bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal trends and black–white disparity in mortality among hospitalized persons living with HIV in the United States
Authors: Salihu Hamisu M. , Henshaw Chelsea , Salemi Jason L. , Dongarwar Deepa , Wudil Usman J. , Olaleye Omonike , Godbole Nupur , Aggarwal Anjali , Aliyu Muktar H. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
We sought to determine whether black–white gap in mortality exists among hospitalized HIV-positive patients in the United States (US). We hypothesized that in-hospital mortality (IHM) would be similar between black and white HIV-positive patients due to the nationwide availability of HIV services.
Our analysis was restricted to hospitalized HIV-positive patients (15–49 years). We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) that covered the period from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2014. We employed joinpoint regression to construct temporal trends in IHM overall and within subgroups over the study period. We applied multivariable survey logistic regression to generate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
The total number of HIV-related hospitalizations and IHM decreased over time, with 6914 (3.9%) HIV-related in-hospital deaths in 2002 versus 2070 HIV-related in-hospital deaths (1.9%) in 2014, (relative reduction: 51.2%). HIV-related IHM among blacks declined at a slightly faster rate than in the general population (by 56.8%, from 4.4% to 1.9%). Among whites, the drop was similar to that of the general population (51.2%, from 3.9% to 1.9%). Although IHM rates did not differ between blacks and whites, being black with HIV was independently associated with a 17% elevated odds for IHM (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.11–1.25).
In-hospital HIV-related deaths continue to decline among both blacks and whites in the US. Among hospitalized HIV-positive patients black–white disparity still persists, but to a lesser extent than in the general HIV population. Improved access to HIV care is a key to eliminating black–white disparity in HIV-related mortality.
A critical review to traumatic brain injury clinical practice guidelines
Authors: Di Bao-shan , Wei Min , Ma Wen-juan , Zhang Qi , Lu An-qing , Wang Hu , Niu Yang , Cao Nong , Guo Tian-kang 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the quality of clinical practice guidelines of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and investigate the evidence grading systems.
A systematic search of relevant guideline websites and literature databases (including PubMed, NGC, SIGN, NICE, GIN, and Google) was undertaken from inception to May 2018 to identify and select TBI guidelines. Four independent reviewers assessed the eligible guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. The degree of agreement was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
From 1802 records retrieved, 12 TBI guidelines were included. The mean scores for each AGREE II domain were as follows: scope and purpose (mean ± SD= 74.2 ± 9.09); stakeholder involvement (mean± SD= 54.6 ± 11.6); rigor of development (mean ± SD=70.1 ± 13.6); clarity and presentation (mean ± SD=78.4 ± 11.5); applicability (mean ± SD= 60.5 ± 13.6); and editorial independence (mean ± SD=61.7 ± 14.8). Ten guidelines were rated as “recommended.” The ICC values ranged from 0.73 to 0.95. Seven grading systems were used by TBI guidelines to rate the level of evidence and the strength of recommendation.
Most TBI guidelines got a high-quality rating, whereas a standardized grading system should be adopted to provide clear information about the level of evidence and strength of recommendation in TBI guidelines.
A study on spleen transient elastography in predicting the degree of esophageal varices and bleeding
Authors: Wang Xie-Kui , Wang Ping , Zhang Yong , Qi Sheng-Lin , Chi Kun , Wang Gong-Chen 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
This study aims to investigate the value and determine the accuracy of spleen stiffness in predicting the degree of esophageal varices and bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.
The age, gender, liver stiffness, spleen stiffness, and gastroscopy results of 124 inpatients or outpatients with liver cirrhosis and healthy volunteers, who underwent both gastroscopy and FibroScan testing in the fasting state, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the gastroscopy results, the patients and healthy volunteers were divided into six groups: varicose bleeding, severe varices, moderate varices, mild varices, no varices, and healthy control group. Then, the receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn, and the corresponding area under each curve was calculated and evaluated to predict the severity of varices based on the relevance of the area and its parameters.
The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of liver stiffness and spleen stiffness for predicting severe and moderate varices in the bleeding group was 0.955 and 0.989, respectively. The cut-off values were 29.6 kPa and 45.5 kPa, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of liver stiffness for predicting varicose bleeding was 0.860 (95% CI: 0.789–0.931). The liver stiffness cut-off value for predicting varicose bleeding was 33.2 kPa, with a specificity and sensitivity of 66.02% and 95.24%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of spleen stiffness for predicting varicose bleeding was 0.923 (95% CI: 0.875–0.971). A spleen stiffness cut-off value of 55.2 kPa had a sensitivity and specificity of 90.48% and 86.41%, respectively.
Spleen stiffness can predict the degree of esophageal varices and bleeding in liver cirrhosis patients, and has good predictive accuracy.
Successful closure of ileostomy in a patient with intestinal Behçet's disease after therapy with adalimumab
Authors: Yan Zhe , Cui Bei-Bei , Yu Yong-Yang , Yin Geng , Cen Xiao-Min , Xie Qi-Bing 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Rationale:
Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorder involving multiple organ systems. In BD, intestinal ulcers can present as a refractory lesion capable of perforation, which makes the choice of treatment difficult.

Patient Concerns:
A 34-year-old male who was diagnosed with intestinal BD and suffered with an ileocecal perforation. He underwent surgery for an ileostomy and was given corticosteroids as treatment. However, the ulcerative lesion remained resistant to the therapy that was provided which delayed the closure operation.

Diagnosis:
Intestinal BD with severe post-operative complication.

Interventions:
A course of adalimumab (ADa) therapy was started. Subsequently surgery was performed. And ADa and thalidomide were used as a maintenance therapy.

Outcomes:
In this case, a course of ADa therapy was given which healed the intestinal ulcers and allowed us to successfully perform the closure operation.

Lessons:
This case indicates that ADa may be an effective treatment option in future cases, minimizing complications and allowing the closure operation to be performed successfully.
Compound salvia pellet might be more effective and safer for chronic stable angina pectoris compared with nitrates
Authors: Huiping Wei , Yu Wang , Pei Jin , Jiao Li , Shian Zhang , Hugang Jiang , Zheng Wang , Yingdong Li 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Chronic stable angina (CSA) resulted in a considerable burden for both individuals and the society. In this study we aimed to critically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Compound salvia pellet compared with nitrates in the treatment of Chronic Stable Angina (CSA) pectoris, and to provide more credible evidence for clinical practice.

Methods:
A comprehensive and exhaustive search strategy was formulated to identify potential RCTs of compound salvia pellet for CSA in international and Chinese databases from their inception to July 4th, 2018. We also searched the bibliographies of relevant studies. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of included trials by using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results:
The literature search yielded 1849 citations and 51 RCTs (n = 4732) were included for meta-analysis after titles, abstracts and full text selection according to eligibility criteria. The pooled results suggested that compound salvia pellet was much more effective than nitrates in the improvement of angina symptoms (therapy = 4 weeks, RR = 1.23, 95%CI = [1.17, 1.30], P < .001, I
2 = 0%; therapy = 4 weeks, RR = 1.13, 95%CI = [1.08, 1.17], P < .001, I
2 = 45.6%), and ECG test (therapy = 4 weeks, RR = 1.24, 95%CI [1.14, 1.35], P < .001, I
2 = 51.5%; and therapy > 4 weeks, RR = 1.30, 95%CI[1.20, 1.42], P < .001, I
2 = 36.4%) in CSA. Compared with nitrates, the percentage of patients with adverse events significantly decreased when prescribed with compound salvia pellet (3.2% vs 17.0%).

Conclusion:
Compound salvia pellet might be more effective on the improvement of angina symptoms, ECG test and with few adverse events compared with nitrates. While there are some limitations in this study, which may weaken the results, we believe the findings could provide useful information for stakeholders concerned with outcomes in patients with CSA. More rigorous RCTs with high quality are needed to confirm these findings.
Characteristics of dry eye in patients with pre-existing Sjögren's syndrome according to the revised 2016 ACR-EULAR classification criteria
Authors: Yoon Hyeon Jeong , Choi Won , Yang Jee Myung , Ji Yong Sok , Lee Shin-Seok , Yoon Kyung Chul 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
To compare the characteristics of dry eye (DE) patients who did and did not satisfy the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) classification criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) among patients with pre-existing SS diagnosed according to the 2012 ACR criteria
This cross-sectional study evaluated 91 patients with pre-existing SS and 55 with non-SS DE. Patients with SS were divided into 2 groups according to whether they met the revised 2016 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for primary SS. Group 1 (n = 71) was comprised of patients who satisfied the revised 2016 criteria and group 2 (n = 20) was comprised of patients who did not satisfy the newly revised criteria. Group 3 consisted of 55 patients with non-SS DE. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) score, tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer score, tear clearance rate (TCR), and corneal and conjunctival staining scores were evaluated and compared between the groups. Laboratory profiles, including antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein levels, and focus scores were analyzed.
TBUT, Schirmer, and corneal/conjunctival staining scores were significantly worse in both groups of patients with SS (groups 1 and 2) than in those with non-SS DE (group 3). However, there were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 in laboratory findings as well as in ocular surface findings, including OSDI, TBUT, Schirmer score, TCR, and corneal/conjunctival staining scores. The focus score, which shows the level of lymphocytic infiltration in the salivary glands, was higher in group 1 than in group.
Of the patients with pre-existing SS who were diagnosed according to the 2012 ACR classification, patients who did not satisfy the 2016 ACR-EULAR classification criteria for primary SS showed similar ocular surface parameters and laboratory findings to patients who did meet the revised classification, except for focus score. There is no need to change the direction of treatment of DE in patients with pre-existing SS who did not meet the revised 2016 ACR-EULAR criteria.
Health utilities in cancer patients
Authors: Poder Thomas G. , Carrier Nathalie , McFadden Nathalie , Pavic Michel 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
Cost-utility analysis (CUA) is becoming more commonly used in healthcare decision-making. CUA uses the quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) metric, which combines the length of life with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Most QALY-measuring instruments were validated for general populations. For patients with cancer, the perception of their health state is different and may vary by the type of cancer considered. In Quebec, no preference weights for QALY have been developed, neither for the general population nor particular subpopulations.

Methods/design:
This survey is a prospective, longitudinal cohort study. The study objectives are: to assess the extent of difference in health utilities between the general population and patients with breast or colorectal cancer; to develop a QALY preference weights dataset for patients with cancer; and to perform “mapping” with different HRQoL questionnaires by correlating the SF-6Dv2 with the EQ-5D-5L, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, and functional assessment of cancer therapy - general questionnaires. Data will be collected via a self-administered online survey. Patients’ health utilities will be measured within 2 days before the beginning of a chemotherapy treatment cycle and about 8 days after the start of the chemotherapy. Health utilities will be measured by a hybrid method using the time-trade-off and discrete choice experiment methods.

Ethics and dissemination:
The proposed research was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Review Boards of the CHUS. We will disseminate our study findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hearing loss caused by skull base fracture
Authors: Yang Lin-hong , Wang Wei-feng , Zhang Shu-hong , Fan Zong-xian , Xiao Jian-qi 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
This systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on hearing loss (HL) caused by skull base fracture (SBF).

Methods:
We will retrieve the following electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from the inception to January 1, 2019 for relevant RCTs of NMES for HL caused by SBF. Two experienced authors will independently perform the study selection, data extraction, and methodology quality assessment. A 3rd author will solve any disagreements between 2 authors through discussion.

Results:
This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of latest evidence of NMES for HL caused by SBF from comprehensive assessments, including hearing loss evaluation, hearing threshold, quality of life, and any relevant adverse events.

Conclusion:
The expected results of this systematic review will provide the up-to-date evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of NEMS for patients with HL caused by SBF.

Ethics and dissemination:
The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal or will be presented at an associated conference meeting. This study will not use individual patient data, thus, the ethical approval is not needed.

PROSPERO registration number:
PROSPERO CRD42019120195.
Assessment of the left ventricular function in patients with uremia using layer-specific 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Sun Mengyao , Dong Yu , Wang Ying , Li Guangsen , Huang Dongmei 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe aim of this research is to evaluate the longitudinal and circumferential systolic function of the left ventricle with different configurations from endocardium, midmyocardium, and epicardium, respectively, in patients with uremia using layer-specific 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).According to the different left ventricular (LV) configurations, 119 patients with uremia were divided into 2 groups: LV normal group (LVN group, n = 63) and LV hypertrophy group (LVH group, n = 56). In all, 66 healthy volunteers were selected as controls. High-frame rate 2-dimensional images were recorded from the apical 4-chamber view, apical 2-chamber view, parasternal LV long-axis view, and mitral annulus, papillary muscle, and apical levels of the parasternal LV short-axis view during 3 consecutive cardiac cycles. The peak systolic longitudinal strain (LS) and circumferential strain (CS) were measured in the endocardium, midmyocardium, and epicardium.In the 3 groups, the endocardium had the highest LS and CS, whereas the epicardium had the lowest LS and CS; the LS and CS of each group gradually decreased from the endocardium to the epicardium in all the 3 sections; the LS and CS of the myocardial layers were kept gradient features, namely, endocardium > midmyocardium > epicardium. The LS of the endocardium in the LVN and LVH groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < .05). The LS of the midmyocardium and epicardium in the LVH group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The LS of the endocardium significantly decreased in the LVH group compared with that in the LVN group (P < .05). The CS of the endocardium and midmyocardium in the LVH group significantly decreased compared with those in the control and LVN groups (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the CS between the LVN and control groups (P > .05).In patients with uremia, the longitudinal and circumferential systolic function in 3 myocardial layers of the LVH group, and the longitudinal systolic function in endocardium of the LVN group were found significantly impaired by layer-specific 2D-STE.
Impact of short-acting loop diuretic doses and cardiac sympathetic nerve abnormalities on outcomes of patients with reduced left ventricular function
Authors: Onitsuka Hisamitsu , Koyama Shouhei , Ideguchi Takeshi , Ishikawa Tetsunori , Kitamura Kazuo , Nagamachi Shigeki 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Recent studies reported that high doses of short-acting loop diuretics are associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Short-acting loop diuretics have been shown to activate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and have no favorable effects on cardiac sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between daily doses of furosemide and the outcomes of patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) from the viewpoint of cardiac SNS abnormalities using iodine-123-labeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (123l-MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy.
We enrolled 137 hospitalized patients (62.5 ± 14.2 years old, 103 men) with LVEF < 45% who underwent 123l-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy. A delayed heart-to-mediastinum ratio (delayed HMR) was assessed using 123l-MIBG scintigraphy. Cardiac events were defined as cardiac death or re-hospitalization due to the deterioration of HF. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to identify predictors of cardiac events.
Cardiac events occurred in 57 patients in a follow-up period of 33.1 ± 30 months. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, delayed HMR and furosemide doses were identified as independent predictors of cardiac events (P = .0042, P = .033, respectively). Inverse probability of treatment weighting Cox modeling showed that the use of furosemide (≥40 mg /day) was associated with cardiac events with a hazard ratio of 1.96 (P = .003). In the Kaplan-Mayer analysis, the cardiac event-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients treated with high doses of furosemide (≥60 mg/day vs 40–60 mg/day vs <40 mg/day, the Log-rank test P < .0001). In a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the cut-off value for cardiac events was 40 mg/day of furosemide. The cardiac event-free rate was significantly lower in patients with delayed HMR <1.8 (median value) and receiving furosemide ≥40 mg/day than in other patients (the Log-rank test P < .0001). Significant differences in cardiac event rates according to furosemide doses among patients with delayed HMR <1.8 were observed among patients without β-blocker therapy (P = .001), but not among those with β-blocker therapy (P = .127).
The present results indicate that a relationship exists between higher doses of furosemide and poor outcomes. The prognosis of HF patients with severe cardiac SNS abnormalities receiving high-dose short-acting loop diuretics is poor.
Association of increased B7 protein expression by infiltrating immune cells with progression of gastric carcinogenesis
Authors: Guo Lingchuan , Liu Zhiju , Zhang Yun , Quan Qiuying , Huang Lili , Xu Yunyun , Cao Lei , Zhang Xueguang 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
B7 negative costimulatory molecules are a group of molecules associated with the occurrence, development, and therapy of cancers. Here, we aimed to determine the clinical significance of PD-L1, B7-H3, and B7-H4 and their expression in CD8 and CD68 positive cells at different stages of gastric carcinogenesis.
We detected PD-L1, B7-H3, B7-H4, CD8, and CD68 expression in samples by immunohistochemical staining of 62 chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) samples, 72 chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) samples, 68 low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LIN) samples, 65 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HIN) samples obtained from gastroscopic biopsies and 50 gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) samples obtained from surgical resections. Then we statistically analyzed the expression differences and correlations.
Our results indicated that B7 and CD68 expression on infiltrating immune cells was associated with disease progression. However, infiltration of CD8+ cells decreased with disease progression. B7-H3 expression was markedly enhanced at neoplasia and GA stages. B7-H3 in tumor cells was negatively correlated with CD8-expressing cells. Conversely, B7-H3 expression in tumor-infiltrating immune cells was positively correlated with CD68-expressing cells. B7-H4 expression was found in the cell membrane at the stages of gastritis and low-grade neoplasia and was gradually expressed in the cytoplasm at high-grade neoplasia and GA stages. High B7-H4 expression in infiltrating immune cells was also significantly associated with lower CD8-positive and higher CD68-positive cell densities.
Increased B7 protein expression by infiltrating immune cells was associated with disease progression, and specifically, the level of B7-H3 expression and localization of B7-H4 expression differed significantly among different stages of gastric carcinogenesis.
A high-fidelity simulator for needle cricothyroidotomy training is not associated with increased proficiency compared with conventional simulators
Authors: Katayama Atsuko , Nakazawa Harumasa , Tokumine Joho , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Watanabe Kunitaro , Asao Takayuki , Yorozu Tomoko 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Background:
A high-fidelity task simulator for cricothyroidotomy was created using data from a 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography scan using a 3D printer. We hypothesized that this high-fidelity cricothyroidotomy simulator results in increased proficiency for needle cricothyroidotomy compared with conventional simulators.

Methods:
Cricothyroidotomy-naive residents were recruited and randomly assigned to 2 groups, including simulation training with a conventional simulator (Group C) and with a high-fidelity simulator (Group 3D). After simulation training, participants performed cricothyroidotomy using an ex vivo porcine larynx fitted with an endoscope to record the procedure. The primary outcomes were success rate and procedure time. The secondary outcome was a subjective measure of the similarity of the simulator to the porcine larynx.

Results:
Fifty-two residents participated in the study (Group C: n = 27, Group 3D: n = 25). There was no significant difference in the success rate or procedure time between the 2 groups (success rate: P = .24, procedure time: P = .34). There was no significant difference in the similarity of the simulators to the porcine larynx (P = .81).

Conclusion:
We developed a high-fidelity simulator for cricothyroidotomy from 3D computed tomography data using a 3D printer. This anatomically high-fidelity simulator did not have any advantages compared with conventional dry simulators.