bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
12-Month Post-Discharge Liver Function Test Abnormalities Among Patients With COVID-19: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liao Xuejiao , Li Dapeng , Ma Zhenghua , Zhang Lina , Zheng Baoqi , Li Zhiyan , Li Guobao , Liu Lei , Zhang Zheng 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveThe longitudinal effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on the liver are unknown. This study aimed to characterize dynamic changes in liver function test abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 at the acute phase and recovery phase.MethodsA prospective cohort study involved patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital between January 11, 2020, and April 27, 2020. Patients underwent liver function tests at hospitalization and at the outpatient visit at the 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups.ResultsAmong 461 patients, 28.4% of patients had any kind of liver function tests abnormality at admission, manifested as elevated ALT (13.0%), AST (17.6%), and GGT (15.8%) levels. The trajectory analysis indicated a marked improvement in liver function after discharge, with any kind of liver function test abnormalities of 25.1% at 1 month, 13.2% at 3 months, 16.7% at 6 months, and 13.2% at 12 months after discharge. Persistent liver function abnormalities were observed in patients with pre-existing conditions during follow-up. A significantly higher prevalence of ultrasound determined fatty liver disease was found in those patients with more frequent LFT abnormalities at follow-up.ConclusionIn this study of patients with COVID-19, liver damage in COVID-19 was usually temporary and could return to normal at the end of the 12-month follow-up.
Comparison of Risk of Target Organ Damage in Different Phenotypes of Arterial Stiffness and Central Aortic Blood Pressure
Authors: Bai Yaya , Wang Qian , Cheng Di , Hu Yueliang , Chao Huijuan , Avolio Alberto , Tang Biwen , Zuo Junli 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the risk of target organ damage (TOD) in different groups based on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central aortic blood pressure (CBP) in different populations.MethodsThe study cohort was divided into four groups according to the status of cfPWV and CBP [Group (cfPWV/CBP): high cfPWV and high CBP; Group (cfPWV): high cfPWV and normal CBP; Group (CBP): normal cfPWV and high CBP; Group (control): normal cfPWV and normal CBP]. TOD was determined by the assessment of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) abnormality, chronic kidney disease (CKD), microalbuminuria, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).ResultsA total of 1,280 patients (mean age 53.14 ± 12.76 years, 64.1% male patients) were recruited in this study. Regarding Group (control) as reference, LVH was significantly higher in Group (cfPWV) and Group (CBP) [OR 2.406, 95% CI (1.301–4.452), P &lt; 0.05; OR 2.007, 95% CI (1.335–3.017), P &lt; 0.05]; microalbuminuria was significantly higher in Group (cfPWV/CBP) and Group (CBP) [OR 3.219, 95% CI (1.630–6.359), P &lt; 0.05; OR 3.156, 95% CI (1.961–5.079), P &lt; 0.05]. With age stratified by 60 years, the risk of CKD was significantly higher in Group (cfPWV/CBP) [OR 4.019, 95% CI (1.439–11.229), P &lt; 0.05].ConclusionDifferent phenotypes based on the status of cfPWV and CBP were associated with different TOD. Individuals with both cfPWV and CBP elevated have a higher risk of microalbuminuria.
Age-Related Differences for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Improvement in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Taylor Jenna L. , Medina-Inojosa Jose R. , Chacin-Suarez Audry , Smith Joshua R. , Squires Ray W. , Thomas Randal J. , Johnson Bruce D. , Olson Thomas P. , Bonikowske Amanda R. 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveWe investigated age-related differences for peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) improvement with exercise training during cardiac rehabilitation (CR).Patients and MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of the Mayo Clinic Rochester CR program including adult patients who attended CR (≥1 session) for any eligible indication between 1999 and 2017 and who had a cardiopulmonary exercise test pre and post CR with VO2 data (peak respiratory exchange ratio ≥1.0). Younger (20–49 yrs), midlife (50–64 yrs), and older adults (≥65 yrs) were compared using ANOVA for delta and percent change in peak VO2; and percentage of peak VO2 responders (&gt;0% change).Results708 patients (age: 60.8 ± 12.1 years; 24% female) met inclusion criteria. Delta and percent change in peak VO2 was lower for older adults (1.6 ± 3.2 mL.kg.min−1; 12 ± 27%) compared with younger (3.7 ± 4.0 mL.kg.min−1, p &lt; 0.001; 23 ± 28%, p = 0.002) and midlife adults (2.8 ± 3.8 mL.kg.min−1, p &lt; 0.001; 17 ± 28%, p = 0.04). For midlife, delta change, but not percent change in peak VO2 was significantly lower (p = 0.02) compared with younger. Percentage of responders was only different between older and younger (72 vs. 86%; p = 0.008). Sensitivity analyses in non-surgical patients showed similar differences for delta change, and differences in percent change remained significant between older and younger adults (10 ± 20% vs. 16 ± 18%; p = 0.04).ConclusionsIn CR patients, older adults had lower improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness than younger and midlife adults. While excluding surgical patients reduced age-related differences, older adults still had lower cardiorespiratory fitness improvement during CR. These findings may have implications for individualizing CR programming in aging populations to reduce future cardiovascular risk.
Levels of Anxiety and Fear Related to Non-Surgical Root Canal Treatment Performed by Endodontic Residents and Endodontists
Authors: Alghofaily Maha , Alsalleeh Fahd 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesDespite advances in endodontic treatment procedures, root canal treatment is still associated with anxiety and fear. This may cause care avoidance and subsequent oral complications due to untreated endodontic infections. Anxiety and fear levels in response to non-surgical root canal treatment performed by endodontic residents and endodontists were analyzed.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients visiting the endodontic clinics at the University Dental Hospital. The questions addressed the participant's demographics, previous root canal treatment visits, clinician's level of training, and post-treatment experience.ResultsDemographics play a role in anxiety and dental fear in root canal treatment. Men scored significantly lower in the high-anxiety category than women, and patients treated by endodontic residents expressed lower levels of anxiety. Post-treatment experience of an endodontist or endodontic resident was a significant factor in reducing dental fear and anxiety.ConclusionThe level of anxiety and fear related to root canal experience of endodontists or endodontic residents is very low. Most of the patients expressed willingness to undergo further root canal treatment to save a tooth.
Largest Amplitude of Glycemic Excursion Calculating from Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Predicted the Episodes of Nocturnal Asymptomatic Hypoglycemia Detecting by Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Outpatients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wang Shoubi , Tan Zhenhua , Wu Ting , Shen Qingbao , Huang Peiying , Wang Liying , Liu Wei , Song Haiqu , Lin Mingzhu , Shi Xiulin , Li Xuejun 
Published: April 2022

AimsNocturnal asymptomatic hypoglycemia (NAH) is a serious complication of diabetes, but it is difficult to be detected clinically. This study was conducted to determine the largest amplitude of glycemic excursion (LAGE) to predict the episodes of NAH in outpatients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsData were obtained from 313 outpatients with type 2 diabetes. All subjects received continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for consecutive 72 hours. The episodes of NAH and glycemic variability indices (glucose standard deviation [SD], mean amplitude of plasma glucose excursion [MAGE], mean blood glucose [MBG]) were accessed via CGM. LAGE was calculated from self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG).ResultsA total of 76 people (24.3%) had NAH. Compared to patients without NAH, patients with NAH showed higher levels of glucose SD (2.4 ± 0.9 mmol/L vs 1.7 ± 0.9 mmol/L, p &lt;0.001), MAGE (5.2 ± 2.1 mmol/L vs 3.7 ± 2.0, p&lt;0.001) and LAGE (4.6 ± 2.3 mmol/L vs 3.8 ± 1.9 mmol/L, p=0.007), and lower level of MBG (7.5 ± 1.5 mmol/L vs 8.4 ± 2.2 mmol/L, p=0.002). LAGE was significantly associated with the incidence of NAH and time below rang (TBR) in model 1 [NAH: 1.189 (1.027-1.378), p=0.021; TBR: 0.008 (0.002-0.014), p=0.013] with adjustment for age, BMI, sex, work, hyperlipidemia, complication and medication, and in model 2 [NAH: 1.177 (1.013-1.367), p=0.033; TBR: 0.008 (0.002-0.014), p=0.012] after adjusting for diabetes duration based on model 1, as well as in model 3 [NAH: 1.244 (1.057-1.464), p=0.009; TBR: 0.009 (0.002-0.016), p=0.007] with further adjustment for HbA1c based on model 2. In addition, no significant interactions were found between LAGE and sex, age, HbA1c, duration of diabetes, BMI and insulin therapy on the risk of NAH. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve shows the ideal cutoff value of LAGE for the prediction of NAH was 3.48 mmol/L with 66.7% sensitivity, 50% specificity and 0.587 (95% CI: 0.509-0.665) of area under the ROC curve.ConclusionsHigh glycemic variability is strongly associated with the risk of NAH. The LAGE based on SMBG could be an independent predictor of NAH for outpatients with type 2 diabetes, and LAGE greater than 3.48 mmol/L could act as a warning alarm for high risk of NAH in daily life.
Nomogram for Predicting Persistent Organ Failure With Acute Pancreatitis in Pregnancy
Authors: Sheng Chengcheng , Xu Zongxu , Wang Jun 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundAcute pancreatitis in pregnancy (APIP) with persistent organ failure (POF) poses a high risk of death for mother and fetus. This study sought to create a nomogram model for early prediction of POF with APIP patients.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study on APIP patients with organ failure (OF) between January 2012 and March 2021. 131 patients were collected. Their clinical courses and pregnancy outcomes were obtained. Risk factors for POF were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Prediction models with POF were built and nomogram was plotted. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by using a bootstrapped-concordance index and calibration plots.ResultsHypertriglyceridemia was the most common etiology in this group of APIP patients, which accounted for 50% of transient organ failure (TOF) and 72.3% of POF. All in-hospital maternal death was in the POF group (P&lt;0.05), which also had a significantly higher perinatal mortality rate than the TOF group (P&lt;0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and procalcitonin were independent risk factors for predicting POF in APIP. A nomogram for POF was created by using the four indicators. The area under the curve was 0.875 (95%CI: 0.80–0.95). The nomogram had a bootstrapped-concordance index of 0.85 and was well-calibrated.ConclusionsHypertriglyceridemia was the leading cause of organ failure-related APIP. Lactate dehydrogenase, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and procalcitonin were the independent risk factors of POF in APIP. Our nomogram model showed an effective prediction of POF with the four indicators in APIP patients.
Construction of GI Network Based on MSPA and PLUS Model in the Main Urban Area of Zhengzhou: A Case Study
Authors: Zhang Jinbing , Zhu Huiru , Zhang Pengyan , Song Yongpeng , Zhang Ying , Li Yanyan , Rong Tianqi , Liu Zhenyue , Yang Dan , Lou Yuanyuan 
Published: April 2022

With continuous urbanization and the fragmentation of green areas that affect human well-being, the establishment of a green infrastructure (GI) network is important in future urban planning. As a National Central City, Zhengzhou has a large population and is undergoing rapid economic development, resulting in an urgent demand for green space within the city in recent years. We selected the main urban area of Zhengzhou as the study area based on the two phases of Landsat 8 satellite remote sensing image data, for 2016 and 2021, and used the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model to predict the spatial distribution of GI in the future; compared with traditional methods, this method identified green spaces from a future perspective. A GI network—consisting of an open space with vegetation as the main body—was designed for the main urban area of Zhengzhou using the traditional landscape ecological pattern theory, integrating morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, circuit theory, and other methods. Evidently, the area of green space in Zhengzhou City in 2021 was 36 231.6 hm2. GI prediction results indicate that continuous expansion of the main urban area did not result in significant changes in the size of GI in the city. The GI within the urban area was relatively fragmented, forming 15 GI hubs, most of which were densely distributed along the edges of the main urban area. This study proposed the construction of a GI network with a target corridor and target points based on the existing corridor. This included the identification of seven target corridors and 15 target hubs; the total length of the corridor was 77.032 km, with a total of 31 target points. In summary, the GI network pattern of “one protection barrier, two lines, three loops and more points” was proposed. With new urban problems constantly emerging, this research could provide a theoretical reference basis for the planning of GI in the main urban area of the National Central City. The study provides concrete evidence on the optimum pattern for the construction of GI networks in cities with large populations.
Microbiology and Outcome of Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis in Elderly Patients: A Retrospective Study in China
Authors: Song Panai , Yang Dong , Li Jine , Zhuo Ning , Fu Xiao , Zhang Lei , Zhang Hongqing , Liu Hong , Sun Lin , Liu Yinghong 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveThe number of elderly patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) has rapidly increased in the past few decades. We sought to explore the microbiology and outcomes of peritonitis in elderly PD patients compared with younger PD patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study to analyze the clinical characteristics, causative organism distribution, and outcome of all PD patients who developed peritonitis between September 1, 2014 and December 31, 2020, from Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, China. Patients who experienced peritonitis were separated into elderly and younger groups. The elderly was defined as ≥ 65 years old at the initiation of PD.ResultsAmong 1,200 patients, 64(33.9%) in elderly (n = 189) and 215 (21.3%) in younger (n = 1,011) developed at least one episode of peritonitis. A total of 394 episodes of peritonitis occurred in 279 patients. Of these, 88 episodes occurred in 64 elderly patients, and 306 episodes occurred in 215 younger patients. Gram-positive bacteria were the main causative organisms in elderly and younger patients (43.2% and 38.0%, respectively). Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli were the most common gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Fungal peritonitis in elderly patients was higher compared with younger patients (χ2 = 6.55, P = 0.01). Moreover, Acinetobacter baumannii (χ 2=9.25, P = 0.002) and polymicrobial peritonitis (χ 2 = 6.41, P = 0.01) in elderly patients were also significantly higher than that in younger patients. Additionally, elderly PD patients had higher peritonitis-related mortality than younger patients (χ 2 = 12.521, P = 0.000), though there was no significant difference in catheter removal between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that cumulative survival was significantly lower in elderly patients than younger patients (log rank = 7.867, p = 0.005), but similar technical survival in both groups (log rank = 0.036, p = 0.849).ConclusionsThis retrospective study demonstrated that elderly PD patients were more likely to develop Acinetobacter baumannii, fungal and polymicrobial peritonitis than younger PD patients. In addition, peritonitis-related mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients, whereas peritonitis-related catheter removal was comparable between elderly and younger PD patients. Understanding microbiology and outcome in elderly patients will help to reduce the incidence of PD-associated peritonitis and improve the quality of life.
Biannual and Quarterly Comparison Analysis of Agglutinating Antibody Kinetics on a Subcohort of Individuals Exposed to Leptospira interrogans in Salvador, Brazil
Authors: Cruz Jaqueline S. , Nery Nivison , Sacramento Gielson A. , Victoriano Renato , Montenegro Albino L. S. , Santana Juliet O. , Costa Federico , Ko Albert I. , Reis Mitermayer G. , Wunder Elsio A. 
Published: April 2022

IntroductionLeptospirosis is a zoonosis with a worldwide spread that leads to clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic infection to a life-threatening disease. The immune response is predominantly humoral mediated limited to the infecting serovar. Individuals living in an area endemic for leptospirosis are often exposed to an environment contaminated with leptospires and there is a paucity of information on naturally acquired immunity. In the present study, we evaluated the kinetics of agglutinating antibodies in individuals from an endemic area for leptospirosis in Salvador, Brazil comparing two different intersample collection times.MethodsBetween 2017–2018, we carried out a biannual prospective cohort with 2,086 individuals living in an endemic area for leptospirosis in Salvador, Brazil. To compare agglutinating antibody kinetics using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with different collection times, a subcohort of 72 individuals with quarterly follow-up was carried out in parallel.ResultsThe results revealed that using a shorter time for intersample collection led to the detection of a higher number of infections and reinfection events. Furthermore, we observed a higher rate of titer decay indicating partial and short protection. However, there was no indication of major changes in risk factors for the disease.ConclusionsWe evaluated antibody kinetics among residents of an endemic area for leptospirosis comparing two sample collection times. The constant exposure to the contaminated environment increases the risk for leptospirosis infection with reinfection events being more common than expected. This indicates that the burden of leptospirosis might be underestimated by serological surveys, and further studies are necessary to better characterize the humoral response after infection.
Phacoemulsification Combined With Supra-Capsular and Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lens Implantation in Microspherophakia: A Retrospective Comparative Study
Authors: Chen Ze-Xu , Zhao Zhen-Nan , Sun Yang , Jia Wan-Nan , Zheng Jia-Lei , Chen Jia-Hui , Chen Tian-Hui , Lan Li-Na , Jiang Yong-Xiang 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundMicrospherophakia (MSP) is a rare ocular condition, the lens surgery of which is complicated by both insufficient zonules and undersized capsule.MethodsThis study included MSP eyes managed with phacoemulsification combined with supra-capsular and scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation (SCSF-IOL) and made the comparison with those treated by transscleral-fixated modified capsular tension ring and in-the-bag intraocular lens implantation (MCTR-IOL).ResultsA total of 20 MSP patients underwent SCSF-IOL, and 17 patients received MCTR-IOL. The postoperative best corrected visual acuity was significantly improved in both groups (P &lt; 0.001), but no difference was found between the groups (P = 0.326). The IOL tilt was also comparable (P = 0.216). Prophylactic Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed 1 week to 1 month after the SCSF-IOL procedure. In the SCSF-IOL group, two eyes (10.00%) needed repeated laser treatment and one eye (5.00%) had a decentered capsule opening. Posterior capsule opacification was the most common complication (6, 35.29%) in the MCTR group. No IOL dislocation, secondary glaucoma, or retinal detachment was observed during follow-up.ConclusionsSCSF-IOL is a viable option for managing MSP and is comparable with the MCTR-IOL. Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was necessary to prevent residual capsule complications after the SCSF-IOL procedure.
Diabetic Retinopathy Grading by Deep Graph Correlation Network on Retinal Images Without Manual Annotations
Authors: Zhang Guanghua , Sun Bin , Chen Zhixian , Gao Yuxi , Zhang Zhaoxia , Li Keran , Yang Weihua 
Published: April 2022

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy, as a severe public health problem associated with vision loss, should be diagnosed early using an accurate screening tool. While many previous deep learning models have been proposed for this disease, they need sufficient professional annotation data to train the model, requiring more expensive and time-consuming screening skills.MethodThis study aims to economize manual power and proposes a deep graph correlation network (DGCN) to develop automated diabetic retinopathy grading without any professional annotations. DGCN involves the novel deep learning algorithm of a graph convolutional network to exploit inherent correlations from independent retinal image features learned by a convolutional neural network. Three designed loss functions of graph-center, pseudo-contrastive, and transformation-invariant constrain the optimisation and application of the DGCN model in an automated diabetic retinopathy grading task.ResultsTo evaluate the DGCN model, this study employed EyePACS-1 and Messidor-2 sets to perform grading results. It achieved an accuracy of 89.9% (91.8%), sensitivity of 88.2% (90.2%), and specificity of 91.3% (93.0%) on EyePACS-1 (Messidor-2) data set with a confidence index of 95% and commendable effectiveness on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and t-SNE plots.ConclusionThe grading capability of this study is close to that of retina specialists, but superior to that of trained graders, which demonstrates that the proposed DGCN provides an innovative route for automated diabetic retinopathy grading and other computer-aided diagnostic systems.
Sulfation Pathways During Neurodevelopment
Authors: Clarke Taylor , Fernandez Francesca E. , Dawson Paul A. 
Published: April 2022

Sulfate is an important nutrient that modulates a diverse range of molecular and cellular functions in mammalian physiology. Over the past 2 decades, animal studies have linked numerous sulfate maintenance genes with neurological phenotypes, including seizures, impaired neurodevelopment, and behavioral abnormalities. Despite sulfation pathways being highly conserved between humans and animals, less than one third of all known sulfate maintenance genes are clinically reportable. In this review, we curated the temporal and spatial expression of 91 sulfate maintenance genes in human fetal brain from 4 to 17 weeks post conception using the online Human Developmental Biology Resource Expression. In addition, we performed a systematic search of PubMed and Embase, identifying those sulfate maintenance genes linked to atypical neurological phenotypes in humans and animals. Those findings, together with a search of the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man database, identified a total of 18 candidate neurological dysfunction genes that are not yet considered in clinical settings. Collectively, this article provides an overview of sulfate biology genes to inform future investigations of perturbed sulfate homeostasis associated with neurological conditions.