bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-classical covalent bonds
Authors: Starodub Vladimir A. , Starodub Tatyana N.
Published: March 2019

The possibility of multiple bond formation between Periodic Table Group 13 – 15 elements is considered. The ways of triple bond formation between these elements are discussed; particular attention is paid to the B≡B triple bonds. New non-linear compounds with triple bonds and their molecular structures are considered. The causes are given for the formation of compounds with unusually short distances between chemically non-bonded atoms. The grounds of the theory of two-centre three-electron bonds are presented and conditions of existence of isolated square planar carbon clusters are analyzed.

The bibliography includes 181 references.
Bovine scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) exhibit specific patterns of regulation in the endometrium during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy
Authors: Vitorino Carvalho A. , Eozenou C. , Richard C. , Forde N. , Healey G. D. , Giraud-Delville C. , Mansouri-Attia N. , Lonergan P. , Sheldon I. M. , Sandra O.
Published: March 2019

In mammals, tight regulation of maternal endometrial function is critical for pregnancy success. In bovine species, endometrial expression of members of the scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) has been listed in high-throughput analyses, but very little is known about the involvement of these immune factors during implantation in mammals. To provide first insights into the contribution of SR-A to endometrial physiology, we analysed the expression and regulation of all members of SR-A (SR-A1, SR-A3–SR-A6) during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in cattle. Levels of SR-A1 were increased on Day 20 of pregnancy, whereas SR-A3 levels were increased on Day 13 of the oestrous cycle and of the pregnancy. Although SR-A4 levels were reduced on Day 20 of the oestrous cycle, they remained high in pregnant animals. SR-A5 levels increased by Day 13 of the oestrous cycle and decreased on Day 20, but remained high in pregnant animals. Interferon-τ does not affect SR-A gene expression, whereas progesterone regulates the expression of the SR-A3 and SR-A5 transcripts. Endometrial SR-A3 appeared significantly higher in cows carrying invitro-produced embryos than in AI cows. Our data suggest that members of the SR-A family are involved in endometrial remodelling and regulation of endometrial gland physiology, both processes being critical for implantation in mammals.
IVM of mouse fully grown germinal vesicle oocytes upon a feeder layer of selected cumulus cells enhances their developmental competence
Authors: Cavalera Federica , Simovic Milena , Zanoni Mario , Merico Valeria , Garagna Silvia , Zuccotti Maurizio
Published: March 2019

In the ovary, acquisition of oocyte developmental competence depends on a bidirectional exchange between the gamete and its companion cumulus cells (CCs). In this study we investigated the contribution of CCs surrounding oocytes of known developmental competence or incompetence to the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence. To this end, feeder layers of CCs (FL-CCs) were prepared using CCs isolated either from: (1) developmentally competent mouse oocytes whose nucleolus was surrounded by a chromatin ring (FL-SN-CCs); or (2) developmentally incompetent mouse oocytes whose nucleolus was not surrounded by a chromatin ring (FL-NSN-CCs). Denuded, fully grown oocytes (DOs) were matured to the MII stage on either FL-SN-CCs or FL-NSN-CCs, inseminated with spermatozoa and cultured throughout preimplantation development. FL-SN-CCs significantly improved the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence, with a blastocyst development rate equal to that for maturation of intact cumulus–oocyte–complexes. In contrast, DOs matured on FL-NSN-CCs or in the absence of CCs exhibited developmental failure, with embryos arresting at either the 4-cell or morula stage. These results set a culture platform to further improve the protocols for the maturation of DOs and to unravel the molecules involved in the cross-talk between the gamete and its companion CCs during the germinal vesicle to MII transition.
Thermal fluid dynamics of liquid bridge transfer in laser wire deposition 3D printing
Authors: Hu Renzhi , Luo Manlelan , Liu Tongtong , Liang Lvjie , Huang Anguo , Trushnikov Dmitry , Karunakaran K. P. , Pang Shengyong
Published: March 2019

Liquid bridge transfer mode is most favourable deposition pattern in laser wire deposition. However, the thermal fluid dynamics has not been well understood. In this paper, we systematically investigated the fluid dynamics during liquid bridge transfer in the printing process. We developed a novel three-dimensional heat transfer and fluid flow model by considering the effect of wire feeding. The results showed that for typical process parameters the Weber number ( We) of the fluid on the liquid bridge is on the order of O(100∼101). A dimensionless slenderness number ( Sl), was roughly estimated at the range of 3.17∼4.57 for maintaining the liquid bridge. This study provides the fluid mechanics insights of the metal transfer mechanisms in 3D printing process.
Motor control of practice and actual strokes by professional and amateur golfers differ but feature a distance‐dependent control strategy
Authors: Hasegawa Yumiko , Fujii Keisuke , Miura Akito , Yokoyama Keiko , Yamamoto Yuji
Published: March 2019

We explored how practice and actual putting strokes differed between professionals and high‐level golf amateurs, and how practice strokes reflected subtle differences in putting distances. We analysed swing amplitude, impact velocity, and acceleration profile of the club‐head. The acceleration profiles showed that the motor control pattern of the practice stroke differed from that of the actual stroke. To clarify the effects of different putting distances on the practice stroke and to analyse how much the actual stroke could be explained by the practice stroke, we conducted individual regression analyses. The practice strokes of all participants could be divided into three strategies and five types by the coefficient of determination and the slope. This implies that the purpose of the practice stroke varied among golfers. Most golfers used the individual velocity criteria in their practice strokes, which resulted in different putting distances based on their criteria. Unexpectedly, we found no significant difference in skill level between professionals and high‐level amateurs. The results of this study imply that the practice stroke does not duplicate the actual stroke, even for professional golfers with excellent skills. However, most high‐level golfers adopted distance‐dependent control strategies for slightly different putting distances.
Pensions across generations: scenarios for the Maltese Islands
Authors: Vella Melchior , von Brockdorff Philip
Published: March 2019

This paper tests whether in a PAYG system there is an inter-generational balance between the contributions made during the working-career and the pension benefit received in retirement; covering different cohorts. The analysis takes Malta as a case study. Though the dependency ratio is comparatively low, the population is rapidly ageing. The results show that there is a generational imbalance with the young cohort unlikely to be any better off than those who have already retired. This however is sensitive to the assumed discount rate and the ‘no policy’ change scenario. The results also show that future generations may be net-gainers assuming a sustained level of wage growth. If, on the other hand, wage growth slows, the younger generation may become increasingly reliant on the bequests of older generations. This would explain why pressure has increased to regularly adjust the existing PAYG system as well to introduce other forms of pension schemes.
Assessing Zika Virus Transmission Within Households During an Outbreak in Martinique, 2015–2016
Authors: Cousien Anthony , Abel Sylvie , Monthieux Alice , Andronico Alessio , Calmont Isabelle , Cervantes Minerva , Césaire Raymond , Gallian Pierre , de Lamballerie Xavier , Laouénan Cédric , Najioullah Fatiha , Pierre-François Sandrine , Pircher Mathilde , Salje Henrik , ten Bosch Quirine A , Cabié André , Cauchemez Simon
Published: March 2019

Since 2015, Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused large epidemics in the Americas. Households are natural targets for control interventions, but quantification of the contribution of household transmission to overall spread is needed to guide policy. We developed a modeling framework to evaluate this contribution and key epidemic features of the ZIKV epidemic in Martinique in 2015–2016 from the joint analysis of a household transmission study (n = 68 households), a study among symptomatic pregnant women (n = 281), and seroprevalence surveys of blood donors (n = 457). We estimated that the probability of mosquito-mediated within-household transmission (from an infected member to a susceptible one) was 21% (95% credible interval (CrI): 5, 51), and the overall probability of infection from outside the household (i.e., in the community) was 39% (95% CrI: 27, 50). Overall, 50% (95% CrI: 43, 58) of the population was infected, with 22% (95% CrI: 5, 46) of infections acquired in households and 40% (95% CrI: 23, 56) being asymptomatic. The probability of presenting with Zika-like symptoms due to another cause was 16% (95% CrI: 10, 23). This study characterized the contribution of household transmission in ZIKV epidemics, demonstrating the benefits of integrating multiple data sets to gain more insight into epidemic dynamics.
Atypical anti-glomerular basement membrane disease presenting as macroscopic haematuria, loin pain and acute kidney injury after intensive exercise
Authors: Le Flecher Arnaud , Viallet Nicolas , Hebmann Delphine , Chauveau Bertrand , Vacher Coponat Henri
Published: March 2019

We report a 35-year-old man who suffered from recurrent macroscopic haematuria after intensive exercise. One episode was associated with bilateral loin (flank) pain and severe acute kidney injury. His kidney biopsy revealed an atypical anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) disease typified by bright linear GBM staining for monotypic immunoglobulin G but without a diffuse crescentic phenotype and no circulating anti-GBM antibody. Outcome was spontaneously favourable. The patient had no recurrence or urine abnormality without running. The original presentation emphasized that exercise could reveal an underlying glomerulopathy.
PS02.252: LAPOROSCOPIC ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING: AN UNDERESTIMATED RISK FACTOR FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ESOPHAGEAL CANCER?–A NATIONWIDE SURVEY
Authors: Gehwolf Philipp , Kienzl-Wagner Katrin , Cakar-Beck Fergül , Schäfer Aline , Wykypiel Heinz
Published: March 2019

Background

Among the population of Austria (8,4 Mill.) about 870.000 (12%) have a body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2. For those with morbid obesity, Bariatric surgery is currently the only effective treatment in the long term.

In 1994 the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was introduced in Austria and about 10.300 patients received it so far.

One of our LAGB-patients developed adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus after 13 years. In order to calculate if patients after LAGB are at higher risk for carcinoma of the esophagus, we performed a nationwide survey.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to all surgical departments in Austria, primarily in order to detect cases with esophageal carcinoma after LAGB, but also to evaluate the policy in Austria concerning the preoperative work-up, the operation and the follow-up in LAGB patients.

Results

Since 1994, 37 out of 119 surgical departments in Austria have been performing about 10300 LAGB implantations in total. Moreover, eight surgical departments are performing resective esophageal cancer surgery.

Seven patients could be identified with development of upper gastrointestinal malignoma/dysplasia after LAGB implantation.

Conclusion

To our knowledge less than 20 cases of esophageal cancer after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding have been described so far, but there is sound evidence that the development of Barrett's metaplasia after LAGB is much higher The most recent nationwide Austrian statistical report on esophageal cancer (2015) shows an incidence of 8,8: 100.000/per year, les than 1% of the annually emerging malignant tumors. About 48% of the emerging malignant tumors are squamous cell carcinoma (male: 47,6%, female: 48,3%) whereas about 30% are adenocarcinoma (male: 32,6%; female: 25,3%). Our data suggests that the incidence for developing an adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in Austria is currently about 3/100.000/a. Compared to the five patients we detected, the incidence of developing a carcinoma of the esophagus after LAGB is about up to fthree fold higher.

In patients with a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, a diligent preoperative evaluation and aggressive postsurgical follow-up including gastroscopy and in selected cases esophageal manometry seems mandatory.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Recreational and small-scale fisheries may pose a threat to vulnerable species in coastal and offshore waters of the western Mediterranean
Authors: Lloret J , Biton-Porsmoguer S , Carreño A , Di Franco A , Sahyoun R , Melià P , Claudet J , Sève C , Ligas A , Belharet M , Calò A , Carbonara P , Coll M , Corrales X , Lembo G , Sartor P , Bitetto I , Vilas D , Piroddi C , Prato G , Charbonnel E , Bretton O , Hartmann V , Prats L , Font T
Published: March 2019

This study evaluates the fishing pressure exerted by the most common recreational and professional, small-scale fishing practices on vulnerable target and bycatch species in coastal and offshore waters of the western Mediterranean. By combining multiple data sources, we assembled a unique dataset on catches at multiple sites in these areas by recreational (RF) and small-scale fisheries (SSF), covering the period from 1997 to 2015. Furthermore, a framework with which to identify the vulnerable species among all the species caught is provided; it is based on the IUCN Red List, international conventions for the protection of flora and fauna, the Habitats Directive and the intrinsic vulnerability index of marine fish. Overall, about a quarter of exploited species targeted by SSF and RF in coastal waters were vulnerable, making up nearly 50% of the total SSF catch and nearly 20% of the total recreational catch. In offshore waters, 100% of the RF and SSF catch was made up of vulnerable species. Among the species caught as bycatch in both areas by SSF and RF, there was a total of 27 vulnerable vertebrate species, which included birds, cetaceans, elasmobranchs and sea turtles. Our results highlight the need to differentiate between different fishing methods or gears when studying the fishing impacts on vulnerable species. The results also indicate that, although RF and SSF are often considered to have a relatively low ecological impact, a range of different fishing methods are affecting vulnerable species in coastal or offshore waters in the western Mediterranean Sea, be they targeted or taken unintentionally as bycatch.
The ALBA constitutional project and political representation
Authors: Díaz de Valdés José M , Verdugo Sergio
Published: March 2019

After the Cold War era, significant constitutional changes took place in Latin America. One distinct trend is the neo-Bolivarian constitutionalism, which has taken place in the ALBA countries, including the constitutional replacements of Venezuela (1999), Ecuador (2008), and Bolivia (2009). Many scholars have rightly criticized these constitutional experiments arguing that they have helped to deteriorate a liberal notion of democracy. This essay approaches a question that complements those criticisms from a different perspective: how the ALBA countries have resorted to varied notions of political representation. The authors use the classic work of Pitkin to identify the different sorts of political representation involved in the ALBA constitutional experiments, finding a combination of symbolic and descriptive representation. The former is linked to the figure of the president as a caudillo that centralizes political power, whereas the latter is fostered by both the president and the contents of the new constitutions related to the original peoples. As a result, the empowering purpose of constitutionalism has been preferred over its constraining purpose.
Ordering Patterns and Costs of Specialized Laboratory Testing by Hospitalists and House Staff in Hospitalized Patients With HIV at a County Hospital: An Opportunity for Diagnostic Stewardship
Authors: Bolles Kathryn , Woc-Colburn Laila , Hamill Richard J , Hemmige Vagish
Published: March 2019

Background

Inpatient HIV care often requires specialized laboratory testing with which practitioners may not be familiar. In addition, computerized physician order entry allows for ordering tests without understanding test indications, but it can also provide a venue for education and diagnostic stewardship.

Methods

All charts of HIV-positive patients hospitalized at a tertiary care public safety net hospital in Houston, Texas, between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2014, were reviewed for a set list of laboratory tests. Appropriateness of test ordering was assessed by 2 providers. Cost estimates for each test were obtained from Medicaid and a national nonprofit health care charge database.

Results

A total of 274 HIV-positive patients were admitted 429 times in the 6-month study period. During the study period, 45% of the study laboratory tests ordered were not indicated. A total of 532 hepatitis serologies were ordered, only 52% of which were indicated. Overall, 71 serum qualitative cytomegalovirus (CMV) polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and eight CMV quantitative PCRs were ordered, with most (85%) qualitative PCRs ordered for nonspecific signs of infection (eg, fever). Other tests ordered without clear indications included Aspergillus IgE (7), serum Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) PCR (5), parvovirus serology (7), and Toxoplasma IgM (18). Overall, the estimated laboratory cost of inappropriate testing over the study period was between $14 000 and $92 000, depending on which cost database was used.

Conclusions

Many tests ordered in HIV-positive inpatients do not have indications, representing a substantial source of health care waste and cost and potentially leading to inappropriate treatment. Opportunities exist to decrease waste through education of trainees and hospitalists and through implementation of diagnostic stewardship via the electronic medical record.
Hypocretin-deficient narcolepsy patients have abnormal brain activation during humor processing
Authors: Juvodden Hilde T , Alnæs Dag , Lund Martina J , Dietrichs Espen , Thorsby Per M , Westlye Lars T , Knudsen Stine
Published: March 2019

Study Objectives

To assess brain activation patterns in response to fun-rated and neutral-rated movies we performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a humor-paradigm in narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) patients with cataplexy (muscle atonia triggered by emotions) and controls.

Methods

The fMRI-humor-paradigm consisted of short movies (25/30 with a humorous punchline; 5/30 without a humorous punchline [but with similar build-up/anticipation]) rated by participants based on their humor experience. We included 41 NT1 patients and 44 controls. Group-level inferences were made using permutation testing.

Results

Permutation testing revealed no group differences in average movie ratings. fMRI analysis found no group differences in brain activations to fun-rated movies. Patients showed significantly higher activations compared to controls during neutral-rated movies; including bilaterally in the thalamus, pallidum, putamen, amygdala, hippocampus, middle temporal gyrus, cerebellum, brainstem and in the left precuneus, supramarginal gyrus, and caudate. We found no brain overactivation for patients during movies without a humorous punchline (89.0% neutral-rated). Group analyses revealed significantly stronger differentiation between fun-rated and neutral-rated movies in controls compared with patients (patients showed no significant differentiation), including bilaterally in the inferior frontal gyrus, thalamus, putamen, precentral gyrus, lingual gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, occipital areas, temporal areas, cerebellum and in the right hippocampus, postcentral gyrus, pallidum, and insula.

Conclusion

Patients showed significantly higher activations in several cortical and subcortical regions during neutral-rated movies, with no differentiation from activations during fun-rated movies. This lower threshold for activating the humor response (even during neutral-rated movies), might represent insight into the mechanisms associated with cataplexy.
New findings, pathophysiology, and antigen analysis in pollen-food allergy syndrome
Authors: Yagami Akiko , Ebisawa Motohiro
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review

PFAS shows various cross-reactivities with antigens because of the area in which the patient resides and dietary habits, and progress in component allergen analysis in recent years has clarified the pathogenesis. This review describes newly identified findings for antigens involved in PFAS.

Recent findings

We describe recent findings for PR-10 family, profilin and LTP, as known major antigens for PFAS. Microarrays of allergen components have significantly improved the ability to describe IgE profiles. In addition, we describe a new antigen, GRP, in the fruit pulp of recently identified fruit.

PFAS is a food allergy based on the cross-reactivity of pollen antigens and food antigens. Symptoms induced by sensitization differ depending on the specific antigen. The functions of each antigen are diverse, and even the same antigen can cause different symptoms. As analytical techniques progress, the findings will help to establish treatments, such as specific immunotherapy.
Proximal humeral endoprosthesis after tumor resection: does synthetic mesh improve stability? A radiographic review
Authors: Chebli Caroline M. , Letson Douglas , Ruggieri Pietro , Binitie Odion
Published: March 2019

Background:

We proposed that aortograft aids in longer time to superior humeral migration and improved functional outcome measured as range of motion.

Methods:

A retrospective review from August 1, 1999 to December 30, 2015 identified 75 patients who received a proximal humeral endoprosthesis. The patients were divided into nonaortograft and aortograft groups. The final range of motion, the acromiohumeral interval (AHI) measured radiographically at each visit, the resection level, and the time to humeral migration above 7 mm were recorded.

Results:

Of the 75 patients identified, 17 patients were excluded due to lack of sufficient data or consistent follow-up. The average age of the 58 patients (55% male and 45% female) was 53.95 yr. Thirty-eight patients received aortograft and 20 patients did not. No difference in age or sex between the groups was noted. The average time to humeral head migration as defined by an AHI above 7 mm (superior migration) was 6.61 mo (SD=9.67) in the aortograft group and 4 mo (SD=4.33) in the nonaortograft group. This was not statistically significant (P=0.717). There was no statistically significant difference in range of motion between the groups at final follow-up. Regarding resection level, there did not appear to be a difference in time to migration or final acromiohumeral interval.

Conclusions:

Historically, proximal humeral endoprostheses have a poor track record regarding stability. Although the aortograft group trended toward longer time to proximal humeral migration, it did not significantly improve functional range of motion. The role of modular reverse total shoulder arthroplasty should be further investigated to determine if there is improvement in stability and functional range of motion.

Level of Evidence:

IV.
Size Matters: Which Adolescent Patients Are Most Likely to Require Surgical Decompression for Lumbar Disk Herniations?
Authors: Wiley Marcel R. , Hee Jo Chan , Khaleel Mohammed A. , McIntosh Amy L.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Lumbar herniated nucleus pulposis (HNP) occurs infrequently in the pediatric/adolescent population. A minority of patients with radicular symptoms fail to improve with conservative management and require discectomy. The authors hypothesize that children who ultimately require surgical intervention have an underlying lumbar stenosis predisposing them to continued symptoms.

Methods:

Pediatric patients with a lumbar HNP on advanced imaging were retrospectively identified at a tertiary pediatric orthopaedic institution. Patients with spondylolisthesis, fractures, previous spine surgery, or structural thoracolumbar scoliosis were excluded. On sagittal magnetic resonance imagings, measurements were taken of the L4 and L5 vertebral body diameters (VBD) and canal diameters (CD) by 2 independent reviewers. Statistical analysis was performed using 2 sample T tests followed by logistic regression analysis. This was utilized to identify significant associations between CD and need for surgical decompression.

Results:

A total of 76 patients (37 males/39 females) were identified with a lumbar HNP from 2001 to 2016. Eleven patients underwent discectomy. Sixty-five patients were managed conservatively. Age at magnetic resonance imaging was not different between groups (15.1±1.7 vs. 14.9±2.2 y, P=0.82). VBD at L4 and L5 were not different between groups (P=0.2 and 0.36, respectively). The reviewers had fair to good (0.584–0.854) interrater reliability correlation coefficients. CD was decreased in the surgically treated cohort at L4 (11.6±1.6 vs. 14.2±2.1 mm, P=0.0002) and at L5 (10.1±1.3 vs. 14.2±2.2 mm, P<0.00001). The ratio of CD:VBD was lower in the surgically treated group at L4 (0.36±0.06 vs. 0.46±0.08, P=0.0002) and L5 (0.31±0.68 vs. 0.45±0.08, P<0.00001). Patients with a L4 CD<12.6 mm were 18.8× more likely to require surgical decompression. 100% of patients with a L5 CD<12.36 mm ultimately underwent surgical decompression.

Conclusions:

Adolescent patients with congenital lumbar stenosis that develop a lumbar HNP are significantly more likely to require surgical decompression to relieve persistent radicular symptoms. A L4 CD<12.6 mm and a L5 CD<12.36 mm were highly correlated with the need for decompression.

Level of Evidence:

Level III—prognostic study.
Current Trends and Variations in the Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts of the Humerus: A Survey of EPOS and POSNA Members
Authors: Farr Sebastian , Balacó Inês Maria Spencer , Martínez-Alvarez Sergio , Hahne Julia , Bae Donald S.
Published: March 2019

Background:

A variety of treatment methods have so far been described for unicameral bone cysts (UBC). However, to the best of our knowledge, no particular consensus has yet been reached on when to operatively treat a patient with a humeral UBC. Therefore, members of the European Pediatric Orthopedic Society (EPOS) and Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America (POSNA) were surveyed to characterize current treatment preferences.

Methods:

An online electronic questionnaire was sent out to all registered EPOS and POSNA members. The survey comprised 45 questions related to the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up characteristics of patients with UBCs of the humerus. Particular questions related to the nonoperative or surgical treatment of pathologic proximal humerus and humeral shaft fractures were also included.

Results:

In total, 444 participants (132 EPOS and 292 POSNA members) responded, of whom 400 were actively involved in UBC treatment. The preferred diagnostic modalities to confirm the diagnosis of a UBC in the humerus were radiographs (88%), MRI in cases of questionable diagnosis (58%) or CT scan (8%). For painless UBCs 67% prefer no treatment at all except when the fracture risk is deemed high (then 53% recommend surgery); 71% of respondents would treat painful UBCs with surgery. Most common surgical techniques comprise curettage (45%), artificial bone substitutes (37%), corticosteroid injection (29%), or intramedullary stabilization (eg, rodding; 24%).

Fractured, nondisplaced and mildly displaced proximal humerus UBCs and mildly displaced pathologic humerus shaft fractures are all preferably treated nonoperatively (94%, 91%, 83%, respectively). Severely displaced pathologic proximal humerus fractures are treated less often conservatively (36%) than surgically (40%), and severely displaced humerus shaft fractures are preferably treated surgically (63%) by intramedullary stabilization (60%).

Conclusions:

There is great variation among EPOS and POSNA members with regards to the diagnosis and treatment of UBCs in the humerus. Although some consensus on general treatment principles is seen, specific surgical treatment indications vary.

Prospective randomized-controlled studies are needed to evaluate the outcomes of the different surgical approaches compared with nonoperative strategies.

Level of Evidence:

Level V—expert opinion.
An Acute Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome
Authors: Maeckelbergh Liselore , Moke Lieven
Published: March 2019

An acute paraspinal compartment syndrome (CS) is a rare condition and is only described in a few case reports. In our spine surgery department, a 16-year-old boy with severe low back pain due to a lumbar paraspinal CS. was treated with a paraspinal fasciotomy. After this case, we performed a cadaver study to determinate the compartment. The objective of this paper is to give a description of the anatomic lumbar paraspinal compartment and our surgical technique, a transmuscular paraspinal approach described by Wiltse and colleagues. The lumbar CS is most often seen in the lateral compartment where the erector spinae muscle, subdivided into the iliocostalis and the longissimus, is encased within a clear fascia. Lumbar paraspinal CS is a rare complication but should always be recognized. A thorough knowledge of the anatomy helps you to understand the clinical signs and start a correct treatment.
Optimization of therapies for men with advanced prostate cancer: a review of recent developments with a look toward the future
Authors: Gourdin Theodore
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review

Summarizes the rapid progress being made in treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Recent findings

Debate remains regarding the optimal sequencing of therapies in metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer with attention focused on the use of abiraterone versus docetaxel. Randomized trials now show a potential advantage to next-generation antiandrogens in the setting of nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Patient-specific genomic anomalies, in particular DNA repair defects, provide targets for therapy with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors alone and in combination with other interventions. Adjustments in the dose and administration schedule of the accompanying steroid may improve the efficacy of abiraterone. Novel radiopharmaceuticals and immunotherapies suggest progress is on the horizon for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer.

In this review, we will highlight the avenues of research leading to optimization of therapies for men with advanced prostate cancer. Known therapeutics, such as docetaxel and abiraterone, are being used earlier in the disease course in the setting of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, and next-generation antiandrogens in the setting of nonmetastatic castration-resistant disease. Existing interventions are being optimized, including a maneuver to salvage abiraterone response with steroid switch. Finally, individualized therapies directed at specific genomic aberrations, a radiopharmaceutical targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen, and immune therapy combinations are providing potentially additional treatment options for patients with refractory disease.
Impact of Long-Term Lithium Treatment on Renal Function in Patients With Bipolar Disorder Based on Novel Biomarkers
Authors: Dastych Milan , Synek Oldřich , Gottwaldová Jana
Published: March 2019

Background

Lithium in the form of lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) has become one of the most effective and widely prescribed drugs for mood stabilization. However, lithium has adverse effects on renal tubular functions, such as decreased concentrating function of the kidneys, and even occasional symptoms of nephrogenous diabetes insipidus occur with additional evidence of glomerular disruption in lithium-treated patients.

Methods

We assessed the kidney function of patients with bipolar disorder who are under long-term lithium treatment using novel markers of kidney damage such as plasma neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin, cystatin C, albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate, Chronic Kidney Disease–Epidemiology Investigation using creatinine and cystatin C, and serum and urinary osmolality, and compared the results with those of age-matched patients with bipolar disorder not treated with lithium. The study enrolled 120 patients with bipolar disorder, consisting of 80 (30 male and 50 female patients) who have been receiving lithium for 0.5 to 20 (mean, 7) years and 40 (10 male and 30 female patients) who had never been exposed to lithium treatment.

Results

Patients treated with lithium had significantly decreased urine osmolality (mean ± SD, 405 ± 164 vs 667 ± 174 mmol/kg) and urine-to-serum osmolality ratio (1.35 ± 0.61 vs 2.25 ± 0.96). No significant difference was found in creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate values calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease–Epidemiology Investigation using creatinine and cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin, cystatin C, and albuminuria between both groups. We found no significant difference in renal biomarkers between patients treated with lithium for 6 to 24 months and those treated for 25 to 240 months.

Conclusions

We found significantly decreased kidney concentrating ability in the long-term lithium-treated patients compared with the control group. Other renal function markers did not indicate any significant signs of renal dysfunction.
Expression of virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes among Escherichia coli clinical isolates from blood and stool samples
Authors: Rajabi Ali , Rajabi-vardanjani Hossein , Rastiyani Kobra , Ahmed Mais Emad , Mirforughi Seyede Amene , Norouzi Fatemeh
Published: March 2019

Objective:

As major nosocomial pathogens, Escherichia coli isolates exhibit antibiotic resistance and also express adhesive structures and antibiotic resistance genes. The objective of this study was the comparison of virulence gene expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli between blood and stool samples.

Methods:

In this study, 20 E. coli clinical isolates (10 ESBL-producers including 5 from blood, 5 from stool samples and 10 non-ESBL-producer strains) were included. The existence of fimA, kpsMII and cdt (adhesives and toxin), acr-ab (efflux-encoding) and bla
CTX-M1 genes were confirmed by PCR. The quantitative real-time PCR was performed for evaluation of gene expression.

Results:

ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from stool samples could express fimA, kpsMII and cdt genes significantly higher than blood samples, whereas those isolates from blood samples significantly expressed the acr-ab (efflux-encoding) genes. In addition, the bla
CTXM1 gene was expressed among isolates from stool samples significantly higher (P = 0.022) than those from blood samples according to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. In addition, among non-ESBL-producers, the expression of fimA, kpsMII and cdt genes was significantly lower than ESBL-producing isolates from blood samples, but not significantly different than those from stool samples. Moreover, the expression of acr-ab genes was significantly lower than those from stool samples.

Conclusion:

The results exhibited that the expression of virulence genes among clinical isolates of E. coli is not the same or similar in various conditions or from various clinical origins. Thus determining the profile of gene expression in each of clinical situations can be helpful in tracking the infectious pathogens. ESBL-producing strains possibly have regulatory factors for inducing higher virulence gene expression.
“My Husband Has Breast Cancer”: A Qualitative Study of Experiences of Female Partners of Men With Breast Cancer
Authors: Egestad Lisbeth Kofoed , Gyldenvang Helle Holm , Jarden Mary
Published: March 2019

Background

Relatives of patients with cancer are at risk of experiencing changes to their everyday life, health, and quality of life. Partners of men with breast cancer may face certain challenges regarding their need for information, care, and support.

Objective

The purpose was to explore the experiences of the partners of men with breast cancer in relation to care, information, and emotional support and to explore how men with breast cancer impact the partners’ everyday life.

Method

This was a qualitative study based on individual interviews applying a phenomenological-hermeneutical analysis.

Results

Four themes were identified in the 12 female partners’ narratives: a wall of ignorance, being seen is not a matter of course, emotional stress affects everyday life, and side effects strain the couples’ relationship.

Conclusion

The female partners’ need for information on male breast cancer (MBC) is not sufficiently met because of lack of and poorly communicated information on the topic. The female partner assumes the role of advocate, actively seeking information when in contact with health professionals. Daily life is negatively affected by a lack of acknowledgement of the impact of MBC on their lives and needs by their social networks or health professionals.

Implications for Practice

Female partners have individual care, information, and emotional support needs that may differ from those of their male partner with breast cancer. Health professionals must improve communication with patients and relatives as there are lack of knowledge available regarding MBC and lack of evidence-based guidelines.
Validation of the Recovery Style Questionnaire in Outpatients With Affective Disorders
Authors: Zanello Adriano , Berthoud Laurent , Sentissi Othman
Published: March 2019

Considering how patients recover from mental illness is crucial to offer appropriate therapeutic interventions. This study was designed to determine the psychometric characteristics of the Recovery Style Questionnaire (RSQ) in a sample of outpatients recruited among the referrals to a crisis intervention center presenting with mood or anxiety disorders. Assessments completed at intake and at discharge examined the recovery styles with the RSQ, psychiatric symptoms with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale version 4.0, and the Symptom Checklist–Revised; defense mechanisms with the Defense Style Questionnaire 40 items; and global functioning with the Global Assessment Functioning. The RSQ has acceptable reliability, divergent validity, and sensitivity to change after treatment. These findings suggest that the RSQ is a valid and reliable instrument to assess recovery style. They also offer evidence of the usefulness of the RSQ in various clinical settings, such as in crisis intervention centers.
Screening for NTRK-rearranged Tumors Using Immunohistochemistry: Comparison of 2 Different pan-TRK Clones in Melanoma Samples
Authors: Bourhis Amélie , Redoulez Geoffroy , Quintin-Roué Isabelle , Marcorelles Pascale , Uguen Arnaud
Published: March 2019

NTRK-rearranged tumors could be treated using promising anti-TRK–targeted therapies in patients with advanced cancers including melanomas. Different targeted therapies are being developed together with different screening strategies including pan-TRK immunohistochemistry (IHC) as first-line screening strategies. In this technical study, we compared 2 pan-TRK IHC (using A7H6R and EPR17341 clones) in tumor samples of patients with advanced melanomas. IHC-positive cases were studied using NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 fluorescent in situ hybridization tests. Among 300 melanoma samples, 4 samples were positive using A7H6R IHC, but none using EPR17341. None of the 4 samples were NTRK-rearranged using fluorescent in situ hybridization. Different staining was also noted in nontumor kidney tissue, whereas an NTRK1-rearranged tumor used as positive control was strongly stained with both A7H6R and EPR17341 clones. Future studies including more numerous NTRK-rearranged tumors are required to further study and compare the performances of different pan-TRK clones in the screening of NTRK-rearranged cancers.
Opioids and breast cancer recurrence
Authors: Cronin-Fenton Deirdre
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review

Breast cancer survival has improved motivating the need for better understanding of the sequelae of the disease and its treatments. Lab studies suggest opioids modify cancer cell growth but the association of opioids with cancer progression in humans is not clear. This review aims to summarize recent findings related to opioid use and breast cancer progression.

Recent findings

Opioid-sparing analgesia may be associated with better survival in cancer patients. In-vitro research suggests that treatment with μ-opioid receptor antagonists inhibits cancer proliferation, and shows some promise for attenuating tumor growth in humans, thereby enhancing survival. Prescription use of opioids does not appear to influence the risk of recurrence in patients, though the evidence comes from a single large registry-based observational study. Ongoing clinical trials are comparing opioid-sparing regional anesthesia with general anesthesia for the risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The association of opioids with breast cancer progression is controversial. Further observational studies are needed. There is currently no clear evidence to suggest that opioid use should be avoided in breast cancer patients because of concerns regarding the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
Quantitative Signal Characteristics of Electrocorticography and Stereoelectroencephalography: The Effect of Contact Depth
Authors: Young James J. , Friedman Joshua S. , Panov Fedor , Camara Divaldo , Yoo Ji Yeoun , Fields Madeline C. , Marcuse Lara V. , Jette Nathalie , Ghatan Saadi
Published: March 2019

Purpose:

Patients undergoing epilepsy surgery often require invasive EEG, but few studies have examined the signal characteristics of contacts on the surface of the brain (electrocorticography, ECOG) versus depth contacts, used in stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG). As SEEG and ECOG have significant differences in complication rates, it is important to determine whether both modalities produce similar signals for analysis, to ultimately guide management of medically intractable epilepsy.

Methods:

Twenty-seven patients who underwent SEEG (19), ECOG (6), or both (2) were analyzed for quantitative measures of activity including spectral power and phase–amplitude coupling during approximately 1 hour of wakefulness. The position of the contacts was calculated by coregistering the postoperative computed tomography with a reconstructed preoperative MRI. Using two types of referencing schemes—local versus common average reference—the brain regions where any quantitative measure differed systematically with contact depth were established.

Results:

Using even the most permissive statistical criterion, few quantitative measures were significantly correlated with contact depth in either ECOG or SEEG contacts. The factors that predicted changes in spectral power and phase–amplitude coupling with contact depth were failing to baseline correct spectral power measures, use of a local rather than common average reference, using baseline correction for phase–amplitude coupling measures, and proximity of other grey matter structures near the region where the contact was located.

Conclusions:

The signals recorded by ECOG and SEEG have very similar spectral power and phase–amplitude coupling, suggesting that both modalities are comparable from an electrodiagnostic standpoint in delineation of the epileptogenic network.
Dynamics of Soil Nematode Communities Revealed Significant Variation in Greenhouse with Different Continuous Cropping Years
Authors: Tian Xueliang , Zhao Xiaoman , Mao Zhenchuan , Xie Bingyan
Published: March 2019

Continuous cropping usually resulted in a series of soil problems, especially root knot nematode disaster in greenhouse because of imbalance in soil nematode community. However, the dynamic change in soil nematode community in greenhouse with various continuous cropping years during plant growing season is unclear. Here, soil nematode communities in greenhouse after 2 and 10 years of continuous cropping were comparatively analyzed using 18S rDNA high-throughput sequencing to reveal the changing processes in soil nematode communities. Compared to the 2-year greenhouse, soil in the 10-year greenhouse showed soil acidification, nutrients accumulation, salinization. In term of α-diversity, Bacterial-feeding nematodes (BF) were dominant in the 2-year greenhouse over the whole growing season, but plant-parasitic nematodes (PP) became the dominant group in the 10-year greenhouse in the late growing season.Meloidogynegradually became the dominant group (Relative abundance 70.9%) in the 10-year greenhouse, whileRhabditidae(Relative abundance from 99.8% to 26.8%) was the predominant members in the 2-year greenhouse. For β-diversity, hierarchical clustering analysis, unWeighted UniFrac principal component analysis (PCA) and principal co-ordinates analysis (PCoA) all revealed that soil nematode communities in the two types of greenhouses exhibited significant differences. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil nematode communities in the 10-year greenhouse were related to high soil organic material, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity and disease index of root knot nematode. Fisher’ exact test and Pearson correlation coefficients revealed thatMeloidogynecaused main differences in soil nematode communities between the two types of greenhouses. Meanwhile, population dynamics ofMeloidogynewere divided into dormant phase, low-level increasing phase and exponential phase during the whole season. In total, the significant variation led different dynamics of soil nematode communities in the 2-year and 10-year greenhouse.
Domain-specific word embeddings for patent classification
Authors: Risch Julian , Krestel Ralf
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Patent offices and other stakeholders in the patent domain need to classify patent applications according to a standardized classification scheme. The purpose of this paper is to examine the novelty of an application it can then be compared to previously granted patents in the same class. Automatic classification would be highly beneficial, because of the large volume of patents and the domain-specific knowledge needed to accomplish this costly manual task. However, a challenge for the automation is patent-specific language use, such as special vocabulary and phrases.

Design/methodology/approach

To account for this language use, the authors present domain-specific pre-trained word embeddings for the patent domain. The authors train the model on a very large data set of more than 5m patents and evaluate it at the task of patent classification. To this end, the authors propose a deep learning approach based on gated recurrent units for automatic patent classification built on the trained word embeddings.

Findings

Experiments on a standardized evaluation data set show that the approach increases average precision for patent classification by 17 percent compared to state-of-the-art approaches. In this paper, the authors further investigate the model’s strengths and weaknesses. An extensive error analysis reveals that the learned embeddings indeed mirror patent-specific language use. The imbalanced training data and underrepresented classes are the most difficult remaining challenge.

Originality/value

The proposed approach fulfills the need for domain-specific word embeddings for downstream tasks in the patent domain, such as patent classification or patent analysis.