bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Outcomes and Health-Related Quality of Life Following Glioma Surgery
Authors: De Witt Hamer Philip C , Klein Martin , Hervey-Jumper Shawn L , Wefel Jeffrey S , Berger Mitchel S 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Functional outcome following glioma surgery is defined as how the patient functions or feels. Functional outcome is a coprimary end point of surgery in patients with diffuse glioma, together with oncological outcome. In this review, we structure the functional outcome measurements following glioma surgery as reported in the last 5 yr. We review various perspectives on functional outcome of glioma surgery with available measures, and offer suggestions for their use. From the recent neurosurgical literature, 160 publications were retrieved fulfilling the selection criteria. In these publications, neurological outcomes were reported most often, followed by activities of daily living, seizure outcomes, neurocognitive outcomes, and health-related quality of life or well-being. In more than a quarter of these publications functional outcome was not reported. A minimum essential consensus set of functional outcome measurements would benefit comparison across neurosurgical reports. The consensus set should be based on a combination of clinician- and patient-reported outcomes, assessed at a predefined time before and after surgery. The selected measurements should have psychometric properties supporting the intended use including validity-related evidence, reliability, and sensitivity to detect meaningful change with minimal burden to ensure compliance. We circulate a short survey as a start towards reporting guidelines. Many questions remain to better understand, report, and improve functional outcome following glioma surgery.
Association between abnormal maternal serum levels of vitamin B12 and preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mardali Farzaneh , Fatahi Somaye , Alinaghizadeh Maryam , Kord Varkaneh Hamed , Sohouli Mohammad Hassan , Shidfar Farzad , Găman Mihnea-Alexandru 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Context
Some evidence has shown an association between maternal vitamin B12 levels and the development of preeclampsia in pregnant women, but the relationship between preeclampsia and vitamin B12 is not clear.

Objective
The aim of this systematic review was to compare serum vitamin B12 levels in women with preeclampsia with those in normotensive pregnant women.

Data Sources
The PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to August 2019, along with the reference lists of included articles.

Study Selection
The literature was searched for observational studies that investigated vitamin B12 levels in women with preeclampsia.

Data Extraction
Data were extracted independently by 2 authors. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

Results
Vitamin B12 levels in women with preeclampsia were significantly lower than those in healthy women (mean, −15.24 pg/mL; 95%CI, −27.52 to −2.954; P &lt; 0.015), but heterogeneity between studies was high (I2 = 97.8%; P = 0.0103). Subgroup analyses based on folic acid supplementation, homocysteine concentrations, and gestational age at the time of sampling for vitamin B12 assessment did not identify the sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusions
Women with preeclampsia had significantly lower vitamin B12 concentrations than normotensive pregnant women.
Maternal diet and offspring telomere length: a systematic review
Authors: Habibi Nahal , Bianco-Miotto Tina , Phoi Yan Yin , Jankovic-Karasoulos Tanja , Roberts Claire T , Grieger Jessica A 
Published: July 2020

AbstractContextMany studies assert a negative influence of inappropriate maternal diet and nutritional status during pregnancy on offspring, not only in utero but throughout life, because of the role in the programing of noncommunicable diseases. Telomere length is a biomarker of aging, and shorter telomeres are associated with chronic disease later in life. Maternal nutrition and nutritional status may be an important determinant of offspring telomere length.ObjectiveA systematic review was conducted to determine the effect of maternal nutrition and nutritional status in pregnancy on offspring telomere length.Data SourcesThis systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Database searches of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science were performed.Study SelectionIncluded studies assessed the association between maternal nutrition (dietary intake and nutritional status) during pregnancy and offspring telomere length measured in cord blood, serum, plasma, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Data ExtractionThree authors screened and determined the quality of the articles; disagreements were resolved by a fourth author. All authors compared the compiled data.ResultsSeven studies were extracted and evaluated. Studies comprised a double-blind placebo-controlled trial (n = 1), prospective cohort studies (n = 5), and a cross-sectional study (n = 1). Higher circulating maternal folate and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations, along with higher maternal dietary caffeine intakes, were associated with longer offspring telomere length, whereas higher dietary intake of carbohydrate, folate, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin C, or sodium was not.ConclusionThe limited but suggestive evidence highlights the need for further research to be conducted in this area, particularly longitudinal studies involving larger cohorts of pregnant women.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO registration no. CRD42019136506
Institutionalising Citizen Deliberation in Parliament: The Permanent Citizens’ Dialogue in the German-speaking Community of Belgium
Authors: Niessen Christoph , Reuchamps Min 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In recent years, an increasing number of scholars and politicians have called for institutionalising deliberative citizen participation within Parliaments. The Parliament of the German-speaking Community of Belgium has paved the way in this direction by institutionalising a permanent deliberative citizen assembly that is directly linked to the parliamentary process. It consists in a permanent Citizens’ Council drawn by lot, which can initiate Citizens’ Assemblies, also drawn by lot, whose mission is to deliberate and formulate recommendations on the subject that the Citizens’ Council had submitted to them. At the end of the deliberations, the recommendations are discussed in a joint committee between the members of the Citizens’ Assembly, elected representatives and the minister in charge. The latter two then need to indicate whether and how the recommendations will be implemented by parliamentary or governmental measures—with rejections requiring specific justification. This article analyses how such a far-reaching process of citizen participation and deliberation became introduced at the core of the parliamentary institution and what are its features.
Epigenetic Regulation of Gibberellin Metabolism and Signaling
Authors: Xie Yongyao , Chen Letian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe precise regulation of gibberellin (GA) metabolism and signaling is essential for plant development and environmental responses. Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, such as histone modification, noncoding RNA-mediated regulation, chromatin remodeling and DNA methylation, are emerging as important means of fine-tuning gene expression. Recent studies have significantly improved our understanding of the relationships between epigenetic regulation and GA metabolism and signaling. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications affect GA metabolism and signaling pathways and provide new insight into an unfolding avenue of research related to the epigenetic regulation of GA pathways.
Inkan Seals as Tools of Labor Selection in Early 20th Century Mining
Authors: MORIMOTO Mayo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, I analyze a hiring mechanism prevalent in the coal mining industry in the first decade of the 1900s by investigating ‘job applications’, which are assumed to have functioned as employment contracts. These job applications include the names, ages, addresses, and previous occupations of 775 applicants, as well as the names of respective referrers, all of which have been compiled in a database. It is noteworthy that some of the applicants affixed personal seals to their job applications. At the time, the use of seals—a traditional Japanese practice—was not pervasive throughout the entire citizenry, as it is now. Coal miners of that era tended to be rustic people with little formal education who were accorded a relatively low socio-economic status. In this article, we explore possible motivations underlying their use of seals. Our results indicate a statistically significant tendency toward the use of seals among these relatively low-skilled workers, as well as a tendency for applicants who used seals to be hired directly by the mining company, rather than through referral hiring, even though the latter was widely used at the time. These trends are consistent with the supposition that the company sought disciplined and diligent workers to hire people who owned seals. This is also consistent with the supposition that low-skilled workers employed seals as a signal to project an image of diligence.
A Guide to Performance Evaluation for the Intensivist: Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation and Focused Professional Practice Evaluation in the ICU
Authors: Sterling Michael , Gregg Sara , Bakshi Vishal , Moll Vanessa 
Published: July 2020

Objectives:
In 2008, The Joint Commission implemented a new standard mandating a detailed evaluation of a provider’s performance. The Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation was designed to provide ongoing performance evaluation as opposed to periodic evaluation. The Focused Professional Practice Evaluation was designed to evaluate the performance of providers new to the medical staff or providers who are requesting new privileges. To date, we are unable to find critical care specific literature on the implementation of Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation/Focused Professional Practice Evaluation. The purpose of this concise definitive review is to familiarize the reader with The Joint Commission standards and their application to Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation/Focused Professional Practice Evaluation design and implementation, literature review in the noncritical care setting, and future process optimization and automation.

Data Sources:
Studies were identified through MEDLINE search using a variety of search phrases related to Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation, Focused Professional Practice Evaluation, critical care medicine, healthcare quality, and The Joint Commission. Additional articles were identified through a review of the reference lists of identified articles.

Study Selection:
Original articles, review articles, and systematic reviews were considered.

Data Extraction:
Manuscripts were selected for inclusion based on expert opinion of well-designed or key studies and review articles.

Data Synthesis:
There is limited data for the process of Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation and Focused Professional Practice Evaluation implementation in critical care medicine. Key recommendations exist from The Joint Commission but leave it up to healthcare institutions to realize these. The process and metrics can be tailored to specific institutions and departments.

Conclusions:
Currently, there is no standard process to develop Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation and Focused Professional Practice Evaluation processes in critical care medicine. Departments and institutions can tailor metrics and processes but it might be useful to standardize some metrics to assure the overall quality of care. In the future utilization of newer technologies like applications might make this process less time-intensive.
Urinary Titin Is a Novel Biomarker for Muscle Atrophy in Nonsurgical Critically Ill Patients: A Two-Center, Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Nakanishi Nobuto , Tsutsumi Rie , Hara Kanako , Takashima Takuya , Nakataki Emiko , Itagaki Taiga , Matsuo Masafumi , Oto Jun , Sakaue Hiroshi 
Published: July 2020

Objectives:
Although skeletal muscle atrophy is common in critically ill patients, biomarkers associated with muscle atrophy have not been identified reliably. Titin is a spring-like protein found in muscles and has become a measurable biomarker for muscle breakdown. We hypothesized that urinary titin is useful for monitoring muscle atrophy in critically ill patients. Therefore, we investigated urinary titin level and its association with muscle atrophy in critically ill patients.

Design:
Two-center, prospective observational study.

Setting:
Mixed medical/surgical ICU in Japan.

Patients:
Nonsurgical adult patients who were expected to remain in ICU for greater than 5 days.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
Urine samples were collected on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 of ICU admission. To assess muscle atrophy, rectus femoris cross-sectional area and diaphragm thickness were measured with ultrasound on days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Secondary outcomes included its relationship with ICU-acquired weakness, ICU Mobility Scale, and ICU mortality. Fifty-six patients and 232 urinary titin measurements were included. Urinary titin (normal range: 1–3 pmol/mg creatinine) was 27.9 (16.8–59.6), 47.6 (23.5–82.4), 46.6 (24.4–97.6), 38.4 (23.6–83.0), and 49.3 (27.4–92.6) pmol/mg creatinine on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, respectively. Cumulative urinary titin level was significantly associated with rectus femoris muscle atrophy on days 3–7 (p ≤ 0.03), although urinary titin level was not associated with change in diaphragm thickness (p = 0.31–0.45). Furthermore, cumulative urinary titin level was associated with occurrence of ICU-acquired weakness (p = 0.01) and ICU mortality (p = 0.02) but not with ICU Mobility Scale (p = 0.18).

Conclusions:
In nonsurgical critically ill patients, urinary titin level increased 10–30 times compared with the normal level. The increased urinary titin level was associated with lower limb muscle atrophy, occurrence of ICU-acquired weakness, and ICU mortality.
Standardization of the Perioperative Management for Neonates Undergoing the Norwood Operation for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Related Heart Defects
Authors: Natarajan Shobha S. , Stagg Alyson , Taylor April M. , Griffis Heather M. , Bosler Christy K. , Cates Margaret , Dewitt Aaron G. , Giglia Therese M. , Mascio Christopher E. , Ravishankar Chitra , Rossano Joseph W. , Taylor Lillith C. , Ware Eileen P. , Nicolson Susan C. , Rome Jonathan J. 
Published: July 2020

Objectives:
In-hospital complications after the Norwood operation for single ventricle heart defects account for the majority of morbidity and mortality. Inpatient care variation occurs within and across centers. This multidisciplinary quality improvement project standardized perioperative management in a large referral center.

Design:
Quality improvement project.

Setting:
High volume cardiac center, tertiary care children’s hospital.

Patients:
Neonates undergoing Norwood operation.

Interventions:
The quality improvement team developed and implemented a clinical guideline (preoperative admission to 48 hr after surgery). The composite process metric, Guideline Adherence Score, contained 13 recommendations in the guideline that reflected consistent care for all patients.

Measurements and Main Results:
One-hundred two consecutive neonates who underwent Norwood operation (January 1, 2013, to July 12, 2016) before guideline implementation were compared with 50 consecutive neonates after guideline implementation (July 13, 2016, to May 4, 2018). No preguideline operations met the goal Guideline Adherence Score. In the first 6 months after guideline implementation, 10 of 12 operations achieved goal Guideline Adherence Score and continued through implementation, reaching 100% for the last 10 operations. Statistical process control analysis demonstrated less variability and decreased hours of postoperative mechanical ventilation and cardiac ICU length of stay during implementation. There were no statistically significant differences in major hospital complications or in 30-day mortality. A higher percentage of patients were extubated by postoperative day 2 after guideline implementation (67% [30/47] vs 41% [41/99], respectively; p = 0.01). Of these patients, reintubation within 72 hours of extubation significantly decreased after guideline implementation (0% [0/30] vs 17% [7/41] patients, respectively; p = 0.02).

Conclusions:
This initiative successfully implemented a standardized perioperative care guideline for neonates undergoing the Norwood operation at a large center. Positive statistical process control centerline shifts in Guideline Adherence Score, length of postoperative mechanical ventilation, and cardiac ICU length of stay were demonstrated. A higher percentage were successfully extubated by postoperative day 2. Establishment of standard processes can lead to best practices to decrease major adverse events.
eStablish And Formalize Expert Criteria for Avoidable Resuscitation Review (SAFECARR) Electronic Delphi: Development of a Consensus Framework for Classifying and Reviewing Cardiac Arrests Within the PICU
Authors: Dewan Maya , O’Halloran Amanda , Kleinman Monica , Tegtmeyer Ken , Gallagher Regan , Nadkarni Vinay , Sutton Robert M. , Wolfe Heather A. 
Published: July 2020

Objectives:
To develop a consensus framework that can guide the process of classifying and reviewing pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest in the PICU.

Design:
A three-round electronic Delphi consensus study with an additional in-person session with pediatric resuscitation experts. The modified electronic Delphi consisted of survey questions sent to the expert panel with the goals of (1) achieving consensus on definitions of avoidable, potentially avoidable, and unavoidable PICU in-hospital cardiac arrest and (2) achieving consensus and ranking of a list of factors that contribute to potentially avoidable PICU in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Setting:
Electronic surveys of resuscitation experts including pediatric critical care, cardiac critical care, emergency medicine, and hospital medicine physicians, nurses, advance practice nurses, and resuscitation researchers.

Patients:
Not applicable.

Interventions:
Not applicable.

Measurements and Main Results:
Over three rounds of an electronic Delphi, 24 resuscitation experts participated. In Round 1, consensus was reached for the definitions of potentially avoidable and unavoidable cardiac arrest. Consensus was not reached for avoidable cardiac arrest. In Round 2, the expert panel agreed with seven factors from the literature and achieved consensus on an additional seven factors. Consensus was achieved on the modified definition of avoidable cardiac arrest. In Round 3, participants were asked to rank the contributing factors in order of their importance. For the in-person session, the consensus definitions and contributing factors from the modified electronic Delphi were presented to a multidisciplinary group of pediatric resuscitation experts and reached consensus for all three definitions.

Conclusions:
A multidisciplinary group of pediatric resuscitation experts generated a consensus-based framework to classify and review pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest in the PICU. Future work will focus on the application of this framework and further validation of these definitions and contributing factors for in-hospital cardiac arrest both within and outside the PICU.
Circulating Microparticles are increased amongst people presenting with HIV and advanced immune suppression in Malawi and correlate closely with arterial stiffness
Authors: Kelly C , Gurung R , Tinago W , Kamngona R , Sheha I , Chammudzi M , Jambo K , Mallewa J , Rapala A , Heyderman RS , Mallon PWG , Mwandumba H , Khoo S , Klein N 
Published: July 2020

ObjectivesWe aim to investigate whether circulating microparticle (CMPs) subsets were raised amongst people presenting with HIV and advanced immune suppression in Malawi, and whether they associated with arterial stiffness.MethodsART-naïve adults with a new HIV diagnosis and CD4 <100 cells/µL had microparticle characterisation and carotid femoral Pulse Wave Velocity (cfPWV) at 2 weeks post ART initiation. HIV uninfected controls were matched on age, systolic BP and diastolic BP in a 1:1 ratio. Circulating microparticles were identified from platelet poor plasma and stained for endothelial, leucocyte, monocyte and platelet markers.ResultsThe median (IQ) total CMP count was 1 log higher in participants with HIV compared to those without (p<0.0001) and was associated with arterial stiffness (spearman rho 0.47, p<0.001). In adjusted analysis, every log increase in circulating particles showed a 20% increase in cfPWV (95% CI 4 – 40%, p=0.02).In terms of subsets, endothelial and platelet derived microparticles were most strongly associated with HIV. Endothelial derived E-selectin+ CMPs were 1.3log-fold higher and platelet derived CD42a+ CMPs were 1.4log-fold higher (both p<0.0001). Endothelial and platelet derived CMPs also correlated most closely with arterial stiffness [spearman rho: E-selectin+ 0.57 and CD42a 0.56, both p<0.0001).ConclusionsCirculating microparticles associate strongly with arterial stiffness among PLWH in Malawi. Endothelial damage and platelet activation are of particular importance and future translational studies should consider prioritising this pathway.
Assessing the relative contributions of healthcare protocols for epidemic control: an example with network transmission model for COVID-19
Authors: Tenório Baumgartner Matheus , Lansac-Tôha Fernando Miranda 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe increasing number of COVID-19 cases threatens human life and requires retainment actions that control the spread of the virus in the absence of effective medical therapy or a reliable vaccine. There is a general consensus that the most efficient health protocol in the actual state is to disrupt the infection chain through social distancing, although economic interests stand against closing non-essential activities and poses a debatable tradeoff. In this study, we used an individual-based age-structured network model to assess the effective roles of different healthcare protocols such as the use of personal protection equipment and social distancing at neighbor- and city-level scales. Using as much as empirical data available in the literature, we calibrated a city model and simulated low, medium, and high parameters representing these protocols. Our results revealed that the model was more sensitive to changes in the parameter representing the rate of contact among people from different neighborhoods, which defends the social distancing at the city-level as the most effective protocol for the control of the disease outbreak. Another important identified parameter represented the use of individual equipment such as masks, face shields, and hand sanitizers like alcohol-based solutions and antiseptic products. Interestingly, our simulations suggest that some periodical activities such as going to the supermarket, gas station, and pharmacy would have little contribution to the SARS-CoV-2 spread once performed within the same neighborhood. As we can see nowadays, there is an inevitable context-dependency and economic pressure on the level of social distancing recommendations, and we reinforce that every decision must be a welfare-oriented science-based decision.