bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-scale mining of root-preferential genes from maize and characterization of their promoter activity
Authors: Li Ye , Liu Xiaoqing , Chen Rumei , Tian Jian , Fan Yunliu , Zhou Xiaojin 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Modification of root architecture and improvement of root resistance to stresses can increase crop productivity. Functional analyses of root-specific genes are necessary for root system improvement, and root-specific promoters enable research into the regulation of root development and genetic manipulation of root traits. Maize is an important crop species; however, little systematic mining of root-specific genes and promoters has been performed to date.

Results
Genomic-scale mining based on microarray data sets followed by transcript detection resulted in the identification of 222 root-specific genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analyses revealed that these 222 root-specific genes were mainly involved in responses to chemical, biotic, and abiotic stresses. Of the 222 genes, 33 were verified by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and 31 showed root-preferential activity. About 2 kb upstream 5 of the 31 identified root-preferential genes were cloned from the maize genome as putative promoters and named p8463, p5023, p1534, p8531 and p6629. GUS staining of transgenic maize-derived promoter-GUS constructs revealed that the five promoters drove GUS expression in a root-preferential manner.

Conclusions
We mined root-preferential genes and their promoters in maize and verified p8463, p5023, p1534, p8531 and p6629 as root-preferential promoters. Our research enables the identification of other tissue-specific genes and promoters in maize and other species. In addition, the five promoters may enable enhancement of target gene(s) of maize in a root-preferential manner to generate novel maize cultivars with resistance to water, fertilizer constraints, or biotic stresses.
Severe acute respiratory infection risk following glucocorticosteroid treatment in uncomplicated influenza-like illness resulting from pH1N1 influenza infection: a case control study
Authors: Xing Xuesen , Hu Shixiong , Chen Meihua , Zhan Faxian , Liu Huihui , Chen Zhang , Zhang Hengjiao , Zeng Ge , Xu Qiaohua , Zhang Hong , Liu Man , Liu Honghui , Gao Lidong , Zhang Lijie 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Current studies regarding glucocorticosteroid treatment of influenza have only estimated risk of critical illness or death which can be easily confounded by timing of treatment administration. We used severe acute respiratory infection (sARI) as an endpoint and investigated risk associated with receiving glucocorticosteroids before sARI onset.

Methods
sARI cases were defined as influenza-like illness (ILI) with pH1N1 infection and respiratory distress. Controls were defined as pH1N1 cases other than sARI and randomly selected from the community. We compared glucocorticosteroids and other medications used before sARI onset using a matched case control study adjusted for age group as well as underlying disease. Time-dependent risk and dose responses at different time periods over the course of sARI cases were also examined.

Results
Of the sARI cases, 34% received glucocorticosteroids before sARI onset compared to 3.8% of controls during equivalent days (ORM-H = 17,95%CI = 2.1–135). Receiving glucocorticosteroids before sARI onset increased risk of developing subsequent critical illness or death (ORM-H = 5.7,95%CI = 1.6–20.2), and the ORM-H increased from 5.7 to 8.5 for continued glucocorticosteroid use after sARI onset. However, only receiving glucocorticosteroids after sARI onset did not increase risk of severe illness (ORM-H = 1.1,95%CI = 0.3–4.6). Each increase in glucocorticosteroids dose of 1 mg/kg/day before sARI onset resulted in an increase of 0.62 (R2 = 0.87) in the pMEWS score at the time of sARI onset.

Conclusions
Early glucocorticosteroid treatment increased risk of sARI and subsequent critical illness or death; however, only receiving glucocorticosteroids after sARI onset did not increase risk of severe illness.
Association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms and the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS): an updated meta-analysis
Authors: Imani Danyal , Razi Bahman , Motallebnezhad Morteza , Rezaei Ramazan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe association between theVitamin D Receptor(VDR) gene polymorphism and the risk of Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been evaluated in several researches. However, the findings were inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, we set out a meta-analysis of all eligible published case-control studies to obtain an exact evaluation of the association betweenVDRgene polymorphisms and MS.MethodAll relevant studies reporting the association between theVDRgene FokI (rs2228570), or/and TaqI (rs731236) or/and BsmI (rs1544410) or/and ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphisms and susceptibility to MS published up to May, 2019 were identified by comprehensive systematic search in the electronic database of web of science, Scopus, and PubMed. After that, the strength of association betweenVDRgene polymorphisms and susceptibility to MS was evaluated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsA total of 30 case–control studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall results suggested a significant association between TaqI polymorphism and MS risk under heterozygote genetic model (OR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.01–1.59, random effect). Moreover, the pooled results of subgroup analysis declined presence of significant association under all defined genetic model. In subgroup analysis, BsmI polymorphisms was associated with increased risk of MS under recessive model in Asian populations. On the other hand, ApaI polymorphism was associated with decreased risk of MS under recessive and aa vs. AA model in Asian populations.ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggested a significant association between TaqI polymorphism and MS susceptibility. Furthermore, BsmI polymorphism was associated with increased risk of MS in Asian populations. In contrast, ApaI polymorphism was associated with decreased risk of MS in Asian populations. Future large-scale studies on gene–environment and gene–gene interactions are required to estimate risk factors and assist early diagnosis of patients at high risk for MS.
Sustained adherence to a Mediterranean diet and physical activity on all-cause mortality in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study: application of the g-formula
Authors: Williamson Elizabeth J. , Polak Julia , Simpson Julie A. , Giles Graham G. , English Dallas R. , Hodge Allison , Gurrin Lyle , Forbes Andrew B. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Adherence to a traditional Mediterranean diet has been associated with lower mortality and cardiovascular disease risk. The relative importance of diet compared to other lifestyle factors and effects of dietary patterns over time remains unknown.

Methods
We used the parametric G-formula to account for time-dependent confounding, in order to assess the relative importance of diet compared to other lifestyle factors and effects of dietary patterns over time. We included healthy Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study participants attending a visit during 1995–1999. Questionnaires assessed diet and physical activity at each of three study waves. Deaths were identified by linkage to national registries. We estimated mortality risk over approximately 14 years (1995–2011).

Results
Of 22,213 participants, 2163 (9.7%) died during 13.6 years median follow-up. Sustained high physical activity and adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet resulted in an estimated reduction in all-cause mortality of 1.82 per 100 people (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03, 3.6). The population attributable fraction was 13% (95% CI: 4, 23%) for sustained high physical activity, 7% (95% CI: − 3, 17%) for sustained adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and 18% (95% CI: 0, 36%) for their combination.

Conclusions
A small reduction in mortality may be achieved by sustained elevated physical activity levels in healthy middle-aged adults, but there may be comparatively little gain from increasing adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet.
Circulating tumor cells prior to initial treatment is an important prognostic factor of survival in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis and system review
Authors: Jiang Sha-Sha , Deng Bo , Feng Yong-Geng , Qian Kai , Tan Qun-You , Wang Ru-Wen 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Our study aimed to verify the prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) prior to initial treatment on survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by using meta-analysis and system review of published studies.

Materials and methods
The PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched, respectively, to identify all studies that addressed the issues of CTCs prior to initial treatment and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Finally, ten citations were included for analysis and assessment of publication bias by using review manager 5.3 statistical software and STATA 15.0.

Results
Randomized model analyzing multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Regression indicated that higher abundance of CTCs significantly predicts poorer prognosis of lung cancer cases basing both on PFS (Z = 2.31, P = 0.02) and OS of advanced cases (Z = 2.44, P = 0.01), and systematic study aslo indicated the similar results.

Conclusion
High CTCs prior to initial treatment can predict shorter PFS and OS in NSCLC, and further studies are warranted in the future.
Is radiographic lumbar spondylolisthesis associated with occupational exposures? Findings from a nested case control study within the Wakayama spine study
Authors: Ishimoto Yuyu , Cooper Cyrus , Ntani Georgia , Yamada Hiroshi , Hashizume Hiroshi , Nagata Keiji , Muraki Shigeyuki , Tanaka Sakae , Yoshida Munehito , Yoshimura Noriko , Walker-Bone Karen 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
To explore the relationship between radiographic spondylolisthesis and occupational factors in a case-control study nested within the Wakayama Spine Study (WSS).

Methods
The WSS is a cross-sectional observational study amongst Japanese adults. All participants completed a lifetime occupational history and underwent X-rays of the lumbar spine (L1-S1) according to a pre-defined protocol. One trained surgeon graded the presence of a spondylolisthesis based upon ≥5% anterior or posterior slip at one or more levels. Cases, with lumbar spondylolisthesis, were compared with controls without, for their principal occupation and occupational exposures.

Results
In total, data were available for 722 adults (245 men and 477 women), mean age 70.1 (range 53–93) years. According to the pre-defined radiographic criteria, 117 were defined with spondylolisthesis (cases), leaving 605 controls. Cases were not significantly different from controls for age, gender, BMI, smoking or alcohol intake. However, cases were more than twice as likely to report occupational driving ≥4 h/day (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.08–5.27) after adjustment for age, gender and BMI. Additionally, after stratification by age using 75 years as a cut-point, cases were more than 3-fold more likely to report having worked in the agricultural/ fishing industries (OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.29–9.29) among those aged < 75 years. A reduced risk of being a case was associated with climbing slopes/steps and walking.

Conclusions
A history of occupational driving and working in the agricultural/fishing industry were associated with radiographic spondylolisthesis in this cross-sectional population study. This finding requires further evaluation in longitudinal studies.
The impact of care process development and comorbidity on time to surgery, mortality rate and functional outcome for hip fracture patients: a retrospective analysis over 19 years with data from the Swedish National Registry for hip fracture patients, RIKSHÖFT
Authors: Turesson Emma , Ivarsson Kjell , Thorngren Karl-Göran , Hommel Ami 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
For a long time the attention given to the hip fracture patient group was minor and without any certain consideration to their frailty. To improve the care for these patients Skane University Hospital in Lund has during the past 19 years worked actively with developing the care. This paper aims to describe what impact the care process development has had on functional outcome and mortality, as well as to analyze the impact of comorbidity and fracture type.

Methods
Patients older than 50 years with non-pathological cervical and trochanteric hip fracture admitted between Jan 1st 1999 and Dec 31st 2017 were included and data was retrieved from the National Quality Register for hip fracture patients, RIKSHÖFT. Variables regarding patient characteristics, fracture type, operation method, lead-times and outcome were analyzed. For comparison Fischer’s exact test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used for the categorical data and Pearson correlation coefficient for the continuous. To further analyze the effect over time a linear regression model was used.

Results
A total of 7827 patients were included. A significant shift in the overall morbidity was seen, with an increase in patients of higher ASA grade. No correlation was seen between outcome and the care process development. The mortality rate for the group as a whole the mortality rate had decreased over time. The total length of stay had decreased significantly over time. There was no statistically significant change in mortality rate over time when relating it to time-to-surgery.

Conclusions
Although the patients display a higher morbidity over time, the mortality rate has not changed significantly, which might indicate an effect of the care process development.
The care process development does not seem to impact on outcome as much as other factors.
This study supports the possibility to create a more specific algorithm for hip fracture patients, taking specific subgroups into consideration.
Culture and personal influences on cardiopulmonary resuscitation- results of international survey
Authors: Ozer Janet , Alon Gadi , Leykin Dmitry , Varon Joseph , Aharonson-Daniel Limor , Einav Sharon 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
The ethical principle of justice demands that resources be distributed equally and based on evidence. Guidelines regarding forgoing of CPR are unavailable and there is large variance in the reported rates of attempted CPR in in-hospital cardiac arrest. The main objective of this work was to study whether local culture and physician preferences may affect spur-of-the-moment decisions in unexpected in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Methods
Cross sectional questionnaire survey conducted among a convenience sample of physicians that likely comprise code team members in their country (Indonesia, Israel and Mexico). The questionnaire included details regarding respondent demographics and training, personal value judgments and preferences as well as professional experience regarding CPR and forgoing of resuscitation.

Results
Of the 675 questionnaires distributed, 617 (91.4%) were completed and returned. Country of practice and level of knowledge about resuscitation were strongly associated with avoiding CPR performance. Mexican physicians were almost twicemore likely to forgo CPR than their Israeli and Indonesian/Malaysian counterparts [OR1.84 (95% CI 1.03, 3.26), p = 0.038]. Mexican responders also placed greater emphasison personal and patient quality of life (p <  0.001). In multivariate analysis, degree of religiosity was most strongly associated with willingness to forgo CPR; orthodox respondents were more than twice more likely to report having forgone CPR for apatient they do not know than secular and observant respondents, regardless of the country of practice [OR 2.12 (95%CI 1.30, 3.46), p = 0.003].

Conclusions
In unexpected in-hospital cardiac arrest the decision to perform or withhold CPR may be affected by physician knowledge and local culture as well as personal preferences. Physician CPR training should include information regarding predictors of patient outcome at as well as emphasis on differentiating between patient and personal preferences in an emergency.
A case of misalignment: the perspectives of local and national decision-makers on the implementation of psychological treatment by telephone in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service
Authors: Rushton Kelly , Fraser Claire , Gellatly Judith , Brooks Helen , Bower Peter , Armitage Christopher J. , Faija Cintia , Welsh Charlotte , Bee Penny 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Psychological treatment delivered by telephone is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for mild to moderate depression and anxiety, and forms a key part of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) programme in the UK. Despite evidence of clinical effectiveness, patient engagement is often not maintained and psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) report lacking confidence and training to deliver treatment by telephone. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of professional decision makers (both local and national) on the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of telephone treatment in IAPT.

Methods
Sixteen semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews and one focus group were carried out with decision makers (n = 21) who were involved locally and nationally in policy, practice and research. The interviews and focus group were coded thematically, and then mapped onto the four core constructs of Normalisation Process Theory (NPT).

Results
The use of telephone for psychological treatment was universally recognised amongst participants as beneficial for improving patient choice and access to treatment. However, at service level, motives for the implementation of telephone treatments are often misaligned with national objectives. Pressure to meet performance targets has become a key driver for the use of telephone treatment, with promises of increased efficiency and cost savings. These service-focussed objectives challenge the integration of telephone treatments, and PWP acceptance of telephone treatments as non-inferior to face-to-face. Ambivalence among a workforce often lacking the confidence to deliver telephone treatments leads to reluctance among PWPs to ‘sell’ treatments to a patient population who are not generally expecting treatment in this form.

Conclusions
Perceptions of a need to ‘sell’ telephone treatment in IAPT persist from top-level decision makers down to frontline practitioners, despite their conflicting motives for the use of telephone. The need for advocacy to highlight the clinical benefit of telephone treatment, along with adequate workforce support and guidance on best practice for implementation is critical to the ongoing success and sustainability of telephone treatment in primary care mental health programmes.
Establishing a hospital transfusion management system promotes appropriate clinical use of human albumin in Japan: a nationwide retrospective study
Authors: Yano Yoshiteru , Sakata Nobuo , Fushimi Kiyohide 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Despite international recommendations to establish hospital transfusion management systems to promote appropriate use of blood products, the general efficacy of establishing such systems has not been proven. This study aimed to validate the effect of establishing such systems for promoting the appropriate use of human albumin.

Methods
In this retrospective observational study, we used a Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) database from fiscal year 2012 to 2016, which included inpatient records from approximately 1200 hospitals for payment processes in the national medical insurance system. From this existing database, containing approximately 8 million inpatient records per year, we selected patients with emergency due to “bleeding,” “sepsis,” and “burn injury,” by using the International Classification of Diseases and Injuries 10th revision (ICD-10) codes, and hospitals that had one or more patients for each disease group in each fiscal year. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to estimate the relationship between human albumin administration and the state of the hospital transfusion management system. We evaluated temporal trends of mortality rate and length of stay as an indicator of care quality.

Results
Overall, 139,853 eligible patients admitted to 682 hospitals were selected. The results of the multivariable logistic regression analysis show that patients who were admitted to hospitals with an established hospital transfusion department introducing good practice criteria of blood products were less likely to be administered human albumin compared with those who were admitted to hospitals not introducing it, by approximately 30% for each of the three disease groups; adjusted odds ratios (95% confidential intervals) were 0.70 (0.59–0.83), 0.75 (0.69–0.81), and 0.71 (0.58–0.87) in the “bleeding,” “sepsis,” and “burn injury” groups, respectively. The temporal trends evaluation shows that there were no increasing trends of mortality rate and average length of stay against decreasing trends of human albumin administration in any disease groups.

Conclusions
Establishing a hospital transfusion department responsible for promoting appropriate clinical use of blood products could reduce human albumin administration for critically ill patients without loss of care quality. These findings provide support for policy makers and hospital managers to consider establishing such systems.
Utilization of healthcare services among Chinese migrants in Kenya: a qualitative study
Authors: Qiu Jialing , Song Duo , Nie Juan , Su Mengyi , Hao Chun , Gu Jing , Hao Yuantao , Kiarie James N. , Chung Michael H. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
The number of Chinese migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is increasing, which is part of the south-south migration. The healthcare seeking challenges for Chinese migrants in Africa are different from local people and other global migrants. The aim of this study is to explore utilization of local health services and barriers to health services access among Chinese migrants in Kenya.

Methods
Thirteen in-depth interviews (IDIs) and six focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among Chinese migrants (n = 32) and healthcare-related stakeholders (n = 3) in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya. Data was collected, transcribed, translated, and analyzed for themes.

Results
Chinese migrants in Kenya preferred self-treatment by taking medicines from China. When ailments did not improve, they then sought care at clinics providing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) or received treatment at Kenyan private healthcare facilities. Returning to China for care was also an option depending on the perceived severity of disease. The main supply-side barriers to local healthcare utilization by Chinese migrants were language and lack of health insurance. The main demand-side barriers included ignorance of available healthcare services and distrust of local medical care.

Conclusions
Providing information on quality healthcare services in Kenya, which includes Chinese language translation assistance, may improve utilization of local healthcare facilities by Chinese migrants in the country.