bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Systolic Blood Pressure at Hospital Admission Is an Important Risk Factor in Models Predicting Outcome of COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Caillon Antoine , Zhao Kaiqiong , Klein Kathleen Oros , Greenwood Celia M T , Lu Zhibing , Paradis Pierre , Schiffrin Ernesto L 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The risk that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients develop critical illness that can be fatal depends on their age and immune status and may also be affected by comorbidities like hypertension. The goal of this study was to develop models that predict outcome using parameters collected at admission to the hospital.

METHODS AND RESULTS
This is a retrospective single-center cohort study of COVID-19 patients at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, China. Forty-three demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters collected at admission plus discharge/death status, days from COVID-19 symptoms onset, and days of hospitalization were analyzed. From 157 patients, 120 were discharged and 37 died. Pearson correlations showed that hypertension and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were associated with death and respiratory distress parameters. A penalized logistic regression model efficiently predicts the probability of death with 13 of 43 variables. A regularized Cox regression model predicts the probability of survival with 7 of above 13 variables. SBP but not hypertension was a covariate in both mortality and survival prediction models. SBP was elevated in deceased compared with discharged COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Using an unbiased approach, we developed models predicting outcome of COVID-19 patients based on data available at hospital admission. This can contribute to evidence-based risk prediction and appropriate decision-making at hospital triage to provide the most appropriate care and ensure the best patient outcome. High SBP, a cause of end-organ damage and an important comorbid factor, was identified as a covariate in both mortality and survival prediction models.
The Paradox of Apolitical Professionalism: The Bar Association and Political Repression in Chile, 1920s-1950s
Authors: González Le Saux Marianne 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This article studies how the organized Chilean legal profession responded to political repression between the 1920s and the 1950s. The research shows that, threatened by partisan politics, the Chilean Bar Association came to define itself as an “apolitical” and purely professional organization in order to ensure the cohesion of the guild. The elitist and mostly rightwing leadership of the Bar was reluctant to engage publicly in any politically-tainted action, including the defense of the victims of political persecution. Nevertheless, the pressure of its constituency to uphold the principle of professional solidarity forced the Bar to privately intercede in favor of politically persecuted lawyers, including Communist lawyers targeted during the early Cold War years. Still, in order to justify this intervention, both the Bar leadership and the Communist lawyers seeking the Bar’s protection framed their discourse in the narrow framework of the professional rights of lawyers, discarding a broader action in favor of the civil and political rights of the general citizenry. Therefore, in mid-twentieth-century Chile, the impossible project to transcend partisan politics through the discourse of apolitical legal professionalism curtailed rather buttressed the defense of rights and liberties. By exploring the complex relationship between lawyers and politics through the prism of the Chilean Bar Association, this piece contributes to the social and cultural history of lawyers in Latin America, to the broader sociological and historical debates on the relationship between lawyers and political liberalism, and to the history of human rights.
Survey of Spanish Language Neuropsychological Test Use in the Assessment of Hispanic Americans/Latino/as/x
Authors: Gasquoine Philip Gerard , Weimer Amy A , Estevis Eduardo , Perez Eros 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Objective
To identify the Spanish language neuropsychological tests most frequently used in the evaluation of Hispanic Americans/Latino/as/x across eight neuropsychological domains. To compare these with previously surveyed most frequently used English language tests in the US/Canada. To describe the norms used with Spanish language tests.

Method
An anonymous, uncompensated, 12-min survey was emailed to 169 members of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, Hispanic Neuropsychological Society, and National Academy of Neuropsychology who self-identified as providing neuropsychological evaluations in Spanish via organizational websites.

Results
The response rate was 36%. Respondents were all licensed U.S. psychologists with the majority fluent in Spanish, conducting less than half their evaluations in Spanish. There was an overlap between the versions of the three most frequently used Spanish versus English neuropsychological tests, but it varied by domain with 3/3 similar for visual–spatial/visuoconstructional skills and sensory/motor functioning domains and 2/3 similar for all other domains except memory (0/3). English language norm use predominated within the mood/personality and sensory/motor functioning domains. In all other domains, Spanish language norms collected in the continental US were preferred to those from foreign Spanish-speaking countries. The most frequently used foreign norms were from Mexico.

Conclusion
Except for the memory domain, there was a sizeable overlap between the three most frequently used Spanish and English language neuropsychological tests in the US. Spanish language tests are primarily interpreted with Spanish norms collected in the continental US except within the mood/personality and sensory/motor functioning domains where English language norms predominate.
Altered white matter microstructure is related to cognition in adults with congenital heart disease
Authors: Ehrler Melanie , Schlosser Ladina , Brugger Peter , Greutmann Matthias , Oxenius Angela , Kottke Raimund , O’Gorman Tuura Ruth , Latal Beatrice 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Adults with congenital heart disease are at risk for persisting executive function deficits, which are known to affect academic achievement and quality of life. Alterations in white -matter microstructure are associated with cognitive impairments in adolescents with congenital heart disease. This study aimed to identify microstructural alterations potentially associated with executive function deficits in adults with congenital heart disease. Diffusion tensor imaging and tract-based spatial statistics were conducted in 45 patients (18 females) and 54 healthy controls (26 females) aged 18–32 years. Fractional anisotropy of white matter diffusion was compared between groups and correlated with an executive function score, derived from an extensive neuropsychological test battery. Patients showed widespread bilateral reduction in fractional anisotropy (P &lt; 0.05, multiple comparison corrected) compared to controls. Lower fractional anisotropy was driven by patients with moderate and severe defect complexity (compared to controls: P &lt; 0.001). Executive function scores were lower in patients (P &lt; 0.05) and associated with lower fractional anisotropy in the left superior corona radiata and the corticospinal tract (corrected P &lt; 0.05). Our findings confirm alterations of white matter microstructure in adults with congenital heart disease, mainly in those patients of moderate to severe complexity. These alterations are associated with impairments in executive functioning. A better understanding of the neurocognitive deficits may help counselling and care of patients with congenital heart disease across their lifespan and have the potential to improve their outcome and quality of life.
Longitudinal Testing for Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Shedding of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Day Care Centers in Hesse, Germany
Authors: Hoehl Sebastian , Kreutzer Emilie , Schenk Barbara , Westhaus Sandra , Foppa Ivo , Herrmann Eva , Ettrich India , Leondaraki Maria , Schaible Alexander , Rudych Olga , Rabenau Holger , Berger Annemarie , Ciesek Sandra 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background
With the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ongoing in Europe in June 2020, day care centers were reopened in the state of Hesse, Germany, after the lockdown. The role young children play in the dynamics of the transmission was unknown.

Methods
We conducted a longitudinal study over 12 weeks and 2 days (18 June 2020–10 September 2020) to screen attendees and staff from day care centers in the state of Hesse, Germany, for both respiratory and gastrointestinal shedding of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 859 children (age range, 3 months-8 years) and 376 staff members from 50 day care centers, which were chosen representatively from throughout the state, participated in the study. Parents were asked to collect both a buccal mucosa and an anal swab from their children once a week. Staff were asked to self-administer the swabs. Reverse transcriptas polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 was performed in a multiple-swab pooling protocol.

Results
A total of 7366 buccal mucosa swabs and 5907 anal swabs were analyzed. No respiratory or gastrointestinal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in any of the children. Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 2 staff members from distinct day care centers. One was asymptomatic at the time of testing, and one was symptomatic and did not attend the facility on that day.

Conclusion
Detection of either respiratory or gastrointestinal shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in children and staff members attending day care centers was rare in the context of limited community activity and with infection prevention measures in the facilities in place.
The ‘Cauliflower Heart’: a case report of congenital bi-atrial aneurysms causing non-controllable arrhythmia
Authors: Stoller Fabienne , Glöckler Martin , Kadner Alexander , Widenka Hannah 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Background
Congenital aneurysms of the atrium are very rare malformations. Known complications are therapy-resistant arrhythmias. Different treatments such as medical therapy, electrophysiological ablation, and surgery have been proposed. However, there are no guidelines on treatment.

Case summary
We describe the case of a neonate with bi-atrial aneurysms causing atrial arrhythmia. Arrhythmia was first observed in the 28th week of gestation. Maternal digoxin treatment did not show any effect. After birth, bi-atrial aneurysms were diagnosed and determined as the probable cause of the atrial tachycardia and later of atrial flutter. Antiarrhythmic drug treatment was initiated. However, only frequency control could be achieved. At the age of 7 months, the patient underwent surgical resection. Since surgery, sinus rhythm is present.

Conclusion
Atrial aneurysms are rare malformations, known complications are atrial arrhythmia. If medical treatment fails, surgery correction appears to be indicated going along with low operative risk and a high probability of successful termination of arrhythmia.
Patient-tailored antithrombotic therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: van der Sangen Niels M R , Rozemeijer Rik , Chan Pin Yin Dean R P P , Valgimigli Marco , Windecker Stephan , James Stefan K , Buccheri Sergio , ten Berg Jurriën M , Henriques José P S , Voskuil Michiel , Kikkert Wouter J 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDual antiplatelet therapy has long been the standard of care in preventing coronary and cerebrovascular thrombotic events in patients with chronic coronary syndrome and acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, but choosing the optimal treatment duration and composition has become a major challenge. Numerous studies have shown that certain patients benefit from either shortened or extended treatment duration. Furthermore, trials evaluating novel antithrombotic strategies, such as P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy, low-dose factor Xa inhibitors on top of antiplatelet therapy, and platelet function- or genotype-guided (de-)escalation of treatment, have shown promising results. Current guidelines recommend risk stratification for tailoring treatment duration and composition. Although several risk stratification methods evaluating ischaemic and bleeding risk are available to clinicians, such as the use of risk scores, platelet function testing , and genotyping, risk stratification has not been broadly adopted in clinical practice. Multiple risk scores have been developed to determine the optimal treatment duration, but external validation studies have yielded conflicting results in terms of calibration and discrimination and there is limited evidence that their adoption improves clinical outcomes. Likewise, platelet function testing and genotyping can provide useful prognostic insights, but trials evaluating treatment strategies guided by these stratification methods have produced mixed results. This review critically appraises the currently available antithrombotic strategies and provides a viewpoint on the use of different risk stratification methods alongside clinical judgement in current clinical practice.
Higher Parity Is Associated With Lower Mortality in a European Population of Women With High Fertility: Results From Ireland
Authors: Orr Joanna , Kenny Rose Anne , McGarrigle Christine A 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Research has often found a U- or J-shaped association between parity and mortality. Many researchers have suggested repeated pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation taxes the body beyond a certain parity level. Available research has concentrated on populations with controlled fertility or historic populations. Ireland presents an opportunity to explore these associations in a modern sample with high fertility. We use data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) to test whether parity is associated with mortality in women aged 50 years or over (n = 4177). We use Cox proportional hazards models to model survival and adjust for demographics and early life circumstances. We test whether a number of health characteristics mediate these effects. Models were also stratified by birth cohort to test possible cohort effects. Higher parity was associated with lower risk of mortality, even after adjustment for early life and socioeconomic circumstances. This effect was not mediated by current health characteristics. The effects were largely driven by those born between 1931 and 1950. Increasing parity is associated with decreasing mortality risk in this sample. The effects of parity could not be explained through any of the observed health characteristics. These findings are in contrast to much of the literature on this question in similar populations. Lack of fertility control in Ireland may have “selected” healthier women into high parity. Social explanations for these associations should be further explored.
Elevated Plasma Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 Predicts Incident Anemia in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Older
Authors: Yamaguchi Yuko , Zampino Marta , Tanaka Toshiko , Bandinelli Stefania , Osawa Yusuke , Ferrucci Luigi , Semba Richard D 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Anemia is common in older adults and associated with greater morbidity and mortality. The causes of anemia in older adults have not been completely characterized. Although elevated circulating growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been associated with anemia in older adults, it is not known whether elevated GDF-15 predicts the development of anemia. We examined the relationship between plasma GDF-15 concentrations at baseline in 708 nonanemic adults, aged 60 years and older, with incident anemia during 15 years of follow-up among participants in the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) Study. During follow-up, 179 (25.3%) participants developed anemia. The proportion of participants who developed anemia from the lowest to highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 was 12.9%, 20.1%, 21.2%, and 45.8%, respectively. Adults in the highest quartile of plasma GDF-15 had an increased the risk of developing anemia (hazards ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.09, 1.21, p &lt; .0001) compared to those in the lower 3 quartiles in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for age, sex, serum iron, soluble transferrin receptor, ferritin, vitamin B12, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Circulating GDF-15 is an independent predictor for the development of anemia in older adults.
Rumination and Sleep Quality Among Older Adults: Examining the Role of Social Support
Authors: Marini Christina M , Wilson Stephanie J , Nah Suyoung , Martire Lynn M , Sliwinski Martin J 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Although the adverse link between rumination and sleep quality is well established, much of the literature neglects the role of social factors. This study examined the role of older adults’ perceived social support from spouses and from family/friends in modifying the association between trait rumination and sleep quality. Existing hypotheses suggest that social support may play 3 unique roles, each tested within the current study: (H1) support may act as a protective factor that buffers negative effects of rumination on sleep quality, (H2) support may curtail rumination and, in turn, promote sleep quality, and (H3) rumination may erode support and, in turn, undermine sleep quality.

Method
Data came from 86 partnered older adults in independent-living or retirement communities (Mage = 75.70 years). We utilized 3 waves of interview data collected annually between 2017 and 2019. The first hypothesis was tested using moderation in multilevel models; the second 2 hypotheses were evaluated with prospective associations using multilevel mediation.

Results
Negative effects of high-trait rumination on time-varying sleep quality were attenuated among those who reported high, stable levels of support from their spouses. Perceived family/friend support did not yield the same protective effect. There was no evidence that support preempted, or was eroded by, rumination.

Discussion
Perceived spousal support may act as a psychosocial resource that mitigates negative effects of trait rumination on older adults’ sleep quality. Interventions aimed at mitigating maladaptive outcomes of rumination on sleep quality for older adults should consider spousal support as a key target.
Connecting the Dots: Digital Integrity as a Human Right
Authors: Rochel Johan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This contribution argues for the recognition of digital integrity as a human right, either as a right on its own or as an interpretative principle for related rights. The right to digital integrity represents a legal norm that crystallizes a certain vision of the individual, as well as the protections that he/she ought to be afforded in a world where digital technologies are omnipresent and pervasive. The main function which digital integrity would fulfil as a human right is a consistency-providing function between the protection of human dignity, the protection of freedom and the protection of privacy. Digital integrity is a concretization of the protection of human dignity in terms of the specific threats that are posed by digital technologies. It serves to promote a substantial definition of what freedom should be about and how this freedom relates to the protection of privacy in informational matters. This contribution illustrates this claim by outlining a republican view of digital integrity and exemplifying its impact on related rights.
Modelling selection response in plant-breeding programs using crop models as mechanistic gene-to-phenotype (CGM-G2P) multi-trait link functions
Authors: Cooper M , Powell O , Voss-Fels K P , Messina C D , Gho C , Podlich D W , Technow F , Chapman S C , Beveridge C A , Ortiz-Barrientos D , Hammer G L 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPlant-breeding programs are designed and operated over multiple cycles to systematically change the genetic makeup of plants to achieve improved trait performance for a Target Population of Environments (TPE). Within each cycle, selection applied to the standing genetic variation within a structured reference population of genotypes (RPG) is the primary mechanism by which breeding programs make the desired genetic changes. Selection operates to change the frequencies of the alleles of the genes controlling trait variation within the RPG. The structure of the RPG and the TPE has important implications for the design of optimal breeding strategies. The breeder’s equation, together with the quantitative genetic theory behind the equation, informs many of the principles for design of breeding programs. The breeder’s equation can take many forms depending on the details of the breeding strategy. Through the genetic changes achieved by selection, the cultivated varieties of crops (cultivars) are improved for use in agriculture. From a breeding perspective, selection for specific trait combinations requires a quantitative link between the effects of the alleles of the genes impacted by selection and the trait phenotypes of plants and their breeding value. This gene-to-phenotype link function provides the G2P map for one to many traits. For complex traits controlled by many genes, the infinitesimal model for trait genetic variation is the dominant G2P model of quantitative genetics. Here we consider motivations and potential benefits of using the hierarchical structure of crop models as CGM-G2P trait link functions in combination with the infinitesimal model for the design and optimization of selection in breeding programs.
Palpable Breast Findings in High-risk Patients: Are Self- and Clinical Breast Exams Worthwhile?
Authors: Portnow Leah H , D’Alessio Donna , Morris Elizabeth A , Bernard-Davila Blanca , Mango Victoria L 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Objective
To assess breast imaging findings, biopsy rates, and malignancy rates in areas of palpable concern in women at high risk for breast cancer.

Methods
An IRB–approved retrospective review of a tertiary cancer center’s breast imaging database was performed. Breast imaging and electronic medical records of high-risk women with palpable findings detected on self- or clinical breast examination from January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2016, were reviewed. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted.

Results
Imaging correlates for 322 palpable findings in 238 high-risk women included 55/203 (27.1%) on mammography, 183/302 (60.6%) on US, and 20/47 (42.6%) on MRI. Biopsies were performed for 104/322 (32.3%) palpable findings: 95/104 (91.3%) under imaging guidance and 9/104 (8.7%) under palpation after negative imaging. Of 322 palpable findings, 16 (5.0%) were malignant in 16/238 (6.7%) women, yielding a positive predictive value of biopsy of 16.8% (95% CI: 9.2%–24%). Women diagnosed with cancer had 16/16 (100%) sonographic, 9/14 (64.3%) mammographic, and 7/7 (100%) MRI correlates. Cancer histopathology included 12 invasive ductal carcinomas, 1 ductal carcinoma in situ, 1 invasive lobular carcinoma, 1 malignant phyllodes tumor, and 1 metastatic carcinoid tumor. Over two years of follow-up imaging in 183/238 (76.9%) women were reviewed; 7/183 (3.8%) were diagnosed with breast cancer at least one year after presenting with a palpable concern in a different location.

Conclusion
High-risk women with palpable findings exhibit a 6.7% malignancy rate, indicating the value of imaging workup in this population. In our cohort, imaging demonstrated a high negative predictive value.