bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radial artery-first dorsal metacarpal vein arteriovenous fistula in the first interdigital space of the dorsal hand for hemodialysis
Authors: Takashima Tsuyoshi , Nakashima Yui , Suenaga Atsuhiko , Yamashita Yuki , Nonaka Yasunori , Fukuda Makoto , Rikitake Shuichi , Miyazono Motoaki , Rikitake Kazuhisa , Ikeda Yuji
Published: November 2019

A radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula in the anatomical snuffbox (tabatière region) was first described in 1969 as the most peripheral site for arteriovenous fistula in the upper limb. In cases in which the internal diameter of the first dorsal metacarpal vein under avascularization is ⩾2.0 mm, we have adopted a new operative technique for creating a radial artery-first dorsal metacarpal vein arteriovenous fistula in the first interdigital space of the dorsal hand, which lies between the thumb and the index finger. This technique is the creation of the arteriovenous fistula using the first dorsal metacarpal vein and the most peripheral site in the upper limb. To our knowledge, no previous report has described the creation of a radial artery-first dorsal metacarpal vein arteriovenous fistula. We herein describe the steps of the technique and report its successful performance in a patient with chronic renal failure.
Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Pancreas
Authors: Del Arco Hélène , Chakiba-Brugère Camille , Salabert Laura , Béchade Dominique
Published: November 2019

A 60-year-old woman presented to hospital with abdominal pain and massive weight loss. Imaging studies confirmed the presence of a tumor of the pancreas. Histologic analysis of the sampling performed by echoendoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration found aspects evocative of adenosquamous carcinoma. This case report highlights the difficulties of clinical pathologic diagnosis for these occasionally composite tumors. The patient underwent palliative chemotherapy based on platinum and 5-fluorouracil, followed by second-line chemotherapy with FOLFIRI after progression. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas remains a rare tumor with very poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options.
Predicting disability progression in multiple sclerosis: Insights from advanced statistical modeling
Authors: Pellegrini Fabio , Copetti Massimiliano , Sormani Maria Pia , Bovis Francesca , de Moor Carl , Debray Thomas PA , Kieseier Bernd C
Published: November 2019

Background:

There is an unmet need for precise methods estimating disease prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

Using advanced statistical modeling, we assessed the prognostic value of various clinical measures for disability progression.

Methods:

Advanced models to assess baseline prognostic factors for disability progression over 2 years were applied to a pooled sample of patients from placebo arms in four different phase III clinical trials. least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and ridge regression, elastic nets, support vector machines, and unconditional and conditional random forests were applied to model time to clinical disability progression confirmed at 24 weeks. Sensitivity analyses for different definitions of a combined endpoint were carried out, and bootstrap was used to assess prediction model performance.

Results:

A total of 1582 patients were included, of which 434 (27.4%) had disability progression in a combined endpoint over 2 years. Overall model discrimination performance was relatively poor (all C-indices ⩽ 0.65) across all models and across different definitions of progression.

Conclusion:

Inconsistency of prognostic factor importance ranking confirmed the relatively poor prediction ability of baseline factors in modeling disease progression in MS. Our findings underline the importance to explore alternative predictors as well as alternative definitions of commonly used endpoints.
Understanding pregnant women’s readiness to engage in risk-reducing measures to prevent infections during pregnancy
Authors: Vandrevala Tushna , Barber Victoria , Calvert Anna , Star Caroline , Khalil Asma , Griffiths Paul , Heath Paul T , Jones Christine E
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual understanding of women’s readiness to engage in behaviours to reduce the risk of acquiring infections during pregnancy, using cytomegalovirus, the most common congenital infection as a case. Thirty-three pregnant women participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings illustrate that for behavioural change to become viable, it is necessary for individuals to consider barriers or facilitators at the individual, inter-personal and system levels. By widening the theoretical lens beyond individual cognitive determinants, the model places sufficient emphasis on factors, such as collective identity, support networks, interaction with the healthcare system and wider community, relevant to pregnant women.
In Our Community, Dementia Speaks: Pilot of a person-centered training targeting African-American caregivers of persons-living with dementia (innovative practice)
Authors: Guest M Aaron , Smith Macie P
Published: November 2019

African-Americans face higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias than any other group. With cases of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias expected to double by 2050 the African-American community stands to be disproportionally affected. Recognizing the need for culturally tailored programming for caregivers and those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias In Our Community, Dementia Speaks was developed through a community-participatory model of engagement. While pilot results showed a non-statistically significant increase in pre/posttest knowledge a more nuanced review of the data indicates success in changing attitudes and behaviors regarding the disease among caregivers. Results provide a guide for informing future interventions and improving existing programming.
The bones beneath the streets: drifting through London’s Quaternary
Authors: Overend David , Lorimer Jamie , Schreve Danielle
Published: November 2019

This article reflects on a Situationist dérive in Central London, which mobilised a creative engagement with the city’s Quaternary history (the last 2.6 million years). The aim was to animate paleoecological knowledge in the resistant, opaque and frenetic environment of a dense urban centre. This brief excursion into an alternative London is offered as a model for contemporary drifting that stretches out beyond our immediate situation to connect to successive geological and biological strata, reframing experiences of the urban environment through shifting scales and chronologies. The Situationists had declared ‘sous les pavés, la plage!’ (under the paving stones, there is a beach!), evoking the playful space of possibility behind the veneer of the city’s systems and structures. This drift aimed to search even deeper, encountering spectral inhabitations revealed by the bones beneath the streets. The article argues that uncovering these hidden ecologies has the potential to counter the urban prevalence of spectacular representations of wildlife and develop an eco-politics of co-existence.
Deep Bayesian neural networks for damage quantification in miter gates of navigation locks
Authors: Hoskere Vedhus , Eick Brian , Spencer Billie F , Smith Matthew D , Foltz Stuart D
Published: November 2019

Inland navigation infrastructure like locks and dams form a vital part of the global economy. Locks facilitate the transport of hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of goods on a daily basis. A primary cause for downtime of locks in the United States is damage to lock gates. Current inspection methods involve the complete closure of locks to visually inspect for damage. A common target of such inspections is the identification of “gaps” that form along the bearing surface boundary of miter gates. These gaps accelerate the fatigue failure of the gate by disrupting the designed load distribution mechanism. This article presents a novel engineering application of structural health monitoring for full-scale civil infrastructure with a method to automatically quantify the damage quantity of interest, that is, the gaps using measured strain data. We propose a framework for damage estimation of full-scale civil infrastructure in general and miter gates in particular, leveraging recent advances in deep Bayesian learning. A new two-term loss function is produced to increase the accuracy of the trained networks and the model uncertainties are conveyed using Monte Carlo dropout. In addition, we propose a strategy to model bearing surface gaps using non-linear contact analyses and use the proposed model to determine the sensitivity of measured strains to damage. The proposed framework is implemented for the miter gates at the Greenup locks and dam. Finally, the proposed methodology is validated using measured data. Slopes measured from the lock gate are used as the input to the trained networks to estimate the gap depths. The finite element model is updated using the estimated gap depths. The predicted slopes and strains from the updated model are shown to match the measured strains and slopes well. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the approach for damage detection in full-scale civil infrastructure.
Seeing justice done: Courtroom filming and the deceptions of transparency
Authors: Moore Sarah , Clayton Alex , Murphy Hector
Published: November 2019

There has been a global shift towards courtroom broadcasting in a bid to extend the public gallery into a virtual realm. Such initiatives tend to be based on the idea that transmitting the courtroom boosts transparency and with it public trust in criminal justice. This is an untested ambition. Moreover, the idea that filming opens a window onto the courtroom comes up against the reality that any transmission entails translation, involving choices and compromises. Based on an in-depth study of courtroom filming and audience response, this article identifies two globally dominant stylistic modes and analyses their meaning and reception. We found that different stylistic modes prompt different types of audience engagement and allow for different levels of comprehension. The analysis therefore provides an insight into how courtroom footage is consumed by the viewing public. It also contributes to our understanding of the norms and values of institutional transparency.
“Knuckle-Dragging Thugs”: Civilizing processes and the biosocial revolution in the National Hockey League
Authors: Kennedy Liam , Silva Derek
Published: November 2019

In this article, we advocate for the development of a critical criminology of sport. To this end, we analyze news media coverage of a sample of National Hockey League suspensions to explore how the sporting world disseminates cultural messages about crime and punishment. Our analysis reveals that athlete “offenders” are likened to Lombrosian evolutionary throwbacks whose brutal on-ice violence recalls a less civilized past. Images of blood spilled on the ice and bodies carried away on stretchers shock our sensibilities. We argue that, as the arbiter of supplemental discipline, the National Hockey League regulates the bodies under its control and aims to signify that hockey and its fans are encapsulated in what Elias famously calls civilizing processes rather than mere barbaric sporting games. We situate these findings in the reemergence of a bio(social) criminology and express concerns regarding the spread of this rhetoric.
‘Hack the Camp’: An entrepreneurial public diplomacy and social intervention initiative to address the refugee crisis in Greece
Authors: Kothari Ammina , Tsakarestou Betty
Published: November 2019

This article examines an entrepreneurial public diplomacy initiative led by U.S. Embassy in Athens in the form of a hackathon to address the refugee crisis in Greece. Drawing from the public diplomacy framework and principles of intercultural communication, the analysis focused on communication strategies used to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to work on solutions for the refugees in Athens. Results show that when stakeholders commit to transparent communication and foster intercultural dialogue in a structured format, people from different backgrounds can work collaboratively on entrepreneurial initiatives. Also, by allowing refugees to be equal participants in the hackathon, the organizers empowered them to actively participate in creating solutions for their community, which helped to reinvent how the larger Athens community perceived them as well.
Autoencoder-based patch learning for real-world image denoising
Authors: Chen Fei , Chen Haiqing , Zeng Xunxun , Wang Meiqing
Published: November 2019

Internal patch prior (e.g. self-similarity) has achieved a great success in image denoising. However, it is a challenging task to utilize clean external natural patches for denoising. Natural image patch comes from very complex distributions which are hard to learn without supervision. In this paper, we use an autoencoder to discover and utilize these underlying distributions to learn a compact representation that is more robust to realistic noises. By exploiting learned external prior and internal self-similarity jointly, we develop an efficient patch sparse coding scheme for real-world image denoising. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms many state-of-the-art denoising methods, especially on removing realistic noise.
Winter sports injuries of the upper limb
Authors: Raiman Lewis , Antbring Richard , Pyne Dev
Published: November 2019

Regular exercise provides many health benefits. Participation in sport is one enjoyable way of achieving this desirable objective and should be encouraged. Sports participation is also, unfortunately, associated with an increased risk of injury. The growing popularity of winter sports means that patients are more likely to present in primary care with injuries following a winter break. This article aims to cover the most common winter sports injuries of the upper limb seen in the community and considers their assessment, investigation and management.
Five-Year Two-Center Retrospective Comparison of Central Laboratory Glucose to GEM 4000 and ABL 800 Blood Glucose: Demonstrating the (In)adequacy of Blood Gas Glucose
Authors: Cembrowski George , Jung Joanna , Mei Junyi , Xu Eric , Curic Tihomir , Gibney RT Noel , Jacka Michael , Sadrzadeh Hossein
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the glucose assays of two blood gas analyzers (BGAs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients by comparing ICU BGA glucoses to central laboratory (CL) glucoses of almost simultaneously drawn specimens.

Methods:

Data repositories provided five years of ICU BGA glucoses and contemporaneously drawn CL glucoses from a Calgary, Alberta ICU equipped with IL GEM 4000 and CL Roche Cobas 8000-C702, and an Edmonton, Alberta ICU equipped with Radiometer ABL 800 and CL Beckman-Coulter DxC. Blood glucose analyzer and CL glucose differences were evaluated if they were both drawn either within ±15 or ±5 minutes. Glucose differences were assessed graphically and quantitatively with simple run charts and the surveillance error grid (SEG) and quantitatively with the 2016 Food and Drug Administration guidance document, with ISO 15197 and SEG statistical summaries. As the GEM glucose exhibits diurnal variation, CL-arterial blood gas (ABG) differences were evaluated according to time of day.

Results:

Compared to the GEM glucoses measured between 0200 and 0800, the run charts of (GEM-CL) glucose demonstrate significant outliers between 0800 and 0200 which are identified as moderate to severe clinical outliers by SEG analysis ( P < .002 and P < .0005 for 5- and 15-minute intervals). Over the entire 24-hour period, the rates of moderate to severe glucose clinical outliers are 3.5/1000 (GEM) and 0.6/1000 glucoses (ABL), respectively, using the 15-minute interval ( P < .0001).

Discussion:

The GEM ABG glucose is associated with a higher frequency of moderate to severe glucose clinical outliers, especially between 0800 and 0200, increased CL testing and higher average patient glucoses.
Evaluation of radiologic diagnostic criteria and treatment options in skeletal muscle hydatid cysts
Authors: Oğur Hasan U , Kapukaya Rana , Külahçı Özgür , Yılmaz Cengiz , Yüce Kemal , Tuhanioğlu Ümit
Published: November 2019

Aim:

To investigate the diagnosis and treatment methods of soft tissue involvement of hydatid cysts (HCs).

Materials and Methods:

Eleven patients who were diagnosed as having HC with muscular tissue (soft tissue) involvement between 2010 and 2016 were evaluated retrospectively. Seven patients had typical HC magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and four patients had cysts with an unusual appearance. We evaluated how to diagnose the cysts using imaging methods, their characteristic radiologic images, and treatment alternatives against the disease. The patients were treated with antihelminthic chemotherapy preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results:

Of the 11 patients who underwent treatment, 7 were diagnosed using MRI and 4 were diagnosed with histopathologic examinations. The mean follow-up period was 16 (range, 6–24) months, and the mean age was 39.4 (range, 24–56) years. In seven patients, multivesicular appearance with specific MRI findings, T2-hypointense rim appearance, double-rim sign, membrane dissociation, and appearance of daughter cysts were identified as diagnostic criteria. Two patients underwent ultrasound assisted percutaneous aspiration–injection–reaspiration (PAIR) treatment. Seven patients underwent total pericystectomy, and two patients underwent subtotal pericystectomy with serum saline injection into the cyst. Two patients showed signs of mild anaphylaxis, one during the diagnosis and one during treatment.

Conclusion:

There may be difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of HCs of the musculoskeletal system. It should be known that there are alternative methods in the treatment (cyst excision and PAIR treatment). Clinical, serologic, and radiologic findings should be used in the diagnosis. To avoid complications during the histopathologic diagnosis, MRI should be examined in detail. It is thought that atypical cysts can be diagnosed (double-layer appearance and peripheral rim sign) in addition to typical cysts (detached membrane and multivesicular appearance), and diagnosis and treatment can be planned without anaphylactic complications.
Increased Radiographic Posterior Tibial Slope Is Associated With Subsequent Injury Following Revision Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Napier Richard J. , Garcia Enrique , Devitt Brian M. , Feller Julian A. , Webster Kate E.
Published: November 2019

Background:

Increased posterior tibial slope has been identified as a possible risk factor for injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and has also been shown to be associated with ACL reconstruction graft failure. It is currently unknown whether increased posterior tibial slope is an additional risk factor for further injury in the context of revision ACL reconstruction.

Purpose:

To determine the relationship between posterior tibial slope and further ACL injury in patients who have already undergone revision ACL reconstruction.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 330 eligible patients who had undergone revision ACL reconstruction between January 2007 and December 2015 were identified from a clinical database. The slope of the medial and lateral tibial plateaus was measured on perioperative lateral radiographs by 2 fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons using a digital software application. The number of subsequent ACL injuries (graft rupture or a contralateral injury to the native ACL) was determined at a minimum follow-up of 2 years (range, 2-8 years). Tibial slope measurements were compared between patients who sustained further ACL injury to either knee and those who did not.

Results:

There were 50 patients who sustained a third ACL injury: 24 of these injuries were to the knee that underwent revision ACL reconstruction, and 26 were to the contralateral knee. Medial and lateral slope values were significantly greater for the third-injury group compared with the no–third injury group (medial, 7.5° vs 6.3° [ P = .01]; lateral, 13.6° vs 11.9° [ P = .001]).

Conclusion:

Increased posterior tibial slope, as measured from lateral knee radiographs, was associated with increased risk of graft rupture and contralateral ACL injury after revision ACL reconstruction. This is consistent with the concept that increased posterior slope, particularly of the lateral tibial plateau, is an important risk factor for recurrent ACL injury.
The Patient–Provider Continuum of Care: Narratives of People Living With Comorbid HIV and Diabetes in Northern Thailand
Authors: Moise Rhoda K , Srithanaviboonchai Kriengkrai , Alsolami Ali , Soares Mary H , Elewonibi Bilikisu Reni , Tolmasky Marcelo E , Wood Michele M
Published: November 2019

Background:

Among South-East Asia Region countries, Thailand has a high prevalence of HIV with an increasing significant comorbidity of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Objective:

Guided by syndemics, the purpose of this qualitative study is to develop insight into the experience of patients living with comorbid HIV and DM in Northern Thailand for quality improvement.

Methods:

Interviews were conducted in 2 groups for content analysis: (1) people living with comorbid HIV and DM and (2) health-care staff providing care to patients living with the comorbidity.

Results:

Participants’ (N = 12) ages ranged from 42 to 56 (mean = 49). Health staff (N = 12) generated complementary narratives. All participants reported onset of diabetes after discovering they were HIV infected. Content analysis revealed emergent themes regarding (1) knowledge and perceptions and (2) management framed by syndemics and chronicity.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest routine training for patient education and provider integration of care. Macrosocial factors such as limited access and resources and biological factor such as drug interactions are noted as key considerations for future interventions and alterations in the care for patients with comorbid HIV and DM.
Headaches in the emergency department –a survey of patients’ characteristics, facts and needs
Authors:   on behalf of the School of Advanced Studies of the European Headache Federation (EHF-SAS), Doretti Alberto , Shestaritc Irina , Ungaro Daniela , Lee John-Ih , Lymperopoulos Loukas , Kokoti Lili , Guglielmetti Martina , Mitsikostas Dimos Dimitrios , Lampl Christian
Published: November 2019

Background and aim

Headache is very often the cause for seeking an emergency department (ED). However, less is known about the different diagnosis of headache disorders in the ED, their management and treatment. The aim of this survey is to analyse the management of headache patients in two different ED in Europe.

Methods

This retrospective survey was performed from September 2018 until January 2019. Patients were collected from the San Luca Hospital, Milan, Italy and the Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, Austria. Only patients with a non-traumatic headache, as the primary reason for medical clarification, were included. Patients were analysed for their complexity and range of examination, their diagnoses, acute treatment and overall efficacy rate.

Results

The survey consists of 415 patients, with a mean age of 43.32 (SD ±17.72); 65% were female. Technical investigation was performed in 57.8% of patients. For acute treatment non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the most used, whereas triptans were not given. A primary headache disorder was diagnosed in 45.3% of patients, being migraine the most common, but in 32% of cases the diagnosis was not further specified. Life-threatening secondary headaches accounted for less than 2% of cases.

Conclusions

The vast majority of patients attending an ED because of headache are suffering from a primary headache disorder. Life-threatening secondary headaches are rare but seek attention. NSAIDs are by far the most common drugs for treating headaches in the ED, but not triptans.
The role of Acinetobacter baumannii response regulator BfmR in pellicle formation and competitiveness via contact-dependent inhibition system
Authors: Krasauskas Renatas , Skerniškytė Jūratė , Armalytė Julija , Sužiedėlienė Edita
Published: November 2019

Background

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important opportunistic pathogens responsible for hospital acquired infections. It displays multi-drug resistance profile and has the ability to colonize surfaces and persist under harsh conditions. A. baumannii two-component signal transduction system BfmRS, consisting of response regulator BfmR and sensor kinase BfmS, has been implicated in the control of various virulence-related traits and has been suggested to act as a global modulator of A. baumannii physiology.

Results

Here, we assessed the role of BfmR regulator in pellicle formation and bacterial competition, features important for the establishment of A. baumannii in clinical environment. We show that BfmR is required for the pellicle formation of A. baumannii, as ΔbfmRS mutant lacked this phenotype. The loss of bfmRS also greatly reduced the secretion of A. baumannii Hcp protein, which is a component of T6SS secretion system. However, T6SS-mediated killing phenotype was not impaired in ΔbfmRS mutant. On the contrary, the same mutation resulted in the transcriptional activation of contact-dependent inhibition (CDI) system, which A. baumannii used to inhibit the growth of another clinical A. baumannii strain and a closely related species Acinetobacter baylyi.

Conclusions

The obtained results indicate that BfmR is not only required for the pellicle phenotype induction in A. baumannii, but also, due to the down-regulation of a CDI system, could allow the incorporation of other A. baumannii strains or related species, possibly increasing the likelihood of the pathogens’ survival.
Retraction Note: Al Kharj diabetic patients’ perception about diabetes mellitus using revised-illness perception questionnaire (IPQ-R)
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Sameer , Ahmad Gulfam , Ali Ali Hassan , Bahakim Nasraddin , Alomran Salman , Alhowikan Waleed , Almutairi Salman , Basalem Tariq , Aljuaid Faisal
Published: November 2019

The editors have retracted this article [1] because it contains extensive overlap with an article published by the same authors in the Journal of Family & Community Medicine [2] and is therefore redundant.
Activation and function of receptor tyrosine kinases in human clear cell renal cell carcinomas
Authors: Zhang Qing , Liu Jian-He , Liu Jing-Li , Qi Chun-Ting , Yan Lei , Chen Yu , Yu Qiang
Published: November 2019

Background

The receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) play critical roles in the development of cancers. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for 75% of the RCC. The previous studies on the RTKs in ccRCCs mainly focused on their gene expressions. The activation and function of the RTKs in ccRCC have not been fully investigated.

Methods

In the present study, we analyzed the phosphorylation patterns of RTKs in human ccRCC patient samples, human ccRCC and papillary RCC cell lines, and other kidney tumor samples using human phospho-RTK arrays. We further established ccRCC patient-derived xenograft models in nude mice and assessed the effects of RTKIs (RTK Inhibitors) on the growth of these cancer cells. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the localization of keratin, vimentin and PDGFRβ in ccRCCs.

Results

We found that the RTK phosphorylation patterns of the ccRCC samples were all very similar, but different from that of the cell lines, other kidney tumor samples, as well as the adjacent normal tissues. 9 RTKs, EGFR1–3, Insulin R, PDGFRβ, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, HGFR and M-CSFR were found to be phosphorylated in the ccRCC samples. The adjacent normal tissues, on the other hand, had predominantly only two of the 4 EGFR family members, EGFR and ErbB4, phosphorylated. What’s more, the RTK phosphorylation pattern of the xenograft, however, was different from that of the primary tissue samples. Treatment of the xenograft nude mice with corresponding RTK inhibitors effectively inhibited the Erk1/2 signaling pathway as well as the growth of the tumors. In addition, histological staining of the cancer samples revealed that most of the PDGFRβ expressing cells were localized in the vimentin-positive periepithelial stroma.

Conclusions

Overall, we have identified a set of RTKs that are characteristically phosphorylated in ccRCCs. The phosphorylation of RTKs in ccRCCs were determined by the growing environments. These phosphorylated/activated RTKs will guide targeting drugs development of more effective therapies in ccRCCs. The synergistical inhibition of RTKIs combination on the ccRCC suggest a novel strategy to use a combination of RTKIs to treat ccRCCs.
The prognostic association of SPAG5 gene expression in breast cancer patients with systematic therapy
Authors: Zhu Chenjing , Menyhart Otilia , Győrffy Balázs , He Xia
Published: November 2019

Background

Despite much effort on the treatment of breast cancer over the decades, a great uncertainty regarding the appropriate molecular biomarkers and optimal therapeutic strategy still exists. This research was performed to analyze the association of SPAG5 gene expression with clinicopathological factors and survival outcomes.

Methods

We used a breast cancer database including 5667 patients with a mean follow-up of 69 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses for relapse free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were performed. In addition, ROC analysis was performed to validate SPAG5 as a prognostic candidate gene.

Results

Mean SPAG5 expression value was significantly higher with some clinicopathological factors that resulted in tumor promotion and progression, including poor differentiated type, HER2 positive or TP53 mutated breast cancer. Based on ROC-analysis SPAG 5 is a suitable prognostic marker of poor survival. In patients who received chemotherapy alone, SPAG5 had only a moderate and not significant predictive impact on survival outcomes. However, in hormonal therapy, high SPAG5 expression could strongly predict prognosis with detrimental RFS (HR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.2–2.06, p = 0.001), OS (HR = 2, 95% CI 1.05–3.8, p = 0.03) and DMFS (HR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.57–3.54, p <  0.001), respectively. In addition, SPAG5 could only serve as a survival predictor in ER+, but not ER- breast cancer patients. Patients might also be at an increased risk of relapse despite being diagnosed with a lower grade cancer (well differentiated type).

Conclusions

SPAG5 could be used as an independent prognostic and predictive biomarker that might have clinical utility, especially in ER+ breast cancer patients who received hormonal therapy.
Effect of mild hypothermia on lung injury after cardiac arrest in swine based on lung ultrasound
Authors: Wu Chunshuang , Xu Jiefeng , Jin Xiaohong , Chen Qijiang , Li Zilong , Zhang Mao
Published: November 2019

Background

Lung injury is common in post-cardiac arrest syndrome, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia on lung injury after cardiac arrest in swine based on lung ultrasound.

Methods

Twenty-three male domestic swine weighing 36 ± 2 kg were randomly assigned to three groups: therapeutic hypothermia (TH,n = 9), normothermia (NT,n = 9), and sham control (control,n = 5) groups. Sham animals only underwent surgical preparation. The animal model was established with 8 min of ventricular fibrillation followed by 5 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therapeutic hypothermia was induced and maintained until 24 h post-resuscitation in the TH group by surface blanket cooling, followed by rewarming at a rate of 1 °C/h for 5 h. The extravascular lung water index (ELWI), pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI), PO2/FiO2, and lung ultrasound score (LUS) were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 30 h after resuscitation. After euthanizing the swine, their lung tissues were quickly obtained to evaluate inflammation.

Results

After resuscitation, ELWI and PVPI in the NT group were higher, and PO2/FiO2was lower, than in the sham group. However, those measures were significantly better in the TH group than the NT group. The LUS was higher in the NT group than in the sham group at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 30 h after resuscitation. The LUS was significantly better in the TH group compared to the NT group. The lung tissue biopsy revealed that lung injury was more severe in the NT group than in the TH group. Increases in LUS were highly correlated with increases in ELWI (r = 0.613;p < 0.001) and PVPI (r = 0.683;p < 0.001), and decreases in PO2/FiO2(r = − 0.468;p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Mild hypothermia protected against post-resuscitation lung injury in a swine model of cardiac arrest. Lung ultrasound was useful to dynamically evaluate the role of TH in lung protection.
Correction to: Exhaled nitric oxide is not a biomarker for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension or for treatment efficacy
Authors: Malekmohammad Majid , Folkerts Gert , Kashani Babak Sharif , Naghan Parisa Adimi , Dastenae Zahra Habibi , Khoundabi Batoul , Garssen Johan , Mortaz Esmaeil , Adcock Ian M.
Published: November 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that name of the author ‘Batoul Khoundabi’ had been provided with an incorrect spelling: ‘Batoutl’ was given in place of ‘Batoul’.
Compression therapy following posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a prospective, randomized, clinical study
Authors: Sun Wu , Gao Jing-hua , Zhu Li-guo , Xiao Wei , Wang Zhen-zhong , Yang Ke-xin , Zhang Qing , Wang Bao-jian
Published: November 2019

Background

Wound-related complications are an inevitable issue faced by spinal surgeons. Negative pressure drainage remains the most commonly used method to prevent postoperative hematoma and related complications. This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of compression therapy following posterior lumbar interbody fusion, with emphasis on pain, anemia, and inflammation.

Methods

Sixty consecutive patients who have undergone posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the age range 43–78 years, with an average age of 59 years, were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. Factors, such as drainage volume, visual analog scale (VAS) pain score for back pain, white blood cell (WBC) count, red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels assessed on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th days postoperatively, were compared between the two groups.

Results

The average follow-up was 6 months, ranging from 3 to 11 months. Drainage volume, VAS score, and CRP levels on the 10th day after the surgery were found to be significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. RBC count and Hb levels on the 3rd and 10th postoperative days were observed to be significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). During discharge, the wounds of the patients of the both groups had healed and neither showed any symptoms of infection, hematoma, or necrosis.

Conclusion

Compression therapy relieves pain, alleviates anemia, and the inflammatory response following posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Trial registration

ChiCTR1800015825on chictr.org.cn, April 23, 2018, the trial registry is Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.
Parents’ experiences of an e-health intervention implemented in pediatric healthcare: a qualitative study
Authors: Larsson Ingrid , Svedberg Petra , Arvidsson Susann , Nygren Jens M. , Carlsson Ing-Marie
Published: November 2019

Background

The growing field of participation in healthcare has the potential to provide a number of benefits for children, patients, healthcare professionals and also the healthcare systems. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), children have the right to participate in their own healthcare and make their voice heard. Children’s opportunities for understanding their conditions, sharing their views and participating in decisions regarding their care depend on healthcare professionals but also on parents’ ability to communicate and include children. E-health solutions can remove barriers to children’s communication with healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore parents’ perspectives on the outcomes of an e-health solution, Sisom, used by children during healthcare appointments.

Methods

The empirical data is based on interviews with 16 parents. In the present study constructivist, grounded theory was chosen as the method.

Results

The theory of enhancing participation, by orientating communication about healthcare towards the voice of the child instead of the parents, summarizes the process of how the outcome of Sisom for children lead to enhanced participation, by making the child the main actor and an agent in his/her own healthcare. The facilitators for achieving participation in Sisom were four interrelated outcomes; engaging, voice-guarding, raising awareness and integrity preserving. In addition to generating increased participation, it emerged that the use of Sisom also initiated a process, which was evident in all four subcategories that facilitated the child in coping with the experience of having an illness.

Conclusions

We conclude, that Sisom orientated communication about healthcare towards the voice of the child instead of the parents as well as including the child in the dialogue with the healthcare professional and thus increasing the child’s participation and human rights.
Relationships between the antral follicle count, steroidogenesis, and secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and anti-Müllerian hormone during follicular growth in cattle
Authors: Sakaguchi Kenichiro , Yanagawa Yojiro , Yoshioka Koji , Suda Tomoko , Katagiri Seiji , Nagano Masashi
Published: November 2019

Background

The antral follicle count (AFC) in mammalian ovaries positively correlates with female fertility. To clarify the causes of differences in fertility between low and high AFC cows, we investigated follicular growth dynamics and hormone concentrations in plasma, follicular fluid, and in vitro growth (IVG) media at different stages of follicular growth.

Methods

Seven cows were divided into high AFC (n = 4, > 30 follicles) and low AFC (n = 3, < 30 follicles) groups based on the peak AFC detected by ultrasonography. These cows were subjected to estrous synchronization, daily ovarian ultrasonography, and blood collection. Their follicular fluid was collected from dominant follicles at different stages (selection, luteal, and ovulatory phases). In another experiment, we cultured oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complexes collected from early antral follicles (< 1 mm) for 12 days. Estradiol-17β (E2), testosterone (T), progesterone (P4), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in follicular fluids and plasma were measured. Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were examined. E2, P4, and AMH concentrations were also measured in IVG media.

Results

The numbers of small (< 4 mm) and intermediate (4–8 mm) follicles were larger in the high AFC group than in the low AFC group (P < 0.05). The number of intermediate follicles was stable in the low AFC group, indicating consistent development. However, the number of these follicles fluctuated in the high AFC group. Plasma FSH concentrations were higher, whereas E2 and T concentrations were lower in the low AFC group (P < 0.05). E2 concentrations and the E2/P4 ratio in ovulatory follicles and IVG media on day 8 were higher in the high AFC group (P < 0.05). AMH concentrations in plasma and IVG media (P < 0.01) were higher in the high AFC group.

Conclusions

The weaker response to FSH of granulosa cells caused low E2 production in the low AFC group, resulting in high FSH concentrations and the consistent development of intermediate follicles. Conversely, higher E2 concentrations suppressed FSH secretion in the high AFC group. Granulosa cells in the high AFC group had the ability to produce more AMH than those in the low AFC group throughout IVG culture.
Associations of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among middle-aged and elderly individuals
Authors: Li Zhi-Hao , Zhong Wen-Fang , Lv Yue-Bin , Kraus Virginia Byers , Gao Xiang , Chen Pei-Liang , Huang Qing-Mei , Ni Jin-Dong , Shi Xiao-Ming , Mao Chen , Wu Xian-Bo
Published: November 2019

Background

The association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with mortality is controversial. We aimed to investigate the associations of hsCRP concentrations with the risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortality and identify potential modifying factors affecting these associations among middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Methods

This community-based prospective cohort study included 14,220 participants aged 50+ years (mean age: 64.9 years) from the Health and Retirement Study. Cox proportional hazard models were employed to estimate the associations between the hsCRP concentrations and the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality with adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, self-reported medical history, and other potential confounders.

Results

In total, 1730 all-cause deaths were recorded, including 725 cardiovascular- and 417 cancer-related deaths, after an 80,572 person-year follow-up (median: 6.4 years; range: 3.6–8.1 years). The comparisons of the groups with the highest (quartile 4) and lowest (quartile 1) hsCRP concentrations revealed that the adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 1.50 (1.31–1.72) for all-cause mortality, 1.44 (1.13–1.82) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.67 (1.23–2.26) for cancer mortality. The associations between high hsCRP concentrations and the risks of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality were similar in the men and women (P for interaction > 0.05).

Conclusions

Among middle-aged and older individuals, elevated hsCRP concentration could increase the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in men and women.
Plants in alcoholic beverages on the Croatian islands, with special reference to rakija travarica
Authors: Łuczaj Łukasz , Jug-Dujaković Marija , Dolina Katija , Vitasović-Kosić Ivana
Published: November 2019

Background

This paper aims to record the species used for flavouring and making alcoholic drinks, mainly rakija, on the islands of the Adriatic (Croatia).

Methods

Our data comes from 295 interviews performed on 36 islands, in both the Dalmatian and Kvarner areas of the Adriatic.

Results

Altogether, 114 species are used—46% from wild locations only, 15% both wild and cultivated, 38% only cultivated and two species are imported.

The most common local alcohol is wine, made without spices, but grape pomace distillate is often flavoured with single or mixed species. The mix is called travarica. The most commonly used species are Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Myrtus communis L., Salvia officinalis L., Ruta graveolens L., Juniperus oxycedrus L., Ceratonia siliqua L., Juglans regia L., Citrus spp., Ficus carica L., Laurus nobilis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Artemisia absinthium L., Rosa centifolia L., Mentha × piperita L. and M. spicata L. Unfortunately, the widespread phenomenon of distilling Arbutus unedo L. fruits and fermenting Juniperus ‘wine’ is now extinct. Apart from grapes, the only commonly distilled fruit now is Ficus carica.

Conclusions

It is striking that nearly all the plants are either wild or cultivated locally, which, in addition to the fact that the alcohol is made locally, shows the incredible local culinary self-sufficiency of the area. The number of species used is also very impressive.
First molecular description, phylogeny and genetic variation of Taenia hydatigena from Nigerian sheep and goats based on three mitochondrial genes
Authors: Ohiolei John A. , Luka Joshua , Zhu Guo-Qiang , Yan Hong-Bin , Li Li , Magaji Abdullahi A. , Alvi Mughees A. , Wu Yan-Tao , Li Jian-Qiu , Fu Bao-Quan , Jia Wan-Zhong
Published: November 2019

Background

Cysticercosis caused by the metacestode larval stage ofTaenia hydatigenais a disease of veterinary and economic importance. A considerable level of genetic variation among isolates of different intermediate hosts and locations has been documented. Generally, data on the genetic population structure ofT. hydatigenais scanty and lacking in Nigeria. Meanwhile, similar findings in other cestodes likeEchinococcusspp. have been found to be of epidemiological importance. Our aim, therefore, was to characterize and compare the genetic diversity ofT. hydatigenapopulation in Nigeria based on three mitochondrial DNA markers as well as to assess the phylogenetic relationship with populations from other geographical regions.

Methods

In the present study, we described the genetic variation and diversity ofT. hydatigenaisolates from Nigerian sheep and goats using three full-length mitochondrial genes: the cytochromecoxidase subunit 1 (cox1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5).

Results

The median-joining network of concatenatedcox1-nad1-nad5 sequences indicated thatT. hydatigenametacestodes of sheep origin were genetically distinct from those obtained in goats and this was supported by high FSTvalues ofnad1,cox1, and concatenatedcox1-nad1-nad5 sequences. Genetic variation was also found to be higher in isolates from goats than from sheep.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, the present study described the genetic variation ofT. hydatigenapopulation for the first time in Nigeria using full-length mitochondrial genes and suggests the existence of host-specific variants. The population indices of the different DNA markers suggest that analysis of long mitochondrial DNA fragments may provide more information on the molecular ecology ofT.hydatigena.We recommend that future studies employ long mitochondrial DNA sequence in order to provide reliable data that would explain the extent of genetic variation in different hosts/locations and the biological and epidemiological significance.
Effects of green coffee extract on fasting blood glucose, insulin concentration and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR): a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies
Authors: Nikpayam Omid , Najafi Marziyeh , Ghaffari Samad , Jafarabadi Mohammad Asghari , Sohrab Golbon , Roshanravan Neda
Published: November 2019

Many studies have investigated the relationship between coffee and diabetes. Evaluation of the current evidence on the effect of coffee intake on diabetes is critical. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential association between green coffee extract (GCE) and fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) by pooling together the results from clinical trials. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched for experimental studies which have been published up to December 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of GCE supplementation on FBG, insulin and HOMA-IR in adults were included for final analysis. A total of six articles were included in the meta-analysis. Results revealed that GCE supplementation reduced FBG level (SMD: −0.32, 95% CI − 0.59 to − 0.05, P = 0.02) but had no effect on insulin levels (SMD: −0.22, 95% CI −0.53 to 0.09, P = 0.159). Although analysis showed that GCE supplementation cannot change the HOMA-IR status (SMD: −0.30, 95% CI −0.73 to 0.13, P = 0.172), after stratified studies by GCE dosage (< 400 mg/day versus > 400 mg/day) there was a significant decrease in HOMA-IR status in a dose greater than 400 mg. These findings suggest that GCE intake might be associated with FBG improvement.