bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the relationship between pseudo-hypertension and the parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Karabiyik Ugur , Savas Goktug , Yasan Mustafa , Murat Bucak Halil , Cesur Burak , Cetinkaya Zeki , Topsakal Ramazan , Dogan Ali 
Published: October 2020

Background
Methods using for determining the subclinical atherosclerosis have gained growing interest in the recent years. However, the effects of pseudo-hypertension on the parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis are uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between pseudo-hypertension and subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals diagnosed with pseudo-hypertension.

Methods
A total of 122 patients who underwent radial elective coronary angiography were included in the present study. These patients were divided into two groups based on the difference between invasive and noninvasive blood pressure (BP) measurements: pseudo-hypertension group who had a difference ≥15 mmHg in SBP or ≥10 mmHg in DBP levels between invasive and noninvasive measurements (n = 28), and the other group who did not have any difference as described on these levels (n = 94). In order to evaluate the subclinical atherosclerosis; flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and augmentation index were recorded in all patients. Two groups were compared with respect to these parameters.

Results
The median age of the pseudo-hypertension group was 76 years, while the median age of the other group was 63.5 years (P < 0.0001). The incidence of concomitant hypertension was higher in the pseudo-hypertension group as compared to the other group (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in augmentation index, cardiac output, PWV, FMD, and IMT values between two groups (P = 0.016, P = 0.023, P <0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions
The present results demonstrated that there was a strong correlation between pseudo-hypertension and the parameters of subclinical atherosclerosis; augmentation index, PWV, FMD, and carotids IMT.
Coronavirus disease-2019: implications for the gastroenterologist
Authors: Bilal Mohammad , Sawhney Mandeep S. , Feuerstein Joseph D. 
Published: October 2020

Purpose of review
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the practicing gastroenterologist in several ways. Although majority of COVID-19 patients present with respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms are also seen. COVID-19 has also disrupted gastrointestinal endoscopy services in numerous ways. There are also concerns regarding the impact of these changes on gastrointestinal cancer screening and management of chronic gastrointestinal diseases. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the implications of COVID-19 for the practicing gastroenterologist.

Recent findings
COVID-19 patients can have gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and anorexia. Separate from the management of COVID-19 patients, there has been a reduction in endoscopy volume worldwide. This has also resulted in reduction/cessation of in-person clinic visits and an increasing use of telemedicine services. In addition, patients with certain chronic diseases like chronic liver disease or inflammatory bowel disease may have worse outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary
Gastroenterologists need to rapidly adapt to the challenges being faced and need to make both systems and practice-based changes to the endoscopy unit and outpatient clinic practices. Gastroenterologists should stay up-to-date with the rapidly evolving literature regarding gastrointestinal symptoms in COVID-19 patients as well as its impact on chronic gastrointestinal illnesses.
Hospital Costs Following Surgical Complications
Authors: Stokes Sean M. , Scaife Courtney L. , Brooke Benjamin S. , Glasgow Robert E. , Mulvihill Sean J. , Finlayson Samuel R. G. , Varghese Thomas K. 
Published: October 2020

Objective:
Surgical complications have substantial impact on healthcare costs. We propose an analysis of the financial impact of postoperative complications.

Summary of Background Data:
Both complications and preoperative patient risk have been shown to increase costs following surgery. The extent of cost increase due to specific complications has not been well described.

Methods:
A single institution's American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data was queried from 2012 to 2018 and merged with institutional cost data for each encounter. A mixed effects multivariable generalized linear model was used to estimate the mean relative increase in hospital cost due to each complication, adjusting for patient and procedure-level fixed effects clustered by procedure. Potential savings were calculated based on projected decreases in complication rates and theoretical hospital volume.

Results:
There were 11,897 patients linked between the 2 databases. The rate of any American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program complication was 11.7%. The occurrence of any complication resulted in a 1.5-fold mean increase in direct hospital cost [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.49–1.58]. The top 6 most costly complications were postoperative septic shock (4.0-fold, 95% CI 3.58–4.43) renal insufficiency/failure (3.3-fold, 95% CI 2.91–3.65), any respiratory complication (3.1-fold, 95% CI 2.94–3.36), cardiac arrest (3.0-fold, 95% CI 2.64–3.46), myocardial infarction (2.9-fold, 95% CI 2.43–3.42) and mortality within 30 days (2.2-fold, 95% CI 2.01–2.48). Length of stay (6.5 versus 3.2 days, P < 0.01), readmission rate (29.1% vs 3.1%, P < 0.01), and discharge destination outside of home (20.5% vs 2.7%, P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the population who experienced complications.

Conclusions:
Decreasing complication rates through preoperative optimization will improve patient outcomes and lead to substantial cost savings.
Are Volume Pledge Standards Worth the Travel Burden for Major Abdominal Cancer Operations?
Authors: Song Yun , Shannon Adrienne B. , Concors Seth J. , Roses Robert E. , Fraker Douglas L. , DeMatteo Ronald P. , Kelz Rachel R. , Karakousis Giorgos C. 
Published: October 2020

Objective:
The study objective is to determine the association between travel distance and surgical volume on outcomes after esophageal, pancreatic, and rectal cancer resections.

Summary of Background Data:
“Take the Volume Pledge” aims to centralize esophagectomies, pancreatectomies, and proctectomies to hospitals meeting minimum volume standards. The impact of travel, and possible care fragmentation, on potential benefits of centralized surgery is not well understood.

Methods:
Using the National Cancer Database (2004–2016), patients who underwent esophageal, pancreatic, or rectal resections at far HVH meeting volume standards versus local intermediate (IVH) and low-volume (LVH) hospitals were identified. Perioperative outcomes and 5-year OS were compared.

Results:
Of 49,454 patients, 17,544 (34.5%) underwent surgery at far HVH, 11,739 (23.7%) at local IVH, and 20,171 (40.8%) at local LVH. The median (interquartilerange) travel distances were 77.1 (51.1–125.4), 13.2 (5.8–27.3), and 7.8 (3.1–15.5) miles to HVH, IVH, and LVH, respectively. By multivariable analysis, LVH was associated with increased 30-day mortality for all resections compared to HVH, but IVH was associated with mortality only for proctectomies [odds ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–2.75]. Compared to HVH, both IVH (hazard ratio 1.25, 95% CI 1.19–1.31) and LVH (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% CI 1.29–1.42) were associated with decreased 5-year OS.

Conclusions:
Compared to far HVH, 30-day mortality was higher for all resections at LVH, but only for proctectomies at IVH. Five-year OS was consistently worse at local LVH and IVH. Improving long-term outcomes at IVH may provide opportunities for greater access to quality cancer care.
Comparing satisfaction of trauma patients 55 years or older to their caregivers during palliative care: Who faces the burden?
Authors: McGraw Constance , Vogel Rebecca , Redmond Diane , Pekarek Jennifer , Tanner Allen , Lynch Neal , Bar-Or David 
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND
Many studies report on the patient-caregiver relationship during palliative care (PC); however, this relationship has yet to be examined following traumatic injury.

METHODS
This prospective cohort study included trauma patients (≥55 years) and their primary caregivers admitted at two level I trauma centers for 2 years (November 2016 to November 2018), who received PC and who completed satisfaction surveys before discharge; surveys were analyzed by four domains: information giving, availability of care, physical care, and psychosocial care, and by PC assessments: consultations, prognostications, formal family meetings (FFMs), and advanced goals of care discussions. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients and caregivers who were satisfied (defined as ≥80%) and was analyzed using McNemar’s test. Adjusted mixed models identified PC assessments that were associated with satisfaction scores ≥80% for patients and caregivers.

RESULTS
Of the 441-patient and 441-caregiver pairs, caregivers were significantly less satisfied than patients during prognostications (information giving, physical care), FFMs (information giving, physical care), and consultations (physical care), while caregivers were significantly more satisfied than patients during advanced goals of care discussions (availability of care, psychosocial care). After adjustment, significant predictors of caregiver satisfaction (≥80%) included longer patient hospital length of stay (>4 days), caring for a male patient (physical care, availability of care), higher caregiver age (≥55 years; availability of care), and higher patient age (≥65 years; psychosocial care). Conversely, all PC assessments decreased odds of satisfaction for caregivers in every domain except physical care. Significant predictors of higher patient satisfaction included FFMs (for every domain) and PC consultations (psychosocial care), and decreased odds included advanced goals of care discussions and prognostication assessments (information giving, psychosocial care).

CONCLUSIONS
Palliative care increased satisfaction of patients, especially family meetings and consultations, while assessments were predictive of lower caregiver satisfaction, suggesting that caregivers may be experiencing some of the patient burden.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic/Care Management, level IV.
External validation of a nomogram predicting risk of bleeding control interventions after high-grade renal trauma: The Multi-institutional Genito-Urinary Trauma Study
Authors: Keihani Sorena , Wang Sherry S. , Joyce Ryan P. , Rogers Douglas M. , Gross Joel A. , Nocera Alexander P. , Selph J. Patrick , Fang Elisa , Hagedorn Judith C. , Voelzke Bryan B. , Rezaee Michael E. , Moses Rachel A. , Arya Chirag S. , Sensenig Rachel L. , Glavin Katie , Broghammer Joshua A. , Higgins Margaret M. , Gupta Shubham , Castillejo Becerra Clara M. , Baradaran Nima , Zhang Chong , Presson Angela P. , Nirula Raminder , Myers Jeremy B. ,   in conjunction with the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND
Renal trauma grading has a limited ability to distinguish patients who will need intervention after high-grade renal trauma (HGRT). A nomogram incorporating both clinical and radiologic factors has been previously developed to predict bleeding control interventions after HGRT. We aimed to externally validate this nomogram using multicenter data from level 1 trauma centers.

METHODS
We gathered data from seven level 1 trauma centers. Patients with available initial computed tomography (CT) scans were included. Each CT scan was reviewed by two radiologists blinded to the intervention data. Nomogram variables included trauma mechanism, hypotension/shock, concomitant injuries, vascular contrast extravasation (VCE), pararenal hematoma extension, and hematoma rim distance (HRD). Mixed-effect logistic regression was used to assess the associations between the predictors and bleeding intervention. The prediction accuracy of the nomogram was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS
Overall, 569 HGRT patients were included for external validation. Injury mechanism was blunt in 89%. Using initial CT scans, 14% had VCE and median HRD was 1.7 (0.9–2.6) cm. Overall, 12% underwent bleeding control interventions including 34 angioembolizations and 24 nephrectomies. In the multivariable analysis, presence of VCE was associated with a threefold increase in the odds of bleeding interventions (odds ratio, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.44–6.50). Every centimeter increase in HRD was associated with 66% increase in odds of bleeding interventions. External validation of the model provided excellent discrimination in predicting bleeding interventions with an area under the curve of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.84–0.92).

CONCLUSION
Our results reinforce the importance of radiologic findings such as VCE and hematoma characteristics in predicting bleeding control interventions after renal trauma. The prediction accuracy of the proposed nomogram remains high using external data. These variables can help to better risk stratify high-grade renal injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Prognostic and epidemiological study, level III.
Positive irreducible semigroups and their long-time behaviour
Authors: Arendt Wolfgang , Glück Jochen 
Published: October 2020

The notionPerron–Frobenius theoryusually refers to the interaction between three properties of operator semigroups: positivity, spectrum and long-time behaviour. These interactions gives rise to a profound theory with plenty of applications. By a brief walk-through of the field and with many examples, we highlight two aspects of the subject, both related to the long-time behaviour of semigroups: (i) The classical question how positivity of a semigroup can be used to prove convergence to an equilibrium ast → ∞. (ii) The more recent phenomenon that positivity itself sometimes occurs only for larget, while being absent for smaller times.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Semigroup applications everywhere’.
Semi-uniform stability of operator semigroups and energy decay of damped waves
Authors: Chill R. , Seifert D. , Tomilov Y. 
Published: October 2020

Only in the last 15 years or so has the notion of semi-uniform stability, which lies between exponential stability and strong stability, become part of the asymptotic theory ofC0-semigroups. It now lies at the very heart of modern semigroup theory. After briefly reviewing the notions of exponential and strong stability, we present an overview of some of the best known (and often optimal) abstract results on semi-uniform stability. We go on to indicate briefly how these results can be applied to obtain (sometimes optimal) rates of energy decay for certain damped second-order Cauchy problems.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Semigroup applications everywhere’.
Feedback theory to the well-posedness of evolution equations
Authors: Boulite S. , Hadd S. , Maniar L. 
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we cross the boundary between semigroup theory and general infinite-dimensional systems to bridge the isolated research activities in the two areas. Indeed, we first give a chronological history of the development of the semigroup approach for control theory. Second, we use the feedback theory to prove the well-posedness of a class of dynamic boundary problems. Third, the obtained results are applied to the well-posedness of neutral equations with non-autonomous past. We will also see that the strong connection between semigroup and control theories lies in feedback theory, where different kinds of perturbations appear.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Semigroup applications everywhere’.
Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroups in infinite dimension
Authors: Lunardi A. , Pallara D. 
Published: October 2020

This is a survey paper about Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroups in infinite dimension and their generators. We start from the classical Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroup on Wiener spaces and then discuss the general case in Hilbert spaces. Finally, we present some results for Ornstein–Uhlenbeck semigroups on Banach spaces.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Semigroup applications everywhere’.
Form-perturbation theory for higher-order elliptic operators and systems by singular potentials
Authors: Mokhtar-Kharroubi Mustapha 
Published: October 2020

We give a form-perturbation theory by singular potentials for scalar elliptic operators onL2(Rd)of order 2mwith Hölder continuous coefficients. The form-bounds are obtained from anL1functional analytic approach which takes advantage of both the existence ofm-gaussian kernel estimates and the holomorphy of the semigroup inL1(Rd).We also explore the (local) Kato class potentials in terms of (local) weak compactness properties. Finally, we extend the results to elliptic systems and singular matrix potentials.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Semigroup applications everywhere’.
Leaf cell wall properties and stomatal density influence oxygen isotope enrichment of leaf water
Authors: Ellsworth Patrick , Ellsworth Patricia , Mertz Rachel , Koteyeva Nuria , Cousins Asaph B. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOxygen isotopic composition (Δ18OLW) of leaf water can help improve our understanding of how anatomy interacts with physiology to influence leaf water transport. Leaf water isotope models of Δ18OLWsuch as the Péclet effect model have been developed to predict Δ18OLW, and it incorporates transpiration rate (E) and the mixing length between unenriched xylem water and enriched mesophyll water, which can occur in the mesophyll (Lm) or veins (Lv). Here we used two cell wall composition mutants grown under two light intensities and RH to evaluate the effect of cell wall composition on Δ18OLW. In maize (Zea mays), the compromised ultrastructure of the suberin lamellae in the bundle sheath of the ALIPHATIC SUBERIN FERULOYL TRANSFERASE mutant (Zmasft) reduced barriers to apoplastic water movement, resulting in higherEandLvand, consequently, lower Δ18OLW. In cellulose synthase-like F6 (Cslf6) mutants and wildtype of rice (Oryza sativa), the difference in Δ18OLWin plants grown under high and low growth light intensity co-varied with their differences in stomatal density. These results show that cell wall composition and stomatal density influence Δ18OLWby altering the Péclet effect and that stable isotopes can facilitate the development of a physiologically and anatomically explicit water transport model.
Ancient DNA Reveals the Lost Domestication History of South American Camelids in Northern Chile and Across the Andes
Authors: Díaz-Maroto Paloma , Rey-Iglesia Alba , Cartajena Isabel , Núñez Lautaro , Westbury Michael V , Varas Valeria , Moraga Mauricio , Campos Paula F. , Orozco-terWengel Pablo , Marín Juan Carlos , Hansen Anders J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe study of South American camelids and their domestication is a highly debated topic in zooarchaeology. Identifying the domestic species (alpaca and llama) in archaeological sites based solely on morphological data is challenging due to their similarity with respect to their wild ancestors. Using genetic methods also present challenges due to the hybridization history of the domestic species, which are thought to have extensively hybridized following the Spanish conquest of South America that resulted in camelids slaughtered en-masse. In this study we generated mitochondrial genomes for 61 ancient South American camelids dated between 3,500 - 2,400 years before the present (Early Formative period) from two archaeological sites in Northern Chile (Tulán 54 and 85), as well as 66 modern camelid mitogenomes and 815 extant mitochondrial control region sequences from across South America. In addition, we performed osteometric analyses to differentiate big and small body size camelids. A comparative analysis of these data suggests that a substantial proportion of the ancient vicuña genetic variation has been lost since the Early Formative period as it is not present in modern specimens. Moreover, we propose a model of domestication that includes an ancient guanaco population that no longer exists. Finally, we find evidence that interbreeding practices were widespread during the domestication process by the early camelid herders in the Atacama during the Early Formative period and predating the Spanish conquest.
Construction of a third NAD+de novobiosynthesis pathway
Authors: Ding Yong , Li Xinli , Horsman Geoff P. , Li Pengwei , Wang Min , Li Jine , Zhang Zhilong , Liu Weifeng , Wu Bian , Tao Yong , Chen Yihua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractOnly twode novobiosynthetic routes to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) have been described, both of which start from a proteinogenic amino acid and are tightly controlled. Here we establish a C3N pathway starting from chorismate inEscherichia colias a third NAD+de novobiosynthesis pathway. Significantly, the C3N pathway yielded extremely high cellular concentrations of NAD(H) inE. coli. Its utility in cofactor engineering was demonstrated by introducing the four-gene C3N module to cell factories to achieve higher production of 2,5-dimethylpyrazine and develop an efficient C3N-based whole-cell bioconversion system for preparing chiral amines. The wide distribution and abundance of chorismate in most kingdoms of life implies a general utility of the C3N pathway for modulating cellular levels of NAD(H) in versatile organisms.
Structure, Dynamics, Receptor Binding, and Antibody Binding of Fully-glycosylated Full-length SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein in a Viral Membrane
Authors: Choi Yeol Kyo , Cao Yiwei , Frank Martin , Woo Hyeonuk , Park Sang-Jun , Yeom Min Sun , Croll Tristan I. , Seok Chaok , Im Wonpil 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTThe spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mediates host cell entry by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and is considered the major target for drug and vaccine development. We previously built fully-glycosylated full-length SARS-CoV-2 S protein models in a viral membrane including both open and closed conformations of receptor binding domain (RBD) and different templates for the stalk region. In this work, multiple μs-long all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were performed to provide deeper insight into the structure and dynamics of S protein, and glycan functions. Our simulations reveal that the highly flexible stalk is composed of two independent joints and most probable S protein orientations are competent for ACE2 binding. We identify multiple glycans stabilizing the open and/or closed states of RBD, and demonstrate that the exposure of antibody epitopes can be captured by detailed antibody-glycan clash analysis instead of a commonly-used accessible surface area analysis that tends to overestimate the impact of glycan shielding and neglect possible detailed interactions between glycan and antibody. Overall, our observations offer structural and dynamic insight into SARS-CoV-2 S protein and potentialize for guiding the design of effective antiviral therapeutics.