bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determinants of aortic root dilatation over time in patients with essential hypertension: The Campania Salute Network
Authors: Canciello Grazia , Mancusi Costantino , Izzo Raffaele , Morisco Carmine , Strisciuglio Teresa , Barbato Emanuele , Trimarco Bruno , Luca Nicola De , de Simone Giovanni , Losi Maria Angela 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
Determinants of changes of aortic root dimension over time are not well defined.

Design
We investigated whether specific phenotype and treatment exist predicting changes in aortic root dimension in hypertensive patients from the Campania Salute Network.

Methods
N = 4856 participants (age 53 ± 11 years, 44% women) were included. At first and last available echocardiograms, we measured aortic root and a z-score of aortic root (AOz) was generated as the difference between measured and predicted aortic root, derived from a healthy reference population. Aortic root dilatation (ARD) was defined as AOz &gt;75th percentile of distribution.

Results
At baseline, 3642 patients (75%) exhibited normal aortic root, and 1214 (25%) ARD. After a follow-up of 6.1 years (interquartile range 3.0–8.8 years), 366 (11%) patients with initial normal aortic root exhibited ARD, whereas 457(38%) with initial ARD exhibited normal aortic root. At multivariate analysis patients with incident ARD were most likely to be women, obese, with left ventricular hypertrophy, lower systolic but higher diastolic blood pressure and stroke volume index at baseline, and higher average value of diastolic blood pressure during follow-up (p &lt; 0.05); whereas patients normalizing their ARD were non-obese women with lower baseline systolic blood pressure, stroke volume index, average diastolic blood pressure during follow-up and longer follow-up time (p &lt; 0.05). Anti-renin–angiotensin system (anti-RAS) was associated with 45% greater probability to normalize aortic root dimension.

Conclusions
Volume (stroke volume index) and pressure loads (diastolic blood pressure) influence aortic root dimension over time. Aortic root normalization, reflecting a more favourable haemodynamic load, is predictable in non-obese women with lower diastolic blood pressure, taking more anti-RAS therapy. This suggest that sex elicits a different response in aortic walls to pathological stimuli.
Concurrent tuberculous chorioretinitis with choroidal neovascularization and tuberculous meningitis: a case report
Authors: Zhang Yan-Kun , Fu Hong-Yi , Guan Yan , Li Yu-Jing , Bai Hong-Zhong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a severe health burden worldwide. The manifestation of concurrent tuberculous cerebral and ocular involvements associated with TB is uncommon.

Case presentation
We report a 17-year-old girl with concurrent tuberculous cerebral and ocular involvements and visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularization. This study emphasizes the definite diagnosis with the combination of ophthalmological examination, multimodal imaging and routine tuberculosis testing, and the proper management with intravitreal anti-VEGF injection accompanied by systemic anti-tuberculosis therapy.

Conclusion
Combined applications of routine TB tests, fundus multimodal imaging and diagnostic therapy greatly help the clinician to establish a precise diagnosis and in monitoring the therapeutic response.
Reliability of two different measuring techniques with computer tomography for penetration and distribution of cement in the proximal tibia after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Verburg Hennie , van Zeeland Koobs Linda , Niesten Dieu Donné , Pilot Peter , Mathijssen Nina 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the reliability of two different techniques for measuring penetration and distribution of the cement mantle in the proximal tibia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with Computer Tomography (CT) in vivo.MethodsStandardized CT scans of the proximal tibia were taken 1 to 2 years after total knee arthroplasties implanted with a surface cementing technique. These prospectively acquired transversal CT images of the surface of the proximal tibia were divided into four quadrants and were assessed once manually and once with a numerical computing program (MATLAB® Update 2, The MathWorks, Inc.) based on Hounsfield Units by one of the researchers. The assessments were repeated by the same and a second researcher. The ratio cement/trabecular bone was calculated 1, 3 and 5 mm distal of the tibia tray per quadrant. Kruskall-Wallis tests with multiple pairwise comparisons (Dunn’s test) were used to determine differences between the quadrants. Intra- and inter-rater reliability as well as the inter method reliability were assessed with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) per level of depth and with Bland-Altman plots.ResultsA total of 92 CT scans were included. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the manual method ranged from 0.22 and 0.52. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the matlab method varied between 0.98 to 0.99.The median percentage cement measured with the matlab method 1 mm underneath the tibial tray varied between 82 and 88%; at 3 mm depth between 38 and 54% and at 5 mm between 15 and 25%. There was significantly (p < 0.05) less cement in the antero-medial quadrant compared to the antero-lateral and postero-lateral quadrant at 3 mm and 5 mm depth.ConclusionsDistribution and penetration of cement in the proximal tibia in a total knee arthroplasty can be measured reliably with CT in combination with the matlab method presented in this manuscript. This method can be used for clinical purposes as well as for scientific research.Trial registrationMETC-nr: 06–104 Dossier NL14807.098.06/versie 06.
Factors associated with screening positive for high falls risk in fragility fracture patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rotondi Nooshin K. , Beaton Dorcas E. , Sujic Rebeka , Bogoch Earl , Inrig Taucha , Linton Denise , Weldon Jennifer , Jain Ravi , Sale Joanna E. M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe sought to report the prevalence of fragility fracture patients who were screened at high falls risk using a large provincial database, and to determine the characteristics associated with being screened at high falls risk.MethodsThe study population included fragility fracture patients 50+ years of age who were screened at 35 hospital fracture clinics in Ontario over a 3.5 year period. The outcome was based on two screening questions measuring the risk of falling, both adapted from the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries) tool. Multivariable associations of sociodemographic, fracture-related, and health-related characteristics were evaluated using logistic regression.ResultsOf the sample, 9735 (44.5%) patients were classified as being at high falls risk, and 12,089 (55.3%) were not. In the multivariable logistic regression, being 80+ years of age (vs. 50–64 years of age), non-community dwelling (vs. living with spouse, family member, roommate), having a mental/physical impairment (vs. none), and taking multiple medications, were all strongly associated with being screened at high falls risk.ConclusionsLiving in a non-community dwelling and taking 4+ medications were the variables most strongly associated with being screened at high falls risk. These are potentially modifiable characteristics that should be considered when assessing falls risk in fragility fracture patients, and particularly when designing interventions for preventing subsequent falls. Ongoing work to address the higher risk of falls in the fragility fracture population is warranted.
The efficacy of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Wang Bingjin , Hua Wenbin , Ke Wencan , Zhang Yukun , Zeng Xianlin , Yang Cao 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The bony fusion of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis has not been explained in detail. We aimed to analyze the efficacy of bony fusion of allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment of thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Methods
We treated 32 thoracic or thoracolumbar tuberculosis patients by one-stage posterior debridement, allograft bone graft using titanium mesh, posterior instrumentation, and fusion from May 2011 to September 2015. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological classification, visual analog scale, and Oswestry disability index scores were analyzed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up. The Cobb angles were recorded to evaluate the kyphosis correction and the loss of correction. The bony fusion was evaluated by X-ray and computed tomography images, and the bony fusion classifications were recorded.

Results
All patients had pain relief. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-response protein, and hepatorenal function were normal at final follow-up. The American Spinal Injury Association neurological classification, visual analog scale, and Oswestry disability index scores were improved in all the patients. All patients achieved bone fusion. Twenty-eight patients achieved complete fusion (Grade I), whereas only four patients achieved partial fusion (Grade II). The preoperative Cobb angle was 33.6 ± 9.3°. The Cobb angle was reduced to 10.6 ± 2.6° postoperatively and was found to be 11.4 ± 3.1° at the final follow-up. The mean angle correction was 23.0 ± 8.9°, and the correction rate was 66.2 ± 12.2%. The mean angle lost was 0.8 ± 0.9°, and the lost rate was 5.8 ± 5.4% at the final follow-up.

Conclusions
Allograft bone using titanium mesh in the posterior-only surgical treatment is effective for patients with thoracic and thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis. It can correct kyphosis, and most patients can achieve complete bony fusion.
Evaluation of quality and use of health management information system in primary health care units of east Wollega zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia:
Authors: Kebede Mekonen , Adeba Emiru , Chego Melese 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Health care practice relies on evidence-based decisions and needs the use of quality health care data. Health management information system (HMIS) is among the core elements of health system building blocks. In our study setting, there is a lack of adequate information on the quality of health information data. This study aimed at exploring the quality of health management information system data in terms of timeliness, completeness, and accuracy. The specific objectives were to evaluate the quality and use of the health management information system in Primary health care units of East Wollega zone, Ethiopia.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2016 on 316 health professionals/health information technicians. The sample was obtained by simple random sampling technique. Qualitative data were obtained from 16 purposefully selected key informants by Focus group discussion (FGD). We observed 50 selected health facilities using an observation checklist. We analyzed quantitative data by SPSS version 20 using descriptive and logistic regression analysis techniques. we applied a thematic analysis approach to analyze qualitative data.

Results
Timeliness of report, registration completeness, report completeness, and data accuracy level of the selected facilities were 70, 78.2, 86, and 48%, respectively. All results are below the expected national standards. Commonly reported reasons for the poor practice of data quality were; poor support of management, lack of accountability for the false report, poor supportive supervision, and lack of separate and responsible unit for health information management.

Conclusion
The Health information management system is poorly coordinated at the primary health units. Accountability should be assured through continuous in-service training, supportive supervision, and concrete feedbacks. Electronic management of health information should be available in primary health care units.
Early maternal separation accelerates the progression of endometriosis in adult mice
Authors: Long Qiqi , Liu Xishi , Guo Sun-Wei 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
A large body of research highlights the importance of early-life environmental impact on the health outcome in adulthood. However, whether early-life adversity (ELA) has any impact on the development of endometriosis is completely unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ELA, as manifested by neonatal separation, can accelerate the progression of endometriosis in mouse through activation of the adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRB2) signaling pathway, leading to increased angiogenesis and progression of endometriotic lesions.

Methods
Eight female Balb/C mice, in late pregnancy, were used used for this study, which later gave birth to 22 female newborn pubs. Eleven additional female Balb/C mice were also used as donors of uterine tissues. The 22 newborn pubs were randomly divided into 2 equal-sized groups, maternal separation (MS) and no separation (NS). Pubs in the MS group were separated from their dams for 3 h/day from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 21, while those in the NS control remained in the home cage with their dams. In adulthood (8-week old), 3 mice in each group were randomly selected to undergo a battery of behavior tests. The remaining 8 mice in each group were induced with endometriosis by intraperitoneal injection of uterine fragments from donor mice. Four weeks after the induction, all mice were sacrificed and their endometriotic lesions were excised for quantification and then prepared for immunohistochemistry analysis.

Results
We confirmed that MS during infancy resulted in anxiety and depression-like behaviors as previously reported. We also found that in MS mice the lesion weight was increased by over 2 folds and generalized hyperalgesia was also significantly increased as compared with NS mice. Immunostaining analysis demonstrated that MS accelerated the development of endometriosis likely through decreased dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) expression and activation of the ADRB2/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway, leading to increased angiogenesis and progression of endometriotic lesions.

Conclusions
Exposure of female mouse pups to ELA such as MS during their infancy period accelerates the progression of endometriosis, possibly through altered neuronal wiring and hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Association between body mass index and survival outcomes for cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: An Yue , Wu Zhonghua , Wang Ningning , Yang Zhidong , Li Yue , Xu Boyang , Sun Mingjun 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been increasingly applied in the treatment of several kinds of malignancies. Some clinical demographic characteristics were reported to be associated with the ICIs efficacy. The purpose of our current meta-analysis was to clearly evaluated the relationship between BMI and ICIs efficacy for cancer patients receiving immunotherapy.

Methods
A systematic search of Pubmed, EMBASE and conference proceedings was performed to investigate the influence of BMI on ICIs efficacy. Pooled analysis for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and immune-related adverse effects (IRAEs) were analyzed in current study.

Results
A total of 13 eligible studies comprising 5279 cancer patients treated with ICIs were included in the analysis. The pooled analysis showed there is positive association between high BMI and improved OS and PFS among patients with ICIs treatment (OS: HR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.55–0.71, P < 0.0001; I2 = 26.3%, P = 0.202); PFS: HR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.61–0.83, P < 0.0001; I2 = 0%, P = 0.591). There is no significant difference between the incidence of all grade IRAEs between obese, overweight patients and normal patients (Overweight vs Normal: pooled RR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.76– 2.18, P = 0.356; Obese vs Normal: pooled RR = 1.36, 95% CI 0.85– 2.17, P = 0.207).

Conclusion
An improved OS and PFS were observed in patients with high BMI after receiving ICIs treatment compared with patients of low BMI. No significant association between BMI and incidence of IRAEs was found in cancer patients after ICIs treatment.
CX3CR1-microglia mediates neuroinflammation and blood pressure regulation in the nucleus tractus solitarii of fructose-induced hypertensive rats
Authors: Ho Chiu-Yi , Lin Yu-Te , Chen Hsin-Hung , Ho Wen-Yu , Sun Gwo-Ching , Hsiao Michael , Lu Pei-Jung , Cheng Pei-Wen , Tseng Ching-Jiunn 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Inflammation is a common pathophysiological trait found in both hypertension and cardiac vascular disease. Recent evidence indicates that fractalkine (FKN) and its receptor CX3CR1 have been linked to inflammatory response in the brain of hypertensive animal models. Here, we investigated the role of CX3CR1-microglia in nitric oxide (NO) generation during chronic inflammation and systemic blood pressure recovery in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS).

Methods
The hypertensive rat model was used to study the role of CX3CR1-microglia in NTS inflammation following hypertension induction by oral administration of 10% fructose water. The systolic blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff method of non-invasive blood pressure. The CX3CR1 inhibitor AZD8797 was administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) in the fructose-induced hypertensive rat. Using immunoblotting, we studied the nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway, NO concentration, and the levels of FKN and CX3CR1, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were analyzed by immunohistochemistry staining.

Results
The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, FKN, and CX3CR1 were elevated two weeks after fructose feeding. AZD8797 inhibited CX3CR1-microglia, which improved the regulation of systemic blood pressure and NO generation in the NTS. We also found that IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were recovered by AZD8797 addition.

Conclusion
We conclude that CX3CR1-microglia represses the nNOS signaling pathway and promotes chronic inflammation in fructose-induced hypertension. Collectively, our results reveal the role of chemokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in NTS neuroinflammation with the involvement of FKN and CX3CR1.
A phase 1 trial of the safety, tolerability and biological effects of intravenous Enadenotucirev, a novel oncolytic virus, in combination with chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (CEDAR)
Authors: O’Cathail Séan M. , Davis Steven , Holmes Jane , Brown Richard , Fisher Kerry , Seymour Leonard , Adams Richard , Good James , Sebag-Montefiore David , Maughan Tim , Hawkins Maria A. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Chemoradiotherapy remains the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. Efforts to intensify treatment and increase response rates have yet to yield practice changing results due to increased toxicity and/or absence of increased radiosensitization. Enadenotucirev (EnAd) is a tumour selective, oncolytic adenovirus which can be given intravenously. Pre-clinical evidence of synergy with radiation warrants further clinical testing and assessment of safety with radiation.

Methods
Eligibility include histology confirmed locally advanced rectal cancer that require chemoradiation. The trial will use a Time-to-Event Continual Reassessment Model-based (TiTE-CRM) approach using toxicity and efficacy as co-primary endpoints to recommend the optimal dose and treatment schedule 30 patients will be recruited. Secondary endpoints include pathological complete response the neoadjuvant rectal score. A translational program will be based on a mandatory biopsy during the second week of treatment for ‘proof-of-concept’ and exploration of mechanism. The trial opened to recruitment in July 2019, at an expected rate of 1 per month for up to 4 years.

Discussion
Chemoradiation with Enadenotucirev as a radiosensitiser in locally Advanced Rectal cancer (CEDAR) is a prospective multicentre study testing a new paradigm in radiosensitization in rectal cancer. The unique ability of EnAd to selectively infect tumour cells following intravenous delivery is an exciting opportunity with a clear translational goal. The novel statistical design will make efficient use of both toxicity and efficacy data to inform subsequent studies.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT03916510. Registered 16th April 2019.
Strongly $(\eta ,\omega )$-convex functions with nonnegative modulus
Authors: Tameru Ana M. , Nwaeze Eze R. , Kermausuor Seth 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe introduce a new class of functions called strongly $(\eta,\omega)$(η,ω)-convex functions. This class of functions generalizes some recently introduced notions of convexity, namely, the η-convex functions and strongly η-convex functions. We also establish inequalities of the Hermite–Hadamard–Fejér’s type, which generalize results of Delavar and Dragomir (Math. Inequal. Appl. 20(1):203–216, 2017) and Awan et al. (Filomat 31(18):5783–5790, 2017). In addition, we obtain some new results for this class of functions. Finally, we apply our results to the k-Riemann–Liouville fractional integral operators to obtain more results in this direction.
Optimal harvesting of an abstract population model with interval biological parameters
Authors: Huang Lirong , Cai Donghan , Liu Weiyi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe study the optimal harvesting policy for fishery in the marine protected and unreserved areas. In the literature, it is generally assumed that the fish population follows a concrete growth law. In contrast, we consider an abstract model with migration from the reserved area to the unreserved one. Then we examine and analyze the existence and stability of a nontrivial equilibrium point of the model. We also discuss the bionomic equilibrium. After that, we use the Pontryagin maximum principle to obtain the optimal harvest policy, where, instead of the well-known Hamiltonian function, we use the current Hamiltonian function to ease the calculation. Finally, we give some numerical examples to further illustrate our statements, where we also find that in practice the impreciseness of the parameters can influence the existence of the system positive equilibrium.
Cut Bogner-Fox-Schmit elements for plates
Authors: Burman Erik , Hansbo Peter , Larson Mats G. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe present and analyze a method for thin plates based on cut Bogner-Fox-Schmit elements, which are$$C^1$$C1elements obtained by taking tensor products of Hermite splines. The formulation is based on Nitsche’s method for weak enforcement of essential boundary conditions together with addition of certain stabilization terms that enable us to establish coercivity and stability of the resulting system of linear equations. We also take geometric approximation of the boundary into account and we focus our presentation on the simply supported boundary conditions which is the most sensitive case for geometric approximation of the boundary.