bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defoliation constrains xylem and phloem functionality
Authors: Hillabrand Rachel M , Hacke Uwe G , Lieffers Victor J 
Published: March 2019

AbstractInsect defoliation contributes to tree mortality under drought conditions. Defoliation-induced alterations to the vascular transport structure may increase tree vulnerability to drought; however, this has been rarely studied. To evaluate the response of tree vascular function following defoliation, 2-year-old balsam poplar were manually defoliated, and both physiological and anatomical measurements were made after allowing for re-foliation. Hydraulic conductivity measurements showed that defoliated trees had both increased vulnerability to embolism and decreased water transport efficiency, likely due to misshapen xylem vessels. Anatomical measurements revealed novel insights into defoliation-induced alterations to the phloem. Phloem sieve tube diameter was reduced in the stems of defoliated trees, suggesting reduced transport capability. In addition, phloem fibers were absent, or reduced in number, in stems, shoot tips and petioles of new leaves, potentially reducing the stability of the vascular tissue. Results from this study suggest that the defoliation leads to trees with increased risk for vascular dysfunction and drought-induced mortality through alterations in the vascular structure, and highlights a route through which carbon limitation can influence hydraulic dysfunction.
The Burden of Brain Hypoxia and Optimal Mean Arterial Pressure in Patients With Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Injury After Cardiac Arrest*
Authors: Sekhon Mypinder S. , Gooderham Peter , Menon David K. , Brasher Penelope M. A. , Foster Denise , Cardim Danilo , Czosnyka Marek , Smielewski Peter , Gupta Arun K. , Ainslie Philip N. , Griesdale Donald E. G. 
Published: March 2019

Objectives:
In patients at risk of hypoxic ischemic brain injury following cardiac arrest, we sought to: 1) characterize brain oxygenation and determine the prevalence of brain hypoxia, 2) characterize autoregulation using the pressure reactivity index and identify the optimal mean arterial pressure, and 3) assess the relationship between optimal mean arterial pressure and brain tissue oxygenation.

Design:
Prospective interventional study.

Setting:
Quaternary ICU.

Patients:
Adult patients with return of spontaneous circulation greater than 10 minutes and a postresuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale score under 9 within 72 hours of cardiac arrest.

Interventions:
All patients underwent multimodal neuromonitoring which included: 1) brain tissue oxygenation, 2) intracranial pressure, 3) jugular venous continuous oximetry, 4) regional saturation of oxygen using near-infrared spectroscopy, and 5) pressure reactivity index–based determination of optimal mean arterial pressure, lower and upper limit of autoregulation. We additionally collected mean arterial pressure, end-tidal CO2, and temperature. All data were captured at 300 Hz using ICM+ (Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge, United Kingdom) brain monitoring software.

Measurements and Main Results:
Ten patients (7 males) were included with a median age 47 (range 20–71) and return to spontaneous circulation 22 minutes (12–36 min). The median duration of monitoring was 47 hours (15–88 hr), and median duration from cardiac arrest to inclusion was 15 hours (6–44 hr). The mean brain tissue oxygenation was 23 mm Hg (sd 8 mm Hg), and the mean percentage of time with a brain tissue oxygenation below 20 mm Hg was 38% (6–100%). The mean pressure reactivity index was 0.23 (0.27), and the percentage of time with a pressure reactivity index greater than 0.3 was 50% (12–91%). The mean optimal mean arterial pressure, lower and upper of autoregulation were 89 mm Hg (11), 82 mm Hg (8), and 96 mm Hg (9), respectively. There was marked between-patient variability in the relationship between mean arterial pressure and indices of brain oxygenation. As the patients’ actual mean arterial pressure approached optimal mean arterial pressure, brain tissue oxygenation increased (p < 0.001). This positive relationship did not persist when the actual mean arterial pressure was above optimal mean arterial pressure.

Conclusions:
Episodes of brain hypoxia in hypoxic ischemic brain injury are frequent, and perfusion within proximity of optimal mean arterial pressure is associated with increased brain tissue oxygenation. Pressure reactivity index can yield optimal mean arterial pressure, lower and upper limit of autoregulation in patients following cardiac arrest.
Corneal Cross-Linking: The Science Beyond the Myths and Misconceptions
Authors: Rubinfeld Roy S. , Caruso Ciro , Ostacolo Carmine 
Published: March 2019

Purpose:
There has been a recent explosion in the variety of techniques used to accomplish corneal cross-linking (CXL) for the treatment of ectatic corneal diseases. To understand the success or failure of various techniques, we review the physicochemical basis of corneal CXL and re-evaluate the current principles and long-standing conventional wisdom in the light of recent, compelling, and sometimes contradictory research.

Methods:
Two clinicians and a medicinal chemist developed a list of current key topics, controversies, and questions in the field of corneal CXL based on information from current literature, medical conferences, and discussions with international practitioners of CXL.

Results:
Standard corneal CXL with removal of the corneal epithelium is a safe and efficacious procedure for the treatment of corneal ectasias. However, the necessity of epithelium removal is painful for patients, involves risk and requires significant recovery time. Attempts to move to transepithelial corneal CXL have been hindered by the lack of a coherent understanding of the physicochemistry of corneal CXL. Misconceptions about the applicability of the Bunsen–Roscoe law of reciprocity and the Lambert–Beer law in CXL hamper the ability to predict the effect of ultraviolet A energy during CXL. Improved understanding of CXL may also expand the treatment group for corneal ectasia to those with thinner corneas. Finally, it is essential to understand the role of oxygen in successful CXL.

Conclusions:
Improved understanding of the complex interactions of riboflavin, ultraviolet A energy and oxygen in corneal CXL may provide a successful route to transepithelial corneal CXL.
Blood Vessels and Lymphatic Vessels in the Cornea and Iris After Penetrating Keratoplasty
Authors: Li Suxia , Li Lin , Zhou Qingjun , Gao Hua , Liu Mingna , Shi Weiyun 
Published: March 2019

Purpose:
To detect early growth of blood and lymphatic vessels in the mouse cornea and iris after penetrating keratoplasty.

Methods:
Penetrating keratoplasty was performed with C57BL/6 mice as donors and BALB/c mice as recipients. Graft transparency and neovascularization were examined by slit-lamp microscopy. Whole mounts of the cornea and iris were processed for detection of the outgrowth of blood and lymph vessels.

Results:
On day 3 after surgery, all corneal grafts were slightly edematous, and blood vessels in the corneoscleral limbus dilated. LYVE-1+ lymphatic vessels and CD31+ blood vessels were distributed in the peripheral cornea. In the iris, the density of blood vessels increased, and LYVE-1+ cells nearly vanished. On day 7, the grafts became opaque, and blood vessels grew into the recipient bed. A great quantity of lymph vessels invaded the cornea. LYVE-1+ arborescent cells were found around the lymphatic vessels. In the iris, blood vessels became bulky and stiff, and arborescent LYVE-1+ cells increased in number. On day 14, corneal neovascular regression and graft clarity were found. Lymphatic vessels regressed more slowly than blood vessels in the cornea. In the iris, blood vessels remained coarse. Increasing arborescent LYVE-1+ cells were also noted in the ciliary body.

Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that the iris–ciliary body could amplify immune signals and in part promote initiation of immune rejection after keratoplasty by providing a pathway for macrophages, which might participate in corneal lymphangiogenesis.
Outcomes of a Modified Technique for Successful Pneumatic Dissection in Pediatric Eyes With Corneal Scars
Authors: Mattioli Leila , Weiss Jayne S. , Spena Rossella , Leon Pia , Myerscough James , Bovone Cristina , Busin Massimo 
Published: March 2019

Purpose:
To report the outcomes of a modified deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) procedure for the treatment of scarred corneas in otherwise healthy pediatric eyes.

Methods:
All pediatric eyes undergoing DALK by the same surgeon (M.B.) between July 2013 and June 2017 were enrolled. The standard DALK procedure was modified by including a large (9 mm) and deep (150 μm from the thinnest pachymetric measurement) trephination, a minimal cannula advancement from the base of the trephination, and a clearing of a central 6 mm optical zone. The success rates of pneumatic dissection, visual and refractive outcomes, and complications were reported. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed preoperatively and a few days after suture removal (6-months post-DALK) for all patients as well as 12, 24, and 36 months postoperatively for available patients.

Results:
Fourteen eyes of 13 patients with various indications were included in this study. The mean age at the time of surgery was 11.7 ± 2.5 years. Pneumatic dissection succeeded in all but one case (13/14 eyes = 92.8%), which was completed by hand dissection. All sutures were removed within 6 months of surgery. With a minimum postoperative follow-up of 6 months, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from ≤20/50 to ≥20/40 in all but one eye, which was known to be amblyopic.

Conclusions:
Despite impaired corneal transparency and increased tissue consistency, a modified DALK technique allows successful pneumatic dissection in an extremely high percentage of scarred pediatric eyes. Visual results compare favorably with those obtained in children after penetrating keratoplasty, while vision threatening complications are minimized.
Long-term management and outcomes of tracheobronchial stent by flexible bronchoscopy in infants <5 kg: A 13-year single-center experience
Authors: Hsieh Kao-Hsian , Chou Ya-Ling , Soong Wen-Jue , Lee Yu-Sheng , Tsao Pei-Chen 
Published: March 2019

Background:
Tracheobronchial (TB) lumen narrowing may require prolonged positive-pressure ventilation, endotracheal tube intubation or even surgical interventions. Therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy (TFB) of balloon-expandable metallic stent (BEMS) placement and subsequent forceps, laser and balloon dilatation management might be less invasive and helpful. This study aimed to analyse the placement, follow-up management with TFB and long-term outcomes in small infants with BEMS.

Methods:
This retrospective study reviewed the medical records and associated TFB videos of infants with a maximum body weight (BW) of 5.0 kg who had TB BEMS placement from January 2005 to December 2017 at our institution. All TFB procedures were supported with a novel noninvasive ventilation, nasopharyngeal oxygen with intermittent nose closure and abdominal compression.

Results:
Forty-one BEMSs were placed in 24 infants. The mean BW and mean age were 4.0 ± 0.7 kg and 4.9 ± 2.4 months, respectively. There were 20, 8 and 13 stents located in trachea, carina and main-stem bronchi, respectively. Seven infants with 13 stents died without obvious stent-related mortality. Seven stents in five infants were successfully retrieved by rigid endoscopy (RE). At placement, the diameters of 28 tracheal and 21 bronchial stents were 7.5 ± 1.1 (4-10) and 5.4 ± 0.9 (4-8) mm, respectively. These implanted BEMSs could be gradually and significantly (p < 0.01) expanded. At the end of the follow-up period, all the remaining 21 stents in 12 infants were functional. The diameters of the 14 remaining tracheal and 13 remaining bronchial stents were 9.6 ± 2.0 (8-14) and 7.2 ± 1.4 (4-10) mm, respectively.

Conclusion:
BEMSs are practical and effective in selected small infants with benign TB narrowing and can be safely implanted and managed with TFB, and finally retrieved by RE.
Panel-based NGS reveals disease-causing mutations in hearing loss patients using BGISEQ-500 platform
Authors: Sun Yan , Yuan Jing , Wu Limin , Li Min , Cui Xiaoli , Yan Chengbin , Du Lique , Mao Liangwei , Man Jianfen , Li Wei , Kristiansen Karsten , Wu Xuan , Pan Weijun , Yang Yun 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Hearing loss is a highly heterogeneous disease presented with various phenotypes. Genetic testing of disease-causing mutations plays an important role in precise diagnosis and fertility guidance of heredity hearing loss. Here we reported an effective method employing target enrichment and BGISEQ-500 platform to detect clinically relevant alterations for heredity hearing patients in a single assay.
In this study, we designed an array based chip, containing 127 genes related to hearing loss. Then we conducted targeted next-generation sequencing toward 58 patients to make a precise diagnosis using BGISEQ-500 platform.
We successfully detected disease-causing mutations in 77.59% (45/58) of the patients with hearing loss. Finally, a total of 62 disease-causing mutations were identified, including 31 missense, 17 Indel, 11 splicing, 2 synonymous, and 1 copy number variant. 58.06% (36/62) of which has never been reported before.
To our knowledge, this is the first report using BGISEQ-500 platform to investigate both syndromic and nonsyndromic hearing loss in the Chinese population. The results showed that this method can greatly assist and enhance hearing loss diagnosis and improve molecular diagnostics outcome.
The relationship between smoking and stroke
Authors: Pan Biqi , Jin Xiao , Jun Liu , Qiu Shaohong , Zheng Qiuping , Pan Mingwo 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background:
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability for adult men and women worldwide, and a number of studies have explored the influences of smoking on stroke. However, few studies have discussed the relationship between stroke and smoking with consideration of the following factors: sex, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, stroke subtype, and the follow-up duration. Consequently, we aimed to extend previous work by using a systematic review to explore the relationship between stroke and cigarette smoking in reference to the above factors.

Methods:
A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register databases and the following search criteria: [“stroke” (MeSH) and “smoking” (MeSH)]. All analyses were conducted with Stata, and funnel plots and Egger regression asymmetry tests were used to assess publication bias.

Results:
The meta-analysis included 14 studies involving 303134 subjects. According to the meta-analysis, smokers had an overall increased risk of stroke compared with nonsmokers, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.61 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34–1.93, P < .001). A subgroup analysis conducted based on smoking status revealed ORs of 1.92 (95% CI: 1.49–2.48) for current smokers and 1.30 (95% CI: 0.93–1.81) for former smokers. In addition, the relationship between stroke of any type and smoking status was also statistically significant; current smokers had an increased risk of stoke compared with nonsmokers (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04–2.07, P < .001), which was influenced by sex (men: OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.11–2.13, P = .002; women: OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.45–2.44, P < .023). From the analysis, we also observed that passive smoking increased the overall risk of stroke by 45% (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.0–2.11, P < .05). Based on the dose-response meta-analysis, the risk of stroke increased by 12% for each increment of 5 cigarettes per day.
Socioeconomic status and self-rated health in China
Authors: Yu Tong , Jiang Yan , Gamber Michelle , Ali Gholam , Xu Tan , Sun Wenjie 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
To investigate whether socioeconomic status is associated with the self-rated health (SRH) status among Chinese.
A cross sectional study including a national sample was conducted among Chinese adults in 2008. In total, 3225 participants were selected by a multistage cluster sampling method. Both general self-rated health and time-comparative self-rated health were measured by a standardized questionnaire. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, CIs) of occupation with SRH by occupation, and adjusted for age, sex, education, area, marriage, smoking, drinking, and health status.
Overall, 34.4% of study participants reported “good” on the general SRH (male: 35.8%; female: 32.9%) and 26.2% reported “good” on the time-comparative SRH (male: 27.2%; female: 25.3%). The prevalence of “good” general SRH varied from 28.8% to 52.8% and the prevalence of time-comparative SHR varied from 21.7% to 33.9% in different occupations. The adjusted OR (Odd Ratio) for “good” on the general SRH was 1.35 (95% CI: 1.20–1.52) for the occupation of civil servants, 2.23 (95% CI: 1.96–2.54) for farmers, and 1.15 (95%CI: 1.01–1.31) for businessmen. The full adjusted OR of “good” on the time-comparative SRH was 1.36 (95% CI: 1.17–1.58) for students and was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.10–1.42) for civil servants.
In presented study, 34.4% of the participants reported “good” on the general SRH, and 26.2% participants reported “good” on the time-comparative SRH. The prevalence of “good” general SRH and “good” time-comparative SRH varied among occupations.
Influence of endurance and endurance–strength training on mineral status in women with abdominal obesity: a randomized trial
Authors: Skrypnik Damian , Bogdański Paweł , Skrypnik Katarzyna , Mądry Edyta , Karolkiewicz Joanna , Szulińska Monika , Suliburska Joanna , Walkowiak Jarosław 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background:
Obesity and exercise are associated with disturbances of mineral metabolism, which can lead to physical inefficiency. Our study aimed to compare the influence of endurance and endurance–strength training on mineral status in women with abdominal obesity.

Methods:
Thirty-eight abdominally obese women were randomized into groups A and B and underwent 3 months long training: group A—endurance training and group B—endurance–strength training. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were carried out and the Graded Exercise Test was performed. Blood, urine, and hair samples were collected for mineral content analysis.

Results:
Endurance training decreased serum Fe and Zn concentrations as well as hair Zn and Cu content, and increased urine Zn concentration. Endurance–strength training increased serum Mg and Cu concentrations, decreased serum Fe and Zn concentrations, decreased hair Ca and Mg content, and increased urine Ca and Zn concentrations. After training, serum and urine Fe concentration was higher in group A, while urine Ca concentration was higher in group B. A number of correlations was found.

Conclusions:
Both endurance and endurance–strength training have a significant effect on mineral metabolism in obese women; the favorable effects of endurance–strength exercise predominate in iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper balance.
Association between NAT2 polymorphisms and acute leukemia risk
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxiao , Liu Yanbing , Chen Guangwu , Guo Qiang , Zhang Zhen , Zhao Lin , Wei Ran , Yin Xunqiang , Zhang Yunhong , Wang Bin , Li Xia 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background:
N-acetyl-transferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphisms have been demonstrated to be associated with acute leukemia (AL); however, the results remain controversial. The present meta-analysis was performed to provide more precise results.

Methods:
Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were used to identify eligible studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association between NAT2 polymorphisms and AL risk.

Results:
Increased risk was found under both heterozygous (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.51) and recessive model (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.06–1.55) for rs1801280. The slow acetylator phenotype (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07–1.40) also increased AL risk. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that rs1801280 increased AL risk under the recessive model (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.93–1.41) in Caucasian population and the co-dominant (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.40–2.23), homozygous (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.88–4.99), dominant (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.56–3.17), recessive model (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.35–3.16) in the Mixed populations. Association between rs1799929 and decreased AL risk was found in the co-dominant (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.97), homozygous (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46–0.93), heterozygous (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–1.00), and the recessive model (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.94) in the Caucasian group. As for rs1799931, the same effects were found in the co-dominant (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49–0.94) and the dominant model (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48–0.97) in the mixed group.

Conclusion:
rs1801280 and the slow acetylator phenotype are risk factors for AL.
Sentinel node biospy using intravital blue dye
Authors: Bara Tivadar , Gurzu Simona , Jung Ioan , Borz Cristian , Banias Laura , Bara Tivadar 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
As the lymph node status remains the main prognostic factor of gastric cancer (GC), several lymph node-based staging systems have been recently proposed for an appropriate postoperative therapy. The identification of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) might improve the postoperative protocols. The aim of this study was to present our experience in detecting SLNs in GC using methylene blue dye.
We have performed an observational study and retrospectively analyzed all of the consecutive cases of GC operated by the same surgical team and managed by the same pathologists during 2013 to 2015. In all of the cases SLN status was determined using the methylene blue that was intraoperatively administered in the peritumoral subserosal tissue. All blue colored nodes were histopathologically examined. In the node negative cases immunohistochemical stains using AE1/AE3 keratin were performed.
The blue SLNs were identified in 48 out of the 50 cases included in the study, with a 96% sensitivity and 87.50% specificity. From the 48 cases, 34 (70.83%) presented positive SLNs; in the other 14 cases the SLNs were negative (29.17%). False negativity was observed in 6 of the 14 cases. In 2 of the cases the false negativity of the group 20 was induced by the anthracotic pigment. In other 2 false negative cases, although no regional metastases were founded, sentinel skip metastases in the group 8 and 15, respectively, were identified.
Mapping of the SLNs is a simple and cheap method that might improve the accuracy of LN-based staging of patients with GC and favor identification of skip metastases.