bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Posterior Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation (PARIF) for the Posterior Malleolar Fragment in Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures
Authors: Martin Kevin D. , Tripp Courtney T. , Huh Jeannie
Published: October 2020

Background:

Posterior malleolar fractures within a trimalleolar ankle fracture pattern are challenging to manage. Posterior ankle arthroscopy provides a means to assess the intra-articular and syndesmotic reductions, while removing loose bodies. The purpose of this study was to determine the radiographic and patient reported outcomes of posterior arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation (PARIF) in trimalleolar ankle fractures.

Methods:

From November 2015 to March 2019, we prospectively enrolled consecutive trimalleolar ankle fractures that underwent PARIF by a single surgeon. Preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were interpreted by 2 blinded musculoskeletal radiologists for articular reduction, syndesmosis congruity, and presence of ossific loose bodies. Patient outcomes were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle score, Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), and visual analog scale (VAS). A total of 28 trimalleolar ankle fractures were treated with PARIF. Mean patient age was 36 years (range, 19-69).

Results:

Preoperative CT identified 18 intra-articular loose bodies (range, 0-4) in 36% of ankles and 75% (n = 21) syndesmosis incongruity. Postoperative CT scans demonstrated anatomic intra-articular reduction in all fractures, 41.7% (5/12) syndesmosis incongruity without fixation, and 0% (0/9) with suture-button fixation. At mean 2-year follow-up, the results were good to excellent with mean VAS score 1 (range, 0-4), AOFAS score 84 (range, 63-100), FADI 85 (range, 59-100), and OMAS 76 (range, 40-100).

Conclusion:

The PARIF technique for displaced posterior malleolar fractures was effective in achieving anatomic intra-articular reduction, syndesmosis congruity, and intra-articular loose body removal, while safely preserving the soft tissues.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, prospective case series.
Size-dependent two-scale topological design for maximizing structural fundamental eigenfrequency
Authors: Xu Bin , Liu Yuanhao , Xue Jingdan , Zhao Yonghui
Published: October 2020

A two-scale concurrent topology optimization method based on the couple stress theory is proposed for maximizing structural fundamental eigenfrequency. Because of the fact that the classical mechanics theory cannot reveal the size effect because of neglecting the influence of microstructure, the theory of couple stress including the microscopic properties of materials can be used to describe the size effect in deformations. On the foundation of the couple stress theory, the two-scale optimization model for finding optimal configurations of macrostructures and their periodic composite material microstructures is built. And the fundamental eigenfrequency of the macrostructure is maximized. The effective macroscopic couple stress constitutive constants of macrostructures are calculated by the representative volume element method. And a modified solid isotropic material with a penalization model is used to effectively avoid the localized mode. The optimization algorithm based on the bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization method is proposed. The optimal results of numerical examples show that the optimal topologies and natural frequencies obtained by the couple stress theory may differ significantly from those obtained by the typical Cauchy theory. It is obvious that couple stress theory can effectively describe the size effect in topology optimization.
Perezhivanie, Art, and Creative Traversal: A Method of Marking and Moving Through COVID and Grief
Authors: Davis Susan
Published: October 2020

As the COVID 19 pandemic spread globally, the experiences of loss were compounded by personal loss. Through this time of collective and individual grieving I set out to “traverse” the experience and figure my “perezhivanie” or lived emotional experience, through the materiality of mark making and entanglements with people, place, and art making. Art making framed by the “massive and microscopic” reflective prompts provided the opportunity for interventions into the medicalized and clinical world of hospitals and COVID 19, enacting beauty within a time of global, local, and personal grieving.
My Room With a World View: Aging and the Paradoxes of Covid 19
Authors: Sreberny Annabelle
Published: October 2020

The challenge of autoethnography is using my personal experience to explore broader social and political themes and to find a subjective voice to make sense of the impact of the Covid 19 lockdown. Using the optic of aging, I explore how I accommodated to quarantine life. Sitting and letting the world swirl around me in my house, I explore the altered physical and mental spaces in which I lived. Despite my own privileges, I have felt vulnerable and frightened but I have also felt angry and frustrated at the hubris and incompetence with which this crisis has been handled.
The Alberta standardized orbital technique in the management of spheno-orbital meningiomas
Authors: Agi Jorge , Badilla Jaime , Steinke David , Mitha Alim P. , Weis Ezekiel
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To describe a standardized orbital resection technique and outcomes for spheno-orbital meningiomas with soft-tissue invasion of the orbit.

Methods:

A retrospective case review of patients with spheno-orbital meningioma that underwent resection utilizing the Alberta Standardized Orbital Technique (ASOT) between 2008 and 2017 was performed.

Results:

Twenty patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen females and five males, with an average age of 53.4 years (SD ± 13.1 years). Mean follow-up was 57.3 months (SD ± 29.5 months). Eight cases (40%) had attempted resection prior to referral. Based on pre-operative plan, patients were divided into two groups based on goal of resection. Of those with planned complete resection (Group I), 11/13 patients (84.6%) underwent complete excision, with no cases of orbital recurrence. Incomplete resection in two cases occurred because of unexpected involvement of critical intra-cranial structures. Thus, in total 9/20 patients (Group II and 2 from Group I) underwent subtotal resection. Of these incomplete resections, five cases of orbital recurrence were observed; four patients required adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and one patient underwent further debulking surgery. Orbital control was achieved in three of these recurrent cases. Complications reported were persistent postoperative diplopia (three cases/15%) and wound infection (one case/5%). Overall, stable orbital disease was obtained in 18 patients (90%).

Conclusion:

The ASOT demonstrated to be effective, achieving the pre-operative plan of complete resection in 11/13 cases (84.6%) with no recurrence in those with clear orbital margins.
Saccadic movements assessment in eccentric fixation: A study in patients with Stargardt disease
Authors: Giacomelli Giovanni , Farini Alessandro , Baldini Ilaria , Raffaelli Marco , Bigagli Giulia , Fossetti Alessandro , Virgili Gianni
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To investigate saccadic movements in subjects with eccentric fixation due to a deep central scotoma in Stargardt disease (STGD).

Methods:

We studied 10 patients with STGD and 10 healthy subjects (control group). Saccadic movements of all the 20 subjects were assessed by using the eye tracker technique Tobii Glasses Pro 2. Standard measurements of reading ability (MNREAD charts), visual acuity (ETDRS charts), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson charts), reading contrast threshold and speed (REX charts), retinal sensitivity and stability and localization of the fixation (MP1 fundus perimetry) were obtained in all subjects.

Results:

The saccadic movements time was significantly slower in STGD than in healthy subjects (699 ± 193 ms vs 299 ± 40 ms, p < 0.001). When STGD patients moved fixation to the target localized in retinal scotomatous areas, the movement was significantly slower compared to non scotomatous areas in the retina (1103 ± 798 ms vs 524 ± 187 ms, p = 0.039). There was a trend toward a correlation between slow saccadic movements in STGD subjects and the reading performance indices, although statistical significance was not achieved.

Conclusion:

Ocular saccades guided by eccentric fixation in STGD patients are significantly slower than in the control group, especially when the target corresponds to retinal areas with a deep scotoma. These results can explain the worse reading performance in STGD subjects, in particular when a non-viewing area on the right part of the text is present.
Long-term refractive outcomes in patients with cataracts and keratoconus after phacoemulsification with toric intraocular lens implant
Authors: Fernández-Muñoz Erika , Blanco-Gómez Jorge , Vázquez-Rojas Rafael , Camargo-Ibarias Katia , Massaro-Corredor Martha , Gonzalez-Salinas Roberto
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To determine the refractive stability of patients with keratoconus and cataracts after the implantation of a toric intraocular lens.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional, retrospectivestudy. Clinical records from patients with non-progressive keratoconus and cataracts that underwent non-complicated phacoemulsification with toric IOL implantation were reviewed. Mean keratometry (Km), refractive cylinder (RC), spherical equivalent (SE), steeper keratometry (K), and axis were evaluated at the 1-month, 6-month, 12-month, and 24-month follow-up visits.

Results:

Fifty-four eyes from 41 patients were included. Thirty-seven (68.5%) female and 17 (31.5%) male patients, with a mean age of 67.52 ± 8.22. Refractive cylinder at postoperative 30 days was −1.61 ± 1.23, 6-month −1.22 ± 0.80, 12-month −1.10 ± 0.83 and 24-month visit after surgery was −1.37 ± 0.77( p = 0.290). SE at the 30-day visit was −0.82 ± 1.90, 6-month −0.64 ± 1.23, 12-month −0.78 ± 1.91 and at 24-month postoperative visit −1.02 ± 1.87 ( p = 0.210). Km value at the 1-month visit was 47.23 ± 1.95, 6-month 47.87 ± 1.61, 12-month 46.39 ± 2.52 and 24-month postoperative visit 46.92 ± 1.26 ( p = 0.877). The steeper K axis in the 30-day control was 78.53 ± 30.12, 6-month 77.29± 37.68, 1-year 93.13 ± 62.42, 24-month 67.31 ± 38.49 ( p = 0.632).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest a low variation in the refractive outcome for patients with mild and moderate keratoconus and cataracts, without evident progression signals, a demonstrated keratoconus clinical stability. No statistically significant postoperative changes in the refractive cylinder, SE, mean K, and steeper K axis were observed, which suggests good predictability for toric IOL implant.
Uveitis associated with latent tuberculosis: A comparative study of the impact of antitubercular therapy combined or not with systemic corticosteroids
Authors: Nahon-Esteve Sacha , Martel Arnaud , Maschi Celia , Alketbi Mohamed , Baillif Stephanie , Tieulie Nathalie
Published: October 2020

Purpose:

To study the outcome of latent tubercular uveitis (LTBU) treated with antitubercular therapy (ATT) combined or not with adjuvant systemic corticosteroids.

Methods:

Twenty patients (27 eyes) with LTBU were included in a monocentric retrospective study and evaluated for the absence of active disease after treatment. Data on the clinical outcomes (active inflammation), vision (best-corrected visual acuity, BCVA) and treatment were collected retrospectively.

Results:

Fourteen patients received ATT alone and six patients received ATT combined with systemic corticosteroids. The two groups were not comparable in terms of proportion of tubercular panuveitis cases and initial BCVA (59.3 ± 8.2 letters vs 44.2 ± 15.2 letters). There was no significant difference in remission rate and in BCVA between both groups 3 months after ATT discontinuation.

Conclusion:

Patients with LTBU treated with ATT alone had visual and inflammatory outcomes at least comparable to those of patients treated with ATT combined with systemic corticosteroids.
Use of the Viabahn covered stent for the treatment of venous rupture during interventions of dysfunctional or thrombosed hemodialysis vascular access
Authors: Lee Chih-Kuo , Hsieh Ming-Chien , Luo Chien-Ming , Liao Min-Tsun , Hsieh Mu-Yang , Wu Chih-Cheng
Published: October 2020

Background:

Angioplasty-related vessel rupture is a common complication of interventions. The effect of covered stents to treat venous rupture has been evaluated in smaller series, but should be further evaluated.

Objective:

To report the immediate outcomes and patency rates of a covered stent to rescue angioplasty-related venous rupture of hemodialysis vascular access.

Methods:

From January 2013 to December 2018, 113 procedures complicated with vessel ruptures were retrospectively analyzed from a prospectively collected database of 8146 hemodialysis access interventions. The strategies to salvage vessel ruptures were based on the discretion of the treating physicians. Follow-up outcomes were obtained via review of the angiographic images, procedural notes, and medical and dialysis records within 12 months after the index procedures.

Results:

A total of 52 vessel ruptures (21 fistulas, 31 grafts) salvaged by using Viabahn covered stents were enrolled. Vessel ruptures developed in 28 (53.8%) thrombectomy procedures. Device success was achieved in all procedures (100%) and clinical success was achieved in 50 (96.2%). The primary patency of the stent area was 66.0% at 6 months and 50.0% at 12 months. The primary patency of the entire access circuit was 27.4% at 6 months and 16.0% at 12 months. The most common cause of access circuit primary patency loss was thrombotic occlusion for graft accesses and restenosis at stent area for native accesses. Eleven vascular accesses were abandoned within 12 months after vessel ruptures, and the secondary patency rate of the entire access circuit was 78.0% at 12 months.

Conclusions:

Treatment of angioplasty-induced vessel rupture of hemodialysis vascular accesses by using Viabahn covered stents has good immediate outcomes and patency results at the stent area. Nonetheless, the patency rate of entire access circuit was still below the threshold recommended by guidelines.
Enacting intimacy and sociality at a distance in the COVID-19 crisis: the sociomaterialities of home-based communication technologies
Authors: Watson Ash , Lupton Deborah , Michael Mike
Published: October 2020

Significant restrictions on movement outside the home due to the global COVID-19 pandemic have intensified the importance of everyday digital technologies for communicating remotely with intimate others. In this article, we draw on findings from a home-based video ethnography project in Sydney to identify the ways that digital devices and software served to support and enhance intimacy and sociality in this period of crisis and isolation. Digital communication technologies had an increased presence in people’s domestic lives during lockdown. For many people, video calling software had become especially important, allowing them to achieve greater closeness and connection with their friends and family in enacting both everyday routines and special events. These findings surface the digital and non-digital materialities of sociality and intimacy, and the capacities opened by people’s improvisation with the affordances of home-based communication technologies at a time of extended physical isolation.
The transdisciplinary health research apparatus: A Baradian account of knowledge boundaries and beyond
Authors: Thorpe Holly , Clark Marianne , Brice Julie , Sims Stacy
Published: October 2020

This paper engages with new materialist theory to reimagine transdisciplinary health research. In particular, we draw upon Karen Barad’s theory of agential realism and concept of apparatus to rethink the processes of doing transdisciplinary research. A Baradian inspired approach to transdisciplinarity encourages us to not only explore ways of knowing health phenomena differently by working across disciplines, but also to pay close attention to the politics and practices in such research. We offer a case study based on a two-year transdisciplinary research project focused on the health condition known as Low Energy Availability (LEA) in sportswomen. Through this case we highlight three key ways that Barad’s concept of apparatus helped us know transdisciplinarity differently: (1) Reading disciplines through each other, (2) Intra-actions and the everyday performativity of disciplinary boundaries, and (3) Troubling the boundaries of the apparatus. Ultimately this paper illustrates the value in feminist new materialist conceptual tools for encouraging different questions of transdisciplinary research as ethico-onto-epistemological practices, processes, and politics of knowledge production.
‘I still want to know they’re not terrible people’: Negotiating ‘queer community’ on dating apps
Authors: Pym Tinonee , Byron Paul , Albury Kath
Published: October 2020

Digital media has played a historical role in orienting LGBTQ+ young people’s notions of ‘community’ around performances of identity and selfhood. In our research with LGBTQ+ dating app users aged 18–35, ‘queer community’ materialised in relation to participants’ expectations of ethical alignment with others, with an emphasis on performing a reflexive self who was clear and consistent in what they sought on apps. Participants described apps as providing access to community, or enhancing existing connections forged via other social media or in-person contexts. In ways that both cohered with and diverged from historical framings of ‘queer community’, the concept emerged as a shared understanding of ethical conduct, where emotional safety and connecting with ‘nice people’ were prioritised. App users acknowledged the challenges of navigating the constraints and possibilities of dating app cultures and infrastructures, alongside negotiating one’s political responsibilities to ‘queer community’.
Effects of nozzle hole configuration of a multi-hole type gasoline direct injector on spray development under flash boiling conditions
Authors: Kim Donghwan , Park Sungwook
Published: October 2020

The flash boiling phenomenon is critically affected by not only injection conditions such as fuel temperature, ambient pressure and physical properties of fuel but also the nozzle hole configurations of the injector. In this research, two kinds of injectors, having different nozzle hole configurations (a closed type and a opened type) were used to analyze the influence of flash boiling. Near-field and far-field spray visualization was performed using a high-speed camera based on the Mie-scattering imaging technique. Test parameters were injection pressure, ambient pressure, and fuel temperature. The spray length, spray width, length-to-width ratio, and axial velocity of spray development depending on time were measured using the MATLAB program for quantitative and objective analysis. Finally, the prediction equation for the spray length was derived using the least-squares method based on the experimental results. In the case of the closed type injector, the spray center contained a wide overlapped region because of the strong links between plumes. On the other hand, with the opened type injector, there was a relatively narrow overlapped region between plumes due to weak interaction between plumes. As a result, the closed type injector had a narrow and long spray structure and the opened type injector had a partially long and wide spray structure. According to the prediction equation, the spray develops depending on time more linearly under flash boiling conditions than under non-flash boiling conditions. The influence of flash boiling was smaller in the closed type injector because the closed type injector has less variation of the spray structure with varying injection conditions, ranging from non-flash boiling conditions to non-flash boiling conditions.
Conjugate heat transfer study of the impact of ‘thermo-swing’ coatings on internal combustion engines heat losses
Authors: Broatch Alberto , Olmeda Pablo , Margot Xandra , Escalona Johan
Published: October 2020

To comply with the very strict emissions regulation the automotive industry is succeeding in developing ever more efficient engines, and there is scope for more improvements. In this regard, some investigations have suggested that insulating the combustion chamber walls of an internal combustion engine (ICE) yield low thermal losses. Most of the literature available on this topic presents simplified models that do not allow studying in detail the coating impact on engine efficiency. A more precise approach that consists in the combination of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) simulations is used in this paper to predict the heat losses through the combustion chamber walls of a spark ignition (SI) engine. Two configurations are considered for the single cylinder engine: the metallic case and the same engine with coated piston and cylinder head. The insulation material has a low thermal conductivity ( k[Formula: see text]1.0 W/( mK)). The numerical results are validated by comparison with the results of a 1D heat transfer model and with experimental data for a medium load operation point (3000 rpm −7 bar IMEP). The solutions obtained are analysed in detail in terms of wall temperature distribution and heat transfer. The impact of the coating on the engine efficiency is thus assessed. The CFD-CHT calculations yields very good results in terms of heat transfer prediction during the whole engine cycle.
Experimental and numerical study of CFRP reinforced steel beams
Authors: Kypriadis Minos E , Bilalis Elias P , Tsouvalis Nicholas G
Published: October 2020

The use of composite materials patches for the reinforcement of steel structures attracts particular interest. Due to their high strength, light weight, and high fatigue and corrosion resistance, composite patches represent a versatile reinforcement solution. In this paper, the reinforcement of steel beams with CFRP patches is examined. Large scale tests of “H” and “square hollow” cross section steel beams are conducted. The beams are reinforced with CFRP patches, investigating the effect of the thickness and the length of the patch, and the type of the cohesive joint. All reinforced specimens showed increase of their stiffness and their maximum load capacity. Furthermore, advanced finite element models are developed for the simulation of the mechanical behavior of the reinforced steel beams. FE results relate very well to the experimental ones for most of the measured magnitudes, thus verifying the reliability of the developed models in estimating stiffness, yield load and maximum load capacity of the beams.
Risk-based integrity model for offshore pipelines subjected to impact loads from falling objects
Authors: Jiang Fengyuan , Dong Sheng
Published: October 2020

Impacts from falling objects can pose a major risk of failure for offshore pipelines. Appropriate protection measures are required to reduce this risk. To achieve this goal, a risk-based integrity model is proposed. Based on the surrogate model of genetic programming, the finite element analysis is cooperated with the probabilistic method to consider nonlinear effects on the failure probability. The required validations are performed to demonstrate the accuracy. The cumulative prospect theory is introduced to encapsulate the risk-attitudes in the consequence evaluation. This integrated model is further extended to determine an optimal protection strategy to obtain the maximum return on an investment, as well as ensure safety of the infrastructures. A case study is used to illustrate the methodology used to determine the burial depth, which is a primary protection measure. The parametric study showed that the soil property and pipeline wall thickness have a considerable influence on the risk. A comprehensive overview of the outputs from different risk-attitudes is also provided. This study can provide a reference for offshore pipeline safety design, and the proposed model can be used as a potential guideline for other researchers to develop customised risk assessment models.
Laser ultrasonic imaging of wavefield spatial gradients for damage detection
Authors: Wu Zihan , Chong See Yenn , Todd Michael D
Published: October 2020

This article describes a new damage visualization method to investigate and analyze propagating guided Lamb waves using analyses of wavefield spatial gradients. A laser ultrasonic interrogation system was used to create full-field ultrasonic data measurements for ultrasonic wavefield imaging. The laser scanning process was performed based on both a raster scan and a circle scan. From the high-resolution wavefield data, a spatial gradient–based image processing technique was developed using gradient vectors to extract features sensitive to defects. Local impedance changes at the damaged area would result in a local distortion of the waveform which was captured and quantified by the variation of the gradient vectors in the scanning area as time evolves. Such variation was accumulated over time with a statistical threshold filter to generate a gradient-orientation map for damage visualization. The proposed algorithm was capable of producing distinctive damage patterns when tested experimentally on a 3-mm aluminum plate with multiple simultaneous simulated defects. Compared to conventional techniques like local wavenumber estimation, the generation of the accumulated orientation map involves no filtering process in the frequency or wavenumber domain, at the expense of more accurate shaping of the defect. A spatial covariance analysis was adopted to locate damage from the results as well as to evaluate the correlation between different kinds of defects. Combining the proposed approach with conventional laser ultrasonic imaging techniques enables a fast and robust damage identification and characterization process which requires lower computational burden and practical operation.
Canadian Occupational Therapists’ Use of Technology With Older Adults: A Nationwide Survey
Authors: Aboujaoudé Aline , Bier Nathalie , Lussier Maxime , Ménard Christine , Couture Mélanie , Demers Louise , Auger Claudine , Pigot Hélène , Caouette Martin , Lussier-Desrochers Dany , Belchior Patricia
Published: October 2020

As rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapy practitioners play a gateway role regarding recommendation of various technologies for homecare. However, no study has investigated current occupational therapy practices concerning information and communication technology (ICT) for older adults in Canada. The objective of this study was to identify Canadian occupational therapists’ (OTs) knowledge and practices of ICT with older adults as well as factors associated with its recommendation. A Canada-wide, cross-sectional, online survey was conducted. Of 387 OTs, only 12.4% reported recommending ICT in practice. ICTs supporting communication and cognition were the main types recommended. The reported barriers to use in practice differed between ICT familiar users and nonusers. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that clinicians with more years of clinical experience were more likely to recommend ICT. Clinicians’ services, work environments, and client diagnosis were also factors associated with ICT recommendation. Additional research is needed to understand how to overcome barriers to ICT recommendation in OT practice.
Upper body activity classification using an inertial measurement unit in court and field-based sports: A systematic review
Authors: McGrath Joseph , Neville Jonathon , Stewart Tom , Cronin John
Published: October 2020

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are becoming increasingly popular in activity classification and workload measurement in sport. This systematic literature review focuses on upper body activity classification in court or field-based sports. The aim of this paper is to provide sport scientists and coaches with an overview of the past research in this area, as well as the processes and challenges involved in activity classification. The SPORTDiscus, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched, resulting in 20 articles. Both manually defined algorithms and machine learning approaches have been used to classify IMU data with varying degrees of success. Manually defined algorithms may offer simplicity and reduced computational demand, whereas machine learning may be beneficial for complex classification problems. Inter-study results show that no one machine learning model is best for activity classification; differences in sensor placement, IMU specification and pre-processing decisions can all affect model performance. Accurate classification of sporting activities could benefit players, coaches and team medical personnel by providing an objective estimate of workload. This could help to prevent injuries, enhance performance and provide valuable data to coaching staff.
LncRNA KRAL suppresses cell growth and increases sensitivity to doxorubicin in osteosarcoma cells by sponging microRNAs-141
Authors: Cai Jingwei , Chen Xiaohui , Ma Fei , Qian Jun , Niu Ming , Gao Yuzhen , Li Junwei , Ren Xiaoqiang
Published: October 2020

Osteosarcoma (OS) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors characterized by uncontrolled proliferation ability and acquired drug resistance. The previous study indicated that lncRNA KRAL participated in the reversal of 5-FU resistance in liver cancer, but it remains unclear whether lncRNA KRAL involved in doxorubicin (DOX) resistance of osteosarcoma. The expression of lncRNA KRAL and MicroRNAs-141 (miR-141) were detected by RT-qPCR experiment. Also, we used the plasmids transfection to construct the lncRNA KRAL overexpressed OS cell lines. Subsequently, the cell proliferation ability and the sensitivity to DOX in OS cells upon upregulating lncRNA KRAL expression were analyzed via CCK-8 and EDU assay, while western blotting experiment was performed to detect the regulatory mechanism. We found that lncRNA KRAL was downregulated in OS tissues, and the OS patients with OS patients with lower expression of lncRNA KRAL were more likely to have advanced Enneking stage, larger tumor size and distant metastasis. Subsequently, we discovered that upregulation of lncRNA KRAL could inhibit cell proliferation and increase the sensitivity to DOX of OS cells. Interestingly, the western blot results showed that over-expression of lncRNA KRAL could lead to down-expression of P-gp protein and reversal of Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. Furthermore, we identified miR-141 as the downstream target gene of lncRNA KRAL, which was further confirmed by the luciferase reporter assay. More importantly, our data demonstrated that addition of miR-141 could reverse cell proliferation and drug sensitivity of lncRNA KRAL-overexpressed OS cells. LncRNA KRAL could suppress cell growth and increases sensitivity to DOX in OS cells by sponging miR-141.
Association between interleukin-1 beta gene, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms and urolithiasis: A literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Qin Jiaxuan , Xing Jinchun , Cai Zonglong
Published: October 2020

Several case-control studies have been performed in different populations to uncover the association between interleukin-1 beta gene, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms and urolithiasis. Here we decided to perform a literature review and meta-analysis to further estimate it. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, clinicaltrials.gov, CNKI databases. To pool the effect size, odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used. Finally, five articles were included. Our results of literature review suggested that IL1RN IVS2 VNTR might be associated with the risk of urolithiasis. However, the results of meta-analysis suggested that IL-1beta -511C>T, IL-1beta +3954C>T, and IL1RN IVS2 VNTR might not be associated with the risk of urolithiasis. There were not enough data to fully confirm this association and the results should be interpreted with caution.
A Prospective Study to Assess the Quality of Life in Children with Newly Diagnosed Asthma and Their Caregivers using the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire
Authors: Battula Monika , Arunashekar Preethi , Nagarajan Vinoth Ponnurangam
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

The study aims to assess the quality of life (QOL) in newly diagnosed asthmatic children and their caregivers before and after treatment using mini pediatric asthma quality of life questionnaire (PAQLQ) and pediatric asthma caregivers quality of life questionnaire (PACQLQ) and to compare their quality of life with ACS (asthma clinical severity score).

Materials and Methods:

This prospective study was done among 99 children and their caregivers, who were interviewed using mini PAQLQ and PACQLQ on 2 occasions: at the time of inclusion and 4 weeks after treatment. During their clinic visit, asthma clinical severity scoring was done, and children were treated according to GINA (Global Initiative for Asthma).

Results:

After 4 weeks of treatment, there was a significant change in all domains of mini PAQLQ ( P < .001) and PACQLQ ( P < .001). In children, the change in the emotional domain after treatment was minimal when compared to other domains. When ACS was compared with mini PAQLQ and PACQLQ, children with well-controlled asthma had a better quality of life than partially-controlled asthmatic children ( P < .001) and there wasn’t a significant change in the quality of life of the caregivers after treatment ( P = .321)

Conclusion:

During treatment, QOL of newly diagnosed asthmatic children and their caregivers showed significant improvement but children lagged in their emotional domain. Despite medical intervention, these children also require psychological support and counseling. Also, caregivers didn’t perceive a change in their QOL when compared with ACS and it indicates that parent’s and child health-related quality of life should be taken as independent dimensions.
Annual Wellness Visits and Influenza Vaccinations among Older Adults in the US
Authors: Jørgensen Terese Sara Høj , Allore Heather , Elman Miriam R. , Nagel Corey , Zhang Mengran , Markwardt Sheila , Quiñones Ana R.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Investigate whether combinations of sociodemographic factors, chronic conditions, and other health indicators pose barriers for older adults to access Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) and influenza vaccinations.

Methods

Data on 4999 individuals aged ≥65 years from the 2012 wave of the Health and Retirement Study linked with Medicare claims were analyzed. Conditional Inference Tree (CIT) and Random Forest (CIRF) analyses identified the most important predictors of AWVs and influenza vaccinations. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was used to quantify the associations.

Results

Two-year uptake was 22.8% for AWVs and 65.9% for influenza vaccinations. For AWVs, geographical region and wealth emerged as the most important predictors. For influenza vaccinations, number of somatic conditions, race/ethnicity, education, and wealth were the most important predictors.

Conclusions

The importance of geographic region for AWV utilization suggests that this service was unequally adopted. Non-Hispanic black participants and/or those with functional limitations were less likely to receive influenza vaccination.
Remain Independence and Neighborhood Social Cohesiveness Among Older Adults Participating in Three Community-Based Programs Promoting Aging-in-Community in the USA
Authors: Hou Su-I
Published: October 2020

Objectives: Aging-in-community has been a preferred way to aging. This study examines and compares remain independence (RI) and neighborhood social cohesiveness (NSC) among three programs promoting aging-in-community (AIC). Methods: Older adults from three AIC programs were surveyed: a village program, a county neighborhood lunch program, and a university-based lifelong learning program. Previously validated RI (3-item) and NSC (4-items) measures were used. Results: Mean age was 72.4 ( SD = 8.68) years ( n = 289). Both the RI and NSC scales showed satisfactory reliabilities, with Cronbach’s alphas of .81 and .88, respectively. Analyses showed significant inter-group differences on both RI and NSC. After controlling for demographics, regressions showed inter-group differences remained for RI, while disappeared for NSC. Education level had an inverse relationship with RI, whereas married status had a positive relationship with NSC scores. Discussion: Findings call attentions to RI among higher education and NSC among single older adults for community-based services and programs promoting aging-in-community.
Bacterial Isolates and Resistance Patterns in Preterm Infants with Sepsis in Selected Hospitals in Ethiopia: A Longitudinal Observational Study
Authors: Eshetu Beza , Gashaw Mulatu , Solomon Semaria , Berhane Melkamu , Molla Kassie , Abebe Tamrat , Gizaw Solomon , Abdissa Alemseged , Abayneh Mahlet , Goldenberg Robert L. , Tigabu Zemene , Mekasha Amha , Worku Bogale , McClure Elizabeth M. , Nigusse Assaye K. , Muhe Lulu M.
Published: October 2020

Background: Neonatal sepsis is the third leading cause of neonatal mortality, behind prematurity and intrapartum-related complications. The main objectives of this study are to assess the proportion of sepsis in preterm newborns and identify the etiologic agents and their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. Methods: A longitudinal observational study was done from July 2016 to May 2018. Whenever clinical diagnosis of sepsis was made, blood cultures and antibiotic susceptibility tests were done. Result: We did 690 blood cultures, 255 (36.9%) showing bacterial growth. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Klebsiella species 78 (36.6%), Coagulase negative Staphylococcus 42 (19.7%) and Staphylococcus aureus 39 (18.3%). Gram-positive bacteria showed high resistance to penicillin (98.9%) and ceftriaxone (91.3%) whereas Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant to gentamicin (83.2%) and ceftriaxone (83.2%). Conclusion: Resistance to the more commonly used antibiotics such as ampicillin and gentamycin was very high, necessitating reconsideration of the empiric use of these antibiotics.
Do changes in temperature affect EU Water Framework Directive compliant assessment results of central European streams?
Authors: Haubrock Phillip J. , Pilotto Francesca , Haase Peter
Published: October 2020

Background

Benthic invertebrate communities are an integral and longstanding component of stream biomonitoring. However, multiple stressors driven by global change threaten benthic invertebrate communities. In particular, climate warming is expected to disrupt freshwater ecosystems. While an increasing number of studies have shown changes in benthic invertebrate community composition in response to climate warming, the effect on stream assessments has rarely been investigated. As several community composition metrics are also used in stream assessments, we predicted that climate warming would worsen stream assessment results. Therefore, we used a comprehensive data set of 2865 benthic invertebrate samples taken between 2000 and 2014 from small central European low mountain streams. We examined the effects of changes in temperature on common community and stream assessment metrics. We used 31 metrics covering composition, richness, tolerance and function of communities, of which many are used in various stream assessment schemes.

Results

Against our expectations, we identified a decreasing air temperature trend of − 0.18 °C over 15 years. This trend was accompanied by significant changes in community composition, for example, increases in species richness and decreases in the community temperature index (CTI). Further, we identified slight concomitant improvements of various globally used stream quality assessment metrics, such as a decreasing saprobic index and an increasing BMWP.

Conclusions

While temperature increased by + 0.9 °C during the past 30 years (1985–2014), our 15-year study period (2000–2014) showed a decrease by − 0.18 °C. Therefore, we regard the concomitant improvement in several assessment metrics as a recovery from prior increasing temperatures. In turn, we assume that increases in water temperature will lead to opposite effects and therefore cause declining assessment results. Water managers should be aware of this linkage that in turn could provide a chance to mitigate the effects of global warming by, for example, planting trees along the rivers and the removal of artificial barriers to increase current velocity to minimize a warming effect.
Ultrasound-guided ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric block (ILIHB) or perifocal wound infiltration (PWI) in children: a prospective randomized comparison of analgesia quality, a pilot study
Authors: Grosse Bjoern , Eberbach Stefan , Pinnschmidt Hans O. , Vincent Deirdre , Schmidt-Niemann Martin , Reinshagen Konrad
Published: October 2020

Background

Ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric block (ILIHB) is a well-established procedure for postoperative analgesia after open inguinal surgery in children. This procedure is effective and safe, especially when ultrasound is used. Data availability for comparing ultrasound-guided blocks versus wound infiltration is still weak. The study was designed to determine the efficacy of ultrasound-guided ILIHB (US-ILIHB) on postoperative pain control in pediatric patients following a inguinal daycase surgery, compared with perifocal wound infiltration (PWI) by the surgeon.

Methods

This randomized, double-blinded trail was conducted in pediatric patients aged from 6 months to 4 years. The total number of children included in the study was 103. Patients were allocated at random in two groups by sealed envelopes. The ILIHB group recieved 0,2% ropivacain for US-ILIHB after anesthesia induction. The PWI group recieved 0,2% ropivacain for PWI performed by a surgeon before wound closure. Parameters recorded included the postoperative pain score, pain frequency, time to first analgesics and consumption of analgesics.

Results: US-ILIHB significantly reduced the occurrence of pain within the first 24 h after surgery (7.7%, p = 0.01). Moreover, the pain-free interval until administration of the first dose of opioids was 21 min longer, on average (p = 0.003), following US-ILIHB compared to perifocal wound infiltration. 72% of children who received US-ILIHB did not require additional opioids, as compared to 56% of those who received PWI.

Conclusion

Thus our study demonstrates that US-ILIHB ensures better postoperative analgesia in children and should be prioritized over postoperative PWI.

Trail registration

UIHBOPWIIC, DRKS00020987. Registered 20 March 2020 – Retrospectivley registered.
Extended spectrum beta-lactamase and fluoroquinolone resistance genes among Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates from children with diarrhea, Burkina Faso
Authors: Dembélé René , Konaté Ali , Traoré Oumar , Kaboré Wendpoulomdé A. D. , Soulama Issiaka , Kagambèga Assèta , Traoré Alfred S. , Guessennd Nathalie K. , Aidara-Kane Awa , Gassama-Sow Amy , Barro Nicolas
Published: October 2020

Background

The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDR) has become a major public health concern worldwide. This resistance is caused by enzymes-mediated genes (i.e., extended spectrum beta-lactamases) that are common in certain Enterobacterioceae species. However, the distribution of these genes is poorly documented in Burkina Faso. This study aims to determine the prevalence and distribution of the resistant genes coding for broad spectrum beta-lactamases and quinolones in rural Burkina Faso.

Methods

Multiplex PCR assays were carried out to detect ESBL-encoding genes, including blaOXA, blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV. The assays also assessed the presence of quinolone resistance gene namely qnrA, qnrB and qnrS in the quinolone-resistance DEC and Salmonella strains.

Results

The Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBL) resistance phenotype was reported in all the E. coli isolates (5/5). Cross-resistance phenotype to quinolones (CRQ) was shown by one Salmonella strain (1/9) and three E. coli (3/5). Cross-resistance phenotypes to fluoroquinolones (CRFQ) were harboured by one Salmonella (1/9) and carbapenemase phenotypes were detected in two E. coli strains (2/5). Whilst the blaOXA genes were detected in 100% (5/5) of E. coli isolates and in 33.33% (3/9) Salmonella isolates. One strain of E. coli (1/5) harbored the blaCTX−M gene and the qnrB gene simultaneously.

Conclusions

This study identified β-lactam (bla) and quinolone resistance (qnr) genes in multidrug-resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. in rural Burkina Faso. Our finding which highlighted the enterobacteriaceae strains resistance to β-lactams and quinolones are of high interest for adequate management of antimicrobial resistant genes outbreak in Burkina Faso.
The effectiveness of preoperative rehabilitation programmes on postoperative outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: a systematic review
Authors: Carter Hayley M. , Littlewood Chris , Webster Kate E. , Smith Benjamin E.
Published: October 2020

Background

To explore the effectiveness of preoperative rehabilitation programmes (PreHab) on postoperative physical and psychological outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Method

A systematic search was conducted from inception to November 2019. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were included. Risk of bias was assessed using Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment system was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.

Results

The search identified 739 potentially eligible studies, three met the inclusion criteria. All included RCTs scored ‘high’ risk of bias.

PreHab in all three RCTs was an exercise programme, each varied in content (strength, control, balance and perturbation training), frequency (10 to 24 sessions) and length (3.1- to 6-weeks).

Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were reported for quadriceps strength (one RCT) and single leg hop scores (two RCTs) in favour of PreHab three months after ACLR, compared to no PreHab. One RCT reported no statistically significant between-group difference for pain and function. No RCT evaluated post-operative psychological outcomes.

Conclusion

Very low quality evidence suggests that PreHab that includes muscular strength, balance and perturbation training offers a small benefit to quadriceps strength and single leg hop scores three months after ACLR compared with no PreHab. There is no consensus on the optimum PreHab programme content, frequency and length. Further research is needed to develop PreHab programmes that consider psychosocial factors and the measurement of relevant post-operative outcomes such as psychological readiness and return to sport.

Trial registration

PROSPERO trial registration number. CRD42020162754.