reduction of 54.7% (14.6 DOT/100 neutropenic days). [NF4] There were no striking differences in other therapeutically used broad-spectrum antibiotics. No deaths were directly related to early discontinuation of EAT, also no notable difference in ICU-admission (n=9 in period I, n=9 in period II) and positive blood cultures (n=4 in period I, n=2 in period II) [NF5] was detected.Conclusion: The introduction of a protocol promoting restrictive use of EAT resulted in reduction of carbapenem and vancomycin use and appears to be safe in AML or high-risk MDS patients with febrile neutropenia during chemotherapy or SCT.
Association of type 2 diabetes mellitus and antidiabetic medication with risk of prostate cancer: a population-based case-control study.
Authors: Lin E , Garmo Hans , Hemelrijck Mieke Van , Adolfsson Jan , Stattin Pär , Zethelius Björn , Crawley Danielle 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are prevalent conditions that often occur concomitantly. However, many aspects of the impact of T2DM, particularly the duration of T2DM and antidiabetic medications, on PCa risk are poorly understood.
Methods: To assess the association of duration of T2DM and antidiabetic medication with PCa risk, we designed a matched case-control study, including 31,415 men with PCa and 154,812 PCa-free men in Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden (PCBaSe) 4.1.
Results: Overall, a decreased risk of PCa was observed for men with T2DM (odds ratio (OR): 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.84), as compared to men without T2DM. The decreased risk of PCa was consistently showed across duration of T2DM. With respect to use of antidiabetic drugs, this inverse association with duration was also found for all medications types, as compared to men without T2DM, including insulin, metformin and sulphonylurea (SU) (e.g. 3-<5yr insulin OR:0.69, 95%CI:0.60-0.80; 3-<5yr metformin OR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.74-0.91; 3-<5yr SU OR: 0.72, 95%CI: 0.62-0.83). When stratifying by PCa risk categories, this decreased risk was most evident for diagnosis of low and intermediate-risk PCa (low-risk OR: 0.65, 95%CI: 0.66-0.70, intermediate-risk OR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.75-0.85).
Conclusions: The study showed an inverse association between pre-existing T2DM and PCa across different durations of T2DM and all types of T2DM medication received. This inverse association was most evident for low- and intermediate-risk PCa, suggesting that whilst T2DM and its medication may protect some men from developing PCa, the relationship warrants further study.
The incidence of collagen-associated adverse events in pediatric population with the use of Fluoroquinolones: a nationwide cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Yu Pei-Han , Hu Chih-Fen , Liu Jen-Wei , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chen Yong-Chen , Sun Chien-An , Chien Wu-Chien 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the safety of using fluoroquinolones in pediatric population in Taiwan. Methods : Patients aged 0~18 years old with fluoroquinolones prescriptions ≥5 consecutive days during year 2000 to 2013 were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database, 4-time case number were selected as controls. We evaluated the patient’s outcome after the use of fluoroquinolones by reviewing a newly diagnosis of the following collagen-associated adverse events by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, covering tendons rupture, retinal detachments, gastrointestinal tract perforation, aortic aneurysm or dissection. Results : Of the enrolled patients (n=167,105), collagen-associated adverse effects developed in 85 cases (0.051%) in 6-month tracking, including 0.051% in the fluoroquinolones study cohort (17 in 33,421) and 0.051% (68 in 133,684) in the fluoroquinolones free comparison cohort. The crude hazard ratio for collagen-associated adverse events in the fluoroquinolones group was 0.997 (0.586-1.696; p=0.990). After adjusting for age, sex, catastrophic illness, low-income household, seasons, levels of urbanization, and healthcare, the corrected hazard ratio in 6-month tracking with FQs was 1.330 (95% CI; 0.778-2.276; p=0.255). Conclusions: There is no significant difference of collagen-associated adverse effects between fluoroquinolones group and fluoroquinolones free group from our data. We propose that fluoroquinolones for pediatric population in clinical practice may be not so harmful as previous references reported.