bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of mortality risk factors in diabetic foot infections
Authors: Sen Pinar , Demirdal Tuna 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIdentifying risk factors for mortality is crucial in the management of diabetic foot syndrome. We aimed to evaluate risk factors for mortality in patients with diabetic foot infection (DFI). A retrospective chart review was conducted on 401 patients from 2010 through 2019. Our primary endpoint was in‐hospital mortality. Patients were divided into two groups according to the outcome (survival or death). Clinical data were compared between the two groups statistically. A total of 401 patients were enrolled in the study, 280 (69.8%) of them were male and the mean age was 59.6 ± 11.1 years. The mean follow‐up period was 23.7 ± 22.9 months. In‐hospital mortality rate was 3%. Univariate analysis indicated that ischaemic wound (P = .023), hindfoot infection (P = .038), whole foot infection (P = .010), peripheral arterial disease (P = .024), high leucocyte levels (>12 040 K/μL) (P = .001), high thrombocyte levels (>378 000 K/μL) (P < 0.001), high C‐reactive protein levels (>8.81 mg/dL) (P = .022), and polymicrobial growth in deep tissue culture (P = .041) were significant parameters in predicting mortality. In multivariate analysis, peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio [OR]: 13.430, 95% confidence interval [Cl]: 1.129‐59.692; P = .040), high thrombocyte levels (OR: 1.000, 95% Cl: 1.000‐1.000; P = .022), and polymicrobial growth in deep tissue culture (OR: 7.790, 95% Cl: 1.592‐38.118; P = .011) were independent risk factors for mortality. In conclusion, peripheral arterial disease, high thrombocyte levels, and polymicrobial growth in deep tissue culture were independent risk factors for mortality in DFI.
Mechanically robust ZrO2 foams with 3D reticular architecture prepared from chemical‐modified ZrO2 powder
Authors: Liu Jingjing , Ren Bo , Lu Yuju , Rong Yedong , Wang Chao , Wang Lu , Yang Jinlong , Huang Yong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEngineering mechanically robust ZrO2 foams with three‐dimensional (3D) reticular architecture and high porosity is extremely challenging. In current work, we presented an approach for constructing such cellular ceramics via a combined polyurethane foaming and chemical grafting method. Ester functional groups were chemically grafted on the ZrO2 powder surface to enhance its dispersibility. This approach caused the micron‐sized windows to assemble onto the cell wall of porous framework, contributing to 3D interconnected reticular architecture. The resulting products with such cellular architecture possessed a high porosity level of 89.2% and maintained an ultrahigh compressive strength of 8.5 MPa. Our results open up new opportunities for fabricating high‐performance ZrO2 foams toward practical applications.
Modelling the distribution of Amazonian tree species in response to long‐term climate change during the Mid‐Late Holocene
Authors: Gomes Vitor H. F. , Mayle Francis E. , Gosling William D. , Vieira Ima C. G. , Salomão Rafael P. , ter Steege Hans 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimTo (a) assess the environmental suitability for rainforest tree species of Moraceae and Urticaceae across Amazonia during the Mid‐Late Holocene and (b) determine the extent to which their distributions increased in response to long‐term climate change over this period.LocationAmazonia.TaxonTree species of Moraceae and Urticaceae.MethodsWe used MaxEnt and inverse distance weighting interpolation to produce environmental suitability and relative abundance models at 0.5‐degree resolution for tree species of Moraceae and Urticaceae, based on natural history collections and a large plot dataset. To test the response of the Amazon rainforest to long‐term climate change, we quantified the increase in environmental suitability and modelled species richness for both families since the Mid‐Holocene (past 6,000 years). To test the correlation between the relative abundance of these species in modern vegetation versus modern pollen assemblages, we analysed the surface pollen spectra from 46 previously published paleoecological sites.ResultsWe found that the mean environmental suitability in Amazonia for species of Moraceae and Urticaceae showed a slight increase (6.5%) over the past 6,000 years, although southern ecotonal Amazonia and the Guiana Shield showed much higher increases (up to 68%). The accompanied modelled mean species richness increased by as much as 120% throughout Amazonia. The mean relative abundance of Moraceae and Urticaceae correlated significantly with the modern pollen assemblages for these families.Main ConclusionsIncreasing precipitation between the Mid‐ and Late Holocene expanded suitable environmental conditions for Amazonian humid rainforest tree species of Moraceae and Urticaceae, leading to rainforest expansion in ecotonal areas of Amazonia, consistent with previously published fossil pollen data.
Epidemiology and outcomes of gastroschisis in Tasmania
Authors: Hariharan Gopakumar , Jones Niall , Ee Michael , De Paoli Antonio 
Published: March 2020

AimTo describe the epidemiology and outcomes of gastroschisis in Tasmania.MethodsA retrospective analysis of all pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis in Tasmania from 1996 to 2015 was undertaken (epidemiology cohort), and the presentation, surgical management and outcomes (surgery cohort) were reviewed for the period between September 1990 and July 2015.ResultsGastroschisis was detected in 58 pregnancies during the 20‐year epidemiology cohort period, giving an incidence of 4.4 per 10 000 live births for the 20‐year period. Two of the four stillbirths occurred after 36 weeks' gestation. Of the 65 babies with gastroschisis treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital, 51 had a staged surgical repair (silo in 47, stoma formation in 4), and 14 had a primary closure. Staged repair was associated with a significantly longer duration of ventilation and stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. There were six post‐natal deaths, all born in the first epoch. Death was significantly associated with the condition of the intestine at delivery (P = 0.02). There were no deaths in babies with simple gastroschisis. Complex gastroschisis was significantly associated with longer duration of total parenteral nutrition (P = 0.0002) and longer stay in hospital (P = 0.03).ConclusionsThe incidence of gastroschisis in Tasmania is similar to that reported in other Australian regions and has not increased over the 20‐year period of study. The high risk of stillbirth, and the significant association between mortality and the condition of the intestine at birth necessitates close fetal surveillance. Complex gastroschisis imposes a significant burden on hospital resources.
Twelve previously healthy non‐geriatric dogs present for acute kidney injury after general anaesthesia for non‐emergency surgical procedures in the UK
Authors: Rogers‐Smith E. , Hammerton R. , Mathis A. , Allison A. , Clark L. 
Published: March 2020

ObjectivesTo characterise common factors after a suspected increase in the incidence of post‐procedure acute kidney injury in healthy dogs presenting for non‐emergency surgical procedures.Materials and MethodsRetrospective analysis of the medical records of 12 dogs that presented for acute kidney injury after general anaesthesia for non‐emergency surgical procedures.ResultsThe 12 non‐geriatric dogs re‐presented with acute kidney injury at a median of 4 days after surgery to four different veterinary centres, including three multidisciplinary referral practices in the UK. All dogs in this case series weighed more than 20 kg and had a median age of 17 months. There was no apparent association with breed, type of surgery, duration of anaesthesia, perioperative drug choice or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug administration.Clinical SignificanceAlthough well‐defined in human medicine, there is very little information regarding the association between general anaesthesia and acute kidney injury in animals. No definitive causal link was found in this case series. Clinicians with similar cases are requested to contact the corresponding author so a more representative incidence rate can be obtained.
Next‐generation sequencing of the intrahepatic antibody repertoire delineates a unique B‐cell response in HBV‐associated acute liver failure
Authors: Chen Zhaochun , Shen Chen‐Hsiang , Engle Ronald E. , Zamboni Fausto , Kwong Peter D. , Purcell Robert H. , Farci Patrizia 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of acute liver failure (ALF) worldwide. While liver damage in classic acute hepatitis B is believed to be T‐cell mediated, the pathogenesis of HBV‐associated ALF remains largely unknown. Access to liver specimens from well‐characterized patients with HBV‐associated ALF provided us with the opportunity to perform next‐generation sequencing (NGS) of the entire VH repertoires of IgM and IgG from the livers of four ALF patients, a control liver donor and a patient with chronic HBV infection. We found that ALF is not associated with expansion of specific B‐cell lineages. However, NGS showed that the intrahepatic VH repertoires from ALF patients were characterized by the abundant presence of antibodies in germline configuration in contrast to their marginal prevalence in controls. Moreover, NGS identified a large number of VH genes in germline configuration with identical VDJ sequences in the IgM and IgG repertoires in all four ALF patients, indicating that isotype switch from IgM to IgG had occurred without somatic hypermutation. The results of this study indicate that the presence of intrahepatic antibodies in unmutated germline configuration is a broad phenomenon in the global antibody repertoire generated from total RNA derived from whole‐liver tissue that is strongly associated with ALF, suggesting a major role of T cell–independent humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of ALF.
Structural variability and its relation to edaphic attributes of mangroves in the south‐west coast of India
Authors: Sreelekshmi Suseela , Joseph Philomina , Varghese Rani , Preethy Chakkalakkal M. , Bijoy Nandan Sivasankaran 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe estimated the tree structural variables (density, frequency and basal area) of true mangroves and soil variables like particle size distribution, carbon, available nitrogen and phosphorus, sulphur, nutrient cations (K, Na, Ca, Mg) of Cochin mangroves and examined the relationship between vegetation and environment. The study sites were classified as seaward fringe, riverine and interior. Of the thirteen true mangrove species present, Avicennia officinalis, Sonneratia caseolaris and Excoecaria agallocha showed higher Importance Value Index. The mean stem density varied from 80 to 25,000 no./ha and basal area from 0.1 to 39.68 m2/ha. Seaward mangroves showed maximum stand basal area and biomass production while riverine exhibited maximum density. Maturity Index value of Cochin mangroves revealed a very low degree of structural maturity. Interior mangroves were characterized by silty soil with higher nutrient concentrations. Principal component analysis of soil data revealed that the major factors influencing mangrove vegetation were soil texture, nutrients, salinity and oxidation–reduction potential. The stem density and basal area of different species correlated highly with soil nutrients and texture (p < .001) while salinity showed negative correlations with vegetation characteristics. The data generated in the study would be fundamental in site‐specific management and conservation efforts of these degrading mangroves.
Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013 and the erosion of democracy
Authors: McLeay Colin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Act 2013 (HASHAA) was passed under urgency to deal with housing affordability and land supply challenges across New Zealand. Representing a particular response at a particular point in time, the HASHAA was introduced under urgency and included provisions that allowed the Crown to override (housing) decisions of local authorities. Using post‐political theory in the analysis of evidence collected from transcripts from New Zealand Parliamentary Debates (Hansard), this paper exposes how processes and provisions of the HASHAA were an erosion of democracy.
Short‐term outcomes associated with inpatient ventricular tachycardia catheter ablation
Authors: Sharma Purnima , Tripathi Byomesh , Naraparaju Vamsidhar , Patel Mayur , Bhagat Abhishek , Yerasi Charan , Kumar Varun , Aujla Parvir , Singh Gagandeep , Lahewala Sopan , Arora Shilpkumar , Deshmukh Abhishek , Tolat Aneesh 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundUtilization of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) has steadily increased in recent years. Exploring short‐term outcomes is vital in health care planning and resource allocation.MethodsThe Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2014 was queried using the ICD‐9 codes for VT (427.1) and catheter ablation (37.34) to identify study population. Incidence, causes of 30‐day readmission, in‐hospital complications as well as predictors of 30‐day readmissions, complications, and cost of care were analyzed.ResultsAmong 11 725 patients who survived to discharge after index admission for VT ablation, 1911 (16.3%) were readmitted within 30 days. Paroxysmal VT was the most common cause of 30‐day readmission (39.51%). Dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), previous CABG, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic pulmonary disease, and anemia predicted increased risk of 30‐day readmissions. The overall in‐hospital complication rate was 8.2% with vascular and cardiac complications being the most common. Co‐existing CKD and CHF and the need for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) predicted higher complication rates. Similarly increasing age, CKD, CHF, anemia, in‐hospital use of MCS or left heart catheterization, teaching hospital, and disposition to nursing facilities predicted higher cost.ConclusionApproximately one in six patients was readmitted after VT ablation, with paroxysmal VT being the most common cause of the readmission. A complication rate of 8.2% was noted. We also identified a predictive model for increased risk of readmission, complication, and factors influencing the cost of care that can be utilized to improve the outcomes related to VT ablation.
Teen pregnancy in Chicago: Who is at risk?
Authors: Cygan Heide R. , McNaughton Diane , Reising Virginia , Fogg Louis , Marshall Booker , Simon Jeremiah 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundTeenage pregnancy, with its associated health and social consequences for young people and society as a whole, is one of the nation's most important public health issues. The purpose of this study was to use Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data describe self‐reported, pregnancy experiences in 9–12th grade Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students and identify teens at highest risk based on gender, grade‐level, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.MethodsSecondary data analysis of the 2017 CPS high school Youth Risk Behavior Survey was conducted.ResultsThe survey response rate was 73% (n = 1,883). 4.9% (n = 91) of CPS students in grades 9 – 12 reported a pregnancy experience, and 1.9% (n = 34) reported being “unsure” of a pregnancy experience. Statistically significant differences in the likelihood of self‐reporting a pregnancy experience were found based on grade level (p = .000), race (p = .023), and sexual orientation (p = .000).ConclusionWhile risk for a teen pregnancy experience varies across all groups, public health nurses can use YRBS data to better understand pregnancy risk in the populations they serve and can leverage core competencies, and robust community relationships to adapt, implement and evaluate evidence‐based teen pregnancy prevention programs for maximum impact on teens at greatest risk.
Shortcut Method for Pipe Expansion Loop Sizing
Authors: Jaćimović Nikola , Ivošević Miloš 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
In the engineering practice, it is often necessary to define supporting scheme and expansion loop requirements for piping distribution systems in very early phases of a project. While placing pipe supports is a relatively easy and straightforward task, providing accurate loop locations and dimensions for hot piping systems can often be challenging. In the early phases of any project, it is impractical, costly and time consuming to perform detailed stress analysis of a piping system to provide expansion loop dimensions, and therefore approximate methods are often used. Comprehensive overview of these existing procedures most commonly used in the engineering practice is given in this article. However, the fact is that most of the existing methods are based on the inconvenient charts and tables with scarce background data. Procedure proposed in this article is based on over 150 expansion loop models and provides a simple and accurate analytical method to size and verify piping loops. Two fully worked examples show the simplicity and accuracy of the proposed model and its advantages over the methods typically used in the engineering practice.
Putative Horizontally Acquired Genes, Highly Transcribed duringYersinia pestisFlea Infection, Are Induced by Hyperosmotic Stress and Function in Aromatic Amino Acid Metabolism
Authors: Martínez-Chavarría Luary C. , Sagawa Janelle , Irons Jessica , Hinz Angela K. , Lemon Athena , Graça Telmo , Downs Diana M. , Vadyvaloo Viveka 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTWhile alternating between insects and mammals during its life cycle,Yersinia pestis, the flea-transmitted bacterium that causes plague, regulates its gene expression appropriately to adapt to these two physiologically disparate host environments. In fleas competent to transmitY. pestis, low-GC-content genesy3555,y3551,andy3550are highly transcribed, suggesting that these genes have a highly prioritized role in flea infection. Here, we demonstrate thaty3555,y3551,andy3550are transcribed as part of a single polycistronic mRNA comprising they3555, y3554, y3553,y355x, y3551, andy3550genes. Additionally,y355x-y3551-y3550compose another operon, whiley3550can be also transcribed as a monocistronic mRNA. The expression of these genes is induced by hyperosmotic salinity stress, which serves as an explicit environmental stimulus that initiates transcriptional activity from the predictedy3550promoter. Y3555 has homology to pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent aromatic aminotransferases, while Y3550 and Y3551 are homologous to the Rid protein superfamily (YjgF/YER057c/UK114) members that forestall damage caused by reactive intermediates formed during PLP-dependent enzymatic activity. We demonstrate thaty3551specifically encodes an archetypal RidA protein with 2-aminoacrylate deaminase activity but Y3550 lacks Rid deaminase function. Heterologous expression ofy3555generates a critical aspartate requirement in aSalmonella entericaaspCmutant, while itsin vitroexpression, and specifically its heterologous coexpression withy3550,enhances the growth rate of anEscherichia coliΔaspCΔtyrBmutant in a defined minimal amino acid-supplemented medium. Our data suggest that they3555, y3551, andy3550genes operate cooperatively to optimize aromatic amino acid metabolism and are induced under conditions of hyperosmotic salinity stress.IMPORTANCEDistinct gene repertoires are expressed duringY. pestisinfection of its flea and mammalian hosts. The functions of many of these genes remain predicted or unknown, necessitating their characterization, as this may provide a better understanding ofY. pestisspecialized biological adaptations to the discrete environments of its two hosts. This study provides functional context to adjacently clustered horizontally acquired genes predominantly expressed in the flea host by deciphering their fundamental processes with regard to (i) transcriptional organization, (ii) transcription activation signals, and (iii) biochemical function. Our data support a role for these genes in osmoadaptation and aromatic amino acid metabolism, highlighting these as preferential processes by whichY. pestisgene expression is modulated during flea infection.
Antiretroviral drug class and anaemia risk in the current treatment era among people living with HIV in the USA: a clinical cohort study
Authors: Harding Barbara N , Whitney Bridget M , Nance Robin M , Crane Heidi M , Burkholder Greer , Moore Richard D , Mathews W Christopher , Eron Joseph J , Hunt Peter W , Volberding Paul , Rodriguez Benigno , Mayer Kenneth , Saag Michael S , Kitahata Mari M , Heckbert Susan R , Delaney Joseph A C 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveAnaemia is common among people living with HIV (PLWH) and has been associated with certain, often older, antiretroviral medications. Information on current antiretroviral therapy (ART) and anaemia is limited. The objective was to compare the associations between anaemia incidence or haemoglobin change with core ART classes in the current ART era.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingUSA-based prospective clinical cohort of PLWH aged 18 and above receiving care at eight sites between January 2010 and March 2018.Participants16 505 PLWH were included in this study.Main outcome measuresAnaemia risk and haemoglobin change were estimated among PLWH for person-time on a protease inhibitor (PI) or an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimen, relative to a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based reference. We also examined PLWH on regimens containing multiple core classes. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to measure the associations between time-updated ART classes and incident anaemia or severe anaemia. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the relationships between ART classes and haemoglobin change.ResultsDuring a median of 4.9 years of follow-up, 1040 developed anaemia and 488 developed severe anaemia. Compared with NNRTI use, INSTI-based regimens were associated with an increased risk of anaemia (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.58) and severe anaemia (aHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.11) and a decrease in haemoglobin level. Time on multiple core classes was also associated with increased anaemia risk (aHR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.70), while no associations were found for PI use.ConclusionThese findings suggest INSTI use may increase the risk of anaemia. If confirmed, screening for anaemia development in users of INSTIs may be beneficial. Further research into the underlying mechanisms is warranted.
Short-term associations between ambient air pollution and stroke hospitalisations: time-series study in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Guo Yanfang , Xie Xiufang , Lei Lin , Zhou Haibin , Deng Shizhou , Xu Ying , Liu Zheng , Bao Junzhe , Peng Ji , Huang Cunrui 
Published: March 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between ambient air pollution and stroke morbidity in different subgroups and seasons.MethodsWe performed a time-series analysis based on generalised linear models to study the short-term exposure–response relationships between air pollution and stroke hospitalisations, and conducted subgroup analyses to identify possible sensitive populations.ResultsFor every 10 µg/m3increase in the concentration of air pollutants, across lag 0–3 days, the relative risk of stroke hospitalisation was 1.029 (95% CI 1.013 to 1.045) for PM2.5, 1.054 (95% CI 1.031 to 1.077) for NO2and 1.012 (95% CI 1.002 to 1.022) for O3. Subgroup analyses showed that statistically significant associations were found in both men and women, middle-aged and older populations, and both cerebral infarction and intracerebral haemorrhage. The seasonal analyses showed that statistically significant associations were found only in the winter.ConclusionsOur study indicates that short-term exposure to PM2.5, NO2and O3may induce stroke morbidity, and the government should take actions to mitigate air pollution and protect sensitive populations.