bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Random Movement of Mesoscale Eddies in the Global Ocean
Authors: Ni Qinbiao , Zhai Xiaoming , Wang Guihua , Marshall David P. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn this study we track and analyze eddy movement in the global ocean using 20 years of altimeter data and show that, in addition to the well-known westward propagation and slight polarity-based meridional deflections, mesoscale eddies also move randomly in all directions at all latitudes as a result of eddy–eddy interaction. The speed of this random eddy movement decreases with latitude and equals the baroclinic Rossby wave speed at about 25° of latitude. The tracked eddies are on average isotropic at mid- and high latitudes, but become noticeably more elongated in the zonal direction at low latitudes. Our analyses suggest a critical latitude of approximately 25° that separates the global ocean into a low-latitude anisotropic wavelike regime and a high-latitude isotropic turbulence regime. One important consequence of random eddy movement is that it results in lateral diffusion of eddy energy. The associated eddy energy diffusivity, estimated using two different methods, is found to be a function of latitude. The zonal-mean eddy energy diffusivity varies from over 1500 m2 s−1 at low latitudes to around 500 m2 s−1 at high latitudes, but significantly larger values are found in the eddy energy hotspots at all latitudes, in excess of 5000 m2 s−1. Results from this study have important implications for recently developed energetically consistent mesoscale eddy parameterization schemes which require solving the eddy energy budget.
The role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of talocalcaneal coalitions
Authors: Wang Tiezheng , Qi Hengtao , Rong Kai , Zhang Shuqian , Bao Shougang , Cheng Tianqing , Teng Jianbo 
Published: August 2020

Background Patients with talocalcaneal coalitions (TCC) often undergo computed tomography (CT). However, ultrasonography diagnosis of TCC has been seldom done according to the literature. Purpose To investigate the accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosing TCC compared to CT. Material and Methods Ninety-seven consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of TCC were included. Ultrasonography was used to assess the classification and complication of TCC. The main sonographic criteria for a positive diagnosis in cases of osseous coalition were the joint space between the medial surface of talar head and the underlying sustentaculum tali of calcaneus disappearing and being replaced by a continuous hyperechoic bony structure. In cases of fibrous coalition, ultrasonography revealed a reduced space of the joint associated with an irregular, angular appearance of its outline and hypoechoic fibrous tissue inside. These data were compared with CT findings. κ statistic was applied to determine the level of agreement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and Youden index of ultrasonography as a diagnostic method were assessed. Results Ultrasonography findings were positive in 20 of 97 patients with a clinical suspicion of TCC. The diagnosis was confirmed by CT in 21 patients. There were one false-positive result and two false-negative results by ultrasonography. The κ value was 0.907. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and Youden index of ultrasonography were 90.5%, 98.7%, 95.0%, 97.4%, 96.9%, and 0.892, respectively. Conclusion Ultrasonography could be a reliable, accurate, and non-radioactive diagnostic imaging method in diagnosis of patients with suspected TCC.
Transcriptome profiling revealed potentially important roles of defensive gene expression in the divergence of insect biotypes: a case study with the cereal aphid Sitobion avenae
Authors: Wang Da , Liu Deguang , Shi Xiaoqin , Yang Yujing , Zhang Na , Shang Zheming 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Many insects can develop differential biotypes on variable host plants, but the underlying molecular factors and mechanisms are not well understood. To address this issue, transcriptome profiling analyses were conducted for two biotypes of the cereal aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), on both original and alternative plants.

Results
Comparisons between both biotypes generated 4174 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs). In their response to host plant shift, 39 DEGs were shared by both biotypes, whereas 126 and 861 DEGs occurred only in biotypes 1 and 3, respectively. MMC (modulated modularity clustering) analyses showed that specific DEGs of biotypes 1 and 3 clustered into five and nine transcriptional modules, respectively. Among these DEGs, defense-related genes underwent intensive expression restructuring in both biotypes. However, biotype 3 was found to have relatively lower gene transcriptional plasticity than biotype 1. Gene enrichment analyses of the abovementioned modules showed functional divergence in defensive DEGs for the two biotypes in response to host transfer. The expression plasticity for some defense related genes was showed to be directly related to fecundity of S. avenae biotypes on both original and alternative plants, suggesting that expression plasticity of key defensive genes could have significant impacts on the adaptive potential and differentiation of S. avenae biotypes on different plants.

Conclusions
The divergence patterns of transcriptional plasticity in defense related genes may play important roles in the phenotypic evolution and differentiation of S. avenae biotypes. Our results can provide insights into the role of gene expression plasticity in the divergence of insect biotypes and adaptive evolution of insect populations.
Soluble neprilysin and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Choi Ik Jun , Lim Sungmin , Hwang Youngdeok , Lee Dongjae , Lee Won Jik , Lee Kwan Yong , Kim Mi-Jeong , Jeon Doo Soo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundNeprilysin has an essential role in regulating fluid balance and vascular resistance, and neprilysin inhibitors have shown beneficial effects in patients with heart failure. However, the potential predictive value of neprilysin levels as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of soluble neprilysin (sNEP) levels in patients with ischemic heart disease.MethodsNeprilysin levels were measured in 694 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). These patients were classified into two groups according to their serum levels of neprilysin and categorized into the lower neprilysin group (n = 348) and the higher neprilysin group (n = 346). The primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality, and the secondary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).ResultsThe median sNEP level was 76.0 pg/ml. The median sNEP levels were higher in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40% (77.6 pg/ml, interquartile range 46.6–141.3) than in those with LVEF < 40% (70.0 pg/ml, interquartile range 47.1–100.6;P = 0.032). Among all patients, each clinical outcome and MACE did not differ significantly according to the groups divided into median, tertile, or quartile of sNEP levels during a median follow-up of 28.4 months. We did not find a significant relationship between sNEP levels and clinical outcomes in multivariate Cox regression analysis. Among patients with LVEF < 40%, an increased sNEP level was associated with a higher rate of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio 2.630, 95% confidence interval 1.049–6.595,P = 0.039).ConclusionSerum sNEP levels are not associated with long-term mortality or cardiovascular outcomes after PCI in patients with CAD. In the LVEF < 40% group, increased sNEP levels may be associated with a higher risk of all-cause death.
The Durham Initiative for Stomach Health (DISH): a pilot community-based Helicobacter pylori education and screening study
Authors: Crankshaw Sydnee , Butt Julia , Gierisch Jennifer M. , Barrett Nadine J. , Mervin-Blake Sabrena , Oeffinger Kevin , Patierno Steven , Worthy Valarie , Godbee Ronald , Epplein Meira 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundApproximately 15% of all cancers are due to infection. The bacteriaHelicobacter pyloriis the single leading carcinogenic infectious agent and the main cause of stomach cancer. Prevalence ofH. pylori, and, correspondingly, stomach cancer incidence and mortality, is significantly greater among African Americans than whites in the United States. In the present study, we conducted a pilot community-engagedH. pylorieducation and screening study in partnership with a predominantly African American church in Durham, North Carolina.MethodsInitially, we consulted with community advisory boards and convened stakeholder meetings with local community members and primary care physicians. We then developed this pilot study through an iterative collaboration with church partners. Our main outcomes were feasibility and acceptability as measured by participation in a one-dayH. pyloriscreening initiative, and participation in follow-up for those who tested positive. We also sought to determine prevalence and determinants of activeH. pyloriinfection in this population.ResultsCommunity engagement informed the event logistics, messaging, educational materials provided, and follow-up plans. A total of 92 individuals participated in the primary study event, 25% of whom had a currentH. pyloriinfection. Of those, 87% returned for the follow-up events, among whom 70% had successfully cleared their infection.ConclusionsThrough community engagement, community-basedH. pyloriscreening and stomach cancer prevention is feasible and acceptable. This is a necessary step in order to move stomach cancer prevention forward to population-based precisionH. pyloriscreening and eradication.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of patients with severe COVID-19 in Jiangsu province, China: a retrospective multicentre cohort study
Authors: Liu Songqiao , Luo Huanyuan , Wang Yuancheng , Cuevas Luis E. , Wang Duolao , Ju Shenghong , Yang Yi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a major health event that endangers people health throughout China and the world. Understanding the factors associated with COVID-19 disease severity could support the early identification of patients with high risk for disease progression, inform prevention and control activities, and potentially reduce mortality. This study aims to describe the characteristics of patients with COVID-19 and factors associated with severe or critically ill presentation in Jiangsu province, China.

Methods
Multicentre retrospective cohort study of all individuals with confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections diagnosed at 24 COVID-19-designated hospitals in Jiangsu province between the 10th January and 15th March 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were collected at hospital admission and data on disease severity were collected during follow-up. Patients were categorised as asymptomatic/mild/moderate, and severe/critically ill according to the worst level of COVID-19 recorded during hospitalisation.

Results
A total of 625 patients, 64 (10.2%) were severe/critically ill and 561 (89.8%) were asymptomatic/mild/moderate. All patients were discharged and no patients died. Patients with severe/critically ill COVID-19 were more likely to be older, to be single onset (i.e. not belong to a cluster of cases in a family/community, etc.), to have a medical history of hypertension and diabetes; had higher temperature, faster respiratory rates, lower peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), and higher computer tomography (CT) image quadrant scores and pulmonary opacity percentage; had increased C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and D-dimer on admission; and had lower white blood cells, lymphocyte, and platelet counts and albumin on admission than asymptomatic/mild/moderate cases. Multivariable regression showed that odds of being a severe/critically ill case were associated with age (year) (OR 1.06, 95%CI 1.03–1.09), lymphocyte count (109/L) (OR 0.25, 95%CI 0.08–0.74), and pulmonary opacity in CT (per 5%) on admission (OR 1.31, 95%CI 1.15–1.51).

Conclusions
Severe or critically ill patients with COVID-19 is about one-tenths of patients in Jiangsu. Age, lymphocyte count, and pulmonary opacity in CT on admission were associated with risk of severe or critically ill COVID-19.
Staphylococcal endocarditis in a quadricuspid aortic valve following uncomplicated dengue infection: a case report
Authors: Weerasooriya Nilusha , Fernando Tharanga , Serasinghe Pasan , Alahakoon Buddhika , Madurapperuma Chirath , Jayanaga Ananda 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Dengue fever is endemic and a leading health problem in Sri Lanka. Increased incidence of concurrent bacteremia in patients with dengue infection is a recognized complication. However, Staphylococcal endocarditis following dengue fever is uncommon. Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital anomaly and few cases of infective endocarditis have been reported in QAV.

Case presentation
A 32-year-old Sri Lankan male presented to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka with recurrence of fever and acute left hemiplegia following an uncomplicated recovery of dengue fever. He was diagnosed to have Staphylococcal infective endocarditis of quadricuspid aortic valve, with septic emboli to brain and spleen. He was managed with intravenous vancomycin initially, however, due to inadequate response, intravenous linezolid was added. He developed rhabdomyolysis with very high creatine phosphokinase leading to acute kidney injury, which settled with the cessation of linezolid. The patient succumbed to his illness despite aggressive antimicrobial therapy and maximum supportive care while being assessed for aortic valve replacement.

Conclusions
This case illustrates three clinical issues that a clinician should be aware of. Firstly, the possibility of a serious secondary bacterial infection as a cause for recurrence of fever following dengue infection. Secondly, this case highlights the importance of identifying QAV as a cause for complicated infective endocarditis of increased severity. The report also denotes the value of being vigilant of linezolid induced rhabdomyolysis which had a causal relationship with the commencement of the drug and its cessation.
Quick assessment of influenza a virus infectivity with a long-range reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay
Authors: Nakaya Yuki , Fukuda Takashi , Ashiba Hiroki , Yasuura Masato , Fujimaki Makoto 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is commonly used to detect viral pathogens because of its high sensitivity and specificity. However, conventional PCR methods cannot determine virus infectivity. Virus infectivity is conventionally examined with methods such as the plaque assay, even though such assays require several days. Long-range reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has previously been suggested for the rapid assessment of RNA virus infectivity where the loss of infectivity is attributable to genomic fragmentation.MethodsIAV was irradiated with 253.7 nm ultraviolet (UV) rays to induce genomic strand breaks that were confirmed by a full-length RT-PCR assay. The IAV was then subjected to plaque assay, conventional RT-qPCR and long-range RT-qPCR to examine the relationship between infectious titer and copy number. A simple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the correlation between the results of these assays.ResultsA long-range RT-qPCR assay was developed and validated for influenza A virus (IAV). Although only a few minutes of UV irradiation was required to completely inactivate IAV, genomic RNA remained detectable by the conventional RT-qPCR and the full-length RT-PCR for NS of viral genome following inactivation. A long-range RT-qPCR assay was then designed using RT-priming at the 3′ termini of each genomic segment and subsequent qPCR of the 5′ regions. UV-mediated IAV inactivation was successfully analyzed by the long-range RT-qPCR assay especially when targeting PA of the viral genome. This was also supported by the regression analysis that the long-range RT-qPCR is highly correlated with plaque assay (AdjustedR2 = 0.931,P = 0.000066).ConclusionsThis study suggests that IAV infectivity can be predicted without the infectivity assays. The rapid detection of pathogenic IAV has, therefore, been achieved with this sensing technology.
Feasibility study of using simultaneous multi-slice RESOLVE diffusion weighted imaging to assess parotid gland tumors: comparison with conventional RESOLVE diffusion weighted imaging
Authors: Jiang Jia-Suo , Zhu Liu-Ning , Wu Qian , Sun Yi , Liu Wei , Xu Xiao-Quan , Wu Fei-Yun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
To evaluate the feasibility of using simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout segmentation of long variable echo-trains (RESOLVE) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to assess parotid gland tumors, compared with conventional RESOLVE DWI.

Methods
From September 2018 to December 2018, 20 consecutive patients with parotid tumors who underwent MRI scan for pre-surgery evaluation were enrolled. SMS-RESOLVE DWI and conventional RESOLVE DWI were scanned with matched imaging parameters, respectively. The scan time of two DWI sequences was recorded. Qualitative (anatomical structure differentiation, lesion display, artifact, and overall image quality) and quantitative (apparent diffusion coefficient, ADC; ratio of signal-to-noise ratio, SNR ratio; ratio of contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR ratio) assessments of image quality were performed, and compared between SMS-RESOLVE DWI and conventional RESOLVE DWI by using Paired t-test. Two-sided P value less than 0.05 indicated significant difference.

Results
The scan time was 3 min and 41 s for SMS-RESOLVE DWI, and 5 min and 46 s for conventional RESOLVE DWI. SMS-RESOLVE DWI produced similar qualitative image quality with RESOLVE DWI (anatomical structure differentiation, P = 0.164; lesion display, P = 0.193; artifact, P = 0.330; overall image quality, P = 0.083). Meanwhile, there were no significant difference on ADCLesion (P = 0.298), ADCMasseter (P = 0.122), SNR ratio (P = 0.584) and CNR ratio (P = 0.217) between two DWI sequences.

Conclusion
Compared with conventional RESOLVE DWI, SMS-RESOLVE DWI could provide comparable image quality using markedly reduced scan time. SMS could increase the clinical usability of RESOLVE technique for DWI of parotid gland.
The use of activated vitamin D and risks of hospitalization for infection and amputation in incident hemodialysis patients in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Chao Jo-Yen , Li Chung-Yi , Wang Ming-Cheng , Kao Yang Yea-Huei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Hemodialysis patients have a high risk of mortality. The most common causes of death are cardiovascular disease and infection. The potential hazard or benefit associated with vitamin D use and cardiovascular or infection outcome is poorly characterized.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study by recruiting 52,757 patients older than 20 years from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) who initiated maintenance hemodialysis between 2001 and 2009. Patients who were prescribed activated vitamin D before the 360th day from hemodialysis initiation were defined as vitamin D users. The primary outcome of interest includes occurrence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke, lower limb amputation, and hospitalization for infection, respectively, while death events are treated as competing events. We conducted competing risk analysis using subdistribution hazard regression model to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios (SHRs) in relation to various outcomes.

Results
During the median follow-up of 1019 days, the vitamin D users had a lower crude mortality rate, lower incidences of AMI, ischemic stroke, amputation, and hospitalization for infection compared with non-users. Taking into consideration competing events of death, vitamin D users were associated with a lower hazard of lower limb amputation (SHR 0.84 [95% CI, 0.74–0.96]) and hospitalization for infection (SHR 0.90 [95% CI, 0.87–0.94]), but not AMI or ischemic stroke, after adjustment for potential confounders. Subgroup analyses and dose response evaluation both showed a consistent association of activated vitamin D treatment with decreased risk of amputation and infection.

Conclusion
The findings suggest that therapeutic activated vitamin D use in hemodialysis patients may be beneficial for decreasing infection events and amputation, of which the latter is a complication of peripheral vascular disease, rather than reducing major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events such as AMI or ischemic stroke.
Predictors of persistent disease activity following anti-VEGF loading dose for nAMD patients in Singapore: the DIALS study
Authors: Tan Colin S. , Lim Louis W. , Ngo Wei Kiong , Pannirselvam Pandiyan , See Clarence , Chee Wai Kitt , Saxena Nakul 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
To determine the frequency of persistent disease activity following 3 loading doses of anti- vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, and the anatomic and demographic predictors of early persistent disease activity among patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods
In a retrospective real-world cohort study, 281 consecutive patients with nAMD were reviewed at baseline and after 3 anti-VEGF injections for pre-defined indicators of disease activity. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) features such as subretinal fluid, intraretinal cysts and intraretinal fluid were assessed by reading-center certified graders. Multiple logistic regression was performed on demographic and anatomic factors.

Results
At month 3, 66.1% of patients had persistent disease activity. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement was 0.16 LogMAR for those with no disease activity compared to 0 for patients with persistent activity (p < 0.001). The significant risk factors for persistent activity at 3 months were male gender (odds ratio [OR] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32–0.93, p = 0.025), intraretinal cysts at baseline (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.67–5.20, p < 0.001) and subretinal fluid at baseline (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.62–6.18, p = 0.002). At 3 months, 58% of patients had features of activity on OCT. Patients with intraretinal cysts and intraretinal fluid at baseline had worse BCVA at month 3 compared to patients without these OCT features (0.69 vs. 0.43, p < 0.001, and 0.62 vs. 0.43, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions
In a real-world study, 66.1% of nAMD patients have persistent disease activity after the initial loading dose, with poorer BCVA compared to those without. Baseline OCT features (intraretinal cysts and subretinal fluid) are useful predictors of persistent disease activity at month 3.