bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Review: Genetic Associations for Prognostic Factors of Urinary Bladder Cancer
Authors: Lipunova Nadezda , Wesselius Anke , Cheng Kar K , van Schooten Frederik J , Cazier Jean-Baptiste , Bryan Richard T , Zeegers Maurice P
Published: December 2019

Introduction:

Many germline associations have been reported for urinary bladder cancer (UBC) outcomes and prognostic characteristics. It is unclear whether there are overlapping genetic patterns for various prognostic endpoints. We aimed to review contemporary literature on genetic associations with UBC prognostic outcomes and to identify potential overlap in reported genes.

Methods:

EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases were queried for relevant articles in English language without date restrictions. The initial search identified 1346 articles. After exclusions, 112 studies have been summarized. Cumulatively, 316 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were reported across prognostic outcomes (recurrence, progression, death) and characteristics (tumor stage, grade, size, age, risk group). There were considerable differences between studied outcomes in the context of genetic associations. The most commonly reported SNPs were located in OGG1, TP53, and MDM2. For outcomes with the highest number of reported associations (ie, recurrence and death), functional enrichment annotation yields different terms, potentially indicating separate biological mechanisms.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests that all UBC prognostic outcomes may have different biological origins with limited overlap. Further validation of these observations is essential to target a phenotype that could best predict patient outcome and advance current management practices.
Cohort profile: ADEF Helsinki – a longitudinal register-based study on exposure to alcohol and drugs during foetal life
Authors: Koponen Anne M , Nissinen Niina-Maria , Gissler Mika , Sarkola Taisto , Autti-Rämö Ilona , Kahila Hanna
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

The need for longitudinal studies on prenatal substance exposure (PSE) extending into adulthood is widely recognised. In particular, studies on the dual effect of exposure to substances and adverse childhood experiences are needed. This register-based matched cohort study investigates the effect of this dual exposure on the health and development of youth with PSE. The follow-up is from birth to young adulthood.

Participants:

The exposed youth were born in 1992–2001 to mothers with a significant substance misuse problem during pregnancy. The mothers were identified in primary care maternity clinics in the Helsinki metropolitan area and referred for intensified pregnancy follow-up in a tertiary care setting (HAL-clinics). Data from hospital medical records were collected for the mothers during the pregnancy follow-up and linked with register data from multiple national health and social welfare registers obtained for each mother–child dyad from birth until the end of 2015–2018. Similar register data were gathered for three matched mother–child dyads without any evidence of the mother’s substance misuse in national health and social welfare registers. The study consists of 615 exposed and 1787 unexposed youth aged 15–24 years.

Findings to date:

A majority of the exposed youth (64%) had been in out-of-home care at least once compared with 8% among the unexposed. Outpatient and inpatient hospital care due to mental or behavioural disorders were two to three times more common among the exposed than among the unexposed. The exposed had less often completed secondary school education and had more often needed social assistance.

Future plans:

The data comprise a wide range of information on infant health, youth’s mental and somatic health and development, out-of-home care history, and mother’s life situation at the delivery and later health. Risk and protective factors for different long-term developmental outcomes in adolescence or in young adulthood will be studied.
Multicenter validation of a machine-learning algorithm for 48-h all-cause mortality prediction
Authors: Mohamadlou Hamid , Panchavati Saarang , Calvert Jacob , Lynn-Palevsky Anna , Le Sidney , Allen Angier , Pellegrini Emily , Green-Saxena Abigail , Barton Christopher , Fletcher Grant , Shieh Lisa , Stark Philip B , Chettipally Uli , Shimabukuro David , Feldman Mitchell , Das Ritankar
Published: December 2019

In order to evaluate mortality predictions based on boosted trees, this retrospective study uses electronic medical record data from three academic health centers for inpatients 18 years or older with at least one observation of each vital sign. Predictions were made 12, 24, and 48 hours before death. Models fit to training data from each institution were evaluated using hold-out test data from the same institution, and from the other institutions. Gradient-boosted trees (GBT) were compared to regularized logistic regression (LR) predictions, support vector machine (SVM) predictions, quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), and Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). For training and testing GBT on data from the same institution, the average AUROCs were 0.96, 0.95, and 0.94 across institutional test sets for 12-, 24-, and 48-hour predictions, respectively. When trained and tested on data from different hospitals, GBT AUROCs achieved up to 0.98, 0.96, and 0.96, for 12-, 24-, and 48-hour predictions, respectively. Average AUROC for 48-hour predictions for LR, SVM, MEWS, and qSOFA were 0.85, 0.79, 0.86 and 0.82, respectively. GBT predictions may help identify patients who would benefit from increased clinical care.
The concept of language in the Swedish preschool curriculum: A theoretical and empirical examination of its productions
Authors: Aronsson Lena
Published: December 2019

Children’s language development is a core task in Swedish preschool and central to how educators organize teaching and everyday activities. The curriculum’s definition of language is described as extended, with language as both a prerequisite for learning and a learning effect, i.e. both internal processes and communication. This means that working methods and didactic strategies rely on many different epistemologies and thus different theoretical perspectives. Nevertheless, the research literature, as well as assessments of Swedish preschool services, show that educators’ interpretation of the curriculum is primarily socioculturally oriented. This does not entirely converge with how language is conceptualized in the Swedish preschool curriculum. Against this background, the aim of this paper is to perform a theoretical and empirical investigation of the extended language concept in the curriculum with the intention to understand what the consequences of this extended meaning of language produce in terms of teaching and learning practices. I have traced various epistemologies in language didactic preschool research and related this tracing analysis to empirical examples from preschool practices. The results of my analysis show that the practices are predominantly interpersonally framed, which corresponds to the emphasis in research. In a further analysis, where empirical examples are read from other possible epistemologies, the practices can be perceived as being multi-epistemological in a fashion which corresponds to the curriculum's conceptualization of language. This is discussed as an opportunity for a didactic strengthening of presently neglected perspectives.
Iranian medical residents’ professionalism: A peer assessment study
Authors: Amini Hassan , Rezapour Ramin , Akbari Zahra Delir , Bakhshi Faezeh , Khodayari Rahim , Amini Behnam , Saadati Mohammad
Published: December 2019

As one of the main competencies, professionalism is to be taught and evaluated during the residency period. The aim of this research is to investigate the professionalism perception among medical residents of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 using Persian Professionalism Questionnaire American Board of Internal Medicine (American Board of Internal Medicine). Probability proportional to size sampling was used to recruit the participants (n = 250). Data analysis was done using SPSS24 through descriptive and analytical statistics. The mean age of residents was 33.28 (SD = 5.56). About 46% of residents were not familiar with professionalism. Mean of perceived professionalism score by the residents was to be 6.85 (of 10) ± 1.52. Honor/Integrity dimension with a score of 7.53 ± 2.1 had the highest mean, while professional excellence with a score of 6.2 ± 1.43 had the lowest mean. No statistically significant relationship was observed between residents’ demographic characteristics and perceived professionalism. Medical residents’ professionalism perception was not at an acceptable level. It is necessary to spread the concept of professionalism in the form of formal and informal training programs to promote residents’ professional behaviors. Moreover, it was experienced that peer to peer observation could be used to assess professionalism in the working environment.
Applying bioethical principles for directing investment in precision medicine
Authors: Finall Alison , Jones Kerina
Published: December 2019

The concept of precision medicine aims to tailor treatment based on data unique to the patient. An example is the use of genetic data from malignant tumours to select the most appropriate oncological treatment. The competing interests of utilitarianism and egoism create dilemmas for decisions regarding investment in precision medicine. The need to balance the perceived rights and needs of individuals against those of society as a whole is an on-going challenge in the distribution of limited health service resources. There is need for proper planning, organisation and investment into precision medicine to cope with the consequences of both direct-to-consumer and healthcare-directed genetic testing for genetic counselling, therapeutics and diagnostic networks. Consideration needs to be given to providing adequate time and training to allow for meaningful shared decision-making with patients and there is a strong case in support of a hub-and-spoke model to provide rapid, solid tumour genetic mutational analysis to prevent patients missing out on beneficial treatments.
Multisite Medical Student–Led Community Culinary Medicine Classes Improve Patients’ Diets: Machine Learning–Augmented Propensity Score–Adjusted Fixed Effects Cohort Analysis of 1381 Subjects
Authors: Stauber Zachary , Razavi Alexander C. , Sarris Leah , Harlan Timothy S. , Monlezun Dominique J.
Published: December 2019

Background. Healthy diet represents one of the largest single modifiable risk factors proven to decrease rates of obesity and associated chronic disease, but practical approaches to improving dietary habits through nutritional intervention are limited. Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of a medical student–led, 6-week culinary course on participants’ dietary knowledge and behaviors, particularly focusing on the tenets of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet). Design. This study is a prospective multisite cohort study evaluating the effects of a 6-week, hands-on community culinary education course offered at 3 sites. Participants’ knowledge of cooking skills, eating habits, and adherence to the MedDiet were evaluated using a survey prior to beginning and 6 weeks after the completion of the course. Analysis was conducted using multivariable regression to assess subjects’ diets, associated behaviors, and nutrition beliefs according to the number of classes to which they were exposed (0 to >6). Statistical results were then compared with the machine learning results to check statistical validity after selection of the top-performing algorithm from 43 supervised algorithms using 10-fold cross-validation with performance assessed according to accuracy, root relative square error, and root mean square error. Results. Among the 1381 participants, cooking classes significantly improved patients’ overall 9-point MedDiet adherence (β = 0.62, 95% CI 0.23-1.00, P = .002). Participants were more likely to meet MedDiet point requirements for fruit intake (odds ratio [OR] 2.77, 95% CI 1.46-5.23, P = .002), vegetable intake (OR 4.61, 95% CI 1.85-11.53, P = .001), legume intake (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.45-4.26, P = .001), and olive oil use (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.44-5.74, P = .003), and were less likely to believe that cooking takes excessive time (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.16-0.59, P < .001). Conclusion. Hands-on culinary education courses were associated with increased MedDiet adherence and improved knowledge of healthful eating. Such interventions thus represent a cost-effective option for addressing rates of obesity and obesity-related chronic illness.
Experimental and numerical study of maximum ceiling temperature in a tunnel
Authors: Bai ZP , Li YF
Published: December 2019

Maximum ceiling temperatures in a tunnel with different ventilation velocities with three heat release fires are studied experimentally and theoretically. This article investigates the ventilation velocity effects on maximum ceiling temperature combustible materials around ignition source in tunnel fires. Several fire experimental tests are conducted with longitudinal ventilation velocity changes in a small-scale tunnel (23 m in length, 2 m in width, and 0.98 m in height), where three heat release fires (237, 340, and 567 kW) and their corresponding values in the real tunnel are 20, 30, and 50 MW, respectively. This article modifies the current temperature prediction model taking the ignition materials near the fire source into account in tunnels. Results show that the ceiling maximum temperature increases, corresponding to the burn time when other experimental conditions remain unchanged for a given fire heat level source. The ceiling temperature reduces quickly when the ventilation velocity is increased from 0.5 to 2.0 m/s. Moreover, this article proposes an equation that can be used to estimate the ceiling maximum temperature variation value with three heat release fires in tunnels. Finally, experimental results are also compared with the tunnel ceiling temperature attenuation equations established by Alpert, Heskestad, and Ingason. The equation proposed in this article appears to provide better estimates of ceiling temperature variation than the Kurioka model developed in their scaled experiments. The prediction agrees well with the experimental and measured data by the modified equations of this article.
The Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing: How Russia’s Internet Research Agency Tweets Appeared in U.S. News as Vox Populi
Authors: Lukito Josephine , Suk Jiyoun , Zhang Yini , Doroshenko Larissa , Kim Sang Jung , Su Min-Hsin , Xia Yiping , Freelon Deen , Wells Chris
Published: December 2019

The Russian-sponsored Internet Research Agency’s (IRA) use of social media to influence U.S. political discourse is undoubtedly troubling. However, scholarly attention has focused on social media, overlooking the role that news media within the country played in amplifying false, foreign messages. In this article, we examine articles in the U.S. news media system that quoted IRA tweets through the lens of changing journalism practices in the hybrid media system, focusing specifically on news gatekeepers’ use of tweets as vox populi. We find that a majority of the IRA tweets embedded in the news were vox populi. That is, IRA tweets were quoted (1) for their opinion, (2) as coming from everyday Twitter users, and (3) with a collection of other tweets holistically representing public sentiment. These findings raise concerns about how modern gatekeeping practices, transformed due to the hybrid media system, may also unintentionally let in unwanted disinformation from malicious actors.
Familial periodicity in a multigenerational family of cluster headache: A case report
Authors: Popescu Cyprian
Published: December 2019

I describe an unusual phenotypic phenomenon in two members of a multigenerational family of cluster headache (CH) with anticipation features. The index case, a 44-year-old woman, and her sister, a 40-year-old woman, have a CH phenotype with atypical features as the burning of the nose. Besides identically circadian and circannual features, they present distinct chronobiological features with the onset of the episodic pain attack every third day between them. I propose to entitle this clinical feature “familial periodicity” because of the remarkable phenotypic correlation and probably a similar genotype in the two sisters. Pathophysiologically, this phenomenon may be the result of the dysfunction of the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus on a genetic basis. This is the first case of familial periodicity, which allows extending the clinical spectrum of CH.
PCA via joint graph Laplacian and sparse constraint: Identification of differentially expressed genes and sample clustering on gene expression data
Authors: Feng Chun-Mei , Xu Yong , Hou Mi-Xiao , Dai Ling-Yun , Shang Jun-Liang
Published: December 2019

Background

In recent years, identification of differentially expressed genes and sample clustering have become hot topics in bioinformatics. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is a widely used method in gene expression data. However, it has two limitations: first, the geometric structure hidden in data, e.g., pair-wise distance between data points, have not been explored. This information can facilitate sample clustering; second, the Principal Components (PCs) determined by PCA are dense, leading to hard interpretation. However, only a few of genes are related to the cancer. It is of great significance for the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer to identify a handful of the differentially expressed genes and find new cancer biomarkers.

Results

In this study, a new method gLSPCA is proposed to integrate both graph Laplacian and sparse constraint into PCA. gLSPCA on the one hand improves the clustering accuracy by exploring the internal geometric structure of the data, on the other hand identifies differentially expressed genes by imposing a sparsity constraint on the PCs.

Conclusions

Experiments of gLSPCA and its comparison with existing methods, including Z-SPCA, GPower, PathSPCA, SPCArt, gLPCA, are performed on real datasets of both pancreatic cancer (PAAD) and head & neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC). The results demonstrate that gLSPCA is effective in identifying differentially expressed genes and sample clustering. In addition, the applications of gLSPCA on these datasets provide several new clues for the exploration of causative factors of PAAD and HNSC.
Multi-cancer samples clustering via graph regularized low-rank representation method under sparse and symmetric constraints
Authors: Wang Juan , Lu Cong-Hai , Liu Jin-Xing , Dai Ling-Yun , Kong Xiang-Zhen
Published: December 2019

Background

Identifying different types of cancer based on gene expression data has become hotspot in bioinformatics research. Clustering cancer gene expression data from multiple cancers to their own class is a significance solution. However, the characteristics of high-dimensional and small samples of gene expression data and the noise of the data make data mining and research difficult. Although there are many effective and feasible methods to deal with this problem, the possibility remains that these methods are flawed.

Results

In this paper, we propose the graph regularized low-rank representation under symmetric and sparse constraints (sgLRR) method in which we introduce graph regularization based on manifold learning and symmetric sparse constraints into the traditional low-rank representation (LRR). For the sgLRR method, by means of symmetric constraint and sparse constraint, the effect of raw data noise on low-rank representation is alleviated. Further, sgLRR method preserves the important intrinsic local geometrical structures of the raw data by introducing graph regularization. We apply this method to cluster multi-cancer samples based on gene expression data, which improves the clustering quality. First, the gene expression data are decomposed by sgLRR method. And, a lowest rank representation matrix is obtained, which is symmetric and sparse. Then, an affinity matrix is constructed to perform the multi-cancer sample clustering by using a spectral clustering algorithm, i.e., normalized cuts (Ncuts). Finally, the multi-cancer samples clustering is completed.

Conclusions

A series of comparative experiments demonstrate that the sgLRR method based on low rank representation has a great advantage and remarkable performance in the clustering of multi-cancer samples.
Protein sequence information extraction and subcellular localization prediction with gapped k-Mer method
Authors: Yao Yu-hua , Lv Ya-ping , Li Ling , Xu Hui-min , Ji Bin-bin , Chen Jing , Li Chun , Liao Bo , Nan Xu-ying
Published: December 2019

Background

Subcellular localization prediction of protein is an important component of bioinformatics, which has great importance for drug design and other applications. A multitude of computational tools for proteins subcellular location have been developed in the recent decades, however, existing methods differ in the protein sequence representation techniques and classification algorithms adopted.

Results

In this paper, we firstly introduce two kinds of protein sequences encoding schemes: dipeptide information with space and Gapped k-mer information. Then, the Gapped k-mer calculation method which is based on quad-tree is also introduced.

Conclusions

>From the prediction results, this method not only reduces the dimension, but also improves the prediction precision of protein subcellular localization.
Clonal reconstruction from time course genomic sequencing data
Authors: Ismail Wazim Mohammed , Tang Haixu
Published: December 2019

Background

Bacterial cells during many replication cycles accumulate spontaneous mutations, which result in the birth of novel clones. As a result of this clonal expansion, an evolving bacterial population has different clonal composition over time, as revealed in the long-term evolution experiments (LTEEs). Accurately inferring the haplotypes of novel clones as well as the clonal frequencies and the clonal evolutionary history in a bacterial population is useful for the characterization of the evolutionary pressure on multiple correlated mutations instead of that on individual mutations.

Results

In this paper, we study the computational problem of reconstructing the haplotypes of bacterial clones from the variant allele frequencies observed from an evolving bacterial population at multiple time points. We formalize the problem using a maximum likelihood function, which is defined under the assumption that mutations occur spontaneously, and thus the likelihood of a mutation occurring in a specific clone is proportional to the frequency of the clone in the population when the mutation occurs. We develop a series of heuristic algorithms to address the maximum likelihood inference, and show through simulation experiments that the algorithms are fast and achieve near optimal accuracy that is practically plausible under the maximum likelihood framework. We also validate our method using experimental data obtained from a recent study on long-term evolution of Escherichia coli.

Conclusion

We developed efficient algorithms to reconstruct the clonal evolution history from time course genomic sequencing data. Our algorithm can also incorporate clonal sequencing data to improve the reconstruction results when they are available. Based on the evaluation on both simulated and experimental sequencing data, our algorithms can achieve satisfactory results on the genome sequencing data from long-term evolution experiments.

Availability

The program (ClonalTREE) is available as open-source software on GitHub at https://github.com/COL-IU/ClonalTREE.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with massive basal ganglia involvement: a case report
Authors: Ohara Shinji , Miyahira Taka-aki , Oguchi Kenya , Takei Yo-ichi , Yanagimura Fumihiro , Kawachi Izumi , Oyanagi Kiyomitsu , Kakita Akiyoshi
Published: December 2019

Background

Occurrence of basal ganglia involvement in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) has rarely been reported and none documented pathologically.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old female was clinically diagnosed with a NMOSD based on the clinical and radiological features and positive serum autoantibodies to AQP4. One month before her death, she became acutely ill with disturbed consciousness and right hemiparesis, and was diagnosed and treated as having basal ganglia infarction based on the brain CT. She made a partial recovery but later died from heart failure. At autopsy, the corresponding basal ganglia process revealed a large fresh area of necrosis. Histologically, several pathological signatures of NMOSD could be recognized in the lesion, including inflammatory cell infiltrations by B and T lymphocytes, perivascular complement and fibrinogen deposition, and the appearance of numerous phagocytosed corpora amylacea within the infiltrating macrophages.

Conclusions

The present case illustrates that basal ganglia may be directly involved in the pathological processes of NMOSD, although the possibility of modification of the lesions by superimposed regional ischemia could not be excluded.
Robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site surgery for the simultaneous management of multiple urinary tract calculi: a case report and experience sharing
Authors: Zhang Fan , Shan Lisong , Yin Jiahui , Liu Luyang , Wang Pengchao , Sun Shengkun , Zhang Xu , Li Hongzhao , Ma Xin , Guo Gang , Liu Qiming
Published: December 2019

Background

Urolithiasis is a clinically common benign disease in urology. Surgical treatments that are widely used in urolithiasis are percutaneous nephrolithotomy, rigid/flexible ureteroscopy, laparoscopic surgery, and endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery. The da Vinci surgical system is rarely used in the treatment of urolithiasis. In the current study, we report a case of multiple urinary tract calculi treated by robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site (RA-LESS) surgery.

Case presentation

A 49-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with multiple urinary tract calculi. He previously underwent right ureterolithotomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. Computed tomography (CT) scan and three-dimensional reconstruction CT image showed that multiple calculi were located in the right kidney, right upper ureter, and bladder. The preoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were 17.81 ml/min (right kidney) and 53.11 ml/min (left kidney). We utilized the da Vinci system docking with a single-site port to perform pyelolithotomy, ureterolithotomy, and cystolithotomy, simultaneously. The operative time was 135 min and estimated blood loss was 30 ml. The postoperative hospital stay was 5 days. Three months after surgery, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels dropped to a normal range, and no residual fragments were found in the CT scan. The postoperative GFR were 26.33 ml/min (right kidney) and 55.25 ml/min (left kidney).

Conclusions

RA-LESS surgery is a safe and effective surgical procedure in the treatment of multiple urinary tract calculi; however, further investigation is needed to validate its long-term therapeutic effect.
Virus-based pharmaceutical production in plants: an opportunity to reduce health problems in Africa
Authors: Bamogo Pingdwende Kader Aziz , Brugidou Christophe , Sérémé Drissa , Tiendrébéogo Fidèle , Djigma Florencia Wendkuuni , Simpore Jacques , Lacombe Séverine
Published: December 2019

Background

Developing African countries face health problems that they struggle to solve. The major causes of this situation are high therapeutic and logistical costs. Plant-made therapeutics are easy to produce due to the lack of the safety considerations associated with traditional fermenter-based expression platforms, such as mammalian cells. Plant biosystems are easy to scale up and inexpensive, and they do not require refrigeration or a sophisticated medical infrastructure. These advantages provide an opportunity for plant-made pharmaceuticals to counteract diseases for which medicines were previously inaccessible to people in countries with few resources.

Main body

The techniques needed for plant-based therapeutic production are currently available. Viral expression vectors based on plant viruses have greatly enhanced plant-made therapeutic production and have been exploited to produce a variety of proteins of industrial, pharmaceutical and agribusiness interest. Some neglected tropical diseases occurring exclusively in the developing world have found solutions through plant bioreactor technology. Plant viral expression vectors have been reported in the production of therapeutics against these diseases occurring exclusively in the third world, and some virus-derived antigens produced in plants exhibit appropriate antigenicity and immunogenicity. However, all advances in the use of plants as bioreactors have been made by companies in Europe and America. The developing world is still far from acquiring this technology, although plant viral expression vectors may provide crucial help to overcome neglected diseases.

Conclusion

Today, interest in these tools is rising, and viral amplicons made in and for Africa are in progress. This review describes the biotechnological advances in the field of plant bioreactors, highlights factors restricting access to this technology by those who need it most and proposes a solution to overcome these limitations.
Clavicle hook plate versus distal clavicle locking plate for Neer type II distal clavicle fractures
Authors: Li Liang , Li Tian-yan , Jiang Peichao , Lin Guizhen , Wu Hongxiao , Han Xiaochuan , Yu Xuezhong
Published: December 2019

Background

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare clavicle hook plates versus distal clavicle locking plates for the treatment of Neer type II distal clavicle fractures.

Methods

PubMed (1996 to January 2019), Embase (1980 to January 2019), Web of Science (1990 to January 2019), the Cochrane Library (January 2019), and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (January 2019) were systematically searched without language restrictions for literature retrieval. The Constant-Murley shoulder joint function score at 3 and 6 months after the operation and the postoperative complications after the operation (shoulder joint pain, abduction restriction, fracture delay healing, subacromial impingement) were the outcomes. Stata 12.0 was used for the meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 9 clinical trials involving 446 patients were finally included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that the improvement in the Constant-Murley shoulder joint function score in the distal locking plate group was better than that in the clavicle hook plate group at 3 and 6 months after the operation (P < 0.05). There were fewer cases of shoulder joint pain and restricted shoulder abduction range of motion in the distal locking plate group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in fracture delay healing and subacromial impingement between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Compared with the clavicular hook plate, the distal clavicle locking plate for the treatment of Neer type II distal clavicle fractures is associated with better shoulder function recovery and fewer complications related to pain and abduction restriction.
Overstuffing in resurfacing hemiarthroplasty is a potential risk for failure
Authors: Geervliet Pieter C. , Willems Jore H. , Sierevelt Inger N. , Visser Cornelis P. J. , van Noort Arthur
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Literature describes the concern of an overstuffed shoulder joint after a resurfacing humeral head implant (RHHI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate inter-observer variability of (1) the critical shoulder angle (CSA), (2) the length of the gleno-humeral offset (LGHO), and (3) the anatomic center of rotation (COR) in a patient population operated with a Global Conservative Anatomic Prosthesis (CAP) RHHI. The measurements were compared between the revision and non-revision groups to find predictive indicators for failure.

Methods

Pre- and postoperative radiographs were retrieved from 48 patients who underwent RHHI from 2007 to 2009 using a Global CAP hemiarthroplasty for end-stage osteoarthritis. This cohort consisted of 36 females (12 men) with a mean age of 77 years (SD 7.5). Two musculoskeletal radiologist and two specialized shoulder orthopedic surgeons measured the CSA, LGHO, and COR of all patients.

Results

The inter-observer reliability showed excellent reliability for the CSA, LGHO, and the COR, varying between 0.91 and 0.98. The mean COR of the non-revision group was 4.9 mm (SD 2.5) compared to mean COR of the revision group, 8 mm (SD 2.2) (p < 0.01). The COR is the predictor of failure (OR 1.90 (95%Cl 1.19–3.02)) with a cut of point of 5.8 mm. The mean CSA was 29.8° (SD 3.9) There was no significant difference between the revision and non-revision groups (p = 0.34). The mean LGHO was 2.6 mm (SD 3.3) post-surgery. The mean LGHO of the revision group was 3.9 (SD 1.7) (p = 0.04) post-surgery. Despite the difference in mean LGHO, this is not a predictor for failure.

Conclusion

The CSA, LGHO, and COR can be used on radiographs and have a high inter-observer agreement. In contrast with the CSA and LGHO, we found a correlation between clinical failure and revision surgery in case of a deviation of the COR greater than 5 mm.

Trial registration

Institutional review board, number: ACLU 2016.0054, Ethical Committee number: CBP M1330348. Registered 7 November 2006.
The acute transcriptome response of the midbrain/diencephalon to injury in the adult mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)
Authors: Bisese Eleanor C. , Ciuba Chandler M. , Davidson Amelia L. , Kaushik Akanksha , Mullen Sabrina M. , Barth Jeremy L. , Hazard E. Starr , Wilson Robert C. , Hardiman Gary , Hollis David M.
Published: December 2019

Adult fish produce new cells throughout their central nervous system during the course of their lives and maintain a tremendous capacity to repair damaged neural tissue. Much of the focus on understanding brain repair and regeneration in adult fish has been directed at regions of the brainstem and forebrain; however, the mesencephalon (midbrain) and diencephalon have received little attention. We sought to examine differential gene expression in the midbrain/diencephalon in response to injury in the adult fish using RNA-seq. Using the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), we administered a mechanical lesion to the midbrain/diencephalon and examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at an acute recovery time of 1 h post-injury. Comparisons of whole transcriptomes derived from isolated RNA of intact and injured midbrain/diencephalic tissue identified 404 DEGs with the vast majority being upregulated. Using qPCR, we validated the upregulation of DEGs pim-2-like, syndecan-4-like, and cd83. Based on genes both familiar and novel regarding the adult brain response to injury, these data provide an extensive molecular profile giving insight into a range of cellular processes involved in the injury response of a brain regenerative-capable vertebrate.
Pseudo-Wellens syndrome, acute pancreatitis, and an anomalous coronary artery: a case report
Authors: Effoe V. S. , O’Neal W. , Santos R. , Rubinsztain L. , Zafari A. M.
Published: December 2019

Background

Chest pain associated with transient electrocardiogram changes mimicking an acute myocardial infarction have been described in acute pancreatitis. These ischemic electrocardiogram changes can present a diagnostic dilemma, especially when patients present with concurrent angina pectoris and epigastric pain warranting noninvasive or invasive imaging studies.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old African-American man with a history of alcohol use disorder presented to the emergency department of our institution with 36 hours of concurrent epigastric pain and left-sided chest pain radiating to his left arm and associated with nausea and dyspnea. On physical examination, he was afebrile; his blood pressure was elevated; and he had epigastric tenderness. His laboratory test results were significant for hypokalemia, normal troponin, and elevated serum lipase and amylase levels. Serial electrocardiograms for persistent chest pain showed ST-segment elevations with dynamic T-wave changes in the right precordial electrocardiogram leads, consistent with Wellens syndrome. He was immediately taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, where selective coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries with an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the opposite sinus. Given his elevated lipase and amylase levels, the patient was treated for acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis with intravenous fluids and pain control. His chest pain and ischemic electrocardiogram changes resolved within 24 hours of admission, and coronary computed tomography angiography showed an interarterial course of the right coronary artery without high-risk features.

Conclusions

Clinicians may consider deferring immediate cardiac catheterization and attribute electrocardiogram changes to acute pancreatitis in patients presenting with angina pectoris and acute pancreatitis if confirmed by normal cardiac enzymes and elevated levels of lipase and amylase. However, when clinical signs and electrocardiogram findings are highly suggestive of myocardial ischemia/injury, immediate noninvasive coronary computed tomography angiography may be the best approach to make an early diagnosis.
Correction to: Psychometric properties of the scale for non-adherence to antiretroviral medication (NAME) among HIV-infected patients
Authors: Hosseini Zahra , Eftkhar Hassan , Aghamolaei Teamur , Ebadi Abbas , Nedjat Saharnaz , Abbasian Ladan , Hashemiparast Mina
Published: December 2019

In the original publication of this article [1] the author pointed out the name of author Minasadat should be ‘Mina Hashemiparast’, not ‘Minasadat hashemi parast’.
Characteristics of vegetation succession on the Pinus thunbergii forests in warm temperate regions, Jeju Island, South Korea
Authors: Hong Yongsik , Kim Euijoo , Lee Eungpill , Lee Seungyeon , Cho Kyutae , Lee Youngkeun , Chung Sanghoon , Jeong Heonmo , You Younghan
Published: December 2019

Background

To investigate the trends of succession occurring at thePinus thunbergiiforests on the lowlands of Jeju Island, we quantified the species compositions and the importance values by vegetation layers of Braun-Blanquet method on thePinus thunbergiiforests. We used multivariate analysis technique to know the correlations between the vegetation group types and the location environmental factors; we used the location environment factors such as altitudes above sea level, tidal winds (distance from the coast), annual average temperatures, and forest gaps to know the vegetation distribution patterns.

Results

According to the results on the lowland of Jeju Island, the understory vegetation of the lowlandPinus thunbergiiforests was dominated by tall evergreen broad-leaved trees such asMachilus thunbergii,Neolitsea sericea, andCinnamomum japonicumshowing a vegetation group structure of the mid-succession, and the distribution patterns of vegetation were determined by the altitudes above sea level, the tidal winds on the distance from the coast, the annual average temperatures, and the forest gaps. We could discriminate the secondary succession characteristics of thePinus thunbergiiforests on the lowland and highland of Jeju Island of South Korea.

Conclusions

In the lowland of Jeju Island, the secondary succession will progress to the form ofPinus thunbergii(early successional species)→Machilus thunbergii,Litsea japonica(mid-successional species)→Machilus thunbergii(late-successional species) sequence in the temperate areas with strong tidal winds. In the highland of Jeju Island, the succession will progress to the form ofPinus thunbergii(early successional species)→Neolitsea sericea,Eurya japonica(mid-successional species)→Castanopsis sieboldii(late-successional species) sequence in the areas where tidal winds are weak and temperatures are relatively low. However, local differences between lowland and highland of Jeju Island will be caused by the micro-environmental factors resulting from the topographic differences and the supply of tree seeds. From the characteristics of succession study, we could properly predict and manage thePinus thunbergiiforest ecosystem on lowland and highland of Jeju Island.
Explaining the barriers and facilitators of ethnic and traditional food choices from the viewpoints of women
Authors: Haghighian Roudsari Arezoo , Vedadhir Abouali , Rahmani Jamal , Milani Bonab Ali
Published: December 2019

Background and objectives

Women’s food choices and preferences are important as key decision-makers in household food handling, especially the selection of local and traditional foods that can potentially affect health and disease profile. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of choosing local and traditional foods from the perspective of women living in Iran.

Methods

This qualitative study was carried out using a semi-structured in-depth interview with 22 women aged 30–64 years old in Tehran (capital of Iran). The participants were recruited through purposive sampling with the maximum variation such as occupation, the district of residence, and education. Data collection and analysis were done simultaneously from the beginning of the study using the MAXQDA 10 software.

Results and conclusions

The four main themes explored from the participants’ statements included: “cultural contexts,” “social barriers and motivations,” “convenience, accessibility, and skills,” and “religious considerations.” The lessons derived from family, experiences, beliefs, ethnicity patterns, influences from traditional medicine, and priorities in a lifetime, family preferences, routine complications, facilities and ingredients, cookery skills, and religious rules and occasions were extracted as sub-themes including the barriers and facilitators of local and traditional foods in women. Considering the diversity of local and traditional foods in Iranian culture, encouraging the varied consumption of these foods could contribute to the sustainability of diet in communities. Therefore, emphasizing the special role of Iranian women in the household, it is necessary to educate women in order to regenerate the local and traditional food patterns in our country.
Paruthi Paal, a nutrient-rich healthy drink from cottonseed: an Indian delicacy
Authors: Kumar Manoj
Published: December 2019

Paruthi Paal is a very nutritious drink that is very much popular in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Paruthi Paal is regarded as “triple-nutrient” as it is a very rich source of protein, essential fatty acids, and sugars and can be called as an energy drink. The present paper will be focussed on developing a process protocol for the preparation of the nutrient-rich product “Paruthi Paal” from the traditional knowledge available. The paper also focusses on typical ingredients required for making this healthy drink. Further, this paper will present various health benefits of cottonseed which includes healing of stomach ulcer, regulation of menstrual cycle, curing cold and cough, maintaining blood pressure and also acting as an antioxidant. Overall, the study leads to a development of a protocol and a traditional delicious product (Paruthi Paal) with a view to popularise among other parts of the globe.
Analgesic evaluation of ultrasound-guided Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block for emergency hip surgery in fragile patients: a case series
Authors: Pagano Tommaso , Scarpato Fulvio , Chicone Gianmaria , Carbone Domenico , Bussemi Carlo Blandina , Albano Francesco , Ruotolo Fabio
Published: December 2019

Background

Emergency hip surgery is common especially in elderly patients. Very often we are faced with elderly and fragile patients with several comorbidities. In these cases a careful pain control is crucial to reduce length of stay, costs, postoperative complications and mortality. Currently the Fascia Iliaca Block (FIB) and the Femoral Nerve Block (FNB) are the main techniques used for this purpose.

Cases presentation

Recently, a new method has been described under ultrasound-guidance, the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block. In this case series we try to point out the importance of this novel, safe and effective ultrasound-guided locoregional analgesic technique as an alternative to FIB or FNB based on our clinical experience.

Conclusion

In this case series the PENG block has been proved to be safe and effective, but more and larger-sized studies are needed to better assess the method in future before it becomes an established analgesic technique for hip surgery.
Preserved low-level visual gain control in autistic adults
Authors: Sandhu Timothy R. , Rees Geraint , Lawson Rebecca P.
Published: December 2019

Background: No sensory stimulus is an island entire of itself, the processing of visual inputs is highly influenced by surrounding spatial context. Some accounts of Autism Spectrum Disorder have suggested that the sensory difficulties reported in the condition could arise from differences in contextual modulation of sensory stimuli, specifically problems with gain control mechanisms that regulate incoming sensory information as a function of sensory context.

Methods: Here we examined the spatial modulation of visual processing in autistic and neurotypical adults by assessing surround suppression for two low-level visual features: orientation and luminance. We used an established psychophysical task with known neurocomputational correlates and interrogated group differences in suppression magnitude.  

Results: We found that the magnitude of surround suppression for both visual features was equivalent in autistic adults and matched neurotypical controls. Additionally, there was no relationship between suppression magnitude and autism symptom severity.

Conclusion: These results suggest that for low level visual features, the spatial gain control mechanisms regulating sensory input are preserved. These findings have important theoretical implications for establishing the types of gain control mechanisms that are compromised in autism, and the extent to which there are differences in contextual processing.