bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Clinical Characteristics Among Different Age Group of Adult COVID-19 Patients
Authors: peng yating , Zhou Aiyuan , Liao Xin , Deng Dingding , Huang Peng , Liu Wenlong , Jiang Mingyan , Xiang Xudong , Shuang Qingcui , Cai Shan , Chen Ping , Liao Xucai 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global infectious disease with a large burden of illness and high healthcare costs.Objectives: This study aimed to compare clinical features among adult COVID-19 patients in different age groups.Methods: Laboratory-confirmed adult COVID-19 infection cases between Dec 31, 2019 to March 8, 2020 obtained from Neighboring Cities. Patients were divided into five age groups: age༜30, 30–40, 40–50, 50–65, ≥ 65 y (elderly). Age, sex, history of chronic disease and epidemiology, symptoms, laboratory tests, and outcomes were compared among different age groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate associated factors for severe or critical type.Results: We studied 299 cases. Median (IQR) age was 44 (34,54) and 158 (53%) were male. Percent of bilateral involvement on chest radiographs was increased significantly with older age (p = 0.005). 53.3% of 30–40 years, 50% of 40–50 years, 36.6% of ༜30 years and 36.2% of 50–60 years were imported case, none of the elderly were imported case. Among all the observed symptoms, only symptom of dyspnea was significantly different between the elderly group and other groups (p < 0.001). Proportion of severe or critical type was 2.4%, 5.3%, 9.5%, 14.5%, and 35% in patients with age༜30, 30–40, 40–50, 50–65, ≥ 65 (p < 0.001), respectively. At this point, ICU admission rate, ARDS and shock rate and on medical treatment rate was increased especially in patients ≥ 65 years. 285 patients (95.3%) were cured and discharged, 12 patients (4.0%) were still on medical treatment in hospital. There were 2 (0.67%) deaths; these occurred among persons ≥ 65 y (p < 0.001). Old age, high HR on admission, high respiratory rate on admission, and history of chronic heart disease were independently associated with severe or critical .Conclusions: Proportion of severe or critical type increased with old age groups. Adults with old age and high HR, R rate in admission and history of chronic heart disease were associated with severe or critical type in COVID-19.
Risk of Frailty Prediction Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Authors: Kulal Nisha , K Vaishali , N Girish 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Frailty is a state of the decreased physiological reserve, inability to maintain homeostasis manifested by weakness, weight loss, reduced gait speed, exhaustion, and increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. It is commonly associated with aging and is considered as a predictor of hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality, thereby increasing the economic burden on the nation. Early identification of people who are at risk for frailty is vital in prevention and minimizing its socio-economic consequences. Objective: To develop a prediction model for the risk of frailty among institutionalized older adults. Methods: This study adopted a case-control design, wherein older adults categorized into frail and non-frail, using Fried's criteria were considered as cases and controls respectively. Individuals above 55 years of age, who could follow instructions; without severe motor and cognitive impairment and severe terminal illness were recruited from nine conveniently selected institutions for older adults. Socio-demographic details like age, gender, BMI, marital status and duration of institutionalization; lifestyle and behavioral factors like comorbidities, history of fall, smoking, alcohol consumption status, economic dependability, depression and cognition and; physical performance factors like physical activity, functional mobility, gait speed, and grip strength were evaluated. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify the odds ratio between the independent variables and frailty and to develop a prediction model. Results: Hundred elderly were recruited and analyzed from nine different institutions. Among the fourteen identified independent variables female gender (OR=1.038), cognition (OR=1.477), smoking (OR=1.907), vegetarian diet (OR=0.016), presence of more than 3 co-morbidities (OR=8.840), gait speed (OR=0.000) and grip strength (OR=0.575) showed a statistically significant odds ratio (r 2 = 0.883) and were used for developing a prediction model for risk of frailty. Conclusion: Risk factors for frailty among institutionalized older adults have been identified and a prediction model for risk frailty has been developed. This model could be used for the early identification of frailty during community-level screening programs.
Cardiovascular and Quality of Life Outcomes of a 3-Month Physical Exercise Program in Two Brazilian Communities
Authors: Lima Marcelo Pereira de , Conopca Severo , Miyabara Renata , Romeiro Geovanna , Campos Luciana Aparecida , Baltatu Ovidiu Constantin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BackgroundA decline in physical activity levels in older people is related with worsening of quality of life and a lower cardiorespiratory fitness level, which are associated with cardiovascular disease events and mortality from all causes. Evidence supports the potential impact of community-based physical exercise programs (CEXE) on cardiovascular health and quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and cardiovascular risk factors of a CEXE in two communities in Brazil.MethodsAdults with an average age of 70.2 ± 5.4 years were recruited to take part in an individually designed group based CEXE program 2–3 times/ week (aerobic exercise, circuit resistance training and stretching exercises for 1 h each time). Once a week were held competitions to develop the socialization and the ability to collaborate among group members. A CEXE group was compared with a sedentary group. Cardiovascular outcomes were blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, body mass index, waist circumference, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, and glycaemia. HRQoL was evaluated with the Short Form-36 (SF-36).ResultsOf the investigated cardiovascular outcome measures, significantly decreased by the CEXE program were systolic BP (5.7 [95%CI 0.2 to 11.3], p < 0.05), and the triglyceride-HDL-C ratio (0.8 [95%CI 0.05 to 1.5], p < 0.05), while HDL-C was significantly increased (4.4 [95%CI 0.02 to 8.8], p < 0.05). A significant improvement in the SF-36 subscales occurred in CEXE but not in the control group: physical functioning score (increase of 24.2 [95%CI 11.8 to 36.5] vs. -9.2 [95%CI -21.5 to 3.2], p < 0.001), physical role functioning score (increase of 35.4 [95%CI 12.8 to 58.0] vs. 16.7 [95%CI -6.0 to 39.3], p < 0.01) and general health score (increase of 23.7 [95%CI 36.9 to 10.4] vs. 2.4 [95%CI -10.9 to 15.7], p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study shows that a 12-week physical exercise program may significantly improve cardiovascular risk and health-related quality of life measures in older people. An important socio-cultural transferable strategy of our physical exercise program was to develop social activities during and outside the CEXE program.# These authors contributed equally to this study
Associations between adipocytokines and severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in well-controlled type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Authors: Lai Yun-Ru , Chiu Wen-Chan , Cheng Ben-Chung , Chen Jung-Fu , Tsai Nai-Wen , Huang Chih-Cheng , Lu Cheng-Hsien 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

It is thought that adipocytokines contribute to autonomic dysfunction and cardiovascular risks in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T1DM and T2DM, respectively). We aimed to identify adipocytokines that are associated with the severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with well-controlled T2DM and prediabetes.
Methods

The complete cardiovascular autonomic function and biomarkers were assessed for each patient. The severity of CAN was assessed using both the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS) and the cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs) score. Biomarkers included adipocytokines (leptin, chemerin, adiponectin, and vaspin), oxidative stress (thiols and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance [TBARS]), endothelial dysfunction (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1), and insulin resistance (triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] ratio and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] index).
Results

A total of 107 patients were included in this study: 90 with diabetes and 17 with prediabetes. Stepwise logistic regression showed that diabetes duration and leptin level were independently associated with the presence of CAN. Leptin level was positively correlated with body mass index (r = 0.588, P < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.504, P < 0.0001), urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (r = 0.351, P = 0.001), hs-CRP (r = 0.291, P = 0.006), TBARS (r = 0.259, P = 0.008), triglyceride/HDL-C ratio (r = 0.346, P < 0.0001), and HOMA-IR index (r = 0.304, P = 0.008) but negatively correlated with thiols (r=-0.25, P = 0.011) level. The leptin level was strongly associated with the CASS (r = 0.36, P < 0.0001) and CARTs (r = 0.356, P < 0.0001) scores. Stepwise linear regression analysis also showed that the leptin level was significantly associated with the CASS and CARTs scores, respectively.
Conclusions

As the leptin level is considered a prognostic factor in CAN, a longitudinal study is needed to confirm the association between a decrease in obesity and reduced leptin levels and CAN progression.
Taming of the wild: a new method for cross study RNA-seq analysis
Authors: Lobo Diana , Godinho Raquel , Archer John 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

In the last decades, the evolution of RNA-Seq has yielded archived datasets that possess the potential for providing unprecedented inter-study insight into transcriptome evolution, once background noise has been reduced. Here we present a method to quantify intra-condition variation and to remove reference-based transcripts associated with highly variable read counts, prior to differential expression analysis. The method utilizes variation within pairwise distances between normalized read counts for each transcript across all included samples of a given condition. As a case study, we demonstrate our approach at an inter and intra-study level using RNA-seq data from brain samples of dogs, wolves, and two strains of fox (aggressive and tame) prior to performing differential expression analysis to identify common genes associated with tame behaviour.
Results

By applying our method, the distribution of the gene-wise dispersion estimates improved and the number of outliers detected in differential expression analysis decreased. Several genes that initially were differentially expressed in the non-filtered datasets were removed due to high intra-condition variation. Additionally, by optimizing the detection of differentially expressed transcripts, the overall number increased between dogs vs wolves and tame vs aggressive foxes when compared to the non-filtered datasets. Using these filtered sets, we found common over expressed genes in dogs and tame foxes, including those involved in brain development, neurotransmission and immunity, factors known to be involved in domestication.
Conclusions

We presented a method to quantify and remove intra-condition variation from RNA-seq count data and demonstrate its usage in improving the distribution of gene-wise dispersion estimates and ultimately, reduce the number of false positives in differential gene expression analysis. We provide the method as a freely available tool, to aid studies using RNA-seq to calculate and characterize the variation present within data prior to perform differential expression analysis. Additionally, we identify candidate genes involved with selection for tameness, which seems to have played a crucial role in the canine domestication.
Clinical Profiles and Prediction of Treatment Failure in Patients with Tuberculosis
Authors: Koo Hyeon-Kyoung , Min Jinsoo , Kim Hyung Woo , Lee Joosun , Kim Ju Sang , Park Jae Seuk , Lee Sung-Soon 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background To improve the treatment outcomes for tuberculosis (TB) efforts to reduce treatment failure are necessary. The aim of our study was to describe the characteristics of subjects who had failed treatment of tuberculosis and identify the risk factors for treatment failure and poor compliance using national data.Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed for tuberculosis subjects whose final outcome was reported as treatment failure during 2015–2017. The same number of subjects with treatment success during the same study period were randomly selected for comparison. Demographics, microbiological, radiographic, and clinical data were collected based on in-depth interviews by TB nurse specialists at all Public Private Mix (PPM) participating hospitals in South Korea.Results A total of 52 tuberculosis patients with treatment failure were enrolled. In a multivariable analysis, the presence of diabetes, previous history of tuberculosis, and cavity were identified as risk factors for treatment failure; and Medicaid support was a favorable factor for treatment success (area under the curve (AUC): 0.76). Age, diabetes, pre-existing lung disease, positive sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear result, and presence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) were significantly associated with presence of cavity. Younger age, and lower body mass index (BMI) were associated with poor compliance during treatment (AUC: 0.74).Conclusion To reduce treatment failure, careful evaluation for the presence of diabetes, underlying lung disease, cavity, results of sputum AFB smears, and socioeconomic status is needed. To enhance treatment compliance, more attention should be paid to younger patients with lower BMIs during follow-up.
Evaluation of Tissue Perfusion Status in Moderately Preterm Infants
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Yang Guang , Niu Suwen , Zhang Min , Gao Fengyan , Liu Kezhan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The newborn babies require multiple physical of adjustment hemodynamic changes after birth, Perfusion index (PI) c an help to evaluate peripheral tissue perfusion . Objective: T o investigate the tissue perfusion status and circadian rhythm in moderately premature infants.Methods: As a prospective study, it monitored indicators including perfusion index(PI), blood pressure(BP) (systolic BP and diastolic BP ) , pulse rate(PR), respiratory rate(RR), oxygen saturation(SpO 2 ) and body temperature of moderately preterm infants of hemodynamical stability in the morning and night within 8 days after birth from July 2019 to October 2019. Results: The mean PI values of moderately preterm infants within 8 days after birth were(1.1±0.5) on Day 1, (1.1±0.5) on Day 2, (1.3±0.5) on Day 3, (1.3±0.5) on Day 4, (1.4±0.6) on Day 5, (1.4±0.5) on Day 6, (1.5±0.6) on Day 7,and (1.5±0.5) on Day 8. There was no difference of statistical significance between PI values in the morning and night ( P >0.05). PR from Day 6 to 8 after birth were higher than those from Day 1 to 3 ( P <0.05). PR increased significantly on Day 7 and 8 compared with those on Day 4 and 5 ( P <0.05). BP from Day 3 to 8 was significantly higher than that on Day 1 ( P <0.05), and BP from Day 4 to 8 were higher than that on Day 2. There was a weak positive correlation between PI values and gestational age (GA) ( r =0.097), PR( r =0.067) and T ime (day) ( r =0.284) , and a negative correlat ion with SpO 2 ( r =-0.113)(P<0.01). The calculation of PI value under non-standardized regression is represented by the following equation: PI = 2.253 + 0.057 × GA ( week ) +0.062 × Time ( d ay) - 0.03 × SpO 2 (%). Conclusions: PI and PR of moderately preterm infants were growing within 8 days after birth, while BP was relatively lower after birth and gradually increased to a stable level on Day 3 to 4. PI and BP circadian rhythms associated w ith tissue perfusion weren’t established on Day 8 after birth.
Serum changes of PYD, C2C and OC among male brucellosis patients at early period
Authors: Li Qiang , Hu Lansheng , Zhao Zhijun , Ma Li , Li Jiquan , Xu Liqing , Wang Jiming 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Objective

Musculoskeletal changes are the most common clinic manifestation of brucellosis,and these musculoskeletal changes are irreversible, so, it is very important to prevention musculoskeletal changes at early stage of human brucellosis .
Method

This was a case-control study. According to diagnostic criteria of human brucellosis in China(WS269-2007),41 male patients were diagnosed as brucellosis patients at early period (within 6 months) and they were not therapied with drug, 44 \ persons were divided into control group with randomly matching. Venous blood samples were collected from all study subjects, and serum PYD ༌C2C and OC were quantitative measured with method of ELISA. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software. A p value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significance.
Result

The median levels of serum PYD, C2C and OC in the patients group were 278.53 ug/l, 82.23 ug/l, and 8.41ug/l, respectively, while the median levels of serum PYD, C2C and OC in the control group were 210.54 ug/l, 72.74 ug/l and 7.43 ug/l, respectively, there were existing significant differences between patients group and control group (Z = 5.686, 3.997, 3.579, all P = 0.000).
Conclusion

Serum levels of PYD, C2C and OC were increased among male brucellosis patients at early period, which might be the indicator biomarkers for osteoarticular changes of human brucellosis at early stage..
Attenuation of Liver Damage After Partial Liver Resection by Piezo Actuator-driven Pulsed Water Jet System and Faster Recovery of the Liver in a Rat Model: an Experimental Study
Authors: Yokosawa Tomoki , Nakanishi Chikashi , Nakagawa Atsuhiro , Kamiyama Yoshihiro , Yamashita Shinichi , Miyagi Shigehito , Nakano Toru , Abe Takaaki , Tominaga Teiji , Kamei Takashi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Pulsed water jet dissection is an emerging surgical method for achieving maximal resection of a lesion and postoperative function preservation. We aimed to clarify liver damage and long-term results after liver resection using a novel surgical device, piezo actuator-driven pulsed water jet (ADPJ), in a rat model.Methods We categorizedSprague–Dawley rats into four groups and subjected themto sham operation or liver resection using an ADPJ, an ultrasonic aspirator (UA), or a radio knife. At 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56 days postoperatively, we euthanizedfive rats from each group after collecting blood samples and harvested residual livers.We measured serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) concentrations. Morphological characteristics and resection surfaces were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin staining.ResultsOn day 1, serum AST and ALT levels were significantly lower with an ADPJ than with an UA and a radio knife (AST: ADPJ vs. UA, P<0.05, ADPJ vs. radio knife, P<0.01; ALT: ADPJ vs. UA, P<0.05, ADPJ vs. radio knife, P<0.01). GLDH levels on day 1 were significantly lower with an ADPJ than with other devices (ADPJ vs. UA, P<0.05; ADPJ vs. radio knife, P<0.01).Degree of degeneration from the resection surface was mild with an ADPJ. Number of rats in which denaturation completely disappeared was significantly more withan ADPJ than with other devices on day 28 (ADPJ vs. UA, P<0.05; ADPJ vs. radio knife, P<0.01).ConclusionsLiver damage afterliver resection was markedly less with an ADPJ than with an UA or a radio knife. Furthermore, the liver recovered faster after an ADPJ.
Only children or siblings: who has higher physical activity and healthier weight?
Authors: Sigmund Erik , Sigmundová Dagmar 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background

The influence of parents on physical activity (PA) and body weight of their children is confirmed by scientific studies and accepted by the professional community. However, it is not known whether only children or those with siblings have a higher level of PA and healthier body weight. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess whether there are any differences in the daily step counts (SC) and the prevalence of obesity between only children and children with siblings, and whether the achievement of the daily SC recommendation by children/parents and parental obesity influence obesity in children with and without siblings.
Methods

The analysis included 566 families (10.6%/89.4% with single child/two or more children) with complete data of family members on weight status and ambulatory PA monitored with a Yamax pedometer during regular school/work week during spring and autumn between 2013–2019. The cut-point values of the daily SC recommendation amounted to ≥ 13,000/≥11,000 steps/day for 5–12 years old sons/daughters and ≥ 10,000 steps/day for 12–16-year-old adolescents and adults. The Chi-Square (χ2) test series was used to compare the achievement of the daily SC recommendation and the prevalence of normal body weight, overweight and obesity between only children and those with siblings. Logistic regression models (Enter method) were used to investigate whether the achievement of the daily SC recommendation by children/parents and parental obesity were associated with obesity in offspring in single-child families and families with more children.
Results

A significantly higher proportion of children with siblings (p < 0.01) achieved the recommended daily SC (51.8% vs. 31.7%) and showed a lower prevalence of overweight (16.2% vs. 20.0%) and obesity (7.1% vs. 20.0%) compared with only children. The achievement of the daily SC recommendation in children significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the odds ratio (OR) of obesity (OR = 0.22–0.34). Children with siblings had lower odds (OR = 0.41–0.54) of obesity than only children, but significantly (p < 0.05) only in mother-child dyads. Overweight/obesity of mothers significantly increased (p < 0.05) the odds of obesity (OR = 2.07) in their children.
Conclusion

Children from families with siblings have a higher amount of daily PA and healthier body weight than single-child families.
Variants in TLR6 Gene Influence Susceptibility to Tuberculosis in the Chinese Population
Authors: Ding Chao , Wei Lin , Li Qian , Liu Yugang , Duan Liming , Gu Zhenning , Guo Chaolei 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a common chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacteria tuberculosis. Several researches revealed that TLR6 play a crucial roles in the risk of TB.METHODS The association between TLR6 polymorphism and TB risk were evaluated by a case-control study. Total of 510 TB cases and 508 unrelated healthy controls were recruited. Subsequently, the Agena MassARRAY platform was conducted to genotype, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed the relationship between TLR6 variants and TB risk.RESULTS We found that rs6531668 of TLR6 gene was significantly association with TB risk. Stratified analysis confirmed that rs6531668 was significant increased risk of TB in age > 41 years old. Interestingly, the G/C – C/C genotype of rs12642845 was significantly interacted with decreased risk of TB in age > 41 years. In males, rs3775073 G/A genotype and rs12642845 G/C genotype were correlated with decreased the risk of TB. Besides, we also observed that the CTA and TCG haplotypes were decreased TB risk.CONCLUSIONS Our results shown that TLR6 gene variants were related with TB risk among the Chinese population.