bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Transverse Craniofacial Dimensions Between Growing Individuals With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate and Age-and Sex-Matched Noncleft Controls
Authors: Gorucu-Coskuner Hande , Atik Ezgi , Akarsu-Guven Bengisu , Aksu Muge
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The study aimed to assess the transverse craniofacial dimensions of patients (age, 7-14 years) with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), compare these dimensions with those of noncleft individuals, and identify the correlations between the nasal and maxillary transverse widths of patients with UCLP.

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Participants:

Eighty patients operated on for complete UCLP (UCLP group; 35 girls, 45 boys; median age: 10.7 [7.9-14] years) and 80 age- and sex-matched noncleft individuals (control group; 35 girls, 45 boys; median age: 10.7 [7.3-14] years).

Interventions:

Interorbital, bizygomatic, nasal, maxillary skeletal, maxillary molar, mandibular molar, and antegonial width measurements were performed using posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs. Intergroup comparisons were conducted by using the independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Correlation between the variables was examined using Pearson correlation analysis.

Results:

The bizygomatic, maxillary skeletal and molar, mandibular molar, and antegonial widths in the UCLP group were significantly less than those in the control group ( P < .05). A positive correlation was found between the maxillary skeletal and nasal widths ( r = 0.550, P < .001) and between the maxillary molar and nasal widths ( r = 0.560, P < .001).

Conclusions:

In individuals with UCLP, the bizygomatic, maxillary skeletal and molar, mandibular molar, and antegonial widths were significantly less than those in noncleft individuals. As the maxillary skeletal and dental widths presented a positive correlation with the nasal width, a decrease in nasal width must be considered when maxillary constriction is noted.
Symptom and Disability Measurement by Common Foot and Ankle–Specific Outcome Rating Scales
Authors: Sieradzki James P. , Larsen Nicholas , Wong Ivan , Ferkel Richard D.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Well-designed foot and ankle clinical outcomes research requires region-specific subjective outcome measures. Many foot and ankle–specific instruments are now available. Determining which instruments to choose is daunting. We present a patient survey to determine the most relevant questions pertaining to them.

Methods:

Sixteen foot and ankle–specific outcome instruments were chosen based on popularity, emphasizing valid, reliable, responsive scores. Subjective portions were consolidated and given to 109 patients with osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) (39), ankle instability (35), and ankle arthritis (35). Outcome instruments were measured according to 4 criteria: number of questions endorsed by 51%, number with high mean importance, number with low mean importance, and number with the highest-ranking frequency importance product. Instruments were then ranked based on relative score, with the highest scores indicating the instrument was the most useful for that sample.

Results:

The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) achieved the highest score in all 4 categories for OLT, followed by Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Foot and Ankle Score. The FAOS achieved the highest score in all 4 categories for ankle instability, followed by FAAM and AAOS. For osteoarthritis, the FAOS achieved the highest relative score followed by FAAM and AAOS. The AOF, Ankle Osteoarthritis Score, and AAS are instruments commonly used that had lower relative scores.

Conclusion:

The FAOS, FAAM, and AAOS Foot and Ankle Score contain several items important to patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus, ankle instability, and ankle osteoarthritis.

Level of Evidence:

Level II, prospective comparative study.
Assessment of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex in neurologically abnormal cats
Authors: Paushter Aaron M , Hague Devon W , Foss Kari D , Sander William E
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the cutaneous trunci reflex (CTR) in a population of neurologically abnormal cats in regard to age, body condition score (BCS), sex, breed, evidence of traumatic injury, pain, known metabolic disease, mentation, neurolocalization and diagnostic classification.

Methods

A retrospective medical record review was performed to identify cats with a history of neurologic disease undergoing a complete neurologic assessment between 24 September 2012 and 20 March 2019. CTR outcome (present, absent), signalment, evidence of traumatic injury, pain, known metabolic disease, mentation, neurolocalization and diagnostic classification were recorded.

Results

A total of 182 cats were identified. The CTR was present in 118 cats (64.8%) and absent in 64 cats (35.2%). Statistical analysis revealed no association between CTR outcome and age, BCS, sex, breed, evidence of traumatic injury, non-spinal pain, known metabolic disease, mentation, neurolocalization or diagnostic classification. A significant association was found between spinal pain and CTR outcome ( P = 0.037).

Conclusions and relevance

These findings suggest that elicitation of the CTR in the cat can be unreliable. Further prospective controlled studies are warranted to determine whether continued inclusion of the CTR in feline neurologic examinations is justified. Consideration of the reliability of the CTR is indicated, particularly in the context of fractious or anxious patients for which only a limited window for examination may be present.
Optical tolerance to rotation of trifocal toric intraocular lenses as a function of the cylinder power
Authors: Ruiz-Alcocer Javier , Lorente-Velázquez Amalia , de Gracia Pablo , Madrid-Costa David
Published: May 2020

Background

The aim was to assess the impact of 5- and 10-degree rotations in the optical quality of a trifocal toric intraocular lens with different amounts of cylinder.

Methods

Two Physiol Toric intraocular lenses with 1.5 and 3.0 D of cylinder were analysed in three different positions: centred, 5 and 10 degrees rotated. The optical quality of the intraocular lenses was evaluated with the PMTF optical bench through specific perpendicular targets. The analysis was performed by the through-focus modulation transfer function curves and the modulation transfer function corresponding to distance vision (0 D of vergence).

Results

For a centred situation, the through-focus modulation transfer function curves of both intraocular lenses showed the classical three peaks corresponding to the powers of the two principal meridians of the intraocular lenses. When 5 and 10 degrees of rotation were induced, the three peaks were attenuated in both cases. The case with the intraocular lens with 3.0 D of cylinder and 10 degrees of rotation showed the worst optical quality and a significant loss of trifocality. The modulation transfer function values obtained for distance vision also showed the worst optical quality for the intraocular lens with 3.0 D of cylinder and 10 degrees of rotation.

Conclusion

Rotations over 5 degrees decreased the optical quality of trifocal toric intraocular lenses, being this reduction moderate from 5 to 10 degrees for low levels of cylinder (≤1.5 D). For mid-high levels of cylinder (≥3.0 D), rotations over 5 degrees cause a significant loss of optical quality at all object distances.
Disability progression in relapse-free multiple sclerosis patients on fingolimod versus interferon-beta/glatiramer acetate
Authors: von Wyl Viktor , Benkert Pascal , Moser André , Lorscheider Johannes , Décard Bernhard , Hänni Peter , Lienert Carmen , Kuhle Jens , Derfuss Tobias , Kappos Ludwig , Yaldizli Özgür
Published: May 2020

Background:

Disability progression independent of relapses (PIRA) has been described as a frequent phenomenon in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective:

To compare the occurrence of disability progression in relapse-free RRMS patients on interferon-beta/glatiramer acetate (IFN/GA) versus fingolimod.

Methods:

This study is based on data from the Swiss association for joint tasks of health insurers. Time to relapse and 12-month confirmed disability progression were compared between treatment groups using multivariable Cox regression analysis with confounder adjustment. Inverse-probability weighting was applied to correct for the bias that patients on fingolimod have a higher chance to remain relapse-free than patients on IFN/GA.

Results:

We included 1640 patients (64% IFN/GA, 36% fingolimod, median total follow-up time = 4–5 years). Disease-modifying treatment (DMT) groups were well balanced with regard to potential confounders. Disability progression was observed in 155 patients (8.8%) on IFN/GA and 51 (7.6%) on fingolimod, of which 44 and 23 were relapse-free during the initial DMT, respectively. Adjusted standard regression analysis on all patients indicated that those on fingolimod experience less frequently disability progression compared with IFN/GA (hazard ratio = 0.53 (95% confidence interval = 0.37–0.76)). After bias correction, this was also true for patients without relapses (hazard ratio=0.56 (95% confidence interval = 0.32–0.98).

Conclusion:

Our analysis indicates that fingolimod is superior to IFN/GA in preventing disability progression in both relapsing and relapse-free, young, newly diagnosed RRMS patients.
Propagative broad learning for nonparametric modeling of ambient effects on structural health indicators
Authors: Kuok Sin-Chi , Yuen Ka-Veng , Roberts Stephen , Girolami Mark A
Published: May 2020

In this article, a novel propagative broad learning approach is proposed for nonparametric modeling of the ambient effects on structural health indicators. Structural health indicators interpret the structural health condition of the underlying dynamical system. Long-term structural health monitoring on in-service civil engineering infrastructures has demonstrated that commonly used structural health indicators, such as modal frequencies, depend on the ambient conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to detrend the ambient effects on the structural health indicators for reliable judgment on the variation of structural integrity. However, two major challenging problems are encountered. First, it is not trivial to formulate an appropriate parametric expression for the complicated relationship between the operating conditions and the structural health indicators. Second, since continuous data stream is generated during long-term structural health monitoring, it is required to handle the growing data efficiently. The proposed propagative broad learning provides an effective tool to address these problems. In particular, it is a model-free data-driven machine learning approach for nonparametric modeling of the ambient-influenced structural health indicators. Moreover, the learning network can be updated and reconfigured incrementally to adapt newly available data as well as network architecture modifications. The proposed approach is applied to develop the ambient-influenced structural health indicator model based on the measurements of 3-year full-scale continuous monitoring on a reinforced concrete building.
Damage detection with the fundamental mode of edge waves
Authors: Hughes James M , Mohabuth Munawwar , Khanna Aditya , Vidler James , Kotousov Andrei , Ng Ching-Tai
Published: May 2020

Detection of mechanical damage using Lamb or Rayleigh waves is limited to relatively simple geometries, yet real structures often incorporate features such as free or clamped edges, welds, rivets, ribs and holes. All these features are potential sources of wave reflections and scattering, which make the application of these types of guided waves for damage detection difficult. However, these features can themselves generate so-called ‘feature-guided’ waves. This article details the first application of the fundamental mode of transient edge waves for detection of mechanical damage. The fundamental edge wave mode (ES0) – a natural analogue to Rayleigh waves – is weakly dispersive and may decay with propagation distance. The phase and group velocities of the ES0 wave mode are close to the fundamental shear horizontal (SH0) and symmetric Lamb (S0) wave modes, at low and high frequencies, respectively. It is therefore quite challenging to excite a single ES0 mode and avoid wave coupling. However, it was found experimentally that at medium range frequencies the ES0 mode can be decoupled from SH0 and S0 modes, and its decay is small, allowing for distant detection of defects and damage along free edges of slender structural components. This article provides a brief theory of edge waves, excitation methodology and successful examples of distant detection of crack-like and corrosion damage in I-beam sections, which are widely applied in engineering and construction.
Radiographic Incidence and Functional Outcomes of Distal Radius Fractures Undergoing Volar Plate Fixation With Concomitant Scapholunate Widening: A Prospective Analysis
Authors: Wang William L. , Abboudi Jack , Gallant Gregory , Jones Christopher , Kirkpatrick William , Kwok Moody , Liss Frederic , Takei T. Robert , Wang Mark , Ilyas Asif M.
Published: May 2020

Background: Scapholunate (SL) ligament injuries can occur concomitantly with distal radius fractures (DRFs), and the management of acute SL injury in the setting of DRFs remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to identify the radiographic incidence of SL widening in DRF treated with volar plate fixation and to determine the functional outcomes of DRF with concomitant radiographic SL-widening. Methods: One hundred and seventeen patients with DRFs, with and without radiographic SL-widening, and treated with volar locked plating, were prospectively enrolled. No SL ligament repairs or reconstructions were performed in any cases. Patients with DRFs with radiographic criteria for SL widening were compared to those without. Patients were evaluated at 3 months and 1 year postoperatively with Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaires. Results: Thirty-one patients (26.5%) were found to have radiographic evidence of SL widening. Patients with concomitant SL widening had less wrist extension at 3 months (52.4 degrees vs 60.8, P = .034) and at 1 year (64.5 degrees vs 71.8, P = .023). The group with SL widening had greater articular step off at 3 months (0.33 vs 0.06, P = .042), but no difference at 1 year (0.11 vs 0.05, P = .348). There were no differences in wrist flexion, supination, pronation, volar tilt, radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, PRWE scores, and Quick Dash scores at 3 months and 1 year. Conclusions: Radiographic SL-widening is a common finding associated with DRFs undergoing surgical repair. There are similar clinical outcomes between those with untreated SL widening compared to those without an SL widening at 1-year postoperatively.
A new hybrid model of sparsity empirical wavelet transform and adaptive dynamic least squares support vector machine for fault diagnosis of gear pump
Authors: Lu Yan , Huang Zhiping
Published: May 2020

Gear pump is the key component in hydraulic drive system, and it is very significant to fault diagnosis for gear pump. The combination of sparsity empirical wavelet transform and adaptive dynamic least squares support vector machine is proposed for fault diagnosis of gear pump in this article. Sparsity empirical wavelet transform is used to obtain the features of the vibrational signal of gear pump, the sparsity function is potential to make empirical wavelet transform adaptive, and adaptive dynamic least squares support vector machine is used to recognize the state of gear pump. The experimental results show that the diagnosis accuracies of sparsity empirical wavelet transform and adaptive dynamic least squares support vector machine are better than those of the empirical wavelet transform and adaptive dynamic least squares support vector machine method or the empirical wavelet transform and least squares support vector machine method.
Mapping ethical positions with regard to a coach’s decision to select (or not) an injured athlete
Authors: Fruchart Eric , Rulence-Pâques Patricia , Nicole Cantisano
Published: May 2020

The study’s objective was to map ethical positions with regard to the way in which 219 participants (45 non-athletes, 91 amateur athletes, 28 professional athletes, 17 amateur coaches, 8 professional coaches, and 30 physiotherapists) used various informational cues (an athlete’s indispensability for the team, the importance of the competition, the opinion given by sports medicine professionals, and the injured athlete’s attitude) to judge the acceptability of a coach’s decision to select (or not) an injured athlete just before a competition. The participants specified their judgment of acceptability in 16 scenarios created by combining these information cues under two conditions (selection and non-selection). The data were analyzed using cluster analyses, analyses of variance, and chi-squared tests. We found four clusters. Not selecting an injured athlete was always judged to be acceptable. The four clusters differed in terms of the type of role in sport and the level of acceptability of selecting an injured athlete. A coach’s decision with regard to an athlete’s health may be judged differently, according to the rater’s profile. Enabling athletes to compete while injured might violate ethical principles. Coaches and medical staff should also be aware of and understand their legal responsibilities.
Foreign Direct Investment and the Poverty Reduction Nexus in Tanzania
Authors: Musakwa Mercy T. , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: May 2020

In this study, the causality between poverty reduction and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Tanzania using time-series data from 1980 to 2014 is investigated. The study attempts to answer one question. Does FDI drive poverty reduction in Tanzania? To answer this question, autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL)-bounds testing approach to cointegration and error correction model (ECM)-based causality model within a trivariate setting was used. The study employs three poverty reduction measures to ensure robustness, namely, household consumption expenditure (pov1), infant mortality rate (pov2), and life expectancy (pov3). The results show that there is a distinct unidirectional causality from poverty reduction to FDI in the short run and in the long run when poverty reduction is measured by household consumption expenditure and life expectancy. A unidirectional causality is confirmed from FDI to poverty reduction in the short run, and no causality is recorded in the long run when infant mortality rate is used as a poverty reduction proxy. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the causal relationship between FDI and poverty reduction in Tanzania is sensitive to the proxy used to measure the level of poverty and to the time span considered.
Soft Power, Hard News: How Journalists at State-Funded Transnational Media Legitimize Their Work
Authors: Wright Kate , Scott Martin , Bunce Mel
Published: May 2020

How do journalists working for different state-funded international news organizations legitimize their relationship to the governments which support them? In what circumstances might such journalists resist the diplomatic strategies of their funding states? We address these questions through a comparative study of journalists working for international news organizations funded by the Chinese, US, UK and Qatari governments. Using 52 interviews with journalists covering humanitarian issues, we explain how they minimized tensions between their diplomatic role and dominant norms of journalistic autonomy by drawing on three – broadly shared – legitimizing narratives, involving different kinds of boundary-work. In the first ‘exclusionary’ narrative, journalists differentiated their ‘truthful’ news reporting from the ‘false’ state ‘propaganda’ of a common Other, the Russian-funded network, RT. In the second ‘fuzzifying’ narrative, journalists deployed the ambiguous notion of ‘soft power’ as an ambivalent ‘boundary concept’, to defuse conflicts between journalistic and diplomatic agendas. In the final ‘inversion’ narrative, journalists argued that, paradoxically, their dependence on funding states gave them greater ‘operational autonomy’. Even when journalists did resist their funding states, this was hidden or partial, and prompted less by journalists’ concerns about the political effects of their work, than by serious threats to their personal cultural capital.
Osteoarthritis treatment with a novel nutraceutical acetylated ligstroside aglycone, a chemically modified extra-virgin olive oil polyphenol
Authors: de Andrés María C , Meiss Mia S , Sánchez-Hidalgo Marina , González-Benjumea Alejandro , Fernández-Bolaños Jose G , Alarcón-de-la-Lastra Catalina , Oreffo Richard OC
Published: May 2020

Recent studies have shown that dietary patterns confer protection from certain chronic diseases related to oxidative stress, the immune system and chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential and the capacity to attenuate cartilage degradation using extra-virgin olive oil–derived polyphenols for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Results show that both nutraceuticals ligstroside aglycone and acetylated ligstroside aglycone showed an anti-inflammatory profile. Acetylated ligstroside aglycone significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes including NOS2 and MMP13 at both RNA and protein levels; decreased nitric oxide release; and, importantly, reduced proteoglycan loss in human osteoarthritis cartilage explants. Our study demonstrated that a new synthetic acetylated ligstroside aglycone derivative offers enhanced anti-inflammatory profile than the natural nutraceutical compound in osteoarthritis. These results substantiate the role of nutraceuticals in osteoarthritis with implications for therapeutic intervention and our understanding of osteoarthritis pathophysiology.
Analysis of health outcomes in vaccinated and unvaccinated children: Developmental delays, asthma, ear infections and gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Hooker Brian S , Miller Neil Z
Published: May 2020

Objective:

The aim of this study was to compare the health of vaccinated versus unvaccinated pediatric populations.

Methods:

Using data from three medical practices in the United States with children born between November 2005 and June 2015, vaccinated children were compared to unvaccinated children during the first year of life for later incidence of developmental delays, asthma, ear infections and gastrointestinal disorders. All diagnoses utilized International Classification of Diseases–9 and International Classification of Diseases–10 codes through medical chart review. Subjects were a minimum of 3 years of age, stratified based on medical practice, year of birth and gender and compared using a logistic regression model.

Results:

Vaccination before 1 year of age was associated with increased odds of developmental delays (OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.47–3.24), asthma (OR = 4.49, 95% CI 2.04–9.88) and ear infections (OR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.63–2.78). In a quartile analysis, subjects were grouped by number of vaccine doses received in the first year of life. Higher odds ratios were observed in Quartiles 3 and 4 (where more vaccine doses were received) for all four health conditions considered, as compared to Quartile 1. In a temporal analysis, developmental delays showed a linear increase as the age cut-offs increased from 6 to 12 to 18 to 24 months of age (ORs = 1.95, 2.18, 2.92 and 3.51, respectively). Slightly higher ORs were also observed for all four health conditions when time permitted for a diagnosis was extended from ⩾ 3 years of age to ⩾ 5 years of age.

Conclusion:

In this study, which only allowed for the calculation of unadjusted observational associations, higher ORs were observed within the vaccinated versus unvaccinated group for developmental delays, asthma and ear infections. Further study is necessary to understand the full spectrum of health effects associated with childhood vaccination.
Comparative Study Between Uniportal Full-Endoscopic Interlaminar and Tubular Approach in the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Carrascosa-Granada Angela , Velazquez Willian , Wagner Ralf , Saab Mazzei Anwar , Vargas-Jimenez Andrés , Jorquera Manuela , Albacar Juan Antonio Barcia , Sallabanda Kita
Published: May 2020

Study Design:

Multicenter, prospective, randomized, and double-blinded study.

Objectives:

To compare tubular and endoscopic interlaminar approach.

Methods:

Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and neurogenic claudication of were randomized to tubular or endoscopic technique. Enrollment period was 12 months. Clinical follow up at 1, 3, 6 months after surgery with visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score. Radiologic evaluation with magnetic resonance pre- and postsurgery.

Results:

Twenty patients were enrolled: 10 in tubular approach (12 levels) and 10 in endoscopic approach (11 levels). The percentage of enlargement of the spinal canal was higher in endoscopic approach (202%) compared with tubular approach (189%) but was not statistically significant ( P = .777). The enlargement of the dural sac was higher in endoscopic group (209%) compared with tubular group (203%) but no difference was found between the 2 groups ( P = .628). A modest significant correlation was found between the percentage of spinal canal decompression and enlargement of the dural sac ( r = 0.5, P = .023). Both groups reported a significant clinical improvement postsurgery. However, no significant association was found between the percentage of enlargement of the spinal canal or the dural sac and clinical improvement as determined by scales scores. Endoscopic group had lower intrasurgical bleeding ( P < .001) and lower disability at 6 months of follow-up than tubular group (p=0.037).

Conclusions:

In the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, endoscopic technique allows similar decompression of the spinal canal and the dural sac, lower intrasurgical bleeding, similar symptoms improvement, and lower disability at 6 months of follow-up, as compared with the tubular technique.
Soft Tissue: A Possible Source of Pain Pre and Post Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Authors: Marcus Norman J. , Schmidt Franziska A.
Published: May 2020

Study Design:

Case studies.

Objectives:

To demonstrate that muscle generated pain (MGP) may be a cause of pain in patients who have undergone minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS).

Methods:

A physical examination including electrical stimulation of putative pain generating muscles to identify the presence of lowered thresholds for depolarization of muscle nociceptors, and an examination of strength and flexibility of key muscles in the upper and lower body, may identify multiple etiologies of MGP. Treatment of identified muscles consisted of muscle/tendon injections to identified sensitized muscles followed by exercises incorporating relaxation limbering and stretching.

Results:

Postsurgical pain was eliminated and mobility restored in both presented cases replicating success in prior published studies.

Conclusions:

Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of muscle pain may facilitate the evaluation and treatment of MGP in MISS patients diagnosed with failed back surgery syndrome.
AOSpine Consensus Paper on Nomenclature for Working-Channel Endoscopic Spinal Procedures
Authors: Hofstetter Christoph P. , Ahn Yong , Choi Gun , Gibson J. N. A. , Ruetten S. , Zhou Yue , Li Zhen Zhou , Siepe Christoph J. , Wagner Ralf , Lee Jun-Ho , Sairyo Koichi , Choi Kyung Chul , Chen Chien-Min , Telfeian A. E. , Zhang Xifeng , Banhot Arun , Lokhande Pramod V. , Prada N. , Shen Jian , Cortinas F. C. , Brooks N. P. , Van Daele Peter , Kotheeranurak Vit , Hasan Saqib , Keorochana Gun , Assous Mohammed , Härtl Roger , Kim Jin-Sung
Published: May 2020

Study Design:

International consensus paper on a unified nomenclature for full-endoscopic spine surgery.

Objectives:

Minimally invasive endoscopic spinal procedures have undergone rapid development during the past decade. Evolution of working-channel endoscopes and surgical instruments as well as innovation in surgical techniques have expanded the types of spinal pathology that can be addressed. However, there is in the literature a heterogeneous nomenclature defining approach corridors and procedures, and this lack of common language has hampered communication between endoscopic spine surgeons, patients, hospitals, and insurance providers.

Methods:

The current report summarizes the nomenclature reported for working-channel endoscopic procedures that address cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal pathology.

Results:

We propose a uniform system that defines the working-channel endoscope (full-endoscopic), approach corridor (anterior, posterior, interlaminar, transforaminal), spinal segment (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), and procedure performed (eg, discectomy, foraminotomy). We suggest the following nomenclature for the most common full-endoscopic procedures: posterior endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PECF), transforaminal endoscopic thoracic discectomy (TETD), transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), transforaminal lumbar foraminotomy (TELF), interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD), interlaminar endoscopic lateral recess decompression (IE-LRD), and lumbar endoscopic unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (LE-ULBD).

Conclusions:

We believe that it is critical to delineate a consensus nomenclature to facilitate uniformity of working-channel endoscopic procedures within academic scholarship. This will hopefully facilitate development, standardization of procedures, teaching, and widespread acceptance of full-endoscopic spinal procedures.
Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF): An Update
Authors: Rabau Oded , Navarro-Ramirez Rodrigo , Aziz Mina , Teles Alisson , Mengxiao Ge Susan , Quillo-Olvera Javier , Ouellet Jean
Published: May 2020

Degenerative lumbar spine disease (DLSD) is a heterogenous group of conditions that can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is one of the treatment modalities for DLSD that has been increasing in popularity over the past decade. The treatment of DLSD should be individualized based on patients’ symptoms and characteristics to maximize outcomes.

Methods:

Literature review, invited review.

Results:

In this article, we will (1) review the use of the LLIF technique in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease, (2) review the current concepts of LLIF, and (3) explore the evidence to date that will allow the reader to maximize the benefits of this technique.

Conclusions:

LLIF is an alternative for the treatment of degenerative pathologies of the lumbar spine via indirect decompression.
Minimally Invasive Posterior Cervical Fusion With Facet Cages to Augment High-Risk Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis: A Case Series
Authors: Kramer Sterling , Albana Mohamed F. , Ferraro John B. , Shah Rahul V.
Published: May 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective case series.

Objectives:

To evaluate the efficacy and results of minimally invasive posterior cervical fusion with facet cages as an augment to high-risk patients and patients status post multilevel anterior cervical decompression and fusion.

Methods:

Thirty-five patients with symptomatic cervical stenosis with high risk for pseudoarthrosis underwent circumferential cervical decompression and fusion via staged anterior and posterior approach. Anterior cervical decompression and fusion was performed first by means of the standard anterior approach, with the patient supine on the operating table. The patients were subsequently flipped into a prone position and minimally invasive posterior cervical facet fusion with DTRAX was performed. The patients were then followed in the outpatient clinic for an average of 312.71 days. Postoperative patient satisfaction scores were obtained via the visual analogue scale (VAS). Preoperative VAS scores were compared with postoperative VAS scores in order to evaluate patient outcomes.

Results:

Of the 35 patients evaluated, minimum follow-up was 102 days, with a maximum follow-up of 839 days. Average preoperative and postoperative VAS scores were 7.6 and 2.8, respectively ( P < .0001), with an average improvement of 4.86 points. This was an average improvement of 64.70% from preoperative to postoperative. Seventeen patients had excellent outcomes, with a postoperative VAS score ≤2. Seven patients achieved a postoperative VAS score of 0, with 100% improvement of preoperative pain and symptoms. Average blood loss was 70.38 mL. Average length of stay was 1.03 days.

Conclusions:

The results indicate that minimally invasive posterior cervical decompression and fusion with facet cages, when combined with standard anterior cervical decompression and fusion, is an effective means of obtaining circumferential cervical fusion while simultaneously improving patient outcomes.
Sex-Based Differences in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries Among United States High School Soccer Players: An Epidemiological Study
Authors: Gupta Andrew S. , Pierpoint Lauren A. , Comstock R. Dawn , Saper Michael G.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are common among high school athletes, with sex-based differences accounting for higher injury rates in girls. Previous epidemiological studies on ACL injuries focusing on adolescent athletes have looked at injuries across multiple sports, but few have analyzed ACL tears in solely high school soccer athletes.

Purpose:

To examine sex-based differences in the epidemiology of ACL injuries among high school soccer players in the United States (US).

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiological study.

Methods:

ACL injury data for US high school soccer players were obtained from the internet-based National High School Sports-Related Injury Surveillance Study’s High School RIO (Reporting Information Online) system. Athletic trainers from a random sample of 100 high schools from 8 strata based on US Census geographic region reported data for athlete-exposures (AEs) (practice or competition) and ACL injuries from 2007 through 2017. Injury rates were calculated as the number of ACL injuries per 100,000 AEs. Subgroup differences were evaluated with rate ratios (RRs) or injury proportion ratios (IPRs) and 95% CIs. Statistical differences in demographics between groups were examined using independent t tests. Comparisons of categorical data (ie, level of play) were performed using the Wald chi-square test.

Results:

The reported number of ACL injuries corresponded to weighted national estimates of 41,025 (95% CI, 33,321-48,730) ACL injuries in boys’ soccer and 110,028 (95% CI, 95,349-124,709) in girls’ soccer during the study period. The rate of injuries was higher in girls’ soccer (13.23/100,000 AEs) than boys’ soccer (4.35/100,000 AEs) (RR, 3.04 [95% CI, 2.35-3.98]). The rate of ACL injuries was higher in competition compared with practice for girls (RR, 14.77 [95% CI, 9.85-22.15]) and boys (RR, 8.69 [95% CI, 5.01-15.08]). Overall, a smaller proportion of ACL injuries were caused by player-player contact for girls (30.1%) compared with boys (48.6%) (IPR, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.41-0.93]).

Conclusion:

ACL injury rates and patterns in high school soccer players differed between sex, type of exposure (practice vs competition), and mechanism of injury.
CAR T-cell immunotherapy of B-cell malignancy: the story so far
Authors: Halim Leena , Maher John
Published: May 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapy has achieved unprecedented efficacy in the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant or refractory B-cell malignancies. Promising results from pivotal anti-CD19 CAR T-cell phase II trials have led to landmark approvals of two CD19-specific CAR T-cell products by the United States Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. However, several issues associated with CAR T-cell treatment remain unresolved, such as the management of severe toxicities and the frequent occurrence of both antigen-positive and antigen-negative relapse. Nonetheless, pre-clinical research is advancing at an unprecedented pace to develop innovative solutions to address these issues. Herein, we summarise recent clinical developments and outcomes of CD19-targeted CAR T-cell immunotherapy and discuss emerging strategies that may further improve the success, safety and broadened applicability of this approach.
Identifying user classes for shared and automated mobility services
Authors: Winter Konstanze , Cats Oded , Martens Karel , van Arem Bart
Published: May 2020

New forms of shared mobility such as free-floating car-sharing services and shared automated vehicles have the potential to change urban travel behaviour. In this paper, we identify potential user classes for these new modes. For this, a stated choice experiment on mode choice among a sample of the Dutch urban population has been conducted, which features free-floating car-sharing and shared automated vehicles next to private vehicles, bus, and taxi. The experimental design allows disentangling the effects of vehicle ownership, vehicle sharing and vehicle automation on the perceived utility of these modes. Further contributions lie in the identification of user classes for shared and automated mobility services and their potential migration from their current modes to the these services. Latent class choice models were estimated to capture the heterogeneity in these preferences among the respondents. The most explanatory mode choice model is obtained by estimating a 3-class nested logit model capturing the impact of vehicle ownership. The results show that higher educated and more time-sensitive respondents are more inclined than others to favour the (automated) car-sharing options. By simulating a scenario that directly compares car with free-floating car-sharing and taxi with shared automated vehicles, a migration analysis has been performed. This analysis shows that the preferences towards shared automated vehicles and free-floating car-sharing is highest for those currently combining car and public transport for their commute. Commuters using the car showed a high preference towards free-floating car-sharing, in particular as for the latter no parking fees are issued. Respondents currently commuting by public transport showed the lowest preference for the new modes.
An improved method for gastric tube and anastomotic anvil placement during thoracoscopic and laparoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy
Authors: Shen Yi , Zhou Yunfeng , Zhuang Xiang
Published: May 2020

Background

During esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, a gastric tube is necessary for the perioperative period. However, the gastric tube and anastomotic anvil placement is often extremely difficult and time consuming during surgery.

Methods

We used the traditional method or improved method to place the gastric tube and anastomotic anvil during thoracoscopic and laparoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Thirty-seven patients were in the improved group: the gastric tube and anastomotic anvil were placed using the improved method; 35 patients were in the traditional group: the gastric tube and anastomotic anvil were placed using the traditional method. Retrospectively, we analyze the basic clinical characteristics, perioperative clinical features, and postoperative complications of the two groups of patients.

Results

The two groups were matched well for baseline characteristics. There was no significant difference between the two groups in blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative fasting time, drainage volume, and overall complications. But significant between-group differences were observed in time consuming and chest tube indwelling time (P < 0.05), both of which were significantly shorter in the improved group than in the traditional group.

Conclusions

This improved method can reduce the difficulty of placing anastomotic anvil and gastric tube and prevent damage to the anastomosis during surgery.
Meeting the challenges posed by per diem in development projects in southern countries: a scoping review
Authors: Samb Oumar Mallé , Essombe Christiane , Ridde Valery
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study presents the results of a review whose goal is to generate knowledge on the possible levers of action concerning per diem practices in southern countries in order to propose reforms to the existing schemes.

Methodology

A synthesis of available knowledge was performed using scoping review methodology: a literature search was conducted using several databases (Medline, Cinahl, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest) and grey literature. A total of 26 documents were included in the review. Furthermore, interviews were conducted with the authors of the selected articles to determine whether the proposed recommendations had been implemented and to identify any outcomes.

Results

For the most part, the results of this review are recommendations supporting per diem reform. In terms of strategy, the recommendations call for a redefinition of per diems by limiting their appeal. Issued recommendations include reducing daily allowance rates, paying per diem only in exchange for actual work, increasing control mechanisms or harmonizing rates across organizations. In terms of operations, the recommendations call for the implementation of concrete actions to reduce instances of abuse, including not paying advances or introducing reasonable flat-rate per diem. That said, the authors contacted stated that few per diem reforms had been implemented as a result of the issued recommendations.

Conclusion

The results of the study clearly identify possible levers of action. Such levers could make up the groundwork for further reflection on context and country-specific reforms that are carried out using a dynamic, participatory and consensual approach.
Correction to: One-repetition submaximal protocol to measure knee extensor muscle strength among older adults with and without sarcopenia: a validation study
Authors: Abdalla Pedro Pugliesi , dos Santos Carvalho Anderson , dos Santos André Pereira , Venturini Ana Claudia Rossini , Alves Thiago Cândido , Mota Jorge , Machado Dalmo Roberto Lopes
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Correction to: Timing rather than user traits mediates mood sampling on smartphones
Authors: Noë Beryl , Turner Liam D. , Linden David E. J. , Allen Stuart M. , Maio Gregory R. , Whitaker Roger M.
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
New insights to assess the consolidation of stone materials used in built heritage: the case study of ancient graffiti (Tituli Picti) in the archaeological site of Pompeii
Authors: Ruffolo Silvestro Antonio , Rovella Natalia , Arcudi Anna , Crupi Vincenza , Majolino Domenico , Osanna Massimo , Pace Rossella , Pantuso Alessia , Randazzo Luciana , Ricca Michela , Ruggieri Nicola , Venuti Valentina , La Russa Mauro Francesco
Published: May 2020

Tituli Picti are an ancient form of urban graffiti very common in the archaeological site of Pompeii (Naples, South—Italy). They are generally made of red pigments applied on walls of Campanian ignimbrite. This paper deals with a scientific investigation aimed to their conservation. This is a challenging task since it requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes restorers, archaeologists and conservation scientists. The study has provided suggestions on the proper way to conserve Tituli Picti over time. In the present work, several specimens of Campanian ignimbrite were painted with red earth pigment; lime and Arabic gum have been used as binders as well. Such painted stones were treated with three consolidants: a suspension of reactive nanoparticles of silica, ethyl silicate and an acrylic microemulsion. Treated and untreated specimens were subjected to thermal aging, artificial solar radiation and induced crystallization decay. It has been assessed the colorimetric variations induced by treatments. Moreover, the micromorphologic features of the consolidated surfaces have been highlighted by means of electron microscope observations. The scotch tape test allowed to compare the superficial cohesion induced by the three used products. According to the results, ethyl silicate seems to represent the most successful product.
Deep-Learning–Based Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Breast Cancers From Histopathology Images and Multiomics Data
Authors: Lu Zixiao , Xu Siwen , Shao Wei , Wu Yi , Zhang Jie , Han Zhi , Feng Qianjin , Huang Kun
Published: May 2020

PURPOSE

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and their spatial characterizations on whole-slide images (WSIs) of histopathology sections have become crucial in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response prediction for different cancers. However, fully automatic assessment of TILs on WSIs currently remains a great challenge because of the heterogeneity and large size of WSIs. We present an automatic pipeline based on a cascade-training U-net to generate high-resolution TIL maps on WSIs.

METHODS

We present global cell-level TIL maps and 43 quantitative TIL spatial image features for 1,000 WSIs of The Cancer Genome Atlas patients with breast cancer. For more specific analysis, all the patients were divided into three subtypes, namely, estrogen receptor (ER)–positive, ER-negative, and triple-negative groups. The associations between TIL scores and gene expression and somatic mutation were examined separately in three breast cancer subtypes. Both univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed on 43 TIL image features to examine the prognostic value of TIL spatial patterns in different breast cancer subtypes.

RESULTS

The TIL score was in strong association with immune response pathway and genes (eg, programmed death-1 and CLTA4). Different breast cancer subtypes showed TIL score in association with mutations from different genes suggesting that different genetic alterations may lead to similar phenotypes. Spatial TIL features that represent density and distribution of TIL clusters were important indicators of the patient outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our pipeline can facilitate computational pathology-based discovery in cancer immunology and research on immunotherapy. Our analysis results are available for the research community to generate new hypotheses and insights on breast cancer immunology and development.