bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological predictors of survival in patients with sarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension: results from an international registry
Authors: Shlobin Oksana A. , Kouranos Vasilis , Barnett Scott D. , Alhamad Esam H. , Culver Daniel A. , Barney Joseph , Cordova Francis C. , Carmona Eva M. , Scholand Mary Beth , Wijsenbeek Marlies , Ganesh Sivagini , Lower Elyse E. , Engel Peter J. , Wort John , Price Laura , Wells Athol U. , Nathan Steven D. , Baughman Robert P. 
Published: March 2020

IntroductionSarcoidosis-associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is associated with reduced survival in single-centre studies. The international Registry for SAPH (ReSAPH) with long-term follow-up was established to enrich our knowledge of this complication of sarcoidosis. This analysis aims to elucidate factors associated with reduced transplant-free survival in SAPH patients.MethodsReSAPH contains prospectively collected outcomes of SAPH patients since the time of registry enrolment. Information analysed includes right heart catheterisation data, pulmonary function testing, chest radiography, Scadding stage and 6-min walk distance (6MWD), among others. Cox regression models were used to identify independent predictors of transplant-free survival.ResultsData from 215 patients followed for a mean±sd2.5±1.9 years were available for analysis. In the 159 precapillary patients, the Kaplan–Meier-adjusted 1-, 3- and 5-year transplant-free survival was 89.2%, 71.7% and 62.0%, respectively. Kaplan–Meier-adjusted 1-, 3- and 5-year transplant-free survival in the incident group was 83.5%, 70.3% and 58.3%, respectively, and in the prevalent group was 94.7%, 72.2% and 66.3%, respectively. Patients with reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (<35% predicted) and 6MWD <300 m in the precapillary cohort had significantly worse transplant-free survival. Reduced 6MWD and preserved forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio were identified as independent risk factors for reduced transplant-free survival in the precapillary cohort.ConclusionReducedDLCO(<35% pred) and 6MWD (<300 m) at the time of registry enrolment were associated with reduced transplant-free survival in the overall precapillary cohort. Preserved FEV1/FVC ratio was identified as an independent risk factor for worsened outcomes.
Case report: left atrial Myxoma causing elevated C-reactive protein, fatigue and fever, with literature review
Authors: Cho Jake , Quach Steven , Reed Justin , Osian Omeni 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
A cardiac myxoma in a young person may pose a diagnostic challenge as symptoms may be variable and the differential diagnosis is wide. The differential diagnosis can include rheumatic mitral valve disease, pulmonary hypertension, endocarditis, myocarditis and vasculitis.

Case presentation
This case report involves a 49 years old female with a 2.8 cm × 3.4 cm myxoma in the left atrium causing mitral valve obstruction. She presented with fatigue, fever of unknown origin, transient ischemic attack and shortness of breath. Prompt surgery is often recommended due to the risk of embolic complications or complete obstruction. Due to her symptoms, patient underwent successful cardiothoracic surgery to excise the myxoma within 2 weeks of confirmation by cardiac echocardiography.

Conclusion
This case also emphasizes the diagnostic challenge as symptoms may be variable, ranging from fatigue, fever and shortness of breath to transient ischemic attack and at worst, sudden cardiac death. In conclusion, if a cardiac mass is suspected, echocardiography should be performed early. Surgical resection is curative and recurrence rate is very rare in sporadic isolated myxomas, however, recurrence can be higher in genetic diseases associated with increased frequency of myxomas such as Carney complex. This subpopulation of patients may present further research opportunity to learn more about the perioperative management of patients with myxomas such as determining the optimal time to surgical intervention and decision to anticoagulate.
Biometric indicators of eyes with occult lens subluxation inducing secondary acute angle closure
Authors: Xing Xiaoli , Huang Liangyu , Tian Fang , Zhang Yan , Lv Yingjuan , Liu Wei , Liu Aihua 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
To compare the anterior biometrics in eyes with secondary acute angle closure induced by occult lens subluxation (ASAC-LS), misdiagnosed as acute primary angle closure (APAC) at the first visit with APAC, chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (CPACG), and cataract.

Methods
This retrospective case study included 17 eyes with angel closure due to occult LS, who were misdiagnosed as APAC on their first visit, 56 APAC eyes, 54 CPACG eyes, and 56 cataract eyes. Axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), aqueous depth (AD) and lens thickness (LT) were recorded. Lens position (LP), relative lens position (RLP), corrected lens position (CLP) were calculated. Quantitative data were subject to one-way analysis of variance and correlation analysis. Categorical data were analyzed using the chi-squared test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to obtain a suitable cutoff value of ocular biometrics.

Results
The ASAC-LS patients had a longer ocular axial length than APAC and CPACG patients. Central corneal thickness of the ASAC-LS patients was not significantly different from APAC patients, but was significantly different from CPACG and cataract patients. The APAC patients had the smallest ACD, while the ASAC-LS patients had the smallest AD. The ASAC-LS patients had the largest lens thickness. According to ROC curve analysis, RLP, ACD, AD, CLP, LP had high power of discrimination.

Conclusions
This study revealed that LS secondary PAC patients had a shallower AD, thicker CCT comparing to those of APAC, CPACG and cataract patients. For patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma, it is necessary to exclude lens zonula relaxation.

Trial registration
NCT03752710, retrospectively registered.
Application of the respiratory “critical care-sub-critical care-rehabilitation integrated management model” in severe stroke associated pneumonia
Authors: Wang Xue-Lin , Ma Li-Jun , Hu Xin-Gang , Wang Kai , Cheng Jian-Jian 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
This study aimed to explore the feasibility of applying the respiratory “critical care-sub-critical care-rehabilitation integrated management model” in severe stroke-associated pneumonia and evaluate its effect.

Methods
From January to September 2018, 24 patients with severe stroke-associated pneumonia, who were admitted to the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department of Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, were randomly divided into two groups: integrated management group and control group. According to the admission criteria of the respiratory “critical care-sub-critical care-rehabilitation integrated model” prescribed by the above-mentioned hospital, patients were grouped. The professional respiratory therapy team participated in the whole treatment. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS) and oxygenation index of these two groups were dynamically observed, and the average hospital stay, 28-day mortality and patient satisfaction were investigated.

Results
Patients in the integrated management group and control group were similar before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the main indicators, the APACHE II score, CPIS score and oxygenation index, were significantly different between the integration group and control group (P < 0.05). The secondary indicators, the average hospitalization days and patient/family member satisfaction scores, were also significantly different between the integration group and control group (P < 0.05). However, the 28-day mortality wasn’t significantly different (P > 0.05).

Conclusions
For patients with severe stroke-associated pneumonia, it was feasible to implement the respiratory “critical care-sub-critical care-rehabilitation integrated management model”, which could significantly improve the treatment effect, shorten average hospitalization days and improve patient/family satisfaction.
Risk of postoperative complications among ulcerative colitis patients treated preoperatively with vedolizumab: a matched case-control study
Authors: Kim Jeong Yeon , Zaghiyan Karen , Lightner Amy , Fleshner Phillip 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Although biologic agents have revolutionized the medical management of severe ulcerative colitis (UC), there is considerable controversy regarding adverse effects of vedolizumab on surgical outcomes. We evaluated 30-day postoperative morbidity in UC patients undergoing abdominal colectomy (AC) treated with vedolizumab before surgery.

Methods
From 2007 to 2017, 285 patients were enrolled in prospectively maintained database evaluating the role of clinical, serologic markers with clinical phenotypes in UC. The patients treated with vedolizumab within 12 weeks of AC was queried, then matched 1:3:3 into 3 preoperative treatment groups based on age, gender and surgical treatment of UC; ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) with ileostomy vs total colectomy with end stoma: a) vedolizumab (n = 25); b) anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) (n = 74); and c) no biologics (n = 54). Thirty-day postoperative complications among patient groups were compared.

Results
The 3 patient groups were well-matched in other characteristics including disease duration, disease extent, medication history and preoperative serological data. There were no significant differences in the overall incidence of postoperative complications among patients treated preoperatively with vedolizumab, anti-TNFs, or no biologics (44% vs. 45% vs. 37%; p = 0.67). Although there was no significant difference between patient cohorts in infectious complications (p = 0.20), postoperative ileus (POI) was significantly more common among the vedolizumab group (n = 9; 36%) compared to anti-TNF (n = 12; 16%) or no biologics (n = 5; 9%) (p = 0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that vedolizumab treatment prior to surgery was an independent risk factor for POI (OR: 5.16, 95% CI; 1.71–15.52; p = .004).

Conclusion
Although preoperative vedolizumab exposure did not influence the rate of overall 30-day postoperative complications, vedolizumab tends to increase incidence of POI.
A cross-sectional study of obesogenic behaviours and family rules according to family structure in European children
Authors: Stahlmann Katharina , Hebestreit Antje , DeHenauw Stefaan , Hunsberger Monica , Kaprio Jaakko , Lissner Lauren , Molnár Dénes , Ayala-Marín Alelí M. , Reisch Lucia A. , Russo Paola , Tornaritis Michael , Veidebaum Toomas , Pohlabeln Hermann , Bogl Leonie H. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere has been an increase in children growing up in non-traditional families, such as single-parent and blended families. Children from such families have a higher prevalence of obesity and poorer health outcomes, but research on the relationship with obesogenic behaviours is limited.ObjectivesTherefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether there are associations between family structures and obesogenic behaviours and related family rules in European children and adolescents.MethodsThe sample included 7664 children (mean age ± SD: 10.9 ± 2.9) from 4923 families who were participants of the multi-centre I.Family study (2013/2014) conducted in 8 European countries. Family structure was assessed by a detailed interview on kinship and household. Obesogenic behaviours (screen time, sleep duration, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)) and family rules (rules for computer and television, bedtime routine, availability of SSBs during meals) were determined by standardized questionnaires. Multilevel mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models were used to model the associations of family structure with obesogenic behaviours and family rules. Sex, age, parental education level, number of children and adults in the household and BMI z-score were covariates in the models. Two-parent biological families were set as the reference category.ResultsChildren from single-parent families were less likely to have family rules regarding screen time (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.40–0.94,p = 0.026) with higher reported hours of screen time per week (β = 2.70 h/week, 95% CI: 1.39–4.00,p < 0.001). The frequency of weekly SSB consumption differed by family structure in a sex-specific manner: girls from single-parent (β = 3.19 frequency/week, 95% CI: 0.91–5.47,p = 0.006) and boys from blended/adoptive families (β = 3.01 frequency/week, 95% CI: 0.99–5.03,p = 0.004) consumed more SSBs. Sleep duration, bedtime routines and availability of SSBs during meals did not differ between children from these family structures. Parental education did not modify any of these associations.ConclusionsParents in non-traditional family structures appear to experience more difficulties in restricting screen time and the intake of SSBs in their children than parents in traditional two-parent family structures. Our findings therefore suggest that additional support and effective strategies for parents in non-traditional families may help to reduce obesogenic behaviours in children from such family types.
Evaluation of quinclorac toxicity and alleviation by salicylic acid in rice seedlings using ground-based visible/near-infrared hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhang Chu , Shi Ying , Long Meijuan , Islam Faisal , Yang Chong , Yang Su , He Yong , Zhou Weijun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
To investigate potential effects of herbicide phytotoxic on crops, a major challenge is a lack of non-destructive and rapid methods to detect plant growth that could allow characterization of herbicide-resistant plants. In such a case, hyperspectral imaging can quickly obtain the spectrum for each pixel in the image and monitor status of plants harmlessly.

Method
Hyperspectral imaging covering the spectral range of 380–1030 nm was investigated to determine the herbicide toxicity in rice cultivars. Two rice cultivars, Xiushui 134 and Zhejing 88, were respectively treated with quinclorac alone and plus salicylic acid (SA) pre-treatment. After ten days of treatments, we collected hyperspectral images and physiological parameters to analyze the differences. The score images obtained were used to explore the differences among samples under diverse treatments by conducting principal component analysis on hyperspectral images. To get useful information from original data, feature extraction was also conducted by principal component analysis. In order to classify samples under diverse treatments, full-spectra-based support vector classification (SVC) models and extracted-feature-based SVC models were established. The prediction maps of samples under different treatments were constructed by applying the SVC models using extracted features on hyperspectral images, which provided direct visual information of rice growth status under herbicide stress. The physiological analysis with the changes of stress-responsive enzymes confirmed the differences of samples under different treatments.

Results
The physiological analysis showed that SA alleviated the quinclorac toxicity by stimulating enzymatic activity and reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species. The score images indicated there were spectral differences among the samples under different treatments. Full-spectra-based SVC models and extracted-feature-based SVC models obtained good results for the aboveground parts, with classification accuracy over 80% in training, validation and prediction set. The SVC models for Zhejing 88 presented better results than those for Xiushui 134, revealing the different herbicide tolerance between rice cultivars.

Conclusion
We develop a reliable and effective model using hyperspectral imaging technique which enables the evaluation and visualization of herbicide toxicity for rice. The reflectance spectra variations of rice could reveal the stress status of herbicide toxicity in rice along with the physiological parameters. The visualization of the herbicide toxicity in rice would help to provide the intuitive vision of herbicide toxicity in rice. A monitoring system for detecting herbicide toxicity and its alleviation by SA will benefit from the remarkable success of SVC models and distribution maps.
Cardiovascular progenitor cells and tissue plasticity are reduced in a myocardium affected by Becker muscular dystrophy
Authors: Pesl Martin , Jelinkova Sarka , Caluori Guido , Holicka Maria , Krejci Jan , Nemec Petr , Kohutova Aneta , Zampachova Vita , Dvorak Petr , Rotrekl Vladimir 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
We describe the association of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) derived heart failure with the impairment of tissue homeostasis and remodeling capabilities of the affected heart tissue. We report that BMD heart failure is associated with a significantly decreased number of cardiovascular progenitor cells, reduced cardiac fibroblast migration, and ex vivo survival.

Background
Becker muscular dystrophy belongs to a class of genetically inherited dystrophin deficiencies. It affects male patients and results in progressive skeletal muscle degeneration and dilated cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure. It is a relatively mild form of dystrophin deficiency, which allows patients to be on a heart transplant list. In this unique situation, the explanted heart is a rare opportunity to study the degenerative process of dystrophin-deficient cardiac tissue. Heart tissue was excised, dissociated, and analyzed. The fractional content of c-kit+/CD45− cardiovascular progenitor cells (CVPCs) and cardiac fibroblast migration were compared to control samples of atrial tissue. Control tissue was obtained from the hearts of healthy organ donor’s during heart transplantation procedures.

Results
We report significantly decreased CVPCs (c-kit+/CD45−) throughout the heart tissue of a BMD patient, and reduced numbers of phase-bright cells presenting c-kit positivity in the dystrophin-deficient cultured explants. In addition, ex vivo CVPCs survival and cardiac fibroblasts migration were significantly reduced, suggesting reduced homeostatic support and irreversible tissue remodeling.

Conclusions
Our findings associate genetically derived heart failure in a dystrophin-deficient patient with decreased c-kit+/CD45− CVPCs and their resilience, possibly hinting at a lack of cardioprotective capability and/or reduced homeostatic support. This also correlates with reduced plasticity of the explanted cardiac tissue, related to the process of irreversible remodeling in the BMD patient’s heart.
Functional activities of beta-glucans in the prevention or treatment of cervical cancer
Authors: Chaichian Shahla , Moazzami Bahram , Sadoughi Fatemeh , Haddad Kashani Hamed , Zaroudi Marsa , Asemi Zatollah 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCervical cancer is the fourth-ranked cancer in the world and is associated with a large number of deaths annually. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are known as the common therapeutic approaches in the treatment of cervical cancer, but because of their side effects and toxicity, researchers are trying to discovery alternative therapies. Beta-glucans, a group of glucose polymers that are derived from the cell wall of fungi, bacteria, and etc. it has been showed that beta-glucans have some anti-cancer properties which due to their impacts on adaptive and innate immunity. Along to these impacts, these molecules could be used as drug carriers. In this regard, the application of beta-glucans is a promising therapeutic option for the cancer prevention and treatment especially for cervical cancer. Herein, we have summarized the therapeutic potential of beta-glucans alone or as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of cervical cancer. Moreover, we highlighted beta-glucans as drug carriers for preventive and therapeutic purposes.
Effect of apo-lactoferrin on leukotoxin and outer membrane vesicles of Mannheimia haemolytica A2
Authors: Avalos-Gómez Christian , Reyes-López Magda , Ramírez-Rico Gerardo , Díaz-Aparicio Efrén , Zenteno Edgar , González-Ruiz Cynthia , de la Garza Mireya 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMannheimia haemolytica serotype A2 is the principal cause of pneumonic mannheimiosis in ovine and caprine livestock; this disease is a consequence of immune suppression caused by stress and associated viruses and is responsible for significant economic losses in farm production worldwide. Gram-negative bacteria such as M. haemolytica produce outer membrane (OM)-derived spherical structures named outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) that contain leukotoxin and other biologically active virulence factors. In the present study, the relationship between M. haemolytica A2 and bovine lactoferrin (BLf) was studied. BLf is an 80 kDa glycoprotein that possesses bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties and is part of the mammalian innate immune system. Apo-BLf (iron-free) showed a bactericidal effect against M. haemolytica A2, with an observed minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 µM. Sublethal doses (2–8 µM) of apo-BLf increased the release of OMVs, which were quantified by flow cytometry. Apo-BLf modified the normal structure of the OM and OMVs, as observed through transmission electron microscopy. Apo-BLf also induced lipopolysaccharide (LPS) release from bacteria, disrupting OM permeability and functionality, as measured by silver staining and SDS and polymyxin B cell permeability assays. Western blot results showed that apo-BLf increased the secretion of leukotoxin in M. haemolytica A2 culture supernatants, possibly through its iron-chelating activity. In contrast, holo-BLf (with iron) did not have this effect, possibly due to differences in the tertiary structure between these proteins. In summary, apo-BLf affected the levels of several M. haemolytica virulence factors and could be evaluated for use in animals as an adjuvant in the treatment of ovine mannheimiosis.
Global stability for a nonautonomous reaction-diffusion predator-prey model with modified Leslie–Gower Holling-II schemes and a prey refuge
Authors: Luo Yantao , Zhang Long , Teng Zhidong , Zheng Tingting 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn this paper, a nonautonomous reaction-diffusion predator-prey model with modified Leslie–Gower Holling-II schemes and a prey refuge is proposed. Applying the comparison theory of differential equation, sufficient average criteria on the permanence of solutions and the existence of the positive periodic solutions are established. Moreover, the existence region of the positive periodic solutions is an invariant region dependent on t. Then, constructing a suitable Lyapunov function, we obtain sufficient conditions to guarantee the global asymptotic stability of the positive periodic solutions. Finally, we do some numerical simulations to verify our main results and investigate the effect of prey refuge on the dynamics of the system.