bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Large Scale Evaluation of Distributional Semantic Models: Parameters, Interactions and Model Selection
Authors: Lapesa Gabriella , Evert Stefan
Published: December 2018

This paper presents the results of a large-scale evaluation study of window-based Distributional Semantic Models on a wide variety of tasks. Our study combines a broad coverage of model parameters with a model selection methodology that is robust to overfitting and able to capture parameter interactions. We show that our strategy allows us to identify parameter configurations that achieve good performance across different datasets and tasks.
Unsupervised Dependency Parsing with Acoustic Cues
Authors: Pate John K , Goldwater Sharon
Published: December 2018

Unsupervised parsing is a difficult task that infants readily perform. Progress has been made on this task using text-based models, but few computational approaches have considered how infants might benefit from acoustic cues. This paper explores the hypothesis that word duration can help with learning syntax. We describe how duration information can be incorporated into an unsupervised Bayesian dependency parser whose only other source of information is the words themselves (without punctuation or parts of speech). Our results, evaluated on both adult-directed and child-directed utterances, show that using word duration can improve parse quality relative to words-only baselines. These results support the idea that acoustic cues provide useful evidence about syntactic structure for language-learning infants, and motivate the use of word duration cues in NLP tasks with speech.
Capital Market Returns to New Product Development Success: Informational Effects on Product Market Advertising
Authors: Park Kyung M. , Chintagunta Pradeep K. , Suk Inho
Published: December 2018

The authors aim to answer the following question: If the capital market reacts with abnormal stock returns to new product development success events, do these returns influence subsequent marketing decisions? Drawing on informational market feedback and managerial learning theories, the authors posit that when firms are uncertain about how responsive the product market will be to their marketing activities, signals received from the capital market help them update their beliefs about the product market’s responsiveness. In the pharmaceutical context, the authors decompose the abnormal returns at a new drug approval event into components that the firm can and cannot predict (i.e., predicted and unpredicted abnormal returns) and find that the postapproval advertising budget is larger when unpredicted abnormal approval returns are higher. Furthermore, this tendency is more pronounced for spending on detailing than for direct-to-consumer advertising. Consistent with these higher budgets, the authors find that postlaunch advertising is more effective when unpredicted abnormal approval returns are higher, particularly for detailing spending (vs. direct-to-consumer advertising). Overall, this study suggests that information flows from the capital market’s initial perceptions at new product introduction play an important role in subsequent marketing decisions in the product market.
Trans Students’ Right to Their Own Gender in Professional Communication Courses: A Textbook Analysis of Attire and Voice Standards in Oral Presentations
Authors: Sánchez Fernando
Published: December 2018

Oral presentations are a common genre in technical and business communication courses. While it is important for students to develop a professional ethos when presenting information, in this article I argue that textbooks’ discussion of professional dress and voice privilege cisgendered bodies and erase the differences and bodily experiences that transgendered individuals face. This may cause dissonance in trans students who may come to believe that they must choose between their genders and being professional.
Optimal Theory’s Contributions to Understanding and Surmounting Global Challenges to Humanity
Authors: Myers Linda James , Anderson Michelle , Lodge Tania , Speight Suzette , Queener John E.
Published: December 2018

In this article, we discuss challenges to and the triumphs of the production of psychological knowledge pertinent to human health and sustainable well-being, particularly as it relates to persons acknowledging African ancestry in hostile sociohistorical contexts. Primary attention will be paid to the advancement of the theory of optimal psychology, also known as optimal conceptual theory (OCT), a theory of human development culturally grounded in the wisdom tradition of African deep thought, identifiable from ancient civilization to contemporary times. The intention is to accomplish four aims: (a) present an overview based on one theoretical framework and practice of progress achieved in fulfillment of the Association of Black Psychologists mission, (b) provide an example of great successes employing OCT and belief systems analysis in a clinical practice for over 20 years, (c) share a small sampling of areas in the psychological and broader literature illustrating how OCT has been utilized, and (d) highlight areas of advancement in OCT and its expansion in the understanding of human functioning and development.
Folate and vitamin B12 status and their relation to hematological indices in healthy adults of Iranians: Azar cohort study
Authors: Azimi Sona , Faramarzi Elnaz , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Ostadrahimi Alireza , Somi Mohammad Hossein , Ghayour Mousa
Published: December 2018

Background:

Folate and vitamin B12 are essential micronutrients, the deficiency of which can be associated with public health problems worldwide.

Aim:

The aims of this study were to assess the folate and vitamin B12 status of healthy adults and the effect of gender differences on their deficiency using serum folate, vitamin B12 and red blood cell (RBC) folate as biomarkers and their relation to hematological indices.

Methods:

This study was a part of the Azar cohort study, which is designed as a noncommunicable disease survey in the population of Shabestar, East Azerbaijan, Iran. A total of 95 healthy adults (35 men, 60 women) were chosen according to exclusion criteria and assessed using demographic characteristics and blood sampling.

Results:

Low concentrations of serum folate, vitamin B12 and RBC folate were detected in 16.8%, 61.1% and 40% of all subjects, respectively. Prevalence of low serum folate and vitamin B12 was higher in men than women (25.7% versus 11.7% for serum folate, 77.1% versus 51.7% for serum vitamin B12).A significant positive correlation was found between hemoglobin and serum folate, vitamin B12 and RBC folate concentrations ( r = 0.279, 0.335, 0.228, respectively). No statistically significant correlation between mean corpuscular volume and serum folate, vitamin B12 and RBC folate was seen ( r = –0.049, –0.030, –0.016, respectively).

Conclusions:

There was a high prevalence of low folate and vitamin B12 concentrations in our community. Regarding the impact of these two vitamins deficiency on overall health, we suggest further investigations with more participants. In addition, monitoring hematological indices could be useful in people with folate and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Hollowing out probation? The roots of Transforming Rehabilitation
Authors: Deering John , Feilzer Martina
Published: December 2018

This article provides a critical perspective on the political and policy history of probation in England and Wales to develop a better understanding of how TR came to be. TR was only the latest act in a longstanding process of changing probation to fit ideological ‘flavours’, and we suggest that it is the hidden nature of probation work in combination with a lack of public legitimation work by probation institutions and probation staff that has placed probation in such a vulnerable position.
Novel patch shape design to repair π/4 quasi-isotropic E-glass/epoxy laminate under uniaxial tensile loading condition
Authors: Gopalakrishnan M , Muthu S , Subramanian R , Sabarinathan C , Santhanakrishnan R
Published: December 2018

The entitled technical subject in its comprehensive and broadly viewed study is presented by stating that the prevailing glass fiber–reinforced plastic composites play a vital role in replacing the metallic structures in automotive, aerospace, and marine applications and their more usage necessitates the better understanding of such structure’s damage and effective repair practices of the same. In the course of repairing the composite structures, optimum usage of patch material helps to maintain the original strength, eliminate “over design,” and reduce contribution to the substantial performance change of original structure. Optimum usage of repair material brings down the significant percentage of mass and repair cost. In order to apply the concept of optimum patch shapes over actual structures, it is important to design such effective shapes which are equivalent to the conventionally proven repair designs in strength perspective. This technical paper describes one of such ways to design the optimum patch shape using finite element analysis (FEA) tool and in comparison with one of the conventional repair practices, like circular patching, used circular, rectangular, square, elliptical and trapezoidal patch shapes, each of which has its own merits and demerits when compared to the other. But, none of them was arrived at in the perspective to use the minimum material to repair the damage. The object of this work is carried out in order to arrive at the optimum patch shape (minimum material in its in-plane direction) in repairing the damaged structure and it has been demonstrated using π/4 quasi-isotropic E-glass/epoxy specimen with hole using FEA. Moreover, the effectiveness of optimum patch shape design in “strength” and “load transfer efficiency” perspectives is experimentally proven and highlighted by the scope of repair material saving (36%) in repair practice by the usage of this optimized approach, as well.
Bros Will Be Bros? The Effect of Fraternity Membership on Perceived Culpability for Sexual Assault
Authors: Seabrook Rita C. , Ward L. Monique
Published: December 2018

To examine the link between fraternity membership and sexual assault perpetration, we used an experimental design to assess the role of perceptions in an ambiguous sexual assault scenario. Undergraduates ( N = 408) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group where the perpetrator is a fraternity member or a control group where no fraternity information is given. Males rated perpetrators as less guilty and victims as more culpable when the perpetrator was a fraternity member, suggesting that sexual violence may be reinforced among fraternity members as they are both more likely to perpetrate sexual assault and less likely to be blamed.
Trabecular Titanium acetabular cups in hip revision surgery: mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes
Authors: De Meo Federico , Cacciola Giorgio , Bellotti Vittorio , Bruschetta Antongiolio , Cavaliere Pietro
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Severe acetabular bone loss during revision hip arthroplasty can be restored with different surgical techniques. Best results have been observed using porous tantalum cementless cups. Trabecular Titanium (TT) cups were designed to reproduce the structure, mechanical and biological characteristics of trabecular bone. Few clinical studies have been published with these cups. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of patients with large acetabular defects (Paprosky IIb or higher) revised using TT cups.

Materials and methods:

64 consecutive patients who underwent revision for total hip arthroplasty (THA) between 2011 and 2015 at our institution were enrolled. All were classified as Paprosky IIb, IIc, IIIa and IIIb. Periprosthetic joint infections and fractures were not included in this study. Radiographic and clinical (Harris Hip Score (HHS)) outcomes were evaluated. Kaplan-Meyer survivorship curve was performed.

Results:

Complete data of 58 patients (mean follow-up 48.3 months) were analysed. 6 patients underwent a further revision (10.3%). Causes of re-revision were instability (5.2%), infection (3.4%) and aseptic loosening (1.7%). No radiolucent lines or signs of migration were observed. Survivorship was 94.8%. HHS Improved from a mean of 36.5–83.7.

Discussion:

TT cups demonstrated encouraging results at mid-term follow-up. Cup modularity represented a helpful tool to restore hip rotation centre and to reduce the risk of dislocation. The capacity of trabecular titanium to induce bone growth and the versatility of modularity, make the Delta TT System a very useful aid for surgeons who are more frequently faced with complex revision.
Adverse reaction to metal debris after small-head diameter metal-on-metal total hip arthroplasty: an increasing concern
Authors: D’Angelo Fabio , Tanas Davide , Gallazzi Enrico , Zagra Luigi
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Failures due to adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) have become an area of common focus among surgeons performing hip replacements. Several authors have reported data on the prevalence of these masses, in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients after either large-diameter head metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) or hip resurfacing arthroplasty, with a large variability of rate. To our knowledge, few data are reported on the association of this lesion with the use of small-head diameter MoM.

Methods:

15 hips that were revised for ARMD in small-head MoM THA were included in this study. We focused our attention on the difficulties of diagnosis and treatment and also on the histologic aspects of the harvested pathologic tissue.

Results:

The histological examination of our cases showed a presence of lymphocytic infiltrate suggesting a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to the metal of type IV (ALVAL), but different from each other in term of the prevalence of the cellular component. Osteolysis and severe soft tissue damage were also observed. Revision resulted in remission of the lesion and successful implant.

Conclusions:

Our observation suggests that the evidence of ARMD should be considered even in case of small-head MoM arthroplasty and therefore these patients should be followed scrupulously with 2nd level diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging with metal artifact reduction sequence (MARS-MRI) and metal ion levels at least once. Further investigations are necessary to establish the real prevalence of this phenomenon in the whole population of small-head MoM THAs.
Stemless hip arthroplasty versus traditional implants: a comparative observational study at 30 months follow-up
Authors: Logroscino Giandomenico , Donati Fabrizio , Campana Vincenzo , Saracco Michela
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

The aim of this retrospective case-control study is to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of short stems compared with traditional hip prostheses.

Methods:

46 short stems (SS) and 50 traditional stems (TS) were selected. All the stems were implanted by the same surgeon using posterior approach because of primary osteoarthritis, post-traumatic osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis. All the patients were compared clinically by Harris Hip Score (HHS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analogue scale (VAS), 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12F/M) and radiographically (offset, CD angle, limb length discrepancy, cup inclination, subsidence, osseointegration, heterotopic ossification). Radiographic evaluations were carried out by 3 different blinded surgeons. A statistical analysis was performed (chi-square, t-test, Mann-Whitney).

Results:

At a mean follow-up of 30 months all the implanted stems were well-positioned and osseointegrated. In both groups there was a marked improvement in pain ( p < 0.001) with a statistically significant advantage in the SS group for WOMAC (90.8 vs. 87.5; p = 0.02) and in part for HHS (93 vs. 91.7; p = 0.18). The radiographic evaluations, with high concordance correlation between the 3 blinded surgeons (ICC consistently >0.80), showed no significant differences in the restoration of the articular geometry, with a reduction of cortical hypertrophy (2% SS vs. 7% TS) and periprosthetic stress-shielding ( p < 0.05) in the SS group. On the other hand, SS were more related to limb length discrepancy (61% vs. 33%; p < 0.05). No major complications were recorded in the 2 groups.

Conclusion:

Short stems were shown to be comparable or better than traditional implants at short-term follow-up.
Is there still a role for threaded acetabular cups?
Authors: Gala Luca , Boisio Francesca , Calanna Filippo , Lonati Fiorello , Marelli Bruno M
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is 1 of the most common procedures in orthopaedic surgery. Different options and implants are currently available. Uncemented hip cups need primary stability for bone ingrowth, the use of screws is required when the desired stability is not achieved. Another option is the use of a hemispherical threaded cup with enhanced primary stability. The purpose of our study was to compare the results of a 3rd-generation threaded cup versus a press-fit cup with a long track record.

Materials and methods:

A consecutive series of 300 THAs performed by 2 surgeons was retrospectively reviewed, 150 press-fit cups and 150 screwed cups. Minimum follow-up 27 months; maximum 78 months (mean 52.5 months). The primary endpoint was a stable and painless THA, secondary endpoints included Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, Junior and radiographic evaluation.

Results:

Preliminary results showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups for all the evaluated parameters, the number of early mechanical loosening was higher for press-fit cups, but this value was not statistically significant. At a mean follow-up of 52.5 months 1 cup revision (0.3%) was seen in the screwed cup group and 2 (0.6%) in the press-fit cup; these results were not statistically significant.

Discussion and conclusion:

The main concern for screwed cups is the greater bone loss and possible removal difficulties during revision surgery. This study has some limitations, in particular regarding follow-up, but is still ongoing. Our results showed no difference between the 2 systems.
ABO system is not associated with proximal femoral fracture pattern in Southern Italy
Authors: Toro Giuseppe , Lepore Federica , Cicala Stefano D , Concilio Pietro , Calabrò Giampiero , Toro Antonio , Maffulli Nicola
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

The mechanism that leads to a given fracture pattern is not understood. Heredity could act in this field through the ABO system. We investigated the relationship between ABO blood system and hip fracture pattern in a population from Southern Italy.

Methods:

Hip fractures were identified through a registry evaluation of the activity of a level I Hospital, and subsequently classified in ‘intracapsular’ or ‘extracapsular’ according to their anatomical location. Information on these patients’ ABO blood type was collected and compared with general population data from the report on blood donors of the Salerno division of Italian Blood Volunteers Association (AVIS).

Results:

590 hip fractures were included (414 extracapsular, 176 intracapsular) and compared with 709 blood donors. Fractured patients presented a blood group A more often and blood group O less often than the AVIS population ( p A vs. non-A = 0.0033; p O vs. non-O = 0.0024). None of the ABO blood groups were associated with fracture pattern ( p O vs. non-O = 0.5858, p A vs. non-A = 0.409; p B vs. non-B = 0.253; p AB vs. non-AB = 0.212). The rhesus factor was not associated the fracture pattern ( p = 0.34).

Conclusions:

The ABO blood type could play a role as a risk factor for proximal femoral fractures, but in our population its relevance in influencing the fracture pattern is unclear.
Many caregivers of persons with memory loss or Alzheimer's disease are unaware of the abilities of their persons with AD to recall their drugs and medical histories
Authors: Ala Thomas A , Simpson GaToya , Holland Marshall T , Tabassum Vajeeha , Deshpande Maithili , Fifer Amber
Published: December 2018

Background

Caregiver awareness of the abilities of those they care for has much practical importance, especially from the safety standpoint.

Objectives

To determine whether the caregivers of persons with memory impairment or Alzheimer's disease know if their persons are able to recall their own drugs and medical histories.

Method

Persons with prodromal or probable AD (persons with AD) and their caregivers who were visiting our medical school's neurology and internal medicine clinics for routine follow-up care were recruited on the days of their appointments. Sixty-four caregiver-person with AD dyads were recruited. We first asked the caregivers to predict the ability of their persons with AD to answer questions about their drugs and medical histories. We then asked the persons with AD the questions to determine the accuracy of their caregivers' predictions.

Results

Considering the caregivers of those with Mini-Mental State Exam scores ≥24, 41% incorrectly predicted whether their persons with AD could recall the number of drugs they were taking, 24% incorrectly predicted whether they could recall the names of the drugs, and 34% incorrectly predicted whether they could recall why they were taking the drugs. Most of the caregivers' errors were overestimations. As expected, the persons with AD themselves had much difficulty in answering the questions; only 30% could recall the number of drugs they were taking, only 14% could recall the names of the drugs, and only 16% could recall why they were taking the drugs.

Conclusions

Many caregivers of persons with memory impairment or AD are unaware of their persons' inability to recall their drugs and medical histories. Particularly concerning is the relatively high frequency of caregiver overestimations of the abilities of their persons with AD, which highlights a safety concern and presents an opportunity for caregiver education.
Hispanic Dementia Family Caregiver’s Knowledge, Experience, and Awareness of Self-Management: Foundations for Health Information Technology Interventions
Authors: Lucero Robert J. , Jaime-Lara Rosario , Cortes Yamnia I. , Kearney Joan , Granja Maribel , Suero-Tejeda Niurka , Bakken Suzanne , Luchsinger Jose A.
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

As a first step toward developing a web-based Family-Health Information Management System intervention, we explored Hispanic dementia family caregiver’s knowledge, use, and awareness of self-management principles and skills to address health and health care needs for themselves and the person with dementia (PWD).

Method:

Twenty caregivers and 11 caregiver counselors attended an English or Spanish language focus group ranging from 4 to 6 participants. We conducted a directed content analysis informed by Lorig and Holman’s conceptualization of self-management.

Results:

A complement of six skills (i.e., problem solving, decision making, resource utilization, patient–provider partnership, action planning, and self-tailoring) to achieve one of three tasks (i.e., emotional, medical, and role management) can fully represent Hispanic dementia family caregivers’ ability to self-manage health and health care needs. While not prominent in our study, caregivers and caregiver counselors pointed out existing and potential uses of personal consumer technology to schedule reminders and search for resources.

Discussion:

A broad conceptualization of self-management may be necessary to understand Hispanic dementia family caregiver’s ability and needs to address emotional, medical, and role challenges of caregiving.

Conclusions:

These findings and advances in the use of consumer health information technology support the development of self-management caregiver interventions.
Arthroscopic treatment of internal snapping hip
Authors: Magi Gonzalo J. , Carucci Juan Pablo , Bergués Sebastián
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Internal snapping hip syndrome (ISHS) is caused by the iliopsoas tendon snapping over either the iliopectineal ridge or the anterior femoral head. Excellent results are achieved only with activity modification, rest, and stretching the iliopsoas muscle. The literature favors iliopsoas tendon release if conservative therapy fails. There is little evidence about the gold standard of this condition.

Objective:

Describe clinical results, complicactions and recurrence rate of arthroscopic treatment of ISHS.

Methods:

We included all patients who failed conservative treatment and were treated with arthroscopy for ISHS between March 2012 and March 2018. Patients with less than 2 years of follow up and previous surgery on the hip were excluded. We performed Ilizariturri´s technique with a transcapsular endoscopic release in central compartment. We registered modified Harris hip score (MHHS), Hip outcome score activity of daily living (EHOSDL), patients satisfaction, recurrence rate and complications.

Results:

Eight patients were included. Average follow up was 36 months (range 24-60 months). MMHS improved from preoperative average score of 70 (range 62-72) to postoperative average of 93 (range 92 to 96). Average EHOSDL improvement was 30% (from 55% preoperative to 85% postoperative). All patients had excellent results. Average patient satisfaction was 8 (range 7-9). We had no recurrence or complications.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic treatment of ISHS allowed us to obtain very good clinical results with no complications or recurrences with a minimum 2 years follow up.
Arthroscopic treatment of trochanteric bursitis
Authors: Magi Gonzalo J. , Carucci Juan Pablo , Bergués Sebastián
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

Trochanteric bursitis (TB) is one of the most frequent causes of hip pain. Medical treatment heals 98% of the patients. Recalcitrant cases require surgical resection. There is little evidence about the gold standard of this condition.

Objective:

Describe clinical results, complicactions and recurrence rate of arthroscopic treatment of TB.

Methods:

We included all patients who failed conservative treatment and were treated with arthroscopy for TB between March 2012 and March 2018. Patients with less than 2 years of follow up and previous surgery on the hip were excluded. We performed Ilizariturri´s technique with endoscopic resection in peritrochanteric compartment. We registered modified Harris hip score (MHHS), Hip outcome score activity of daily living (EHOSDL), patients satisfaction, recurrence rate and complications.

Results:

Ten patients were included. Average follow up was 40 months (range 28-60 months). MMHS improved from a preoperative average score of 70 (range 62-72) to postoperative average of 90 (range 82 to 97). Average EHOSDL improvement was 29% (from 50% preoperative to 80% postoperative). All patients had excellent results. Average patient satisfaction was 7 (range 6-9). We had no recurrence or complications.

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic treatment of TB allowed us to obtain very good clinical results with no complications or recurrences with a minimum 2 years follow up.
Simultaneous Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament with Autologous Tendon Grafts and Medial Collateral Ligament with Allograft
Authors: Nardin Lisandro , Savá Matías , Calvet Oscar , Mercier Fernando , Barck Abel , Aparicio José Luis
Published: December 2018

Objectives:

Our objective is to show our surgical technique and experience in the combined reconstruction of ACL with autograft (either BTB or STGT) and MCL with allograft. (Aquiles Tendon)

Methods:

Twenty eight (28) patients, with an average age of 29,5, to whom an ACL and an MCL reconstruction with auto graft and allogeneic graft respectively was performed. These patients experienced residual internal instability after conservative treatment. Average follow-up was 19.6 months. Range of motion, joint laxity and subjective functionality were evaluated whit Lysholm scores and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC).

Results:

The Average Lysholm knee score was 93, while all the patients were classified A/B according to the IKDC and were able to return to their normal sport and daily activity.

Conclusion:

Nowadays various reconstructive techniques of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and of medial collateral ligament (MCL) are being utilized. Over the years the use of allografts have become common due to their safety, accesibility and satisfactory functional results. In multi-ligament injuries the single use of allografts or in combination with autologous grafts have become a valid resource. The lower risk of morbidity from the donor zone, the lower exposure of tissues, the lower postoperative pain with the MCL allogeneic graft at a low cost and greater security with ACL autologous graft have turned this surgical technique in a viable option for multi-ligament injured knee reconstruction.
Simultaneous Double-boundle “All Inside” Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: 2 Years Follow Up
Authors: Farina Franco , Orlando Matías , Weisburd Ma. Florencia , Vega Francisco , Morales Emilio , Vedova Franco Della , Galán Hernán
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of simultaneuos Double-boundle “All Inside” posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction.

Methods:

this study population included 31 men and 2 women with 26 acute and 7 chronic knee injuries. Ligament injuries included 21 ACL / PCL / Posterolateral instability, 9 ACL / PCL / Medial Cruciate Ligament (MCL), 3 ACL / PCL instability. Artroscopically assited combined ACL/PCL. Reconstruction were performed using the All Inside PCL reconstruction and ACL anatomical Reconstruction. The patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years and evaluated according to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm Rating scale. The anterior-posterior knee laxity was assessed by KT-1000 examination.

Results:

At the last Follow Up, all patients showed normal knee extension. Two patients had 10 grades flexion limitation, and five had a 5 grades flexion limitation. The Lysholm scores was 90,4 +/- 4,6. According to the last IKDC evaluation, the results were graded as normal in 21 patients (63,6%), nearly normal in 11 patients (33,3%), and abnormal in 1 patient (3,1%). The KT-1000 examination showed that de side to side difference in overall anterior-posterior laxity at 70 grades flexion was 0 to 2 mm in 24 patients, 3 to 5 mm in 8 patients, and 6 to 10 mm in 1 patient; the side to side difference in overall anterior-posterior laxity at 20 grades flexion was 0 to 2 mm in 23 patients, 3 to 5 mm in 9 patients and 6 to 10 mm in 1 patient.

Conclusion:

simultaneuos Double-Boundle “All Inside” PCL and ACL reconstruction can effectively and safely restore knee stability, and can yield normal results in 62,5% of patients and nearly normal in 33,3% at minimum 2 years.
PRP vs Hialuronic Acid for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Alfaro Luis Antonio Goytia
Published: December 2018

Objectives:

Knee osteoarthritis is a pathology of great prevalence and increase the cost to society due to loss of work, early retirement, and arthroplasty. In recent years, new non-surgical treatment alternatives have emerged based on intra-articular infiltrations with the aim of temporarily relieving symptoms and postponing definitive prosthetic treatment. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of intrarticular inyections with high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMWHA), low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) and platelet rich plasma (PRP).

Methods:

Forty one patients were taken into account in this work, five infiltrations with LMWHA were applied to sixteen patients, a single infiltration of HMWHA was applied to twelve patients and thirteen patients were treated with three PRP infiltrations. According to Kellgreen Lawrence’s classification (KL), twenty three patients were grade II and eighteen patients were grade III. Patients were evaluated according to the WOMAC and KOOS Scales prior to treatment and at four months. Patients who had any surgical, infiltrative treatment or non surgical treatment of the knee and those who used any other adjuvant treatment after the infiltration were excluded from the sample.

Results:

Patients were evaluated using the WOMAC and KOOS scales prior to infiltration and four months after treatment. Groups treated with HMWHA and those treated with PRP had the best results on both scales: Patients with grade II and III KL classification treated with PRP improved an average of 25 points on both scales. Likewise, those treated with HMWHA improved an average of 30 points and 25 points respectively. Finally, those who received LMWHA obtained an improvement of 21 points and 17 points respectively, which translates into a statistically significant result in favor of HMWHA and PRP compared to LMWHA, P < .05

Conclusion:

These treatments are valid options for the relief of symptoms of degenerative knee osteoarthritis. The AH being the only one approved by the FDA, and the PRP through more and more serious studies, is proving its effectiveness in the treatment of this pathology. According to the results obtained, it is HMWHA that seems to be more effective in grade II osteoarthritis, in those patients with grade III osteoarthritis the results were similar for both PRP and HMWHA. On the other hand, relief was less in patients treated with LMWHA regardless of their degree of osteoarthritis.
Surgical Technique for fixation of posterior root tears of the lateral meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in acute lesions: Short-term clinical outcome
Authors: Jaramillo Germán A. , Arias Rubén D. , Arrubla Esteban , Valencia Natalia
Published: December 2018

Background:

Injuries of posterior lateral meniscus root (PLMR) are related to an acute trauma mechanism, which is commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Many biomechanical studies have exposed the importance of the integrity of PLMR. There are several surgical techniques for its treatment, but is still controversial about which is the most appropriate, especially for combined injuries.

Objective:

To describe the clinical outcomes of patients with a surgical treatment of PLMR tear combined with ACL rupture

Methods:

Prospective case series. With patients who undergone repair of PLMR tears with ACL rupture, from 2016 to 2017 in a specialized hospital in Medellín city. Clinical evaluation it was determinate with Lysholm and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) scores, before and one year after the surgical procedure. The paired sample t-test was applied to compare the results of the scores.

Results:

Six patients with acute lesion of PLMR tear combined with ACL rupture received treatment with a variation in the transtibial fixation of the PLMR surgical technique. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the two scores before and after surgery (p=<0.05). In addition, no additional surgical interventions were performed in the follow-up time.

Conclusion:

The combined surgical treatment of PLMR and ACL injuries can be performed safely. This surgical technique provided an improvement in function, pain and activity level, which may help to delay the progression of osteoarthritis of the knee.
ACL partial tears: Is it possible to define which bundle is compromised using magnetic resonance?
Authors: Stagnaro Joaquín , Rasumoff Alejandro , Yacuzzi Carlos H. , Zicaro Juan Pablo , Paz Matías Costa
Published: December 2018

Objective:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears are diagnosed through a clinical examination and imaging confirmation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the diagnostic image method of choice; however the sensitivity is variable for the different kind of partial injuries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the MRI in the diagnosis of clinically unstable partial ACL tears that already underwent surgical treatment and define which bundle was compromised.

Methods:

A retrospective review of the preoperative MRI of 40 patients who were surgically operated because of ACL tears was executed. In all cases, arthroscopic findings defined one bundle was intact. All MRI were reviewed by a single osteo-articular specialist staff of the Image Department. All injuries were classified according to which bundle was involved (anteromedial (AM) or posterolateral (PL)). Results were compared with the surgical findings.

Results:

Concordance between MRI and arthroscopic findings was 42.5% (17/40 patients). If we analyze AM and PL tears separately we found that the concordance was 51.5% for AM bundle tears (17/33) and 0% for PL bundle tears (0/7).

Conclusion:

Definitive diagnosis and surgical indication for ACL tears requires both, clinical examination and image diagnosis. Over 65% of partial tears are misdiagnosed by MRI only.
A novel technique for bone marrow concentrate aspiration from the intercondylar notch during arthroscopic ACL reconstruction
Authors: Figueroa David , Bernal Nazira , Arellano Sergio , Donoso Rodrigo , Figueroa Francisco , Vaisman Alex , Calvo Rafael
Published: December 2018

Objectives:

Anterior cruciate ligament Reconstruction (ACL-R) is a frequent surgery with a failure rate of 8-10%, being a cause the lack of integration of the graft. Methods of biological augmentation have been developed, such as the extraction of human mesenchymal cells by aspiration of BMC.

Objective:

describe and demonstrate the safety of a new arthroscopic technique of BMC aspiration from the femoral intercondylar notch.

Methods:

Prospective non-randomized clinical study of 45 consecutive patients undergoing anatomic ACL-R with hamstring autograft. Patients with Multiligamentary injuries or revision ACL surgery were excluded. Control group was composed by 19 patients that underwent isolated ACL-R. Intervention group was composed by 29 patients who underwent ACL-R, BMC aspiration and subsequent instillation of the BMC. Variables assessed to compare both groups were: Demographics, Surgical Time and Complications (hemarthrosis, rate of infection and risk of fracture). BMC Aspiration Technique was performed before tunnel drilling and shutting-off the water pump. Through the medial portal, the 14-gauge trocar/needle aspiration device was introduced and positioned into the upper and central region of the intercondylar notch. With a clockwise-like twisting motion, the trocar was used to pierce the cortex 25 mm into the distal femur, obtaining 60 ml of BM which was processed with the Angel system (ArthrexR). Finally, under dry arthroscopic vision, the BMC was instilled in both bone tunnels and into the graft. Statistical analysis was performed in stata 11, considering a statistical significance of 5%.

Results:

No demographic differences were reported. The surgical time of the control group was 50.57 min (SD 8.44) and intervention group 65.69 min (SD 10.98) (p <0.011). 0% of complications associated with the procedure were reported.

Conclusion:

The aspiration of BMC through the femoral intercondylar notch during the arthroscopic ACL-R, is a safe, reproducible technique without associated complications, however, it significantly increases the surgical time.
A framework for time studies in urban planning: Assessment of comprehensive planning in the case of Tehran
Authors: Charbgoo Nasibeh , Mareggi Marco
Published: December 2018

The contemporary comprehensive urban planning in Iran suffers from lack of mechanisms for accountability and monitoring, as well as weak implementation. In response, in the Comprehensive Plan of Tehran, developed in 2007, evaluation and monitoring gained new significance, however, a gap remaining about temporal aspects. This article proposes some criteria of so-called time-oriented policies for evaluating planning practices, through a specific analytical framework. Despite development of theory on time-oriented approach in Europe, such an evaluative framework for plans had not been developed yet. The proposed ‘urban temporal studies framework’ consists of two main groups of attributes: surveying ‘time orders’ such as urban rhythms under descriptive part and considering major normative principles of ‘ordering time’ such as temporal equity, efficiency and institutionalisation. Using a content-analysis methodology, we have applied the proposed framework evaluating the recent Comprehensive Plan of Tehran. The results of the analysis indicate that the planning system in Tehran has mostly considered normative temporal aspects and they are mainly implicit in the plan. The frequent considerations of temporal organisation in our case clarify the strength of ‘planning in time’, occurred implicitly in this plan. On the other hand, the absence of descriptive elements in the plan notices a lack in awareness or a weak interest of planners and decision makers in Tehran about social structure of time of the city.
Poly(A)-specific ribonuclease sculpts the 3′ ends of microRNAs
Authors: Lee Dooyoung , Park Daechan , Park June Hyun , Kim Jong Heon , Shin Chanseok
Published: December 2018

The 3′ ends of metazoan microRNAs (miRNAs) are initially defined by the RNase III enzymes during maturation, but subsequently experience extensive modifications by several enzymatic activities. For example, terminal nucleotidyltransferases (TENTs) elongate miRNAs by adding one or a few nucleotides to their 3′ ends, which occasionally leads to differential regulation of miRNA stability or function. However, the catalytic entities that shorten miRNAs and the molecular consequences of such shortening are less well understood, especially in vertebrates. Here, we report that poly(A)-specific ribonuclease (PARN) sculpts the 3′ ends of miRNAs in human cells. By generating PARN knockout cells and characterizing their miRNAome, we demonstrate that PARN digests the 3′ extensions of miRNAs that are derived from the genome or attached by TENTs, thereby effectively reducing the length of miRNAs. Surprisingly, PARN-mediated shortening has little impact on miRNA stability, suggesting that this process likely operates to finalize miRNA maturation, rather than to initiate miRNA decay. PARN-mediated shortening is pervasive across most miRNAs and appears to be a conserved mechanism contributing to the 3′ end formation of vertebrate miRNAs. Our findings add miRNAs to the expanding list of noncoding RNAs whose 3′ end formation depends on PARN.
A method for transplantation of human HSCs into zebrafish, to replace humanised murine transplantation models
Authors: Hamilton Noémie , Sabroe Ian , Renshaw Stephen A.
Published: December 2018

Haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation is a critical therapy for haematopoietic malignancies and immune disorders. Incomplete or delayed engraftment of HSCs in the host results in increased risk of infection and morbidity. The mechanisms of HSC engraftment are poorly understood and understanding these processes will increase transplantation success on many levels.

Current animal models are immunocompromised 'humanised' mice transplanted with human HSCs. Harmful procedures include genetic manipulations and irradiation to ablate the mouse immune system, and opaque mouse tissues make visualisation of the early steps of HSC engraftment impossible. There is a need for new models to offer alternatives to humanised mice in the study of HSC transplantation.

Here we described a detailed method for transplantation of human HSCs into zebrafish, before the onset of adaptive immunity. Human HSCs were purified from whole blood by enrichment of the CD34 cell population using a positive magnetic selection and further purified using an anti-CD34 antibody and cell sorting. Sorted CD34 cells were transplanted into the blood stream of 52 hour old zebrafish larvae. Human HSCs home into the zebrafish haematopoietic niche, where they engage with endothelial cells and undergo cell division. Our model offers the opportunities to image in vivo human HSC engraftment in a transparent organism, without the myeloablative strategies used in mice, and provides a unique system to understand the dynamic process of engraftment and replace current murine models.

This technique can be applied to current engraftment protocols to validate the viability and efficiency of cryofrozen HSC grafts. This humanised zebrafish model will be instrumental to develop the 3Rs values in stem cell transplantation research and our detailed protocol will increase the chances of uptake of this zebrafish model by the mouse community.
Assembling cheap, high-performance microphones for recording terrestrial wildlife: the Sonitor system
Authors: Darras Kevin , Kolbrek Bjørn , Knorr Andreas , Meyer Volker
Published: December 2018

Passive acoustic monitoring of wildlife requires microphones. Several cheap, high-performance open-source solutions currently exist for recording sounds, but all of them are still reliant on commercial microphones. Commercial microphones are relatively expensive, specialized on particular taxa, and often have opaque technical specifications. We designed Sonitor, an open-source microphone system to address all needs of ecologists that sample terrestrial wildlife acoustically. We evaluated the cost of our system and measured trade-offs that are seldom acknowledged but which universally limit microphones' functions: weatherproofing versus sound attenuation, windproofing versus transmission loss after rain, signal loss in long cables, and analog sound amplification and directivity with acoustic horns. We propose three microphone configurations suiting different budgets, sound qualities, and flexibility requirements, which all cover the entire sound frequency spectrum of sonant terrestrial wildlife at a fraction of the cost of commercial microphones.
RNA-seq analysis is easy as 1-2-3 with limma, Glimma and edgeR
Authors: Law Charity W. , Alhamdoosh Monther , Su Shian , Dong Xueyi , Tian Luyi , Smyth Gordon K. , Ritchie Matthew E.
Published: December 2018

The ability to easily and efficiently analyse RNA-sequencing data is a key strength of the Bioconductor project. Starting with counts summarised at the gene-level, a typical analysis involves pre-processing, exploratory data analysis, differential expression testing and pathway analysis with the results obtained informing future experiments and validation studies. In this workflow article, we analyse RNA-sequencing data from the mouse mammary gland, demonstrating use of the popular edgeR package to import, organise, filter and normalise the data, followed by the limma package with its voom method, linear modelling and empirical Bayes moderation to assess differential expression and perform gene set testing. This pipeline is further enhanced by the Glimma package which enables interactive exploration of the results so that individual samples and genes can be examined by the user. The complete analysis offered by these three packages highlights the ease with which researchers can turn the raw counts from an RNA-sequencing experiment into biological insights using Bioconductor.
Recurrent internal hip rotation gait in cerebral palsy: Report of two patients
Authors: O'Sullivan Rory , Kiernan Damien
Published: December 2018

Internal hip rotation in cerebral palsy (CP) is typically treated with a femoral derotation osteotomy. This has been shown to be largely a successful procedure but recurrence rates up to 41% have been reported. Reported risk factors include younger age, reduced hip joint impulse and ankle plantar-flexion. 

We report on two patients with bilateral CP demonstrating recurrent unilateral internal hip rotation despite surgical intervention(s).  Both demonstrate a number of the reported risk factors for recurrence.  In addition, this case report specifically compared gait kinematic patterns pre and post recurrence. On comparing both patient’s hip rotation and ankle dorsi/plantarflexion kinematics they are seen to be almost identical both pre-operatively and post-operatively. Both patients appear to revert to approximately 30o of internal hip rotation which has been shown to maximise hip abductor function. Therefore, surgical derotation in isolation is unlikely to be successful in this group and we suggest that this hip and ankle pattern may help predict recurrence in unilateral internal hip rotation.