High-impact and transformative science (HITS) metrics: Definition, exemplification, and comparison.

Countries, research institutions, and scholars are interested in identifying and promoting high-impact and transformative scientific research. This paper presents a novel set of text- and citation-based metrics that can be used to identify high-impact and transformative works. The 11 metrics can be grouped into seven types: Radical-Generative, Radical-Destructive, Risky, Multidisciplinary, Wide Impact, Growing Impact, and Impact (overall).

Philanthro-metrics: Mining multi-million-dollar gifts.

The Million Dollar List (MDL, online at http://www.milliondollarlist.org) is a compilation of publicly announced charitable donations of $1 million or more from across the United States since 2000; as of December 2016, the database contains close to 80,000 gifts made by U.

Global multi-level analysis of the 'scientific food web'.

We introduce a network-based index analyzing excess scientific production and consumption to perform a comprehensive global analysis of scholarly knowledge production and diffusion on the level of continents, countries, and cities. Compared to measures of scientific production and consumption such as number of publications or citation rates, our network-based citation analysis offers a more differentiated picture of the 'ecosystem of science'. Quantifying knowledge flows between 2000 and 2009, we identify global sources and sinks of knowledge production.

Design and update of a classification system: the UCSD map of science.

Global maps of science can be used as a reference system to chart career trajectories, the location of emerging research frontiers, or the expertise profiles of institutes or nations. This paper details data preparation, analysis, and layout performed when designing and subsequently updating the UCSD map of science and classification system. The original classification and map use 7.

Toward a definition of masked hypertension and white-coat hypertension among hemodialysis patients.

Background And Objectives: Among people with essential hypertension, ambulatory BP measurement is superior to BP obtained in the clinic in predicting cardiovascular outcomes. In part, this is because it can detect white-coat hypertension and masked hypertension. Whether the same is true for hemodialysis patients is not known.

Short-term vitamin D receptor activation increases serum creatinine due to increased production with no effect on the glomerular filtration rate.

Vitamin D receptor activation has been associated with increased serum creatinine and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rates, raising concerns that its use may be detrimental to kidney function. Here we studied the effect of vitamin D receptor activation on serum creatinine, creatinine generation, and its clearance. We measured baseline serum creatinine and 24-h urine creatinine in 16 patients with chronic kidney disease.

Long-term retinal, renal and cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic chronic kidney disease without proteinuria.

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have no proteinuria.

Methods: To compare the characteristics that differ between DM + CKD patients with and without proteinuria, we conducted a cross-sectional study followed by surveillance over a decade for 'hard' cardiovascular, renal and retinal outcomes. Groups were stratified by presence (n = 129) and absence (n = 284) of DM.

Relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin and blood glucose during progression of chronic kidney disease.

Background: The value of measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA(1C)) in determining the degree of glycemic control in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear.

Methods: A single-center, prospective cohort study was conducted in 128 veterans with diabetes mellitus and CKD. HgbA(1C) was measured as clinically indicated and its relationship with random blood glucose (RBG) measurement evaluated prospectively over up to 10 years in three groups (end-stage renal disease (ESRD), CKD and controls who had diabetes but no CKD).

Patterns and prognostic value of total and differential leukocyte count in chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels and patterns of total and differential leukocyte counts and their prognostic importance in a cohort of people with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Among 153 veterans without CKD and 267 with, blood leukocyte count was measured at baseline and then repeatedly over a decade. The patterns of change in leukocyte count between the two groups were compared.

Probing dry-weight improves left ventricular mass index.

Background: Although probing dry-weight improves blood pressure control, its effect on echocardiographic left ventricular mass index (LVMI) is unknown.

Methods: Shortly following dialysis, 292 echocardiograms in 150 patients participating in the DRIP trial were obtained at baseline and longitudinally every 4 weeks on 2 occasions.

Results: At baseline, LVMI was 136.

Sleep and activity in chronic kidney disease: a longitudinal study.

Background And Objectives: Commonly sleep is disrupted and physical activity is restricted among patients with CKD and those on long-term dialysis. However, few studies have assessed patients longitudinally.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: We compared the prevalence of sleep disturbances measured both subjectively using a questionnaire and objectively using actimetry among patients with CKD (n = 145), those on hemodialysis (n = 116), and people without kidney disease (n = 19).

Chronic kidney disease as a coronary disease equivalent--a comparison with diabetes over a decade.

Background And Objectives: Whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) should also be considered a coronary disease equivalent like diabetes is not clear.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Methods: Veterans with and without diabetes and with and without CKD were prospectively recruited. A competing Cox regression model was used to describe the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in the two groups (CKD and diabetes) over a decade of follow-up.

Inferior vena cava diameter and left atrial diameter measure volume but not dry weight.

Background And Objectives: Hypervolemia is an important and modifiable cause of hypertension. Hypertension improves with probing dry weight, but its effect on echocardiographic measures of volume is unknown.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Shortly after dialysis, echocardiograms were obtained at baseline and longitudinally every 4 weeks on two occasions.

Role of home blood pressure monitoring in overcoming therapeutic inertia and improving hypertension control: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hypertension remains the most common modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, yet hypertension control rates remain dismal. Home blood pressure (BP) monitoring has the potential to improve hypertension control. The purpose of this review was to quantify both the magnitude and mechanisms of benefit of home BP monitoring on BP reduction.

Determinants and prognostic significance of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy criteria in chronic kidney disease.

Background And Objectives: The diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has prognostic value in the general population. However, among those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), the determinants of electrocardiographic (EKG) LVH and its prognostic value are not clear.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: A cross-sectional study was performed among 387 consenting consecutive patients from a veterans hospital with a longitudinal follow-up.

Diagnosing obesity by body mass index in chronic kidney disease: an explanation for the "obesity paradox?".

Although obesity is associated with poor outcomes, among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), obesity is related to improved survival. These results may be related to poor diagnostic performance of body mass index (BMI) in assessing body fat content. Accordingly, among 77 patients with CKD and 20 controls, body fat percentage was estimated by air displacement plethysmography (ADP), skinfold thickness, and body impedance analysis.

Intradialytic hypertension is a marker of volume excess.

Background: Intradialytic blood pressure (BP) profiles have been associated with all-cause mortality, but its pathophysiology remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that intradialytic changes in BP reflect excess volume.

Methods: The dry weight reduction in hypertensive haemodialysis patients (DRIP) trial probed dry weight in 100 prevalent haemodialysis patients; 50 patients who did not have their dry weight probed served as time controls.

Median intradialytic blood pressure can track changes evoked by probing dry-weight.

Background: Median BP obtained over a single dialysis treatment can diagnose hypertension among hemodialysis patients. Whether median BP is as useful to track change in BP is unknown.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Among patients participating in the dry-weight reduction in hypertensive hemodialysis patients (DRIP) trial, interdialytic ambulatory BP was recorded at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.

Relative plasma volume monitoring during hemodialysis AIDS the assessment of dry weight.

Among hemodialysis patients, the assessment of dry weight remains a matter of clinical judgment because tests to assess dry weight have not been validated. The objective of this study was to evaluate and validate relative plasma volume (RPV) monitoring as a marker of dry weight. We performed RPV monitoring using the Crit-Line monitor at baseline and at 8 weeks in 150 patients participating in the Dry-Weight Reduction in Hypertensive Hemodialysis Patients Trial.

The effect of measuring ambulatory blood pressure on nighttime sleep and daytime activity--implications for dipping.

Background And Objectives: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring is commonly used to assess the circadian pattern of BP. Circadian BP pattern is influenced by physical activity and sleep cycle. The effect of BP monitoring itself on the level of physical activity and sleep remains unknown.

A longitudinal study of kidney structure and function in adults.

Background: Although kidney size is commonly measured in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), its relationship with kidney function is poorly understood. We conducted this longitudinal study to better understand the relationship between kidney size and function.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 178 kidneys measured by ultrasound in 93 patients with CKD who did not have autosomal polycystic kidney disease.

Physical activity is a determinant of circadian blood pressure variation in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Circadian variation in blood pressure (BP), which is commonly blunted among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The causes of this blunted circadian variation remain incompletely understood.

Methods: We hypothesized that physical activity is a determinant of circadian BP variation.

Prognostic value of circadian blood pressure variation in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Reduced circadian variation in blood pressure (BP) has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity, mortality and accelerated progression of kidney disease, but its independent prognostic value remains unknown.

Methods: Using 2 definitions, one based on dipping and the other based on BP pattern (assessed by cosinor rhythmometry), we studied the prognosis of circadian BP variation among 322 patients, 179 (56%) of whom had chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Results: During a follow-up period extending for up to 8.

Circadian blood pressure classification scheme and the health of patients with chronic kidney disease.

Background: In health, a sinusoidal rhythm is observed in systolic blood pressure (BP) that peaks (acrophase) during the waking hours (in-phase), but in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) the acrophase is often observed during sleeping hours (out-of-phase). Yet in others the amplitude of the variation may be so blunted that acrophase may not be definable (phase-less). Circadian rhythms in systolic BP are often described by the dichotomous dipper classification but may not be adequate to fully characterize derangements in cyclical variation in BP.

Nocturia, nocturnal activity, and nondipping.

Patients with chronic kidney disease have less than expected decline in blood pressure during sleep (nondipping) and commonly experience the vexing symptom of nocturia. To better understand the relationship among nocturia, nighttime physical activity, and nondipping, we studied 98 patients with chronic kidney disease on 2 occasions, 1 month apart, with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and simultaneous activity monitoring with wrist actigraphy. Patients with nocturia had greater actigraphically recorded nighttime physical activity compared to those with no nocturia.