bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon Industry Compensation Reported by the Open Payments Database
Authors: Pathak Neil , Galivanche Anoop R. , Lukasiewicz Adam M. , Mets Elbert J. , Mercier Michael R. , Bovonratwet Patawut , Walls Raymond J. , Grauer Jonathan N.
Published: February 2020

Background. The current study aims to characterize and explore trends in Open Payments Database (OPD) payments reported to orthopaedic foot and ankle (F&A) surgeons. OPD payments are classified as General, Ownership, or Research. Methods. General, Ownership, and Research payments to orthopaedic F&A surgeons were characterized by total payment sum and number of transactions. The total payment was compared by category. Payments per surgeon were also assessed. Median payments for all orthopaedic F&A surgeons and the top 5% compensated were calculated and compared across the years. Medians were compared through Mann-Whitney U tests. Results. Over the period, industry paid over $39 million through 29,442 transactions to 802 orthopaedic F&A surgeons. The majority of this payment was General (64%), followed by Ownership (34%) and Research (2%). The median annual payments per orthopaedic F&A surgeon were compared to the 2014 median ($616): 2015 ($505; P = .191), 2016 ($868; P = .088), and 2017 ($336; P = .084). Over these years, the annual number of compensated orthopaedic F&A surgeons increased from 490 to 556. Averaged over 4 years, 91% of the total orthopaedic F&A payment was made to the top 5% of orthopaedic F&A surgeons. The median payment for this group increased from $177 000 (2014) to $192 000 (2017; P = .012). Conclusion. Though median payments to the top 5% of orthopaedic F&A surgeons increased, there was no overall change in median payment over four years for all compensated orthopaedic F&A surgeons. These findings shed insight into the orthopaedic F&A surgeon-industry relationship.

Levels of Evidence: III, Retrospective Study
When the Dark Shines: The Role of Dark Personality Traits in Leadership Role Occupancy and Hiring Decisions in a Collectivistic Culture
Authors: Nuzulia Siti , Why Felix Yong Peng
Published: February 2020

Two studies investigated the role of the Dark Triad traits (i.e., narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism), conscientiousness, and intelligence on leadership role occupancy and hiring decisions in Indonesian culture, which is a collectivist culture. Study 1 used generalized linear model to examine two groups of participants with (i.e., school principals) and without (i.e., teachers) significant leadership responsibilities by controlling for participant grouping by school. The results indicated that, in comparison with teachers, school principals had significantly higher narcissism and conscientiousness and lower psychopathy and intelligence. In Study 2, video recordings of simulated job interviews of 133 undergraduates were evaluated by 133 professional recruiters. Interviewee narcissism was the only significant positive predictor for hiring decision. Both studies provide consistent evidence that narcissism is a significant positive factor in both leadership role occupancy and hiring decision in a collectivist culture.
Caudal Lumbar Disc Herniations Are More Likely to Require Surgery for Symptom Resolution
Authors: Gupta Anmol , Upadhyaya Shivam , Yeung Caleb M. , Ostergaard Peter J. , Fogel Harold A. , Cha Thomas , Schwab Joseph , Bono Chris , Hershman Stuart
Published: February 2020

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Objectives:

We examined the impact that location of a lumbar disc herniation has on the likelihood that a patient will require surgery after at least 6 weeks of nonoperative management.

Methods:

Using ICD-10 codes M51.26 and M51.27, we identified patients at a single academic institution from 2015 to 2016 who received a diagnosis of primary lumbar radicular pain, had magnetic resonance imaging confirming a lumbar disc herniation, and underwent at least 6 weeks of nonoperative management. Patients experiencing symptoms suggesting cauda equina syndrome or progressive motor deficits were excluded.

Results:

Five hundred patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Twenty-nine (5.8%) had L3-L4 herniations, 245 (49.0%) had L4-L5 herniations, and 226 (45.2%) had L5-S1 herniations. Overall, 451 (90.2%) patients did not undergo surgery within 1 year of diagnosis. Nonsurgical patients had an average herniation size occupying 31.2% of the canal, compared with 31.5% in patients who underwent surgery. While herniation size, age, sex, and race failed to demonstrate a statistical association with the likelihood for surgery, location of disc herniation demonstrated a strong association. L3-L4 and L4-L5 herniations had odds ratios of 0.19 and 0.45, respectively, relative to L5-S1 herniations ( P = .0047). Patients were more than twice as likely to require a surgery on an L5-S1 herniation in comparison with an L4-L5 herniation ( P < .05). L3-L4 herniations rarely required surgery.

Conclusions:

Patients with caudal lumbar disc herniations were more likely to require surgery after at least 6 weeks of conservative management than those with disc herniations in the mid-lumbar spine.
Generational Variation in Young Adults’ Attitudes toward Legal Abortion: Contextualizing the Role of Religion
Authors: Barringer M. N. , Sumerau J. E. , Gay David A.
Published: February 2020

Recent sociological research has addressed a wide range of attitudinal, behavioral, and sociodemographic factors that influence attitudes toward legal abortion. Young adulthood is an important life stage for the development of attitudes and behaviors that are likely to influence individuals over time. Several life course theorists in psychology, social psychology, and sociology hold views consistent with this idea. We use a cohort comparison to evaluate the extent to which attitudes among young adults vary by cohort/historical epoch. We examine the influence of religious preference and participation on support for legal abortion across three birth cohorts controlling for a range of sociodemographic variables. Using data from the General Social Survey, we compare abortion attitudes and religious predictors of these attitudes across three generational cohorts—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Our findings indicate (1) differences between cohorts, (2) variation in the influence of religion on abortion attitudes among young adults socialized in different time periods, and (3) consistency and inconsistency in relation to sociodemographic effects across cohorts. These findings suggest that part of the continuity of abortion debates in U.S. society reflects changes whereby young adults became less supportive of legal abortion after the Baby Boomer cohort.
ERS International Congress, Madrid, 2019: highlights from the Airway Diseases, Asthma and COPD Assembly
Authors: Lahousse Lies , Bahmer Thomas , Cuevas-Ocaña Sara , Flajolet Pauline , Mathioudakis Alexander G. , McDonnell Melissa , Uller Lena , Schleich Florence , Dortas Junior Sergio , Idzko Marco , Singh Dave , Ricciardolo Fabio L.M. , Adcock Ian M. , Usmani Omar , Spanevello Antonio , Bonvini Sara J.
Published: February 2020

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress 2019 in Madrid, Spain, was a platform for scientific discussion of the highest quality scientific research, cutting-edge techniques and innovative new therapies within the respiratory field. This article discusses some of the high-quality research studies presented at that Congress, with a focus on airway diseases, including asthma, COPD, small airways, bronchiectasis and cough, presented through the Airway Diseases, Asthma and COPD Assembly (Assembly 5) of the ERS. The authors establish the key take-home messages of these studies, compare their findings and place them into context of current understanding.
Intracerebroventricular infusion of donepezil prevents cardiac remodeling and improves the prognosis of chronic heart failure rats
Authors: Li Meihua , Zheng Can , Kawada Toru , Inagaki Masashi , Uemura Kazunori , Sugimachi Masaru
Published: February 2020

Oral administration of donepezil, a centrally acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, improves the survival of rats with chronic heart failure (CHF). The mechanisms of cardioprotective effects of donepezil, however, remain totally unknown. To elucidate potential mechanisms, we examined whether central microinfusion of donepezil would exert cardioprotection. Intracerebroventricular microinfusion pumps with cerebroventricular cannula were implanted in rats with myocardial infarction. The rats were randomly divided into central saline treatment (CST) and central donepezil treatment (CDT) groups. We evaluated cardiac remodeling and function after a 6-week treatment and examined the 160-day survival rate. Compared to the CST, the CDT markedly improved the 160-day survival rate (68% vs. 32%,P = 0.002) through the prevention of cardiac remodeling and the lowering of plasma catecholamine, brain natriuretic peptide, and angiotensin II. These results suggest that the central mechanism plays an important role in the cardioprotective effects of donepezil.
Proportion of kindergarten children meeting the WHO guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep and associations with adiposity in urban Beijing
Authors: Guan Hongyan , Zhang Zhiguang , Wang Bo , Okely Anthony D. , Tong Meiling , Wu Jianxin , Zhang Ting
Published: February 2020

Background

World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children under 5 Years of Age were released in 2019. The aim of this study was to examine the proportion of Chinese kindergarten children who met each individual guideline and each combination of the guidelines and the associations with adiposity.

Methods

Participants were 254 kindergarten children aged 4.1–6.3 years recruited from three kindergartens in urban area of Beijing. Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep duration were assessed using 24-h accelerometry over three consecutive days. Screen time was reported by parents. Weight and height were measured; and children were categorised into normal weight and overweight/obese groups according to the WHO age- and sex- specific criteria. Frequency analyses were performed to examine the proportion of children meeting individual and combination of these guidelines. Logistics regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between guideline compliance and adiposity.

Results

The proportion of children who met the physical activity (≥ 3 h daily physical activity, including ≥1 h daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA)), sedentary screen time (< 1 h/day), and sleep guidelines (10-13 h/day) were 65.4, 88.2 and 29.5%, respectively; only 15.0% met all three guidelines and 2.7% did not meet any of the guidelines. Not meeting the physical activity guideline, sleep guideline, or combination of any two guidelines, or all three guidelines was not associated with overweight or obesity; however, children who did not meet the sedentary screen time guidelines were at higher risk for overweight and obesity (odds ratio = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.50–9.45).

Conclusions

In our study, only a small proportion of children met all three guidelines. Most Chinese kindergarten children met physical activity guidelines or screen time guidelines, whereas fewer children met sleep guideline. Not meeting sedentary screen time guidelines was associated with adiposity, which warrant further interventions for limiting screen time in young children.
Key constituents for integration of care for children assisted with long-term home ventilation: a European study
Authors: Brenner Maria , O’Shea Miriam P. , Larkin Philip , Berry Jay
Published: February 2020

Background

The number of children requiring long-term home ventilation has consistently increased over the last 25 years. Given the growing population of children with complex care needs (CCNs), this was an important area of focus within the Models of Child Health Appraised (MOCHA) project, funded by the European Union (EU) under the Horizon 2020 programme. We examined the structures and processes of care in place for children with CCNs and identified key constituents for effective integration of care for these children at the community and acute care interface across 30 EU/ European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

Methods

This was a non-experimental descriptive study with an embedded qualitative element. Data were collected by a Country Agent in each of the 30 countries, a local expert in child health services. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis was undertaken of the free text data provided.

Results

A total of 27 surveys were returned from a possible 30 countries (90.0%) countries. One respondent indicated that their country does not have children on long-term ventilation (LTV) in the home, therefore, responses of 26 countries (86.7%) were analysed. None of the responding countries reported that they had all of the core components in place in their country. Three themes emerged from the free text provided: ‘family preparedness for transitioning to home’, ‘coordinated pathway to specialist care’ and ‘legal and governance structures’.

Conclusions

While the clinical care of children on LTV in the acute sector has received considerable attention, the results identify the need for an enhanced focus on the care required following discharge to the community setting. The results highlight the need for a commitment to supporting care delivery that acknowledges the complexity of contemporary child health issues and the context of the families that become their primary care givers.
Successful treatment for bilateral femoral neck insufficiency fractures: a rare lesion case report and an updated review of the literature
Authors: Tan Xu-yi , Lei Ting , Wu Guan-bao , Luo Hai-en , Huang Gang , He Can-yu , Lu Min , Lei Peng-fei
Published: February 2020

Background

The incidence of insufficiency fracture (IF) at femoral neck is low, accounting for about 5% of all insufficiency fractures, and IF at bilateral femoral neck is less common with more occurrence in athlete or serviceman. With the aging of populations, more cases of bilateral femoral neck IF have occurred recently, while the standard clinical treatment still remains lacking due to the complexity of these patients.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old male patient complained pain in his bilateral hip, with no history of trauma, glucocorticoid hormone consumption or radiotherapy, and imaging examination revealed fracture nonunion and shortening in his left femoral neck, and double fracture line on the right femoral neck. The patient received a cementless THA for the left femoral neck fracture and conservative treatment for the right side, followed by Elcatonin injection and oral administration of Carbonate D3 Granules. After 4 months of fellow-up, the patient presented improved functional scorings in bilateral hip joints, with no signs of prothesis infection or loosening.

Conclusion

We present a rare case of bilateral femoral neck IF in a middle-aged male and the treatment is successful. The timely CT and MRI examinations of bilateral hip joints for patients was necessary for orthopedists to select proper therapeutic regimen. In addition, the choice for therapeutic regimen of bilateral femoral IF should not only be based on the professional judgement of orthopedists, but also on the wishes of patients.
Applicability of augmented reality in orthopedic surgery – A systematic review
Authors: Jud Lukas , Fotouhi Javad , Andronic Octavian , Aichmair Alexander , Osgood Greg , Navab Nassir , Farshad Mazda
Published: February 2020

Background

Computer-assisted solutions are changing surgical practice continuously. One of the most disruptive technologies among the computer-integrated surgical techniques is Augmented Reality (AR). While Augmented Reality is increasingly used in several medical specialties, its potential benefit in orthopedic surgery is not yet clear. The purpose of this article is to provide a systematic review of the current state of knowledge and the applicability of AR in orthopedic surgery.

Methods

A systematic review of the current literature was performed to find the state of knowledge and applicability of AR in Orthopedic surgery. A systematic search of the following three databases was performed: “PubMed”, “Cochrane Library” and “Web of Science”. The systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items on Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and it has been published and registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO).

Results

31 studies and reports are included and classified into the following categories: Instrument / Implant Placement, Osteotomies, Tumor Surgery, Trauma, and Surgical Training and Education. Quality assessment could be performed in 18 studies. Among the clinical studies, there were six case series with an average score of 90% and one case report, which scored 81% according to the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist (JBI CAC). The 11 cadaveric studies scored 81% according to the QUACS scale (Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies).

Conclusion

This manuscript provides 1) a summary of the current state of knowledge and research of Augmented Reality in orthopedic surgery presented in the literature, and 2) a discussion by the authors presenting the key remarks required for seamless integration of Augmented Reality in the future surgical practice.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019128569.
Biomechanical changes of degenerated adjacent segment and intact lumbar spine after lumbosacral topping-off surgery: a three-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Cao Liangliang , Liu Yumei , Mei Wei , Xu Jianguang , Zhan Shi
Published: February 2020

Background

Previous studies have revealed positive effect of Topping-off technique on upper adjacent segment after fusion surgery, while for the cases with fusion surgery on L5-S1 segment, owning maximal range of motion, and preexisting degenerated upper adjacent disc, it is necessary to clarify the superiority of Topping-ff technique and the effect exerted on the lumbar spine.

Methods

A young healthy male volunteer was selected for thin-slice CT scanning. Then the image information was imported into the computer to establish the whole lumbar spine model as the health model. The medium degeneration model of intervertebral disc was established by changing the material properties of L4-S1 disc on the basis of the health model, and the fusion model and Topping-off model were respectively established on the basis of the degenerated model. The variation trend of ROM of L2-L5 and the stress changes of L4-L5 intervertebral disc, nucleus pulposus and facet joints were calculated respectively.

Results

The L4-L5 ROM of fusion model increased significantly but the ROM of L2-L3 and L3-L4 segments did not change significantly. Compared with the degenerated model, L4-L5 activity of the Topping-off model decreased, and ROM of the L2-L3 and L3-L4 increased to some extent in the flexion and extension positions. The stress on the disc, nucleus pulposus and facet joint of the fusion model L4-L5 increased in four positions of flexion, extension, rotation and bending compared with the degenerated model, while the fiber stress on the Topping-off model decreased significantly in all four positions.

Conclusion

Topping-off technology can decrease the stress and ROM of the adjacent upper degenerated segment, and increase the ROM of other upper segments, thereby protecting the degenerated upper adjacent segments and compensating the lumbar spine mobility.
Overcoming cisplatin resistance by targeting the MTDH-PTEN interaction in ovarian cancer with sera derived from rats exposed to Guizhi Fuling wan extract
Authors: Han Li , Cao Xueyun , Chen Zhong , Guo Xiaojuan , Yang Lei , Zhou Yubing , Bian Hua
Published: February 2020

Background

The well-known traditional Chinese herbal formula Guizhi Fuling Wan (GFW) was recently reported to improve the curative effects of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer with few clinical side effects. The present study aimed to investigate the reversal mechanism of sera derived from rats exposed to Guizhi Fuling Wan extract (GFWE) in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer SKOV3/DDP cells; the proteins examined included phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and metadherin (MTDH), and the possible protein interaction between PTEN and MTDH was explored.

Methods

GFWE was administered to healthy Wistar rats, and the sera were collected after five days. The PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for literature on the bioactive blood components in the sera. The systemsDock website was used to predict potential PTEN/MTDH interactions with the compounds. RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence analyses were used to analyze the mRNA and protein levels of MTDH and PTEN. Laser confocal microscopy and coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) were used to analyze the colocalization and interaction between MTDH and PTEN.

Results

Sixteen bioactive compounds were identified in GFWE sera after searching the PubMed and CNKI databases. The systemsDock website predicted the potential PTEN/MTDH interactions with the compounds. RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence analyses showed decreased MTDH expression and increased PTEN expression in the sera. Laser confocal microscopy images and coimmunoprecipitation (co-IP) analyses demonstrated that a colocalization and interaction occurred between MTDH and PTEN, and the addition of the sera changed the interaction status.

Conclusions

GFWE restored sensitivity to cisplatin by inhibiting MTDH expression, inducing PTEN expression, and improving the interaction between MTDH and PTEN in SKOV3/DDP cells, and these proteins and their interaction may serve as potential targets for cancer treatment. The sera may represent a new source of anticancer compounds that could help to manage chemoresistance more efficiently and safely.
Corticospinal excitability in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Sirkka Jani , Säisänen Laura , Julkunen Petro , Könönen Mervi , Kallioniemi Elisa , Leinonen Ville , Danner Nils
Published: February 2020

Background

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a neurodegenerative disease with an unknown etiology. Disturbed corticospinal inhibition of the motor cortex has been reported in iNPH and can be evaluated in a noninvasive and painless manner using navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS). This is the first study to characterize the immediate impact of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage on corticospinal excitability.

Methods

Twenty patients with possible or probable iNPH (16 women and 4 men, mean age 74.4 years, range 67–84 years), presenting the classical symptom triad and radiological findings, were evaluated with motor function tests (10-m walk test, Grooved Pegboard and Box & Block test) and nTMS (silent period, SP, resting motor threshold, RMT and input–output curve, IO-curve). Evaluations were performed at baseline and repeated immediately after CSF drainage via lumbar puncture.

Results

At baseline, iNPH patients presented shorter SPs (p < 0.001) and lower RMTs (p < 0.001) as compared to normative values. Positive correlation was detected between SP duration and Box & Block test (rho = 0.64, p = 0.002) in iNPH patients. CSF drainage led to an enhancement in gait velocity (p = 0.002) and a steeper IO-curve slope (p = 0.049).

Conclusions

Shorter SPs and lower RMTs in iNPH suggest impaired corticospinal inhibition and corticospinal hyperexcitability. The steeper IO-slope in patients who improve their gait velocity after CSF drainage may indicate a higher recovery potential. Corticospinal excitability correlated with the motor function of the upper limbs implying that the disturbance in motor performance in iNPH extends beyond the classically reported gait impairment.
Natural based piperine derivatives as potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors: an in silico ADMET analysis and molecular docking studies
Authors: Dhiman Priyanka , Malik Neelam , Khatkar Anurag
Published: February 2020

Neurodegenerative disorders follow numerous pathological ways concerning overexpression of monoamine oxidase and formation of reactive oxygen species. The computational design of the piperine derivatives has given the significant MAO inhibitors with considerable antioxidant potential. Molecular docking provided the mechanistic insight of the compounds within the hMAO active site. In the current study we have prepared a series of compounds related to piperine and investigated them through monoamine oxidase A and B assay and evaluated the free radical scavenging activity. The synthesized compounds were analyzed by using in silico techniques within the active site of MAO and the ADMET properties were also calculated. The results obtained in this study indicated the interesting therapeutic potential of some compounds such as 7and 17c as most promising hMAO-A inhibitors whereas compounds 15, 5 and 17b were found as hMAO-B inhibitors. Moreover, we assessed the antioxidant potential of the piperine analogues and compounds 5, 17b, and 7 showed very modest antioxidant activity against DPPH and H2O2 radicals. The outcome of the study indicating that the piperine related derivatives are found as considerable MAO inhibitors and antioxidants. Moreover, the SAR structure activity relationships are depicting the structural features required for the MAO inhibition. In case of MAO activity, good correlations were found among the calculated and experimental results.
Ingested insecticide to control Aedes aegypti: developing a novel dried attractive toxic sugar bait device for intra-domiciliary control
Authors: Sippy Rachel , Rivera Galo E. , Sanchez Valeria , Heras Froilán , Morejón Bianca , Beltrán Efraín , Hikida Robert S. , López-Latorre María A. , Aguirre Alex , Stewart-Ibarra Anna M. , Larsen David A. , Neira Marco
Published: February 2020

Background

Illnesses transmitted by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika comprise a considerable global burden; mosquito control is the primary public health tool to reduce disease transmission. Current interventions are inadequate and insecticide resistance threatens the effectiveness of these options. Dried attractive bait stations (DABS) are a novel mechanism to deliver insecticide to Ae. aegypti. The DABS are a high-contrast 28 inch2 surface coated with dried sugar-boric acid solution. Aedes aegypti are attracted to DABS by visual cues only, and the dried sugar solution elicits an ingestion response from Ae. aegypti landing on the surface. The study presents the development of the DABS and tests of their impact on Ae. aegypti mortality in the laboratory and a series of semi-field trials.

Methods

We conducted multiple series of laboratory and semi-field trials to assess the survivability of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes exposed to the DABS. In the laboratory experiments, we assessed the lethality, the killing mechanism, and the shelf life of the device through controlled experiments. In the semi-field trials, we released laboratory-reared female Ae. aegypti into experimental houses typical of peri-urban tropical communities in South America in three trial series with six replicates each. Laboratory experiments were conducted in Quito, Ecuador, and semi-field experiments were conducted in Machala, Ecuador, an area with abundant wild populations of Ae. aegypti and endemic arboviral transmission.

Results

In the laboratory, complete lethality was observed after 48 hours regardless of physiological status of the mosquito. The killing mechanism was determined to be through ingestion, as the boric acid disrupted the gut of the mosquito. In experimental houses, total mosquito mortality was greater in the treatment house for all series of experiments (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The DABS devices were effective at killing female Ae. aegypti under a variety of laboratory and semi-field conditions. DABS are a promising intervention for interdomiciliary control of Ae. aegypti and arboviral disease prevention.
Nebulin nemaline myopathy recapitulated in a compound heterozygous mouse model with both a missense and a nonsense mutation in Neb
Authors: Laitila Jenni M. , McNamara Elyshia L. , Wingate Catherine D. , Goullee Hayley , Ross Jacob A. , Taylor Rhonda L. , van der Pijl Robbert , Griffiths Lisa M. , Harries Rachel , Ravenscroft Gianina , Clayton Joshua S. , Sewry Caroline , Lawlor Michael W. , Ottenheijm Coen A. C. , Bakker Anthony J. , Ochala Julien , Laing Nigel G. , Wallgren-Pettersson Carina , Pelin Katarina , Nowak Kristen J.
Published: February 2020

Nemaline myopathy (NM) caused by mutations in the gene encoding nebulin (NEB) accounts for at least 50% of all NM cases worldwide, representing a significant disease burden. Most NEB-NM patients have autosomal recessive disease due to a compound heterozygous genotype. Of the few murine models developed for NEB-NM, most are Neb knockout models rather than harbouring Neb mutations. Additionally, some models have a very severe phenotype that limits their application for evaluating disease progression and potential therapies. No existing murine models possess compound heterozygous Neb mutations that reflect the genotype and resulting phenotype present in most patients. We aimed to develop a murine model that more closely matched the underlying genetics of NEB-NM, which could assist elucidation of the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the disease. Here, we have characterised a mouse strain with compound heterozygous Neb mutations; one missense (p.Tyr2303His), affecting a conserved actin-binding site and one nonsense mutation (p.Tyr935*), introducing a premature stop codon early in the protein. Our studies reveal that this compound heterozygous model, NebY2303H, Y935X, has striking skeletal muscle pathology including nemaline bodies. In vitro whole muscle and single myofibre physiology studies also demonstrate functional perturbations. However, no reduction in lifespan was noted. Therefore, NebY2303H,Y935X mice recapitulate human NEB-NM and are a much needed addition to the NEB-NM mouse model collection. The moderate phenotype also makes this an appropriate model for studying NEB-NM pathogenesis, and could potentially be suitable for testing therapeutic applications.
Geochemical and petrographic identification of stone quarries used for the construction of the Anahita Temple of Kangavar (West Iran)
Authors: Shekofteh Atefeh , Oudbashi Omid , Cultrone Giuseppe , Ansari Masoud
Published: February 2020

The archaeological site of the Anahita Temple in Kangavar is one of the best-known stone monuments in western Iran and dates back to the Persian Empire period of Iranian history (about 550 BC to 650 AD). The Temple was constructed on a semi-artificial hill out of large stone blocks, many of which are cubic in shape, and short thick columns. In the Kangavar area (basin) there are various sites in which there is evidence of stone extraction. The aim of this paper is to characterize the stones used in the Anahita Temple of Kangavar and their correlations with the quarrying activities observed in the Kangavar regions. In fact, we tried to find out which of these quarries may have been the source of the stone blocks used in the construction of the Anahita Temple. To this end the stones used in the Temple have been characterized by conducting a multi-analytical study involving chemical, mineralogical and textural analyses including XRF, XRD and thin section petrography. The results show that although all the quarries could have provided the stone used in the construction of the Temple, the largest, most probable source was the Chel Maran quarry. It is due to the more similarity of stones used in the Anahita Temple and the samples from this quarry from geochemical point of view as well as the archaeological evidences present in this quarry. The results are also useful for conservators to select appropriate materials for reconstruction of the decayed parts of the Anahita Temple.
Clinical, microbiological, and immunological evaluation of patients in corrective orthodontic treatment
Authors: Shirozaki Mariana Umekita , da Silva Raquel Assed Bezerra , Romano Fábio Lourenço , da Silva Léa Assed Bezerra , De Rossi Andiara , Lucisano Marília Pacífico , Messora Michel Reis , Feres Magda , Novaes Júnior Arthur Belém
Published: February 2020

Background

The objective was to analyze clinical, microbiological, and immunological periodontal parameters in patients in corrective orthodontic treatment.

Materials and methods

Twenty-eight patients were selected. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), width of keratinized gingiva, levels of 40 bacterial species, and of 3 cytokines (IL-1β, MMP-8, and TNF-α) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were evaluated at T0, before orthodontic treatment; T1, 6 months; and T2, 12 months post-treatment. Non-parametric, Friedman, Wilcoxon, ANOVA, and Spearman correlation coefficient tests were used for statistical analyses, with the significance level of 5%.

Results

No significant difference was found for the width of keratinized gingiva, but PI presented a significant increase at T1 and T2 (p < 0.05) when compared with T0. The percentage of sites with BOP increased significantly from T0 to T1 (p < 0.05); however, at T2, the values decreased and did not differ anymore from T0 (p > 0.05). In the microbiological analysis, red complex pathogens were in significantly greater proportions in T2 compared with T0 (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the cytokine levels between the periods but there was a positive correlation between BOP and IL-1β (r = 0.49 p = .01) and TNF-α (r = 0.39 and p = .05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, corrective orthodontic treatment caused clinical periodontal alterations regarding biofilm accumulation and gingival bleeding, with alteration of periodontopathogens.
Friction and noise suppression for force control system based on integration of observer and force sensor information
Authors: Nagatsu Yuki , Hashimoto Hideki
Published: February 2020

Measuring and controlling external force from the environment and human beings are essential to realize the future application of the robot systems for medical, nursing, and personal support systems. This paper proposes a friction and noise suppression for force control system based on the integration of the reaction torque observer and force (torque) sensor information. The proposed method performs external force estimation by integrating the low-frequency component information of the force sensor and the high-frequency component of the force information estimated by reaction torque observer (RTOB). By using the low-frequency component of the force sensor, the effect of static friction can be suppressed, and the high-frequency part of RTOB can be used to attenuate the noise component. As a result, the performance of the force control system can be enhanced. The proposed method is evaluated through the experiments of the force control and bilateral control as a position/force hybrid control.
Ambiguous goals, uneven implementation – how immigration offices shape internal immigration control in Germany
Authors: Schultz Caroline
Published: February 2020

This paper investigates regional variation in migration policy implementation, focusing specifically on the underexplored role of policy ambiguity. It chooses a salient case study of internal migration control implementation: the application of labour market access policies for migrants with precarious legal status in German municipal immigration offices. Studying the implementation approaches of eleven offices within one Land by means of semi-structured interviews with senior officials, the research design allows for drawing inter-agency and inter-policy comparisons. The data provides empirical evidence for the claim that the more conflictive and hence ambiguous a policy, the more importance can be placed on local determinants of implementation. Different logics (economic welfare and regulatory control logic) legitimizing more restrictive or expansive implementation are identified and linked to the broader migration policy context. Moreover, the difficult task of officials to determine applicants’ identity clarification efforts – a condition for receiving a work permit – serves as basis for conceptually distinguishing between collective and individual discretion of street-level bureaucrats.
Severe and persistent nerve palsy after ultrasound-guided continuous interscalene brachial plexus block in a teenager undergoing shoulder surgery: a case report
Authors: Shio Hisashi , Sakura Shinichi , Motooka Akihiro , Sakai Yasuo , Saito Yoji
Published: February 2020

Background

Although neurologic sequela is a recognized complication after interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), there is a paucity of information on how severe and persistent neuropathy occurs and develops.

Case presentation

A healthy high school soccer goalkeeper was scheduled for an arthroscopic Bankart repair. After continuous ISB for 2 days, sensation in the C5 and C6 areas and motor function did not return. With symptomatic drug treatment for neuropathic pain and rigorous rehabilitation, recovery of sensory loss and muscle weakness were gradually observed around 1 to 2 months after surgery. He returned to sport 1 year after surgery.

Conclusion

This report is the first detailed description of a case who incurred severe and persistent nerve injury after continuous ISB yet recovered nearly fully to return to being an athlete. The present case should also underscore the importance of close observation after surgery in cases where a patient receives continuous ISB.
Pilot protection of hybrid MMC DC grid based on active detection
Authors: Song Guobing , Hou Junjie , Guo Bing , Chen Zhehong
Published: February 2020

Considering the advantages and limitations of traditional identification method, combined with the strategy of active detection, the principle of DC grid pilot protection based on active detection is proposed to improve the sensitivity and reliability of hybrid MMC DC grid protection, and to ensure the accurate identification of fault areas in DC grid. By using the DC fault ride-through control strategy of the hybrid sub-module MMC, the fault current at the converter station DC terminal is limited. Based on the high controllability of hybrid MMC, sinusoidal fault detection signals with the same frequency are injected into the line at each converter station. Based on model recognition, the capacitance model condition is satisfied by the detected signals at both ends during external faults whereas not satisfied during internal faults. The Spearman correlation coefficients is then introduced, and the correlation discriminant of capacitance model is constructed to realize fault area discrimination of DC grid. The simulation results show that the active detection protection scheme proposed in this paper can accurately identify the fault area of DC grid, and is not affected by fault impedance and has low sampling rate requirement.
Corrected integrated density: a novel method for liver elastic fibers quantification in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Leite Carine , Starosta Rodrigo Tzovenos , Trindade Eduardo Neubarth , Trindade Manoel Roberto Maciel , Álvares-da-Silva Mário Reis , Cerski Carlos Thadeu Schmidt
Published: February 2020

Background

Elastic fibers deposition is triggered during liver fibrosis and is related to worse clinical prognosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. This study aimed to verify if a new method for elastic fiber quantification can be used to discriminate between different degrees of fibrosis in liver biopsies of patients with hepatitis C.

Methods

Individuals presenting with different degrees of fibrosis in liver biopsy were included. Slides of liver samples were stained with orcein with and without prior oxidation. Morphometric analysis was proceeded, and quantification accomplished by corrected integrated density.

Results

Twenty-seven patients, mean age 52 years-old, 59% women, were included. Elastic fibers density was higher in advanced fibrosis patients and there was a positive correlation with Metavir score (Spearman r = 0.609, p < 0.001), as well as with the noninvasive scores Fib-4 (Pearson r = 0.46, p = 0.029) and APRI (r = 0.52, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Morphometric analysis by corrected integrated density demonstrates that elastic fibers abundance is higher in advanced stage of fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C.
Accuracy of p53 and ki-67 in the graduation of phyllodes tumor, a model for practical application
Authors: Rivero L. F. , Graudenz M. S. , Aschton-Prolla P. , Delgado A. M. , Kliemann L. M.
Published: February 2020

Background

The accurate graduation of a phyllodes tumor (PT) is critical for effective treatment as it allows correct surgical management, and avoids inadequate excision for malignant or borderline PT, or surgical overtreatment in benign PT. PTs of the breast are notoriously difficult to classify, and reliable differentiation of a benign PT from a borderline or malignant PT can be problematic, especially among relatively inexperienced pathologists. Although several authors acknowledge a strong relationship between the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and Ki-67 and the histopathological grade of PT—with potential impact on diagnostic accuracy—the literature lacks consensus about which cutoff defines a positive index test. The objective of this study is to establish a practical application score that increases the graduation accuracy of PT through the appropriate use of these auxiliary methods.

Methods

A retrospective study cohort of 146 pathology reviewed PTs surgically removed between January 2000 and December 2015. The Ki-67 test was considered positive if > 10% of neoplastic cells showed nuclear staining. The p53 test was considered positive if > 10% of neoplastic nuclear cells showed nuclear staining in a moderate or strong intensity.

Results

Of the 146 PT cases reviewed, 110 were classified as benign, 16 as borderline, and 20 as malignant. The correlation between age and size with benign, borderline, and malignant subgroups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significance was observed in the expression of both Ki-67 and p53 in the comparison of benign, borderline, and malignant PT with p < 0.001 and a 95% confidence interval (CI). When correlating the presence of positivity in either of the two index tests with the diagnosis of borderline or malignant PT, we reached a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 91.8 (p < 0.001; 95% CI).

Conclusion

We propose a practical methodology to achieve an accurate grade of PT, based on clearly defined and easy to apply cutoffs of a simple immunohistochemical panel of Ki-67 and p53. A PT positive for either of the index tests should be graded as borderline or malignant, so pathologists can use this test to improve accuracy. We hope this new approach might provide the basis for the development of standardization in using p53 and Ki-67 for grading PT.
Biological activities of phenolic compounds extracted from flaxseed meal
Authors: Akl Engy M. , Mohamed Samira S. , Hashem Ahmed I. , Taha Fakhriya S.
Published: February 2020

Background

There is a worldwide demand for phenolic compounds (PC) because they exhibit several biological activities. The present investigation deals with a comprehensive study on the biological activities of phenolic compounds extracted from flaxseed meal (FM) with the aid of ultrasonic waves.

Results

The antioxidant activity of the PC extract of FM is considerably high when measuring it by the three methods (the β-carotene coupled oxidation method, the DPPH free radical scavenging activity method, and measuring the reducing antioxidant power). The toxicity test revealed that the PC extract was nontoxic on normal retina cell line. Also, it has no anticoagulating activity. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity showed that it is effective towards four strains only from seven. FM phenolic extract has been evaluated as chemo-preventive agents by testing the product for any cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines. The highest inhibitory effect was achieved on cell lines of colon carcinoma and lung carcinoma with IC50 = 22.3 and 22.6 μ/ml respectively.

Conclusion

The PC extracted from FM showed high antioxidant activity, nontoxic on normal retina cell line, no anticoagulating activities, and an antimicrobial effect on some pathogenic bacteria, so the phenolic compounds extracted from flaxseed meal showed significant biological activities.
Multi-constellation GNSS precise point positioning with multi-frequency raw observations and dual-frequency observations of ionospheric-free linear combination
Authors: An Xiangdong , Meng Xiaolin , Jiang Weiping
Published: February 2020

Precise point positioning (PPP) is famous for its capability of high-precision positioning with just one station as long as the receiver can receive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. With the rapid development of BDS and Galileo, the number of available satellites for positioning has increased significantly. In addition, GPS III, GLONASS-K, BDS, and Galileo satellites can transmit triple-frequency signals. The potentials of multi-constellation GNSS PPP requires further analysis on a global scale. Therefore, we selected 96 multi-GNSS experiment (MGEX) stations with a global distribution and used 1 week’s data to assess the PPP performance. The results show that the PPP based on multi-frequency raw observations with spatial and temporal constraints has better performance than PPP using dual-frequency ionospheric-free  observations. The main contribution of multi-constellation GNSS PPP is to shorten the convergence time. The convergence time for GPS PPP is approximately 40 min, which can be shortened to less than 20 min in multi-GNSS PPP. After convergence, the positioning accuracy of multi-GNSS PPP is improved by 0.5 to 1.0 cm compared with GPS or GLONASS PPP. The positioning accuracy of multi-GNSS could be further improved in the future with the BDS and Galileo precise products of orbits, clock and phase center offset/variation.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Insulin Resistance, and Potential Genetic Implications
Authors: Sangwung Panjamaporn , Petersen Kitt Falk , Shulman Gerald I , Knowles Joshua W
Published: February 2020

Insulin resistance (IR) is fundamental to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is present in most prediabetic (preDM) individuals. Insulin resistance has both heritable and environmental determinants centered on energy storage and metabolism. Recent insights from human genetic studies, coupled with comprehensive in vivo and ex vivo metabolic studies in humans and rodents, have highlighted the critical role of reduced mitochondrial function as a predisposing condition for ectopic lipid deposition and IR. These studies support the hypothesis that reduced mitochondrial function, particularly in insulin-responsive tissues such as skeletal muscle, white adipose tissue, and the liver, is inextricably linked to tissue and whole body IR through the effects on cellular energy balance. Here we discuss these findings as well as address potential mechanisms that serve as the nexus between mitochondrial malfunction and IR.