bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison among different multiparametric scores for risk stratification in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Corrà Ugo , Magini Alessandra , Paolillo Stefania , Frigerio Maria 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHeart failure is a serious condition with high prevalence (about 2% in the adult population in developed countries, and more than 8% in patients older than 75 years). About 3–5% of hospital admissions are linked with heart failure incidents. The guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure have identified individual markers in patients with heart failure, including demographic data, aetiology, comorbidities, clinical, radiological, haemodynamic, echocardiographic and biochemical parameters. Several scoring systems have been proposed to identify adverse events, such as destabilizations, re-hospitalizations and mortality. This article reviews scoring systems for heart failure prognostication, with particular mention of those models with exercise tolerance objective definition. Although most of the models include readily available clinical information, quite a few of them comprise circulating levels of natriuretic peptides and a more objective evaluation of exercise tolerance. A literature review was also conducted to (a) identify heart failure risk-prediction models, (b) assess statistical approach, and (c) identify common variables.
Auxin, Abscisic Acid and Jasmonate Are the Central Players in Rice Sheath Rot Caused by Sarocladium oryzae and Pseudomonas fuscovaginae
Authors: Peeters K. J. , Ameye M. , Demeestere K. , Audenaert K. , Höfte M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSheath rot is an emerging rice disease that causes severe yield losses worldwide. The main causal agents are the toxin producers Sarocladium oryzae and Pseudomonas fuscovaginae. The fungus S. oryzae produces helvolic acid and cerulenin and the bacterium P. fuscovaginae produces cyclic lipopeptides. Helvolic acid and the lipopeptide, fuscopeptin, inhibit membrane-bound H+-ATPase pumps in the rice plant. To manage rice sheath rot, a better understanding of the host response and virulence strategies of the pathogens is required. This study investigated the interaction of the sheath rot pathogens with their host and the role of their toxins herein. Japonica rice was inoculated with high- and low-helvolic acid-producing S. oryzae isolates or with P. fuscovaginae wild type and fuscopeptin mutant strains. During infection, cerulenin, helvolic acid and the phytohormones abscisic acid, jasmonate, auxin and salicylic acid were quantified in the sheath. In addition, disease severity and grain yield parameters were assessed. Rice plants responded to high-toxin-producing S. oryzae and P. fuscovaginae strains with an increase in abscisic acid, jasmonate and auxin levels. We conclude that, for both pathogens, toxins play a core role during sheath rot infection. S. oryzae and P. fuscovaginae interact with their host in a similar way. This may explain why both sheath rot pathogens cause very similar symptoms despite their different nature.
Multiple imputation and direct estimation for qPCR data with non-detects
Authors: Sherina Valeriia , McMurray Helene R. , Powers Winslow , Land Harmut , Love Tanzy M. T. , McCall Matthew N. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is one of the most widely used methods to measure gene expression. An important aspect of qPCR data that has been largely ignored is the presence of non-detects: reactions failing to exceed the quantification threshold and therefore lacking a measurement of expression. While most current software replaces these non-detects with a value representing the limit of detection, this introduces substantial bias in the estimation of both absolute and differential expression. Single imputation procedures, while an improvement on previously used methods, underestimate residual variance, which can lead to anti-conservative inference.

Results
We propose to treat non-detects as non-random missing data, model the missing data mechanism, and use this model to impute missing values or obtain direct estimates of model parameters. To account for the uncertainty inherent in the imputation, we propose a multiple imputation procedure, which provides a set of plausible values for each non-detect. We assess the proposed methods via simulation studies and demonstrate the applicability of these methods to three experimental data sets. We compare our methods to mean imputation, single imputation, and a penalized EM algorithm incorporating non-random missingness (PEMM). The developed methods are implemented in the R/Bioconductor package .

Conclusions
The statistical methods introduced here reduce discrepancies in gene expression values derived from qPCR experiments in the presence of non-detects, providing increased confidence in downstream analyses.
Determination of the ED95 of intrathecal hyperbaric prilocaine with sufentanil for scheduled cesarean delivery: a dose-finding study based on the continual reassessment method
Authors: Goffard P. , Vercruysse Y. , Leloup R. , Fils J-F , Chevret S. , Kapessidou Y. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Scheduled cesarean section is routinely performed under spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine. The current study was undertaken to determine the clinically relevant 95% effective dose of intrathecal 2% hyperbaric prilocaine co-administered with sufentanil for scheduled cesarean section, using continual reassessment method.

Methods
We conducted a dose-response, prospective, double-blinded study to determine the ED95 values of intrathecal hyperbaric prilocaine used with 2,5 mcg of sufentanil and 100 mcg of morphine for cesarean delivery. Each parturient enrolled in the study received an intrathecal dose of hyperbaric prilocaine determined by the CRM and the success or failure of the block was assessed as being the primary endpoint.

Results
The doses given for each cohort varied from 35 to 50 mg of HP, according to the CRM, with a final ED95 lying between 45 and 50 mg of Prilocaine after completion of the 10 cohorts. Few side effects were reported and patients were globally satisfied.

Conclusions
The ED95 of intrathecal hyperbaric prilocaine with sufentanil 2.5 μg and morphine 100 μg for elective cesarean delivery was found to be between 45 and 50 mg. It may be an interesting alternative to other long-lasting local anesthetics in this context.

Trial registration
The study was registered on January 30, 2017 – retrospectively registered – and results posted at the public database clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03036384).
Predictors of three-month mortality among hospitalized older adults in Togo
Authors: Gbeasor-Komlanvi Fifonsi Adjidossi , Tchankoni Martin Kouame , Bakoubayi Akila Wimima , Lokossou Matthieu Yaovi , Sadio Arnold , Zida-Compaore Wendpouiré Ida Carine , Djibril Mohaman , Belo Mofou , Agbonon Amegnona , Ekouevi Didier Koumavi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Assessing hospital mortality and its predictors is important as some of these can be prevented through appropriate interventions. Few studies have reported hospital mortality data among older adults in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess the mortality and associated factors among hospitalized older adults in Togo.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study from February 2018 to September 2019 among patients ≥50 years admitted in medical and surgical services of six hospitals in Togo. Data were recorded during hospitalization and through telephone follow-up survey within 90 days after admission. The main outcome was all-cause mortality at 3 months. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess predictors of mortality.

Results
The median age of the 650 older adults included in the study period was 61 years, IQR: [55–70] and at least one comorbidity was identified in 59.7% of them. The all-cause mortality rate of 17.2% (95%CI: 14.4–20.4) and the majority of death (93.7%) occurred in hospital. Overall survival rate was 85.5 and 82.8% after 30 and 90 days of follow-up, respectively. Factors associated with 3-month mortality were the hospital level in the health pyramid, hospitalization service, length of stay, functional impairment, depression and malignant diseases.

Conclusion
Togolese health system needs to adjust its response to an aging population in order to provide the most effective care.
High anemia prevalence in Korean older adults, an advent healthcare problem: 2007–2016 KNHANES
Authors:   on the behalf of the Red Blood Cell Disorder Working Party of The Korean Society of Hematology, Chueh Hee Won , Jung Hye Lim , Shim Ye Jee , Choi Hyoung Soo , Han Jin Yeong 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Anemia is associated with high morbidity and mortality in older people. However, the prevalence and characteristics of anemia in older individuals are not fully understood, and national data on these aspects in older Korean adults are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of anemia in older adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which is a nationwide cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Methods
Data from a total of 62,825 participants of the 2007–2016 KNHANES were compiled and analyzed to investigate differences in participant characteristics and potential risk factors for anemia. Differences in clinical characteristics of participants were compared across subgroups using the chi-square test for categorical variables and independent t-test for continuous variables. Univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were performed to identify related clinical factors.

Results
The prevalence of anemia was higher in the population aged ≥65 years than in the younger population. Anemia was also more prevalent among females than among males, but this difference was not significant in people aged > 85 years. Being underweight, receiving a social allowance, living alone, and having comorbidities such as hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus (DM), cancer, and chronic renal failure (CRF) were more common among older adults with anemia than among the population without anemia. In univariate and multivariate analyses, older age, female sex, underweight, and presence of comorbidities including rheumatoid arthritis, DM, cancer, and CRF were associated with an increased risk of anemia.

Conclusions
This study revealed that age, female sex, underweight, and the presence of comorbidities such as rheumatoid arthritis, DM, cancer, and CRF were associated with an increased risk of anemia in older Korean adults. Further study on causal relationships between anemia and other variables in the older population is necessary.
First submicroscopic inversion of the OPA1 gene identified in dominant optic atrophy – a case report
Authors: Weisschuh Nicole , Mazzola Pascale , Heinrich Tilman , Haack Tobias , Wissinger Bernd , Tonagel Felix , Kelbsch Carina 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Dominant optic atrophy (DOA) is an inherited optic neuropathy that mainly affects visual acuity, central visual fields and color vision due to a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons that form the optic nerve. Approximately 45–90% of affected individuals with DOA harbor pathogenic variants in the OPA1 gene. The mutation spectrum of OPA1 comprises nonsense, canonical and non-canonical splice site, frameshift and missense as well as copy number variants, but intragenic inversions have not been reported so far.

Case presentation
We report a 33-year-old male with characteristic clinical features of DOA. Whole-genome sequencing identified a structural variant of 2.4 kb comprising an inversion of 937 bp at the OPA1 locus. Fine mapping of the breakpoints to single nucleotide level revealed that the structural variation was an inversion flanked by two deletions. As this rearrangement inverts the entire first exon of OPA1, it was classified as likely pathogenic.

Conclusions
We report the first DOA case harboring an inversion in the OPA1 gene. Our study demonstrates that copy-neutral genomic rearrangements have to be considered as a possible cause of disease in DOA cases.
Abnormal rich club organization in end-stage renal disease patients before dialysis initiation and undergoing maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Ma Shaohui , Zhang Ming , Liu Yang , Ding Dun , Li Peng , Ma Xueying , Liu Hongjuan , Mu Junya 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are at a substantially higher risk for developing cognitive impairment compared with the healthy population. Dialysis is an essential way to maintain the life of ESRD patients. Based on previous research, there isn’t an uncontested result whether cognition was improved or worsened during dialysis.

Methods
To explore the impact of dialysis treatment on cognitive performance, we recruited healthy controls (HCs), predialysis ESRD patients (predialysis group), and maintenance hemodialysis ESRD patients (HD group). All ESRD patients performed six blood biochemistry tests (hemoglobin, urea, cystatin C, Na+, K+, and parathyroid hormone). Neuropsychological tests were used to measure cognitive function. By using diffusion tensor imaging and graph-theory approaches, the topological organization of the whole-brain structural network was investigated. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were performed to investigate blood biochemistry predictors of the neuropsychological tests and the results of graph analyses in the HD group and predialysis group.

Results
Neuropsychological analysis showed the HD group exhibited better cognitive function than the predialysis group, but both were worse than HCs. Whole-brain graph analyses revealed that increased global efficiency and normalized shortest path length remained in the predialysis group and HD group than the HCs. Besides, a lower normalized clustering coefficient was found in the predialysis group relative to the HCs and HD group. For the GLM analysis, only the Cystatin C level was significantly associated with the average fiber length of rich club connections in the predialysis group.

Conclusions
Our study revealed that dialysis had a limited effect on cognitive improvement.
Use of the Robson classification to understand the increased risk of cesarean section in case of maternal obesity
Authors: Crequit Simon , Korb Diane , Morin Cécile , Schmitz Thomas , Sibony Olivier 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to identify characteristics of pregnant women with obesity that contribute to increased cesarean rate.

Methods
Retrospective cohort in a single academic institution between 2012 and 2019. Women who delivered during this period were classified according to the Robson classification. Women with normal body mass index (N = 11,797) and with obesity (N = 2991) were compared. The contribution of each Robson group to the overall caesarean rate were compared.

Results
The overall cesarean rate was higher for women with (28.1%) than without (14.2%, p < 0.001) obesity. This result came mainly from Robson group 5a (history of one cesarean). After adjustment for medical factors within this group, the association between maternal obesity and cesarean during labor was significant.

Conclusions
The higher cesarean rate in women with obesity is explained by Robson group 5a in which obesity is an independent risk factor of in labor cesarean delivery.
Effects of reduced platelet count on the prognosis for patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with EGFR-TKI: a retrospective study
Authors: Xu Lu , Xu Fangzhou , Kong Haobo , Zhao Meiling , Ye Yuanzi , Zhang Yanbei 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Progressive lung cancer is associated with abnormal coagulation. Platelets play a vital part in evading immune surveillance and angiogenesis in the case of tumor metastasis. The study aimed to analyze the predictive and prognostic effects of platelet count on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs).

Methods
This study retrospectively analyzed the prognostic effects of platelets on 52 NSCLC patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant following EGFR-TKI treatment. Related data, together with the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were collected before and after 2 cycles of treatments (60 days).

Results
The anti-EGFR treatment markedly reduced the platelet count in 33 (63.5%) patients after 2 cycles of treatment. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that, the decreased platelet count was closely correlated with the longer OS (HR = 0.293; 95%CI: 0.107-0.799; p = 0.017). Besides, the median OS was 326 days in the decreased platelet count group and 241 days in the increased platelet count group (HR = 0.311; 95%CI: 0.118-0.818; P = 0.018), as obtained from the independent baseline platelet levels and other clinical features.

Conclusions
The platelet count may predict the prognosis for EGFR-TKI treatment without additional costs. Besides, changes in platelet count may serve as a meaningful parameter to establish the prognostic model for NSCLC patients receiving anti-EGFR targeted therapy.
Feasibility and outcome of metacognitive therapy for major depressive disorder: a pilot study
Authors: Winter Lotta , Schweiger Ulrich , Kahl Kai G. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Several studies have shown the effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) in treating different mental disorders. Most of these studies were performed in English speaking countries using the original English version of the manual. Our study aimed to examine the feasibility of the translated MCT manual in a sample of German patients with major depressive disorder.

Methods
Twenty outpatients (6 male, 14 female, mean age 42.1y) with major depressive disorder were included. The main outcome was drop-out rate and satisfaction with the treatment; secondary outcomes were changes in metacognitive beliefs assessed with the metacognitive questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30), and symptom reduction measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-2 sum score (BDI-2).

Results
No drop-outs during the treatment and the follow-up phase were observed. Patients and therapists were highly satisfied with MCT treatment. The MCQ-30 significantly declined over the treatment course, paralleled by a significant reduction of the BDI-2 sum scores (from 29 ± 8.6 at T0 to 8.4 ± 9.6 at the end of treatment). The average treatment duration was 10 ± 4 sessions.

Conclusions
Applying the German version of the manual for Metacognitive Therapy proved to be feasible in the treatment of depressed patients in an outpatient setting. The treatment was well tolerated by German patients. Outcome in terms of reduction of depressive symptoms was good. Remarkable is the comparably short treatment duration which should be investigated further in future studies.

Trial registration
German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS): DRKS00023644, 17.11.2020 (retrospectively registered).
Improving lifestyles sustainability through community gardening: results and lessons learnt from the JArDinS quasi-experimental study
Authors: Tharrey Marion , Sachs Ashby , Perignon Marlène , Simon Chantal , Mejean Caroline , Litt Jill , Darmon Nicole 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite an increasing number of studies highlighting the health benefits of community gardening, the literature is limited by cross-sectional designs. The “JArDinS” quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the impact of community garden participation on the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles among French adults.MethodsIndividuals entering a community garden in Montpellier (France) in 2018 (n = 66) were compared with pairwise matched individuals with no experience in community gardening (n = 66). Nutritional quality, environmental impact and cost of monthly household food supplies, level of physical activity measured by accelerometers, as well as mental and social well-being, sensitivity to food waste, and connection with nature were evaluated at baseline (t0) and 12 months later (t1) to explore sustainability of lifestyles in social/health, environmental and economic dimensions. Linear mixed models were used to determine the independent effect of community gardening on investigated lifestyles components. In-depth interviews were conducted at t1 with 15 gardeners to better understand changes that may have occurred in gardeners’ lives during the first year of gardening.ResultsAt t0, gardeners had lower education level, lower BMI and their household reported lower percentage of meals consumed outside of the home compared to non-gardeners (p <  0.05). Participating in the community garden had no significant impact, in spite of sufficient statistical power, on fruit and vegetables supplies (main outcome), nor on physical activity parameters, nor on others of the social/health, environmental and economic lifestyles components investigated. Qualitative interviews suggested the existence of pre-established health and environmental consciousness in some gardeners and revealed several barriers to the participation such as lack of time, lack of gardening knowledge, physical difficulty of gardening, health problems and conflicts with other gardeners.ConclusionsThe health benefits of community gardening previously reported by cross-sectional studies might be confounded by selection bias. The JArDinS study highlights the need to identify solutions to overcome barriers related to community garden participation when designing relevant public health interventions for the promotion of sustainable lifestyles.Trial registrationThe study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov asNCT03694782. Date of registration: 3rd October 2018, retrospectively registered.
Preparedness and response activities of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home-based primary care program around the fall 2017 hurricane season
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Der-Martirosian Claudia , Chu Karen , Johnson-Koenke Rachel , Dobalian Aram 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Large-scale natural disasters disproportionally affect both the medically complex and the older old, groups that are responsible for most medical surge after a disaster. To understand how to ameliorate this surge, we examined the activities of the nine US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) programs impacted during the 2017 Fall Hurricane Season.

Methods
Convergent mixed methods design, incorporating independently conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses. Phase One: 34 clinical staff were interviewed from the nine VA HBPC programs impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to examine the experiences of their HBPC programs in response to the Hurricanes. Phase Two: Secondary quantitative data analysis used the VA’s Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW) to examine the electronic health records of patients for these same nine sites.

Results
The emergency management activities of the HBPC programs emerged as two distinct phases: preparedness, and response and recovery. The early implementation of preparedness procedures, and coordinated post-Hurricane patient tracking, limited disruption in care and prevented significant hospitalizations among this population.

Conclusions
Individuals aged 75 or older, who often present with multiple comorbidities and decreased functional status, typically prefer to age in their homes. Additionally, as in-home medical equipment evolves, more medically vulnerable individuals are able to receive care at home. HBPC programs, and similar programs under Medicare, connect the homebound, medically complex, older old to the greater healthcare community. Engaging with these programs both pre- and post-disasters is central to bolstering community resilience for these at-risk populations.