bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a cross-sectional prospective single-center study
Authors: Cobra Sandra de Barros , Rodrigues Marcelo Palmeira , de Melo Felipe Xavier , Ferreira Nathali Mireise Costa , Soares Viviane Vieira Passini , Amado Verônica Moreira , Silva César Augusto Melo e 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Pulmonary hypertension worsens the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is associated with chronic respiratory failure in advanced disease. However, little is known about the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension and subsequent right ventricular dysfunction in non-advanced IPF patients without hypoxemia at rest. We evaluated right ventricular dysfunction in non-advanced IPF patients and examined the association of right ventricular dysfunction with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) at rest and during exercise.Methods This cross-sectional study included patients with blood oxygen saturation levels ≥92% at rest, Gender-Age-Physiology Index score ≤5, modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale score ≤3, and no history of oxygen therapy. Patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography at rest and during cardiopulmonary exercise. Ventricular function was analyzed by measuring conventional parameters and right ventricular global longitudinal strain using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Means were compared using t-test for independent samples. Results Abnormal speckle-tracking echocardiography findings were identified in 10/27 patients (37%), indicating right ventricular dysfunction (mean mPAP: 21.6 ± 5.5 mmHg at rest, 42.2 ± 14.1 mmHg during maximal exercise). Significant differences in mPAP were observed between patients with right ventricular dysfunction and those without dysfunction (at rest: 26.0 ± 4.8 vs. 19.1 ± 4.2 mmHg, p = 0.001; during exercise: 51.3 ± 6.4 vs. 36.9 ± 14.7 mmHg, p = 0.002). Right ventricular dysfunction was detected in 37% of non-advanced IPF patients and was associated with increased mPAP at rest and during exercise. Early recognition was only possible using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Conclusions Right ventricular dysfunction was detected in 37% of non-advanced IPF patients and was associated with increased mPAP at rest and during exercise. Special attention should be given to these patients; as right ventricular dysfunction is suggestive of worse prognosis. These patients could benefit from new specific drugs or even oxygen therapy for transitory hypoxia.
Shedding light: A phylotranscriptomic perspective illuminates the origin of photosymbiosis in marine bivalves
Authors: Li Jingchun , Lemer Sarah , Kirkendale Lisa , Bieler Rüdiger , Cavanaugh Colleen , Giribet Gonzalo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background:Photosymbiotic associations between metazoan hosts and photosynthetic dinoflagellates are crucial to the trophic and structural integrity of many marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Although extensive efforts have been devoted to study the short-term ecological interactions between coral hosts and their symbionts, long-term evolutionary dynamics of photosymbiosis in many marine animals are not well understood. Within Bivalvia, the second largest class of mollusks, obligate photosymbiosis is found in two marine lineages: the giant clams (subfamily Tridacninae) and the heart cockles (subfamily Fraginae), both in the family Cardiidae. Morphologically, giant clams show relatively conservative shell forms whereas photosymbiotic fragines exhibit a diverse suite of anatomical adaptations including flattened shells, leafy mantle extensions, and lens-like microstructural structures. To date, the phylogenetic relationships between these two subfamilies remain poorly resolved, and it is unclear whether photosymbiosis in cardiids originated once or twice.Results:In this study, we establish a backbone phylogeny for Cardiidae utilizing RNASeq-based transcriptomic data from Tridacninae, Fraginae, and other cardiids. A variety of phylogenomic approaches were used to infer the relationship between the two groups. Our analyses found conflicting gene signals and potential rapid divergence among the lineages. Overall, results support a sister group relationship between Tridacninae and Fraginae, which diverged during the Cretaceous. Although a sister group relationship is recovered, ancestral state reconstruction using maximum likelihood-based methods reveals two independent origins of photosymbiosis, one at the base of Tridacninae and the other within a symbiotic Fraginae clade.Conclusions:The newly revealed common ancestry between Tridacninae and Fraginae brings a possibility that certain genetic, metabolic, and/or anatomical exadaptation existed in their last common ancestor, which promoted both lineages to independently establish photosymbiosis, possibly in response to the modern expansion of reef habitats.
Efficacy and safety of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction on chronic hepatitis B: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial
Authors: wu qing-juan , Lv Wen-Liang , Li Juan-Mei , Zhang Ting-Ting , Zhou Wen-hui , Zhang Qiang , Wang Jiu-Chong , Wang Qing-Nan , Zhang Ruo-Xuan , Zhao Xin , Chen Si-Tong , Liu Shuang , Li Gao-Hui , Cao Zheng-Min , Xu Lei , Chen Jing 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global public health problem. Antiviral therapy is the primary treatment. Studies shown that combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and conventional antiviral drugs has better efficacy than conventional antiviral for treatment of CHB. YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction (YQSH) is a TCM compound preparation, and has shown its effect on anti-hepatitis B virus and slowing progression of hepatitis B-related liver diseases. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of YQSH combined with entecavir and its preventive effect on hepatitis B cirrhosis, we designed this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, which objective is “the combination of YinQiSanHuang-antiviral decoction with entecavir reduce the annual incidence of liver fibrosis / cirrhosis to 1%”.Methods: This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial, 5 hospitals involved in. Totally 802 patients are randomly allocated to two groups: the YQSH group (n=401) or the placebo group (n=401). The YQSH group receives YQSH with Entecavir, the placebo group receives granule of placebo with Entecavir. Patients receive treatment for 52 weeks, and then are followed up for 52±2 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the annual incidence of cirrhosis. The secondary outcome measures are HBV-DNA negative rate, HBsAg negative rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, liver function (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (TBIL)), spleen thickness, evaluation scores of patients’ clinical symptoms and safety assessment. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after treatment.Discussion: Combination therapy could become a trendy of treatment of CHB, this trial expecting to provide credible clinical evidence for the future combination of TCM and conventional antiviral drugs for the treatment of CHB.Trial registration: ChiCTR1900021521, this protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn) on February 25th, 2019.
Postoperative visits by dedicated anesthesiologists in patients with elevated troponin: a retrospective cohort study evaluating postoperative care utility and early detection of complications
Authors: Akkermans Annemarie , Vernooij Lisette M. , Klei Wilton A. van , Waes Judith A. van 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: An elevated cardiac troponin level after noncardiac surgery is associated with both morbidity and mortality. Guidelines suggest routine troponin monitoring in high-risk patients. We implemented a dedicated anesthesia team to conduct follow-up on patients with postoperative troponin elevation. We hypothesized that these visits would facilitate early detection of complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative visits by dedicated anesthesiologists on early detection of complications and care utility.Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients aged ³60 years with an elevated troponin within the first three days after noncardiac surgery. Troponin elevation was detected by routine biomarker monitoring. The primary outcome was early detected myocardial infarctions by the dedicated anesthesiologist. Other outcomes were overall detected complications, additional diagnostic tests and treatment advised by the anesthesiologist, consultation of another medical specialist, and advised postoperative follow-up at the outpatient cardiac clinic within one week after surgery.Results: Of the 811 patients, 509 (63%) received a postoperative consultation by the anesthesiologist. Anesthesiologists were involved in the early detection of 59% of all myocardial infarctions and in 12% of all complications. Besides cardiac ischemia, patients were also often diagnosed with noncardiac complications, including respiratory failure (8.9%), pneumonia (13.2%) and acute kidney injury (17.5%) within one week after surgery. In 75% of patients, anesthesiologists ordered additional diagnostics, most frequently existing of electrocardiograms and additional cardiac enzyme testing. Additionally, change in treatment was advised, most often a medication change, in 16% of patients. Conclusions: Standard consultation of a dedicated anesthesiologist resulted in an early detection of 59% of all myocardial infarctions and involved a change in treatment in a considerable number of patients with postoperative troponin elevation. Whether this may improve patient outcomes remains to be elucidated.
Pre-application of dentin bonding agent prevents discoloration caused by mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Choi Yoo-Lim , Jang Young-Eun , Kim Bom Sahn , Kim Jin-Woo , Kim Yemi 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: To evaluate tooth discoloration by newly developed calcium silicate-based materials, and to examine the pre-application of dentin bonding agent (DBA) for preventing discoloration caused by mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).Methods: The roots of 50 premolars were randomly divided into five groups (n=10) and cavities were prepared from resected root surfaces. MTA was placed in the cavities of teeth belonging to the ProRoot MTA (MTA) and RetroMTA (RMTA) groups. For teeth belonging to the ProRoot + DBA (MTA-B) and RetroMTA + DBA (RMTA-B) groups, DBA was first applied to the cavities prior to the addition of MTA. Teeth in the control group were restored with composite resin only (i.e., without MTA). After 12 weeks, MTA was removed from the MTA and RMTA groups and bleaching agents were applied for 3 additional weeks. Color assessments were recorded at baseline, and 1, 4, and 12 weeks, as well as after bleaching. A one-way ANOVA was performed to assess the differences between the two types of MTAs and color changes following DBA pre-application in each MTA group. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered indicative of statistical significance.Results: Following 12 weeks of MTA treatment, there was a significant difference between the discoloration in the MTA and RMTA groups (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the RMTA and RMTA-B groups (p > 0.05). Following bleaching, the color changes (ΔE values) of the MTA group were not significantly different from those of the MTA-B group (p > 0.05). The difference of ΔE between the RMTA group after internal bleaching and the RMTA-B group was also not significant (p > 0.05).Conclusions: RetroMTA caused significantly less discoloration than ProRoot MTA. Pre-application of DBA reduced discoloration caused by ProRoot MTA. MTA discoloration was improved equally well between DBA pre-application and post-bleaching.Clinical Relevance: Tooth discoloration by mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) limits its use in esthetic regions. The pre-application of dentin bonding agent (DBA) and the use of newly developed RetroMTA could help to prevent the discoloration caused by MTA.
Uptake and willingness to use PrEP among Chinese gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men with experience of sexualized drug use in the past year
Authors: Wang Zixin , Mo Phoenix K.H. , Ip Mary , Fang Yuan , Lau Joseph T.F. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Sexualized drug use (SDU) refers to use of any psychoactive substance before/during sexual intercourse. Chemsex is a subset of SDU, which is defined as the use of some specific psychoactive substances (methamphetamine, mephedrone, γ-hydroxybutyrate, ketamine and cocaine) before/during sexual intercourse. SDU and chemsex are prevalent among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). This study investigated uptake and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among a sample of GBMSM in Hong Kong with experience of SDU in the past year. Methods: A total of 600 GBMSM were recruited by convenient sampling through outreaching in gay venues, online recruitment and peer referral. Participants completed a cross-sectional anonymous telephone interview. This study was based on a subsample of 580 GBMSM self-reported as HIV negative/unknown sero-status. Results: Of the participants, 82 (14.1%) and 37 (6.4%) had experience of SDU and chemsex in the past year. The prevalence of PrEP uptake was 4.0% among all participants and 14.6% among those with experience of SDU in the past year. Among MSM with experience of SDU in the past year who were not on PrEP (n=70), 67.1% were willing to use daily oral PrEP in the next six months. Multivariate logistic regression models showed that positive attitudes toward PrEP (AOR: 2.37, 95%CI: 1.47, 3.82), perceived support from significant others to use PrEP (AOR: 9.67, 95%CI: 2.95, 31.71), and perceived behavioral control of using PrEP (AOR: 19.68, 95%CI: 5.44, 71.26) were significantly associated with higher willingness to use PrEP.Conclusion: GBMSM with experience of recent SDU are potentially good candidates of PrEP implementation. This group of GBMSM reported high prevalence of uptake and willingness to use PrEP. Perceptions related to PrEP based on the Theory of Planned Behavior were significantly associated with willingness to use PrEP.
Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of group A streptococcus recovered from patients in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Hongxin , Zhou Lin , Zhao Yong , Ma Lijuan , Liu Xiaoyan , Hu Jin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an important human pathogen responsible for a broad range of infections. Epidemiological surveillance has been crucial to detect changes in the geographical and temporal variation of the disease pattern. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiological characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of GAS isolates from patients in Children’s Hospital in Beijing. Methods: From 2016 to 2017, pharyngeal swab samples were collected from the outpatients in Children’s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, who were diagnosed with scarlet fever. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed according to the distribution of conventional antibiotics and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommendations. The distribution of the macrolide-resistance genes ( ermB, ermA, mefA ), emm (M protein-coding gene) typing, and superantigens (SAg) gene profiling were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A total of 297 GAS isolates were collected. The susceptibility of the isolates to penicillin, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin was 100%. The resistance rate to erythromycin and clindamycin was 98.3% and 96.6%, respectively. The dominant emm types were emm12 (65.32%), emm1 (27.61%), emm75 (2.69%), and emm89 (1.35%). Of the 297 isolates, 290 (97.64%) carried the ermB gene, and 5 (1.68%) carried the mefA gene, while none carried the ermA gene. The most common superantigen genes identified from GAS isolates were smeZ (96.97%) , speC (92.59%), speG (91.58%), ssa (85.52%), speI (54.55%), speH (52.19%), and speA (34.34%). Isolates with the genotype emm1 possessed speA , speC , speG , speJ , speM , ssa , and smeZ , while emm12 possessed speC , speG , speH , speI , speM , ssa , and smeZ superantigens. Conclusions: The prevalent strain of GAS isolates in Beijing has a high resistance rate to macrolides; however, penicillin can still be the preferred antibiotic for treatment. Erythromycin resistance was predominantly mediated by ermB. The common emm types were emm12 and emm1. There was a correlation between emm and the superantigen gene. Thus, long-term monitoring and investigation of the emm types and superantigen genes of GAS prevalence are imperative.
Genomic variation among closely related Vibrio alginolyticus strains is located on mobile genetic elements
Authors: Chibani Cynthia Maria , Roth Olivia , Liesegang Heiko , Wendling Carolin Charlotte 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background Species of the genus Vibrio, one of the most diverse bacteria genera, have undergone niche adaptation followed by clonal expansion. Niche adaptation and ultimately the formation of ecotypes and speciation in this genus has been suggested to be mainly driven by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) through mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Our knowledge about the diversity and distribution of Vibrio MGEs is heavily biased towards human pathogens and our understanding of the distribution of core genomic signatures and accessory genes encoded on MGEs within specific Vibrio clades is still incomplete. We used nine different strains of the marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus isolated from pipefish in the Kiel-Fjord to perform a multiscale-comparative genomic approach that allowed us to investigate (1) those genomic signatures that characterize a habitat-specific ecotype and (2) the source of genomic variation within this ecotype.Results We found that the nine isolates from the Kiel-Fjord have a closed-pangenome and did not differ based on core-genomic signatures. Unique genomic regions and a unique repertoire of MGEs within the Kiel-Fjord isolates suggest that the acquisition of gene-blocks by HGT played an important role in the evolution of this ecotype. Additionally, we found that ~90% of the genomic variation among the nine isolates is encoded on MGEs, which supports ongoing theory that accessory genes are predominately located on MGEs and shared by HGT. Lastly, we could show that these nine isolates share a unique virulence and resistance profile which clearly separates them from all other investigated V. alginolyticus strains and suggests that these are habitat-specific genes, required for a successful colonization of the pipefish, the niche of this ecotype. Conclusion We conclude that all nine V. alginolyticus strains from the Kiel-Fjord belong to a unique ecotype, which we named the Kiel-alginolyticus ecotype. The low sequence variation of the core-genome in combination with the presence of MGE encoded relevant traits, as well as the presence of a suitable niche (here the pipefish), suggest, that this ecotype might have evolved from a clonal expansion following HGT driven niche-adaptation.
A Pretargeted Imaging Strategy for EGFR Positive Colorectal Carcinoma via the Modulation of Tz-radioligand Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Qiu Lin , Tan Hui , Lin Qingyu , Si Zhan , Zhou Jun , Wang Tingting , Cheng Dengfeng , Shi Hongcheng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Objective: Previously, we successfully developed a pretargeted imaging strategy (Atezolizumab-TCO/99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz), which is a powerful tool for evaluating Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in xenograft mice tumor models. However, the surplus unclicked 99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz is cleared somewhat sluggishly through the intestines. This is certainly not an ideal situation for imaging for colorectal cancer (CRC). In order to shift the excretion of the Tz-radioligand to the renal system, we have sought to develop a novel Tz-radioligand by adding a polypeptide linker between HYNIC and PEG11. Methods: Pretargeted molecular probes 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz and Cetuximab-TCO were synthesized. The stability of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz was evaluated in vitro, and its blood pharmacokinetic test was performed in vivo. In vitro ligation reactivity of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz towards Cetuximab-TCO was tested. The biodistribution and imaging of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz was performed to observe the clear pathway of this novel Tz-radioligand. Pretargeted biodistribution of three different accumulation intervals was performed to determine the optimal pretargeted interval time. Comparison of pretargeted (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz 6 h) and (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz 6 h) imagings was performed to show the effect of the two Tz-radioligands with different excretion pathway on tumor imaging. Results: 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz showed favorable in vitro stability and rapid blood clearance in mice. SEC-HPLC revealed almost complete reaction between Cetuximab-TCO and 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz in vitro, with the 8:1 Tz-to-mAb reaction providing a conversion yield of 87.83 ± 3.27%. The biodistribution and imaging of 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz demonstrated that the Tz-radioligand was cleared through kidneys. After allowing 24 h, 48 h and 72 h for accumulation of Cetuximab-TCO in HCT116 tumor, pretargeted biodistribution revealed the tumor-to-blood ratio was 0.83 ± 0.13, 1.40 ± 0.31, and 1.15 ± 0.21, respectively. Both pretargeted (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-PEG11-Tz 6 h) and (Cetuximab-TCO 48 h/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz 6 h) imaging delineated the HCT116 tumor clearly. However, pretargeted imaging strategy using Cetuximab-TCO/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz could be used for diagnosing CRC since the surplus unclicked 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz is cleared through urinary system and produces low abdominal uptake background. Conclusion: We developed a novel pretargeted imaging strategy (Cetuximab-TCO/99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz) for imaging CRC since the surplus unclicked 99mTc-HYNIC-Polypeptide-PEG11-Tz produces low abdominal uptake background, which broadens the application scope of pretargeted imaging strategy.