bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of low alkaline phosphatase activity in laboratory assessment: Is hypophosphatasia an underdiagnosed disease?
Authors: Schmidt Tobias , Schmidt Constantin , Amling Michael , Kramer Jan , Barvencik Florian
Published: October 2021

Background

Tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) encoded by the ALPL gene is of particular importance for bone mineralization. Mutation in the ALPL gene can lead to persistent low ALP activity resulting in the rare disease Hypophosphatasia (HPP) that is characterized by disturbed bone and dental mineralization. While severe forms are extremely rare with an estimated prevalence of 1/100.000, recent studies suggest that moderate form caused by heterozygous mutations are much more frequent with an estimated prevalence of 1/508. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of low AP levels in the population based on laboratory measurements.

Methods

In this study, the prevalence of low AP activity and elevated pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) levels was analyzed in 6.918.126 measurements from 2011 to 2016 at a single laboratory in northern Germany. Only laboratory values of subjects older than 18 years of age were included. Only the first measurement was included, all repeated values were excluded.

Results

In total, 8.46% of the measurements of a total of 6.918.126 values showed a value < 30 U/L. 0.59% of the subjects with an ALP activity below 30 U/L had an additional PLP measurement. Here, 6.09% showed elevated pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) levels. This suggest that 0.52% (1:194) of subjects show laboratory signs of HPP.

Conclusion

These data support the genetic estimation that the prevalence of moderate forms of HPP may be significantly higher than expected. Based on these data, we recommend automatically measurement of PLP in the case of low ALP activity and a notification to the ordering physician that HPP should be included in the differential diagnosis and further exploration is recommended.
The cost-utility of early use of high-flow nasal cannula in bronchiolitis
Authors: Buendía Jefferson Antonio , Acuña-Cordero Ranniery , Rodriguez-Martinez Carlos E.
Published: October 2021

Background

High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen is a non-invasive ventilation system that was introduced as an alternative to CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), with a marked increase in its use in pediatric care settings. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of early use of HFNC compared to oxygen by nasal cannula in an infant with bronchiolitis in the emergency setting.

Methods

A decision tree model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of HFNC compared with oxygen by nasal cannula (control strategy) in an infant with bronchiolitis in the emergency setting. Cost data were obtained from a retrospective study on bronchiolitis from tertiary centers in Rionegro, Colombia, while utilities were collected from the literature.

Results

The QALYs per patient calculated in the base-case model were 0.9141 (95% CI 0.913–0.915) in the HFNC and 0.9105 (95% CI 0.910–0.911) in control group. The cost per patient was US$368 (95% CI US$ 323–411) in HFNC and US$441 (95% CI US$ 384–498) per patient in the control group.

Conclusions

HFNC was cost-effective HFNC compared to oxygen by nasal cannula in an infant with bronchiolitis in the emergency setting. The use of this technology in emergency settings will allow a more efficient use of resources, especially in low-resource countries with high prevalence of bronchiolitis .
Colonization and local host response following intramammary Staphylococcus chromogenes challenge in dry cows
Authors: Beuckelaere Lisa , De Visscher Anneleen , Souza Fernando Nogueira , Meyer Evelyne , Haesebrouck Freddy , Piepers Sofie , De Vliegher Sarne
Published: October 2021

Although extensive research has been performed on bovine non-aureusstaphylococci (NAS), several aspects such as bacteria-host interaction remain largely unstudied. Moreover, only a few mastitis pathogen challenge studies in cows have been conducted in the dry period, an important period that allows intramammary infection (IMI) to cure and new IMI to occur. We challenged 16 quarters of 4 Holstein Friesian cows at dry off with 100; 100 000 or 10 000 000 CFU of the udder-adaptedS. chromogenesIM strain. Four quarters from one cow served as negative controls. Internally sealed quarters remained untouched, whereas non-sealed quarters were sampled 3 times during the dry period. After parturition, colostrum and daily milk samples were taken during the first week of lactation of all quarters. In total, 8 quarters appeared to be colonized, sinceS. chromogenesIM was recovered at least once during the experiment, as substantiated using Multilocus Sequence Typing.S. chromogenesIM shedding was highest in dry quarters inoculated with 10 000 000 CFU. Colonized quarters had the highest quarter somatic cell count (qSCC) in early lactation. Inoculated quarters (both colonized and non-colonized) had lower IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations in the dry period, whilst IFN-γ levels tended to be higher in colonized quarters compared to non-inoculated quarters. Also, IgG2 levels were higher in inoculated compared to non-inoculated quarters and the IgG2/IgG1 ratio was on average above 1. To conclude, we showed that dry quarters can be colonized withS. chromogenesIM, resulting in a shift towards a Th1 response in late gestation and early lactation characterised by an increased IgG2 concentration. However, further research is needed to confirm our findings.
Greater wing of sphenoid, the home for aneurysmal bone cysts: a case report
Authors: Mahakul Dibya Jyoti , Sharma Prashant
Published: October 2021

Background

Finding an aneurysmal bone cyst in the skull is rare and for a neurosurgeon to come across such lesions in the sphenoid bone with orbital extension is even rarer.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 16-year female who presented with a three-month history of headache, proptosis, and deterioration of vision. Pre-operative imaging studies which included NCCT head and MRI brain, suggested the lesion to be an aneurysmal bone cyst of the greater wing of the sphenoid, with extension into the orbit. Intraoperative findings did corroborate with the preoperative imaging findings and were again confirmed later from the histopathology report.

Conclusion

Aneurysmal bone cysts of sphenoid bone with orbital extension, though rare, can be excised completely, without hampering the cosmesis. Being benign, patients can have a prolonged recurrence-free period if the lesion is completely excised.
Using multielectrode arrays to investigate neurodegenerative effects of the amyloid-beta peptide
Authors: Schulte Steven , Gries Manuela , Christmann Anne , Schäfer Karl-Herbert
Published: October 2021

Background

Multielectrode arrays are widely used to analyze the effects of potentially toxic compounds, as well as to evaluate neuroprotective agents upon the activity of neural networks in short- and long-term cultures. Multielectrode arrays provide a way of non-destructive analysis of spontaneous and evoked neuronal activity, allowing to model neurodegenerative diseases in vitro. Here, we provide an overview on how these devices are currently used in research on the amyloid-β peptide and its role in Alzheimer’s disease, the most common neurodegenerative disorder.

Main body:

Most of the studies analysed here indicate fast responses of neuronal cultures towards aggregated forms of amyloid-β, leading to increases of spike frequency and impairments of long-term potentiation. This in turn suggests that this peptide might play a crucial role in causing the typical neuronal dysfunction observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusions

Although the number of studies using multielectrode arrays to examine the effect of the amyloid-β peptide onto neural cultures or whole compartments is currently limited, they still show how this technique can be used to not only investigate the interneuronal communication in neural networks, but also making it possible to examine the effects onto synaptic currents. This makes multielectrode arrays a powerful tool in future research on neurodegenerative diseases.
Interview with Natalia Fedorova
Authors: Bernstein Charles
Published: October 2021

St. Petersburg new media artist, writer, literary scholar, and translator (PhD in literary theory from Herzen State University) Natalia Fedorova published this interview with Bernstein in Russian in Translit (Moscow), a key journal of innovative poetics, in 2013. Bernstein discusses his connection to Russian poets, starting with Arkadii Dragomoshchenko. He also addresses the way the Cold War torqued the reception of Russian modernist poetry, using Mandelstam as an example.
“Nothing tires a vision more than sundry attacks / in the manner of enclosure”: An Afterword to Angriff der Schwierigen Gedichte
Authors: Büscher-Ulbrich Dennis
Published: October 2021

The following text was published in German as an afterword to the bilingual poetry collection Charles Bernstein: Angriff der Schwierigen Gedichte (München: luxbooks, 2014). Originally intended as a critical survey and introduction for German-language readers, it traces Bernstein's work as a radical modernist poet, distinguished scholar, and critical theorist in his own right from the late 1960s to the early 2010s. From his early poetry to L = A = N = G = U = A = G = E magazine, from his major books of poetry and collective avant-garde performances to his essays on poetics, Bernstein, I argue, consistently articulated with wit and precision why and how radical modernism affects what Jacques Rancière has called the “distribution of the sensible.”
The Epiphany of Language: The Connotation of Zen-Taoism in Charles Bernstein's Echopoetics
Authors: Feng Yi
Published: October 2021

As a prominent representative figure of American Language poetry, Charles Bernstein has incorporated many themes concerning “nothingness” into his poetry. Contrary to the traditional Western philosophy that defines the concept of “nothingness” as meaninglessness and agnosticism, “nothingness” in Bernstein's poetics is endowed with profound poetic and aesthetic implications. Bernstein studied the works of Zen-Taoist philosophy in his early years. Understanding the Zen-Taoist connotations of “nothingness” is an important new dimension in interpreting Bernstein's echopoetics. Bernstein integrates the anti-traditional ideas in Zen-Taoist philosophy and aesthetics with the experiment of American avant-garde poetry. “The transformation between Xu (emptiness) and Shi (Being),” the beauty of “speechlessness,” and the expression of “defamiliarization” show the “epiphany” of language and the “nature” of language. The Chinese traditional Zen-Taoist philosophy is an important part of Bernstein's echopoetics.
Charles Bernstein: Avant-Garde Is a Constant Renewal
Authors: Probstein Ian
Published: October 2021

The essay explores the work of Charles Bernstein in light of constant renewal. John Ashbery, as one of the brightest representatives of the New York School, and Charles Bernstein, as a representative of the language (L = A = N = G = U = A = G = E), have similar attitudes toward language. They have much in common in terms of poetics: in the rejection of loud phrases, prophetic statements, emotions, confessionalism, and certain self-centeredness. Poetry is a private matter for both. Both have poetics built on the “oddness that stays odd,” as Bernstein himself put it, paraphrasing Pound's “news that stays news.” Both are aimed at renovating the language, and the verses of both are built on fragmentation, collage, moving from one statement to another without preparation. However, in Ashbery, whose poems are surreal, these transitions are smoother, based on an apparent connection, what Bernstein calls “hypotaxis” or “associative parataxis.” In contrast, Bernstein's poetry is built on parataxis; it is “bumpy,” in the poet's own words.
PRC History in Crisis and Clover
Authors: Brown Jeremy
Published: October 2021

The history of the People's Republic of China is now an established discipline, with a built-in theoretical framework—aspirational socialism—and a first draft written by social scientists. The growth of the field of PRC history has been aided by an avalanche of unique grassroots sources. Grassroots documents, many of which are local archives discarded by the state, have prompted new research questions and uncovered hidden dimensions of the Mao years, but they remain inaccessible to the broader research community unless scholars go out of their way to digitize and share them. This solution, however, reveals a deeper crisis facing the field: even though new types of sources will continue to fuel the growth of PRC history, scholars farthest from Xi Jinping's organs of repression can share sources and write about them freely, while academics subject to authoritarian restrictions cannot. There is no easy fix to the two-tier system created by Document Nine's prohibition against evidence-based history research. Nonetheless, collaborative translation projects and vigorously pushing for a more diverse and inclusive field in and outside of China can help PRC history continue to flourish.
To Confront the Totality: A Critique of Empiricism in the Historiography of the People's Republic of China
Authors: Werner Jake
Published: October 2021

Most recent research on the first three decades of the PRC has avoided theoretical reflection on the period, instead claiming an empiricist fidelity to the heterogeneity of lived experience. Yet the refusal of theory allows unexamined conceptualizations to structure the findings—conceptualizations whose plausibility arises not from the archive but from the historian's own historically situated sensibilities. This article identifies a deep orientation at work in an otherwise highly diverse set of scholarship on the early PRC. A research paradigm privileging the individual over the collective, civil society over the state, diversity over homogeneity, contingency over necessity, and fragmentation over totality has achieved important advances, but it has also foreclosed essential new directions for research. The article then sketches an alternative approach that does not simply reverse these binaries but aims to encompass both sides through a reappropriation of classical social theories such as those of Marx, Durkheim, and Freud. Building on long-neglected aspects of these theories, such as their varied approaches to a co-constitutive relation between social appearance and essence, would not displace careful empirical investigation but deepen it by revealing the full complexity of the sources.
Presynaptic HCN channels constrain GABAergic synaptic transmission in pyramidal cells of the medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Cai Wei , Liu Shu-Su , Li Bao-Ming , Zhang Xue-Han
Published: October 2021

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are widely expressed in neurons in the central nervous system. It has been documented that HCN channels regulate the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal cells in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of rodents. Here, we report that HCN channels limited GABAergic transmission onto pyramidal cells in rat mPFC. The pharmacological blockade of HCN channels resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of both spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in mPFC pyramidal cells, whereas potentiation of HCN channels reversely decreases the frequency of mIPSCs. Furthermore, such facilitation effect on mIPSC frequency required presynaptic Ca2+ influx. Immunofluorescence staining showed that HCN channels expressed in presynaptic GABAergic terminals, as well as in both soma and neurite of parvalbumin-expressing (PV-expressing) basket cells in mPFC. The present results indicate that HCN channels in GABAergic interneurons, most likely PV-expressing basket cells, constrain inhibitory control over layer 5–6 pyramidal cells by restricting presynaptic Ca2+ entry.
Optimal Financial Exclusion
Authors: Monnet Cyril , Quintin Erwan
Published: October 2021

We study efficient exclusion policies in a canonical credit model that features both exogenous and strategic default along the equilibrium path. Policies that maximize welfare in a stationary equilibrium implement exclusion for a finite and deterministic number of periods following default. Front-loading exclusion makes the mass of socially valuable transactions as high as it can be in steady state. Less intuitively, doing so also maximizes the average welfare of excluded agents in equilibrium conditional on the level of incentives provided by the threat of exclusion. We argue that these results are robust to a host of natural variations on our benchmark model. (JEL C73, D53, D86, G21, G32, G51)
Uma mão lava a outra: desafios em participação social
Authors: De Abreu Júlio Cesar Andrade , Inocencio Camila da Silva
Published: October 2021

Este caso aborda o dilema vivenciado por Mirella, presidente da Associação de Moradores Amoceu, que vivenciou o processo de ascensão de experiências participativas no bairro Céu, conhecido por práticas clientelistas e individualistas nas relações entre moradores e líderes do bairro antes de sua gestão. Como exemplo prático, este caso baseou-se no Orçamento Participativo Digital (OPD) do município. Na tentativa de mitigar os conflitos, que podem dificultar a plena participação da comunidade, ela busca enfrentar o desafio de externar o quanto os processos de participação social são importantes. A presidente vê-se em uma circunstância em que a cooperação mútua aparenta ser a solução.
Clínica de Exames Irapuá e os dilemas da estratégia
Authors: Duarte Francisco Dias , Faccin Kadígia , Da Silva Luciana Maines
Published: October 2021

Uma empresa do setor de Saúde (Medicina Diagnóstica) enfrenta a desaceleração de seus indicadores financeiros e se depara com a crise gerada pelo novo coronavírus. O objetivo do caso é mostrar aos alunos a importância de analisar diferentes perspectivas estratégicas relacionadas ao modelo de negócio e ao mercado no qual ele está inserido.
The Ethics of the Syrian Migration Crisis
Authors: Prosyukova Ksenia O.
Published: October 2021

The Syrian migration crisis is one of the biggest social crises of the modern era. This is evidenced by the geographical spread of the consequences, the number of refugees in each of the host countries and other bare statistics. In the context of this crisis, the governments of the host countries are making efforts to solve many problems related to the political status of refugees, their psychological adaptation to new surroundings, economic challenges for the host countries, along with issues connected with the integration and socialization of migrants. However, not many of us think about the ethical side of the migration process. Moreover, sometimes such aspects as the violation of human rights, confrontation between the ethical principles of Islam and the secular culture of Europe, and confrontation between Christian and Islamic values are simply ignored. Nevertheless, all these “inconvenient” topics are breeding grounds for concentrating misunderstandings and developing zero tolerance towards migrants, and which have an impact on the overall outcome. The migration crisis is not a temporary “inconvenience,” not a desperate measure, it is a process of transformation of European society. We consider this process as a social evolution that can be in the best interest of all participants. However, this process is impossible without reaching a compromise on ethical issues. This article is devoted to examining the ethical dilemma of the migration crisis and finding ways of solving it.
Firm-Specific Risk-Neutral Distributions with Options and CDS
Authors: Aramonte Sirio , Jahan-Parvar Mohammad R. , Rosen Samuel , Schindler John W.
Published: October 2021

We propose a method to extract the risk-neutral distribution of firm-specific stock returns using both options and credit default swaps (CDS). Options and CDS provide information about the central part and the left tail of the distribution, respectively. Taken together, but not in isolation, options and CDS span the intermediate part of the distribution, which is driven by exposure to the risk of large, but not extreme, returns. Through a series of asset-pricing tests, we show that this intermediate-return risk carries a premium, particularly at times of heightened market stress.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.
Control of Fork-Join Processing Networks with Multiple Job Types and Parallel Shared Resources
Authors: Özkan Erhun
Published: October 2021

A fork-join processing network is a queueing network in which tasks associated with a job can be processed simultaneously. Fork-join processing networks are prevalent in computer systems, healthcare, manufacturing, project management, justice systems, and so on. Unlike the conventional queueing networks, fork-join processing networks have synchronization constraints that arise because of the parallel processing of tasks and can cause significant job delays. We study scheduling in fork-join processing networks with multiple job types and parallel shared resources. Jobs arriving in the system fork into arbitrary number of tasks, then those tasks are processed in parallel, and then they join and leave the network. There are shared resources processing multiple job types. We study the scheduling problem for those shared resources (i.e., which type of job to prioritize at any given time) and propose an asymptotically optimal scheduling policy in diffusion scale.
Improving palliative care with Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Authors: Valliani Komal
Published: October 2021

Background

Advanced cardiac diseases causes a person to face issues concerning the meaning of life, death and an uncertain future. It can be challenging to improve the quality of life of those who are living with a terminal illness. For patients with a compromised cardiovascular health state, implementing a palliative care framework could play a key role in alleviating suffering and grief. This article aims to apply a modified version of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs to provide effective palliative care to patients with cardiac conditions.

Methods

A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google scholar search engines to extract relevant literature and evidence-based practices.

Results

Maslow's hierarchy of needs can also be adapted to palliative care of patients with terminal cardiac illnesses. Priority should be given to low hierarchical stages, leading to the highest physical symptoms management, personal and social security, acceptance and love during illness, restoration of self-esteem, and self-actualisation and transcendence.

Conclusions

Advanced cardiac diseases have long-term effects on a patient's life. The challenge is to provide holistic care to meet the physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of vulnerable patients through the use of appropriate palliative care plans. A modified version of Maslow's hierarchy of needs in palliative care for cardiovascular diseases could be effectively applied for the assessment of patients' requirements and the planning of interventions to achieve aims that initiate wellbeing and potentially cover the experience of transcendence.
On the front line
Authors: Wilson Victoria
Published: October 2021

Victoria Wilson explains the importance of dental nurses as oral health educators
Looking back
Authors: Elsden Jacqui
Published: October 2021

Jacqui Elsden explores the history of the British Association of Dental Nurses
No planet B
Authors: Waters Rebecca
Published: October 2021

Rebecca Waters considers how dental professionals can help in the fight against climate change
Tightening your infection control
Authors: Steadman Nicky
Published: October 2021

Nicky Steadman explains how you can streamline your processes
Validating the Glass Transition Hypothesis in Explaining Fissure Formation in Rough Rice Kernels During the Drying Process
Authors: Odek Zephania , Siebenmorgen Terry J. , Atungulu Griffiths G.
Published: October 2021

Highlights

X-ray imaging allows visualization of the fissuring that occurs at various drying air conditions.

Drying air conditions that create severe intra-kernel material state gradients during drying result in kernel fissuring.

The glass transition hypothesis was validated for explaining the fissuring of rice kernels during drying.

Abstract. Fissured rice kernels tend to break during milling, leading to milling yield reductions. A hypothesis involving changes in material state properties has been proposed to predict kernel fissuring during the drying process. The hypothesis, referred to as the glass transition hypothesis, has been used to explain kernel fissuring during the drying process and has been supported by various milling studies. However, this hypothesis has not been validated from a fundamental fissuring standpoint. In this study, experiments were performed using drying air temperatures of 45°C, 50°C, 55°C, 60°C, and 65°C with relative humidity values that produced equilibrium moisture contents (EMCs) of 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, and 14%. These EMCs would position the kernel surface at select regions on a rice material state diagram during drying. At the end of active drying, the kernels were tempered for 2 h at the drying air temperature. Fissures were viewed and detected in these kernels using X-ray imaging. Drying air temperature and EMC combinations that caused sufficient portions of the kernel surface to transition to the glassy region while the core remained in the rubbery region caused severe intra-kernel material state gradients. Such intra-kernel material state gradients caused severe fissuring, thus supporting the glass transition hypothesis in explaining fissure formation. At drying air temperature and EMC combinations that did not cause severe intra-kernel material state gradients, severe fissuring was averted, thus further supporting the glass transition hypothesis. Keywords: Glass transition hypothesis, Material state, Rice quality, State diagram, Tempering, X-ray imaging.
Temporal and Spatial Variability of Methane Emissions from Texas Open-Lot Beef Cattle Feedyard Pens
Authors: Parker David B. , Casey Kenneth D. , Waldrip Heidi Maria , Min Byeng , Woodbury Bryan L. , Spiehs Mindy , Campbell Terra , Meyer Beverly , Willis William
Published: October 2021

Highlights

Open-lot beef cattle feedyards are a source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Pen surface methane emissions were quantified during the cool and warm seasons.

Methane was generated in the lower anaerobic layers of the manure pack.

Methane emissions decreased after rainfall due to methane oxidation or blocking of pore space.

Pen surface methane emissions accounted for <1% of overall feedyard GHG as CO2eq.

Abstract. Texas is one of the top beef-producing states, where annually more than five million beef cattle are finished in large feedyards on earthen-surfaced pens. Manure deposited on open-lot pen surfaces can contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as methane (CH4). Two week-long sampling campaigns were conducted in April (cool season) and August (warm season) to quantify CH4 emissions from the feedyard pen surface. Emissions were monitored before and after 12.7 mm simulated rainfall events. Temporal and spatial variabilities in emissions were quantified using automated recirculating flux chambers, a multiplexer system, and a real-time CH4 analyzer. During the cool season, mean CH4 flux was 1.09 (SD ±2.39) and 0.12 (±0.25) g animal-1 d-1 before and after rainfall, respectively. During the warm season, mean CH4 flux was 0.65 (±1.01) and 0.26 (±0.44) g animal-1 d-1 before and after rainfall, respectively. This suggested that CH4 was produced in the lower, anaerobic layer of the manure pack and CH4 emissions were inhibited following rainfall, most likely due to microbial oxidation of CH4 in the upper layers through methanotrophy or from slowing of diffusion by blocking the manure pore space. The overall mean pen surface CH4 flux was 0.53 g animal-1 d-1. This flux accounted for a small percentage (<1%) of the overall estimated feedyard GHG emissions expressed as CO2eq. Thus, efforts to mitigate GHG from open-lot beef cattle feedyards in the Texas Panhandle should focus on sources with higher percentages of overall GHG, such as enteric methane, pen surface nitrous oxide, and nitrous oxide from fertilized cropland. Keywords: Beef cattle, Flux chamber, Greenhouse gas, Manure, Methane, Rainfall.
Magnet Fracture within a Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod: A Case Report of a New Mechanism of Failure
Authors: Jones Conor S , Rushton Paul , Hutton Michael , Stokes Oliver M
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) have been widely adopted in the management of early-onset scoliosis since they were first described in 2012. Recent reports have highlighted concerns around their safety. To date, little is understood about the risk factors and modes of failure in these devices.

Case Report: We report a novel mechanism of device failure in a 14-year-old patient following multiple revisions of MCGRs. Clinically, there was no evidence of device failure and the MCGRs appeared radiologically intact. Explantation analysis revealed multiple compromised/non-functional components. A previously undocumented phenomenon of complete magnet fracture was also seen.

Conclusion: The absence of clinical or radiological features of device failure in this case makes the findings of great concern. Given the relative paucity of high-quality evidence surrounding the use of MCGRs, we support calls for urgent comparative studies and further investigation of risk factors for device failure.

Keywords: Spinal surgery, Scoliosis, Magnetically controlled growing rods, Implant.
Management of Symptomatic Isolated Congenital Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency with Gradual Correction of Biplanar Proximal Tibial Deformity: A Case Report
Authors: Chan Chloe Xiaoyun , Zainuddin Mohammad Ashik Bin
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Isolated congenital ACLD is a rare condition with limited literature on the optimal management approach. At present, patients with instability symptoms have been managed with ACL reconstruction in case reports. We present a case report of symptomatic isolated congenital anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACLD) managed effectively with gradual correction of biplanar proximal tibial deformity alone.

Case Presentation: This was a case of bilateral isolated congenital ACLD in a 15-year-old girl with chronic bilateral knee instability, bilateral mild genu valgum, and positive Lachman’s tests. Biplanar tibial deformity was evident with a 50 proximal tibia valgus and a posterior tibial slope angle of 260 on the more symptomatic right knee. This was treated with a proximal tibial osteotomy and gradual correction with a hexapod frame using the CORA method. The right knee alignment was restored to normal. At 2-year post-surgery, her symptoms of instability had resolved, and there was a soft end point on the Lachman’s test.

Conclusion: We recommend that symptomatic isolated congenital ACLD be treated by correction of any existing bony deformities first, keeping in view of ACL reconstruction if instability persists thereafter. To date, there are no reports on correction of proximal tibial deformities as the first-line treatment in isolated congenital ACLD before consideration of ACL reconstruction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of symptomatic isolated congenital ACLD managed with correction of the biplanar deformity of the proximal tibia alone. Our management strategy proved to be effective in the treatment of this patient’s instability, with good post-operative outcomes.

Keywords: Congenital anterior cruciate ligament deficiency, hexapod frame, deformity correction, knee instability, case report.
Refractory Tibial Insufficiency Fracture Nonunion Healed with Parathyroid Hormone Level Correction: A Case Report
Authors: Perskin Cody R , Littlefield Connor , Egol Kenneth A
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Insufficiency fractures are uncommon injuries, but may occur in the lower extremity due to repetitive stress on abnormal bone tissue. Management of these injuries may include weight bearing restrictions, bracing, or even surgical intervention. In addition, a proper metabolic healing environment is required to encourage healthy bone growth following an injury.

Case Presentation: This case report discusses a patient who underwent surgical repair of a closed nondisplaced proximal tibia insufficiency fracture. Several reoperations were required due to hardware failure and bone resorption following operative nonunion repair. It was determined that her elevated PTH due to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) likely inhibited bone regeneration during the course of her treatment. A successful kidney transplant rapidly normalized the patient’s PTH levels and permitted bony healing of her tibial stress fracture.

Conclusion: Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between metabolic abnormalities and fracture healing. We are the first to present a case where bony union in an ESRD patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism was only achieved following a kidney transplant. Surgeons should be cognizant of the effect that metabolic abnormalities may have in the development of insufficiency fractures and subsequently achieving bony union following such fractures.

Keywords: Fracture, non-union, intramedullary nail, hyperparathyroidism, end-stage renal disease.
A Case Report of Tarsal Navicular Body Fracture with Lateral Ankle Ligament Complex Tear – a New Injury Combination
Authors: Singh Ankur , Gföller Peter , Ulicki Patryk
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Fractures of tarsal navicular bone are a rare injury. A navicular fracture can occur either in isolation or associated with other bony or ligamentous injuries, depending on the severity and mechanism of trauma at the time of impact. We report a previously undescribed injury combination of navicular fracture with tear of the lateral ankle ligament complex.

Case Report: An 18-year-old professional long jump athlete presented with a history of twisting injury immediately before taking off, while attempting a jump. A detailed clinical examination and radiological assessment with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan were performed. She was diagnosed to have a navicular body fracture with complete rupture of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). Acute fixation of navicular body fracture along with primary repair of ATFL and CFL was done. The final outcome of the patient was good with return to unrestricted physical activities after 4 months.

Conclusion: A new injury combination of navicular fracture along with lateral ankle ligament complex tear is reported in a professional athlete. A high index of clinical suspicion and early detection using CT and MRI scan can identify this rare injury combination. Surgical treatment can result in favorable outcomes.

Keywords: Tarsal navicular bone, fracture, anterior talofibular ligament, calcaneofibular ligament, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging scan.
Large Footprint Bone Cyst: Arthroscopic Autologous Cylinder Press-Fit with Buddy Anchor Interference-Fit for Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Traverso Aurélien , Friedrich Katharina Johanna , Reichert Winfried , Bauer Stefan
Published: October 2021

Background: About 20–25% of all rotator cuff tears are associated with footprint bone cysts. Large cysts (>10 mm2) are rare but can be problematic for anchor fixation and rotator cuff repair. So far treatment of footprint bone cysts was described using large or several anchors, cement, or compaction grafting mostly with allograft bone being biologically inferior to restore bone stock compared to autologous grafts.

Methods/Results: We report about a 57-year-old manual laborer with persistent pain and loss of shoulder function (subjective shoulder value [SSV] 50%). Magnetic resonance imaging showed a high-grade partial supraspinatus tendon tear (>50%) associated with a large supraspinatus footprint bone cyst (10 mm × 11 mm × 17 mm). An efficient setup in lateral position for arthroscopic autologous press-fit grafting from the iliac crest is described for single-stage arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Improved fixation was achieved using a buddy anchor interference-fit technique.

Conclusion: The clinical follow-up after 12 months showed an excellent outcome (SSV >90%, DASH-Score 14 points, and Constant-Score 87 points) with dynamic ultrasound and radiographs confirming tendon and bone stock restoration.

Keywords: Footprint bone cyst, arthroscopic filling, iliac crest autologous grafting, anchor, rotator cuff repair.
“Fixator-assisted Nailing” Technique for Closed Segmental Tibia Shaft Fracture with Extensive Soft Tissue Injury – A Case Report
Authors: Sodhai Vivek M , Pradhan Chetan V , Sancheti Parag K , Shyam Ashok K
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Segmental tibia fractures with extensive soft tissue injuries are rare and surgical intervention is challenging with no definitive treatment strategies.

Case Report: A 52-year-old man presented with closed right segmental tibia and fibula fracture with extensive blistering of skin caused due to road traffic accident. Distal pulses were palpable and there were no signs of compartment syndrome and other systemic injuries. In the presence of extensive blistering, a monoplanar external fixator was applied within 24 h of injury. 3 weeks later, skin condition was conducive for internal fixation, and closed intramedullary multi-locking nailing was performed using the external fixator for reduction. Fracture healed at 15 months and patient had an excellent functional outcome with full knee range of motion at 2-years follow-up without any complications.

Conclusion: Fixator-assisted nailing is a simple, minimally invasive, and easily reproducible technique that is useful in reducing the fracture and preventing axial rotation of the intercalary segment minimizing the damage to the periosteal blood supply. Our case also highlights the importance of temporary external fixator in soft tissue healing and making the skin conducive for internal fixation.

Keywords: Devascularization, fixator-assisted nailing, intercalary segment, rotational displacement, segmental tibial fracture.
Responses of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes to ozone treatment on non-host tomato: Efficacy of intervention and evidence of induced acclimation
Authors: Shu Xiaomei , Singh Manavi , Karampudi Naga Bhushana Rao , Bridges David F. , Kitazumi Ai , Wu Vivian C. H. , De los Reyes Benildo G.
Published: October 2021

Because of the continuous rise of foodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, effective post-harvest anti-microbial strategies are necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-microbial efficacy of ozone (O3) against two common causes of fresh produce contamination, the Gram-negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes, and to relate its effects to potential mechanisms of xenobiosis by transcriptional network modeling. The study on non-host tomato environment correlated the dose × time aspects of xenobiosis by examining the correlation between bacterial survival in terms of log-reduction and defense responses at the level of gene expression. In E. coli, low (1 μg O3/g of fruit) and moderate (2 μg O3/g of fruit) doses caused insignificant reduction in survival, while high dose (3 μg/g of fruit) caused significant reduction in survival in a time-dependent manner. In L. monocytogenes, moderate dose caused significant reduction even with short-duration exposure. Distinct responses to O3 xenobiosis between E. coli and L. monocytogenes are likely related to differences in membrane and cytoplasmic structure and components. Transcriptome profiling by RNA-Seq showed that primary defenses in E. coli were attenuated after exposure to a low dose, while the responses at moderate dose were characterized by massive upregulation of pathogenesis and stress-related genes, which implied the activation of defense responses. More genes were downregulated during the first hour at high dose, with a large number of such genes getting significantly upregulated after 2 hr and 3 hr. This trend suggests that prolonged exposure led to potential adaptation. In contrast, massive downregulation of genes was observed in L. monocytogenes regardless of dose and exposure duration, implying a mechanism of defense distinct from that of E. coli. The nature of bacterial responses revealed by this study should guide the selection of xenobiotic agents for eliminating bacterial contamination on fresh produce without overlooking the potential risks of adaptation.
The contributions of social comparison to social network site addiction
Authors: Kim Hyunji , Schlicht Richard , Schardt Marlit , Florack Arnd
Published: October 2021

Excessive use of social network sites (SNSs) can often lead to negative consequences of frequent upward social comparisons despite having the social network platform to present users in a favorable light. However, the existing literature gives little evidence to social comparison related antecedents and consequents of uncontrollable use of SNSs. The present study aimed to investigate the contributions of social comparison to SNS addiction. In Study 1, using a convenient sample in Austria (n = 103), we showed that the tendency to engage in social comparisons of ability (but not of opinion) predicted self-reported SNS addiction over and above the feelings of relative deprivation on social support and status. SNS addiction mediated the relations between social comparison of ability and stress, but not self-esteem. In Study 2, using a broad sample of participants in Austria (n = 500), we replicated the findings observed in Study 1 and showed that contrastive upward social comparison emotions (i.e., envy, depression) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and lower self-esteem whereas the contrastive downward social comparison emotion (i.e., contentment) mediated the relation between SNS addiction and higher self-esteem. Our findings suggest that SNS addiction closely relates to psychological constructs relevant to social comparison, mediates the link between social comparison of ability and detrimental consequences (i.e., stress, well-being) and demonstrate how social comparison emotions relate to both positive and negative associations between SNS addiction and self-esteem.
3D-printed external cranial protection following decompressive craniectomy after brain injury: A pilot feasibility cohort study
Authors: Chua Karen Sui Geok , Krishnan Rathi Ratha , Yen Jia Min , Plunkett Tegan Kate , Soh Yan Ming , Lim Chien Joo , Chia Catherine M. , Looi Jun Cong , Ng Suan Gek , Rao Jai
Published: October 2021

Objectives

3D-printed (3DP) customized temporary cranial protection solutions following decompressive craniectomy (DC) are currently not widely practiced. A pilot trial of a 3DP customized head protection prototype device (HPPD) on 10 subjects was conducted during the subacute rehabilitation phase.

Materials and methods

Subjects > 30 days post-DC with stable cranial flaps and healed wounds were enrolled. HPPD were uniquely designed based on individuals’ CT scan, where the base conformed to the surface of the individual’s skin covering the cranial defect, and the lateral surface three-dimensionally mirrored, the contralateral healthy head. Each HPPD was fabricated using the fused deposition modeling method. These HPPD were then fitted on subjects using a progressive wearing schedule and monitored over 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 follow-up (FU) weeks. Outcomes during FU included; reported wearing time/day (hours), subjective pain, discomfort, pruritus, dislodgment, cosmesis ratings; and observed wound changes. The primary outcome was safety and tolerability without pain or wound changes within 30 minutes of HPPD fitting.

Results

In all, 10 enrolled subjects received 12 HPPDs [5/10 male, mean (SD) age 46 (14) years, mean (SD) duration post-DC 110 days (76)] and all subjects tolerated 30 minutes of initial HPPD fitting without wound changes. The mean (SD) HPPD mass was 61.2 g (SD 19.88). During 8 weeks of FU, no HPPD-related skin dehiscence was observed, while 20% (2/10) had transient skin imprints, and 80% (8/10) reported self-limiting pressure and pruritis.

Discussion

Findings from this exploratory study demonstrated preliminary feasibility and safety for a customized 3DP HPPD for temporary post-DC head protection over 8 weeks of follow-up. Monitoring and regular rest breaks during HPPD wear were important to prevent skin complications.

Conclusion

This study suggests the potential for wider 3DP technology applications to provide cranial protection for this vulnerable population.
MNI: An enhanced multi-task neighborhood interaction model for recommendation on knowledge graph
Authors: Ma Xintao , Dong Liyan , Wang Yuequn , Li Yongli , Zhang Hao
Published: October 2021

To alleviate the data sparsity and cold start problems for collaborative filtering in recommendation systems, side information is usually leveraged by researchers to improve the recommendation performance. The utility of knowledge graph regards the side information as part of the graph structure and gives an explanation for recommendation results. In this paper, we propose an enhanced multi-task neighborhood interaction (MNI) model for recommendation on knowledge graphs. MNI explores not only the user-item interaction but also the neighbor-neighbor interactions, capturing a more sophisticated local structure. Besides, the entities and relations are also semantically embedded. And with the cross&compress unit, items in the recommendation system and entities in the knowledge graph can share latent features, and thus high-order interactions can be investigated. Through extensive experiments on real-world datasets, we demonstrate that MNI outperforms some of the state-of-the-art baselines both for CTR prediction and top-N recommendation.
Enhancement-constrained acceleration: A robust reconstruction framework in breast DCE-MRI
Authors: Easley Ty O. , Ren Zhen , Kim Byol , Karczmar Gregory S. , Barber Rina F. , Pineda Federico D.
Published: October 2021

In patients with dense breasts or at high risk of breast cancer, dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool. However, its specificity is highly variable and sometimes low; quantitative measurements of contrast uptake parameters may improve specificity and mitigate this issue. To improve diagnostic accuracy, data need to be captured at high spatial and temporal resolution. While many methods exist to accelerate MRI temporal resolution, not all are optimized to capture breast DCE-MRI dynamics. We propose a novel, flexible, and powerful framework for the reconstruction of highly-undersampled DCE-MRI data: enhancement-constrained acceleration (ECA). Enhancement-constrained acceleration uses an assumption of smooth enhancement at small time-scale to estimate points of smooth enhancement curves in small time intervals at each voxel. This method is tested in silico with physiologically realistic virtual phantoms, simulating state-of-the-art ultrafast acquisitions at 3.5s temporal resolution reconstructed at 0.25s temporal resolution (demo code available here). Virtual phantoms were developed from real patient data and parametrized in continuous time with arterial input function (AIF) models and lesion enhancement functions. Enhancement-constrained acceleration was compared to standard ultrafast reconstruction in estimating the bolus arrival time and initial slope of enhancement from reconstructed images. We found that the ECA method reconstructed images at 0.25s temporal resolution with no significant loss in image fidelity, a 4x reduction in the error of bolus arrival time estimation in lesions (p < 0.01) and 11x error reduction in blood vessels (p < 0.01). Our results suggest that ECA is a powerful and versatile tool for breast DCE-MRI.