bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, D-dimer, and ferritin in severe coronavirus disease-2019: a meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Ian , Pranata Raymond , Lim Michael Anthonius , Oehadian Amaylia , Alisjahbana Bachti 
Published: July 2020

Background: Patients critically ill with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) feature hyperinflammation, and the associated biomarkers may be beneficial for risk stratification. We aimed to investigate the association between several biomarkers, including serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, and serum ferritin, and COVID-19 severity. Methods: We performed a comprehensive systematic literature search through electronic databases. The outcome of interest for this study was the composite poor outcome, which comprises mortality, acute respiratory distress syndrome, need for care in an intensive care unit, and severe COVID-19. Results: A total of 5350 patients were pooled from 25 studies. Elevated CRP was associated with an increased composite poor outcome [risk ratio (RR) 1.84 (1.45, 2.33), p < 0.001; I2: 96%] and its severe COVID-19 (RR 1.41; I2: 93%) subgroup. A CRP ⩾10 mg/L has a 51% sensitivity, 88% specificity, likelihood ratio (LR) + of 4.1, LR- of 0.5, and an area under curve (AUC) of 0.84. An elevated PCT was associated with an increased composite poor outcome [RR 3.92 (2.42, 6.35), p < 0.001; I2: 85%] and its mortality (RR 6.26; I2: 96%) and severe COVID-19 (RR 3.93; I2: 63%) subgroups. A PCT ⩾0.5 ng/ml has an 88% sensitivity, 68% specificity, LR+ of 2.7, LR- of 0.2, and an AUC of 0.88. An elevated D-dimer was associated with an increased composite poor outcome [RR 2.93 (2.14, 4.01), p < 0.001; I2: 77%], including its mortality (RR 4.15; I2: 83%) and severe COVID-19 (RR 2.42; I2: 58%) subgroups. A D-dimer >0.5 mg/L has a 58% sensitivity, 69% specificity, LR+ of 1.8, LR- of 0.6, and an AUC of 0.69. Patients with a composite poor outcome had a higher serum ferritin with a standardized mean difference of 0.90 (0.64, 1.15), p < 0.0001; I2: 76%. Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that an elevated serum CRP, PCT, D-dimer, and ferritin were associated with a poor outcome in COVID-19. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
The future is now: a call for action for cardiac telerehabilitation in the COVID-19 pandemic from the secondary prevention and rehabilitation section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology
Authors: Scherrenberg Martijn , Wilhelm Matthias , Hansen Dominique , Völler Heinz , Cornelissen Véronique , Frederix Ines , Kemps Hareld , Dendale Paul 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe role of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation is well established in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. Numerous trials have demonstrated both the effectiveness as well as the cost-effectiveness of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in improving exercise capacity and quality of life, and in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, the current COVID-19 pandemic has led to closure of many cardiac rehabilitation centres in Europe resulting in many eligible patients unable to participate in the optimisation of secondary prevention and physical performance. This elicits an even louder call for alternatives such as cardiac telerehabilitation to maintain the delivery of the core components of cardiac rehabilitation to cardiovascular disease patients. The present call for action paper gives an update of recent cardiac telerehabilitation studies and provides a practical guide for the setup of a comprehensive cardiac telerehabilitation intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. This set up could also be relevant to any cardiovascular disease patient not able to visit cardiac rehabilitation centres regularly after the COVID-19 pandemic ceases.
Does body mass index impact the efficacy and complication rate of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy?
Authors: Burns Hannah , Ahmad Nafees , Hendry Jane , Nalagatla Sarath 
Published: July 2020

Aim: This was a retrospective cohort study exploring the efficacy of mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in obese patients and whether stone clearance, complication rate and length of stay is impacted by an increasing body mass index. Method: Data was collected retrospectively for all mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomies performed at a single centre over a 21-month period commencing March 2017. The primary outcomes included length of stay, stone clearance rates and complications. Results: Fifty-eight percutaneous nephrolithotomies were undertaken during the study period and of these cases 81% of patients had a body mass index of 25 or greater. The stone clearance rate was 83%. However, severely obese patients were noted to have a lower stone clearance rate. No complications occurred in the normal body mass index cohort. However, there was no difference in the complication rate for the remaining groups. Post-operative stay was approximately 3 days. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that supine mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomies are a safe option in obese patients with no increased risk of serious complication. Whilst stone clearance rates were lower in the severely obese category, clearance was complete in the majority of cases. Level of evidence: 3
Endoscopic management of transvaginal mesh kit bladder extrusion: A case report and literature review
Authors: Dunn Ariel J. , Dengler Katherine L. , Gruber Daniel D. , Osborn David J. 
Published: July 2020

Objective: A rare complication of transvaginal synthetic mesh kits is bladder mesh extrusion. Treatment options include abdominal or vaginal surgical mesh excision or endoscopic mesh vaporization. There are very few published studies detailing endoscopic management. This unique case describes how repeated endoscopic mesh vaporization may be required as mesh extrusion may progress. Methods: A 71-year old female with a history of pelvic organ prolapse managed with an anterior transvaginal mesh kit presented years later with persistent urgency incontinence and recurrent acute cystitis. Cystoscopy eventually revealed bladder calculi adherent to extruded mesh. The stones and extruded mesh were vaporized using the Holmium laser on three occasions over 3 years. Results: Our approach offered a minimally invasive technique with short recovery, no use of a catheter post-operatively and maintained original prolapse repair; however, these patients may be at risk of mesh extrusion recurrence. Conclusion: Bladder extrusion of transvaginal pelvic organ prolapse kit mesh is thankfully a rare complication. With no current consensus for treatment of bladder mesh extrusion, the decision to perform complete mesh excision versus endoscopic treatment should be based on the degree and location of the extrusion, the risk of major complications, mesh extrusion recurrence and the patient’s desired outcomes, including recovery time and risk for prolapse recurrence. Endoscopic vaporization of extruded pelvic organ prolapse mesh likely has a higher recurrence rate than vaginal or abdominal excision. The risks and benefits are important to discuss during counseling and informed consent in these difficult cases. Level of evidence: 4
The dangers of ignoring underlying trends in before-and-after studies – A cautionary tale using hip fracture mortality data
Authors: Cheik-Hussein Mohammad , Harris Ian A , Lewin Adriane M 
Published: July 2020

Background: Before-and-after studies are a valuable study design in situations where randomization is not feasible. These studies measure an outcome both before and after an intervention and compare the outcome rates in both time periods to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Before-and-after studies do not involve a contemporaneous control group and must, therefore, take into account any underlying secular trends to separate the effect of the intervention from any pre-existing trend. Methods: To illustrate the importance of accounting for underlying trends, we performed a before-and-after study assessing 30-day mortality in hip fracture patients without any actual intervention, and instead designated an arbitrarily chosen time point as our ‘intervention’. We then analysed the data first disregarding and then incorporating the pre-existing underlying trend. We did this to show that even intervention of nothing may be spuriously interpreted to have an effect if the before-and-after study design is incorrectly analysed. Our study involved a secondary analysis of routinely collected data on 30-day mortality following hip fracture in our institution. Results: We found a secular trend in our data showing improving 30-day mortality in hip fracture patients in our institution. We then demonstrated that disregarding this underlying trend showed that our intervention of nothing ‘resulted’ in a significant 54% decrease in mortality, from 6.7% in the ‘before’ period to 3.1% in the ‘after’ period ( p < 0.0008). Though the 30-day mortality rate decreased during the ‘after’ period, the decrease was not significantly different from the underlying trend in the ‘before’ period, projected onto the ‘after’ period. When we accounted for the underlying trend in our analysis, the impact of the intervention (nothing) on 30-day mortality was no longer apparent (incidence rate ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.32–1.78; p = 0.5). Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance of appropriate measurement and consideration of underlying trends when analysing data from before-and-after studies and illustrates what can happen should researchers neglect this important step.
Pathways of extra- and intercellular diffusion of colored substances in the blackened xylem of Diospyros kaki
Authors: Iwami Kana , Noma Satoshi , Ban Takuya , Matsushita Yasuyuki , Arakawa Izumi , Kitin Peter , Funada Ryo , Nakaba Satoshi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSome species of Diospyros form the black wood that is known as ebony. Infrequently, D. kaki forms wood with black patterning that is called “kurogaki” in Japan and is highly valued. To understand the mechanism of formation of the blackened xylem, we attempted to clarify the pathways of diffusion of colored substances from the site of their biosynthesis to their deposition in secondary xylem. We observed colored substances in pits and intercellular spaces and we recorded the deposition of colored substances in the cell walls of wood fibers. In gray and black regions, we found colored substances in the pits between xylem cells, in blind pits and in intercellular spaces. At the boundary between whitish and black regions, areas of coloration in the cell walls of wood fibers gradually increased in size from the whitish to the black regions. Heavy deposition of colored substances was observed in the inner region of the secondary walls of wood fibers. Furthermore, coloration of the outer region of the secondary walls and compound middle lamella (CML) of wood fibers gradually became stronger toward the black regions. Our observations suggest that pit-pairs and intercellular spaces might provide the pathways for inter- and extracellular diffusion of colored substances, respectively. In addition, colored substances might penetrate the cell walls of wood fibers, moving from the lumen into the cell wall.
Two Switchable Plasmonically Induced Transparency Effects in a System with Distinct Graphene Resonators
Authors: Guan Jingrui , Xia Shengxuan , Zhang Zeyan , Wu Jing , Meng Haiyu , Yue Jing , Zhai Xiang , Wang Lingling , Wen Shuangchun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGeneral plasmonic systems to realize plasmonically induced transparency (PIT) effect only exist one single PIT mainly because they only allow one single coupling pathway. In this study, we propose a distinct graphene resonator-based system, which is composed of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) coupled with dielectric grating-loaded graphene layer resonators, to achieve two switchable PIT effects. By designing crossed directions of the resonators, the proposed system exists two different PIT effects characterized by different resonant positions and linewidths. These two PIT effects result from two separate and polarization-selective coupling pathways, allowing us to switch the PIT from one to the other by simply changing the polarization direction. Parametric studies are carried to demonstrate the coupling effects whereas the two-particle model is applied to explain the physical mechanism, finding excellent agreements between the numerical and theoretical results. Our proposal can be used to design switchable PIT-based plasmonic devices, such as tunable dual-band sensors and perfect absorbers.
Small Auxin Up RNAs influence the distribution of indole-3-acetic acid and play a potential role in increasing seed size in Euryale ferox Salisb
Authors: Huang Zhiheng , Bao Ke , Jing Zonghui , Wang Qian , Duan Huifang , Zhu Yaying , Zhang Sen , Wu Qinan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundAquaticEuryale feroxSalisb. is an economically important crop in China and India. Unfortunately, low yield limitations seriously hinder market growth. Unveiling the control of seed size is of remarkable importance in improvement of crops. Here, we generated a new hybrid line (HL) with larger seeds by crossing South Gordon Euryale and North Gordon Euryale (WT) which hasn’t been reported before. However, the functional genes and molecular mechanisms controlling the seed size inEuryale feroxSalisb. remain unclear. In this study, we focused on the differentially expressed genes in the auxin signal transduction pathway during fruit development between HL and WT to explore candidate regulatory genes participated in regulating seed size.ResultsBoth concentration and localization of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at two growth stages of fruits of WT and HL were detected by LC-MS and immunofluorescence. Although IAA content between the two lines did not differ, IAA distribution was significantly different. To elucidate the mechanism and to seek the key genes underlying this difference, RNA-seq was performed on young fruits at the two selected growth stages, and differentially expressed genes related to the auxin transduction pathway were selected for further analysis.ConclusionHybridEuryale feroxSalisb. expressed significant heterosis, resulting in non-prickly, thin-coated, large seeds, which accounted for the significantly larger yield of HL than that of WT. Our study indicated thatSmall Auxin Up RNAs (SAURs) -mediated localization of IAA regulates seed size inEuryale feroxSalisb. We found that some SAURs may act as a positive mediator of the auxin transduction pathway, thereby contributing to the observed heterosis.
Characterization and transcriptome analysis of a dominant genic male sterile cotton mutant
Authors: Cheng Xin-Qi , Zhang Xin-Yu , Xue Fei , Zhu Shou-Hong , Li Yan-Jun , Zhu Qian-Hao , Liu Feng , Sun Jie 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Male sterility is an efficient trait for hybrid seed production and germplasm innovation. Until now, most studies on male sterility were on cytoplasmic and recessive genic sterility, with few on dominant genic male sterility, especially in cotton, due to lack of such mutant.

Results
We discovered a natural male sterile (MS) Sea Island cotton (G. barbadense) mutant. Genetic analysis showed the mutation was caused by a dominant mutation in a single nuclear gene. Comparative cytological observation of anther sections from MS and wild-type (WT) uncovered cellular differences in anther at and after the tetrad stage of pollen mother cells (PMC). In the MS anthers, the outer wall of pollen grains was free of spinules, the tapetum was vacuolated and showed delayed degradation, consequently, no functional pollen grains. Comparison of transcriptomes from meiosis, tetrad, mononuclear and binuclear pollen, and pollen maturation stages identified 13,783 non-redundant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MS and WT. Based on the number of DEGs, analyses of enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways, it was evident that significant transcriptomic changes occurred at and after the tetrad stage, consistent with cytological observation, and that the major differences were on metabolism of starch, sucrose, ascorbate, aldarate, alanine, aspartate and glutamate, and biosynthesis of cutin, suberine and wax. WGCNA analysis identified five modules containing 920 genes highly related to anther development, especially the greenyellow module with 54 genes that was highly associated with PMC meiosis and tetrad formation. A NAC transcription factor (Gh_D11G2469) was identified as a hub gene for this module, which warrants further functional characterization.

Conclusions
We demonstrated that the MS trait was controlled by a single dominant nuclear gene and caused by delayed tapetum degradation at the tetrad stage. Comparative transcriptome analysis and gene network construction identified DEGs, enriched GO terms and metabolic pathways, and hub genes potentially associated with anther development and the MS trait. These results contribute to our understanding of dominant genic male sterility (DGMS) and provided source for innovation of cotton germplasm.
Association of PIN3 16-bp duplication polymorphism of TP53 with breast cancer risk in Mali and a meta-analysis
Authors: Diakite Brehima , Kassogue Yaya , Dolo Guimogo , Kassogue Oumar , Keita Mamadou Lassine , Joyce Brian , Neuschler Erin , Wang Jun , Musa Jonah , Traore Cheick Bougari , Kamate Bakarou , Dembele Etienne , Nadifi Sellama , Isichei Mercy , Holl Jane L. , Murphy Robert , Doumbia Seydou , Hou Lifang , Maiga Mamoudou 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer, the most common tumor in women in Mali and worldwide has been linked to several risk factors, including genetic factors, such as the PIN3 16-bp duplication polymorphism of TP53. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of the PIN3 16-bp duplication polymorphism in the susceptibility to breast cancer in the Malian population and to perform a meta-analysis to better understand the correlation with data from other populations.

Methods
We analyzed the PIN3 16-bp duplication polymorphism in blood samples of 60 Malian women with breast cancer and 60 healthy Malian women using PCR. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of case-control study data from international databases, including Pubmed, Harvard University Library, Genetics Medical Literature Database, Genesis Library and Web of Science. Overall, odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI from fixed and random effects models were determined. Inconsistency was used to assess heterogeneity between studies and publication bias was estimated using the funnel plot.

Results
In the studied Malian patients, a significant association of PIN3 16-bp duplication polymorphism with breast cancer risk was observed in dominant (A1A2 + A2A2 vs. A1A1: OR = 2.26, CI 95% = 1.08–4.73; P = 0.02) and additive (A2 vs. A1: OR = 1.87, CI 95% = 1.05–3.33; P = 0.03) models, but not in the recessive model (P = 0.38). In the meta-analysis, nineteen (19) articles were included with a total of 6018 disease cases and 4456 controls. Except for the dominant model (P = 0.15), an increased risk of breast cancer was detected with the recessive (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.15–1.85; P = 0.002) and additive (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02–1.19; P = 0.01) models.

Conclusion
The case-control study showed that PIN3 16-bp duplication polymorphism of TP53 is a significant risk factor for breast cancer in Malian women. These findings are supported by data from the meta-analysis carried out on different ethnic groups around the world.
Assessment of quality of life in individuals with chronic headache. Psychometric properties of the WHOQOL-BREF
Authors: Brzoska Patrick 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe WHOQOL-BREF is a frequently used instrument for the assessment of health-related quality of life. Unlike other generic instruments used for the assessment of this construct, little is known about its properties in individuals with headache disorders. The present study examines the reliability and factorial validity of the WHOQOL-BREF in individuals with chronic headache residing in Austria.MethodsData from a representative population-based survey on 963 individuals with chronic headache surveyed between 2013 and 2015 was used. The factorial validity was examined by means of confirmatory factor analysis. Differential item functioning related to sex was analyzed using multiple indicators multiple causes models.ResultsInformation on 239 men and 724 women with chronic headache was available. The four-factor, 24-item baseline model showed a moderate fit (RMSEA = 0.066; CFI = 0.868; TLI = 0.852; SRMR = 0.053), which improved significantly after the addition of six error covariances (RMSEA = 0.052; CFI = 0.920; TLI = 0.908; SRMR = 0.046). Sex-related differential item functioning was observed in two items of the environment factor, two items of the psychological health factor and two items of the physical health factor.ConclusionsAfter some modifications to the measurement model, the WHOQOL-BREF shows a satisfactory fit among individuals with chronic headache in Austria. Because of these modifications and the questionnaire’s susceptibility for differential item functioning, a latent variable framework should be employed for the analysis. Future studies need to confirm these results for other language regions and should also examine different subtypes of headache.
Early intervention service intensity and young children’s home participation
Authors: Khetani M. A. , McManus B. M. , Albrecht E. C. , Kaelin V. C. , Dooling-Litfin J. K. , Scully E. A. ,   on behalf of the High Value Early Intervention Research Group
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Young children with developmental disabilities and delays spend significant amounts of time at home, show decreased participation in home-based activities, and receive home-based early intervention services to improve participation in activities. Yet, knowledge about the relationship between EI service use and children’s home participation in activities remains poorly understood but needed for program improvement. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationships between EI service use and children’s home participation.

Methods
In a cross-sectional design, data were gathered from caregivers (N = 139) who enrolled in a pilot trial of the Young Children’s Participation in Environment Measure (YC-PEM) electronic patient-reported outcome (e-PRO), as implemented within 1 month of their child’s next EI progress evaluation. A series of path analytic models were used to estimate EI service intensity as a predictor of parent-reported young children’s home participation 1) frequency, 2) level of involvement, and 3) desired change, adjusting for family and child social and functional characteristics. Models included caregiver perceptions of home environmental support to test its indirect (i.e., mediation) effects on the relationship between EI service intensity and each of the three home participation dimensions.

Results
All three models fit the data well (comparative fit index = 1.00). EI service intensity was not a significant predictor of participation frequency. However, EI service intensity had a significant direct effect on a child’s participation according to level of involvement and desired change, explaining between 13.3–33.5% of the variance in home participation. Caregiver perceptions of environmental support had a small yet significant indirect effect on the relationship between EI service intensity and level of involvement and desired change; these models explained between 18.5–38.1% of the variance in home participation.

Conclusions
EI service intensity has important links with involvement in and desired change for home-based activities. Caregiver perceptions of environmental support appears to be a factor in the relationship between EI service intensity and home participation. Results warrant longitudinal replication with a control group, which would be possible with the implementation of the YC-PEM e-PRO in a routine EI clinical workflow.

Trial retrospectively registered
NCT03904797.