bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Statins After Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults and Its Association With Long-Term Outcome
Authors: van Dongen Myrna Marita Elisabeth , Aarnio Karoliina , Martinez-Majander Nicolas , Pirinen Jani , Sinisalo Juha , Lehto Mika , Kaste Markku , Tatlisumak Turgut , de Leeuw Frank-Erik , Putaala Jukka 
Published: November 2019

Background and Purpose—
Knowledge of the use of secondary preventive medication in young adults is limited. We studied the use of statins and its association with subsequent vascular events in young adults with ischemic stroke—a patient group with a known low burden of atherosclerosis.

Methods—
The study population included 935 first-ever 30-day ischemic stroke survivors aged 15 to 49 years from the Helsinki Young Stroke Registry, 1994 to 2007. Follow-up data until 2012 were obtained from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Drug Prescription Register), the Finnish Care Register, and Statistics Finland. The association of the use of statins (defined as at least 2 purchases) with all-cause mortality, recurrent stroke, and other recurrent vascular events was assessed through adjusted Cox regression analyses. We further compared propensity score–matched statin users with nonusers.

Results—
Of our 935 patients, 46.8% used statins at some point during follow-up. Higher age, dyslipidemia, heavy alcohol use, and hypertension were significantly associated with purchasing statins. Statin users exhibited lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.38 [95% CI, 0.25–0.58]) and recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 0.29 [95% CI, 0.19–0.44]) than nonusers, after adjustment for dyslipidemia, stroke subtype, and other confounders. These results remained unchanged after propensity score–matched comparison.

Conclusions—
Less than half of young ischemic stroke patients used statins; use was affected by age and risk factor profile. Statin use was independently associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality and recurrent stroke.
Assessment of the most suitable nematode inoculum density and plant growth period to screen coffee genotypes for their reaction to Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Silva Santino A. , Bicalho Anderson C.G. , Santiago Débora C. , Cunha Lucas S. , Machado Andressa C.Z. 
Published: November 2019

Summary
One of the concerns for nematological research is the absence of information on standard nematode population densities to be used when screening to assess resistance/susceptibility levels of a genotype. In addition, the length of the growth period, especially for perennial crops such as coffee, must also be known. The objective of this work was to evaluate the ideal evaluation periods and population densities of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, for phenotyping Coffea arabica genotypes. Seedlings of coffee ‘Mundo Novo’ with five leaf pairs cropped in 700 cm3 plastic pots were inoculated with population densities of 700, 1400, 2800, 5600 and 11 200 eggs of M. incognita per plant and evaluated at 90, 120, 150 and 180 days after inoculation (DAI) to determine the nematode reproduction factor (RF). The use of population densities of M. incognita from 700-2000 nematodes with evaluations between 90 and 180 DAI was the most suitable to obtain higher RF values and allows earlier and more accurate evaluations, which reduces the time for phenotyping in genetic screening programmes.
The Total Solar Eclipse of 2017: Meteorological Observations from a Statewide Mesonet and Atmospheric Profiling Systems
Authors: Mahmood Rezaul , Schargorodski Megan , Rappin Eric , Griffin Melissa , Collins Patrick , Knupp Kevin , Quilligan Andrew , Wade Ryan , Cary Kevin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA total solar eclipse traversed the continental United States on 21 August 2017. It was the first such event in 99 years and provided a rare opportunity to observe the atmospheric response from a variety of instrumented observational platforms. This paper discusses the high-quality observations collected by the Kentucky Mesonet (www.kymesonet.org), a research-grade meteorological and climatological observation network consisting of 72 stations and measuring air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and wind direction. The network samples the atmosphere, for most variables, every 3 s and then calculates and records observations every 5 min. During the total solar eclipse, these observations were complemented by observations collected from three atmospheric profiling systems positioned in the path of the eclipse and operated by the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Observational data demonstrate that solar radiation at the surface dropped from >800 to 0 W m‒2, the air temperature decreased by about 4.5°C, and, most interestingly, a land-breeze–sea-breeze-type wind developed. In addition, due to the high density of observations, the network recorded a detailed representation of the spatial variation of surface meteorology. The UAH profiling system captured collapse and reformation of the planetary boundary layer and related changes during the total solar eclipse.
Role of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures on Predicting Outcome of Bunion Surgery
Authors: MacDonald Ashlee , Houck Jeff , Baumhauer Judith F. 
Published: November 2019

Background: Prior studies have suggested preoperative patient-reported outcome scores could predict patients who would achieve a clinically meaningful improvement with hallux valgus surgery. Our goal was to determine bunionectomy-specific thresholds using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) values to predict patients who would or would not benefit from bunion surgery. Methods: PROMIS physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and depression assessments were prospectively collected. Forty-two patients were included in the study. Using preoperative and final follow-up visit scores, minimally clinically important differences (MCID), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and area under the curve (AUC) analyses were performed to determine if preoperative PROMIS scores predicted achieving MCID with 95% specificity or failing to achieve an MCID with 95% sensitivity. Results: PROMIS PF demonstrated a significant AUC and likelihood ratio. The preoperative threshold score for failing to achieve MCID for PF was 49.6 with 95% sensitivity. The likelihood ratio was 0.14 (confidence interval, 0.02-0.94). The posttest probability of failure to achieve an MCID for PF was 94.1%. PI and depression AUCs were not significant, and thus thresholds were not determined. Conclusion: We identified a PF threshold of 49.6, which was nearly 1 standard deviation higher than previously published. If a patient is hoping to improve PF, a patient with a preoperative t score >49.6 may not benefit from surgery. This study also suggests the need for additional research to delineate procedure-specific thresholds. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Effect of a nurse-led individualized self-management program for Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Jiang Wenhui , Feng Mei , Gao Chunyan , Li Juanli , Gao Rui , Wang Wenru 
Published: November 2019

Background: The study of the development and evaluation of self-management intervention among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is lacking, especially in China. Aim: To examine the effects of a nurse-led individualized self-management program (NISMP) on health behaviors, control of cardiac risk factors, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with AMI undergoing PCI. Methods: The quasi-experimental design included a convenience sample of 112 participants recruited from a tertiary hospital in China. The participants were assigned to the control group ( n = 56) or the intervention group ( n = 56). The intervention group underwent the NISMP, which includes six group-based education sessions, a face-to-face individual consultation, and 12-month telephone follow-ups. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the 12-month program using the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile, the Risk Factors Assessment Form, and the Short Form 36-item Health Survey. Results: The baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were comparable ( p > 0.05). After the 12-month intervention, the health behaviors and HRQoL of the participants in the intervention group had significantly improved ( p < 0.05 for both) compared to those of the control group. Compared to the control group, the participants in the intervention group also reported significantly better control of cardiac risk factors including smoking (χ2 = 4.709, p = 0.030), low-density lipoprotein (χ2 = 4.160, p = 0.041), body mass index (χ2 = 3.886, p = 0.049) and exercise (χ2 = 10.096, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The NISMP demonstrated positive effects on health behaviors, control of cardiac risk factors, and HRQoL among Chinese patients with AMI undergoing PCI.
Superior mesenteric artery endarterectomy for chronic mesenteric ischemia: A viable alternative in poor candidates for endovascular interventions
Authors: Bakoyiannis Christos , Mylonas Konstantinos S , Davakis Spyridon , Tsaples Georgios , Karaolanis Georgios , Liakakos Theodoros 
Published: November 2019

Background Chronic mesenteric ischemia can be treated with either endovascular approaches or surgical revascularization. Recent data suggest that surgery leads to more durable symptom relief with similar long-term survival compared to transcatheter angioplasty. Splanchnic vessel endarterectomy has been shown to lead to longer freedom from recurrence compared to the more commonly used surgical bypass procedure. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia who were considered poor candidates for endovascular repair and therefore underwent superior mesenteric artery endarterectomy in our institution. Study period was April 2016 to April 2018. Results A 73-year-old female and a 69-year-old male patient fulfilled our inclusion criteria. Extensive stenosis of the celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery was found in both patients. superior mesenteric artery endarterectomy was performed in both cases. Endarterectomy was closed using a polytetrafluoroethylene patch. Both patients are alive and symptom-free at one year postoperatively with no signs of restenosis. Conclusions Our institutional outcomes are in line with recent literature supporting superior mesenteric artery endarterectomy as a viable alternative to surgical bypass in patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia who are suboptimal candidates for endovascular angioplasty and stenting.
Effects of apixaban compared with warfarin as gain in event-free time – a novel assessment of the results of the ARISTOTLE trial
Authors: Berglund Erik , Wallentin Lars , Oldgren Jonas , Renlund Henrik , Alexander John H , Granger Christopher B , Hohnloser Stefan H , Hylek Elaine M , Lopes Renato D , McMurray John JV , Lytsy Per 
Published: November 2019

Background A novel approach to determine the effect of a treatment is to calculate the delay of event, which estimates the gain of event-free time. The aim of this study was to estimate gains in event-free time for stroke or systemic embolism, death, bleeding events, and the composite of these events, in patients with atrial fibrillation randomized to either warfarin or apixaban in the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation trial (ARISTOTLE). Design The ARISTOTLE study was a randomized double-blind trial comparing apixaban with warfarin. Methods Laplace regression was used to estimate the delay in time to the outcomes between the apixaban and the warfarin group in 6, 12, 18 and 22 months of follow-up. Results The gain in event-free time for apixaban versus warfarin was 181 (95% confidence interval 76 to 287) days for stroke or systemic embolism and 55 (–4 to 114) days for death after 22 months of follow-up. The corresponding gains in event-free times for major and intracranial bleeding were 206 (130 to 281) and 392 (249 to 535) days, respectively. The overall gain for the composite of all these events was a gain of 116 (60 to 171) days. Conclusions In patients with atrial fibrillation, 22 months of treatment with apixaban, as compared with warfarin, provided gains of approximately 6 months in event-free time for stroke or systemic embolism, 7 months for major bleeding and 13 months for intracranial bleeding.
Utility of shock index in 24,636 patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: El-Menyar Ayman , Al Habib Khalid F , Zubaid Mohammad , Alsheikh-Ali Alawi A , Sulaiman Kadhim , Almahmeed Wael , Amin Haitham , AlMotarreb Ahmed , Ullah Anhar , Suwaidi Jassim Al 
Published: November 2019

Background:
Shock index is a bedside reflection of integrated response of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. We aimed to evaluate the utility of shock index (heart rate/systolic blood pressure) in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods:
We analyzed pooled data from seven Arabian Gulf registries; these ACS registries were carried out in seven countries (Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Yemen) between 2005 and 2017. A standard uniform coding strategy was used to recode each database using each registry protocol and clinical research form. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their initial shock index (low vs. high shock index). Optimal shock index cutoff was determined according to the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Primary outcome was hospital mortality.

Results:
A total of 24,636 ACS patients met the inclusion criteria with a mean age 57±13 years. Based on ROC analysis, the optimal shock index was 0.80 (83.5% had shock index &lt;0.80 and 16.5% had shock index ≥0.80). In patients with high shock index, 55% had ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 45% had non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Patients with high shock index were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, late presentation, door to electrocardiogram &gt;10 min, symptom to Emergency Department &gt; 3 h, anterior myocardial infarction, impaired left ventricular function, no reperfusion post-therapy, recurrent ischemia/myocardial infarction, tachyarrhythmia and stroke. However, high shock index was associated significantly with less chest pain, less thrombolytic therapy and less primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Shock index correlated significantly with pulse pressure (r= −0.52), mean arterial pressure (r= −0.48), Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score (r =0.41) and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction simple risk index (r= −0.59). Shock index ≥0.80 predicted mortality in ACS with 49% sensitivity, 85% specificity, 97.6% negative predictive value and 0.6 negative likelihood ratio. Multivariate regression analysis showed that shock index was an independent predictor for in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.40, p&lt;0.001), heart failure (aOR 1.67, p&lt;0.001) and cardiogenic shock (aOR 3.70, p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions:
Although shock index is the least accurate of the ones tested, its simplicity may argue in favor of its use for early risk stratification in patients with ACS. The utility of shock index is equally good for ST-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. High shock index identifies patients at increased risk of in-hospital mortality and urges physicians in the Emergency Department to use aggressive management.
Factors Influencing the Result of Sonographic Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in a Large Hospital in the Netherlands
Authors: Eijsvogel Pepijn , Van Kuijk Sander , van Bastelaar James 
Published: November 2019

Objective: Appendicitis is a common surgical emergency, for which sonography is widely used to assess the presence of absence of appendicitis. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with the diagnostic accuracy of sonography in patients with a suspected case of acute appendicitis. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted in all patients who were assessed for acute appendicitis (with sonography) in two emergency rooms of a large hospital. The sonography result was compared with the pathological report in patients who underwent surgery under suspicion of an acute appendicitis. Results: A multivariate analysis revealed that operator (radiologist or resident), time of the sonogram, site (hospital), and body mass index were independent variables significantly influencing the sonographic result. Correctly diagnosing suspected appendicitis with sonography is 2.2 times more likely when performed by a radiologist compared to a resident. Conclusions: Sonography is widely used in diagnosing appendicitis in the emergency room. In this study, the probability of sonography being correctly diagnosed decreases during on-call hours or when conducted by a resident in patients with suspected appendicitis. Furthermore, increasing body mass index decreases the probability of a sonogram being correct when conducted by a resident compared to a radiologist.
Rhabdomyolysis as an initial presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report
Authors: Saxena Gayatri , Mahdi Ahmed 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease which most commonly presents in women of reproductive age. It takes a relapsing-remitting course and may manifest as a variety of clinical symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose at first presentation, particularly in the emergency department (ED) setting. In active SLE, rhabdomyolysis has, thus far, not been reported as the sole initial presentation.

Case presentation
A 28-year-old presented to the ED with bilateral proximal arm swelling and pain. She had a previous history of Raynaud’s disease. Creatine kinase was > 13,000 units/l (normal range 25–200), but renal function was preserved. She did not require hospital admission so was encouraged to take oral fluids and discontinue the combined oral contraceptive pill. Antinuclear antibody and anti-double-stranded DNA titres were highly elevated with low complement demonstrated. She was diagnosed with SLE and treated with an oral prednisolone course. Antibody titres remained high 6 months later, provoking the initiation of hydroxychloroquine therapy.

Conclusions
We report with a view to recommend autoimmune screening in young patients for whom a cause of rhabdomyolysis is not clearly identified.
The MG-RAST API explorer: an on-ramp for RESTful query composition
Authors: Paczian Tobias , Trimble William L. , Gerlach Wolfgang , Harrison Travis , Wilke Andreas , Meyer Folker 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
The MG-RAST API provides search capabilities and delivers organism and function data as well as raw or annotated sequence data via the web interface and its RESTful API. For casual users, however, RESTful APIs are hard to learn and work with.

Results
We created the graphical MG-RAST API explorer to help researchers more easily build and export API queries; understand the data abstractions and indices available in MG-RAST; and use the results presented in-browser for exploration, development, and debugging.

Conclusions
The API explorer lowers the barrier to entry for occasional or first-time MG-RAST API users.
Optimal sequencing depth design for whole genome re-sequencing in pigs
Authors: Jiang Yifan , Jiang Yao , Wang Sheng , Zhang Qin , Ding Xiangdong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundAs whole-genome sequencing is becoming a routine technique, it is important to identify a cost-effective depth of sequencing for such studies. However, the relationship between sequencing depth and biological results from the aspects of whole-genome coverage, variant discovery power and the quality of variants is unclear, especially in pigs. We sequenced the genomes of three Yorkshire boars at an approximately 20X depth on the Illumina HiSeq X Ten platform and downloaded whole-genome sequencing data for three Duroc and three Landrace pigs with an approximately 20X depth for each individual. Then, we downsampled the deep genome data by extracting twelve different proportions of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9 paired reads from the original bam files to mimic the sequence data of the same individuals at sequencing depths of 1.09X, 2.18X, 3.26X, 4.35X, 6.53X, 8.70X, 10.88X, 13.05X, 15.22X, 17.40X, 19.57X and 21.75X to evaluate the influence of genome coverage, the variant discovery rate and genotyping accuracy as a function of sequencing depth. In addition, SNP chip data for Yorkshire pigs were used as a validation for the comparison of single-sample calling and multisample calling algorithms.ResultsOur results indicated that 10X is an ideal practical depth for achieving plateau coverage and discovering accurate variants, which achieved greater than 99% genome coverage. The number of false-positive variants was increased dramatically at a depth of less than 4X, which covered 95% of the whole genome. In addition, the comparison of multi- and single-sample calling showed that multisample calling was more sensitive than single-sample calling, especially at lower depths. The number of variants discovered under multisample calling was 13-fold and 2-fold higher than that under single-sample calling at 1X and 22X, respectively. A large difference was observed when the depth was less than 4.38X. However, more false-positive variants were detected under multisample calling.ConclusionsOur research will inform important study design decisions regarding whole-genome sequencing depth. Our results will be helpful for choosing the appropriate depth to achieve the same power for studies performed under limited budgets.
A comparative analysis of RNA sequencing methods with ribosome RNA depletion for degraded and low-input total RNA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples
Authors: Lin Xiaojing , Qiu Lihong , Song Xue , Hou Junyan , Chen Weizhi , Zhao Jun 
Published: November 2019

Abstract

Background
Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks held in clinical laboratories are an invaluable resource for clinical research, especially in the era of personalized medicine. It is important to accurately quantitate gene expression with degraded and small amounts of total RNA from FFPE materials.

Results
High concordance in transcript quantifications were shown between FF and FFPE samples using the same kit. The gene expression using the TaKaRa kit showed a difference with other kits, which may be due to the different principle of rRNA depletion or the amount of input total RNA. For seriously degraded RNA from FFPE samples, libraries could be constructed with as low as 50 ng of total RNA, although there was residual rRNA in the libraries. Data analysis with HISAT demonstrated that the unique mapping ratio, percentage of exons in unique mapping reads and number of detected genes decreased along with the decreasing quality of input RNA.

Conclusions
The method of RNA library construction with rRNA depletion can be used for clinical FFPE samples. For degraded and low-input RNA samples, it is still possible to obtain repeatable RNA expression profiling but with a low unique mapping ratio and high residual rRNA.