bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incremental prognostic value of global myocardial work over ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Wang Chun-Li , Chan Yi-Hsin , Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Lee Hsin-Fu , Hsiao Fu-Chih , Chu Pao-Hsien 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Aims
Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) help identify heart failure (HF) patients who are at risk for adverse outcomes. This study aimed to determine whether global myocardial work (GMW), derived from non-invasive LV pressure-strain loops, can provide incremental prognostic information over EF and GLS in patients with HF and reduced EF (HFrEF).

Methods and results
We retrospectively analysed 508 patients (age 62.9 ± 15.8 years, 29.1% female) with LVEF ≤40%. The study endpoint was a composite of all-cause death and HF hospitalization. The incremental value of GMW over clinical and echocardiographic variables including EF and GLS for the association with the composite endpoint was assessed using Cox regression analyses. Over a 1-year follow-up, 183 patients reached the endpoint. Baseline variables associated with the endpoint were age, haemoglobin, LV end-systolic volume, New York Heart Association Class III or IV, E/e′ ratio, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, EF, and GLS. Cox regression analysis revealed that GMW [hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.25, per 100-mmHg% decrease] added incremental prognostic value over these variables. Both EF and GLS were not independent variables when GMW was included in the model. Patients with GMW &lt;750 mmHg% were associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause death and HF hospitalization (HR 3.33, 95% CI 2.31–4.80) than patients with GMW ≥750 mmHg%.

Conclusion
In patients with HFrEF, GMW provides incremental prognostic information over EF and GLS regarding risk of all-cause death and HF hospitalization.
Strategic Transmission of Correlated Information
Authors: Currarini Sergio , Ursino Giovanni , Chand A K S 
Published: May 2020

AbstractWe consider a situation in which a decision-maker gathers information from imperfectly informed experts, receiving coarse signals about a uniform state of the world. Private information is (conditionally) correlated across players, and communication is cheap talk. We show that with two experts correlation unambiguously tightens the conditions on preferences for a truth-telling equilibrium. However, with multiple experts the effect of correlation on the incentives to report information truthfully can be non-monotonic: while little and large levels of correlation hinder truth-telling, intermediate levels may discipline experts’ equilibrium behaviour and foster truthful communication. We discuss the implications of our results for the political discussion in the presence of ‘selective exposure' to media, where similarity in preferences comes with higher correlation, and a trade-off between truth-telling incentives and informational content arises.
Oral and maxillofacial outcomes in children with microcephaly associated with the congenital Zika syndrome
Authors: Ribeiro Renato Araújo , Mattos Adriana , Meneghim Marcelo de C , Vedovello Silvia A S , Borges Técia Mendes Daltro , Santamaria Milton 
Published: May 2020

Summary

Introduction
The objective of this study is to assess the oral and maxillofacial characteristics of microcephalic children associated with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).

Methods
A cross-sectional, observational study was carried out with 61 patients with microcephaly/CZS born between June 2015 and September 2017 (29 boys and 32 girls, average age of 22.8 months) and a control group with 58 non-CZS children born in the same period (25 boys and 33 girls, average age of 23.8 months). The functional clinical analysis considered the labial and lingual frena, tongue anterior projection, oral escape, palate form, and first tooth eruption. For the craniofacial analysis, facial anthropometric points and the cephalic perimeter at the time were measured. Demographic data were collected from medical records, and a clinical exam was performed in order to register the intrabuccal characteristics and craniofacial measures. The chi-square test and Student’s t-test were used with a significance level of 0.05.

Results
The narrow palate form, tongue anterior projection, oral escape, and late first tooth eruption were significantly more present in the group with microcephaly/CZS. As for the craniofacial analysis, face width (Bi-Zi), mandible width (Go-Go), height of face upper third (Tr-G), and monthly growth of cephalic perimeter were significantly smaller, whereas height of face lower third (Sn-Gn) was significantly bigger in the group with microcephaly/CZS (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion
Children with microcephaly resulting from a congenital Zika infection showed functional, oral, and maxillofacial changes and smaller facial development in comparison with non-CZS children in the same age group.
Potential Role of Oral Rinses Targeting the Viral Lipid Envelope in SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: O’Donnell Valerie B , Thomas David , Stanton Richard , Maillard Jean-Yves , Murphy Robert C , Jones Simon A , Humphreys Ian , Wakelam Michael J O , Fegan Christopher , Wise Matt P , Bosch Albert , Sattar Syed A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Emerging studies increasingly demonstrate the importance of the throat and salivary glands as sites of virus replication and transmission in early COVID-19 disease. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus, characterized by an outer lipid membrane derived from the host cell from which it buds. While it is highly sensitive to agents that disrupt lipid biomembranes, there has been no discussion about the potential role of oral rinsing in preventing transmission. Here, we review known mechanisms of viral lipid membrane disruption by widely available dental mouthwash components that include ethanol, chlorhexidine, cetylpyridinium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, and povidone-iodine. We also assess existing formulations for their potential ability to disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 lipid envelope, based on their concentrations of these agents, and conclude that several deserve clinical evaluation. We highlight that already published research on other enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses, directly supports the idea that oral rinsing should be considered as a potential way to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Research to test this could include evaluating existing or specifically tailored new formulations in well-designed viral inactivation assays, then in clinical trials. Population-based interventions could be undertaken with available mouthwashes, with active monitoring of outcome to determine efficacy. This is an under-researched area of major clinical need.
Guppy Y Chromosome Integrity Maintained by Incomplete Recombination Suppression
Authors: Darolti Iulia , Wright Alison E , Mank Judith E 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe loss of recombination triggers divergence between the sex chromosomes and promotes degeneration of the sex-limited chromosome. Several livebearers within the genus Poecilia share a male-heterogametic sex chromosome system that is roughly 20 Myr old, with extreme variation in the degree of Y chromosome divergence. In Poecilia picta, the Y is highly degenerate and associated with complete X chromosome dosage compensation. In contrast, although recombination is restricted across almost the entire length of the sex chromosomes in Poecilia reticulata and Poecilia wingei, divergence between the X chromosome and the Y chromosome is very low. This clade therefore offers a unique opportunity to study the forces that accelerate or hinder sex chromosome divergence. We used RNA-seq data from multiple families of both P. reticulata and P. wingei, the species with low levels of sex chromosome divergence, to differentiate X and Y coding sequences based on sex-limited SNP inheritance. Phylogenetic tree analyses reveal that occasional recombination has persisted between the sex chromosomes for much of their length, as X- and Y-linked sequences cluster by species instead of by gametolog. This incomplete recombination suppression maintains the extensive homomorphy observed in these systems. In addition, we see differences between the previously identified strata in the phylogenetic clustering of X–Y orthologs, with those that cluster by chromosome located in the older stratum, the region previously associated with the sex-determining locus. However, recombination arrest appears to have expanded throughout the sex chromosomes more gradually instead of through a stepwise process associated with inversions.
The crustal structure of the Eastern Subbasin of the South China Sea: constraints from receiver functions
Authors: Liu Yanan , Liu Baohua , Liu Chenguang , Hua Qingfeng 
Published: May 2020

SUMMARYThe crustal structure is a window to understand the tectonic evolution of an area. Through the first large-scale passive-source ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) array observation experiment in the Eastern Subbasin of the South China Sea (ESSCS), we calculated and obtained the respective receiver functions of these stations. As OBS works on the seafloor, where the working environment is different from that for its land-based counterpart, the effects of the sea-water layer and the oceanic low-velocity sediment layer on the seismic signals must be evaluated. Receiver functions’ synthetic test demonstrates the following: the presence of the sea-water layer produces a strong negative-amplitude phase (Pwp) in the receiver function, and the arrival time of this phase is delayed as the thickness of the sea-water layer increases; the presence of the low-velocity sediment layer produces a strong positive-amplitude phase (Pseds) which causes a delay in the arrival time of the Moho-related phases of the receiver function and makes them difficult to distinguish. On the basis of phase identification and synthetic tests, we estimate crustal thickness beneath each of the stations using two approaches. The first approach utilizes the observed arrival time of Moho phases, and the second approach finds the optimal crustal thickness by comparing the synthetic and observed receiver functions, which leads to more reliable results. The results of the second method show that the thickness of the sediment in the study area is mainly controlled by seafloor topography, the thickness of the crust in the seamount area is affected by the magma supply during the expansion stage and the post-spreading magmatism, and the crust in the flat basin is only affected by the magma supply during the expansion period. Moreover, the crust in the area affected by magmatic activity after the expansion stage is thicker than that in the area not affected.
The Relational Turbulence Model: A Meta-Analytic Review
Authors: Goodboy Alan K , Bolkan San , Sharabi Liesel L , Myers Scott A , Baker James P 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
A series of 27 meta-analyses was conducted to synthesize theoretical predictions, to date, of the relational turbulence model (RTM), which has informed relational turbulence theory (RTT). In line with theorized predictions, 12 random-effects meta-analyses (k = 9–15; n = 1,395–5,493) confirmed that RTM variables (i.e., self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty, and partner interference), on average, correlated with topic avoidance, depressive symptoms, and relationship satisfaction. An additional 15 random-effects meta-analyses (k = 4–41; n = 930–8,975) were conducted to pool an average correlation matrix among self uncertainty, partner uncertainty, relationship uncertainty, partner interference, partner facilitation, and relational turbulence. This pooled correlation matrix was used to test a meta-analytic structural equation model of the RTM commonly specified in the literature. Global and local fit statistics indicated the meta-analytic data fit the RTM well. Collectively, these results offer empirical and theoretical evidence for the RTM across nearly 2 decades of research and provide insights for future scholarship guided by the axioms and propositions of RTT.
Black and White Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Show Similar Biologic Use Patterns With Medicaid Insurance
Authors: Barnes Edward L , Bauer Christina M , Sandler Robert S , Kappelman Michael D , Long Millie D 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Prior studies have identified racial disparities in the treatment and outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These disparities could be secondary to differences in biology, care delivery, or access to appropriate therapy. The primary aim of this study was to compare medication use among Medicaid-insured black and white patients with IBD, given uniform access to gastroenterologists and therapies.

Methods
We analyzed Medicaid Analytic eXtract data from 4 states (California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas) between 2006 and 2011. We compared the use of IBD-specific therapies, including analyses of postoperative therapy among patients with Crohn disease (CD). We performed bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results
We identified 14,735 patients with IBD (4672 black [32%], 8277 with CD [58%]). In multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference in the odds of anti-tumor necrosis factor use by race for CD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-1.28] or ulcerative colitis (aOR = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.96-1.32). Black patients with CD were more likely than white patients to receive combination therapy (aOR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.15-1.96), and black patients were more likely than white patients to receive immunomodulator monotherapy after surgery for CD (31% vs 18%; P = 0.004).

Conclusions
In patients with Medicaid insurance, where access to IBD-specific therapy should be similar for all individuals, there was no significant disparity by race in the utilization of IBD-specific therapies. Disparities in IBD treatment discussed in prior literature seem to be driven by socioeconomic or other issues affecting access to care.
Limited effect of red blood cell transfusion on long-term mortality among anaemic cardiac surgery patients
Authors: Tran Long , Greiff Guri , Wahba Alexander , Pleym Hilde , Videm Vibeke 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOBJECTIVESOur goal was to investigate long-term mortality associated with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion among patients with anaemia undergoing cardiac surgery when adjusting for known risk factors.METHODSAdults with preoperative anaemia as defined by World Health Organization criteria undergoing open-heart surgery from 2000 through 2017 were included. Cox regression was performed for long-term mortality (30 days–5 years), comparing patients who received ≥1 unit of RBC with those who did not. Unadjusted and multivariable analyses adjusted for risk factors were performed.RESULTSThe study included 1859 patients, 1525 (82%) of whom received RBC transfusion. A total of 370 (19.9%) deaths were registered between 30 days and 5 years; 88 patients (23.8%) died between 30 days and 1 year. The unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) associated with RBC transfusion was 2.09 (1.49–2.93, P &lt; 0.001) from 30 days to 5 years postoperatively. The HR for RBC transfusion were 4.70 (1.72–12.81, P = 0.002) and 1.77 (1.23–2.55, P = 0.002) for 30 days–1 year and 1–5 years, respectively. Adjusting for perioperative risk factors, which included postoperative complications, the HR decreased to 1.16 (0.80–1.68, P = 0.43), 1.79 (0.63–5.12, P = 0.28) and 1.11 (0.75–1.65, P = 0.61) for observation time from 30 days to 5 years, 30 days to 1 year and 1 to 5 years, respectively. Results were similar when postoperative complications were excluded from the adjustment variables.CONCLUSIONSNo statistically significant association between RBC transfusion and long-term mortality was found when we adjusted for known risk factors. This study suggests that the observed difference in mortality in this patient group is largely due to patient-related risk factors.
Providing Hospitalized Ulcerative Colitis Patients With Practice Guidelines Improves Patient-Reported Outcomes
Authors: Weizman Adam V , Bressler Brian , Seow Cynthia H , Afif Waqqas , Afzal Nooran M , Targownik Laura , Nguyen Derek M , Jones Jennifer L , Huang Vivian , Murthy Sanjay K , Nguyen Geoffrey C 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background and aims
Variation in care has been demonstrated among hospitalized patients with ulcerative colitis. Guidelines aim to reduce variation; however, it is known that the uptake of guidelines by physicians is variable. Providing patients with guidelines is a strategy that has not been extensively studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a patient-directed educational intervention that included treatment guidelines among hospitalized ulcerative colitis patients.

Methods
We performed a quality improvement, cluster-randomized trial at seven tertiary IBD centres. Sites were randomized to implement an educational intervention or standard care for a 6-month period between January 2017 and January 2018. The educational intervention consisted of a patient-directed video that provided a summary of inpatient management guidelines for ulcerative colitis. Primary outcome measures included the length of stay and colectomy at discharge and 6 months. Patient-reported outcomes included trust in physician and patient satisfaction at discharge and at 6 months.

Results
Ninety-one patients were enrolled. No statistically significant differences in length of stay or colectomy were noted. Patients who received the intervention had higher trust in physician as measured by Trust in Physician Score at discharge (69.5 vs. 62.6, P = 0.028) and at 6 months (77.7 vs. 68, P = 0.008). Patient satisfaction as measured by the CACHE questionnaire in the intervention group was higher at discharge (72.8 vs. 67.1, P = 0.04); however, this difference was not sustained.

Conclusion
Empowering patients with guidelines through an educational intervention resulted in differences in trust in physician and patient satisfaction. Further studies are needed for evaluating a strategy of engaging IBD patients to take a more active role in their care. (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02569333).
Innovation policy and the market for vaccines*
Authors: Xue Qiwei Claire , Ouellette Lisa Larrimore 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Vaccines play a crucial role in improving global public health, with the ability to stem the spread of infectious diseases and the potential to eradicate them completely. Compared with pharmaceuticals that treat disease, however, preventative vaccines have received less attention from both biomedical researchers and innovation scholars. This neglect has substantial human and financial costs, as vividly illustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we argue that the large number of ``missing'' vaccines is likely due to more than lack of scientific opportunities. Two key aspects of vaccines help account for their anemic development pipeline: (1) they are preventatives rather than treatments; and (2) they are generally durable goods with long-term effects rather than products purchased repeatedly. We explain how both aspects make vaccines less profitable than repeat-purchase treatments, even given comparable IP protection. We conclude by arguing that innovation policy should address these market distortions by experimenting with larger government-set rewards for vaccine production and use. Most modestly, policymakers should increase direct funding—including no grants and public-private partnerships—and insurance-based market subsidies for vaccine development. We also make the case for a large cash prize for any new vaccine made available at low or zero cost.
Laparoscopic approach for diaphragmatic hernia repair in adult: our experience of four cases
Authors: Kumar Abhijeet , Karn Ratish , Khanal Bhawani , Sah Suresh Prasad , Gupta Rakesh 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Diaphragmatic hernia can be congenital or acquired. Usual clinical presentation may range from asymptomatic cases to serious respiratory/gastrointestinal symptoms and occasionally atypical presentation as lumbar hernia also. The diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia is based on clinical investigation and is confirmed by plain X-ray film and computed tomography scan. Various treatment approaches, open, laparoscopic and combination, are available for this condition. However, laparoscopic approach has recently gained in popularity. Surgical repair typically involves primary or patch closure of the diaphragm through an open or endoscopic abdominal or thoracic approach. This paper reflects our experience of repair of diaphragmatic hernias to evaluate its safety, efficacy and outcomes.
Expression of a fungal exo-β-1,3-galactanase in Arabidopsis reveals a role of type II arabinogalactans in the regulation of cell shape
Authors: Yoshimi Yoshihisa , Hara Katsuya , Yoshimura Mami , Tanaka Nobukazu , Higaki Takumi , Tsumuraya Yoichi , Kotake Toshihisa 
Published: May 2020

AbstractArabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) are a family of plant extracellular proteoglycans implicated in many physiological events. AGP is decorated with type II arabinogalactans (AGs) consisting of a β-1,3-galactan backbone and β-1,6-galactan side chains, to which other sugars are attached. Based on the fact that a type II AG-specific inhibitor, β-Yariv reagent, perturbs growth and development, it has been proposed that type II AGs participate in the regulation of cell shape and tissue organization. However, the mechanisms by which type II AGs participate have not yet been established. Here, we describe a novel system that causes specific degradation of type II AGs in Arabidopsis, by which a gene encoding a fungal exo-β-1,3-galactanase that specifically hydrolyzes β-1,3-galactan backbones of type II AGs is expressed under the control of a dexamethasone-inducible promoter. Dexamethasone treatment increased the galactanase activity, leading to a decrease in Yariv reagent-reactive AGPs in transgenic Arabidopsis. We detected the typical oligosaccharides released from type II AGs by Il3GAL in the soluble fraction, demonstrating that Il3GAL acted on type II AG in the transgenic plants. Additionally, this resulted in severe tissue disorganization in the hypocotyl and cotyledons, suggesting that the degradation of type II AGs affected the regulation of cell shape.
Anticipating Issues with Capacitous Pregnant Women: United Lincolnshire NHS Hospitals Trust v CD [2019] EWCOP 24 and Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) v R [2020] EWCOP 4
Authors: Fovargue Sara 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In United Lincolnshire NHS Hospitals Trust v CD and Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) v R, the Court of Protection was asked to make anticipatory and contingent declarations relating to the obstetric care and mode of delivery for currently capacitous women who were near to their due date but not yet in labour. In this case note I explore the judges’ reasoning on the legal basis for these declarations. In so doing, I consider the wider implications of employing this seemingly new addition to the Court of Protection’s armoury.
Low rate of azole resistance in cases of avian aspergillosis in Germany
Authors: Barber Amelia E , Scheufen Sandra , Walther Grit , Kurzai Oliver , Schmidt Volker 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Aspergillosis is the most common fungal disease of the avian respiratory tract. Due to delayed diagnosis and treatment failure, the outcome of these infections is often poor. We investigate 159 cases of avian aspergillosis among captive birds in Germany to define clinical features as well as the frequency of in vitro triazole resistance. Adult birds were more likely to present with clinical signs compared to juvenile birds, and dyspnoea was the most common clinical sign, present in 53% of birds. Molecular species identification indicated that all infections were caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Only one of 159 independent isolates was azole resistant.