bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral sulfate solution benefits polyp and adenoma detection during colonoscopy: Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chen Cheng , Shi Mengyang , Liao Zhongli , Chen Weiqing , Wu Yongzhong , Tian Xu 
Published: March 2022

ObjectivesAlthough oral sulfate solution (OSS) has been revealed to be not only safe and efficacious but also noninferior to polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid (PEG + ASC), it is unclear whether OSS can ultimately increase the polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR). We performed this meta‐analysis to estimate the effect of OSS on PDR and ADR during colonoscopy.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the comparative effect of OSS versus PEG + ASC on the PDR and ADR during colonoscopy. Cecal intubation time (CIT), cecal intubation rate (CIR), and bowel preparation score were also evaluated. Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.3.0 was used to perform statistical analysis.ResultsEight RCTs involving 2059 patients fulfilled the selection criteria. Meta‐analysis suggested that OSS significantly increased the PDR (47.34% vs. 40.14%, risk ratio [RR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03−1.24, P = 0.01) and ADR (44.60% vs. 38.14%, RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03−1.33, P = 0.01) during colonoscopy. Subgroup analysis showed that the beneficial effects of OSS on PDR and ADR were consistent among patients with mean age >55 years and with body mass index <25 kg/m2 receiving outpatient colonoscopy, morning colonoscopy, and the 2‐L bowel preparation protocol. Meanwhile, patients receiving OSS had a beneficial bowel preparation score.ConclusionCompared with polyethylene glycol‐based regimens, the OSS bowel preparation regimen significantly increased the PDR and ADR in patients undergoing colonoscopy.
Utility of dobutamine stress echocardiography in aortic valve regurgitation and reduced left ventricular function
Authors: Saito Chihiro , Arai Kotaro , Ashihara Kyomi , Niinami Hiroshi , Hagiwara Nobuhisa 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivePredictors for post‐operative reverse remodeling in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are unknown. We performed low‐dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in patients with severe AR and reduced LVEF to evaluate the relationship between contractile reserve (CR) and reverse remodeling after surgery.MethodsIn 31 patients with chronic severe AR and reduced LVEF (LVEF < 50%), we performed pre‐operative DSE, assessed CR, and examined whether changes in preoperative DSE were associated with improvement of post‐operative LVEF after aortic valve surgery.ResultsThe pre‐operative echocardiographic findings were as follows: left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic dimension: 67 ± 10 mm, LV end‐systolic dimension: 52 ± 13 mm, and LVEF: 42 ± 8%. All patients underwent aortic valve surgery. Patients with pre‐operative LVEF of ≥45% exhibited a significant increase in LVEF; however, patients with pre‐operative LVEF of <45% showed no significant change. When we examined the results of DSE performed in patients with pre‐operative LVEF of <45%, ΔLVEF of ≥6% (with CR) during DSE was related to an improvement in post‐operative LVEF; ΔLVEF of ≥6% during DSE predicted an improvement in post‐operative LVEF, with sensitivity 100%; specificity 78%; and area under curve (AUC) .92.ConclusionsDSE might be a helpful tool for predicting post‐operative reverse remodeling in patients with severe AR and moderately reduced LVEF.
Myocardial performance index increases at long‐term follow‐up in patients with mild to moderate COVID‐19
Authors: Ardahanli Isa , Akhan Onur , Sahin Ebru , Akgun Onur , Gurbanov Rafig 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe long‐term cardiovascular effects of Coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) are not yet well known. Myocardial performance index (MPI) is a non‐invasive, inexpensive and reproducible echocardiographic parameter that reflects systolic and diastolic cardiac functions. The aim of the study was to compare MPI with a healthy control group in patients with mild or moderate COVID‐19 infection who subsequently had unexplained cardiac symptoms.MethodsThe study included 200 patients aged 18–70 years who were diagnosed with COVID‐19 infection at least 2 months ago and defined cardiac symptoms in their follow‐up. Patients with mild or moderate symptoms, no history of hospitalization, and no other pathology that could explain cardiac symptoms were included in the study. As the control group, 182 healthy volunteers without COVID‐19 were evaluated. Echocardiographic examination was performed on the entire study group. Isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), and ejection time (ET) were measured by tissue Doppler imaging. MPI was calculated with the IVCT+IVRT/ET formula.ResultsThe mean age of the study group was 44.24 ± 13.49 years. In the patient group the MPI was significantly higher (.50 ± .11 vs .46 ± .07, p < .001), IVRT was longer (69.67 ± 15.43 vs 65.94 ± 12.03 ms, p = . 008), and ET was shorter (271.09 ± 36.61 vs 271.09 ± 36.61 ms, p = .028). IVCT was similar between groups (63.87 ± 13.66 vs. 63.21 ± 10.77 ms, p = .66). Mitral E and mitral A wave, E’, A’, and E/A were similar in both groups.ConclusionsOur study showed that conventional diastolic function parameters were not affected in patients who survived COVID‐19 with mild symptoms but had symptoms in the long term. However, MPI measurements showed left ventricular dysfunction. To our knowledge, this is the first echocardiographic follow‐up study to evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions with MPI in COVID‐19 patients. We think that when cardiac involvement assessment is required in patients who have survived COVID‐19, MPI should be measured alongside other echocardiographic measurements.
Antiseizure medication treatment pathways for US Medicare beneficiaries with newly treated epilepsy
Authors: Terman Samuel W. , Youngerman Brett E. , Choi Hyunmi , Burke James F. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectiveThis study was undertaken to characterize antiseizure medication (ASM) treatment pathways in Medicare beneficiaries with newly treated epilepsy.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study using Medicare claims. Medicare is the United States' federal health insurance program for people aged 65 years and older plus younger people with disabilities or end‐stage renal disease. We included beneficiaries with newly treated epilepsy (International Classification of Diseases codes for epilepsy/convulsions 2014–2017, no ASM in the previous 2 years). We displayed the sequence of ASM fills using sunburst plots overall, then stratified by mood disorder, age, and neurologist prescriber. We tabulated drug costs for each pathway.ResultsWe included 21 458 beneficiaries. Levetiracetam comprised the greatest number of pill days (56%), followed by gabapentin (11%) and valproate (8%). There were 22 288 unique treatment pathways. The most common pathways were levetiracetam monotherapy (43%), gabapentin monotherapy (10%), and valproate monotherapy (5%). Gabapentin was the most common second‐ and third‐line ASM. Whereas only 2% of pathways involved first‐line lacosamide, those pathways accounted for 19% of cost. Gabapentin and valproate use was increased and levetiracetam use was decreased in beneficiaries with mood disorders compared to beneficiaries without mood disorders. Levetiracetam use was increased and gabapentin, valproate, lamotrigine, and topiramate use was decreased in beneficiaries aged >65 years compared with those aged 65 years or less. Lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and lacosamide use was increased and gabapentin use was decreased in beneficiaries whose initial prescriber was a neurologist compared to those whose prescriber was not a neurologist.SignificanceLevetiracetam monotherapy was the most common pathway, although substantial heterogeneity existed. Lacosamide accounted for a small percentage of ASMs but a disproportionately large share of cost. Neurologists were more likely to prescribe lamotrigine compared with nonneurologists, and lamotrigine was prescribed far less frequently than may be endorsed by guidelines. Future work may explore patient‐ and physician‐driven factors underlying ASM choices.
Unnatural selection of outside directors: Consequences of Japanese corporate governance reforms
Authors: Ishida Souhei , Kochiyama Takuma 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWe examine how Japanese listed companies increase the number of outside directors to comply with corporate governance reforms. We find that, after the reforms, there has been an increase in the number of cases in which former company auditors (kansayaku) become outside directors in the same company. This trend is more pronounced for hitherto noncompliant firms with insufficient outside directors before the reforms. Moreover, the firms appointing company auditors as outside directors tend to change their corporate structures to maintain existing practices and minimize compliance costs. Our findings imply that Japanese reforms have increased the unnatural selection of outside directors.
On the capacity for rapid adaptation and plastic responses to herbivory and intraspecific competition in insular populations of Plectritis congesta
Authors: Skaien Cora L. , Arcese Peter 
Published: March 2022

AbstractA capacity for rapid adaptation should enhance the persistence of populations subject to temporal and spatial heterogeneity in natural selection, but examples from nature remain scarce. Plectritis congesta (Caprifoliaceae) is a winter annual that exhibits local adaptation to browsing by ungulates and hypothesized to show context‐dependent trade‐offs in traits affecting success in competition versus resistance or tolerance to browsing. We grew P. congesta from 44 insular populations historically exposed or naïve to ungulates in common gardens to (1) quantify genetic, plastic and competitive effects on phenotype; (2) estimate a capacity for rapid adaptation (evolvability); and (3) test whether traits favoured by selection with ungulates present were selected against in their absence. Plants from browsed populations bolted and flowered later, had smaller inflorescences, were less fecund and half as tall as plants from naïve populations on average, replicating patterns in nature. Estimated evolvabilities (3–36%) and narrow‐sense heritabilities (h2; 0.13–0.32) imply that differences in trait values as large as reported here can arise in 2–18 generations in an average population. Phenotypic plasticity was substantial, varied by browsing history and fruit phenotype and increased with competition. Fecundity increased with plasticity in flowering height given competition (0.47 ± 0.02 florets/cm, β ± se), but 23–77% faster in naïve plants bearing winged fruits (0.53 ± 0.04) than exposed‐wingless plants (0.43 ± 0.03) or exposed‐winged and naïve‐wingless plants (0.30 ± 0.03, each case). Our results support the hypothesis that context‐dependent variation in natural selection in P. congesta populations has conferred a substantial capacity for adaptation in response to selection in traits affecting success in competition versus resistance or tolerance to browsing in the absence versus presence of ungulates, respectively. Theory suggests that conserving adaptive capacity in P. congesta will require land managers to maintain spatial heterogeneity in natural selection, prevent local extinctions and maintain gene flow.
Standing jejunal enterotomy for resolution of an ileal impaction
Authors: Boorman Sophie , Caldwell Fred 
Published: March 2022

SummaryA 22‐year‐old American Quarter Horse gelding was referred to the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine for moderate signs of abdominal pain responsive to sedation. A presumptive preoperative diagnosis of ileal impaction was made based on physical examination, ultrasonography of the abdomen and clinical pathological data. Despite appropriate medical therapy and improvement in the diagnostic and clinical parameters, the gelding continued to be uncomfortable. A standing right flank laparotomy facilitated access to the ileum which contained approximately 80 cm of consolidated ingesta from the ileocaecal orifice extending orally. The distal jejunum was exteriorised and an enterotomy performed, permitting lavage of the ingesta and resolution of the impaction. The gelding was discharged 6 days after surgery. Two weeks after surgery, the gelding re‐presented for surgical treatment of an incisional abscess. At 4‐month follow‐up, the gelding was reportedly doing well. The described surgical technique may be a viable option for resolution of ileal impactions in horses non‐responsive to medical management when exploratory celiotomy under general anaesthesia is not possible due to financial constraints, the health of the horse or other reason.
Coupling and coordination analysis of China's regional urban‐rural integration and land‐use efficiency
Authors: Song Malin , Tao Weiliang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractUsing the combined weighting method and the super‐efficiency Slack‐Based Measure (SBM) model, this study evaluates urban‐rural integration and land‐use efficiency across 30 provinces in China. Additionally, we explore the coupling and coordination relationship between them. The results show that the overall urban‐rural integration level and land‐use efficiency in China from 2010 to 2019 are not high. The coupling degree in various regions of China is always between 0.4 and 0.5, which is an antagonistic stage. The coordination degree in each region is roughly between 0.4 and 0.65, mainly on the verge of imbalance and coordination. However, in general, the degree of coordination tends to be a benign development, and with the passage of time, coordination degree has gradually evolved from “high in the east and west, low in the middle” to “high in the east and middle, low in the west.” Based on this, we propose overall planning to rationally promote the process of urban‐rural integration, develop urban and rural land in accordance with local conditions to accelerate the pace of land‐market reform, speed up the coordination and interaction of urban‐rural integration and land‐use efficiency, and other countermeasures.
A quasi‐natural experiment research regarding the impact of regional integration expansion in the Yangtze River Delta on foreign direct investment
Authors: Huan Hengfei , Zhu Yingming , Liu Jishuang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractWhether regional integration can promote the urban agglomeration to attract foreign direct investment and expand the opening‐up is a question worthy of in‐depth discussion. This paper constructs a quasi‐natural experiment from the perspective of regional integration expansion in the Yangtze River Delta, using the panel data of 208 cities in China from 2005 to 2017. The main purposes are to examine and analyze the common trends and regional differences regarding the influences of regional integration on FDI in entire cities, incumbent cities, and new cities. Next, the internal mechanisms of expansion on FDI are explored. The results show that the regional integration exerted a significant positive effect on the FDI of the entire Yangtze River Delta. For different regions, the effect of regional integration on FDI in the incumbent cities was higher than that in the new cities. In terms of mechanisms, regional integration could affect FDI through industrial division mechanism and market unification mechanism, yet the role of economic connection mechanism exhibited regional differences. The conclusions of this paper bear important enlightenment for promoting the construction of regional integration in China and the high‐quality growth of FDI in the Yangtze River Delta.
Gaining more insight into ankle pain in haemophilia: A study exploring pain, structural and functional evaluation of the ankle joint
Authors: Roussel Nathalie Anne , Chantrain Valérie‐Anne , Foubert Anthe , Lambert Catherine , Hermans Cedric , Meeus Mira , Guillaume Sylvain , Lecouvet Frédéric , Krüger Steffen , Hilberg Thomas , Lobet Sebastien 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACTIntroductionAnkle arthropathy is highly prevalent among people with haemophilia (PwH), even with prophylaxis, and leads to pain and disability. Mechanisms and consequences of painful symptoms related to ankle arthropathy have not been extensively studied.MethodsA consecutive sample of 30 adult PwH was included (60 ankles). Ankle structure was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (IPSG‐MRI) and ultrasound (HEAD‐US). The HJHS 2.1 assessed function of ankles and knees. Physical functioning was assessed with the Timed Up and Go test, the 2‐Minute Walking Test and activity limitations with the HAL questionnaire. Health‐related quality of life was evaluated using the EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaire. Overall pain severity was examined using the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire and ankle pain intensity with a visual analogue scale. Pressure pain thresholds with an algometer assessed pain sensitivity. Spearman correlations were used to calculate interrelations between joint structure, function and pain.ResultsTwenty‐five PwH (83%) reported ≥1 painful joint, with 67% reporting the ankle as most painful joint. MRI‐confirmed abnormalities were seen in 76% of talocrural and 55% of subtalar joints. HEAD‐US abnormalities were seen in 93% of the ankles. A large variation was seen in pain sensitivity at the ankle. While moderate to high correlations were observed between ankle structure and HJHS, no meaningful correlations were found between MRI‐scores and pain intensity or sensitivity.ConclusionsStructural joint damage is present in many ankles but is not related to pain in PwH. Further studies should consider somatosensory nervous system dysfunction in PwH as contributing factor to painful ankle arthropathy.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on people living with migraine: Results of the MiCOAS qualitative study
Authors: Buse Dawn C. , Gerstein Maya T. , Houts Carrie R. , McGinley James S. , Uzumcu Alyssa A. , McCarrier Kelly P. , Cooke Alexis , Touba Nancy M. , Nishida Tracy K. , Wirth R. J. , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is an ongoing global health crisis that has had a range of impacts on people living with migraine.MethodsQualitative interviews performed as part of the Migraine Clinical Outcome Assessment System project, a multi‐stage Food and Drug Administration–grant funded program to develop a patient‐centered core set of outcome measures for use in migraine clinical trials, offered an opportunity to explore the experience of living with migraine during the pandemic as well as to examine whether migraine treatment priorities, symptoms, and associated disability changed due to the pandemic. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted in the United States between the summer and fall of 2020 with 40 individuals with self‐reported, medically diagnosed migraine who self‐reported that they had not tested positive for or been diagnosed with COVID‐19.ResultsSeventy percent (n = 28) of the sample reported ≥1 pandemic‐related impact on their life with migraine. Fourteen participants reported both positive and negative impacts, twelve reported negative impacts only, and two reported positive impacts only. Among those reporting ≥1 pandemic‐related impact, nine participants (32%) reported more frequent and five (17%) reported less frequent migraine attacks. Other negative impacts included interrupted medical care (n = 9; 32%), and greater stress (n = 13; 46%). The most frequent positive impact reported was greater access to health care (n = 8; 29%). Ictal and interictal symptoms were not noted to change due to the pandemic, but some respondents reported less disability due to increased flexibility of schedules and reduced expectations. Treatment priorities did not change due to the pandemic.ConclusionThe global COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in both negative and positive impacts for people living with migraine. Lessons to be considered when moving into a post‐pandemic world include benefits of and satisfaction with telehealth and the benefits and importance of healthy lifestyle habits and flexibility such as improved sleep, reduced stress, and fewer social expectations.
Comparison of HIV DNA decay and immune recovery between early and chronic HIV‐infected individuals 96 weeks after ART
Authors: Qin Yuanyuan , Song Ting , Su Bin , Jiao Yanmei , Liu Lifeng , Liu Zhiying , Zhou Yihong , Chen Yaokai , Wu Hao 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivesAlthough antiretroviral therapy (ART) has prolonged the lives of HIV‐infected individuals, HIV reservoir remains the main stumbling block to HIV cure. Presently, early ART initiation is one of the effective measures to reduce the HIV reservoir. The effects of ART in Chinese individuals with acute and early HIV infection (AEHI) and chronic HIV infection (CHI) were analyzed in this study.MethodsWe performed virological and immunological parameter analysis in 29 AEHI and 19 CHI individuals who were initiated into ART in Beijing, China. The HIV DNA, CD4+ T‐cell and CD8+ T‐cell counts, and CD4/CD8 ratios between the two groups were compared using statistical analyses.ResultsAt weeks 48 and 96, the total HIV DNA was significantly lower in the AEHI group than that the CHI group (2.48 [2.26–2.66] vs. 3.06 [2.79–3.33] log10 copies/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), p < 0.01 at week 48 and 2.17 [1.85–2.45] vs. 2.92 [2.73–3.24] log10 copies/106 PBMCs, p < 0.01 at week 96, respectively). The CD4/CD8 T‐cell ratio in the AHI group at week 24 was significantly higher than that in the CHI group (0.71 [0.50–0.99] vs. 0.45 [0.34–0.65], p = 0.08). After 48 weeks of ART, there was still a negative correlation between the CD4/CD8 ratio and the HIV DNA level in the CHI group rather than the AEHI group.ConclusionsEarly ART initiation could enhance an earlier immunological recovery in AEHI. Immunological normalization after ART initiation could provide important protection against the viral reservoir seeded in AEHI individuals.
The spectrum of kidney biopsy findings in Chinese HIV‐infected patients
Authors: Ma Jie , Zheng Qingyue , Zhang Hanlin , Wen Yubing , Ye Wenling , Ye Wei , Zheng Ke , Gao Ruitong , Chen Limeng , Li Taisheng , Li Xuemei , Yu Yang , Lyu Wei 
Published: March 2022

AbstractObjectivesHIV‐associated kidney disease is common but data on the pathology spectrum of kidney biopsy in China is lacking. This study aimed to illustrate the clinical presentation, laboratory findings and pathological spectrum of different subtypes of HIV‐associated kidney disease in China.MethodsEighteen HIV patients with renal biopsy indications at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. All had CD4 counts and HIV viral load measurements. Renal biopsies were examined with light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. Shapiro‐Wilk test was used to test whether the data was normally distributed. The data is presented as medians (interquartile range), number (%), or means (±SD) according to their distribution.ResultsSeventeen patients had glomerular disease, and one patient had interstitial nephritis. Membranous nephropathy was present in eight patients (47.1%), and IgA nephropathy in four patients (23.5%). The difference in urine protein and serum albumin before and after treatment was statistically significant and no deaths or dialysis were observed to the end of follow‐up.ConclusionThis study found that classic HIV‐associated nephropathy (HIVAN) was uncommon in Chinese HIV patients. HIV immune complex kidney (HIVICK) disease, such as membranous or IgA nephropathy, was more common, and associated with better prognosis. Antiretroviral therapy, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers were effective in decreasing proteinuria and preserving renal function. The use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents seems safe. However, the nephrotoxic effect of antiretroviral agents and other medications should be carefully monitored.