bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different conbercept injection strategies for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Gao Lei , Tao Yuan , Liu Min , Li Linlin , Zhang Peng , Wang Hong , Zhang Linna 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Conbercept is a novel anti-vascular endothelial growth factor for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The most optimal injection strategy is unknown. To assess the effectiveness of intravitreal injection of conbercept using the 3 + pro re nata (PRN) and 3 + Q3 M strategies for the treatment of exudative AMD.
From January 2015 to January 2018, patients confirmed with exudative AMD at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University were included in this retrospective study. Intravitreal injection of 0.5 mg of conbercept was conducted either with the 3 + PRN or 3 + Q3 M strategy. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and optical coherence tomography were conducted at 1 and 2 weeks, then every month. fundus fluorescein angiography examination was conducted every 3 months.
There were 106 eyes from 106 patients. The number of follow-ups (3 + Q3 M: 12.4 ± 1.3 vs 3 + PRN: 12.9 ± 1.6, P = .079) and the follow-up time (3 + Q3 M: 12.7 ± 0.6 vs 3 + PRN: 12.5 ± 0.7 months, P = .121) were similar in the 2 groups. The number of injections was less in 3 + PRN than 3 + Q3 M (5.3 ± 1.0 vs 6.0 ± 0.0, P < .001) The BCVA at months 7 and 9 to 12 in the 3 + Q3 M (n = 51) group were lower than for 3 + PRN (n = 55) (all P < .05). The CRT at months 9 to 12 in the 3 + Q3 M group was lower than in the 3 + PRN group (all P < .05). There were no differences between the 2 groups regarding the exudation area during follow-up. No serious treatment-related ocular complications or serious systemic adverse events were found.
The 3 + PRN and 3 + Q3 M strategies of intravitreal injection of conbercept are effective in treating exudative AMD. The 3 + Q3 M strategy needs more injection but is more effective in increasing visual acuity and reducing macular CRT than the 3 + PRN strategy.
Hemodynamic stability during adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma
Authors: Ban Eun Jeong , Yap Zeng , Kandil Emad , Lee Cho Rok , Kang Sang-Wook , Lee Jandee , Jeong Jong Ju , Nam Kee-Hyun , Chung Woong Youn 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Hemodynamic stability is one of the most critical aspects of adrenal surgery for pheochromocytoma. Few articles have evaluated the hemodynamic status of patients undergoing posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (PRA) for pheochromocytoma. The aim of this study is to compare the intraoperative hemodynamic parameters between lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy (TPA) and PRA in this groups of patients.
This report describes a retrospective study of 53 pheochromocytoma patients who underwent endoscopic adrenalectomy via transperitoneal (22 patients) or posterior retroperitoneal (31 patients) approaches from January 2008 to March 2015. Data from these patients were compared to investigate the differences in hemodynamic parameters between the 2 approaches.
Clinical parameters at presentation were similar between the 2 groups, except for tumor size, which was larger in the TPA group. The PRA group is associated with reduced operative time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay compared to TPA even after adjusting for the tumor size. There was greater BP fluctuations and higher maximum systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) within the TPA group compared to PRA during univariate analysis. This was however not significant after adjusting for tumor size. There was no difference in the intraoperative inotropic support requirement between the 2 groups.
PRA is associated with stable intraoperative hemodynamic status, as well as favorable perioperative outcomes compared to TPA in patients with small pheochromocytomas.
Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction for treating cervical radiculopathy
Authors: Liang Long , Wei Xu , Feng Minshan , Zhu Liguo , Yu Jie , Yang Gongbo , Yin Xunlu , Zhou Shuaiqi , Li Kaiming , Yang Mao , Wang Xingyu 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background:
Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (HGWD) is a common prescription for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy (CR). And the effectiveness and safety of HGWD for CR were assessed in this study.

Methods:
Seven databases were searched. Randomized controlled trials involving HGWD alone or HGWD combined with conventional treatment were enrolled. The authors in pairs independently assessed the risk of bias and extracted the data.

Results:
Eight studies involving 783 participants with CR were included. Meta-analysis revealed that the efficacy of HGWD for CR was significantly superior compared with control treatment (risk ratio = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.06–1.19, Z = 3.71; P = .0002). Compare with control group, there is an increase in visual analog scale (mean difference [MD] = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.83–1.14; Z = 12.57; P < .00001). There was also an improvement of neck disability index (MD = 9.2; 95% CI: 8.28–10.11; Z = 19.75; P < .00001). Adverse events were not mentioned in the 8 trials.

Conclusion:
HGWD alone or HGWD plus other treatment may be helpful to patients with CR. However, the methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials was generally low. Larger and better-designed randomized controlled trials are recommended.
Rapid identification of clinical common invasive fungi via a multi-channel real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction melting curve analysis
Authors: Wen Xiaozi , Chen Qiong , Yin Huali , Wu Shenghai , Wang Xianjun 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) has recently increased, and early and accurate diagnosis of IFIs is important for the rational selection of antifungal drugs with high efficacy. We developed a method for rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis of IFIs and provide a reference for personalized drug treatment.
We designed and screened fungal internal transcribed spacer regions with universal primers and designed 8 TaqMan detection probes to establish a multi-channel real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) melting curve analysis (MCA) method. The sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of this method were investigated using standard fungal strains and clinical isolates. Candidemia was detected using the MCA method.
The limit of detection and assay cut-off (melting temperature [Tm]) for Candida albicans were 0.05 pg/μL and 66.50 °C; Candida glabrata were 0.1 pg/μL and 66.25 °C; Candida tropicalis were 0.1 pg/μL and 60.15 °C; Candida krusei were 0.1 pg/μL and 72.15 °C; Candida parapsilosis were 0.2 pg/μL and 63.10 °C; Candida guilliermondii were 0.1 pg/μL and 61.84 °C; Cryptococcus neoformans were 0.1 pg/μL and 65.50 °C; Aspergillus flavus were 0.05 pg/μL and 71.50 °C; Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus niger were 0.05 pg/μL and 76.80 °C. Analytical specificity was evaluated using 13 clinical pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Haemophilus influenzae, etc. No false-positive results were obtained for any of these samples. The MCA method can detect and identify different candidemia simulations. The limit detection concentration of C albicans was 44 cfu/mL, C glabrata was 73 cfu/mL, C tropicalis was 29 cfu/mL, C parapsilosis was 21 cfu/mL, C krusei was 71 cfu/mL, and C guilliermondii was 53 cfu/mL.
The multi-channel real-time fluorescence PCR melting curve analysis displayed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting various clinically invasive fungi. Furthermore, it simultaneously detected the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus and identified Candida at the species level. Our method can facilitate early and accurate clinical diagnosis and personalized medication regimens.
The outcome of primary tumor resection in the unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer patients who received the bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy
Authors: Yeom Seung-Seop , Lee Soo Young , Kwak Han Deok , Kim Chang Hyun , Kim Young Jin , Kim Hyeong Rok 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Primary tumor resection (PTR) for unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients has been documented to be associated with postoperative hyper-neovascularization and enhanced growth of metastases, which may be prevented by bevacizumab. This study aimed to investigate the survival outcome of PTR in patients who received palliative bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy (BCT).
From January 2006 to December 2018, medical records of 240 mCRC patients who received palliative BCT at a single tertiary colorectal cancer center were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into three groups: PTR-a (PTR before BCT, n = 60), PTR-b (PTR during BCT, n = 17), and BCT-only group (n = 163). Resectable mCRCs or recurrent diseases were excluded, and the end-point was overall survival (OS) rate.
Three groups had similar age, cell differentiation, location of the primary tumor, and the number of metastatic organs. More than two-thirds of patients who received PTR experienced disease-progressions (PD) during their postoperative chemotherapy-free time (PTR-a vs PTR-b; 66.7% vs 76.5%, P = .170), but OS was not inferior to the BCT-only group (PTR-a vs BCT-only; HR 0.477 [95% CI 0.302–0.754], P = .002/PTR-b vs BCT-only; HR 0.77 [95% CI 0.406–1.462], P = .425). The postoperative chemotherapy-free time was similar between PTR-a and PTR-b (median 32.0 [14–98] days vs 41.0 [18–71] days, P = .142), but non-obstructive indications (perforation, bleeding, pain) were the more frequent in the PTR-b than PTR-a. Young age, the number of BCT, and PTR-a were the independent factors for OS.
The efficacy of the PTR for unresectable mCRC has been controversial, but this study demonstrated that PTR should be considered for the unresectable mCRC patients regardless before and during BCT.
All-payer Spending on Common Hospital-based Services in California
Authors: Childers Christopher P. , Maggard-Gibbons Melinda , Weber Sharon M. , Ronnekleiv-Kelly Sean M. , Abbott Daniel E. 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Hospital-based care accounts for one third of US health spending or over $1 trillion annually, yet a detailed all-payer assessment of what services contribute to this spending is not available.

Study Design:
Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluation of hospital financial statements from acute-care general hospitals in California between fiscal years 2007 and 2016. The amounts spent on 41 different revenue centers were included. The primary outcome was state-level and hospital-level spending for each revenue center including decomposing growth trends into changes in volume and prices.

Results:
The analysis included 2941 annual financial statements from 331 hospitals. Between 2007 and 2016, total spending across all centers increased 66.6% from $43.7B to $72.9B. Five centers—surgery and recovery, drugs sold to patients, acute medical/surgical floor, the clinical laboratory, and emergency services—accounted for over 50% of total spending in 2016. Overall spending growths ranged from 1.1%/y (acute pediatrics) to 17.9%/y (observation). Other revenue centers with large increases in spending included emergency services (164.7%), clinics (on-site 114.5%, satellite 129.7%), anesthesia (119.6%), echocardiography (114.4%), and computed tomography (100.8%). Most services had volume growths within ±2%/y, although there were exceptions (eg, observation hours increased 10.0%/y). Prices grew fastest for echocardiograms (10.5%/y), cardiac catheterization (9.7%/y), therapeutic radiology (8.0%/y), and emergency visits (7.5%/y). In general, median prices for services in 2016 were larger than Medicare allowed amounts.

Conclusions:
Overall hospital-based spending increased 66.6% between 2007 and 2016 in California, but there was wide variation in spending growth across revenue centers. Understanding this variation—including the relative contributions of volumes and prices—can guide efforts to curb excessive health care spending and optimize resource dedication to current and future patient care needs.
Estimating the Net Benefit of Improvements in Hospital Performance
Authors: Austin Peter C. , Lee Douglas S. 
Published: February 2020

Background:
It is important to be able to estimate the anticipated net population benefit if the performance of hospitals is improved to specific standards.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to show how G-computation can be used with random effects logistic regression models to estimate the absolute reduction in the number of adverse events if the performance of some hospitals within a region was improved to meet specific standards.

Research Design:
A retrospective cohort study using health care administrative data.

Subjects:
Patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction in the province of Ontario in 2015.

Results:
Of 18,067 patients hospitalized at 97 hospitals, 1441 (8.0%) died within 30 days of hospital admission. If the performance of the 25% of hospitals with the worst performance had their performance changed to equal that of the 75th percentile of hospital performance, 3.5 deaths within 30 days would be avoided [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4–26.5]. If the performance of those hospitals whose performance was worse than that of an average hospital had their performance changed to that of an average hospital, 6.0 deaths would be avoided (95% CI: 0.7–47.0). If the performance of the 75% of hospitals with the worst performance had their performance changed to equal that of the 25th percentile of hospital performance, 11.0 deaths would be avoided (95% CI: 1.2–79.0).

Conclusion:
G-computation can be used to estimate the net population reduction in the number of adverse events if the performance of hospitals was improved to specific standards.
Cardiac Metastases in Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Polk Stuart Lane , Montilla-Soler Jaime , Gage Kenneth L. , Parsee Arthur , Jeong Daniel 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cardiac metastases can be associated with complications including ventricular outflow obstruction, arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiac arrest, warranting intervention. Anatomical characterization of these lesions via cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is helpful to assess and predict the risk of complications and guide therapy. Images of 2 patients with small bowel NET related cardiac metastases are described on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and CMR. The lesions were significantly smaller and more obscure on CMR compared with PET/CT. On CMR, T2-weighted dark blood images and late gadolinium enhancement images offered the most conspicuous detection of the NET myocardial metastases in these cases.
18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in Diffuse Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor
Authors: Ji Xia , Dong Aisheng , He Qi , Dong Hui , Zuo Changjing 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
We present 2 cases of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with diffuse involvement of the entire pancreas. One case with G2 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor showed nearly normal pancreatic shape and signal intensity on MRI, normal pancreatic 18FDG uptake, and diffuse pancreatic 68Ga-DOTATOC uptake. The other case with G3 pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor showed diffusely enlarged pancreas with abnormal MR signal intensity and increased 18FDG uptake. These 2 cases indicate that neuroendocrine tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of diffuse pancreatic diseases. Somatostatin receptor imaging may be helpful for the diagnosis of diffuse pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in equivocal cases.
Three-Dimensional Stereophotogrammetry Assessment of Facial Asymmetry in Facial Palsy
Authors: van Veen Martinus M. , ten Berge Joris H.A. , Werker Paul M.N. , Dijkstra Pieter U. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry is not much used in assessing facial palsy and a comprehensive understanding of sources of variation in these measurements is lacking. The present study assessed intra- and interobserver reliability of a novel three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry measurement of facial asymmetry and examined sources of variation in these outcomes. Three photographs (rest, closed mouth smile, and maximum smile) were made of 60 participants, 30 facial palsy patients and 30 control subjects. All images were analyzed twice by 2 observers independently, to determine intra- and interobserver reliability. Variance component analysis was performed to investigate sources of variation in the outcomes. Intraobserver reliability was good with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.715 to 0.999. Interobserver reliability ranged from 0.442 to 0.929. Reliability of the smile image measurements was not clearly different from the rest images. Variation in measurement results was largely due to the status of a participant, facial palsy versus control. When splitting the sample, the facial expression was a major source of variation. Acceptable reliability of the proposed 3D facial asymmetry measurement was found, in facial palsy patients and control subjects. Interobserver reliability was marked less compared to intraobserver reliability. For follow-up data only one observer should assess 3D stereophotogrammetry measurements.
Psammoma Bodies in a Large Myoepithelioma
Authors: Melo Marcela Pessoa de , Silva Diego Filipe Bezerra , Ribeiro Rodrigo Alves , Peixoto Tony Santos , Gomes Daliana Queiroga de Castro , Alves Pollianna Muniz , Nonaka Cassiano Francisco Weege , Monteiro Bárbara Vanessa de Brito 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Myoepithelioma is a rare benign tumor of the salivary glands, in which the vast majority of neoplastic cells are myoepithelial. A rare microscopic finding in salivary gland tumors, including myoepitheliomas, is the presence of psammoma bodies (PBs), whose etiology and role in the tumors are uncertain. The objective of this study is to describe the unusual histopathologic findings, such as psammomas, of a large myopephelioma on the palate and the prosthetic restorative treatment performed after resection of the tumor. A 52-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a tumor-like lesion, of smooth surface and normal mucosal color, measuring approximately 5 cm, on the left side hard palate, which had been identified 4 years earlier. The diagnostic hypothesis was a pleomorphic adenoma (PA), and an incisional biopsy was performed. After histopathologic analysis, a PA was suggested, and surgical resection of the tumor was performed. The histopathologic findings were compatible with myoepithelioma showing numerous calcified basophilic structures compatible with PB. Sixteen months after resection of the tumor, a removable maxillary obturator prosthesis was made because of the communication into oral and nasal cavity due from the surgical procedure. The treatment of choice for myoepithelioma is surgical excision with a nonlesional area margin. In the present report, the authors achieve good postoperative results without recurrences. After installation of the prosthesis, the patient had an excellent adaptation and acceptance, thus restoring her function and psychologic condition.
The Effect of Fronto-Orbital Advancement on Frontal Sinus Development and Function in Non-Syndromic and Syndromic Craniosynostosis
Authors: Deraje Vybhav , Jirapinyo Chutima , Taranath Ajay , Anderson Peter J. , Moore Mark H. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The impact of fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) on frontal sinus development and function is anecdotally variable. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of FOA on development of frontal sinuses, and additionally to identify the complications that might arise out of such procedures. This was a retrospective case-control study. Non-syndromic and syndromic craniosynostosis patients (n = 58) who underwent FOA at an early age and also had a skull radiograph or CT scan after the age of 12 were selected. Age matched trauma patients with CT scans done beyond 12 years of age were used as controls. Age at first FOA surgery, total number of procedures and age at imaging was noted. Presence or absence of frontal sinuses was assessed using imaging studies initially. Patients with a formed frontal sinus and a CT scan were further chosen for volumetric studies. Complications related to frontal sinus and secondary surgeries were recorded. One of 27 non-syndromic patients had absent frontal sinuses. Seven of 31 syndromic patients had absent sinuses. Among 20 controls, only 1 patient did not develop frontal sinuses. The mean age at first FOA was 11.81 months and 18.25 months for non-syndromic and syndromic groups, respectively. The average number of procedures before 12 years of age was 1.25 and 1.51 for non-syndromic and syndromic patients, respectively. The mean age at imaging was 17.74, 20.96, and 20.25 years for non-syndromic, syndromic and control groups, respectively. The mean frontal sinus volumes were 13050.36, 15039.02, and 8459.48 mm3 for non-syndromic, syndromic and control groups, respectively. In conclusion, FOA does not seem to have an impact on rate of pneumatization in the background of similar rates in the non-syndromic and control groups. The low pneumatization rate in syndromic group might be a virtue of the disease itself. There were significant frontal sinus complications that occurred after fronto orbital advancement and this should be borne in mind during the surgical consenting process.
WorldFlora: An R package for exact and fuzzy matching of plant names against the World Flora Online Taxonomic Backbone data
Authors: Kindt Roeland 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTPremise of the studyStandardization of plant names is a critical step in various fields of biology including biodiversity, biogeography and vegetation research.WorldFloramatches lists of plant names with a static copy from World Flora Online (WFO), an ongoing global effort of completing an online flora of all known vascular plants and bryophytes by 2020.Methods and resultsBased on direct and fuzzy matching,WorldFlorainserts matching cases from the WFO to a submitted data set of with taxa. Results of selecting the expected best single matches are presented for four data sets, including a working list of commercial timber tree species, a subset fromGlobalTreeSearchand 2 data sets used in previous comparisons of software tools for correcting taxon names. The success rate of credible matches varied from 94.7 (568 taxa) to 99.9 (1740 taxa) percent.ConclusionsWorldFloraoffers a straightforward pipeline for semi-automatic plant name checking.
Protein structure and sequence re-analysis of 2019-nCoV genome does not indicate snakes as its intermediate host or the unique similarity between its spike protein insertions and HIV-1
Authors: Zhang Chengxin , Zheng Wei , Huang Xiaoqiang , Bell Eric W. , Zhou Xiaogen , Zhang Yang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAs the infection of 2019-nCoV coronavirus is quickly developing into a global pneumonia epidemic, careful analysis of its transmission and cellular mechanisms is sorely needed. In this report, we re-analyzed the computational approaches and findings presented in two recent manuscripts by Jiet al. (https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.25682) and by Pradhanet al. (https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.30.927871), which concluded that snakes are the intermediate hosts of 2019-nCoV and that the 2019-nCoV spike protein insertions shared a unique similarity to HIV-1. Results from our re-implementation of the analyses, built on larger-scale datasets using state-of-the-art bioinformatics methods and databases, do not support the conclusions proposed by these manuscripts. Based on our analyses and existing data of coronaviruses, we concluded that the intermediate hosts of 2019-nCoV are more likely to be mammals and birds than snakes, and that the “novel insertions” observed in the spike protein are naturally evolved from bat coronaviruses.