bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole genome resequencing reveals an association of ABCC4 variants with preaxial polydactyly in pigs
Authors: Ma Cheng , Khederzadeh Saber , Adeola Adeniyi C. , Han Xu-Man , Xie Hai-Bing , Zhang Ya-Ping 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundPolydactyly is one of the most common congenital limb dysplasia in many animal species. Although preaxial polydactyly (PPD) has been comprehensively studied in humans as a common abnormality, the genetic variations in other animal species have not been fully understood. Herein, we focused on the pig, as an even-toed ungulate mammal model with its unique advantages in medical and genetic researches, two PPD families consisting of four affected and 20 normal individuals were sequenced.ResultsOur results showed that the PPD in the sampled pigs were not related to previously reported variants. A strong association was identified atABCC4and it encodes a transmembrane protein involved in ciliogenesis. We found that the affected and normal individuals were highly differentiated atABCC4, and all the PPD individuals shared long haplotype stretches as compared with the unaffected individuals. A highly differentiated missense mutation (I85T) inABCC4was observed at a residue from a transmembrane domain highly conserved among a variety of organisms.ConclusionsThis study reportsABCC4as a new candidate gene and identifies a missense mutation for PPD in pigs. Our results illustrate a putative role of ciliogenesis process in PPD, coinciding with an earlier observation of ciliogenesis abnormality resulting in pseudo-thumb development in pandas. These results expand our knowledge on the genetic variations underlying PPD in animals.
Effect of thrombus aspiration on microcirculatory resistance and ventricular function in patients with high thrombus burden
Authors: Firman Doni , Alkatiri Amir Aziz , Taslim Imammurahman , Wangi Surya Buana , Pranata Raymond 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Studies have not demonstrated consistent outcomes following thrombus aspiration in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI). We investigated the relationship between thrombus aspiration and microvascular obstruction as measured using Index of Microcirculatory Resistance (IMR) immediately following PPCI and Left Ventricle Function Improvement measured using Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) six months following PPCI. Our aim is to determine microvascular obstruction and left ventricle function improvement six months following thrombus aspiration during PPCI.

Methods
This was a single-center, observational, prospective non-randomized study involving 45 patients with thrombus score 4–5 (defined as high thrombus burden) and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow of 0–2 who subsequently underwent PPCI. Thrombus aspiration was conducted based on physician discretion. The IMR was measured immediately following the procedure. All patients underwent echocardiography to measure GLS at 24 h, 3 months and 6 months following PPCI.

Results
Thirty-three (73%) patients underwent thrombus aspiration during PPCI and twelve (27%) patients underwent the conventional PPCI. No significant difference in IMR was found between the group that underwent thrombus aspiration and the group that underwent conventional PCI (51.9 ± 41.5 vs 47.1 ± 35.6 p = 0.723). TIMI flow after PPCI was worse in thrombus aspiration group (OR 5.2 [1.2–23.2], p = 0.041). There was no difference in GLS between two groups at 6-month follow-up (− 13.0 ± 3.4 vs − 12.8 ± 4.6, p = 0.912).

Conclusion
This study indicates no benefit of thrombus aspiration during PPCI in reducing either microvascular obstruction or left ventricular function at 6-month follow-up for patients with high thrombus burden. Nevertheless, further studies are required before definite conclusions can be made.
Role of miR-92a-3p, oxidative stress, and p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway in rats with central venous catheter related thrombosis
Authors: Gan Xiao , Zhao Huihan , Wei Yan , Jiang Qingjuan , Wen Cui , Ying Yanping 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
miR-92a-3p and oxidative stress are reportedly associated with venous thrombosis. However, the role of miR-92a-3p and oxidative stress in catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) remains ambiguous. Herein, we studied the roles of miR-92a-3p, oxidative stress, and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor kappa-B (MAPK/NF-κB) pathway in CRT.

Methods
Forty-five male rats were randomly and equally divided into control, sham operation, and CRT groups. The rats were sacrificed after 10 days. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression levels of miR-92a-3p, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NF-κB p65, and p38 MAPK in the venous tissues were detected with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Western blot.

Results
Thrombosis was observed only in the CRT group. Compared with the levels in the control and sham operation groups, ROS and MDA significantly increased in the CRT group, but SOD significantly decreased. qPCR and Western blot results showed that miR-92a-3p, HO-1, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB p65 expression was significantly upregulated in the venous tissues of the CRT group. Moreover, miR-92a-3p was positively correlated with HO-1, which was positively correlated with p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65.

Conclusion
miR-92a-3p was correlated with oxidative stress in CRT. miR-92a-3p and oxidative stress contributed to endothelial dysfunction and simultaneously was associated with CRT.
Multiple imputation by predictive mean matching in cluster-randomized trials
Authors: Bailey Brittney E. , Andridge Rebecca , Shoben Abigail B. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Random effects regression imputation has been recommended for multiple imputation (MI) in cluster randomized trials (CRTs) because it is congenial to analyses that use random effects regression. This method relies heavily on model assumptions and may not be robust to misspecification of the imputation model. MI by predictive mean matching (PMM) is a semiparametric alternative, but current software for multilevel data relies on imputation models that ignore clustering or use fixed effects for clusters. When used directly for imputation, these two models result in underestimation (ignoring clustering) or overestimation (fixed effects for clusters) of variance estimates.

Methods
We develop MI procedures based on PMM that leverage these opposing estimated biases in the variance estimates in one of three ways: weighting the distance metric (PMM-dist), weighting the average of the final imputed values from two PMM procedures (PMM-avg), or performing a weighted draw from the final imputed values from the two PMM procedures (PMM-draw). We use Monte-Carlo simulations to evaluate our newly proposed methods relative to established MI procedures, focusing on estimation of treatment group means and their variances after MI.

Results
The proposed PMM procedures reduce the bias in the MI variance estimator relative to established methods when the imputation model is correctly specified, and are generally more robust to model misspecification than even the random effects imputation methods.

Conclusions
The PMM-draw procedure in particular is a promising method for multiply imputing missing data from CRTs that can be readily implemented in existing statistical software.
Diagnosis of vascular invasion in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using endoscopic ultrasound elastography
Authors: Yamada Kenta , Kawashima Hiroki , Ohno Eizaburo , Ishikawa Takuya , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Nakamura Masanao , Miyahara Ryoji , Ishigami Masatoshi , Hirooka Yoshiki , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundVascular invasion is an important criterion for resectability and deciding the therapeutic strategy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), but imaging diagnosis is currently difficult. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) elastography (EG) images have band-like artifacts on the border between tumor and vessel due to different movement if the tumor is not connected to the vessel, i.e., no invasion. Based on this phenomenon, we assessed the usefulness of EUS-EG in the diagnosis of vascular invasion in PDAC.MethodsThe subjects were 44 out of 313 patients with PDAC who underwent EUS between January 2015 and November 2018, followed by surgery, no chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and pathological evaluation. Diagnostic accuracies of vascular invasion using dynamic computed tomography (CT), EUS B-mode and EUS-EG were compared with histopathological diagnosis.ResultsIn 44 subjects (48 sites) who underwent both dynamic CT and EUS-B mode, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 0.733, 0.697 and 0.708 on dynamic CT (48 sites); 0.733, 0.606 and 0.646 in EUS B-mode (48 sites); and 0.917, 0.900 and 0.906 in EUS-EG (32 sites). In 27 subjects (29 sites) with a tumor contacting a vessel with no vascular obstruction or stenosis on dynamic CT, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 0.556, 0.750 and 0.690 on dynamic CT; 0.667, 0.700 and 0.690 in EUS B-mode; and 0.889, 0.850 and 0.862 in EUS-EG.ConclusionsThese results suggest that EUS combined with EG improves diagnostic performance of vascular invasion in PDAC, especially in cases of which vascular invasion cannot be clearly assessed by dynamic CT.
Medication beliefs and use of medication lists – is there a connection? Results from a before-and-after study in Germany
Authors: Straßner Cornelia , Mahler Cornelia , Strauß Beate , Wehrmann Ulrich , Krug Katja , Szecsenyi Joachim , Haefeli Walter Emil , Seidling Hanna Marita 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Despite increasing digitalisation the paper-based medication list remains one of the most important instruments for the documentation and exchange of medication-related information. However, even elderly patients with polypharmacy who are at high risk for medication errors and adverse drug events, frequently do not receive or use a complete and comprehensible medication list. Increasing the use of medication lists would be a great contribution to medication safety and facilitate the work of health care providers.

Methods
This study is related to the project MeinPlan (MyPlan) which comprised an information campaign on safe drug administration in the Rhine-Neckar region in South Germany. The campaign was evaluated in a before-and-after study based on a survey among two independent, representative samples of citizens over 65 years. In total, 5034 questionnaires were analysed. While the effects of the primary outcome (the percentage of citizens using a medication list) have been reported elsewhere, this analysis focusses on the effects of the campaign on citizens’ medication beliefs and assesses whether medication beliefs are associated with the use of medication lists, the use of over-the-counter drugs and the use of the tools offered by the campaign. Medication beliefs were assessed with the German version of the General Beliefs About Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) which results in subscales for “General Overuse”, “General Usefulness” and “General Harm”. The use of medication lists and over-the-counter drugs was assessed with self-developed questionnaire items.

Results
No statistically significant change in citizens’ medication beliefs before and after the campaign could be detected. Likewise, no association between medication beliefs and the use of medication lists, the use of over-the-counter drugs or the use of the tools offered by the campaign could be shown.

Conclusions
A campaign focussing on the risks of drug administration did not change the medication beliefs of the targeted population. Moreover, citizens’ general medication beliefs do not seem to be crucial for their decision to use a medication list or over-the-counter drugs. Strategies to improve the use of medication lists by patients should focus on other influential factors, such as individual benefits and barriers and socio-psychological factors.
Couple-based collaborative management model of type 2 diabetes mellitus for community-dwelling older adults in China: protocol for a hybrid type 1 randomized controlled trial
Authors: Liao Jing , Wu Xueji , Wang Caixuan , Xiao Xiaochun , Cai Yiyuan , Wu Min , Liu Yuyang , Chen Xiongfei , Wu Shaolong , Yang Yung Jen , Xu Dong (Roman) 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
China’s limited health care resources cannot meet the needs of chronic disease treatment and management of its rapid growing ageing population. The improvement and maintenance of patient’s self-management is essential to disease management. Given disease management mainly occurs in the context of family, this study proposes to validate a Couple-based Collaborative Management Model of chronic diseases that integrates health professionals and family supporters; such as to empower the couples with disease management knowledge and skills, and to improve the couples’ health and quality of life.

Methods
The proposed study will validate a couple-based collaborative management model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in a community-based multicenter, two-arm, randomized controlled trial of block design in Guangzhou, China. Specifically, 194 T2DM patients aged ≥55 and their partners recruited from community health care centers will be randomized at the patient level for each center at a 1:1 ratio into the couple-based intervention arm and the individual-based control arm. For the intervention arm, both the patients and their spouses will receive four-weekly structured group education & training sessions and 2 months of weekly tailored behavior change boosters; while these interventions will be only provided to the patients in the control group. Behavior change incentives will be targeted at the couples or only at the patient respectively. Treatment effects on patients’ hemoglobin, spouses’ quality of life, alongside couples’ behavior outcomes will be compared between arms. Study implementation will be evaluated considering its Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance following the RE-AIM framework.

Discussion
This study will generate a model of effective collaboration between community health professionals and patients’ family, which will shield light on chronic disease management strategy for the increasing ageing population.

Trial registration
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900027137, Registered 1st Nov. 2019
How can gastro-intestinal tuberculosis diagnosis be improved? A prospective cohort study
Authors: Lowbridge Christopher , Fadhil Soraya A. M. , Krishnan Gayathri D. , Schimann Emma , Karuppan Raman Muthu , Sriram Nagaraj , Rajahram Giri Shan , Menon Jayaram , Patel Aatish , William Timothy , Paul Dawn Carmel , Ralph Anna P. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (TB) is diagnostically challenging; therefore, many cases are treated presumptively. We aimed to describe features and outcomes of gastrointestinal TB, determine whether a clinical algorithm could distinguish TB from non-TB diagnoses, and calculate accuracy of diagnostic tests.

Methods
We conducted a prospective cohort study of hospitalized patients in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, with suspected gastrointestinal TB. We recorded clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes. Tissue samples were submitted for histology, microscopy, culture and GeneXpert MTB/RIF®. Patients were followed for up to 2 years.

Results
Among 88 patients with suspected gastrointestinal TB, 69 were included in analyses; 52 (75%) had a final diagnosis of gastrointestinal TB; 17 had a non-TB diagnosis. People with TB were younger (42.7 versus 61.5 years, p = 0.01) and more likely to have weight loss (91% versus 64%, p = 0.03). An algorithm using age < 44, weight loss, cough, fever, no vomiting, albumin > 26 g/L, platelets > 340 × 109/L and immunocompromise had good specificity (96.2%) in predicting TB, but very poor sensitivity (16.0%). GeneXpert® performed very well on gastrointestinal biopsies (sensitivity 95.7% versus 35.0% for culture against a gold standard composite case definition of confirmed TB). Most patients (79%) successfully completed treatment and no treatment failure occurred, however adverse events (21%) and mortality (13%) among TB cases were high. We found no evidence that 6 months of treatment was inferior to longer courses.

Conclusions
The prospective design provides important insights for clinicians managing gastrointestinal TB. We recommend wider implementation of high-performing diagnostic tests such as GeneXpert® on extra-pulmonary samples.
Tubular secretion of creatinine and kidney function: an observational study
Authors: Zhang Xuehan , Rule Andrew D. , McCulloch Charles E. , Lieske John C. , Ku Elaine , Hsu Chi-yuan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundPrior papers have been inconsistent regarding how much creatinine clearance (CrCl) overestimates glomerular filtration rate (GFR). A recent cross-sectional study suggested that measurement error alone could entirely account for the longstanding observation that CrCl/GFR ratio is larger when GFR is lower among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD); but there have been no validation of this in other cohorts.MethodsTo fill these gaps in knowledge regarding the relation between CrCl and GFR, we conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD) and African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK); and cross-sectional analysis of a clinical dataset from the Mayo Clinic of four different patient populations (CKD patients, kidney transplant recipients, post kidney donation subgroup and potential kidney donors). In the cross-sectional analyses (MDRD, AASK and Mayo Clinic cohort), we examined the relation between the CrCl/iothalamate GFR (iGFR) ratio at different categories of iGFR or different levels of CrCl. In the MDRD and AASK longitudinal analyses, we studied how the CrCl/iGFR ratio changed with those who had improvement in iGFR (CrCl) over time versus those who had worsening of iGFR (CrCl) over time.ResultsObserved CrCl/iGFR ratios were generally on the lower end of the range reported in the literature for CKD (median 1.24 in MDRD, 1.13 in AASK and 1.25 in Mayo Clinic cohort). Among CKD patients in whom CrCl and iGFR were measured using different timed urine collections, CrCl/iGFR ratio were higher with lower iGFR categories but lower with lower CrCl categories. However, among CKD patients in whom CrCl and iGFR were measured using the same timed urine collections (which reduces dis-concordant measurement error), CrCl/iGFR ratio were higher with both lower iGFR categories and lower CrCl categories.ConclusionsThese data refute the recent suggestion that measurement error alone could entirely account for the longstanding observation that CrCl/GFR ratio increases as GFR decreases in CKD patients. They also highlight the lack of certainty in our knowledge with regard to how much CrCl actually overestimates GFR.
Cytokine dysregulation persists in childhood post Neonatal Encephalopathy
Authors: Zareen Zunera , Strickland Tammy , Eneaney Victoria Mc , Kelly Lynne A. , McDonald Denise , Sweetman Deirdre , Molloy Eleanor J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundCytokines are possible mediators of neuroinflammation and associated with adverse outcome in neonatal encephalopathy (NE). Our aim was to explore cytokine response in children with Neonatal Encephalopathy (NE) at school age compared to age-matched controls.MethodFollow up at school age, children who had NE and age-matched controls were assessed for their cytokine responses and neurodevelopment outcome. Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, [Interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF β, Interferon (IFN)-γ, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin (EPO), IL-10 & IL-1RA] were measured at baseline and in response to in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS: endotoxin).ResultsGM-CSF, TNF-β, IL-2 IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly elevated at school age following NE (n = 40) compared to controls (n = 37). A rise in GM-CSF, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β, & IL-6 were seen in NE group following LPS stimulation. Relative LPS hypo-responsiveness was also noted in children with severe NE with IL-10, VEGF, EPO and TNF-β. Elevated TNF-β was associated with low gross motor scores on assessment at school age.ConclusionSchool-age children post-NE had significantly altered cytokine responses to endotoxin compared to controls. TNF-β was associated with adverse developmental outcomes. This suggests the inflammatory process may persist into childhood and a longer therapeutic window may be available for neuroprotection therapies.
Luteal blood flow as a predictive factor for methotrexate treatment outcomes in women with unruptured tubal pregnancy
Authors: Wang Li , Pei Meili , Yang Ting , Zhao Juan , Yang Xiaofeng 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
Blood flow in the corpus luteum is associated with luteal function. However, the impact of luteal blood flow on methotrexate (MTX) treatment in women with unruptured tubal pregnancy has not been reported. The aim of the present study was to observe the impact of luteal blood flow on the therapeutic effect of MTX in women with unruptured tubal pregnancy.

Methods
A prospective observational study recruited 129 women with unruptured tubal pregnancy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from September 2016 to June 2018. One hundred and fifteen women were treated successfully with MTX, and women were divided into 2 groups according to luteal blood flow: the poor luteal blood flow group and the abundant luteal blood flow group. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.

Results
Women in the abundant luteal blood flow group had a significantly higher serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level 4 days, 1 week and 2 weeks after MTX treatment compared with women in the poor luteal blood flow group (P < 0.05). The average diameter of the ectopic mass 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks after MTX treatment in women with abundant luteal blood flow was significantly larger (P < 0.05), and the time of serum β-hCG clearance and ectopic mass disappearance were significantly longer compared with those in women in the poor luteal blood flow group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Luteal blood flow might be a predictive factor for MTX treatment outcomes in women with unruptured tubal pregnancy, and those with abundant luteal blood flow need a longer recovery time.