bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Nomogram for Sorafenib Benefit in Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Partial Hepatectomy
Authors: Dong Wei , Yan Kai , Yu Hua , Huo Lei , Xian Zhihong , Zhao Yanqing , Li Jutang , Zhang Yuchan , Cao Zhenying , Fu Yong , Cong Wenming , Dong Hui 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundPredicting the long-term prognosis of individuals who experienced sorafenib treatment following partial hepatectomy due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is difficult. This work aims to create an effective prognostic nomogram for HBV related HCC patients who are receiving sorafenib treatment as adjuvant therapy after surgery.MethodsA total of 233 HBV-related HCC patients treated with or without sorafenib following partial hepatectomy at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from 2008 to 2013 were matched with propensity score matching analysis. The optimal cut-off point of the overall survival (OS) factor level was determined by x-tile. The selection of indicators was based on clinical findings. The Cox regression model with an interaction term was employed for evaluating the predictive value. Using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, a nomogram was subsequently formulated to analyze 111 patients treated with sorafenib. The nomogram’s discriminative ability and predictive accuracy were determined using the concordance index (C-index), calibration, and ROC curve.ResultsThe matched sorafenib cohort of 111 patients and control cohort of 118 patients were analyzed. Subgroup analysis revealed that low GPC3, pERK, pAKT, serum AFP levels, without MVI, under 50 years old, male, TNM stage I/II and BCLC stage 0/A were significantly associated with a better OS in patients subjected to sorafenib treatment compared to those without sorafenib treatment after surgery. Multivariate analysis of the sorafenib cohort revealed GPC3, pERK, pAKT, serum AST, and BCLC stage as independent factors for OS, and all were included in the nomogram. The survival probability based on the calibration curve showed that the prediction of the nomogram was in good agreement with the actual observation. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting survival was 0.73(95% CI, 0.67–0.78). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the nomogram to predict the survival for 1, 3, and 5-year was 0.726, 0.816, and 0.823, respectively.ConclusionThis proposed nomogram shows the potential to make a precise prediction regarding the prognosis of HBV-related HCC patients and may help to stratify patients for personalized therapy following partial hepatectomy.
A Prospective Controlled Study on Long-Term Outcomes of Facial Lacerations in Children
Authors: Fontana Sonja , Schiestl Clemens M. , Landolt Markus A. , Staubli Georg , von Salis Sara , Neuhaus Kathrin , Mohr Christoph , Elrod Julia 
Published: February 2021

Background: Although skin adhesives have been used for decades to treat skin lacerations, uncertainty remains about long-term results, and complications.Methods: In this prospective, controlled, single-blinded, observational cohort study, outcomes were assessed by five plastic surgeons with standardized photographs at 6–12 months using a modified Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS); additionally, the POSAS was performed by the patients/caregivers and the physician; pain, requirement of anesthesia, treatment time, costs, complications, and quality of live (QoL) were assessed.Results: A total of 367 patients were enrolled; 230 were included in the main analysis; 96 wounds were closed using tissue adhesives (group 1); 134 were sutured (group 2). Assessment by the independent observers revealed an improved mean modified overall POSAS score in group 1 in comparison with group 2 [2.1, 95% CI [1.97–2.25] vs. 2.5, 95% CI [2.39–2.63]; p &lt; 0.001, d = 0.58] and mean VSS score [1.2, 95% CI [0.981–1.34] vs. 1.6, 95% CI [1.49–1.79], p &lt; 0.001, d = 0.53]. At the early follow-up, dehiscence rate was 12.5% in group 1 and 3.7% in group 2 (p &lt; 0.001); later on, one dehiscence remained per group. Mild impairment of QoL was found at the early follow-up in both groups, with no impairment remaining later on. Duration of treatment and treatment costs were lower in group 1.Conclusion: Both modalities of wound closure yield favorable esthetic results, and complications are rare. Adhesives are more cost-effective, and its application is less time-consuming; therefore, tissue adhesives offer considerable advantages when used appropriately.Trial Registration: Public trial registration was performed at www.ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03080467).
Sex-Specific Survival, Growth, Immunity and Organ Development in Preterm Pigs as Models for Immature Newborns
Authors: Bæk Ole , Cilieborg Malene Skovsted , Nguyen Duc Ninh , Bering Stine Brandt , Thymann Thomas , Sangild Per Torp 
Published: February 2021

Background: After very preterm birth, male infants show higher mortality than females, with higher incidence of lung immaturity, neurological deficits, infections, and growth failure. In modern pig production, piglets dying in the perinatal period (up to 20%) often show signs of immature organs, but sex-specific effects are not clear. Using preterm pigs as model for immature infants and piglets, we hypothesized that neonatal survival and initial growth and immune development depend on sex.Methods: Using data from a series of previous intervention trials with similar delivery and rearing procedures, we established three cohorts of preterm pigs (90% gestation), reared for 5, 9, or 19 days before sample collection (total n = 1,938 piglets from 109 litters). Partly overlapping endpoints among experiments allowed for multiple comparisons between males and females for data on mortality, body and organ growth, gut, immunity, and brain function.Results: Within the first 2 days, males showed higher mortality than females (18 vs. 8%, P &lt; 0.001), but less severe immune response to gram-positive infection. No effect of sex was observed for thermoregulation or plasma cortisol. Later, infection resistance did not differ between sexes, but growth rate was reduced for body (up to −40%) and kidneys (−6%) in males, with higher leucocyte counts (+15%) and lower CD4 T cell fraction (−5%) on day 9 and lower monocyte counts (−18%, day 19, all P &lt; 0.05). Gut structure, function and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) incidence were similar between groups, but intestinal weight (−3%) and brush-border enzyme activities were reduced at day 5 (lactase, DPP IV, −8%) in males. Remaining values for blood biochemistry, hematology, bone density, regional brain weights, and visual memory (tested in a T maze) were similar.Conclusion: Following preterm birth, male pigs show higher mortality and slower growth than females, despite limited differences in organ growth, gut, immune, and brain functions. Neonatal intensive care procedures may be particularly important for compromised newborns of the male sex. Preterm pigs can serve as good models to study the interactions of sex- and maturation-specific survival and physiological adaptation in mammals.
Return of Spontaneous Circulation Depends on Cardiac Rhythm During Neonatal Cardiac Arrest in Asphyxiated Newborn Animals
Authors: Wagner Michael , Cheung Po-Yin , Yaskina Maryna , Lee Tze-Fun , Vieth Vanessa A. , O'Reilly Megan , Schmölzer Georg M. 
Published: February 2021

Objective: Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) occurs in asphyxiated newborn piglets and infants. We aimed to examine whether different cardiac rhythms (asystole, bradycardia, PEA) affects the resuscitation outcomes during continuous chest compressions (CC) during sustained inflations (CC+SI).Design: This study is a secondary analysis of four previous randomized controlled animal trials that compared CC+SI with different CC rate (90 or 120/min), SI duration (20 or 60 s), peak inflation pressure (10, 20, or 30 cmH2O), and oxygen concentration (18, 21, or 100%).Setting and Subjects: Sixty-six newborn mixed breed piglets (1–3 days of age, weight 1.7–2.4 kg) were obtained on the day of experimentation from the University Swine Research Technology Center.Interventions: In all four studies, piglets were randomized into intervention or sham. Piglets randomized to “intervention” underwent both hypoxia and asphyxia, whereas, piglets randomized to “sham” received the same surgical protocol, stabilization, and equivalent experimental periods without hypoxia and asphyxia.Measurements: To compare differences in asphyxiation time, time to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), hemodynamics, and survival rate in newborn piglets with asystole, bradycardia or PEA.Main Results: Piglets with PEA (n = 29) and asystole (n = 13) had a significantly longer asphyxiation time and time to ROSC vs. bradycardia (n = 24). Survival rates were similar between all groups. Compared to their baseline, mean arterial pressure and carotid blood flow were significantly lower 4 h after resuscitation in all groups, while being significantly higher in the bradycardia group.Conclusion: This study indicates that cardiac rhythm before resuscitation influences the time to ROSC and hemodynamic recovery after ROSC.
Protective Effect of Adenosine A2B Receptor Agonist, BAY60-6583, Against Transient Focal Brain Ischemia in Rat
Authors: Dettori Ilaria , Gaviano Lisa , Ugolini Filippo , Lana Daniele , Bulli Irene , Magni Giada , Rossi Francesca , Giovannini Maria Grazia , Pedata Felicita 
Published: February 2021

Cerebral ischemia is a multifactorial pathology characterized first by an acute injury, due to excitotoxicity, followed by a secondary brain injury that develops hours to days after ischemia. During ischemia, adenosine acts as an endogenous neuroprotectant. Few studies have investigated the role of A2B receptor in brain ischemia because of the low potency of adenosine for it and the few selective ligands developed so far. A2B receptors are scarcely but widely distributed in the brain on neurons, glial and endothelial cells and on hematopoietic cells, lymphocytes and neutrophils, where they exert mainly anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting vascular adhesion and inflammatory cells migration. Aim of this work was to verify whether chronic administration of the A2B agonist, BAY60-6583 (0.1 mg/kg i.p., twice/day), starting 4 h after focal ischemia induced by transient (1 h) Middle Cerebral Artery occlusion (tMCAo) in the rat, was protective after the ischemic insult. BAY60-6583 improved the neurological deficit up to 7 days after tMCAo. Seven days after ischemia BAY60-6583 reduced significantly the ischemic brain damage in cortex and striatum, counteracted ischemia-induced neuronal death, reduced microglia activation and astrocytes alteration. Moreover, it decreased the expression of TNF-α and increased that of IL-10 in peripheral plasma. Two days after ischemia BAY60-6583 reduced blood cell infiltration in the ischemic cortex. The present study indicates that A2B receptors stimulation can attenuate the neuroinflammation that develops after ischemia, suggesting that A2B receptors may represent a new interesting pharmacological target to protect from degeneration after brain ischemia.
The Study of Angptl4-Modulated Podocyte Injury in IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Jia Sha , Peng Xiaofeng , Liang Ludan , Zhang Ying , Li Meng , Zhou Qin , Shen Xiujin , Wang Yucheng , Wang Cuili , Feng Shi , Chen Jianghua , Ren Pingping , Jiang Hong 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundIncreasing evidence shows that Angptl4 affects proteinuria in podocytes injured kidney disease, however, whether there is a relationship between Angptl4 and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has not been studied yet.MethodsPlasma and urine samples were obtained from 71 patients with IgAN and 61 healthy controls. Glomeruli from six renal biopsy specimens (three IgAN patients and three healthy controls) were separated by RNA-Seq. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to podocytes and Angptl4 between IgAN patients and healthy controls were performed using the Limma package. Gene set enrichment analysis was used to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups. STRING was used to create a protein-protein interaction network of DEGs. Association analysis between Angptl4 levels and clinical features of IgAN was performed.ResultsThirty-three podocyte-related and twenty-three Angpt4-related DEGs were found between IgAN patients and healthy controls. By overlapping the genes,FOSandG6PCwere found to be upregulated in IgAN patients, whileMMP9was downregulated in IgAN patients. Plasma and urine Angptl4 levels were closely related to the degree of podocyte injury and urine protein, but not to the protein-creatine ratio.ConclusionOur findings show that Angptl4 levels in plasma and urine are related to podocyte damage and, therefore, may be a promising tool for assessing the severity of IgAN patients to identify and reverse the progression to ESRD.
Perfectionistic Individuals' Understanding of How Painful Experiences Have Shaped Their Relationship to Others
Authors: Woodfin Vivian , Hjeltnes Aslak , Binder Per-Einar 
Published: February 2021

Background: Perfectionism is increasing over time and associated with various mental health problems. Recent research indicates adverse childhood experiences may play a role in the development of perfectionism. In addition, perfectionism is marked by interpersonal problems with implications for treatment outcome.Aim: This study aimed to fill an important gap in the predominantly quantitative literature field by exploring how individuals with perfectionism understand the relationship between painful experiences and how they relate to others.Method: Nine individuals with perfectionism were interviewed using McAdam's life-story interview. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews.Results: Four themes emerged: “A childhood with big responsibilities,” “I am still the responsible one,” “Keeping others at a distance to protect the inner self,” and “Achieving physical distance to get a fresh start.” These themes are grouped into two overarching themes: “You can't always trust people” and “A distancing from others.”Conclusion: Findings highlight taking responsibility and social distancing serve an important function for perfectionistic individuals in response to painful relational events. We discuss how themes of control and agency impact individuals' relationship to mental health and turning toward others for help. The findings provide greater complexity to understanding perfectionism as a “barrier to treatment.”
Aerobic, Resistance, and Combination Training on Health-Related Quality of Life: The STRRIDE-AT/RT Randomized Trial
Authors: Collins Katherine A. , Fos Liezl B. , Ross Leanna M. , Slentz Cris A. , Davis Paul G. , Willis Leslie H. , Piner Lucy W. , Bateman Lori A. , Houmard Joseph A. , Kraus William E. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to determine the differential effects of aerobic training (AT), resistance training (RT), and a combination of aerobic and resistance training (AT/RT) on changes in self-rated HrQoL measures, including the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) survey and Satisfaction with Physical Function and Appearance survey. We also sought to determine if combination training (AT/RT) has a more or less additive effect compared to AT or RT alone on self-rated HrQoL measures.Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 137) completed one of three 8-month exercise interventions: (1) AT: 14 kcal exercise expenditure per kg of body weight per week (KKW; equivalent to roughly 12 miles/week) at 65–80% of peak oxygen consumption; (2) RT: 3 days per week, 8 exercises, 3 sets per exercise, 8–12 repetitions per set; (3) AT/RT: full combination of the AT and RT interventions. The SF-36 survey, Satisfaction with Physical Function and Appearance survey, physical fitness, and anthropometrics were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Paired t-tests determined significant pre- vs. post-intervention scores within groups (p &lt; 0.05). Analyses of covariance determined differences in change scores among groups (p &lt; 0.05).Results: On average, participants were 49.0 ± 10.6 years old, obese (BMI: 30.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2), female (57.7%), and Caucasian (84.7%). Following the 8-month intervention, exercise groups improved peak VO2 (all groups), strength (RT and AT/RT), and anthropometric measures (AT and AT/RT). For the SF-36, RT (p = 0.03) and AT/RT (p &lt; 0.001) significantly improved their physical component score; only AT/RT (p &lt; 0.001) significantly improved their mental component score. Notably, all groups significantly improved both their satisfaction with physical function and appearance scores (All Groups: p &lt; 0.001 for both outcomes).Conclusions: We found that aerobic, resistance, or combination exercise training improves several components of self-rated HrQoL, including physical function, appearance, and mental well-being.Clinical Trial Registration: No. NCT00275145.
Warm-Ups and Coaches' Perceptions: Searching for Clues to Improve Injury Prevention in Youth Basketball
Authors: Räisänen Anu M. , Owoeye Oluwatoyosi B. A. , Befus Kimberley , van den Berg Carla , Pasanen Kati , Emery Carolyn A. 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Regular use of neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up programs improves performance and prevents injuries. However, low level of adoption of these programs remains a problem. Understanding the current warm-ups in youth basketball and coaches' perceptions on injury prevention can guide the design of superior implementation strategies. This study describes warm-ups in youth basketball and coaches' injury prevention-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and information sources.Methods: Youth basketball coaches (n = 50) completed a preseason questionnaire. The questionnaire covered warm-up length, use of aerobic/agility/balance/strength/other exercises in the warm-up, injury-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and sources of information.Results: Typical warm-up duration was ≤ 10 min (48.0% of coaches, 95% CI: ±13.8%). All coaches included aerobic exercises in their warm-up. Agility, strength, and balance exercises were utilized by 80.0% (95% CI: ±11.7%), 70.7% (95% CI: ±13.6%), and 26.8% (95% CI: ±13.6%) of coaches, respectively. Most coaches agreed to some extent that basketball injuries are preventable (94%) and that participating in a NMT warm-up program would reduce player's risk of injury (92%). Other coaches were identified as the most common source of information on warm-ups and injury prevention.Discussion: Coaches use parts of effective NMT warm-up programs, but balance exercises are not well adopted. Considering the level of evidence supporting the importance of balance exercises in injury prevention, it is crucial to improve the implementation of NMT warm-up programs in youth basketball, for example, through educational courses. As fellow coaches were identified as the most important source of information, coaches' role in knowledge translation should be emphasized.
Do Poor Functional Outcomes and Higher Morbidity Following Emergency Repair of Giant Hiatus Hernia Warrant Elective Surgery in Asymptomatic Patients?
Authors: Bujoreanu Iulia , Abrar Daniya , Lampridis Savvas , Date Ravindra 
Published: February 2021

Background: Patients with a giant hiatus hernia may present with acute symptoms caused by obstruction, strangulation, perforation and uncontrolled bleeding. Emergency surgical repair has been associated with significant mortality and even greater morbidity. The aim of this study is to investigate the short-term outcomes following emergency repair of giant hiatus hernias.Methods: Data were retrospectively collected for all patients who underwent emergency surgical repair of giant hiatus hernia in a university teaching hospital between 2009 and 2019. Outcomes were short-term morbidity and mortality. We also assessed the association of clinical predictor covariates, including age, ASA class and time to surgery, with risk for major morbidity.Results: Thirty-seven patients with a median age of 68 years were identified. Following surgery, 9 patients (24.3%) developed organ dysfunction that required admission to the intensive care unit. Two patients (5.4%) underwent revision surgery and 3 (8.1%) developed pneumothorax that necessitated chest drain insertion. The commonest complication was pneumonia, which occurred in 13 patients (35.1%). Two deaths (5.4%) occurred within 30 days from surgery.Conclusions: Emergency repair of giant hiatus hernia is associated with high rates of major morbidity, which includes poor functional status, further interventions, repeat surgery, and admission to the intensive care unit. Larger studies are warranted for long-term follow-up to assess post-operative quality of life is needed for asymptomatic patients and for those undergoing emergency surgery.
NHS Health Checks: an observational study of equity and outcomes 2009–2017
Authors: Robson John , Garriga Cesar , Coupland Carol , Hippisley-Cox Julia 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundThe NHS Health Check cardiovascular prevention programme is now 10 years old.AimTo describe NHS Heath Check attendance, new diagnoses, and treatment in relation to equity indicators.Design and settingA nationally representative database derived from 1500 general practices from 2009–2017.MethodThe authors compared NHS Health Check attendance and new diagnoses and treatments by age, sex, ethnic group, and deprivation.ResultsIn 2013–2017, 590 218 (16.9%) eligible people aged 40–74 years attended an NHS Health Check and 2 902 598 (83.1%) did not attend. South Asian ethnic groups were most likely to attend compared to others, and females more than males. New diagnoses were more likely in attendees than non-attendees: hypertension 25/1000 in attendees versus 9/1000 in non-attendees; type 2 diabetes 8/1000 versus 3/1000; and chronic kidney disease (CKD) 7/1000 versus 4/1000. In people aged ≥65 years, atrial fibrillation was newly diagnosed in 5/1000 attendees and 3/1000 non-attendees, and for dementia 2/1000 versus 1/1000, respectively. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and CKD were more likely in more deprived groups, and in South Asian, Black African, and Black Caribbean ethnic groups. Attendees were more likely to be prescribed statins (26/1000) than non-attendees (8/1000), and antihypertensive medicines (25/1000 versus 13/1000 non-attendees). However, of the 117 963 people with ≥10% CVD risk who were eligible for statins, only 9785 (8.3%) were prescribed them.ConclusionUptake of NHS Health Checks remains low. Attendees were more likely than non-attendees to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and CKD, and to receive treatment with statins and antihypertensives. Most attendees received neither treatment nor referral. Of those eligible for statins, <10% were treated. Policy reviews should consider a targeted approach prioritising those at highest CVD risk for face-to-face contact and consider other options for those at lower CVD risk.