bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tai Chi can prevent cardiovascular disease and improve cardiopulmonary function of adults with obesity aged 50 years and older
Authors: Sun Lei , Zhuang Lv-Ping , Li Xiu-Zhu , Zheng Jian , Wu Wei-Fen 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
To research the possible role of Tai Chi in preventing cardiovascular disease and improving cardiopulmonary function in adults with obesity aged 50 years and older.
Between 2007 and 2012, 120 adults with obesity, aged 50 years and older, were divided into a Tai Chi group and a control group, with 60 participants in each group. The 2 groups were evaluated for weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure (BP), body mass index, and incidence of chronic disease during follow-up monitoring.
Two- and 6-year follow-up showed that the average BP in the Tai Chi group along with either the systolic or diastolic pressure decreased significantly compared to those in the control group (P < .001). Waist and hip circumference, weight, and body mass index in the Tai Chi group were significantly reduced compared to those in the control group (P < .001). The cardiopulmonary function of the control group and the Tai Chi group changed, with the cardiac index significantly higher in the Tai Chi group than in the control group (P < .05). The Tai Chi group had significantly higher levels of lung function, including vital capacity, maximal oxygen uptake, and total expiratory time, than the control group. The total incidence of complications and mortality in the Tai Chi group were much lower than those in the control group (P < .001). The incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in the Tai Chi group (16.67%) was lower than that in the control group (38.33%).
Tai Chi is not only a suitable exercise for elderly people with obesity, but it can also help to regulate BP, improve heart and lung function in these individuals, as well as reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases, helping to improve their quality of life.
Cumulative evidence for association of sepsis and retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Huang Jichong , Tang Ying , Zhu Tingting , Li Yafei , Chun Hua , Qu Yi , Mu Dezhi 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal vasoproliferative disease affected by multiple factors such as infection and preterm birth. The role of sepsis in the development of ROP remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the impact of sepsis on ROP.

Methods:
The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using terms related to sepsis and ROP. Cohort or case–control studies that reported the association of sepsis and ROP were eligible. The odds ratios (ORs) together with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted from the studies or computed by authors if not provided.

Results:
Thirty-four studies were ultimately included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that sepsis increased the risk for the development of any stage ROP (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.65–2.82). Both early onset (OR = 2.50; 95% CI: 1.97–3.18) and late-onset (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.22–1.55) sepsis were associated with severe ROP. Furthermore, both bacterial sepsis (OR = 1.74; 95% CI: 1.21–2.50) and fungal sepsis (OR = 2.96; 95% CI: 2.05–4.28) were also found to be associated with severe ROP.

Conclusion:
Sepsis increased the risk of any stage ROP, especially for the severe ROP. Further high-quality clinical studies are needed to eliminate heterogeneity and publication bias to validate these findings.
Is serum total bilirubin a predictor of prognosis in arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease? A meta-analysis
Authors: Lan Yang , Liu Huan , Liu Jinbo , Zhao Hongwei , Wang Hongyu 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The protective role of serum total bilirubin, a widely recognized antioxidant, has been approved by numerous updating studies. However, regarding the effect of high serum total bilirubin level (STBL) in arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are conflicting in different sources of data. We, therefore, performed this meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of STBL on risk of ASCVD.
Four databases were used to identify the literature with a date of search of January, 2019. Finally, a total of 20 studies had been adopted. ASCVD was defined as acute coronary syndrome, stable angina, coronary revascularization, atherosclerotic stroke or transient ischemic attack, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). All relevant data were collected from studies meeting the inclusion criteria.
A total of 20 published studies (323,891 cases) met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that, in studies excluding heterogeneity, STBL was significantly positively related to in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.83–4.36, Z = 4.69, P < .001) and major adverse cardiac events (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.414–2.491, Z = 4.36, P < .001), also negatively associated with prognosis of acute myocardial infarction, pooled hazard ratio (HR) = 0.804 (95% CI 0.700–0.923, Z = 3.08, P = .002). The correlation similarity was also reflected in terms of patients with stroke (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70–0.88, Z = 4.24, P = .003). Combined analysis revealed that lower STBL was significantly associated with PAD, pooled OR = 0.91 (95% CI 0.85–0.98, Z = 2.39, P = .017). In general analysis, a conclusion can be drawn, that higher STBL was significantly negative correlated with cardiovascular disease, pooled HR = 0.83 (95% CI 0.73–0.94, Z = 3.02, P = .003).
Higher STBL significantly improved the prognosis of ASCVD; furthermore, STBL was an important factor in the long-term prognosis of vascular-related disease prevention and can be used as a predictor in vascular-related disease risk prediction.
Aquaporin 4 regulation by ginsenoside Rb1 intervenes with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced astrocyte injury
Authors: Li Ya-Nan , Gao Zhong-Wen , Li Ran , Zhang Yun-Feng , Zhu Qing-San , Huang Fei 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background:
Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCII) is a common complication of spinal surgery as well as thoracic and abdominal surgery. Acute cytotoxic edema is the key pathogenic alteration. Therefore, avoiding or decreasing cellular edema has become the major target for SCII treatment.

Methods:
The antiedema activity of ginsenoside Rb1 on aquaporin (AQP) 4, nerve growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression was detected by western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction under conditions of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) in a rat astrocyte model in vitro. In addition, the cellular membrane permeability of AQP4 overexpressing cells or AQP4 small interfering RNA-transfected cells was detected.

Results:
Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly prevented OGD/R-induced AQP4 downregulation in rat astrocytes. In addition, ginsenoside Rb1 treatment or AQP4 overexpression in rat astrocytes significantly attenuated the OGD/R-induced increase of cellular membrane permeability. Moreover, ginsenoside Rb1 obviously prevented the OGD/R-induced decrease of NGF and BDNT expression in rat astrocytes.

Conclusion:
These findings demonstrate that ginsenoside Rb1 can relieve spinal cord edema and improve neurological function by increasing AQP4 expression.
Pulmonary vasodilator therapy for patients after Fontan procedure
Authors: Li Dongxu , Zhou Xu , An Qi , Feng Yuan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background:
The Fontan circulation is fragile, which is easily broken down. For now, there is no consensus on the drug treatment for the prevention of failure of the Fontan circulation.

Methods:
Studies comparing pulmonary vasodilator and control in Fontan patients were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Clinical Trials, and the Cochrane Library databases until March 20, 2019. The assessed variables included the change of pulmonary resistance, heart function, exercise capacity, life of quality, mortality, and serials of adverse events before and after drug administration. A random-effect/fixed-effect model was used to summarize the estimates of the mean difference (MD)/risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analysis stratified by drug was performed.

Results:
This study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.

Conclusion:
This study will assess the efficacy and safety of pulmonary vasodilators for patients after Fontan procedure, and provide more evidence-based guidance in clinical practice.

PROSPERO registration number:
CRD42019132135.
Predictive Value of Biomechanical Mapping for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery
Authors: Egorov Vladimir , Takacs Peter , Shobeiri S. Abbas , Hoyte Lennox , Lucente Vincent , van Raalte Heather , Sarvazyan Noune 
Published: October 2019

Objective
This study examined biomechanical changes in pelvic floor after urogynecological surgery.

Methods
This multisite clinical study was designed to explore changes in tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and certain functions (contractive strength, muscle relaxation speed, muscle motility) after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery. A biomechanical mapping of the pelvic floor was performed before and 4 to 6 months after the surgery. The biomechanical data for 52 parameters were acquired by vaginal tactile imaging for manually applied deflection pressures to vaginal walls and pelvic muscle contractions. The two-sample t-test (P < 0.05) was used to test the null hypothesis that presurgery data in group 1 (positive parameter change after surgery) and presurgery data in group 2 (negative parameter change after surgery) belonged to the same distribution.

Results
A total of 78 subjects with 255 surgical procedures were analyzed across 5 participating clinical sites. All 52 t-tests for group 1 versus group 2 had P value in the range from 4.0 × 10−10 to 4.3 × 10−2 associating all of the 52 parameter changes after surgery with the presurgical conditions. The P value of before and after surgery correlation ranged from 3.7 × 10−18 to 1.6 × 10−2 for 50 of 52 tests, with Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from −0.79 to −0.27. Thus, vaginal tactile imaging parameters strongly correlated weak pelvic floor presurgery with the positive POP surgery outcome of improved biomechanical properties.

Conclusions
Pelvic organ prolapse surgery, in general, improves the biomechanical conditions and integrity of the weak pelvic floor. The proposed biomechanical parameters can predict changes resulting from POP surgery.
A comprehensive review of topical hemostatic agents: The good, the bad, and the novel
Authors: Tompeck Allison J. , Gajdhar Aniq ur Reham , Dowling Matthew , Johnson Steven B. , Barie Philip S. , Winchell Robert J. , King David , Scalea Thomas M. , Britt L.D. , Narayan Mayur 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Uncontrolled exsanguination remains the leading cause of death for trauma patients, many of whom die in the pre-hospital setting. Without expedient intervention, trauma-associated hemorrhage induces a host of systemic responses and acute coagulopathy of trauma. For this reason, health care providers and prehospital personal face the challenge of swift and effective hemorrhage control. The utilization of adjuncts to facilitate hemostasis was first recorded in 1886. Commercially available products haves since expanded to include topical hemostats, surgical sealants, and adhesives. The ideal product balances efficacy, with safety practicality and cost-effectiveness. This review of hemostasis provides a guide for successful implementation and simultaneously highlights future opportunities.
Analysis of blunt cerebrovascular injury in pediatric trauma
Authors: Grigorian Areg , Dolich Matthew , Lekawa Michael , Fujitani Roy M. , Kabutey Nii-Kabu , Kuza Catherine M. , Bashir Rame , Nahmias Jeffry 
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND
Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) occurs in <1% of pediatric patients. The two principal screening criteria for BCVI in children are the Utah and McGovern Score with motor vehicle accident (MVA) considered to be a predictor for BCVI. We sought to confirm previously reported risk factors and identify novel associations with BCVI in pediatric patients.

METHODS
The Pediatric Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2014–2016) was queried for patients younger than 16 years presenting after blunt trauma. A multivariable logistic regression was used to determine risk of BCVI.

RESULTS
From 69,149 pediatric patients, 109 (<0.2%) had BCVI. The median age was 13 years, and the median Injury Severity Score was 25. More than half the patients were involved in MVAs (53.2%) and had a skull base fracture (53.2%). Factors independently associated with BCVI include skull base fracture (odds ratio [OR], 3.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.40–6.14; p < 0.001), cervical spine fracture (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.91–5.18; p < 0.001), intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.89–5.14; p < 0.001), Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.33–3.54; p = 0.003), and mandible fracture (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.05–3.84; p = 0.04). Motor vehicle accident was not an independent predictor for BCVI (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSION
In the largest analysis of pediatric BCVI to date, skull base fracture had the strongest association with BCVI. Other associations to pediatric BCVI included cervical spine and mandible fracture. Motor vehicle accident, previously identified to be associated with BCVI, was not an independent risk factor in our analysis. A future multicenter study incorporating newly identified variables in a scoring system to screen for BCVI is warranted.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV (Prognostic/Epidemiologic).
Perceived loss of social support after non‐neurologic injury negatively impacts recovery
Authors: Carr Bryan W. , Severance Sarah E. , Bell Teresa M. , Zarzaur Ben L. 
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND
Traumatic injury is not only physically devastating, but also psychologically isolating, potentially leading to poor quality of life, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Perceived social support (PSS) is associated with better outcomes in some populations. What is not known is if changes in PSS influence long-term outcomes following nonneurologic injury. We hypothesized that a single drop in PSS during recovery would be associated with worse quality of life.

METHODS
This is a post hoc analysis of a prospectively collected database that included patients 18 years or older admitted to a Level I trauma center with Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 10 or higher, and no traumatic brain or spinal cord injury. Demographic and injury data were collected at the initial hospital admission. Screening for depression, PTSD, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Mental Composite Score (MCS) were obtained at the initial hospitalization, 1, 2, 4, and 12 months postinjury. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was obtained at similar time points. Patients with high MSPSS (>5) at baseline were included and grouped by those that ever reported a score ≤5 (DROP), and those that remained high (STABLE). Outcomes were determined at 4 and 12 months.

RESULTS
Four hundred eleven patients were included with 96 meeting DROP criteria at 4 months, and 97 at 1 years. There were no differences in sex, race, or injury mechanism. The DROP patients were more likely to be single (p = 0.012 at 4 months, p = 0.0006 at 1 year) and unemployed (p = 0.016 at 4 months, and p = 0.026 at 1 year) compared with STABLE patients. At 4 months and 1 year, DROP patients were more likely to have PTSD, depression, and a lower MCS (p = 0.0006, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION
Patients who have a drop in PSS during the first year of recovery have significantly higher odds of poor psychological outcomes. Identifying these socially frail patients provides an opportunity for intervention to positively influence an otherwise poor quality of life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic, Prognostic and Epidemiological, Level III.
An optimized workflow for single-cell transcriptomics and repertoire profiling of purified lymphocytes from clinical samples
Authors: Hanamsagar Richa , Reizis Timothy , Chamberlain Mathew , Marcus Robert , Nestle Frank O. , de Rinaldis Emanuele , Savova Virginia 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEstablishing clinically relevant single-cell (SC) transcriptomic workflows from cryopreserved tissue is essential to move this emerging immune monitoring technology from the bench to the bedside. Improper sample preparation leads to detrimental cascades, resulting in loss of precious time, money and finally compromised data. There is an urgent need to establish protocols specifically designed to overcome the inevitable variations in sample quality resulting from uncontrollable factors in a clinical setting. Here, we explore sample preparation techniques relevant to a range of clinically relevant scenarios, where SC gene expression and repertoire analysis are applied to a cryopreserved sample derived from a small amount of blood, with unknown or partially known preservation history. We compare a total of ten cell-counting, viability-improvement, and lymphocyte-enrichment methods to highlight a number of unexpected findings. Trypan blue-based automated counters, typically recommended for single-cell sample quantitation, consistently overestimate viability. Advanced sample clean-up procedures significantly impact total cell yield, while only modestly increasing viability. Finally, while pre-enrichment of B cells from whole peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) results in the most reliable BCR repertoire data, comparable T-cell enrichment strategies distort the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Furthermore, we provide high-resolution analysis of gene expression and clonotype repertoire of different B cell subtypes. Together these observations provide both qualitative and quantitative sample preparation guidelines that increase the chances of obtaining high-quality single-cell transcriptomic and repertoire data from human PBMCs in a variety of clinical settings.
Broad binaural fusion impairs segregation of speech based on voice pitch differences in a ‘cocktail party’ environment
Authors: Oh Yonghee , Hartling Curtis L. , Srinivasan Nirmal Kumar , Eddolls Morgan , Diedesch Anna C. , Gallun Frederick J. , Reiss Lina A. J. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTIn the normal auditory system, central auditory neurons are sharply tuned to the same frequency ranges for each ear. This precise tuning is mirrored behaviorally as the binaural fusion of tones evoking similar pitches across ears. In contrast, hearing-impaired listeners exhibit abnormally broad tuning of binaural pitch fusion, fusing sounds with pitches differing by up to 3-4 octaves across ears into a single object. Here we present evidence that such broad fusion may similarly impair the segregation and recognition of speech based on voice pitch differences in a ‘cocktail party’ environment. Speech recognition performance in a multi-talker environment was measured in four groups of adult subjects: normal-hearing (NH) listeners and hearing-impaired listeners with bilateral hearing aids (HAs), bimodal cochlear implant (CI) worn with a contralateral HA, or bilateral CIs. Performance was measured as the threshold target-to-masker ratio needed to understand a target talker in the presence of masker talkers either co-located or symmetrically spatially separated from the target. Binaural pitch fusion was also measured. Voice pitch differences between target and masker talkers improved speech recognition performance for the NH, bilateral HA, and bimodal CI groups, but not the bilateral CI group. Spatial separation only improved performance for the NH group, indicating an inability of the hearing-impaired groups to benefit from spatial release from masking. A moderate to strong negative correlation was observed between the benefit from voice pitch differences and the breadth of binaural pitch fusion in all groups except the bilateral CI group in the co-located spatial condition. Hence, tuning of binaural pitch fusion predicts the ability to segregate voices based on pitch when acoustic cues are available. The findings suggest that obligatory binaural fusion, with a concomitant loss of information from individual streams, may occur at a level of processing before auditory object formation and segregation.
Dalbavancin and wound healing: new evidences/insights in a mouse model of skin infection
Authors: Simonetti Oriana , Lucarini Guendalina , Morroni Gianluca , Orlando Fiorenza , Lazzarini Raffaella , Zizzi Antonio , Brescini Lucia , Provinciali Mauro , Giacometti Andrea , Offidani Annamaria , Cirioni Oscar 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTDalbavancin is an effective antibiotic widely used to treat skin infection. Our aim was to determinate the effects of dalbavancin administration on wound healing compared to vancomycin, and to elucidate if EGFR, MMP-1, MMP-9 and VEGF could be involved in its therapeutic mechanism.A mouse model of MRSA skin infection was established. Mice were treated daily with vancomycin (10mg/kg) and weekly with dalbavancin, at day 1 (20 mg/kg) and day 8 (10 mg/kg). After 14 days wounds were excised and bacterial counts were perfomed. Wound healing was assessed by histological and immunohistochemical staining, followed by protein extraction and immunoblotting. Our microbiological results confirmed that both dalbanvancin and vancomycin are effective in reducing the bacterial load in wounds. Dalbavancin had a strong effect compared with infected untreated animals and vancomycin treated group. The wounds treated with dalbavancin showed robust epidermal coverage with a reconstitution of the regular and keratinized epidermal lining and a well-organized granulation tissue with numerous blood vessels, although slightly less than in the uninfected group, while in vancomycin treated group the epithelium appeared in general still hypertrophic, the granulation tissue appears even less organized.We observed elevated EGFR and VEGF expression in both treated groups, although it was higher in dalbavancin treated mice. MMP-1 and MMP-9 were decreased in uninfected and in both treated tissue when compared with untreatd infected wounds.This study showed faster healing with dalbavancin treatment that might be associated with a higher EGFR and VEGF levels.