bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedative and physiologic effects of tiletamine–zolazepam following buccal administration in cats
Authors: Nejamkin Pablo , Cavilla Verónica , Clausse María , Landivar Florencia , Lorenzutti Augusto M , Martínez Sofía , Del Sole María J , Martín-Flores Manuel
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the sedative and some physiological effects of tiletamine–zolazepam following buccal administration (BA) in cats.

Methods

Seven healthy spayed European shorthair cats (three males, four females) were studied twice in this randomized, blinded, crossover study. Each cat received two doses of tiletamine–zolazepam by BA: the low-dose (LD) group consisted of 5 mg/kg of each drug, and the high-dose (HD) group consisted of 7.5 mg/kg of each. Baseline systolic blood pressure (SAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and a sedation score were recorded prior to administration of each treatment. The same variables plus the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen as measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) were recorded at predefined intervals for the next 2 h.

Results

All cats completed the study. No retching or vomiting were observed. Hypersalivation was observed in 0/7 and 3/7 for LD and HD groups, respectively ( P = 0.2). There were significant changes in scores over time for posture, response to clippers and response to manual restraint for both groups, without differences between groups. RR, HR and SAP changed significantly over time. SAP and RR were significantly lower for the HD than for the LD group. No values for hemoglobin saturation <95% were observed.

Conclusions and relevance

BA of tiletamine–zolazepam at the doses studied here is a simple and effective method for chemical restraint in cats, where the LD group had a lower impact on SAP and RR than the HD group.
The effect of alternate occlusion on control of intermittent exotropia in children
Authors: Akbari Mohammad Reza , Mirzajani Ali , Moeinitabar Mohammad Reza , Mirmohammadsadeghi Arash , Khorrami-Nejad Masoud , Sharbatoghli Leila
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

The aim is to investigate the effect of alternate occlusion on control of intermittent exotropia in children 3 to 8 years old.

Methods:

The ability of 28 children to control of the deviation at far and near was evaluated based on 3-point and 6-point control scales. Stereopsis and fusion were assessed using the Titmus and Worth 4-dot tests, respectively. Two-hour alternate daily occlusion was prescribed for children with no dominancy. For children with a dominant eye, 2-h occlusion of the dominant eye for 5 days and the non-dominant eye for 2 days. All measurements were repeated at 3, 6, and 9 months after the treatment.

Results:

For all children with a mean age of 4.7 ± 1.56 years, deviation control at far improved significantly after 3, 6, and 9 months of treatment using both control scales when compared with baseline ( p = 0.005 after 3 months and p = 0.008 after 6 and 9 months for the 3-point scale, and p < 0.001 after 3 and 6 months and p = 0.010 after 9 months for the 6-point scale). Control at near showed a significant improvement after 3, 6, and 9 months of treatment based on the 6-point scale ( p = 0.007 for 3 months, p = 0.004 for 6 months, and p = 0.014 for 9 months). Near stereopsis improved significantly after 9 months of treatment ( p = 0.043).

Conclusion:

Alternate occlusion is significantly effective on control of intermittent exotropia. As a result, it can be used as a useful method to postpone or even eliminate the need for surgery in intermittent exotropia.
A Surgical Case of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Liver: Potentially Characteristic Gross Features
Authors: Watanabe Jiro , Yamada Sohsuke , Sasaguri Yasuyuki , Guo Xin , Kurose Nozomu , Kitada Kouji , Inagaki Masaru , Iwagaki Hiromi
Published: February 2019

We herein reported a very rare surgical case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) of the liver, showing potentially unique and specific gross findings on its cut surface: our IMT demonstrated a relatively well-demarcated and partly infiltrative and likely extrahepatic (ie serosal) but not intrahepatic mass, appearing firm and hemorrhagic, and yellow-whitish in color. The patient, who was a woman in her early 70s with 2-year follow-up for lung cryptococcosis and traffic accident, incidentally presented with unenhanced and low-density, heterogeneous mass on abdominal dynamic CT in the peripheral right lobe of the liver. We could conclusively diagnose the current lesion as the hepatic IMT after thorough analyses including a wide panel of immunohistochemical antibodies. Despite that, all clinicians and pathologists should be aware that the potentially characteristic, extrahepatic gross feature of IMT of the liver might also be one of the powerful supplementary tools for reaching its correct diagnosis. One of our aims in the presented case report is to emphasize that the hepatic IMT should be considered clinicopathologically in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions on the liver.
Higher EBV response is associated with more severe gray matter and lesion pathology in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients: A case-controlled magnetization transfer ratio study
Authors: Jakimovski Dejan , Ramanathan Murali , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Bergsland Niels , Ramasamay Deepa P , Carl Ellen , Dwyer Michael G , Zivadinov Robert
Published: February 2019

Background:

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection has been associated with higher clinical activity and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

To evaluate associations between EBV-specific humoral response and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR)-derived measure in MS patients and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods:

The study included 101 MS patients (69 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 32 secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)) and 41 HCs who underwent clinical, serological, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations. MTR values of T1 or T2 lesion volume (LV), normal-appearing (NA) brain tissue (NABT), gray matter (NAGM), and white matter (NAWM) were obtained. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantify EBV antibody levels. Partial correlations corrected for MRI strength were used, and Benjamini–Hochberg–adjusted p-values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results:

MS patients had significantly higher anti-EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) titer when compared to HCs (107.9 U/mL vs 27.8 U/mL, p < 0.001). Within the MS group, higher serum anti-EBNA-1 titer was significantly correlated with lower T1-LV MTR ( r = –0.287, p = 0.035). Within the RRMS group, higher serum anti-EBNA-1 titer was associated with T1-LV MTR ( r = –0.524, p = 0.001) and NAGM MTR ( r = –0.308, p = 0.043). These associations were not present in HCs or SPMS patients.

Conclusion:

Greater EBV humoral response is associated with lower GM MTR changes and focal destructive lesion pathology in RRMS patients.
Political ‘apptivism’ in the Middle East: The case of iNakba
Authors: Golan Oren , Tirosh Noam
Published: February 2019

The use of social media in the Arab world has drawn an increasing amount of scholarly attention. Research addressing ‘Arab Spring’ upheavals and Islamic military movements has demonstrated grassroots level and often spontaneous uses of social media platforms. However, little attention has been paid to political apps as an emergent means of communication. Specifically, this study asks how users and developers view the use of political apps within the Israeli–Palestinian context by focusing on iNakba – an app that enables users to navigate Palestinian villages that were destroyed during the 1948 war and its aftermath. Ethnographic fieldwork and qualitative analysis of interviews with iNakba users and developers uncover three key facets of the app: (1) crowd mobilization, (2) educational tool that reanimates the invisible landscape of pre-1948 Palestine, and (3) promoting the Palestinian narrative. The study illuminates the role of political apps as agents of change for identity building and shaping users’ political consciousness.
Deep new: The shifting narratives of artificial intelligence from Deep Blue to AlphaGo
Authors: Bory Paolo
Published: February 2019

The article compares two key events that marked the narratives around the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in two different time frames: the game series between the Russian world champion Garry Kasparov and the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue held in New York in 1997, and the Go game series between the South Korean champion Lee Sedol and DeepMind’s AI AlphaGo held in Seoul in 2016. Relying on a corpus of primary and secondary sources such as newspapers and specialized magazines, biographic books, the live broadcasts and the main documentaries reporting the challenges, the article investigates the way in which IBM and Google DeepMind used the human–machine competition to narrate the emergence of a new, deeper, form of AI. On the one hand, the Kasparov–Deep Blue match was presented by broadcasting media and IBM itself as a conflictual and competitive form of struggle between human kind and a hardware-based, obscure and humanlike player. While on the other hand, the social and symbolic message promoted by DeepMind and the media conveyed a cooperative and fruitful interaction with a new software-based, transparent and un-humanlike form of AI. The analysis of the case studies reveals how AI companies mix narrative tropes, gaming and spectacle in order to promote the newness and the main features of their products. In particular, recent narratives of AI based on human feelings and values such as beauty and trust can shape the way in which the presence of intelligent systems is accepted and integrated in everyday life.
Everyday racism and constructions of racial/ethnic difference in and through football talk
Authors: van Sterkenburg Jacco , Peeters Rens , van Amsterdam Noortje
Published: February 2019

Earlier research has shown how football media use specific racial/ethnic stereotypes, thereby reinforcing certain hierarchies along the lines of race and ethnicity. We use a cultural studies perspective to explore the discourses surrounding race and ethnicity in football among Dutch multiethnic football media audiences when they talk about football. We have interviewed 30 participants in five focus groups to collect our data. Our analysis shows that everyday football talk mainly reproduces racial/ethnic stereotypes and everyday racisms, and that race and ethnicity intersect with other markers of difference like nation, culture and religion in the discourses people draw on. Which specific difference is prioritized depends on context and interview questions. Furthermore, our analysis shows that ethnic diversity is celebrated and supported but that this support is conditional and combined with reinforcing biologically and culturally informed racisms. Findings are discussed in a wider academic and societal context.
(In/exclusion) Humor and diversity in Finnish public radio: ‘If all immigrants were as funny as you guys, nobody would have any problems’
Authors: Malmberg Mikko , Awad Isabel
Published: February 2019

Similar to the rest of Europe, multicultural programming in Finland has become risky for public broadcasting. Programs aimed at encouraging social inclusion may not attract sufficiently large audiences and may be attacked by ever louder anti-immigration voices. This article focuses on what seems to be an exception in this respect: Ali and Husu. Hosted by immigrants from Iran and Somalia – a stand-up comedian and a politician – this popular talk show aired on Finnish public radio between 2013 and 2016. Through interviews with the producers and the analysis of a selection of episodes, we examine Ali and Husu’s daring and unapologetic ethnic/racial humor as well as its combination of funny and serious talk. Our findings underscore specific ways in which multicultural programming can use humor strategically to engage relatively large and diverse audiences in discussions meant to humanize immigrants and challenge social prejudices, while minimizing right-wing criticism and unintended readings.
Broadening the social investment agenda: The OECD, the World Bank and inclusive growth
Authors: Mahon Rianne
Published: February 2019

Towards the close of the 20th century, the idea of social investment gained purchase as a way to legitimise social policy as a productive contribution. For those in the North, social investment provided a new rationale to counter neoliberal attacks on the welfare state, while in the South, the idea caught on in the form of conditional cash transfers. The World Bank and Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) played key roles in the development and diffusion of the social investment agenda beginning in the mid-1990s. While hewing to a common core, their interpretations of social investment differed in important respects. The OECD sought to grapple with the emergence of more flexible, post-industrial labour markets, marked by growing precarity, dualisation and feminisation and focused on work–family balance as a solution while the Bank, focused on the South, emphasised social investment in very poor children to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. In response to new pro-equality movements and intellectual research documenting the growth in inequality, however, a decade later, both organisations moved to incorporate a broader orientation, focused on the concept of ‘inclusive growth’. This article explores these developments.
Globalization and health: An empirical investigation
Authors: Jani Vishalkumar J , Joshi Nisarg A , Mehta Dhyani J
Published: February 2019

This article empirically examines the impact of globalization on the health status of countries by using panel data. Unlike previous studies, it has attempted to use three different dimensions of globalization and estimate their impact on health status measured by infant mortality rate and life expectancy. It also introduces an initial level of development status as an explanatory variable and found that it has an important role. The fixed effects panel data analysis shows that globalization has a positive impact on the health indicators. Out of the three dimensions of globalization, namely, economic, social and political, the first one has the highest influence on health for the less developed countries. However, as one moves up the ladder of development, social dimension becomes more important. Moreover, the pace of improvement in health indicators is faster in developed countries, indicating a divergence between the developed and the underdeveloped world.
The association between apelin polymorphisms and hypertension in China: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Liu Conghe , Jia Lili , Ding Jun
Published: February 2019

Introduction:

Apelin plays an important part in regulating blood pressure, metabolism, and the development of cancer. Recent studies have investigated the association of apelin polymorphisms and hypertension risk, but no meta-analysis has been conducted.

Materials and methods:

Five studies were included in this meta-analysis in total. The pooled odds ratio and its corresponding 95% confidence interval were calculated by the random-effect model.

Results:

The overall pooled odds ratio of the distribution of rs3761581 G allelic frequency was 0.90 (95% confidence interval: 0.82–1.00). In female participants, the pooled odds ratio of the frequency of G allele was 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.89–1.14). For males, the pooled odds ratio of the frequency of G allele was 0.69 (95% confidence interval: 0.46–1.03). As for rs56204867, the overall pooled odds ratio of the frequency of G allele was 1.09 (95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.37). In females, the pooled odds ratio of the frequencies of the G allele was 1.05 (95% confidence interval: 0.86–1.29). In male participants, the frequency of G allele did not show significant correlation with hypertension (pooled odds ratio=1.21 95% confidence interval: 0.81–1.79).

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis revealed that there was no correlation between apelin polymorphisms, rs3761581 and rs56204867, and the prevalence of hypertension.
Use of Diverse Case Studies in an Undergraduate Research Methods and Statistics Course
Authors: Grant Janie Busby , Grace Tim
Published: February 2019

Psychology graduates are employed in a wide variety of workplace roles. The broad nature of these future workplace requirements can make it difficult for students to learn and apply classroom knowledge and challenging for educators to develop authentic and engaging materials. In research methods and statistics courses in particular it can be difficult to develop specific context exemplars. This article describes the design of a series of case studies and linked learning activities based on the experiences of psychology graduates in their real-world employment roles. These case studies were embedded in an undergraduate research methods and statistics course with the aim of improving engagement by more clearly articulating the link between classroom learning and future workplace roles. Student feedback suggests that the case studies were motivating and supportive of student learning; however, there was no evidence of an improvement in performance. This approach provides a rewarding, flexible template within which students and educators are able to explicitly discuss the relationship between current learning and future real-world roles.
Plasma glucose concentration 60 min post oral glucose load and risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: Pathophysiological implications
Authors: Abbasi Fahim , Tern Paul JW , Reaven Gerald M
Published: February 2019

Aim:

The aim of this study was to gain insight into the pathophysiological significance of elevated plasma glucose concentrations (mmol/L) 60 min post oral glucose load in apparently healthy individuals.

Methods:

Comparison of resistance to insulin action and associated cardio-metabolic risk factors in 490 apparently healthy persons, subdivided into those with a plasma glucose concentration 60 min following a 75-g oral glucose challenge of <8.6 versus ⩾8.6.

Results:

Insulin resistance was significantly greater in persons with normal glucose tolerance whose 60-min glucose concentration was ⩾8.6, associated with higher blood pressure, plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglyceride and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Similar differences were seen in persons with impaired fasting glucose, but not in those with impaired glucose tolerance or both impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. The group whose 60-min glucose was <8.6 ( n = 318) contained primarily persons with normal glucose tolerance (88%), whereas the majority of those whose 60-min value was ⩾8.6 ( n = 172) had prediabetes (59%) and in particular combined impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance.

Conclusion:

Plasma glucose concentration of ⩾8.6 mmol/L 60 min post oral glucose identifies higher proportions of combined impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance individuals as well as normal glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose individuals with a more adverse cardio-metabolic profile, contributing to observed increased overall risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
Effect of microfiber layers on acoustical absorptive properties of nonwoven fabrics
Authors: Bhat Gajanan , Messiry Magdi El
Published: February 2019

There are several types of sound absorptive materials, such as natural and synthetic fibers, acoustic mineral wool, acoustic polyester panels, acoustic foam, cotton batts, that reduce the acoustic energy of a sound wave as the wave passes through. In this work, the use of nonwoven materials made of cotton, polyester, and polypropylene fibers for the development of sound absorptive nonwoven materials has been investigated. Samples of different materials (cotton, cotton/polyester blend, polyester fibers needle punched, and polypropylene melt blown nonwoven) and multilayer structures were tested on the designed impedance tube. Acoustic absorption properties of the fiber assemblies were studied in the frequency region of 100–1500 Hz. The values of sound absorption coefficient for different samples indicated that polypropylene microfiber melt blown nonwoven sample displayed a good sound absorption behavior in the entire frequency range. The use of multilayer samples improves the sound absorption coefficient with the condition that one of the layers is a thin melt blown nonwoven layer. The formation of nonwoven absorbent material consisted of hybrid layers, significantly reduces the resultant average sound absorption coefficient, especially when the upper layer is made from finer fibers of melt blown nonwoven of low air permeability value, and in this case the improvement reaches 50%. The use of melt blown layers of fine fibers values of noise reduction coefficient may reach 0.8. The multilayer nonwoven sound absorber design should take into consideration specific noise reduction coefficient values, not the absolute ones, particularly when the weight of the absorber is playing a decisive role.
Reconsidering the Psychometrics of the GRS-S: Evidence for Parsimony in Measurement
Authors: Petscher Yaacov , Pfeiffer Steven I.
Published: February 2019

The authors evaluated measurement-level, factor-level, item-level, and scale-level revisions to the Gifted Rating Scales–School Form (GRS-S). Measurement-level considerations tested the extent to which treating the Likert-type scale rating as categorical or continuous produced different fit across unidimensional, correlated trait, and bifactor latent factor structures. Item- and scale-level analyses demonstrated that the GRS-S could be reduced from a 72-item assessment on a 9-point rating scale down to a 30-item assessment on a 3-point rating scale. Reliability from the reduced assessment was high (ω > .95). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve comparisons between the original and reduced versions of the GRS-S showed that diagnostic accuracy (i.e., area under the curve) of the scales was comparable when considering cut scores of 120, 125, and 130 on the WISC-IV Full Scale ( Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Child–Fourth Edition) and verbal IQ and the WIAT-III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Third Edition) composite score. The findings suggest that a brief form of the GRS-S can be used as a universal or selective screener for giftedness without sacrificing key psychometric considerations.
Language as a Predictor of Motor Recovery: The Case for a More Global Approach to Stroke Rehabilitation
Authors: Anderlini Deanna , Wallis Guy , Marinovic Welber
Published: February 2019

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the developed world and the primary cause of adult disability. The most common site of stroke is the middle cerebral artery (MCA), an artery that supplies a range of areas involved in both language and motor function. As a consequence, many stroke patients experience a combination of language and motor deficits. Indeed, those suffering from Broca’s aphasia have an 80% chance of also suffering hemiplegia. Despite the prevalence of multifaceted disability in patients, the current trend in both clinical trials and clinical practice is toward compartmentalization of dysfunction. In this article, we review evidence that aphasia and hemiplegia do not just coexist, but that they interact. We review a number of clinical reports describing how therapies for one type of deficit can improve recovery in the other and vice versa. We go on to describe how language deficits should be seen as a warning to clinicians that the patient is likely to experience motor impairment and slower motor recovery, aiding clinicians to optimize their choice of therapy. We explore these findings and offer a tentative link between language and arm function through their shared need for sequential action, which we term fluency. We propose that area BA44 (part of Broca’s area) acts as a hub for fluency in both movement and language, both in terms of production and comprehension.
‘In the interest of peace and quiet in Europe’: The military and strategic role of Dutch neutrality, 1890-1940
Authors: Klinkert Wim
Published: February 2019

The Netherlands is positioned amidst three major powers and controls the mouths of three main European rivers. Until the First World War, its choice for armed neutrality (1840-1940) seemed to be the most fitting answer to its security problem. After 1918, the Netherlands had difficulties adjusting to modern war, having decreased its defence budget substantially, and lacked a coherent political-military answer to the interwar strategic and operational challenges. Old notions of the Netherlands as a vital element of regional peace and as a country that could influence the behaviour of its large neighbours no longer fitted reality. Neutrality ceased to provide security to the country, thereby also endangering the stability in Western Europe to which the Dutch so wholeheartedly aspired.
Research on solving method of similar cases considering customer preference
Authors: Yang Qin , Ruan Sheng , Bian Xianjun , Meng Guanjun , Huang Kang
Published: February 2019

Customer requirement preference is an important part of customer satisfaction. In view of similar case retrieval technology for existing product level, in the process of solving similar cases, there is no consideration for customer requirement preference. This article proposes a similar case solution method considering customer requirement preference. First, we deal with the expression of customer requirements and transform them into operable parameter forms according to the mapping model. Second, the preference graph is used to analyze the customer’s requirement preference, to determine the preference weight, and to weigh the final weight of the requirement node with the initial weight determined by the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. Finally, the similarity degree solving model of requirement node and product case attribute parameters is established. By integrating the weights of the above-mentioned nodes, the similarity of the product case is obtained, and a more satisfied case of the customer is obtained. Taking the automated guided vehicle car product as an example, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified.
Effects of in situ fenestration stent-graft of left subclavian artery on the hemodynamics after thoracic endovascular aortic repair
Authors: Qiao Yonghui , Mao Le , Ding Ying , Fan Jianren , Luo Kun , Zhu Ting
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The left subclavian artery during thoracic endovascular aortic repair could be reconstructed by in situ fenestration. This study aims to evaluate the effects of thoracic endovascular aortic repair with in situ fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair on the hemodynamics.

Methods

A male patient suffering from aortic dissection is treated by in situ fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair and the fenestration stent implanted in the left subclavian artery is partially protruding in the aortic arch for the stability. Two-phase non-Newtonian blood model is applied and three-element Windkessel model is implemented to reproduce physiological pressure waves. Simulations are carried out in three postoperative models to analyze different in situ fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair strategies; Case A: the protrusion length of fenestration stent is 23.2 mm representing the clinical postthoracic endovascular aortic repair aorta; Case B: the protrusion length is reduced by half simulating the improved surgery; Case C: the protruding portion is removed to simulate the ideal fenestration.

Results

In Case A, a pressure difference is found on the fenestration stent surface and a blood acceleration phenomenon around the stent is observed. Only 2.36% of the inlet blood flow is assigned to the left subclavian artery. In the improved surgery, the blood supply to the left subclavian artery is elevated to 4.01%. As for the ideal fenestration, a further improvement is observed (6.14%). Moreover, the aortic arch surface exposed to low time-averaged wall shear stress expands significantly when the protrusion length is shortened.

Conclusions

Overall, we conclude that appropriately shortening the protrusion length of the stent-graft may improve the efficacy of in situ fenestration thoracic endovascular aortic repair from the perspective of hemodynamics.
A dynamic parameter identification method of industrial robots considering joint elasticity
Authors: Ni Hepeng , Zhang Chengrui , Hu Tianliang , Wang Teng , Chen Qizhi , Chen Chao
Published: February 2019

Considering the joint elasticity, a novel dynamic parameter identification method is proposed for general industrial robots only with motor encoders. Firstly, the unknown parameters of the elastic joint dynamic model are analyzed and divided into two types. The first type is the motion-independent parameter only including the joint stiffness, which can be identified by the static force/torque-deformation experiments without the dynamic model. The second type is the motion-dependent parameter composed of the rest of the parameters, which needs the dynamic excitation experiments. Therefore, these two types of parameters can be identified separately. Meanwhile, it is found that the rotor inertia parameters can be obtained from the manufacturer, which reduces the identification difficulty of other parameters. After obtaining the rotor inertia and joint stiffness, an approximate processing algorithm is proposed considering the motor friction to establish the linear identification model of other parameters. Hence, the least squares can be employed to identify the parameters, and the independence of the inertia and joint viscous friction parameters are not affected. Meanwhile, the exciting trajectories can be optimized throughout the robot workspace, which reduces the effect of measurement noise on identification accuracy. With the proposed separated identification strategy and approximate processing algorithm, the dynamic parameters can be obtained precisely without double encoders on each joint. Finally, a series of simulations are conducted to evaluate the good performance of the proposed method.
Location-specific differences in hematoma volume predict outcomes in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Ironside Natasha , Chen Ching-Jen , Dreyer Victoria , Christophe Brandon , Buell Thomas J , Connolly Edward Sander
Published: February 2019

Background and objective

Functional outcome after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may vary depending on hematoma volume and location. We assessed the interaction between hematoma volume and location, and modified the original ICH score to include such an interaction.

Methods

Consecutive ICH patients were enrolled in the Intracerebral Hemorrhage Outcomes Project from 2009 to 2017. Inclusion criteria were age≥18 years, baseline modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score 0–2, neuroimaging, and follow-up. Functional dependence and mortality were defined as 90-day mRS>2 and death, respectively. A location ICH score was developed using multivariable regression and area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) analyses.

Results

The study cohort comprised 311 patients, and the derivation and validation cohorts comprised 209 and 102 patients, respectively. Interactions between hematoma volume and location predicted functional dependence ( p = 0.008) and mortality ( p = 0.025). The location ICH score comprised age≥80 years (1 point), Glasgow Coma Scale score (3–9 = 2 points; 10–13 = 1 point), volume–location (lobar:≥24 mL=2 points, 21–24 mL=1 point; deep:≥8 mL=2 points, 7–8 mL=1 point; brainstem:≥6 mL=2 points, 3–6 mL=1 point; cerebellum:≥24 mL=2 points, 12–24 mL=1 point), and intraventricular hemorrhage (1 point). AUROC of the location ICH score was higher in functional dependence (0.883 vs. 0.770, p = 0.002) but not mortality (0.838 vs. 0.841, p = 0.918) discrimination compared to the original ICH score.

Conclusions

The interaction between hematoma volume and location exerted an independent effect on outcomes. Excellent discrimination of functional dependence and mortality was observed with incorporation of location-specific volume thresholds into a prediction model. Therefore, the volume–location relationship plays an important role in ICH outcome prediction.
Survivin induces defects in apoptosis in eosinophils in intestine with food allergy
Authors: Gao Han , Feng Bai-Sui , Liu Jiang-Qi , Mo Li-Hua , Geng Xiao-Rui , Xiao Yuan , Zhang Yuan-Yi , Hong Jing-Yi , Liu Zhan-ju , Liu Zhi-Gang , Feng Yisheng , Yang Ping-Chang
Published: February 2019

Survivin is an anti-apoptosis protein that may be associated with the development of eosinophilia; the latter is associated with the pathogenesis of many immune disorders. Here we report that less apoptotic eosinophils (Eos) were induced in those isolated from mice suffering from food allergy (FA) than those from naive mice after treating with cisplatin in vitro. Exposure to cisplatin induced more Fas ligand (FasL) expression in Eos isolated from naive mice than in those of FA mouse. Survivin was detected in the intestinal tissue extracts in much higher amounts in the FA group than in the naive group. Immunohistochemistry showed that epithelial cells were the major source of survivin in the intestine. Exposure to IL-4 or IL-13 up-regulated the expression of survivin in intestinal epithelial cells. Survivin interfered with the expression of FasL in Eos. Inhibition of survivin attenuated the eosinophilia-related inflammation in the intestine. In conclusion, intestinal epithelial cell-produced survivin induced defects in apoptosis in Eos to contribute to eosinophilia in the intestine. Inhibition of survivin can suppress the eosinophilia-related intestinal inflammation. The data suggest that survivin may be a novel target for the treatment of FA.
Current advances in the treatment of giant cell arteritis: the role of biologics
Authors: Low Candice , Conway Richard
Published: February 2019

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of systemic vasculitis. It is a potentially severe disease with 25% of patients suffering vision loss or stroke. Our treatment paradigm is based on glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are required in high doses for prolonged periods and subsequently are associated with a significant amount of treatment-related morbidity. Alternative treatment options are urgently needed to minimize these glucocorticoid adverse events. Many other agents, such as methotrexate and tumour necrosis factor alpha inhibitors have been used in GCA, with limited or no evidence of benefit. Our emerging understanding of the pathogenic processes involved in GCA has led to an increased interest in the use of biologic agents to treat the disease. Two randomized controlled trials have recently reported dramatic effects of the use of the interleukin-6 targeted biologic tocilizumab in GCA, with significant increases in remission rates and decreases in glucocorticoid burden. While encouraging, longer-term and additional outcomes are awaited to clarify the exact positioning of tocilizumab in the treatment approach. Emerging data for other biologic agents, particularly abatacept and ustekinumab, are also encouraging but less well advanced. We are at the dawn of a new era in GCA treatment, but uncertainties and opportunities abound.
Central Nervous System Blastomycosis With Multiple Brain Abscesses Presenting as Right Upper Extremity Weakness
Authors: Ryan Dylan , Lippert William C. , Fenwick Alexander J. , Bhatt Mahesh , Jones Charles R.
Published: February 2019

Blastomycosis is a mycotic infection that typically affects the lung, but that can have dermatologic, orthopedic, genitourinary, and central nervous system manifestations. Blastomyces dermatitidis is a true human pathogen, which can produce disease in immunocompetent hosts. Risk factors for infection include residence in or travel to endemic areas and outdoor occupation, particularly those activities near open bodies of water and that disrupt soil. Immunosuppressed patients are also at increased risk for severe and disseminated disease. We present a case of a 79-year-old male who presented with a 2-week history of progressive right upper extremity weakness and severe odontogenic disease. He was found to have multiple brain abscesses with positive cultures from a cerebral abscess incision and drainage for B dermatitidis. He underwent an incision and drainage of the largest cerebral abscess and was treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin B, which he tolerated poorly. He was subsequently switched to voriconazole, which was well tolerated, and his neurological deficits improved throughout his hospitalization.
A Radiological Study Assessing the Prevalence of Frontal Recess Cells and the Most Common Frontal Sinus Drainage Pathways
Authors: Tran Luan V. , Ngo Ngoc H. , Psaltis Alkis J.
Published: February 2019

Background

To date, there are numerous studies documenting the prevalence of frontal recess cells, but only 1 study using the newly developed International Frontal Sinus Anatomical Classification (IFAC) system. The identification of the frontal cells and their influence on the frontal drainage pathway plays an important role in endoscopic frontal sinus surgery.

Objective

The aim of this study is to document the radiological prevalence of various types of frontal cells, as classified by IFAC and the most common frontal sinus drainage pathways based on its anatomic relationships with these cells.

Methods

Using a novel preoperative virtual planning software (Scopis Building Blocks), consecutive computerized tomography scans of the sinuses of patients were analyzed for the prevalence of frontal cells, as classified by the by IFAC, and the frontal sinus drainage pathways at the Ear Nose Throat Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Results

In this study, 208 computed tomography scans of consecutively selected frontal sinuses of 114 patients were included for analysis. The agger nasi cell was present in 95.7% of reviewed scans. The frontal cells prevalence was as follows: supra agger cell (SAC): 16.3%, supra agger frontal cell (SAFC): 13%, supra bulla cell (SBC): 46.2%, supra bulla frontal cell (SBFC): 4.3%, supra orbital ethmoid cell: 17.3%, and frontal septal cell: 10.6%. The most common frontal sinus pathway type in relation to frontal cells was medial to SAC (70.6%), medial to SAFC (81.5%), anterior to SBC (88.5%), and anterior to SBFC (100%). In cases that had 2 frontal cells group, the drainage pathway was medial to SAC/SAFC and anterior to SBC/SBFC in most cases.

Conclusion

This study documents the prevalence of frontal cells (classified by IFAC) using a novel preoperative virtual planning software in the Vietnamese population. It demonstrates predominantly medial anteromedial frontal drainage pathways as related to these frontal cells.
Pathophysiology, incidence, management, and consequences of cardiac arrhythmia in pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Cirulis Meghan M. , Ryan John J. , Archer Stephen L.
Published: February 2019

Arrhythmias are increasingly recognized as serious, end‐stage complications of pre‐capillary pulmonary hypertension, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Although arrhythmias contribute to symptoms, morbidity, in‐hospital mortality, and possibly sudden death in PAH/CTEPH, there remains a paucity of epidemiologic, pathophysiologic, and outcome data to guide management of these patients. This review summarizes the most current evidence on the topic: from the molecular mechanisms driving arrhythmia in the hypertrophied or failing right heart, to the clinical aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.
Comparison of linezolid and daptomycin for the treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia
Authors: Narayanan Navaneeth , Rai Rena , Vaidya Parth , Desai Avani , Bhowmick Tanaya , Weinstein Melvin P.
Published: February 2019

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia (VRE-B) is a common nosocomial infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Daptomycin and linezolid are primary treatment options although definitive clinical data to assess comparative therapeutic effectiveness are lacking. This study assessed the outcomes of patients with VRE-B treated with linezolid or daptomycin. This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study evaluating adult patients with VRE-B treated with either daptomycin or linezolid admitted between January 2012 and August 2016 at a tertiary care, academic medical center. The primary outcome was clinical failure, a composite outcome defined as 14-day in-hospital mortality, microbiologic failure, or relapse of VRE-B. Secondary outcomes included 14-day in-hospital mortality, microbiologic failure, relapse of VRE-B, duration of VRE-B, and antibiotic failure. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to adjust for potential confounding variables. A total of 93 patients were included ( n = 62 for linezolid and n = 31 for daptomycin). All blood isolates were Enterococcus faecium. Overall clinical failure was 55.9% and 14-day in-hospital mortality was 21.5%. There was a significantly higher rate of clinical failure in the daptomycin group as compared with the linezolid-treated patients (74.2% versus 46.8%; p = 0.01; respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, there was a significantly higher odds of clinical failure for patients treated with daptomycin as compared with linezolid (adjusted odds ratio 2.89; 95% confidence interval 1.08–7.75) after adjusting for confounders. Secondary outcomes were not statistically significantly different between study groups. Standard-dose (6 mg/kg) daptomycin treatment was associated with a higher rate of clinical failure as compared with linezolid treatment.
Environmental Hazards and Life Expectancy in Africa: Evidence From GARCH Model
Authors: Nkalu Chigozie Nelson , Edeme Richardson Kojo
Published: February 2019

This study investigates the extent to which environmental hazards affect the life expectancy in Africa using Nigeria time series data spanning from 1960 to 2017. The study adopted generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model in estimating the total number of 58 (years) observations to ensure robustness in the estimation results. The estimation results show that environmental hazards in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from solid fuel consumption reduce life expectancy (LEX) by 1 month and 3 weeks with a statistically significant result. Also, income, as proxied by GDP, extends LEX by 1 year 6 months with statistically insignificant result, while population growth (POPG) equally extends LEX by 5 years 5 months due to increase in human resource/manpower which enhances agricultural productivity in Africa. Based on the empirical findings, there is a need for the African Union (AU) to adopt a policy regulating the excessive CO2 emission from solid fuel consumption to ameliorate the negative consequences it exerts on the lifespan of the African population. Also among other policy recommendations, the economies in Africa should increase budgetary allocations to science and technology sector to drift the economies from solid fuel consumption to more robust electricity/digital driven technology and hybrid-energy efficient mechanisms.
Lesion Size Measured on MRI Does Not Accurately Reflect Arthroscopic Measurement in Talar Osteochondral Lesions
Authors: Yasui Youichi , Hannon Charles P. , Fraser Ethan J. , Ackermann Jakob , Boakye Lorraine , Ross Keir A. , Duke Gavin L. , Shimozono Yoshiharu , Kennedy John G.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Lesion size is a major determinant of treatment strategy for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used in the preoperative evaluation of OLTs, the reliability of the MRI measurement compared with the arthroscopic measurement is unknown.

Purpose:

To compare preoperative lesion size measured on MRI versus intraoperative lesion size measured during arthroscopy.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of patients treated with bone marrow stimulation for OLTs. The diameter of the lesion was measured at its widest point in 2 planes, and MRI measurements were compared with those made during arthroscopy using a custom-made graduated probe.

Results:

A total of 39 patients with 45 OLTs were analyzed. Mean ± SD area measurements on MRI were significantly greater than the equivalent arthroscopic measurements (42.2 ± 30.5 vs 28.6 ± 23.1 mm2, respectively; P = .03). Compared with the arthroscopic measurement, MRI overestimated OLT size in 53.3% (24/45) of ankles and underestimated OLT size in 24.4% (11/45). The mean MRI diameter measurement was significantly greater than the arthroscopic measurement in the coronal plane (MRI diameter vs arthroscopic measurement coronal plane, 6.1 ± 2.6 vs 4.9 ± 2.3 mm, P = .03; sagittal plane, 8.0 ± 3.6 vs 6.3 ± 3.6 mm, P = .05). Further, MRI overestimated coronal diameter in 48.9% (22/45) of ankles and underestimated in 26.7% (12/45) compared with the arthroscopic measurement. Similarly, sagittal plane MRI diameter measurements overestimated lesion size in 46.7% (21/45) of ankles and underestimated lesion size in 28.9% (13/45) compared with the arthroscopic findings.

Conclusion:

In a majority of lesions, MRI overestimated OLT area and diameter compared with arthroscopy. Surgeons should be aware of the discrepancies that can exist between MRI and arthroscopic measurements, as these data are important in making treatment decisions and educating patients.
Prediction of the sphenopalatine ganglion localization in computerized tomography images
Authors: Crespi Joan , Bratbak Daniel , Dodick David , Matharu Manjit , Jamtøy Kent Are , Tronvik Erling
Published: February 2019

Background:

The sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) is a target for several headache syndromes. Most of the groups targeting the SPG do not localize it directly, and this might account for some therapeutic failures. As the SPG cannot be seen on computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance image (MRI) must be used to visualize the ganglion. It would be advantageous to be able to predict the location of the SPG on CT scans for those using fluoroscopy or CT-guided injections and for those in whom MRI is not accessible or contraindicated.

Methods:

We localized the SPG in 21 Caucasian patients (21 right and 17 left ganglia; total 38) in 3 tesla MR images subsequently fused with CT scans. We measured the distance from the SPG to two bony landmarks identified on CT scans. We then applied the average distances to find an estimated position of the SPG. The first landmark was the center of the anterior opening of the vidian canal (VC). The second landmark was a point on the sphenoidal bone, defined in an axial plane at the level of the center of the VC (S-point). The predicted position of the SPG measured from the VC and the sphenoidal bone were referred to as, respectively, vcSPG and sSPG. Finally, the distances between the SPG, as seen on MRI, and predicted vcSPG/sSPG were calculated.

Results:

The average distance between SPG as seen on the MRI images and the estimated position based on CT images were 1.82 mm (SD 0.83, range 0.22–3.57 mm) for vcSPG and 2.09 mm (SD 0.99, range 0.71–4.79 mm) for sSPG.

Conclusions:

The localization of the SPG can be predicted on CT images using bony landmarks. Localization of the SPG may be important in achieving successful therapeutic outcomes for treatments that are directed toward the SPG.