bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly sensitive MLH1 methylation analysis in blood identifies a cancer patient with low-level mosaic MLH1 epimutation
Authors: Dámaso Estela , Canet-Hermida Júlia , Vargas-Parra Gardenia , Velasco Àngela , Marín Fátima , Darder Esther , del Valle Jesús , Fernández Anna , Izquierdo Àngel , Mateu Gemma , Oliveras Glòria , Escribano Carmen , Piñol Virgínia , Uchima Hugo-Ikuo , Soto José Luis , Hitchins Megan , Farrés Ramon , Lázaro Conxi , Queralt Bernat , Brunet Joan , Capellá Gabriel , Pineda Marta
Published: November 2019

ConstitutionalMLH1methylation (epimutation) is a rare cause of Lynch syndrome. Low-level methylation (≤ 10%) has occasionally been described. This study aimed to identify low-level constitutionalMLH1epimutations and determine its causal role in patients withMLH1-hypermethylated colorectal cancer.

Eighteen patients withMLH1-hypermethylated colorectal tumors in whomMLH1methylation was previously undetected in blood by methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) were screened forMLH1methylation using highly sensitive MS-melting curve analysis (MS-MCA). Constitutional methylation was characterized by different approaches.

MS-MCA identified one patient (5.6%) with low-levelMLH1methylation (~ 1%) in blood and other normal tissues, which was confirmed by clonal bisulfite sequencing in blood. The patient had developed three clonally related gastrointestinalMLH1-methylated tumor lesions at 22, 24, and 25 years of age. The methylated region in normal tissues overlapped with that reported for other carriers of constitutionalMLH1epimutations. Low-levelMLH1methylation and reduced allelic expression were linked to the same genetic haplotype, whereas the opposite allele was lost in patient’s tumors. Mutation screening ofMLH1and other hereditary cancer genes was negative.

Herein, a highly sensitive MS-MCA-based approach has demonstrated its utility for the identification of low-level constitutionalMLH1epigenetic mosaicism. The eventual identification and characterization of additional cases will be critical to ascertain the cancer risks associated with constitutionalMLH1 epigenetic mosaicism.
DNA methylation associated with postpartum depressive symptoms overlaps findings from a genome-wide association meta-analysis of depression
Authors: Lapato Dana M. , Roberson-Nay Roxann , Kirkpatrick Robert M. , Webb Bradley T. , York Timothy P. , Kinser Patricia A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Perinatal depressive symptoms have been linked to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. The etiology associated with perinatal depressive psychopathology is poorly understood, but accumulating evidence suggests that understanding inter-individual differences in DNA methylation (DNAm) patterning may provide insight regarding the genomic regions salient to the risk liability of perinatal depressive psychopathology.

Results

Genome-wide DNAm was measured in maternal peripheral blood using the Infinium MethylationEPIC microarray. Ninety-two participants (46% African-American) had DNAm samples that passed all quality control metrics, and all participants were within 7 months of delivery. Linear models were constructed to identify differentially methylated sites and regions, and permutation testing was utilized to assess significance. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were defined as genomic regions of consistent DNAm change with at least two probes within 1 kb of each other. Maternal age, current smoking status, estimated cell-type proportions, ancestry-relevant principal components, days since delivery, and chip position served as covariates to adjust for technical and biological factors. Current postpartum depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Ninety-eight DMRs were significant (false discovery rate < 5%) and overlapped 92 genes. Three of the regions overlap loci from the latest Psychiatric Genomics Consortium meta-analysis of depression.

Conclusions

Many of the genes identified in this analysis corroborate previous allelic, transcriptomic, and DNAm association results related to depressive phenotypes. Future work should integrate data from multi-omic platforms to understand the functional relevance of these DMRs and refine DNAm association results by limiting phenotypic heterogeneity and clarifying if DNAm differences relate to the timing of onset, severity, duration of perinatal mental health outcomes of the current pregnancy or to previous history of depressive psychopathology.
Cancer genome landscape: a radiologist’s guide to cancer genome medicine with imaging correlates
Authors: Alessandrino Francesco , Smith Daniel A. , Tirumani Sree Harsha , Ramaiya Nikhil H.
Published: November 2019

The introduction of high throughput sequence analysis in the past decade and the decrease in sequencing costs has made available an enormous amount of genomic data. These data have shaped the landscape of cancer genome, which encompasses mutations determining tumorigenesis, the signaling pathways involved in cancer growth, the tumor heterogeneity, and its role in development of metastases. Tumors develop acquiring a series of driver mutations over time. Of the many mutated genes present in cancer, only few specific mutations are responsible for invasiveness and metastatic potential, which, in many cases, have characteristic imaging appearance. Ten signaling pathways, each with targetable components, have been identified as responsible for cancer growth. Blockage of any of these pathways form the basis for molecular targeted therapies, which are associated with specific pattern of response and toxicities. Tumor heterogeneity, responsible for the different mutation pattern of metastases and primary tumor, has been classified in intratumoral, intermetastatic, intrametastatic, and interpatient heterogeneity, each with specific imaging correlates. The purpose of this article is to introduce the key components of the landscapes of cancer genome and their imaging counterparts, describing the types of mutations associated with tumorigenesis, the pathways of cancer growth, the genetic heterogeneity involved in metastatic disease, as well as the current challenges and opportunities for cancer genomics research.
Lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis and psoas abscess caused by Actinomyces israelii after an operation under general anesthesia in a patient with end-stage renal disease: a case report
Authors: Yamada Yutaka , Kinoshita Chiharu , Nakagawa Hirokazu
Published: November 2019

Background

Actinomycosis is a chronic, slowly progressive infection caused by the Actinomyces species. Lumbar vertebral involvement of Actinomyces israelii is extremely rare; this is the first case report of lumbar vertebral osteomyelitis and psoas abscess caused by Actinomyces israelii after an operation under general anesthesia.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old Japanese man with end-stage renal disease was admitted to our hospital for an operation for cervical canal stenosis. After the operation under general anesthesia, during which tracheal intubation and nasogastric tube insertion were performed, he developed low back pain. During a second hospitalization, computed tomography revealed osteolysis of the lumbar endplates of L2 and L3, swelling of the intervertebral disk of L2/L3, and swelling of the left psoas major muscle. Percutaneous drainage of the intervertebral disc was performed, and the culture of the aspirate grew Actinomyces israelii. Based on the susceptibility, ampicillin was administered but his condition did not improve. We changed the antibiotics to ampicillin-sulbactam for coverage of unidentified oral commensals, and his symptoms and signs finally improved.

Conclusion

Our patient’s long-term end-stage renal disease had made the oral and gastrointestinal mucosal barriers very fragile. Under these conditions, even mildly invasive procedures such as tracheal intubation and nasogastric tube insertion could be the cause of infectious complication by oral commensals, including Actinomyces.
Leptospirosis meningitis transmission from a pet mouse: a case report
Authors: Nordholm Anne Christine , Omland Lars Haukali , Villumsen Steen , Al-Subeihe Imad , Katzenstein Terese L.
Published: November 2019

Background

Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis with a worldwide distribution and a wide range of clinical manifestations. We report a case of leptospirosis meningitis in a previously healthy woman infected by her pet mouse.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old Caucasian woman with pet mice presented to our institute with a 1 week history of fever, headache, myalgia, vomiting, diarrhea, and dark urine. Her admission examination revealed neck stiffness, conjunctivitis, and icteric sclera. Her liver enzymes, bilirubin, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein were elevated. Her cerebrospinal fluid showed an elevated white blood cell count. Polymerase chain reactions using her cerebrospinal fluid, blood, and urine showed negative results for leptospirosis, but the result of her microagglutination test was positive for Leptospira interrogans serovar sejroe with a more than threefold increase in paired sera. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone for 1 week, and her condition steadily improved.

Conclusions

This case report raises awareness of pet rodents as sources of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis meningitis should be considered in patients with meningeal symptoms and pet rodents.
Exposure to blue light stimulates the proangiogenic capability of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yang Kun , Li Dong , Wang Meitian , Xu Zhiliang , Chen Xiao , Liu Qiao , Sun Wenjie , Li Jiangxia , Gong Yaoqin , Liu Duo , Shao Changshun , Liu Qiji , Li Xi
Published: November 2019

Background

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be attributed partly to the secreted paracrine factors, which comprise exosomes. Exosomes are small, saucer-shaped vesicles containing miRNAs, mRNAs, and proteins. Exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been reported to promote angiogenesis. However, the efficacy of exosome-based therapies is still limited both in vitro and in vivo. The present study aimed to develop a new optical manipulation approach to stimulate the proangiogenic potential of exosomes and characterize its mechanism underlying tissue regeneration.

Methods

We used blue (455 nm) and red (638 nm) monochromatic light exposure to investigate the processing of stimuli. Exosomes were prepared by QIAGEN exoEasy Maxi kit and confirmed to be present by transmission electron microscopy and immunoblotting analyses. The proangiogenic activity of blue light-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), when co-cultured with hUC-MSCs, was assessed by EdU (5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine) incorporation, wound closure, and endothelial tube formation assays. The in vivo angiogenic activity of blue light-treated MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exs) was evaluated using both murine matrigel plug and skin wound models.

Results

We found that 455-nm blue light is effective for promoting proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs co-cultured with MSCs. Furthermore, MSC-Exs stimulated in vivo angiogenesis and their proangiogenic potential were enhanced significantly upon blue light illumination. Finally, activation of the endothelial cells in response to stimulation by blue light-treated exosomes was demonstrated by upregulation of two miRNAs, miR-135b-5p, and miR-499a-3p.

Conclusions

Blue (455 nm) light illumination improved the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSC exosomes by enhancing their proangiogenic ability in vitro and in vivo with the upregulation of the following two miRNAs: miR-135b-5p and miR-499a-3p.

Graphical abstract
Functional proteins of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles
Authors: Qiu Guanguan , Zheng Guoping , Ge Menghua , Wang Jiangmei , Huang Ruoqiong , Shu Qiang , Xu Jianguo
Published: November 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain proteins, microRNAs, mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and phospholipids, and are a novel mechanism of intercellular communication. It has been proposed that the immunomodulatory and regenerative effects of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are mainly mediated by soluble paracrine factors and MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs). Recent studies suggest that MSC-EVs may serve as a novel and cell-free alternative to whole-cell therapies. The focus of this review is to discuss the functional proteins which facilitate the effects of MSC-EVs. The first section of the review discusses the general functions of EV proteins. Next, we describe the proteomics of MSC-EVs as compared with their parental cells. Then, the review presents the current knowledge that protein contents of MSC-EVs play an essential role in immunomodulation and treatment of various diseases. In summary, functional protein components are at least partially responsible for disease-modulating capacity of MSC-EVs.
Biodistribution and post-therapy dosimetric analysis of [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL in patients with osteoblastic metastases: first results
Authors: Khawar Ambreen , Eppard Elisabeth , Roesch Frank , Ahmadzadehfar Hojjat , Kürpig Stefan , Meisenheimer Michael , Gaertner Florian. C. , Essler Markus , Bundschuh Ralph. A.
Published: November 2019

Background

Preclinical biodistribution and dosimetric analysis of [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL suggest the bisphosphonate zoledronate as a promising new radiopharmaceutical for therapy of bone metastases. We evaluated biodistribution and normal organ absorbed doses resulting from therapeutic doses of [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL in patients with metastatic skeletal disease.

Method

Four patients with metastatic skeletal disease (age range, 64–83 years) secondary to metastatic castration-resistant prostate carcinoma or bronchial carcinoma were treated with a mean dose of 5968 ± 64 MBq (161.3 mCi) of [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL. Biodistribution was assessed with serial planar whole body scintigraphy at 20 min and 3, 24, and 167 h post injection (p.i.) and blood samples at 20 min and 3, 8, 24, and 167 h p.i. Percent of injected activity in the blood, kidneys, urinary bladder, skeleton, and whole body was determined. Bone marrow self-dose was determined by an indirect blood-based method. Urinary bladder wall residence time was calculated using Cloutier’s dynamic urinary bladder model with a 4-h voiding interval. OLINDA/EXM version 2.0 (Hermes Medical Solutions, Stockholm, Sweden) software was used to determine residence times in source organs by applying biexponential curve fitting and to calculate organ absorbed dose.

Results

Qualitative biodistribution analysis revealed early and high uptake of [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL in the kidneys with fast clearance showing minimal activity by 24 h p.i. Activity in the skeleton increased gradually over time. Mean residence times were found to be highest in the skeleton followed by the kidneys. Highest mean organ absorbed dose was 3.33 mSv/MBq for osteogenic cells followed by kidneys (0.490 mSv/MBq), red marrow (0.461 mSv/MBq), and urinary bladder wall (0.322 mSv/MBq). The biodistribution and normal organ absorbed doses of [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL are consistent with preclinical data.

Conclusion

[177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL shows maximum absorbed doses in bone and low kidney doses, making it a promising agent for radionuclide therapy of bone metastasis. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radionuclide therapy with [177Lu]Lu-DOTAZOL in the clinical setting.
The antecedents and consequences of employees’ followership behavior in social network organizational context: a longitudinal study
Authors: Xu Sheng , Yang Tonghua , Guo Ruliang , Zhang Wenyuan
Published: November 2019

The social network is a social structure made up of individuals who are tied by social links. With the rapid development of information technology, online social networking services and microblogging service received a lot of attention. Social networks provide a comprehensive communication platform of interaction, knowledge sharing, information dissemination to people, etc. They also bring a significant impact on people’s working style and interpersonal communication. Drawing from trait theory, regulatory focus theory, followership theory, political skills, self-construal theory, and performance theory, this study systematically investigates the antecedents that induce the difference in followership behavior and the different consequences of behavior on job performance. We introduce a novel hybrid similarity measure, and the best matching based supervised learning process is conducted for training the time series. The events before the current timestamp can be adopted as a training set, and an early predictor will be generated by learning the rules from the training set. The newly coming events will be used for verifying the predictor, or assessing and tuning it. This paper clarifies the antecedents’ mechanism for differences in followership behavior and the consequence mechanism that followership behavior differently impacts job performance.
Particularities of data mining in medicine: lessons learned from patient medical time series data analysis
Authors: Aljawarneh Shadi , Anguera Aurea , Atwood John William , Lara Juan A. , Lizcano David
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, large amounts of data are generated in the medical domain. Various physiological signals generated from different organs can be recorded to extract interesting information about patients’ health. The analysis of physiological signals is a hard task that requires the use of specific approaches such as the Knowledge Discovery in Databases process. The application of such process in the domain of medicine has a series of implications and difficulties, especially regarding the application of data mining techniques to data, mainly time series, gathered from medical examinations of patients. The goal of this paper is to describe the lessons learned and the experience gathered by the authors applying data mining techniques to real medical patient data including time series. In this research, we carried out an exhaustive case study working on data from two medical fields: stabilometry (15 professional basketball players, 18 elite ice skaters) and electroencephalography (100 healthy patients, 100 epileptic patients). We applied a previously proposed knowledge discovery framework for classification purpose obtaining good results in terms of classification accuracy (greater than 99% in both fields). The good results obtained in our research are the groundwork for the lessons learned and recommendations made in this position paper that intends to be a guide for experts who have to face similar medical data mining projects.
Evaluation of the association between exosomal levels and female reproductive system and fertility outcome during aging: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mobarak Halimeh , Rahbarghazi Reza , Lolicato Francesca , Heidarpour Mohammad , Pashazadeh Fariba , Nouri Mohammad , Mahdipour Mahdi
Published: November 2019

Background

Exosomes may have critical roles in the maternal-embryo cross-talk for the recognition and maintenance of pregnancy during maternal aging. Exosomes have the capability to carry developmental signaling molecules with the ability to modulate gene expressions and affect growth and regulation of embryo during pregnancy. Systematic review aims to evaluate age-related alterations in the exosomal content and functions that can influence the reproductive performance in human and animal models as conveyors of senescence signals.

Methods

A literature search of electronic databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, ProQuest, Scopus, Google Scholar, WHO, SID, MAGIRAN, and Barakat will be conducted. Following the online search, articles will be screened by two independent reviewers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible studies will be critically appraised by reviewers at the study level for methodological quality using Joanna Briggs Institute’s standardized critical appraisal tools. The extracted data from selected studies will cover the study populations, methods, current evidence about the physiological role of extracellular vesicles and exosomes in reproductive system, relevant outcomes, and possible conclusions about the effectiveness of exposure.

Discussion

Regarding the role of exosomes and their cargoes in the function of reproductive tract, the possible beneficial or adverse effects following exosomal administration from younger women to older women will be evaluated in the systematic review. As a result, exosome therapy could be suggested as a novel therapeutic agent if the favorable results are identified.
Effectiveness of trauma centers verification: Protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Batomen Brice , Moore Lynne , Carabali Mabel , Tardif Pier-Alexandre , Champion Howard , Nandi Arijit
Published: November 2019

Background

The implementation of trauma systems in many high-income countries over the last 50 years has led to important reductions in injury mortality and disability in many healthcare jurisdictions. Injury organizations including the American College of Surgeons and the Trauma Association of Canada as well as the World Health Organization provide consensus-based recommendations on resources and processes for optimal injury care. Many hospitals treating trauma patients seek verification to demonstrate that they meet these recommendations. This process may be labeled differently across jurisdictions. In Canada for example, it is called accreditation, but it has the same objective and very similar modalities. The objective of the study described in this protocol is to systematically review evidence on the effectiveness of trauma center verification for improving clinical processes and patient outcomes in injury care.

Methods

We will perform a systematic review of studies evaluating the association between trauma center verification and hospital mortality (primary outcome), as well as morbidity, resource utilization, and processes of care (secondary outcomes). We will search CINAHL, EMBASE, HealthStar, MEDLINE, and ProQuest databases, as well as key injury organization websites for gray literature. We will assess the methodological quality of studies using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies – of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool. We are planning to conduct a meta-analysis if feasible based on the number of included studies and their heterogeneity. We will evaluate the quality of cumulative evidence and strength of recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) working group methodology.

Discussion

This review will provide a synthesis of the body of evidence on trauma center verification effectiveness. Results could reinforce current verification modalities and may suggest ways to optimize them. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at an international clinical conference.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42018107083.
Second-order numerical methods for the tempered fractional diffusion equations
Authors: Qiu Zeshan , Cao Xuenian
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a class of second-order tempered difference operators for the left and right Riemann–Liouville tempered fractional derivatives is constructed. And a class of second-order numerical methods is presented for solving the space tempered fractional diffusion equations, where the space tempered fractional derivatives are evaluated by the proposed tempered difference operators, and in the time direction is discreted by the Crank–Nicolson method. Numerical schemes are proved to be unconditionally stable and convergent with order $O(h^{2}+\tau ^{2})$O(h2+τ2). Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the numerical schemes.
Reliability of Physiological Responses Induced by Basic Emotions: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jang Eun-Hye , Byun Sangwon , Park Mi-Sook , Sohn Jin-Hun
Published: November 2019

Background

Although emotion-specific autonomic responses based on the discrete theory of emotion have been widely studied, studies on the reliability of physiological responses to emotional stimuli are limited. In this study, we aimed to assess the reliability of physiological changes induced by the six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, disgust, and surprise) that were measured during 10 weekly repeated experiments.

Methods

Twelve college students participated, and in each experiment, physiological signals were collected before and while participants were watching emotion-provoking film clips. Additionally, the participants self-evaluated the emotions that they experienced during the film presentation at the end of each emotional stimulus. To avoid adaptation of participants to identical stimuli during repeated measurements, we used 10 different film clips for each emotion, and thus a total of 60 film clips over 10 weeks were used. Physiological features, such as skin conductance level (SCL), fingertip temperature (FT), heart rate (HR), and blood volume pulse (BVP), were extracted from the physiological signals. Two reliability indices, Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient, were calculated from the physiological features to assess internal consistency and interrater reliability, respectively.

Results

We found that SCL, HR, and BVP measured during the emotion-provoking phase over the 10 weekly sessions were more reliable than those assessed at baseline. Furthermore, SCL, HR, and BVP from the emotion-provoking phase exhibited excellent internal consistency and interrater reliability.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that these features can be used as reliable physiological indices in emotion studies. The results also support the significance of physiological signals as meaningful indicators for emotion recognition in HCI (human computer interface) area.
Factors influencing location choice and cluster pattern of manufacturing small and medium enterprises in cities: evidence from Khulna City of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman S. M. Towhidur , Kabir Ahsanul
Published: November 2019

This study aims to identify the location and cluster pattern of manufacturing SMEs in Khulna City and the reasons behind such pattern since localisation of SMEs has significant impact on the economic development of cities and regions. A walking survey was conducted to identify the SME location pattern and a semi-structured personal interview was conducted to collect data from manufacturing SME entrepreneurs to find why such patterns exist. A cross section qualitative multiple case study design and pattern matching technique was applied to answer the research questions. The finding of the study shows SME location choice was influenced by a combination of location specific, personal, and community factors whereby personal factors are prioritised over other factors in location selection. While the cluster formation or localisation of SMEs depends on only location-specific factors. The study findings are expected to contribute in urban planning and regional development through providing useful insights relating allocation of spaces for industry development.
Investigation of a new methodology for the prediction of drawing force in deep drawing process with respect to dimensionless analysis
Authors: Hajiahmadi Saeed , Elyasi Majid , Shakeri Mohsen
Published: November 2019

In this research, geometric parameters were given in dimensionless form by the Buckingham pi dimensional analysis method, and a series of dimensionless groups were found for deep drawing of the round cup. To find the best group of dimensionless geometric parameters, three scales are evaluated by commercial FE software. After analyzing all effective geometric parameters, a fittest relational model of dimensionless parameters is found. St12 sheet metals were used for experimental validation, which were formed at room temperature. In addition, results and response parameters were compared in the simulation process, experimental tests, and proposed dimensionless models. By looking at the results, it very well may be inferred that geometric qualities of a large scale can be predicted with a small scale by utilizing the proposed dimensionless model. Comparison of the outcomes for dimensionless models and experimental tests shows that the proposed dimensionless models have fine precision in determining geometrical parameters and drawing force estimation. Moreover, generalizing proposed dimensionless model was applied to ensure the estimating precision of geometric values in larger scales by smaller scales.
The role of intraoperative ultrasound in gross total resection of brain mass lesions and outcome
Authors: Elmesallamy Wael Abd Elrahman Ali
Published: November 2019

Background

Surgical resection of brain mass lesion mandates safety and the best outcome for the patient.

Objectives

The aim of this study was the evaluation of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in gross total resection of brain mass lesions and patients’ safety in comparison to conventional surgery.

Materials and methods

In total, 632 patients were operated for brain mass lesion resection at Neurosurgery Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, during the period from January 2011 to October 2018 and divided randomly into two groups, IOUS group and conventional group, for the detection value of IOUS in resection, safety, and outcome after 3 months follow-up.

Results

The IOUS group showed statistically significant gross total resection regardless to pathology, location, size, age, and sex in favor of IOUS use, and also, there were significantly less complications and better outcome after 3 months follow-up with the IOUS group. Significantly better outcome was found with gross total resection in total surgeries.

Conclusions

The use of IOUS during brain mass lesion surgery is safe and can assist the surgeon in gross total resection with better outcome.
Microsurgical unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of degenerative lumbar canal stenosis: a comparative study
Authors: Refaat Mohamed I. , Elsamman Amr K. , Rabea Adham , Hewaidy Mohamed I. A.
Published: November 2019

Background

The quest for better patient outcomes is driving to the development of minimally invasive spine surgical techniques. There are several evidences on the use of microsurgical decompression surgery for degenerative lumbar spine stenosis; however, few of these studies compared their outcomes with the traditional laminectomy technique.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to compare outcomes following microsurgical decompression via unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression (ULBD) of the spinal canal to the standard open laminectomy for cases with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Subjects and methods

Cases were divided in two groups. Group (A) cases were operated by conventional full laminectomy; Group (B) cases were operated by (ULBD) technique. Results from both groups were compared regarding duration of surgery, blood loss, perioperative complication, and postoperative outcome and patient satisfaction.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the improvement of visual pain analogue, while improvement of neurogenic claudication outcome score was significant in group (B) than group (A). Seventy-three percent of group (A) cases and 80% of group (B) stated that surgery met their expectations and were satisfied from the outcome.

Conclusion

Comparing ULBD with traditional laminectomy showed the efficacy of the minimally invasive technique in obtaining good surgical outcome and patient satisfaction. There was no statistically significant difference between both groups regarding the occurrence of complications The ULBD technique was found to respect the posterior spinal integrity and musculature, accompanied with less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and shorter recovery periods than the open laminectomy technique.
The mechanism and cause of anterior cruciate ligament tear in the Korean military environment
Authors: Ahn Joosuk , Choi Byungseop , Lee Yong Seuk , Lee Ki Woung , Lee Jung Woo , Lee Beom Koo
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is very common but few studies have analyzed the injury mechanism and cause of ACL tear in a specific environment such as a military institution. The purpose of this study was to analyze the injury mechanism and cause of ACL injury in the military environment. Additionally, this study could provide outcomes that may aid future studies on prevention of ACL injury in military personnel.

Materials and methods

This study retrospectively analyzed 168 patients who sustained ACL tear while in military service and underwent ACL reconstruction surgery in a military hospital. Analysis of the injury mechanism and the cause was evaluated by analyzing the medical records. Knee magnetic resonance imaging analysis was also conducted for further evaluation of associated injury.

Results

The majority of ACL injuries in the military environment occurred through non-contact injury. Changing direction (46.4%) was the most common lower-leg position, followed by landing with the knee in a valgus position (26.8%). The activity undertaken at the time of injury was exercise in 76.2% of cases and military training/daily activities in 23.8% of cases. The incidence of ACL injury was higher in the soldier compared to the officer group during exercise (P = 0.017). Soccer was the most common activity at the time of injury (54.1%), followed by military training/daily activities, futsal, and basketball. The most common injury time was between 30 and 60 min after the start of exercise. Commonly associated injury sites were the medial meniscus and the medial collateral ligament.

Conclusions

The main mechanism of ACL injury occurring in the military environment was non-contact injury, especially on changing the direction of the lower leg. Soccer was the most frequent activity at the time of the injury. These findings suggested that preventive strategies against ACL injury in the military environment could effectively reduce the incidence of ACL injury.
The future challenge of Earth science education research
Authors: Orion Nir
Published: November 2019

This article addresses the question of what the future directions and emphases of the research in the earth science education field ought to be. During the past 30 years, Earth science education research has established a solid theoretical foundation, as well as practical strategies and techniques, for a meaningful teaching of earth science from K-12. However, the quality of this research, and the growing need for knowledge in Earth science, have done little to improve the low profile of ESE in schools worldwide. The article posits that narrowing this disturbing gap between the educational potential of Earth science and its low profile in schools requires a holistic agenda. Such an agenda will encompass the deepening of existing research of the Earth systems approach in areas like the development of environmental insight better understanding the learning process as an embedded human instinct, which will hopefully contribute to changing the current essentialism-based teaching culture. However, it will also include new avenues of research focused on changing the attitudes of geoscientists towards their role in society and the adoption of geoethical values.
Progressing chemistry education research as a disciplinary field
Authors: Taber Keith S.
Published: November 2019

This article offers a viewpoint regarding the current status of chemistry education research (CER) as a scholarly field within science education, and suggests priorities for future directions of work in the field. The article begins by briefly considering what makes something a discrete field of activity, and what makes such a field ‘scientific’. This provides a basis for understanding and evaluating CER, and informs a consideration of imperatives and priorities for progressing the field. In particular, it is suggested one emphasis should be on areas of work which can be considered ‘inherent’ to CER as they arise from essential aspects of chemistry teaching and learning, and some examples of such inherent research foci (the ‘chemist’s triplet’; models in chemistry; chemical explanations) are briefly discussed.
Myths and realities of range uncertainty
Authors: Lomax Antony John
Published: November 2019

Range uncertainty is a much discussed topic in proton therapy. Although a very real aspect of proton therapy, its magnitude and consequences are sometimes misunderstood or overestimated. In this article, the sources and consequences of range uncertainty are reviewed, a number of myths associated with the effect discussed with the aim of putting range uncertainty into clinical context and attempting to de-bunk some of the more exaggerated claims made as to its consequences.
An easily overlooked cause of haemoptysis and heart failure; anomalous systemic arterial supply to normal lung
Authors: Luke Katherine , Thomas Rhys , Tudor Gareth
Published: November 2019

Systemic arterial supply to a segment of normal lung is rare. 1 Usually the anomalous systemic artery arises from the descending aorta, although it can arise from other sites including the coeliac axis. 1–3 Case reports documenting an anomalous artery to normal lung from the coeliac axis are few. However, in these cases the patients were being investigated for respiratory symptoms and all were under the age of 50. In our case, we describe a rare case of anomalous systemic arterial supply arising from the coeliac axis to the right lower lobe, in the absence of abnormal bronchial connection or parenchymal disease in an asymptomatic patient. The anomalous arterial supply was an incidental finding on CT. The literature suggests surgical treatment to prevent symptoms of haemoptysis or congestive cardiac failure, but it is unclear from current evidence whether this is indicated in an asymptomatic patient.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Labor Analgesia amongst healthcare workers and patients: A single center cross sectional study
Authors: Ali Maher , Sultan Syed Farjad , Kumar Anil , Ghouri Nida
Published: November 2019

Background and Objective: Childbirth ranks amongst the most painful experiences a woman has to endure. In developing countries issues related to awareness, acceptability and availability of analgesia exist. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices for labor analgesia amongst healthcare workers and patients.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study conducted at Shaikh Saeed Memorial Campus of The Indus Hospital (TIH), Karachi. The study was performed in November 2016. Two surveys were conducted for this study; one for healthcare workers with patient interaction and second on patients attending their first antenatal clinic. The participants were asked to complete a survey following consent.

Results: A total of 71 healthcare workers and 1005 patients participated in the study. Among healthcare workers, 43.7% felt that pain relief should be administered, 14.1% believed analgesia had adverse effects on fetus and 11.3% reported increased risk of cesarean section. Results from patients showed 27.9% were aware of labor analgesia and when informed, 85.2% were willing to have labor analgesia. In 14.1% of patients, labor analgesia was unsupported as they stated being a mother meant to endure pain.

Conclusion: There is a wide gap between knowledge and practice of labor analgesia. Healthcare workers have a role in educating women, to be advocates for labor analgesia and to educate patients timely for this service.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1715

How to cite this:Ali M, Sultan SF, Kumar A, Ghouri N. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Labor Analgesia amongst healthcare workers and patients: a single center cross sectional study. Pak J Med Sci. Special Supplement ICON 2020. 2020;36(1):S4-S8.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.ICON-Suppl.1715

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Injury Patterns in Hip Hop Dancers
Authors: Jubb Caroline , Bell Leann , Cimelli Sonja , Wolman Roger
Published: November 2019

Hip hop dance is becoming increasingly popular. It is performed in a variety of environments and can be fused with other dance styles. There is limited research on this dance demographic. The object of this study was to record and assess the injury patterns and diagnoses of hip hop
dancers who presented to a dancer injury clinic at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) in London over a 5-year period. Of the 800 patients who attended the clinic, 73 (28 males, 45 females) identified themselves as hip hop dancers. The mean age of these dancers was 26.1 years (±
6.59 years). The majority were professionals (49%) and the next largest group was students (31.5%). The most common site of injury was the knee (36%), followed by the lumbar spine (19%) and the foot and ankle (15%). The site of injury appeared to be influenced by the sub-style of hip hop the
dancer performed. There were gender differences in knee injuries; male dancers predominantly sustained meniscal injuries (45%) and female dancers primarily sustained patellofemoral pain (60%). All lumbar disc injuries were at the L5/S1 level. These results are comparable to those of previous
studies investigating injury in hip hop dancers. More research is needed to explore injury etiology, develop injury prevention measures, and increase awareness of the injury complexities in this dance population.
Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Jammes Yves , Retornaz Frédérique
Published: November 2019

Muscle failure has been demonstrated in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Neurophysiological tools demonstrate the existence of both central and peripheral fatigue in these patients. Central fatigue is deduced from the reduced amplitude of myopotentials evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex as well as by the muscle response to interpolated twitches during sustained fatiguing efforts. An impaired muscle membrane conduction velocity assessed by the reduced amplitude and lengthened duration of myopotentials evoked by direct muscle stimulation is the defining feature of peripheral fatigue. Some patients with ME/CFS show an increased oxidative stress response to exercise. The formation of lipid hydroperoxides in the sarcolemma, which alters ionic fluxes, could explain the reduction of muscle membrane excitability and potassium outflow often measured in these patients. In patients with ME/CFS, the formation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is also reduced. Because HSPs protect muscle cells against the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species, the lack of their production could explain the augmented oxidative stress and the consecutive alterations of myopotentials which could open a way for future treatment of ME/CFS.
Fast effect size shrinkage software for beta-binomial models of allelic imbalance
Authors: Zitovsky Joshua P. , Love Michael I.
Published: November 2019

Allelic imbalance occurs when the two alleles of a gene are differentially expressed within a diploid organism, and can indicate important differences in cis-regulation and epigenetic state across the two chromosomes. Because of this, the ability to accurately quantify the proportion at which each allele of a gene is expressed is of great interest to researchers. This becomes challenging in the presence of small read counts and/or sample sizes, which can cause estimates for allelic expression proportions to have high variance. Investigators have traditionally dealt with this problem by filtering out genes with small counts and samples. However, this may inadvertently remove important genes that have truly large allelic imbalances. Another option is to use Bayesian estimators to reduce the variance. To this end, we evaluated the accuracy of three different estimators, the latter two of which are Bayesian shrinkage estimators: maximum likelihood, approximate posterior estimation of GLM coefficients (apeglm) and adaptive shrinkage (ash). We also wrote C++ code to quickly calculate ML and apeglm estimates, and integrated it into theapeglmpackage. The three methods were evaluated on both simulated and real data. Apeglm consistently performed better than ML according to a variety of criteria, including mean absolute error and concordance at the top. While ash had lower error and greater concordance than ML on the simulations, it also had a tendency to over-shrink large effects, and performed worse on the real data according to error and concordance. Furthermore, when compared to five other packages that also fit beta-binomial models, theapeglmpackage was substantially faster, making our package useful for quick and reliable analyses of allelic imbalance.Apeglmis available as an R/Bioconductor package at http://bioconductor.org/packages/apeglm.
Mortality risk factors among National Football League players: An analysis using player career data
Authors: Ehrlich Justin , Kmush Brittany , Walia Bhavneet , Sanders Shane
Published: November 2019

In general, National Football League (NFL) players tend to live longer than the general population. However, little information exists about the long-term mortality risk in this population. Frequent, yet mild, head trauma may be associated with early mortality in this group of elite athletes. Therefore, career playing statistics can be used as a proxy for frequent head trauma. Using data from Pro Football Reference, we analyzed the association between age-at-death, position, and NFL seasons-played among 6,408 NFL players that were deceased as of July 1, 2018. The linear regression model allowing for a healthy worker effect demonstrated the best fit statistics (F-statistic = 9.95, p-value = 0.0016). The overall association of age-at-death and seasons-played is positive beginning at the 10.75 and 10.64 seasons-played point in our two models that feature seasons-played and seasons-played squared as explanatory variables. Previous research that does not account for the healthy worker effect may not adequately describe mortality risk among NFL players.
VAMPIRAS DO SERTÃO NO CONTO “AS MORFÉTICAS”, DE BERNARDO ÉLIS
Authors: Carneiro Fabianna Simão Bellizzi
Published: November 2019

O presente artigo levanta reflexões a respeito do mito do vampiro e como este pode ser relido em diferentes sociedades, especificamente na sociedade sertanista goiana das primeiras décadas do século XX, que sofria os impactos da industrialização no campo. Objeto de complexas interpretações sobre o Brasil, o sertão evoca profícuas discussões sobre a formação da sociedade brasileira, alinhavadas com o excludente discurso que o nomeia como local oposto à modernidade e ao progresso da cidade. No caso deste trabalho, objetivamos traçar paralelos entre o mito do vampiro europeu e a presença de elementos caracterizadores desta personagem no conto “As morféticas”, publicado inicialmente em 1944 na coletânea Ermos e Gerais, do escritor goiano Bernardo Élis (1915-1997), para que assim possamos comprovar a hipótese de que os monstros que rechaçamos e segregamos podem, sim, falar a respeito de questões econômicas e políticas.
O FENÔMENO DO VAMPIRISMO: GIOSEPPE DAVANZATI E A INTRODUÇÃO DO VAMPIRO NA EUROPA OCIDENTAL (1739 – 1774)
Authors: Maia Braga Gabriel Elysio
Published: November 2019

Os relatos sobre ataques de mortos-vivos nos Bálcãs popularizaram-se em finais do século XVII. A primeira explicação dada em um periódico relacionava os mortos mastigadores – não ainda chamados de vampiros – ao demoníaco. Alguns pensadores, porém, se propuseram a investigar o assunto a partir da Natureza. Entre eles, havia Gioseppe Davanzati, padre italiano de formação jesuíta autor da Dissertazione Sopra i Vampiri, redigida em 1739, porém publicada apenas em 1774. Entre estas datas, a obra circulou em forma manuscrita. Apesar de sua interessante teoria sobre a imaginação, o principal feito de Davanzati, mesmo que essa não fosse sua intenção, foi o de disseminar o termo vampiro pela Europa