bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intensive care unit to unit capacity transfers are associated with increased mortality. An observational cohort study on patient transfers in the Swedish Intensive Care Register
Authors: Parenmark Fredric , Walther Sten M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Transfers from one intensive care unit (ICU) to another ICU are associated with increased length of intensive care and hospital stay. We show that non-clinical transfers due to resource constraints in the transferring ICU (capacity transfers) are associated with increased 30- and 180-day mortality compared to repatriations. Inter-hospital ICU Transfers are carried out for three main reasons: clinical transfers, capacity transfers and repatriations. We hypothesised that different ICU transfers differ in risk-adjusted mortality rate with repatriations having the least risk.
Methods
Observational cohort study of adult patients transferred between Swedish ICUs during 3 years (2016–2018) with follow up ending September 2019. Primary and secondary end-points were survival to 30 days and 180 days after discharge from the first ICU. Data from 75 ICUs in the Swedish Intensive Care Register, a nationwide intensive care register, was used for analysis (89 % of all Swedish ICUs). Covering local community hospitals, district general hospitals and tertiary care hospitals. We included adult patients (16 yrs. or older) admitted to ICU and subsequently discharged by transfer to another ICU. Only the first admission was used. Exposure was discharge to any other ICU (ICU to ICU transfer), whether in the same or in another hospital. Transfers were grouped into three predefined categories: clinical transfer, capacity transfer, and repatriation.
Results
We identified 15,588 transfers among 112,860 admissions (14.8 %) and analysed 11,176 after excluding 4,112 repeat transfer of the same individual and 300 with missing risk adjustment. The majority were clinical transfers (62.7 %), followed by repatriations (21.5 %) and capacity transfers (15.8 %). Unadjusted 30-day mortality was 25.0% among capacity transfers compared to 14.5% and 16.2% for clinical transfers and repatriations respectively. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for 30-day mortality were 1.25 (95% CI: 1.06–1.49 P = .01) for capacity transfers and 1.17 (95% CI: 1.02–1.36 P = .03) for clinical transfers using repatriation as reference. The differences remained 180 days post discharge.
Conclusions
There was a large proportion of ICU to ICU transfers and an increased odds of dying for those transferred due to other reasons than repatriation.
Preprint Servers’ Policies, Submission Requirements, and Transparency in Reporting and Research Integrity Recommendations
Authors: Malicki Mario , Jerončić Ana , Bouter Lex , Riet Gerben ter , Ioannidis John P.A. , Goodman Steven M. , Aalbersberg IJsbrand Jan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In light of the recent increase in the number of preprints and preprints servers, as well as calls for transparent reporting of research, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 57 preprint servers’ websites for information on their policies, submission requirements, and transparency in reporting and research integrity recommendations. All servers specified their scope, and a large majority mentioned they apply moderation or screening procedures (n=47, 82%). Out of 18 analysed topics on transparency in reporting and research integrity, the servers addressed a median of 1 (IQR 1 to 3), most commonly data sharing (n=22, 39%), plagiarism (n=15, 26%) and the use of ORCID iD (n=14, 25%). Preprint servers could do more to raise awareness and encourage or require transparent reporting of research and adherence to research integrity standards. In doing so they may improve the quality and trust in the scholarly information exchange.
Late time transition in the evolution of the Universe
Authors: Aydiner Ekrem , Oz Isil Basaran , Dereli Tekin , Sarisaman Mustafa 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The late time crossover from a power-law to an exponential expansion of the Universe evolution is the major problem in today’s physical cosmology. Unless this critical transition problem is solved, it is not possible to reach a holistic theory of cosmology. In this study, we propose a simple model in the FLRW framework, where dark matter and dark energy interact through a potential. We analytically solve this model and obtain scale factor a(t) from the presented model. Mainly, employing numerical solutions we show that the scale parameter has a hybrid form which includes power and exponential terms. The numerical results clearly show that there is a time crossover tc in the scale factor a(t) curve, which indicates the transition from the power-law to the exponential expansion of the Universe. We ﬁt these unscaled curves and obtain that scale factor behaves as a(t) ∝ t2/3 below t ≤ tc, and as a(t) ∝ exp(H0t) with H0 = 0.4 and H0 = 0.3 for the relatively weak and strong interactions above t > tc, respectively. It is the ﬁrst time that we explicitly obtain a hybrid scale factor incorporating the power and exponential terms as a(t) ∝ t2/3eH0t . We conclude that the presented model can solve the late time transition problem of the Universe based on dark matter and dark energy interaction. Additionally, we numerically obtain other kinematic parameters depending upon the scale factor. We discuss the limit behaviors of all relevant cosmological parameters. Our results are completely in good agreement with observational data. Finally, we state that this work makes essential steps towards solving a critical outstanding problem of the cosmology, and has a potential to creates a paradigm for future studies in this ﬁeld.
Phase 2b open label randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of N-acetylcysteine in reducing adverse drug reactions among adults treated for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Tanzania. (Trial Acronym NAC Trial).
Authors: Mpagama Stellah 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) frequently occur in patients using second-line anti-tuberculosis medicine for treatment of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). ADRs contribute to treatment interruptions which can compromise treatment response and risk acquired drug resistance to critical newer drugs such as bedaquiline, while severe ADRs carry considerable morbidity and mortality. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown promise in reducing ADRs for medications related to TB in case series or randomized controlled trials in other medical conditions. We therefore designed a pilot clinical trial to study the protective effect of NAC among people treated for MDR-TB with second-line anti-TB medications. Methods: This is a phase 2b randomized open label clinical trial with 3 treatment arms including a control arm, an interventional arm of NAC 900mg daily, and an interventional arm of NAC 900mg twice-daily administered during the intensive phase of MDR-TB treatment. Patients initiating MDR-TB treatment will be enrolled at Kibong’oto National Center of Excellence for MDR-TB in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. The minimum anticipated sample size is 66; with 22 participants in each arm. ADR monitoring will be performed at baseline and regular follow-up over 24 weeks including blood and urine specimen collection for hepatic and renal function and electrolyte abnormalities, electrocardiogram and hearing function by pure tone audiometry. Sputum will be collected at baseline and monthly thereafter and cultured for mycobacteria as well as assayed for other molecular targets of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Adverse drug events will be analyzed over time using mixed effect models. Mean differences between arms in change of the ADRs from baseline (with 95% confidence intervals) will be derived from the fitted model.Discussion: Given that NAC promotes synthesis of glutathione, an intracellular antioxidant that combats the impact of oxidative stress, it may protect against medication induced oxidative damage in organs such as liver, pancreas, kidney and cells of the immune system. This randomized controlled trial will determine if NAC leads to fewer ADRs, and if this protection is dose dependent. Fewer ADRs among patients treated with MDR-TB may significantly improve treatment outcomes for multidrug regimens that necessitate prolonged treatment durations.Trial registration: PACTR202007736854169
Efficacy of a coordinated strategy for containment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria carriage in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the context of an active surveillance program
Authors: Saporito Laura , Graziano Giorgio , Mescolo Federica , Amodio Emanuele , Insinga Vincenzo , Rinaudo Grazia , Aleo Aurora , Bonura Celestino , Vitaliti Marcello , Corsello Giovanni , Vitale Francesco , Maida Carmelo Massimo , Giuffrè Mario 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients is a threat, due to the frequent use of antimicrobial treatment and invasive devices in fragile babies.Since 2014 an active surveillance program of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) carriage has been in place in the five NICUs of Palermo, Italy. In 2017 an increase in the prevalence of MDR-GNB, and in particular of extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL-KP), was observed in “Civico” hospital NICU. Aim: To assess the impact of a coordinated intervention strategy in achieving long-lasting reduction of MDR-GNB prevalence in the NICU.Methods: Rectal swabs were obtained monthly and processed to detect MDR-GNB using standard methods. MDR-GNB were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Since November 2017 the following intervention measures were applied: a) two-months intensification of sample collection; b) stakeholders meetings; c) improvement of prevention measures and antimicrobial policies. Findings: During the intensified microbiological surveillance MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP were detected in rectal swabs (34.8%; 23.2%), nasal swabs (24.6%; 14.5%), oral swabs (14.5%; 5.4%), milk samples (32.1%; 17.9%), pacifiers swabs (30.8%; 17.9%) and from sub-intensive room surfaces. Thirteen ESBL-KP strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples showed identical PFGE patterns. The prevalence of MDR-GNB and ESBL-KP carriage significantly decreased in the year after intervention compared to the previous year (20.6% vs 62.2 %; p<0.001 and 11.1% vs 57.8%; p<0.001). MDR-GNB were not detected at all for three months and ESBL-KP for five months. Multivariate analysis of the principal exposure variables showed that admission in the post-intervention period significantly reduced the risk of MDR-GNB carriage (adj-OR=0.21, 95% CI=0.076-0.629; p<0.001). Conclusions: MDR-GNB broadly circulate in NICU setting, they can colonize different body sites and spread through various vehicles. A coordinated strategy of multiple interventions with active cooperation between epidemiologists and clinicians in the NICU can effectively reduce their circulation and in particular the carriage of the most dangerous ESBL-KP strains.
Performance of Model-Based Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction Methods for Epistasis Detection by Controlling Population Structure
Authors: Abegaz Fentaw , Lishout Francois van , John Jestinah M. Mahachie , Chiachoompu Kridsadakorn , Bhjardwa Archana , Duroux Diane , Gusareva Elena S. , Wei Zhi , Hakonarson Hakon , Steen Kristel Van 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: In genome-wide association studies the extent and impact of confounding due to population structure have been well recognized. Inadequate handling of such confounding is likely to lead to spurious associations, hampering replication, and the identification of causal variants. Several strategies have been developed for protecting associations against confounding, the most popular one is based on Principal Component Analysis. In contrast, the extent and impact of confounding due to population structure in gene-gene interaction association epistasis studies are much less investigated and understood. In particular, the role of nonlinear genetic population substructure in epistasis detection is largely under-investigated, especially outside a regression framework. Methods: To identify causal variants in synergy, to improve interpretability and replicability of epistasis results, we introduce three strategies based on a model-based multifactor dimensionality reduction approach for structured populations, namely MBMDR-PC, MBMDR-PG, and MBMDR-GC. Results: Simulation results comparing the performance of various approaches show that in the presence of population structure MBMDR-PC and MBMDR-PG consistently better control type I error rate at the nominal level than MBMDR-GC. Moreover, our proposed three methods of population structure correction outperform MDR-SP in terms of statistical power.Conclusion: We demonstrate through extensive simulation studies the effect of various degrees of genetic population structure and relatedness on epistasis detection and propose appropriate remedial measures based on linear and nonlinear sample genetic similarity.
Postnatal growth of preterm infants during the first two years of life: catch-up growth accompanied by risk of overweight
Authors: Han Junyan , Jiang Yuan , Huang Jun , Zhang Yue , Zhang Ying , Zhang Yi , Chen Xiaotian , Li Yun , Yan Weili 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Early postanal growth of preterm infants has many effects on early and late health. However, evidence on growth pattern in Chinese preterm infant population during early life is insufficient. This study aims to describe the growth trajectory, catch-up growth, and risk of overweight of preterm infants during the first two years of life in a Chinese community population. Methods: All preterm infants (n=10624) received routine childcare in one primary maternal and child healthcare network in eight years were included. Body weight and length/height at corrected age (CA) 40 weeks, CA 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months were extracted and converted to z-scores based on the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. According to the intrauterine growth status, infants were divided into small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Changes of z-score were used to describe the growth velocity. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to analyze growth trajectory trends over time. Results: Body weight and length/height were overall above the WHO standards during the first two years of life. Z-score increased significantly by 0.08 (95% CI: 0.06-0.10) in weight and 0.07 (95% CI: 0.04-0.09) in length/height from CA 40 weeks to 3 months and then levelled off until CA 24 months after adjustment. Almost 90% of AGA and LGA infants achieved growth targets (≥25th percentile of WHO standards), and over 85% of SGA infants achieved catch-up growth (≥10th percentile of WHO standards) before CA 24 months. However, the risk of overweight appeared during this period, with the proportion of infants with the risk of overweight being at the peak at CA 3 months (25.6% of all preterm infants and 39.4% of LGA infants). Growth trajectories of SGA showed increasing trends, but those of LGA showed decreasing trends during the first two years.Conclusions: Body weight and length/height of preterm infants are above the WHO standards in the Chinese community population during the first two years of life. Catch-up growth is accompanied by risk of overweight as early as CA 3 months.
Physiological and transcriptional response to drought stress among bioenergy grass Miscanthus species
Authors: De Vega Jose J. , Teshome Abel , Klaas Manfred , Grant Jim , Finnan John , Barth Susanne 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Miscanthus is a commercial lignocellulosic biomass crop owing to its high biomass productivity, resilience and photosynthetic capacity at low temperature. These qualities make Miscanthus a particularly good candidate for temperate marginal land, where yields can be limited by insufficient or excessive water supply. Differences in response to water stress have been observed among Miscanthus species, which correlated to origin. In this study, we compared the physiological and molecular responses among Miscanthus species under excessive (flooded) and insufficient (drought) water supply in glasshouse conditions. Results: A significant biomass loss was observed under drought conditions in all genotypes. M. x giganteus showed a lower reduction in biomass yield under drought conditions compared to the control than the other species. Under flooded conditions, biomass yield was as good as or better than control conditions in all species. 4,389 of the 67,789 genes (6.4%) in the reference genome were differentially expressed during drought among four Miscanthus genotypes from different species. We observed the same biological processes were regulated across Miscanthus species during drought stress despite the DEGs were not similar. Upregulated differentially expressed genes were significantly involved in sucrose and starch metabolism, redox, and water and glycerol homeostasis and channel activity. Multiple copies of the starch metabolic enzymes BAM and waxy GBSS-I were strongly up-regulated in drought stress in all Miscanthus genotypes, and twelve aquaporins (PIP1, PIP2 and NIP2) were also up-regulated in drought stress across genotypes. Conclusions: Different phenotypic responses were observed during drought stress among Miscanthus genotypes from different species, supporting differences in genetic adaption. The low number of DEGs and higher biomass yield in flooded conditions supported Miscanthus use in flooded land. The molecular processes regulated during drought were shared among Miscanthus species and consistent with functional categories known to be critical during drought stress in model organisms. However, differences in the regulated genes, likely associated with ploidy and heterosis, highlighted the value of exploring its diversity for breeding.
Pore texture analysis in automated 3D breast ultrasound images for implanted lightweight hernia mesh identification: a preliminary study
Authors: Yang Jiting , Li Haiyan , Wu Jun , Sun Liang , Xu Dan , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yufeng , Chen Yue , Chen Lin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background

Precise visualization of meshes and their position would greatly aid in mesh shrinkage evaluation, hernia recurrence risk assessment, and the preoperative planning of salvage repair. Lightweight (LW) meshes are able to preserve abdominal wall compliance by generating less post-implant fibrosis and rigidity. However, conventional 3D imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot visualize the LW meshes. Patients sometimes have to undergo a second-look operation for visualizing the mesh implants. The goal of this work is to investigate the potential advantages of Automated 3D breast ultrasound (ABUS) pore texture analysis for implanted LW hernia mesh identification.

Methods

In vitro, the appearances of four different flat meshes in both ABUS and 2D hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) images were evaluated and compared. In vivo, pore texture patterns of 87 hernia regions were analyzed both in ABUS images and their corresponding HHUS images.

Results

In vitro studies, the imaging results of ABUS for implanted LW meshes are much more visualized and effective in comparison to HHUS. In vivo, the inter-class distance of 40 texture features was calculated. The texture features of 2D sectional plans (axial and sagittal plane) have no significant contribution to implanted LW mesh identification. Significant contribution was observed in coronal plane. However, since the mesh may have spatial variation such as shrinkage after implant surgery, the inter-class distance of 3D coronal plane pore texture features are bigger than 2D coronal plane, so the contribution of 3D coronal plane pore texture features are more valuable than 2D coronal plane for implanted LW mesh identification. The use of 3D pore texture features significantly improved the robustness of the identification method in distinguishing the LW mesh and fascia.

Conclusions

An innovative new automated 3D breast ultrasound (ABUS) provides additional pore texture visualization, by separating the LW mesh from the fascia tissues. Therefore, ABUS having the potential to provide more accurate features to characterize pore texture patterns, and ultimately provide more accurate measures for implanted LW mesh identification.
Rationale and Study Design of an Early Care, Therapeutic Education, and Psychological Intervention for the Management of Post-intensive Care Syndrome and Chronic Pain After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (PAIN-COVID): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ojeda Antonio , Calvo Andrea , Cuñat Tomas , Artigas Ricard Mellado , Comino-Trinidad Oscar , Aliaga Jorge , Arias Marilyn , Ahuir Maribel , Ferrando Carlos , Dürsteler Christian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Critically ill patients with COVID-19 disease are an especially susceptible population to develop Post-intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Patients can suffer acute severe pain and may have long-term deterioration in mental, cognitive, and functional health after discharge. However, few controlled trials are evaluating interventions for the prevention and treatment of PICS. The study hypothesis is that a specific care program based on early therapeutic education and a psychological intervention improves the quality of life of patients at risk of developing PICS and chronic pain after COVID-19 disease. The primary objective is to determine if the program is superior to standard-of-care on health-related life quality at six months after hospital discharge. The secondary objectives are to determine if the intervention is superior to standard care, evaluating the health-related life quality, the incidence of chronic pain and the degree of functional limitation, the incidence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress syndrome at 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge.Methods: The PAINCOVID trial is a unicentric randomized, controlled, patient blinded superiority trial with two parallel groups. The primary endpoint is the health-related quality of life at six months after hospital discharge, and randomization will be performed with a 1:1 allocation. This paper details the methodology and statistical analysis plan of the trial and was submitted before outcome data were available.The sample size calculated is 84 patients, 42 for each arm. Estimating a loss of follow up of 20%, a sample size of 102 patients is necessary (51 each group). Discussion: This is the first randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of an early care therapeutic education, and psychological intervention for the management of PICS and Chronic Pain after COVID-19. The intervention will serve as a sample of the need to implement early care programs on early stages, having an incalculable impact given the current scenario of the pandemic.Trial registration: This study is being in accordance with the tenets of the Helsinki Declaration, and has been approved by the authors’ institutional review board Comité Ético de Investigación Clínica del Hospital Clinic de Barcelona (approval number: HCB/2020/0549) and was registered on May 9, 2020 at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04394169).