bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A narrative review of economic constructs in commonly used implementation and scale-up theories, frameworks and models
Authors: Vicki Brown , Huong Tran , Miranda Blake , Rachel Laws , Marj Moodie
Published: October 2020

Background

Translating research evidence into practice is challenging and, to date, there are relatively few public health interventions that have been effectively and cost-effectively implemented and delivered at scale. Theories, models and frameworks (herein termed ‘frameworks’) have been used in implementation science to describe, guide and explain implementation and scale-up. While economic constructs have been reported as both barriers and facilitators to effective implementation and scale-up of public health interventions, there is currently no published review of how economic constructs are considered within commonly used implementation and scale-up frameworks. This paper aimed to narratively review the economic constructs incorporated in commonly used implementation and scale-up frameworks.

Methods

Frameworks for inclusion in the narrative review were identified from the literature and thematic content analysis was undertaken using a recursive deductive approach. Emergent key themes and sub-themes were identified and results were summarised narratively within each theme.

Results

Twenty-six framework publications were included in our analysis, with wide variation between frameworks in the scope and level of detail of the economic constructs included. Four key themes emerged from the data – ‘resources’, ‘benefit’, ‘cost’ and ‘funding’. Only five frameworks incorporated all four identified key themes. Overarching lenses from which to consider key themes included ‘stakeholder perspectives’, ‘stage in the research translation process’ and ‘context’. ‘Resources’ were most frequently considered in relation to the sub-themes of ‘types of resources’ (e.g. labour, time or infrastructure) and ‘availability’ of resources, and the opportunity for ‘economies of scale’. The ‘relative advantage of interventions’ emerged as an interconnecting sub-theme between ‘cost’ and ‘benefit’. ‘Funding’ was most often considered in relation to ‘funding sources’, ‘availability’, ‘sustainability’ or ‘contextual impact’. The concept of ‘opportunity cost’ was considered in relatively few frameworks, despite being fundamental to economic theory.

Conclusions

Implementation and scale-up frameworks provide a conceptual map to inform the effective and cost-effective implementation of public health interventions delivered at scale. Despite evidence of an emerging focus on the economic considerations of implementation and scale-up within some commonly used frameworks, our findings suggest that there is significant scope for further exploration of the economic constructs related to implementation and scale-up.
The use of augmented antibiotic-loaded cement spacer in periprosthetic joint infection patients with acetabular bone defect
Authors: Fu Jun , Xiang Yi , Ni Ming , Chen Jiying , Li Xiang , Yu Baozhan , Liu Kan , Zhou Yonggang , Hao Libo
Published: October 2020

Background

Spacer complications may affect final clinical outcome of the two-stage approach in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) patients. This study aimed to investigate clinical outcomes and complications of augmented antibiotic-loaded cement spacer in PJI patients with acetabular bone defect.

Methods

Data on PJI patients with acetabular bone defect receiving two-stage revision from January 2009 to December 2016, in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Screw-cement-shell was used to improve the stability of the hip with acetabular wall defect. Handmade acetabular spacer could prevent femoral spacer entering into pelvis in patients with acetabular internal wall defect. A total of 26 patients (11 males and 15 females) were included in the current study. Their mean age was 46.7 ± 15.4 years old. Clinical outcomes and complications were measured.

Results

Twenty-one of total 26 hips (21/26, 80.8%) showed positive cultures and 15/26 (57.7%) samples were cultured with staphylococcus. Of enrolled patients, 5/26 (19.2%) developed mixed infection. There was one patient (3.8%) with spacer dislocation and two (7.7%) with spacer fracture. One patient developed acute PJI 5 years after the second-stage revision, so overall success rate among these patients was 96.2%. Differences in Paprosky classifications before the first and second stage did not reach significant level (p > 0.05). Hip Harris score was raised from 40.9 ± 14.0 to 81.2 ± 11.2 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Augmented antibiotic-loaded cement spacer could achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes in PJI patients with acetabular bone defect. It provided joint mobility, increased additional joint stability, and decreased iatrogenic bone defect caused by acetabular wear.
Mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: early and mid-term outcomes
Authors: Li Jun , Zhao Yun , Zhou Tianyu , Wang Yongshi , Zhu Kai , Zhai Junyu , Sun Yongxin , Lai Hao , Wang Chunsheng
Published: October 2020

Background

This study aims to evaluate the early and mid-term outcomes of mitral valve repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Methods

From January 2005 to December 2016, the profiles of patients with degenerative MR who underwent mitral valve repair at our institution were analyzed. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was defined as an ejection fraction < 60% or left ventricular end-systolic dimension > 40 mm. Finally, 322 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction were included in this study. The prognosis of left ventricular function during follow-up was evaluated and preoperative factors associated with deteriorated left ventricular systolic function during follow-up were analyzed.

Results

The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.6%. The rate of eight-year overall survival, freedom from reoperation for mitral valve and freedom from recurrent MR were 96.9, 91.2 and 73.4%, respectively. Intraoperative residual mild MR (hazard ratio 4.82) and an isolated anterior leaflet lesion (hazard ratio 2.48) were independent predictive factors for recurrent MR. During follow-up, 212 patients underwent echocardiography examinations at our institution. Among them, 132 patients had improved left ventricular systolic function, and 80 patients had deteriorated left ventricular systolic. Freedom from recurrent MR was found in 75.9% of the improved left ventricular systolic function group and 56.2% of the deteriorated left ventricular systolic function group (P = 0.047). An age > 50 years (odds ratio 2.40), ejection fraction≤52% (odds ratio 2.79) and left ventricular end-systolic dimension≥45 mm (odds ratio 2.31) were independent risk factors for deteriorated left ventricular systolic function during follow-up.

Conclusions

Mitral valve repair could be safely performed for degenerative MR in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Intraoperative residual mild MR and an isolated anterior leaflet lesion were independent predictive factors for recurrent MR. An age > 50 years, ejection fraction≤52% and left ventricular end-systolic dimension≥45 mm were independent risk factors for deteriorated left ventricular systolic function during follow-up.
Cost-effective treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia for an undocumented and uninsured New York City patient: a case report
Authors: Saffra Norman A. , Emborgo Trisha S. , Iacob Codrin E. , Kirsch David S.
Published: October 2020

Background

New York City has a heterogeneous population with many undocumented and uninsured immigrants from equatorial areas who have a higher incidence of ocular surface squamous neoplasia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented selection of this cost-effective treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (the use of absolute ethanol along the corneal margin, primary excision, double freeze-thaw cryopexy, and primary conjunctival closure) for an undocumented and uninsured New York City patient.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old man from Ecuador presented to a New York City emergency department due to worsening discomfort of a long-standing left eye pterygium. A slit-lamp examination of the left eye demonstrated a nasally located conjunctival mass measuring 6 × 8 mm extending onto the cornea (3 mm superiorly and 6 mm inferiorly on the cornea). Histological diagnosis confirmed squamous cell carcinomain situarising from the pterygium. Surgical excision with adjunctive absolute alcohol with additive double freeze-thaw cryopexy was performed. Our patient has remained free of tumor recurrence at year 2 postoperative visit.

Conclusions

Our case highlights the need to choose a cost-effective treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia in an at-risk population among undocumented and uninsured patients. Areas in the world with similar types of populations or treatment challenges may need to consider this approach as a primary treatment option.
The applications of Sobolev inequalities in proving the existence of solution of the quasilinear parabolic equation
Authors: Li Yuanfei , Guo Lianhong , Zeng Peng
Published: October 2020

The aim of this paper is to show some applications of Sobolev inequalities in partial differential equations. With the aid of some well-known inequalities, we derive the existence of global solution for the quasilinear parabolic equations. When the blow-up occurs, we derive the lower bound of the blow-up solution.
Computation of semi-analytical solutions of fuzzy nonlinear integral equations
Authors: Ullah Zia , Ullah Aman , Shah Kamal , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: October 2020

In this article, we use a fuzzy number in its parametric form to solve a fuzzy nonlinear integral equation of the second kind in the crisp case. The main theme of this article is to find a semi-analytical solution of fuzzy nonlinear integral equations. A hybrid method of Laplace transform coupled with Adomian decomposition method is used to find the solution of the fuzzy nonlinear integral equations including fuzzy nonlinear Fredholm integral equation, fuzzy nonlinear Volterra integral equation, and fuzzy nonlinear singular integral equation of Abel type kernel. We also provide some suitable examples to better understand the proposed method.
Investigating host-microbiome interactions by droplet based microfluidics
Authors: Tauzin Alexandra S. , Pereira Mariana Rangel , Van Vliet Liisa D. , Colin Pierre-Yves , Laville Elisabeth , Esque Jeremy , Laguerre Sandrine , Henrissat Bernard , Terrapon Nicolas , Lombard Vincent , Leclerc Marion , Doré Joël , Hollfelder Florian , Potocki-Veronese Gabrielle
Published: October 2020

Background

Despite the importance of the mucosal interface between microbiota and the host in gut homeostasis, little is known about the mechanisms of bacterial gut colonization, involving foraging for glycans produced by epithelial cells. The slow pace of progress toward understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms is largely due to the lack of efficient discovery tools, especially those targeting the uncultured fraction of the microbiota.

Results

Here, we introduce an ultra-high-throughput metagenomic approach based on droplet microfluidics, to screen fosmid libraries. Thousands of bacterial genomes can be covered in 1 h of work, with less than ten micrograms of substrate. Applied to the screening of the mucosal microbiota for β-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity, this approach allowed the identification of pathways involved in the degradation of human gangliosides and milk oligosaccharides, the structural homologs of intestinal mucin glycans. These pathways, whose prevalence is associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, could be the result of horizontal gene transfers with Bacteroides species. Such pathways represent novel targets to study the microbiota-host interactions in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases, in which the integrity of the mucosal barrier is impaired.

Conclusion

By compartmentalizing experiments inside microfluidic droplets, this method speeds up and miniaturizes by several orders of magnitude the screening process compared to conventional approaches, to capture entire metabolic pathways from metagenomic libraries. The method is compatible with all types of (meta)genomic libraries, and employs a commercially available flow cytometer instead of a custom-made sorting system to detect intracellular or extracellular enzyme activities. This versatile and generic workflow will accelerate experimental exploration campaigns in functional metagenomics and holobiomics studies, to further decipher host-microbiota relationships.
Needlescopic surgery for large umbilical hernia in a patient with morbid obesity using intraperitoneal onlay mesh with fascial defect closure: a case report
Authors: Fujiwara Hisataka , Suto Takayuki , Umemura Akira , Tanahashi Yota , Amano Satoshi , Ikeda Kenichiro , Harada Kazuho , Sasaki Akira
Published: October 2020

Background

The European and American guidelines recommend that symptomatic umbilical hernias (UHs) are repaired using an open approach with a preperitoneal flat mesh. However, the standard treatment procedure for large UH in patients with extreme obesity is yet to be established. Here, we present the first case of a patient with morbid obesity undergoing laparoscopic UH repair using needlescopic instruments and an intraperitoneal onlay mesh plus repair (IPOM plus).

Case presentation

A 29-year-old man, who was classified as morbidly obese (body mass index, 36.7 kg/m2) noticed a reducible nontender mass in the umbilical region and was subsequently diagnosed with an UH, with a diameter of 4 cm. Laparoscopic IPOM plus repair was planned using a needlescopic method for a large UH in the patient with morbid obesity. A 3-mm rigid laparoscope was mainly used in the procedure. After a 12-mm trocar and two 3-mm trocars were inserted, fascial defect closure was performed using intracorporeal suturing with 0 monofilament polypropylene threads. Then, IPOM was performed laparoscopically using an 11.4-cm round mesh coated with collagen to prevent adhesions. The operative time and blood loss were 57 min and 1 g, respectively. The postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusions

Reduced-port laparoscopic surgery using needlescopic instruments and an IPOM plus technique is a minimally invasive and convenient combination option for large UH in a patient with morbid obesity.
Unusual giant multilocular mesothelial cyst of mediastinum
Authors: Manabe Takehiko , Oka Soichi , Ono Kenji
Published: October 2020

Background

Intrathoracic mesothelial cysts are congenital lesions induced by the abnormal development of the pericardial coelom. There have been a few reports of giant mesothelial cyst of the superior mediastinum, but the preferred treatment remains a controversial topic. We herein report a rare case of successful removal of giant mesothelial cyst that was incidentally detected during a medical checkup.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old man with a feeling of mild chest tightness was referred to our hospital for the evaluation of an abnormal shadow of the mediastinum on chest X-ray. Computed tomography showed a multilocular, homogenous, large cyst in the superior mediastinum measuring 18 cm in size without contrast enhancement and with spotty calcification, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a low intensity on T1-weighted images and high intensity on T2-weighted images. Therefore, a cystic thymoma, thymic cyst, lymphangioma, cystic teratoma or pericardial cyst was suspected as the preoperative diagnosis. Despite mild symptoms, the patient underwent total thymectomy under median sternotomy for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The pathological diagnosis was giant multilocular mesothelial cyst.

Conclusions

Intrathoracic mesothelial cyst is a benign cyst and generally asymptomatic, but can sometimes induce critical chest clinical symptoms if untreated, depending on its size. In our case, complete surgical resection and a detailed pathological evaluation was effective for making the appropriate diagnosis and delivering treatment. In addition, an immunohistological evaluation is effective for diagnosing mesothelial cysts when it is difficult to distinguish the cyst from other cystic lesions.
A rare case of cavernous hemangioma accompanied with diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis
Authors: Ota Takuji , Kamiyama Toshiya , Kato Takuya , Hanamoto Takayuki , Hirose Kunihiro , Otsuka Noriyuki , Matsuoka Shinichi , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: October 2020

Background

Hepatic cavernous hemangioma (CH) is the most common hepatic benign tumor. Most cases are solitary, asymptomatic, and found incidentally. In symptomatic cases with rapidly growing tumors and coagulopathy, surgical treatment is considered. In rare cases, diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis (DHH) is reported as a comorbidity. The etiology of DHH is unknown.

Case presentation

A 29-year-old female patient had a history of endometriosis treated with oral contraceptives. Hepatic CH was incidentally detected in the segment IVa of the liver according to the Couinaud classification. Follow-up computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound sonography showed the growth of the lesion and formation of multiple new lesions near the first. Enhanced CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the new lesions were different from CH. Although oral contraceptives were stopped, all lesions grew in size. Malignancy and possibility of rupture of these tumors were considered due to the clinical course, and we opted for surgical removal of the tumors. Left liver lobectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Surgical findings were small red spot spreading and a mass in segment IV of the liver. Pathological examination revealed a circumscribed sponge-like tumor with diffuse irregular extension to the adjacent area. Both of the lesions consisted of blood-filled dilated vascular spaces lined by flat endothelium without atypia. The diagnosis was hepatic CH with DHH. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 12 uneventfully.

Conclusion

We report the successful resection of CH with DHH. The case findings suggest a relationship between oral contraceptive use and enlargement of CH and DHH. Although DHH has been poorly understood, a few previously published cases reported DHH occurrence in patients using oral contraceptives. In such cases, the decision to perform surgical resection should be made after careful examination.
Serum adipocytokines and adiposity as predictive indices of preeclampsia
Authors: Bawah Ahmed Tijani , Yeboah Francis Agyemang , Nanga Salifu , Alidu Huseini , Ngala Robert A.
Published: October 2020

Background

This study was aimed at determining the levels of serum adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin and lipids during the first trimester in pregnant women and to evaluate the relationship between these biochemical markers and preeclampsia (PE). Available evidence point to changes in the levels of these adipokines in PE hence this study examined the potential of using these biomarkers in the prediction of the disease.

Methods

This was a case-control study which compared first trimester serum biochemical and anthropometric parameters in pregnant women who subsequently developed PE and those who did not. Blood pressure and urine protein were determined after 20 weeks of gestation and diagnosis of PE performed according to the guidelines of the American Heart Association.

Results

There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the lipid profile with the exception of HDL cholesterol which was significantly lower (p = 0.043) in the PE group compared to the normotensive group. There were, however, significant differences (p <  0.05) in the adipokines between the PE group and those without PE. Analyses of area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the adipokines, showed their ability to correctly predict PE even after controlling for body mass index (BMI) and family history of hypertension.

Conclusion

Adiponectin, leptin, resistin and visfatin were found to be significant predictors of PE, with resistin being the best predictor after controlling for BMI. However, adiponectin was the best predictor after controlling for BMI, age, parity and family history of diabetes and preeclmapsia.
Using machine-learning risk prediction models to triage the acuity of undifferentiated patients entering the emergency care system: a systematic review
Authors: Miles Jamie , Turner Janette , Jacques Richard , Williams Julia , Mason Suzanne
Published: October 2020

Background

The primary objective of this review is to assess the accuracy of machine learning methods in their application of triaging the acuity of patients presenting in the Emergency Care System (ECS). The population are patients that have contacted the ambulance service or turned up at the Emergency Department. The index test is a machine-learning algorithm that aims to stratify the acuity of incoming patients at initial triage. This is in comparison to either an existing decision support tool, clinical opinion or in the absence of these, no comparator. The outcome of this review is the calibration, discrimination and classification statistics.

Methods

Only derivation studies (with or without internal validation) were included. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed and the grey literature were searched on the 14th December 2019. Risk of bias was assessed using the PROBAST tool and data was extracted using the CHARMS checklist. Discrimination (C-statistic) was a commonly reported model performance measure and therefore these statistics were represented as a range within each machine learning method. The majority of studies had poorly reported outcomes and thus a narrative synthesis of results was performed.

Results

There was a total of 92 models (from 25 studies) included in the review. There were two main triage outcomes: hospitalisation (56 models), and critical care need (25 models). For hospitalisation, neural networks and tree-based methods both had a median C-statistic of 0.81 (IQR 0.80-0.84, 0.79-0.82). Logistic regression had a median C-statistic of 0.80 (0.74-0.83). For critical care need, neural networks had a median C-statistic of 0.89 (0.86-0.91), tree based 0.85 (0.84-0.88), and logistic regression 0.83 (0.79-0.84).

Conclusions

Machine-learning methods appear accurate in triaging undifferentiated patients entering the Emergency Care System. There was no clear benefit of using one technique over another; however, models derived by logistic regression were more transparent in reporting model performance. Future studies should adhere to reporting guidelines and use these at the protocol design stage.

Registration and funding

This systematic review is registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) and can be accessed online at the following URL:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020168696

This study was funded by the NIHR as part of a Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship.
Contamination inside CT gantry in the SARS-CoV-2 era
Authors: Matos João , Paparo Francesco , Mori Marco , Veneziano Alessio , Sartini Marina , Cristina Maria Luisa , Rollandi Gian Andrea
Published: October 2020

We investigated whether the internal gantry components of our computed tomography (CT) scanner contain severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ribonucleic acid (RNA), bacterial or fungal agents. From 1 to 27 March 2020, we performed 180 examinations of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection using a dedicated CT scanner. On 27 March 2020, this CT gantry was opened and sampled in each of the following components: (a) gantry case; (b) inward airflow filter; (c) gantry motor; (d) x-ray tube; (e) outflow fan; (f) fan grid; (g) detectors; and (h) x-ray tube filter. To detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA, samples were analysed using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). To detect bacterial or fungal agents, samples have been collected using “replicate organism detection and counting” contact plates of 24 cm2, containing tryptic soy agar, and subsequently cultured. RT-PCR detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the inward airflow filter sample. RT-PCR of remaining gantry samples did not reveal the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Neither bacterial nor fungal agents grew in the agar-based growth medium after the incubation period. Our data showed that SARS-Cov-2 RNA can be found inside the CT gantry only in the inward airflow filter. All remaining CT gantry components were devoid of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
Influence of cultural practices on food waste in South Africa—a review
Authors: Phasha Lethabo , Molelekwa Gomotsegang F. , Mokgobu Matlou I. , Morodi Thabiso J. , Mokoena Michael M. , Mudau Lutendo S.
Published: October 2020

Background, aim, and objectives

The purpose of the review is to assess the cultural practices and its influence on food waste in South Africa. Furthermore, it explores the reasons for food waste by looking at different cultural practice of various ethnic groups in South Africa. The growing concern of the challenges of waste on human health and the environment has pressured the world to come up with drastic measures on how to manage waste to reduce both environmental and public health impacts. One of the concerns is that food waste has become one of the main contributors to increased greenhouse gas emissions. However, South Africa does not have stringent measures to control or reduce food waste in its communities.

Methods

An extensive online search was conducted to assess the influence of culture on food waste in South Africa and explore how other countries’ cultural practices contribute to food waste. Information was retrieved from online reports, journals, and books.

Results and conclusions

The studies showed a diversity of cultures and practices in South Africa compared to other countries. For example, in affluent countries where food is available in large quantities, cultural practices have a major influence on food waste. Moreover, some studies highlighted the fact that even though most developing countries are overwhelmed by poor people, many of whom live below the poverty line, food waste is also a challenge. In South Africa, food waste generated during social activities that are related to cultural practices remains a serious challenge. This is because during the cultural and social events, food is prepared in large quantities, which ends up not being wholly consumed and resulting in an increase in food waste that gets disposed of at the landfill sites. The government of South Africa must institute awareness raising measures to inform communities to avoid or reduce the generation of food waste. This would reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and environmental impact, and to protect human health.
Comparison of the adsorption capacity of acetaminophen on sugarcane bagasse and corn cob by dynamic simulation
Authors: Juela Diego M.
Published: October 2020

Acetaminophen (ACT), an antipyretic analgesic, is one of the emerging pollutants that has been found in high concentrations in domestic and hospital wastewaters. This study compared the adsorption capacity of sugarcane bagasse (SB) and corn cob (CC) for the ACT removal through the dynamic simulation of the adsorption column using Aspen Adsorption® V10. The effects of flow rate (1.5–3.0 mL min− 1), ACT initial concentration (40–80 mg L− 1), and bed height (20–35 cm) on the breakthrough curves were studied. Finally, the simulation results were validated with experimental studies, and analyzed by error functions, sum of squared errors (SSE), absolute average deviation (AAD), and coefficient of determination (R2). Based on the predicted breakthrough curves, ACT is adsorbed in greater quantity on CC, with saturation times and adsorption capacity greater than SB in all simulations. The maximum adsorption capacity was 0.47 and 0.32 mg g− 1 for CC and SB, respectively, under condition of flow rate of 1.5 mL min− 1, bed height of 25 cm, and ACT initial concentration of 80 mg L− 1. Breakthrough and saturation times were higher when the column operated at low flow rates, large bed height, and low ACT concentrations, for both adsorbents. The predicted and experimental breakthrough curves satisfactorily coincided with R2 values greater than 0.97, SSE and AAD values ​​less than 5% and 0.2, respectively, for all studies. The experimental adsorption capacity was greater for CC than for SB, thus confirming that the software is able to predict which adsorbent may be more effective for ACT removal. The results of this study would speed up the search for effective materials to remove ACT from wastewaters.
Can medial stability be preserved after open wedge high tibial osteotomy?
Authors: Kim Hee-June , Shin Ji-Yeon , Lee Hyun-Joo , Park Kyeong-Hyeon , Jung Chul-Hee , Kyung Hee-Soo
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study evaluated the medial joint stability after high tibial osteotomy (HTO) releasing the superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) without cutting and repairing.

Methods

Twenty-one patients who performed HTO were enrolled. After an L-shaped incision was made in the pes anserinus, the sMCL was released from the distal portion during surgery. After plate fixation, the sMCL was reattached and the pes anserinus was repaired underneath the plate. Plate removal was performed after 31.1 ± 14.2 months. Before HTO, a valgus force of 40 N was exerted at extension for reference values. Before and after plate removal, a valgus force of 40 N was exerted at extension and at a flexion position of 20°. Medial stability was evaluated by measuring the joint line convergence angle (JLCA).

Results

The JLCAs in the extension state before HTO and plate removal were 1.64° ± 1.15° and 1.83° ± 1.36°, respectively; there was no significant difference (p = 0.198). There was also no significant difference in JLCA before HTO and after plate removal (p = 0.835). There was also no significant difference in JLCA before and after plate removal both at a knee extension and flexion position of 20° (p = 0.348 and p = 0.456, respectively).

Conclusions

Releasing the sMCL without cutting and repairing the pes anserinus underneath the plate during medial open wedge HTO could facilitate the maintenance of medial joint stability.
Evaluation of pulmonary complications in patients undergoing allogenic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Zidan Mohamed , Nafea Dalia Ahmed , Okasha Hadir Ahmed Said , Abouelnour Ahmed Farag , Eshmawey Heba Ahmed
Published: October 2020

Background

Mature blood cells can be differentiated from hematopoietic stem cells; thus, the latter can play a crucial role in maintaining defense against different microorganisms. Thus, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is one of the most important lines of immunotherapy. Major systemic complications may occur post transplantation and could be fatal. Pulmonary complications include infectious and non-infectious complications. The aim of this study was to detect the pulmonary complications in allogeneic stem cell transplantation patients.

Results

We studied 20 patients after transplantation of allogeneic stem cells with regular follow-up in outpatient clinic of hematology department of Alexandria Main University Hospital. All the studied patients were subjected to history taking, plain x-ray chest PA view, CT chest, complete blood count, serum creatinine, liver enzymes, and serum cytomegalovirus (CMV) detection by antibodies IgG and IgM. Regarding sputum sampling, 7 patients’ samples (35%) were obtained either spontaneously or by induction via hypertonic saline 3%. One patient (5%) had miniBAL done, while bronchoalveolar lavage using fiber optic bronchoscopy was done for 2 patients (10%). Samples could not be obtained from the remaining patients. Samples were analyzed for culture for bacteria,Pneumocystis jiroveciusing immunofluorescence test, CMV PCR, fungal culture, and smear for acid fast bacilli (AFB). Among the examined patients, 2 patients (20%) had pulmonary bacterial infection including streptococcus and multidrug-resistant strain ofKlebsiella, 3 patients (30%) had pulmonary candida infection, and one patient (10%) had positive result of pulmonary CMV of low count which was considered insignificant. None of our patients had positive results for pulmonary tuberculosis norPneumocystis jiroveci. Six patients (30%) had CMV in serum; 3 patients (15.8%) had manifested CMV reactivation. One patient (5%) of our patients had pulmonary graft versus host disease GVHD. One patient (5%) had died during our study course within 12 days post-transplantation due to ARDS followed by multiple organ failure.

Conclusion

The prevalence of pulmonary infectious complications after allogenic stem cell transplantation was 50% of all studied patients, while 5% of the studied patients presented with non-infectious pulmonary complications.
Edge-aware filtering with Siamese neural networks
Authors: Aharchaou Mehdi , Matheney Michael , Molyneux Joe , Neumann Erik
Published: October 2020

Recent demands to reduce turnaround times and expedite investment decisions in seismic exploration have invited new ways to process and interpret seismic data. Among these ways is a more integrated collaboration between seismic processors and geologist interpreters aiming to build preliminary geologic models for early business impact. A key aspect has been quick and streamlined delivery of clean high-fidelity 3D seismic images via postmigration filtering capabilities. We present a machine learning-based example of such a capability built on recent advances in deep learning systems. In particular, we leverage the power of Siamese neural networks, a new class of neural networks that is powerful at learning discriminative features. Our novel adaptation, edge-aware filtering, employs a deep Siamese network that ranks similarity between seismic image patches. Once the network is trained, we capitalize on the learned features and self-similarity property of seismic images to achieve within-image stacking power endowed with edge awareness. The method generalizes well to new data sets due to the few-shot learning ability of Siamese networks. Furthermore, the learning-based framework can be extended to a variety of noise types in 3D seismic data. Using a convolutional architecture, we demonstrate on three field data sets that the learned representations lead to superior filtering performance compared to structure-oriented filtering. We examine both filtering quality and ease of application in our analysis. Then, we discuss the potential of edge-aware filtering as a data conditioning tool for rapid structural interpretation.
Workshop Review
Authors: Suto Koya , Li Yunyue Elita , Cheng Arthur
Published: October 2020

The development of large cities presents unique social, political, and technical challenges. As a city grows in population, the limited area must accommodate people and infrastructure. Additionally, economic development attracts even more people to large cities. With limited surface land area, these cities must create space in the third dimension: upward and downward. Larger cities are already full of skyscrapers, and the underground is typically used for utility infrastructure, subways, road tunnels, car parks, warehouses, and sometimes for activities of human life such as shopping centers, meeting places, and art galleries. Some cities are exploring the use of the underground space for offices, schools, and even residential buildings.
Synthesis and Morphological Control of Organic Semiconducting Materials Using the Precursor Approach
Authors: Yamada Hiroko , Kuzuhara Daiki , Suzuki Mitsuharu , Hayashi Hironobu , Aratani Naoki
Published: October 2020

Pristine π-extended aromatic compounds are attractive as organic functional materials including organic semiconductors, but are difficult to synthesize in pure form because of their low solubility in common organic solvents. The precursor approach is a very useful method to synthesize pure π-extended aromatic compounds that cannot be prepared via traditional organic synthesis in flasks. In this approach, pure precursors are first prepared; these precursors are then converted quantitatively to the target molecules via a retro-Diels–Alder reaction or Strating–Zwanenburg photodecarbonylation reaction. This approach has also been used for the on-surface synthesis of the large acenes, heptacene and nonacene, under ultra-high vacuum in order to investigate their electronic properties, and is useful for the control of the packing structure of organic semiconductors in solution–processed films. The charge carrier mobilities of organic photovoltaics and organic field effect transistors have been improved using the precursor approach in combination with substituent effects. This account focuses on the synthesis and morphological control of aromatic compounds using the precursor approach in our group in the last decade.
Pneumomediastinum in a child with severe COVID-19
Authors: Carroll Anne G , Quinn Nuala , Byrne Carl , Kassab Ghadir , Whelan Siobhan , Colleran Gabrielle C
Published: October 2020

The current global pandemic of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 is a threat to the health and lives of millions of people worldwide. The latest statistics from the World Health Organisation show that there have been 6,515,796 confirmed cases worldwide with 387,298 confirmed deaths (last update 5 June 2020, 10:41 CEST). The majority of critically unwell patients with SARS-CoV2 are adults and the radiological findings associated with them are consistent throughout the literature. However, the reported paediatric cases are few, and as such, there is a limited body of evidence available. More international data is needed, not only on the clinical presentation, but also the radiological findings, so that health-care providers are better able to understand and diagnose this pandemic disease. We describe a case of a previously healthy 9-year-old female who presented to the Emergency Department with symptoms suggestive of raised intracranial pressure. Her CT revealed a medulloblastoma and post-operatively she tested positive for SARS-CoV2. She had a rapid deterioration in her clinical condition and required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). We provide the supporting radiology along her clinical course in order to demonstrate important insights into this disease in children, including the unusual pnemomediastinum complications which occurred as part of her clinical course. This case is the first reported of its kind.
Increased ischemia-modified albumin levels in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Cakirca Gokhan , Guzelcicek Ahmet , Yilmaz Kenan , Nas Cemal
Published: October 2020

Objective: Growing evidence shows that oxidative stress plays an important role in the development and progression of nephrotic syndrome (NS). In this study, we aimed to examine serum IMA levels as an indicator of oxidative stress in children with steroid-sensitive NS (SSNS) in remission and relapse.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Pediatric Nephrology Unit of Sanliurfa Training and Research Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey, from April 2019 to December 2019. In this study Serum IMA and albumin levels were determined in 70 children with SSNS and 45 healthy controls. Among the children with SSNS, 50 were in remission and 20 were in relapse. Then, adjusted IMA levels were calculated from the IMA/albumin ratio.

Results: IMA and adjusted IMA levels significantly increased and albumin significantly decreased in children with SSNS in relapse and remission compared with those of the healthy controls. Moreover, these alterations were more prominent in the relapse group than in the remission group. IMA was inversely correlated with albumin in children with SSNS (r= −0.881, p= <0.001).

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that elevated IMA and adjusted IMA levels observed in patients with SSNS were associated with increased oxidative stress and could indirectly reflect the degree of oxidative damage in glomerular structures.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2924

How to cite this:Cakirca G, Guzelcicek A, Yilmaz K, Nas C. Increased ischemia-modified albumin levels in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(7):1490-1494. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2924

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Mitochondrial isolation: when size matters
Authors: Bury Alexander G. , Vincent Amy E. , Turnbull Doug M. , Actis Paolo , Hudson Gavin
Published: October 2020

Mitochondrial vitality is critical to cellular function, with mitochondrial dysfunction linked to a growing number of human diseases. Tissue and cellular heterogeneity, in terms of genetics, dynamics and function means that increasingly mitochondrial research is conducted at the single cell level. Whilst, there are several single-cell technologies that are currently available, each with their advantages, they cannot be easily adapted to study mitochondria with subcellular resolution. Here we review the current techniques and strategies for mitochondrial isolation, critically discussing each technology’s limitations for future mitochondrial research. Finally, we highlight and discuss the recent breakthroughs in sub-cellular isolation techniques, with a particular focus on nanotechnologies that enable the isolation of mitochondria, from subcellular compartments, with unprecedented spatial precision with minimal disruption to mitochondria and their immediate cellular environment.
La resignificación del discurso político a través de memes: el caso de Enrique Peña Nieto
Authors: Collado Campos Alejandra Nallely
Published: October 2020

Los 'memesʼ se han convertido en una fuente de entretenimiento, información, denuncia y en aliados de la sociedad civil que emiten, comparten y hace circular la crítica política. En México, el sexenio presidencial de Enrique Peña Nieto (EPN) estuvo plagado de sucesos mediáticos que lo han hecho transitar, como figura política, del enaltecimiento y mediatización a su total detrimento y ridiculización mediante los memes. Se presenta una propuesta de análisis de discurso multimodal en memes de epn difundidos en páginas de Facebook durante el proceso electoral mexicano, entre el inicio de las campañas presidenciales y la toma de poder del nuevo presidente. Como resultado del análisis, se clasificaron memes por su origen en: lingüísticos hegemónicos y visuales hegemónicos. Por su contenido, se clasificaron en: meme noticia, meme del ridículo, meme insulto y meme despedida. Se concluye que los memes referidos registran las expresiones de distintas clases sociales sobre los errores de la clase política y en ellos se encuentra una resignificación cambiante y fluida que no mantiene el discurso de un solo lugar. Sus sujetos emisores politizan un discurso que circula y se codifica en lo mercantil y lo empresarial, decodificándose en cuestionamiento y oposición. Si bien su capacidad desestabilizadora no es total, su potencial no depende del meme en sí mismo, sino de un actor que idealmente puede usar al meme como vehículo de debate, expresión, manifestación y de crítica reflexiva hacia el poder público.
Joint Scheduling of Vessel Traffic and Pilots in Seaport Waters
Authors: Jia Shuai , Wu Lingxiao , Meng Qiang
Published: October 2020

In the busiest seaports, vessel traffic and vessel pilotage management play a crucial role in congestion mitigation. The management of vessel traffic and pilotage involves scheduling the vessels for sailing into and out of a seaport and scheduling the pilots for navigating the vessels in the port waters. In this paper, we study the integrated vessel traffic and pilot scheduling problem of a seaport. We manage the vessel traffic by optimizing the utilization of the navigation channels and the utilization of the anchorage areas in the terminal basin and incorporate the decision of pilot scheduling into the decision of vessel traffic management for congestion mitigation and vessel service enhancement. We formulate the problem on a time–space network with vessel- and pilot-dependent arc costs and develop an integer programming model that minimizes the sum of the berthing and departure tardiness cost of vessels, the cost of unsatisfied vessel service requests, and the pilot dispatching cost. For solving the model, we enumerate feasible vessel paths a priori and develop a Lagrangian relaxation algorithm that decomposes the problem into a vessel and pilot path assignment subproblems. Computational performance of the Lagrangian relaxation algorithm is tested on problem instances generated based on the physical layout and operational data of the Waigaoqiao Port in Shanghai.
Computerized registry as a potential tool for surveillance and management of complex bone and joint infections in France
Authors: Lemaignen Adrien , Grammatico-Guillon Leslie , Astagneau Pascal , Marmor Simon , Ferry Tristan , Jolivet-Gougeon Anne , Senneville Eric , Bernard Louis
Published: October 2020

Aims

The French registry for complex bone and joint infections (C-BJIs) was created in 2012 in order to facilitate a homogeneous management of patients presented for multidisciplinary advice in referral centres for C-BJI, to monitor their activity and to produce epidemiological data. We aimed here to present the genesis and characteristics of this national registry and provide the analysis of its data quality.

Methods

A centralized online secured database gathering the electronic case report forms (eCRFs) was filled for every patient presented in multidisciplinary meetings (MM) among the 24 French referral centres. Metrics of this registry were described between 2012 and 2016. Data quality was assessed by comparing essential items from the registry with a controlled dataset extracted from medical charts of a random sample of patients from each centre. Internal completeness and consistency were calculated.

Results

Between 2012 and 2016, 30,607 presentations in MM were recorded corresponding to 17,748 individual patients (mean age 62.1 years (SD 18.4); 10,961 (61.8%) males). BJI was considered as complex for 63% of cases (n = 19,355), and 13,376 (44%) had prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The controlled dataset, available for 19 centres, included 283 patients. Global consistency and completeness were estimated at 88.2% and 88.9%, respectively, considering missing items in the eCRFs as negative results.

Conclusion

This national registry is one of the largest prospective databases on BJI and its acceptable data quality parameters allow further use for epidemiological purposes. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(10):635–644.