bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor 1 (GPER) as a Novel Target for Schizophrenia Drug Treatment
Authors: Macêdo Danielle S , Sanders Lia Lira Olivier , das Candeias Raimunda , Montenegro Cyntia de Freitas , de Lucena David Freitas , Chaves Filho Adriano José Maia , Seeman Mary V , Monte Aline Santos 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe observation that a person’s sex influences the onset age of schizophrenia, the course of the disease, and antipsychotic treatment response suggests a possible role for estrogen receptors in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Indeed, treatment with adjunctive estrogen or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are known to reduce schizophrenia symptoms. While estrogen receptors (ER)α and ERβ have been studied, a third and more recently discovered estrogen receptor, the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER), has been largely neglected. GPER is a membrane receptor that regulates non-genomic estrogen functions, such as the modulation of emotion and inflammatory response. This review discusses the possible role of GPER in brain impairments seen in schizophrenia and in its potential as a therapeutic target. We conducted a comprehensive literature search in the PubMed/MEDLINE database, using the following search terms: “Schizophrenia,” “Psychosis,” “GPER1 protein,” “Estrogen receptors,” “SERMS,” “GPER1 agonism, “Behavioral symptoms,” “Brain Inflammation.” Studies involving GPER in schizophrenia, whether preclinical or human studies, have been scarce, but the results are encouraging. Agonism of the GPER receptor could prove to be an essential mechanism of action for a new class of “anti-schizophrenia” drugs.
Posterior Ligament–Bone Injury Classification and Severity Score
Authors: Yang Jun-Song , Liu Peng , Liu Tuan-Jiang , Zhang Hai-Ping , Zhang Zheng-Ping , Yan Liang , Zhao Qin-Peng , He Bao-Rong , Tuo Yuan , Zhao Yuan-Ting , Huang Da-Geng , Hao Ding-Jun 
Published: November 2020

Study Design.
Clinical case series.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to propose a novel posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity (PLICS) score system that can be used to reflect the severity of subaxial cervical fracture dislocations (SCFDs) and predict the failure of anterior-only surgery; and to measure the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of this system.

Summary of Background Data.
The approach selection for SCFDs is controversial. Although the anterior approach is familiar for most surgeons, postoperative hardware failure and/or delayed cervical deformity is a nonnegligible complication.

Methods.
Ten patients were randomly selected for intraobserver reliability evaluation on two separate occasions, one month apart. Another 30 patients were randomly selected, and the interobserver reliability was measured by comparing results of each case between each reviewer and averaging. To analyze the difference in the PLICS score, 354 patients fulfilled the follow-up were divided into stable and unstable groups according to whether radiologically stable was observed during follow-up.

Results.
For the intraobserver reliability, the mean intraclass correlation coefficient for the 10 reviewers was 0.931. For the interobserver reliability, the mean interobserver correlation coefficient for the three elements was 0.863. Among 16 patients with PLICS score ≥7, two patients in the stable group manifested with severe injury of the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC); extremely unstable lateral mass fractures with or without severe injury of PLC were detected in the 14 patients of the unstable group.

Conclusion.
The proposed PLICS score system showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. When a PLICS score is >7 or 7 accompanied by extremely unstable lateral mass fractures, the risk of postoperative failure after an anterior-only reconstruction is high and supplemental posterior strengthening can be considered.

Level of Evidence: 4
The Correlation Between Facet Tropism and Intervertebral Disc Herniation in the Subaxial Cervical Spine
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Guoliang , Lin Jiajin , Huang Weicheng , Wang Jing , Teng Honglin 
Published: November 2020

Study Design.
A retrospective case–control study.

Objective.
Investigating the correlation between the facet tropism (FT) and subaxial cervical disc herniation (CDH).

Summary of Background Data.
Although debatable, it was widely reported that FT was associated with lumbar disc herniation. However, the exact correlation between FT and subaxial CDH is still unclear.

Methods.
Two-hundred patients with any disc herniation at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, or C6/7 and 50 normal participants without CDH (normal control group) were included in this study. For patients, the cervical levels with CDH and the levels without herniation were classified into the “herniation group” and “patient control group,” respectively. Bilateral facet joint angles at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7 on sagittal, axial, and coronal planes were measured on computed tomography (CT). The disc degeneration at each level was assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Results.
Both the mean difference between left and right facet angles and tropism incidence in herniation group were significantly greater than those in two control groups whenever at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, or C6/7 level and whenever on sagittal, axial, or coronal plane. The mean differences of angles and tropism incidences in most patient control groups were not significantly greater than those of corresponding normal control groups. The incidence of greater facet angle at the left or right side was not significantly different among the left, central, and right herniation groups. The mean disc degeneration grades in both herniation and patient control groups were significantly higher than those in normal control groups while no difference between herniation and patient control groups.

Conclusion.
The FT on the sagittal, axial, and coronal planes are all associated with CDH in the subaxial cervical spine. The greater facet angle at the left or right side does not affect the side of herniation. The severity of cervical disc degeneration is not associated with FT.

Level of Evidence: 3
Clinical Benefit of Rehabilitation Training in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Duan Ruimeng , Qu Mingjia , Yuan Yashuai , Lin Miaoman , Liu Tao , Huang Wei , Gao Junxiao , Zhang Meng , Yu Xiaobing 
Published: November 2020

Study Design.
A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective.
This study was performed to evaluate the effects of different rehabilitation interventions in spinal cord injury.

Summary of Background Data.
Several activity-based interventions have been widely applied in spinal cord injury in the past, but the effects of these rehabilitation exercises are controversial.

Methods.
Publications were searched from databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, the database of the U.S. National Institutes of Health and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) using the searching terms like spinal cord injury, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, activity-based therapy, and robotic-assisted locomotor training. Randomized controlled trials and controlled trials were included. The primary outcomes included functional upper/lower extremity independence, walking capacity, spasticity, and life quality of individuals with spinal cord injury. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.0 software.

Results.
Thirty-one articles were included. Meta-analysis showed that transcranial magnetic stimulation improved walking speed (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01, 0.16) and lower extremity function (95% CI 1.55, 7.27); functional electrical stimulation significantly increased upper extremity independence (95% CI 0.37, 5.48). Robotic-assisted treadmill training improved lower extremity function (95% CI 3.44, 6.56) compared with related controls.

Conclusion.
Activity-based intervention like transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, and robotic-assisted treadmill training are effective in improving function in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Level of Evidence: 1
Efficacy and Long-term Effect of Radiofrequency Denervation in Patients with Clinically Diagnosed Cervical Facet Joint Pain
Authors: van Eerd Maarten , de Meij Nelleke , Kessels Alfons , Patijn Jacob , Weber Wim , Wintraecken Veerle , van Kleef Maarten , van Kuijk Sander M.J. 
Published: November 2020

Study Design.
Multicenter double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial.

Objective.
To assess the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) denervation of the cervical facet joints in chronic cervical facet joint pain.

Summary of Background Data.
One randomized controlled trial showed efficacy of RF denervation in whiplash-associated disease. There are no randomized controlled trials on RF denervation in patients with chronic cervical facet joint pain.

Methods.
Patients were randomized to receive RF denervation combined with bupivacaine (intervention group) or bupivacaine alone (control group). In the intervention group, an RF thermal lesion was made at the cervical medial branches after the injection of bupivacaine. The primary outcome was measured at 6 months and consisted of pain intensity, self-reported treatment effect, improvement on the Neck Disability Index, and the use of pain medication. Duration of effect was determined using telephone interviews.

Results.
We included 76 patients. In the intervention group, 55.6% showed > 30% pain decrease versus 51.3% in the control group (P = 0.711); 50.0% reported success on the Patients’ Global Impression of Change in the intervention group versus 41.0% (P = 0.435); the Neck Disability Index was 15.0 ± 8.7 in the intervention group compared with 16.5 ± 7.2 (P = 0.432), the need for pain medication did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.461). The median time to end of treatment success for patients in the RF group was 42 months, compared with 12 months in the bupivacaine group (P = 0.014).

Conclusions.
We did not observe significant differences between RF denervation combined with injection of local anesthesia compared with local anesthesia only at 6 months follow-up. We found a difference in the long-term effect after 6 months follow-up in favor of the RF treatment.

Level of Evidence: 2
When Can One-level Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy Obtain Satisfied Outcomes for Severe Thoracolumbar Kyphosis with Global Kyphosis ≥80° in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Huang Ji-chen , Qian Bang-ping , Qiu Yong , Wang Bin , Yu Yang 
Published: November 2020

Study Design.
A retrospective study.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to make a thorough comparison of clinical and radiographic outcomes between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with severe kyphosis who underwent one- or two-level pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) and to determine the indications of one-level PSO.

Summary of Background Data.
Traditionally, one-level PSO was considered being able to obtain 35° to 40° correction. However, in our practice, one-level PSO might achieve satisfied clinical and radiographic outcomes in AS patients with severe thoracolumbar kyphosis defined as global kyphosis (GK) ≥80°.

Methods.
Fifty-five AS-related severe thoracolumbar kyphosis patients undergoing one- or two-level PSO from January 2007 to November 2016 were reviewed. The radiographic parameters included thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), GK, pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and femoral obliquity angle (FOA). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Results.
The mean follow-up period was 39.7 ± 20.2 months (range, 24–120 months). Patients who underwent one-level PSO have significantly smaller preoperative GK, SVA, FOA, and larger preoperative LL and SS compared to those who underwent two-level PSO (P < 0.05). The optimal cutoff points of preoperative radiographic parameters for selecting one-level PSO were: GK <94°, SVA <18.0 cm, and LL <18°. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with regard to preoperative ODI and VAS (P > 0.05), and the improvement of ODI and VAS (P > 0.05). Significantly more operative time, blood loss, and fusion levels were found in two-level PSO group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion.
One-level PSO might be appropriate for selected severe AS-related kyphosis patients with GK <94°, SVA <18.0 cm, and LL <18°. This finding might be beneficial for surgical decision-making in performing one-level PSO, a relatively less risky procedure, to reconstruct the ideal sagittal alignment in AS patients with severe thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Level of Evidence: 2
Current Procedural Terminology-based Procedure Categorization Enhances Cost Prediction of Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group in Spine Surgery
Authors: Baum Griffin R. , Stricsek Geoffrey , Kumarasamy Mathu A. , Thirunavu Vineeth , Esper Gregory J. , Boden Scott D. , Refai Daniel 
Published: November 2020

Study Design.
Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to analyze how a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT)-based categorization method can predict cost variation in surgical spine procedures.

Summary of Background Data.
Neck and back disorders affect a majority of the adult population and account for tens of billions of dollars in health care spending each year. In the era of bundled payments and value-based reimbursement, it is imperative for surgeons to identify sources of cost variability across surgical spine procedures. Historically, this has been accomplished using Medicare Severity Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) codes, but they utilize an overly simplistic categorization of surgical procedures. The specificity and familiarity of the CPT coding structure makes it a better option for categorizing differences in surgical decision making and technique.

Methods.
Hospital billing data for patients undergoing a surgical spine procedure requiring an overnight, in-patient stay was retrospectively collected over 4 fiscal years (2012–2016) from a single health care system. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation between cost variation and: spine-specific MS-DRG codes; a novel CPT-based categorization method; and the combination of MS-DRG codes and CPT-based categorization.

Results.
There were 5020 surgical procedures were analyzed with respect to 16 different MS-DRG codes and 30 distinct CPT-based surgical categories (CSCs). Linear regression results were: MS-DRG R

2
= 0.6545 (P < 0.001); CSC R
2 = 0.5709 (P < 0.001); and R
2 = 0.744 for the combined MS-DRG and CSC methods (P < 0.05). Median difference between the actual and predicted cost for the combined model was −$261.00, compared with −$727.50 for the CSC model and −$478.70 for the MS-DRG model.

Conclusion.
Addition of the CPT-based categorization method to MS-DRG coding provides an enhanced method to evaluate the association between predicted and actual cost when using linear regression analysis to assess cost variation in spine surgery.

Level of Evidence: 3
Assessment of a Novel Lens Surface Treatment for Scleral Lens Wearers With Dry Eye
Authors: Mickles Chandra V. , Harthan Jennifer S. , Barnett Melissa 
Published: November 2020

Objectives:
To compare lens comfort and dry eye (DE) symptoms of DE scleral lens (SL) wearers fit with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based surface-treated and untreated SLs. Dry eye signs, comfortable SL wearing time (WT), vision quality, and lens-related ocular surface changes were also assessed.

Methods:
Twenty-one SL wearers with DE and SL discomfort were enrolled in a double-masked crossover study. Participants were randomized to wear their untreated or PEG (Tangible Hydra-PEG, Tangible Science; Redwood, CA) surface-treated SL of the same parameters first for 30 days. Lens comfort, DE symptoms, and ocular surface assessments were measured at baseline, after the first test period, and after the crossover. Comfortable lens WT and frequency of foggy vision were recorded. Comparisons were assessed using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Results:
Polyethylene glycol–treated SL wear resulted in significantly improved: lens comfort (P=0.003), DE symptoms (P=0.004), corneal sodium fluorescein staining (P=0.01), temporal conjunctival lissamine green staining (P=0.01), lid wiper epitheliopathy (P=0.002), conjunctival papillae (P=0.003), frequency of foggy vision (P=0.002), tear break-up time (TBUT) (P=0.01), and comfortable lens WT (P=0.002) compared with untreated wear. There were no significant changes between treated and untreated lens wear for TBUT over the SL (P=0.14) and nasal conjunctival lissamine green staining (P=0.06).

Conclusions:
Polyethylene glycol surface-treated SLs provided improved comfort, reduced DE symptoms, and reduced ocular surface compromise compared with untreated SLs for participants with DE.
Surgical Observations of the Levator Aponeurosis Fibrotic Changes in Simple Congenital Ptosis Suggest Complex Pathogenesis
Authors: Al-Faky Yasser H. 
Published: November 2020

Purpose:
To shed light upon the possible role of the levator aponeurosis (LA) developmental fibrotic changes as an added etiology for simple congenital ptosis, which causes limitation of the levator function (LF).

Methods:
This retrospective cohort study included patients with simple congenital ptosis who underwent skin approach LA resection as a primary intervention with an intraoperative photographic documentation of LA fibrotic changes. Preoperative demographics and clinical data were reviewed. The effect of LA fibrotic changes on the LF was assessed in different LA fibrotic changes with or without levator palpebrae superioris (LPS) muscle fatty infiltration.

Results:
A total of 56 eyelids of 49 patients with a mean age (±SD) 6.7 (±3.2) years were enrolled in this study. The fibrotic changes of LA were observed as a sheet of fibrosis (19 eyelids) or fibrous bands (23 eyelids). Fatty infiltration of LPS was noticed in 28 eyelids, either with or without fibrotic changes of LA. Preoperative LF was diminished in LPS fatty infiltration compared with LA fibrotic sheets (P = 0.026). Postoperative LF improved significantly in both LA fibrotic sheets and LA fibrotic bands (9.4 ± 2.5 mm and 9.6 ± 2.8 mm, respectively) compared with LPS with fatty infiltration (6.4 ± 1.8 mm) (P = 0.004).

Conclusions:
Although our data are inconclusive due to lack of embryologic studies, the observed LA fibrotic changes may suggest a complex pathogenesis of simple congenital ptosis. The meticulous observation of the LA and the releasing of any adhesion or band to the surrounding structures could improve postoperative LF.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Androgenetic Alopecia in Women: A Single-Center Case Series Study in Qatar
Authors: Syed Mohamed Ahmed , Abushaikha Samya Sami A.S. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objective:
Androgenetic alopecia (AA) is a progressive hair loss disorder mediated by systemic androgens and genetic factors. A variety of AA treatments have been investigated. Currently, there is emerging evidence and growing interest in the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for AA. This study describes a single-center experience using PRP to treat AA in women.

Methods:
A retrospective observational study design was employed. The study cohort comprised 20 women >18 years of age who were diagnosed with AA. PRP was prepared using a commercially available PRP kit. Each patient received six PRP treatment sessions at 4-week intervals. The severity of alopecia tool (SALT) scoring system was used to measure the severity of alopecia, and a paired t-test was used to calculate significance levels.

Results:
The mean pre-intervention and post-intervention total SALT score was 27.5 ± 6.35 and 9.41 ± 3.71, respectively. The difference in the total mean SALT score was 18.33 ± 1.64 and the effect size was 3.52. The scalp area with the largest effect size was the vertex (Cohen d = 2.53). The effect size was similar across other scalp areas (Cohen d = 1.91–2.09). There were no serious adverse effects of the treatment; only mild transient adverse effects were reported.

Conclusion:
The present study demonstrated the efficacy and safety of PRP injections in treating AA in women. However, these findings require confirmation in well-designed studies using standardized treatment protocols and evaluation methods.
Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire
Authors: Kim Minju , Lee Yerim 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The number of stroke survivors is increasing worldwide, and because stroke survivors are usually living with sequelae, health-related quality of life is growing in importance. The stroke-specific quality of life (SSQOL) questionnaire was developed to assess the quality of life in stroke patients. This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the SSQOL (SSQOL-K). METHODS: This study used a descriptive survey design. The participants consisted of 250 stroke patients visiting Dong-A University Hospital in South Korea, who completed the SSQOL-K, the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version. For data analysis, exploratory factor analyses with parallel analysis and reliability testing were performed using SPSS version 23.0. RESULTS: The mean total score for the SSQOL-K was 177.75 ± 40.83 (range, 49–245). In the exploratory factor analysis results, 4 subdomains were identified in the SSQOL-K and all items had a factor loading of greater than 0.30. The SSQOL-K was significantly correlated with the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Korean version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Abbreviated Version. In reliability testing, the SSQOL-K showed Cronbach α of 0.98 in this study, and Cronbach α for the 4 subdomains were all 0.70 or greater. CONCLUSIONS: The SSQOL-K is a valid and reliable scale to assess health-related quality of life in Korean stroke patients.
Assessing Partner Services Provided by State and Local Health Departments, 2018
Authors: Cuffe Kendra M. , Gift Thomas L. , Kelley Kat , Leichliter Jami S. 
Published: November 2020

Background
Surveillance reports have shown that reported sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasing. The provision of partner services is an effective tool for preventing and reducing the spread of STDs. We examined partner services provided by health departments and assessed for associations with jurisdiction size, STD morbidity, and region.

Methods
We used stratified random sampling to select 668 local health departments (LHDs) and selected all (n = 50) state health departments (SHDs). Rao-Scott χ2 analyses were performed to examine partner services by health department type (SHD vs. LHD), region, jurisdiction size (LHD only), and STD morbidity (LHD only).

Results
Approximately 49.0% of LHDs and 88.0% of SHDs responded to the survey. Most LHDs (81.6%) and SHDs (79.5%) provided partner services for some STDs (P = 0.63). Compared with SHDs, a higher proportion of LHDs provided expedited partner therapy for chlamydia (66.8% vs. 34.2%, P < 0.01) and gonorrhea (39.3% vs. 22.9%, P = 0.09). Partner service staff performed other activities such as conducting enhanced surveillance activities (23.0% of LHDs, 34.3% of SHDs; P = 0.20) and participating in outbreak response and emergency preparedness (84.8% of LHDs, 80.0% of SHDs; P = 0.51). Associations were found when partner services were stratified by health department type, jurisdiction size, STD morbidity, and region. All LHDs in high-morbidity areas provided partner services and 45.4% performed serologic testing of syphilis contacts in the field.

Conclusions
A majority of STD programs in LHDs and SHDs provide a variety of partner services and partner service–related activities. It is imperative to continue monitoring the provision of partner services to understand how critical public health needs are being met.