bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The aortic-femoral arterial stiffness gradient: an atherosclerosis risk in communities (ARIC) study
Authors: Stone Keeron , Fryer Simon , Meyer Michelle L. , Kucharska-Newton Anna , Faulkner James , Zieff Gabriel , Paterson Craig , Credeur Daniel , Matsushita Kunihiro , Hughes Timothy M. , Tanaka Hirofumi , Stoner Lee 
Published: February 2021

Background:
The aortic to femoral arterial stiffness gradient (af-SG) may be a novel measure of arterial health and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but its association with CVD risk factors and CVD status, and whether or not they differ from the referent measure, carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (cfPWV), is not known.

Method:
Accordingly, we compared the associations of the af-SG and cfPWV with (i) age and traditional CVD risk factors and (ii) CVD status. We evaluated 4183 older-aged (75.2 ± 5.0 years) men and women in the community-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. cfPWV and femoral-ankle PWV (faPWV) were measured using an automated cardiovascular screening device. The af-SG was calculated as faPWV divided by cfPWV. Associations of af-SG and cfPWV with age, CVD risk factors (age, BMI, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose and blood lipid levels) and CVD status (hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke) were determined using linear and logistic regression analyses.

Results:
(i) the af-SG and cfPWV demonstrated comparable associations with age and CVD risk factors, except BMI. (ii) a low af-SG was associated with diabetes, coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke, whilst a high cfPWV was only associated with diabetes.

Conclusion:
Although future studies are necessary to confirm clinical utility, the af-SG is a promising tool that may provide a unique picture of hemodynamic integration and identification of CVD risk when compared with cfPWV.
How much oxygen for the injured brain – can invasive parenchymal catheters help?
Authors: Leach Matthew R. , Shutter Lori A. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose of review
Each year in the United States there are over 2.5 million visits to emergency departments for traumatic brain injury (TBI), 300,000 hospitalizations, and 50,000 deaths. TBI initiates a complex cascade of events which can lead to significant secondary brain damage. Great interest exists in directly measuring cerebral oxygen delivery and demand after TBI to prevent this secondary injury. Several invasive, catheter-based devices are now available which directly monitor the partial pressure of oxygen in brain tissue (PbtO2), yet significant equipoise exists regarding their clinical use in severe TBI.

Recent findings
There are currently three ongoing multicenter randomized controlled trials studying the use of PbtO2 monitoring in severe TBI: BOOST-3, OXY-TC, and BONANZA. All three have similar inclusion/exclusion criteria, treatment protocols, and outcome measures. Despite mixed existing evidence, use of PbtO2 is already making its way into new TBI guidelines such as the recent Seattle International Brain Injury Consensus Conference. Analysis of high-fidelity data from multimodal monitoring, however, suggests that PbtO2 may only be one piece of the puzzle in severe TBI.

Summary
While current evidence regarding the use of PbtO2 remains mixed, three ongoing clinical trials are expected to definitively answer the question of what role PbtO2 monitoring plays in severe TBI.
Acupuncture for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Authors: Kwon Chan-Young , Lee Boram 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Dementia is a major mental health problem worldwide, and an optimal anti-dementia drug that could modify its core symptoms has not been developed yet. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), an important clinical manifestation of dementia, is closely related to disease burden, caregiver burden, and consequent social burden. In general, many experts and international guidelines prefer non-pharmacological interventions, including psychosocial intervention, and complementary and integrative medicine in the management of BPSD. However, in clinical settings, psychotropic drugs are frequently used; therefore, the need to establish and actively use effective non-pharmacological interventions is emphasized. Therefore, in this systematic review, we will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture, a promising non-pharmacological complementary and integrative medicine, for BPSD.

Methods and analysis:
A comprehensive search will be conducted in 13 electronic medical databases. Regardless of its design, original clinical studies, such as randomized controlled clinical trials, nonrandomized controlled clinical trials, and before-after studies, will be included to assess the beneficial effects and safety of acupuncture on BPSD. The severity of BPSD symptoms assessed by the validated tool will be considered as a primary outcome. The secondary outcome included the total effective rate, daily living activities and quality of life of patients, burden and quality of life of caregiver, placement in a long-term care facility from home, and safety data. The study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment process were performed by 2 independent researchers. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using validated tools according to its design, such as the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. RevMan version 5.3 will be used to perform the meta-analysis, with mean differences for continuous outcomes and risk ratio for binary outcomes, and 95% confidence intervals. A fixed- or random-effects model will be used according to the heterogeneity and number of included studies.

Ethics and dissemination:
As this protocol is for a systematic review, ethical approval is not required. The results of the systematic review will be disseminated by the publication of a manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal or presentation at a relevant conference.

Registration number:
OSF (URL: https://osf.io/hu5ac), PROSPERO (CRD42020211005) (URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020211005).
Effects of tonifying kidney and strengthen bone therapy on non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder
Authors: Wu Zijian , Li Liang , Wu Guiling , Xie Youqiong , Li Jia , Peng Rui 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Correction of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) disorders is the standard of treatment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), but the side effects and adverse reactions brought by western medicine (WM) are still the main problems. More importantly, the lack of protection of kidney function in the treatment greatly affects the health of patients. Although traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), specifically tonifying kidney and strengthen bone (TKSB) therapy is wildly applied for patients with CKD-MBD in China, the evidence of TKSB therapy in the treatment of CKD-MBD is limited. Thus, we pretent to conduct this protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TKSB therapy combined with WM for non-dialysis patients with CKD-MBD.

Methods:
A system research of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TKSB therapy for CKD-MBD will be conducted by 2 investigators from 7 electronic databases. Methodological quality evaluations will be performed by using the Cochrane collaboration tool and data analysis will be conducted by RevMan V5.3 software and STATA v15.0.

Results:
The results of this paper will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Conclusion:
This research will determine the safety and efficacy of TKSB therapy in treating non-dialysis patients with CKD-MBD.

INPLASY registration number:
INPLASY2020120086
Correlation study of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and clopidogrel resistance in Han Chinese patients with cerebral infarction in Guizhou region
Authors: Shi Guo-Xian , Zhao Zi-He , Yang Xiao-Yan , Lin Mu , Chen Zhou-Xue 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This study conducts a correlation exploration of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and clopidogrel resistance in Han Chinese patients with cerebral infarction in Guizhou Region.
A total of 270 Han Chinese patients with cerebral infarction, who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2018, are selected. These patients were divided into 2 groups, clopidogrel resistance group (n = 60) and clopidogrel sensitive group (n = 210). According to the TEG results, the CYP2C19 gene polymorphism detection was carried out by using the PCR-RFLP method, while IL-6 level in the patient's blood was measured by using the ELISA method.
The resistance group occupies 22.22%. The platelet inhibition ratio of the resistance group was 23 ± 7%, which was significantly lower than that of the sensitive group (65 ± 13%), and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The Logisitic regression analysis revealed that the history of diabetes, history of high blood pressure, increase in low density lipoprotein and CYP2C19 mutant gene were independent risk factors of clopidogrel resistance. After treatment, the serum IL-6 level of patients in the resistance group was 17.21 ± 0.98 ng/L, which was significant higher than that of patients in the sensitive group (11.21 ± 0.68 ng/L), and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05).
Patients with cerebral infarction in Guizhou region have a higher occurrence rate of clopidogrel resistance. Clopidogrel resistance not only will weaken the anti-inflammatory action of the drug, but also correlates with the patient's CYP2C19 mutant gene and blood lipid level.
Effect of SGLT inhibitors on weight and lipid metabolism at 24 weeks of treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chen Mao-bing , Wang Hua , Cui Wei-yan , Xu Hua-lan , Zheng Qi-han 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
The goals of improving quality of life and increasing longevity are receiving growing amounts of attention. Body weight and lipid metabolism are closely related to various complications of diabetes. The aim of this study was to rank SGLT inhibitors according to their efficacy with regard to weight and evaluate the effect of SGLT inhibitors on lipid metabolism at 24 weeks of treatment.

Methods:
The Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Clinical Trials databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials involving patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus through June 2020. Two researchers independently screened and evaluated the selected studies and extracted the outcome indexes. ADDIS 1.16.5 and STATA 16 software were used to perform the network meta-analysis and draw the plots.

Results:
Ultimately, 36 studies were selected and included in this study. We found that all SGLT inhibitors were effective at reducing weight; canagliflozin was the most effective. SGLT inhibitors and placebo were not associated with significantly different serum cholesterol levels. SGLT inhibitors lowered serum triglyceride levels and increased serum high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. SGLT inhibitors also reduced the level of alanine aminotransferase.

Conclusions:
SGLT inhibitors can bring about weight loss in patients with T2DM and can also improve lipid metabolism. Therefore, patients with hyperlipidemia who have been unsuccessful at losing weight should consider taking SGLT inhibitors. In addition, SGLT inhibitors are hepatoprotective and appear to be safe for patients with mild to moderate liver dysfunction.

Trial Registration:
CRD42020198516.
Association of clinical and laboratory variables with in-hospital incidence of deep vein thrombosis in patients after acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Huang Yucai , Guo Cuirong , Song Kun , Li Changluo , Ding Ning 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious complication in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Early prediction of DVT could enable physicians to perform a proper prevention strategy. We analyzed the association of clinical and laboratory variables with DVT to evaluate the risk of DVT in patients after AIS.
AIS patients admitted to the Changsha Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019 with length of stay in hospital ≥7 days were included. Clinical and laboratory variables for DVT at baseline were collected, and the diagnosis of DVT was confirmed by ultrasonography. Independent factors were developed by Multivariate logistic regression analysis.
A total of 101 patients were included in the study. The in-hospital incidence of DVT after AIS was 19.8%(20/101). The average level of D-dimer when DVT detected was significant increased around 4-fold than that on admission (P < .001). Pulmonary infection (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4, 95%CI:1.10–26.65, P = .037)) and increased muscle tone (OR = 0.11, 95%CI:0.02–0.58, P = .010) as independent relevant factors for DVT were confirmed.
Pulmonary infection as a risk factor and increased muscle tone as a protective factor for DVT were identified in patients after AIS. The level of D-dimer which increased around 4-fold compared to the initial level could be an indicator for DVT occurrence.
The use of forest plot to identify article similarity and differences in characteristics between journals using medical subject headings terms
Authors: Yan Yu-Hua , Chien Tsair-Wei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background:
Comparison of similarity and difference in research types among journals are concerned in literature. However, to date, none display the methodology seen in selecting similar journals related to the target journal, as similar articles did to a given article. Authors need 1 effective method not only to find similar journals for their studies but also to know the difference in methods. This study (1) shows the similar journals for the target journal online displayed, and (2) identifies the effect of similarity odds ratio compared to the counterparts using the forest plots in Meta-analysis and the major medical subject headings (MeSH terms).

Methods:
We downloaded 1000 recent top 20 most similar articles related to the Respiratory Care journal from the PubMed library, plotted the clusters of related journals using social network analysis (SNA), and compared the MeSH terms in differences in an odds ratio unit using the forest plot relevant to Respiratory Care and the most similar journals. Q statistic and I-square (I
2) index were used to evaluate the difference in the proportion of events.

Results:
This study found that (1) the journals related to Respiratory Care are easily presented on Google Maps; (2) 10 journal clusters were identified using SNA; (3) the top 3 MeSH terms are methods, therapy, and physiopathology, and (4) the odds ratios of MeSH terms between journals associated with the Respiratory Care showing different from Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmori Dis and similar to Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes within heterogeneity with I
2 = 70.5% (P < 0.001) and 0% (P = 0.803), respectively.

Conclusions:
SNA and forest plots provide deep insight into the relationships between journals in MeSH terms. The results of this research can provide readers with a concept diagram that can be used for future submissions to a given journal.
Circulating microRNAs as candidate biomarkers for the ovarian response during in vitro fertilization
Authors: Zhao Hongjuan , Wang Liyan , Wang Yu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in the let-7 family have established regulatory roles in pregnancy; in this study, we evaluated whether miRNAs detectable in the circulation are associated with the ovarian response to stimulation.
In total, 25 patients with infertility were divided into 3 groups: poor response (n = 9), moderate response (n = 8), and hyper-response (n = 8). Serum and endometrial tissue samples on the second day of the menstrual phase, serum samples during the mid-luteal phase, and follicular fluid samples were collected from women undergoing in vitro fertilization. The levels of let-7g-5p, let-7f-5p, and let-7i-5p in were evaluated.
The levels of circulating let-7g-5p,7f-5p, and 7i-5p in the basal sera were significantly higher in the moderate ovarian response group than in the poor response group (P < .05). The expression levels of these genes tended to be down-regulated in the mid-luteal phase in the high response group (P < .05). There were no significant differences in expression levels in the endometria and follicular fluid among groups (P > .05).
Circulating let-7g-5p, 7f-5p, and 7i-5p were differentially expressed between the moderate response group and the high and poor response groups. The combination of these serum miRNAs during the menstrual phase might serve as a non-invasive predictive marker for the ovarian response to in vitro fertilization.
Vegetarian diet in dialysis patients
Authors: Chen Mei-Yin , Ou Shih-Hsiang , Yen Ming-Chen , Lee Meei-Shyuan , Chen Nai-Ching , Yin Chun-Hao , Chen Chien-Liang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Nutritional status is a predictor of mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients. This study aimed to assess dietary behaviors in dialysis patients compared to the recommendations of the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative.
Ninety five dialysis patients recruited from a hospital completed a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Body weight, energy requirements, protein requirements, albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate, and 25(OH) vitamin D levels were measured.
Of the 95 patients, 11 (11.6%) were below the desirable body mass index range, 59 (62.1%) were within the desired range, and 25 (26.3%) were above the desired range. However, only 32.7% of patients met the target energy intake, 29.5% reached the protein intake target, and 20.0% had adequate vitamin D concentrations. Vegetarian patients had lower energy, protein, fat, vitamin D intake, lower body mass index, serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphate, normalized protein catabolic rate, and vitamin D status than the omnivorous patients (P < .05). After adjusting for age, sex, and body weight, vegetarianism was an independent risk factor for severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml, P < .01).
Most dialysis patients do not meet their dietary recommendations or goals. The risk of a vegetarian diet may outweigh the benefits in dialysis patients. Careful consideration of dietary behaviors is required for dialysis patients to prevent malnutrition, more so in vegetarians.
Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in infants caused by a novel compound heterozygous mutation of the NUP93
Authors: Zhao Bo , Chen Ji-Yu , Liao Ya-Bin , Li Yan-Fang , Jiang Xue-Mei , Bi Xin , Yang Mi-Feng , Li Li , Cui Jing-Jing 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Rationale:
Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a special kidney disease. SRNS is characterized by steroid-resistant, clinical variability, and genetic heterogeneity. Patients with SRNS often may eventually need renal transplantation.

Patient concerns:
A 10-month-old Chinese male infant presented with oliguria, renal dysfunction, hypertension, and anemia.

Diagnoses:
Combined with clinical manifestations, laboratory testing and sequencing results, the patient was diagnosed as SRNS.

Interventions:
Combined intravenous methylprednisolone and cefoperazone sulbactam did not improve the patient's condition. Thus, SRNS associated with hereditary nephrotic syndrome was strongly suspected. Genetic testing for hereditary renal disease of the patient revealed 2 novel heterozygous mutations in the Nucleoporin 93 (NUP93) gene, which were predicted pathogenic and harmful by bioinformatic softwares of SIFT, PolyPhen_2 and REVEL.

Outcomes:
As general physical health deterioration and renal dysfunction, the patient died of a severe infection.

Lessons:
The novel NUP93 heterozygous mutations identified in the current study broadened the genetic spectrum of SRNS and further deepened our insight into pathogenic mutations of NUP93 to improve disease diagnosis.
A rare case of 46, XX (SRY positive) testicular disorder of sex development with growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Li Hanming , He Jianyu , Leong Iatlun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Rationale:
Chromosome karyotype analysis and SRY (sex determined region of Y chromosome) gene detection are routines for the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), but further whole exome gene sequencing occasionally leads to subversive results and unexpected conclusions.

Patient concerns:
We report a single case of a 7-year-old Chinese boy who had stunted growth since he was 1 year old. He was short in height (height Standard Deviation Score (SDS) was less than 2.9), bilateral scrotal dysplasia and delayed bone age.

Diagnosis:
His growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests showed GHD. His karyotype analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses indicated a 46, XX disorder of sex development (DSD) without the presence of the SRY gene. Nevertheless, considering that female gonad was not observed in the chest and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging, the whole exome gene sequencing was performed. Sequencing data confirmed the presence of SRY gene sequence and two copies of chromosome X. Later, using different primer sequences for PCR, it showed that the SRY gene was positive. The final diagnosis was a rare case of “46, XX (SRY positive) testicular DSD with GHD”.

Interventions:
The boy's parents agreed to use recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for GHD treatment, the starting dose was 0.035 mg / kg / day. But they disagreed with molecular diagnostics and genomic analysis of the Y chromosome.

Outcomes:
The boy was treated with rhGH for 3 months and his height increased by 2.2 cm. The patient will be followed-up until the end of his puberty.

Lessons:
In summary, whole exome gene sequencing overturned the preliminary diagnosis results of karyotype analysis and SRY gene detection, and found that there may be a certain correlation between testicular DSD and GHD.
Clinical characteristics in patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon
Authors: Huang Qiaojuan , Zhang Fan , Chen Siyu , Dong Zhaoying , Liu Weiwei , Zhou Xiaoli 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is a coronary artery disease in which coronary angiography shows no obvious stenosis, but there is a delay in blood flow perfusion. The etiopathogenic mechanisms of CSFP are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of clinical characteristics in patients with CSFP, and to provide a reference for exploring the potential mechanisms of CSFP. Patients with angiographically normal epicardial arteries were enrolled (145 patients with CSFP and 145 normal controls). Collected clinical information and laboratory indexes, which measured by peripheral venous blood samples before coronary angiography. Logistic regression analysis was performed for statistical analysis. The present study found 19 clinical and laboratory indexes with statistical differences between the two groups in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that monocyte count, haemoglobin, serum creatinine and globulin were independent predictors of CSFP. Moreover, the monocyte count, haemoglobin, creatinine and globulin levels were significantly higher in the CSFP patients than the controls, with positive associations between these parameters and the extent of CSFP. In addition, ROC analysis showed the diagnostic value of the above indexes for CSFP.