bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An International Study on Ventricular Assist Device Program Models
Authors: Meehan Karen A. , Suresh Anupama , Combs Pamela S. , Jeevanandam Valluvan 
Published: September 2020

Background: Advanced technology and improved outcomes have led to rapid growth of ventricular assist devices (VADs) throughout the world, but little exists regarding their structure. We sought to study trends in VAD programs on a global level. Methods: We distributed a 26-question online survey to 321 individuals who work within those programs. Four categories of questions were formed: patient management, coordinator role, multidisciplinary support, and leadership. Results: Fifty-eight surveys (47 United States, 11 international) were analyzed. The majority of programs cared for 26 to 100 device-assisted patients (62%), 26% cared for ≤25 patients, and 12% cared for ≥100 patients. Advanced practice providers (APPs) were used in 69% of programs as a device coordinator. In-hospital rounding was performed equally among the APPs and registered nurses. Most programs used a social worker (90%), nutritionist (74%), pharmacist (72%), palliative care (66%), and finance coordinator (64%). Less than half (43%) included a case manager and only 33% used a pharmacist. The program leader was identified as a cardiologist (31%) or surgeon (26%) or both equally (43%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates differences and similarities between VAD program structures. Additional research is warranted to evaluate the effect of program structure on outcomes, job satisfaction, and retention regions.
Treatment of Sinonasal Teratocarcinosarcoma: A Systematic Review and Survival Analysis
Authors: Chapurin Nikita , Totten Douglas J. , Morse Justin C. , Khurram Mohammad S. , Louis Peter C. , Sinard Robert J. , Chowdhury Naweed I. 
Published: September 2020

Background Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma (SNTCS) is a rare malignancy of the anterior skull base with only 127 cases described in the English literature. Given the rarity of this tumor, new cases and analysis of published reports may assist in future management of SNTCS. Objectives 1) Describe findings from a systematic review of all available literature for malignant SNTCS including the clinical presentation, treatment modalities and outcomes. 2) Present two new cases of this rare anterior skull base tumor. 3) Compare treatment outcomes with respect to recurrence and mortality. Methods A systematic review of all English literature available in 2 comprehensive databases was conducted by two independent reviewers using PRISMA guidelines. 85 publications were identified. Each case was reviewed for demographics, treatment and survival, and aggregate treatment outcomes were compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results A total of 64 articles meeting inclusion criteria were reported in the literature between 1977-2018. This represented a total of 127 patients, with a strong male predominance (83%) and mean age of 50 years (range 10–82). Mean follow-up was 21 months. Recurrence rate was 38%, with mean survival at 2 years of 55%. Almost all patients underwent surgery as a primary treatment modality (90%). The majority of cases were treated with multimodal therapy, with 55% receiving surgery and radiation and 20% receiving surgery with adjuvant chemoradiation. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated a significant survival advantage for patients treated with combined therapy compared to surgery alone (p < 0.001) but did not show differences in recurrence (p = 0.085). Conclusion Two-year survival rates for SNTCS are 55%. Multimodality treatment outcomes appear to be superior to surgery alone based on the published data of this rare skull base tumor, although heterogeneity of treatment methods and reporting bias limits the generalizability of these findings.
Virologic suppression in patients with a documented M184V/I mutation based on the number of active agents in the antiretroviral regimen
Authors: Mouradjian Mallory T , Heil Emily L , Sueng Hyunuk , Pandit Neha Sheth 
Published: September 2020

Objectives: The optimal antiretroviral therapy for patients with the M184V/I mutation is not known. The primary objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of various antiretroviral therapies in patients with HIV and the M184V/I mutation based on the number of active antiretroviral agents. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 100 treatment-experienced patients harboring the M184V/I mutation seen at an urban HIV clinic. Efficacy was classified as percentage of patients with viral suppression defined as HIV RNA viral load <200 copies/mL at last measurement on current antiretroviral therapy, stratified by the number of active antiretroviral agents. Results: The primary outcome of viral suppression occurred in 70.6% (12/17) of patients on <2 active agents, 77.2% (44/57) on 2–2.5 active agents, and 69.2% (18/26) on 3 active agents. No significant difference was found between viral suppression and patients on <2 and 2–2.5 antiretroviral agents (odds ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval = (0.21, 2.39), p = 0.8) or between patients on 3 and 2–2.5 active agents (odds ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval = (0.23, 1.88), p = 0.7). The most commonly prescribed regimen consisted of a boosted protease inhibitor with an integrase strand transfer inhibitor and two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, one of which being lamivudine or emtricitabine. Conclusion: Similar rates of viral suppression were observed in patients regardless of the number of active antiretroviral agents prescribed. Regimens containing less than 3 active agents may maintain virologic suppression in patients with the M184V/I mutation. Further studies are needed to determine optimal antiretroviral therapy for patients with the M184V/I mutation.
Maintaining a safe uro-oncological surgical service in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Shillito Samuel , O’Flynn Kieran , Clarke Noel , Maddineni Satish 
Published: September 2020

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the provision of surgery across the NHS. Despite the challenges, the uro-oncology surgical provision at our centre in the northwest of England, a COVID-19 hotspot, has continued throughout. Patients and methods: We report a 26-patient case series performed following national lockdown. Patients were initially screened for COVID-19 symptoms and later all patients required a negative swab pre-operatively. Personal protective equipment using aerosol precautions was used for all cases. A post-operative ‘cold’ COVID-19 critical-care ward was created. Patients who developed possible symptoms of COVID-19 were isolated and swabbed. A telephone questionnaire was completed two weeks following discharge. Results: Three out of 26 patients developed post-operative pyrexia, but all tested negative for COVID-19. Non-COVID-19-related complication rates were consistent with our previous results. Telephone follow-up confirmed that none had experienced symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 infection. Overall, patient satisfaction with hospital COVID-19 precautions was high. All patients were satisfied with their decision to undergo surgery during the pandemic. Conclusions: Our results indicate that during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with appropriate precautions, a safe surgical service can be continued. Level of evidence Level 3
Spinal Surgery Site Infection Leading to Implant Loosening Is Influenced by the Number of Prior Operations
Authors: Bratschitsch Gerhard , Puchwein Paul , Zollner-Schwetz Ines , Sadoghi Patrick , Radl Roman , Leithner Andreas , Leitner Lukas 
Published: September 2020

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study. Objectives: Spinal surgery site infection and chronic implant infection are possible causes for ongoing pain, implant loosening, and failed back surgery syndrome. Evidence of chronic infection was found in 29.1% of revision cases but is also found in a considerable number of degenerative cases without prior surgery. Infection mechanisms and possible clinical correlations are unclear. Methods: Retrospective analysis of standardized surgery site screening (swab, tissue samples, implant sonication) in 181 cases without clinical evidence of preoperative surgery site infection. Results: Screening results of cases without prior spinal surgery (n = 49, 10.2% positive) were compared to cases with prior spine surgery without implant placement (e.g. micro discectomy) (n = 21, 23.8% positive), revision cases following singular spinal fusion (n = 73, 23.2% positive), and cases with multiple revisions (n = 38, 50.0% positive). Propionibacterium spp. detection rate increased to 80% in positive cases with multiple revisions. Implants in place during revision surgery had a significantly higher infection rate (32.4%) compared to no implant (14.2%, p = 0.007). Positive cases had a significantly higher pain level prior to surgery compared to negative cases ( p = 0.019). Laboratory parameters had no predictive value. Logistic regression revealed that previous spinal surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 1.38 per operation, p < 0.001) and male sex (OR 1.15, p = 0.028) were independent predictive factors for infection. Conclusions: Previous spinal surgery is a risk factor for chronic surgery site infection, leading to chronic pain, implant loosening, and revision. The presence of Propionibacterium spp. was correlated with chronic implant loosening and was more likely with cumulative surgeries.
Comparison between epsilon-aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid for total hip and knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Wen-bin , Li Gui-Shi , Shen Peng , Zhang Fu-jiang 
Published: September 2020

Background: The aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: Potential academic articles were identified from the Cochrane Library, Springer, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to December 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs involving EACA and TXA in THA or TKA were included. Pooled data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1. Results: Three RCTs and three non-RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The present meta-analysis reveals that EACA is associated with significantly more blood loss than TXA. No significant differences were identified in terms of blood transfusion rate, transfusion units, hemoglobin (Hb) level at discharge, operation time, length of hospital stay, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), or 30-day readmission. Conclusions: Compared with TXA, EACA led to more blood loss in patients undergoing THA or TKA. However, there was no significant difference in the blood transfusion rate, transfusion units, Hb level at discharge, operation time, length of hospital stay, DVT, or 30-day readmission between groups.
Fovea Morphology After Vitrectomy in Eyes With Full-Thickness Macular Hole Coexisting With Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Michalewska Zofia , Nawrocki Jerzy 
Published: September 2020

Purpose: This work presents the effects of vitrectomy with an inverted internal limiting membrane flap in full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: Vitrectomy with the inverted and temporal inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique was performed in all cases. Inclusion criteria were FTMH, diabetes treated with oral drugs or with insulin for at least 5 years, spectral–domain or swept–source optical coherence tomography performed before surgery then 1 week, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 to 36 months after surgery. Results: FTMH with nonproliferative DR (NPDR) was noted in 20 eyes and with proliferative DR (PDR) in 5 eyes. In PDR the margins of the macular holes (MHs) were always detached, and the MHs tended to be larger than in NPDR. The minimum diameter–to–base diameter ratio was 1:2 in NPDR and 1:10 in PDR. Postoperatively central retinal thickness and visual acuity (VA) were significantly lower for PDR. Twenty–one of 25 FTMHs were closed after the first surgery, and all were closed after the second surgery. VA improved, final results did not depend on FTMH diameter. Photoreceptor defects decreased in size but were present in all cases 12 months after surgery. Conclusions: Morphology of MHs in NPDR and PDR was varied. FTMH in NPDR resembled idiopathic cases; morphology of FTMH with PDR was different. In PDR, FTMHs were larger and the fovea was usually detached; retina thinning was also observed. Final VA depended on initial VA and the severity of the disease (NPDR vs PDR).
Comparison of anti-inflammatory effects of eye drops formulations after uncomplicated cataract surgery
Authors: Cagini Carlo , Pellegrino Adriana , Iannone Alessia , Cerquaglia Alessio , Modugno Antonella , Fiore Tito , Messina Marco 
Published: September 2020

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of different dexamethasone eye drops formulations in controlling postoperative inflammation. Methods: Cataract surgery was carried out in 72 patients (35 males) divided into two groups: group A (36 patients, mean age = 78.0 ± 5.6) received four times daily for 2 weeks a suspension containing tobramycin 0.3% mg/ml + dexamethasone 0.1% mg/ml, and group B (36 patients, mean age = 76.2 ± 6.8) a solution containing tobramycin 0.3% mg/ml + dexamethasone 0.1% mg/ml. Both groups received ofloxacin 0.5% four times daily for 7 days, and nepafenac 0.1% three times daily for 3 weeks. Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness, endothelial cells count, aqueous flare and macular thickness were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 day, 15 days, 1 and 2 months. Results: In group A, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness and aqueous humour flare values preoperatively and at the end of follow-up were 14.3 ± 1.8 and 13.2 ± 1.8 mmHg, 546.4 ± 34.6 and 539.6 ± 36.1 µm, 11.84 ± 4.44 and 13.52 ± 5.54 ph/ms, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. In group B, intraocular pressure, corneal thickness and aqueous humour flare values preoperatively and at the end of follow-up were 14.3 ± 1.5 and 13.1 ± 1.7 mmHg, 552.9 ± 37.4 and 548.1 ± 39.3 µm, 11.45 ± 4.06 and 13.73 ± 4.99 ph/ms, respectively, with no statistically significant difference. No difference was detected in the macular thickness values in the parafoveal area preoperatively and at 2 months follow-up in group A (332.18 ± 16.19 and 337.71 ± 16.33 µm) and group B (329.11 ± 18.28 and 334.37 ± 20.86 µm), respectively. Conclusion: The two different formulations of dexamethasone eye drops reached the same anti-inflammatory effects.
Strain and Electric Field Controllable Schottky Barriers and Contact Types in Graphene-MoTe2 van der Waals Heterostructure
Authors: Lan Yu , Xia Li-Xin , Huang Tao , Xu Weiping , Huang Gui-Fang , Hu Wangyu , Huang Wei-Qing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides with intrinsically passivated surfaces are promising candidates for ultrathin optoelectronic devices that their performance is strongly affected by the contact with the metallic electrodes. Herein, first-principle calculations are used to construct and investigate the electronic and interfacial properties of 2D MoTe2 in contact with a graphene electrode by taking full advantage of them. The obtained results reveal that the electronic properties of graphene and MoTe2 layers are well preserved in heterostructures due to the weak van der Waals interlayer interaction, and the Fermi level moves toward the conduction band minimum of MoTe2 layer thus forming an n type Schottky contact at the interface. More interestingly, the Schottky barrier height and contact types in the graphene-MoTe2 heterostructure can be effectively tuned by biaxial strain and external electric field, which can transform the heterostructure from an n type Schottky contact to a p type one or to Ohmic contact. This work provides a deeper insight look for tuning the contact types and effective strategies to design high performance MoTe2-based Schottky electronic nanodevices.
An especial transition phase of hospitals: the adaptation of hospital operations to the development of COVID-19 and policy adjustments
Authors: Liu Xiucheng , Zhuang Wei , Quan Xiaoyu , Zhou Yeqing , Qin Hao , Zou Chenghang , Zhang Hao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe ongoing pandemic coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) remains a significant issue for global health, economics, and society. In order to balance epidemic control and economic recovery, many countries have successively announced the gradual relaxation of some lockdown restrictions. Hospitals and medical staff constitute the backbone in this war against COVID-19. In response to this serious situation, many hospitals went into emergency and impaired healthcare access to patients with conditions other than COVID-19. Therefore, gradually promoting hospital operations and functions back to the new normal is important, especially when this outbreak has been effectively controlled. In this study, we introduce existing and potential problems that could seriously affect people’s health. Additionally, we propose that an especial transition phase between the emergency and regular modes of hospitals can be well adapted to the current situation.
Mining and evolution analysis of lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) genes in Chinese white pear (Pyrus bretschneideri)
Authors: Song Bobo , Tang Zikai , Li Xiaolong , Li Jiaming , Zhang Mingyue , Zhao Kejiao , Liu Hainan , Zhang Shaoling , Wu Jun 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD) gene is a plant-specific transcription factor that plays a critical role in diverse biological processes. However, the evolution and functional divergence of the LBD gene family has not yet been characterized for the Chinese White Pear.

Results
In our study, a total of 60 PbrLBDs were identified in the pear genome. The PbrLBD gene family was divided into two classes based on gene structure and phylogenetic analysis: class I (53) and class II (7). Cis-acting element analysis results suggested that PbrLBDs may participate in various biological processes, such as flavonoid biosynthetic and stress response. Synteny analysis results indicated that segmental duplication played a key role in the expansion of the PbrLBD gene family. The mean Ks and 4DTv values showed that the PbrLBD gene family had undergone only one recent whole-genome duplication event occurring at 30–45 MYA. Purifying selection was a primary force during the PbrLBD gene family evolution process. Transcriptome data analysis revealed that 10 PbrLBDs were expressed in all six examined tissues, and 73.33% of members in the PbrLBD gene family were expressed in pear sepal. qRT-PCR was conducted to verify the expression levels of 11 PbrLBDs in these six tissues. Specifically, PbrLBD20, PbrLBD35 and PbrLBD53 genes were down-regulated when anthocyanin concentrations were high, whereas PbrLBD33 was significantly up-regulated in pear when anthocyanin concentrations were high. Furthermore, PbrLBD20, one of the candidate genes related to anthocyanins was localized in the nucleus.

Conclusions
Our analysis provides valuable information for understanding the evolution of the PbrLBD gene family, and provides new insights into the regulation of pear pigment metabolism and lays a foundation for the future disclosure of the molecular mechanism of LBD gene regulating flavonoid metabolism.
Root-associated endophytic bacterial community composition and structure of three medicinal licorices and their changes with the growing year
Authors: Dang Hanli , Zhang Tao , Li Guifang , Mu Yudi , Lv Xinhua , Wang Zhongke , Zhuang Li 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe dried roots and rhizomes of medicinal licorices are widely used worldwide as a traditional medicinal herb, which are mainly attributed to a variety of bioactive compounds that can be extracted from licorice root. Endophytes and plants form a symbiotic relationship, which is an important source of host secondary metabolites.ResultsIn this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology and high-performance liquid chromatography to explore the composition and structure of the endophytic bacterial community and the content of bioactive compounds (glycyrrhizic acid, liquiritin and total flavonoids) in different species of medicinal licorices (Glycyrrhiza uralensis,Glycyrrhiza glabra, andGlycyrrhiza inflata) and in different planting years (1–3 years). Our results showed that the contents of the bioactive compounds in the roots of medicinal licorices were not affected by the species, but were significantly affected by the main effect growing year (1–3) (P < 0.05), and with a trend of stable increase in the contents observed with each growing year. In 27 samples, a total of 1,979,531 effective sequences were obtained after quality control, and 2432 effective operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained at 97% identity. The phylum Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, and the genera unified-Rhizobiaceae,Pseudomonas,Novosphingobium, andPantoeawere significantly dominant in the 27 samples. Distance-based redundancy analysis (db-RDA) showed that the content of total flavonoids explained the differences in composition and distribution of endophytic bacterial communities in roots of cultivated medicinal liquorices to the greatest extent. Total soil salt was the most important factor that significantly affected the endophytic bacterial community in soil factors, followed by ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen. Among the leaf nutrition factors, leaf water content had the most significant effect on the endophytic bacterial community, followed by total phosphorus and total potassium.ConclusionsThis study not only provides information on the composition and distribution of endophytic bacteria in the roots of medicinal licorices, but also reveals the influence of abiotic factors on the community of endophytic bacteria and bioactive compounds, which provides a reference for improving the quality of licorice.