bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Replacing what’s lost: a new era of stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Fan Yong , Winanto  , Ng Shi-Yan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Stem cells hold tremendous promise for regenerative medicine because they can be expanded infinitely, giving rise to large numbers of differentiated cells required for transplantation. Stem cells can be derived from fetal sources, embryonic origins (embryonic stem cells or ESCs) or reprogrammed from adult cell types (induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs). One unique property of stem cells is their ability to be directed towards specific cell types of clinical interest, and can mature into functional cell types in vivo. While transplantations of fetal or ESC-derived tissues are known to illicit a host immunogenic response, autologous transplantations using cell types derived from one’s own iPSCs eliminate risks of tissue rejection and reduce the need for immunosuppressants. However, even with these benefits, cell therapy comes with significant hurdles that researchers are starting to overcome. In this review, we will discuss the various steps to ensure safety, efficacy and clinical practicality of cell replacement therapy in neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, Parkinson’s disease.

Main body
Parkinson’s disease (PD) results from a loss of dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra and is an ideal target for cell replacement therapy. Early trials using fetal midbrain material in the late 1980s have resulted in long term benefit for some patients, but there were multiple shortcomings including the non-standardization and quality control of the transplanted fetal material, and graft-induced dyskinesia that some patients experience as a result. On the other hand, pluripotent stem cells such as ESCs and iPSCs serve as an attractive source of cells because they can be indefinitely cultured and is an unlimited source of cells. Stem cell technologies and our understanding of the developmental potential of ESCs and iPSCs have deepened in recent years and a clinical trial for iPSC-derived dopaminergic cells is currently undergoing for PD patients in Japan. In this focused review, we will first provide a historical aspect of cell therapies in PD, and then discuss the various challenges pertaining to the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based cell transplantations, and how these hurdles were eventually overcome.

Conclusion
With the maturity of the iPSC technology, cell transplantation appears to be a safe and effective therapy. Grafts in non-human primates survive and remain functional for more than 2 years after transplantation, with no signs of tumorigenesis, indicating safety and efficacy of the treatment. However, immunosuppressants are still required because of the lack of “universal stem cells” that would not evoke an immune response. The results of ongoing and upcoming trials by a global consortium known as GForce-PD would be highly anticipated because the success of these trials would open up possibilities for using cell therapy for the treatment of PD and other degenerative diseases.
Trichofolliculoma of the eyelid: systematic review
Authors: Phan Kevin , Goyal Sourabh , Ahn Erica , Kim Leo , Sebaratnam Deshan Frank 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Trichofolliculoma of the eyelid and periorbital region remains is rare, and there is limited evidence regarding surgical management, clinical and histological margins, and recurrence rate.

Objectives
We performed a systematic review of cases to date on diagnosis and management outcomes of eyelid trichofolliculoma.

Methods
Electronic databases were searched for cases reported on trichofolliculoma of the eyelid. The authors extracted and collated data from these studies, and outcomes were summarized descriptively.

Results
One hundred twenty citations were identified from database searching. The authors also report a case of eyelid trichofolliculoma. Fifteen studies reporting 19 cases of eyelid trichofolliculoma were finally included. Eighteen out of 19 (94.7%) cases were treated with surgical excision. Of 5 cases which were followed up over an average of 2 years, there was only 1 case of recurrence requiring wedge resection.

Conclusions
Recurrence rate in patients with eyelid trichofolliculoma excised with satisfactory margins appears to be low, and no cases of malignant transformation have been reported.
Sleep pattern in epilepsy patients: a polysomnographic study
Authors: Tork Mohamed A. , Rashed Hebatallah R. , Elnabil Lobna , Salah-Eldin Nahed , Elkhayat Naglaa , Abdelhady Ayman A. , Abdulghani M. Ossama , Abdulghani Khaled O. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Sleep disorders and epilepsy commonly exist and affect each other. Patients with epilepsy often complain of poor sleep and on the other hand, poor sleep makes epilepsy control difficult.

Objectives
We aimed at comparing the sleep disturbances in a group of patients with medically controlled epilepsy versus another group with medically refractory epilepsy, from the electrophysiological standpoint.

Subjects and methods
Sixty epilepsy patients were included; half of them with controlled epilepsy were assigned as group I, and the other half with refractory epilepsy was assigned as group II. All patients had an overnight polysomnogram and sleep EEG done. We excluded any patient with abnormal general or neurological clinical examination.

Results
Patients in group II, had significantly delayed sleep onset latency and REM latency. However, higher arousal index, insomnia, and periodic limb movement index were found to be significantly higher in group I. Respiratory events; as light sleep durations, were observed to be higher in Group II, in addition to apnea-hypopnea index that was significantly higher in this group.

Conclusion
Epilepsy affects sleep architecture and sleep-related events. Patients with refractory epilepsy suffer from more disturbance in sleep patterns. Moreover, antiepileptic drugs can have a diverse effect on sleep architecture and quality in epileptic patients.
Evaluation of factors related to Anaesthesia-induced Lens opacity in experimental mice
Authors: Lee Hun , Kim Hong Kyung , Shin Hae Sol , Han Soo Jung , Yoon Sangchul , Seong Je Kyung , Seo Kyoung Yul 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTo investigate conditions that cause temporal lens opacity, we tested chemical and physical factors, such as anaesthesia dose, ocular surface dryness, and infrared (IR) light exposure in anaesthetised C57BL/6 N mice. Mice were anaesthetised with a low (80%; tiletamine/zolazepam 32 mg/kg and xylazine 8 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection) or high (120%; 48 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg) dose of anaesthetic and examined every 5 min from 10 to 30 min after anaesthesia was induced. Lens opacity levels were assessed and graded (1–6) using the standard classification system. Regardless of the anaesthetic dose, lens opacity grade was 1–2 in moisturised eyes with application of 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose, and 5–6 in dry ocular surface conditions. Lens opacity in mice with high-dose anaesthetic in the dry ocular surface condition was not different from that of mice with low-dose anaesthetic. Lens opacity grade 1–2 was noted in eyes in the wet ocular surface condition, regardless of IR light exposure. During IR light exposure in eyes in the dry ocular surface condition, lens opacity (grade 6) in mice with high-dose anaesthetic was not different from that (grade 6) in mice with low-dose anaesthetic. We demonstrated that ocular surface dryness might be a relevant factor for the formation and progression of lens opacity in anesthetized C57BL/6 N mice. Anaesthesia dose and IR light exposure did not strongly influence lens opacity formation. Furthermore, eyes with corneal dryness-induced lens opacity recovered to normal status without additional intervention.
Feasibility and accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in evaluating the aortic valve in children
Authors: Ezzeldin Dina Adel , Roushdy Alaa Mahmoud , Abdallah Abdallah Ahmed , El Fiky Azza Abdallah 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Aortic valve assessment by 2D transthoracic echocardiography is a relatively complex task owing to the unique anatomical features of the left ventricular outflow tract and its dynamic nature. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 3D transthoracic echocardiography [3D TTE] in assessing the aortic valve in children.

Results
The first group included 11 males and six females, with a mean age of 5.76 ± 6.39 years. All of these patients had aortic valve disease with a bicuspid variant. The second group included seven males and seven females, with a mean age of 4.4 ± 4.05 years. All of these patients had normal aortic valve morphology and had another congenital cardiac anomaly. The aortic valve annulus was assessed using the three modalities; 2D, 3D echocardiography in the vertical and horizontal diameters, and angiography. The aortic valve area was measured by 2D and 3D echocardiography using multiplane reformatted mode. The results of the analysis were then compared. They revealed that 3D echocardiographic measurement of the aortic annulus (horizontal diameter) correlated better with angiography than 2D and 3D (vertical diameter) echocardiographic measurements. There was a significant difference between the aortic valve area measured by 2D echocardiography and that measured by 3D echocardiography among the two groups, 2D echocardiography seems to underestimate the true aortic valve area.

Conclusion
The study concluded that 3D TTE with multiplane reformatted mode allows a more accurate assessment of the aortic valve when compared to 2D echocardiography and this correlates better with the angiographic findings.
A comparative study of multi-detector CT portography versus endoscopy in evaluation of gastro-esophageal varices in portal hypertension patients
Authors: El-Assaly Hany , Metwally Lamiaa I. A. , Azzam Heba , Seif-Elnasr Mohamed Ibrahim 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Portal hypertension is a major complication resulting from obstruction of portal blood flow, like cirrhosis or portal vein thrombosis, that leads to portal hypertension. MDCT angiography has become an important tool for investigation of the liver as well as potentially challenging varices by detailing the course of these tortuous vessels. This information is decisive for liver transplantation as well as for common procedures in which an unexpected varix can cause significant bleeding.

Results
This study included an assessment of 60 cases of portal hypertension (28 males and 32 females), their age ranged from 42 to 69 years (mean age = 57.2 ± 6.63). All patients were diagnosed with portal hypertension, underwent upper GI endoscopy followed by a triphasic CT scan with CT angiographic assessment for the screening of gastro-esophageal varices.
CT is highly sensitive as compared to upper GI endoscopy (sensitivity 93%) in detecting esophageal varices. Gastric varices detected by CT in 22 patients (37%) compared to 14 patients (23%) detected by endoscopy. While paraesophageal varices were detected in 63% of patients and retro-gastric varices in 80% of patients that were not visualized by endoscopy. Our study reported that the commonest type of collaterals were the splenic collaterals, and we also found there is a significant correlation between the portal vein diameter and the number of collaterals as well as between the portal vein diameter and splenic vein diameter.

Conclusions
Multi-slice CT serves as an important non-invasive imaging modality in the diagnosis of collaterals in cases of portal hypertension. CT portography can replace endoscopy in the detection of high-risk varices. It also proved that there is a correlation between portal vein diameter, splenic vein diameter, and number of collaterals.
Role of MSCT in the diagnosis of perforated gall bladder (a retrospective study)
Authors: Harraz Mohamed M. , Abouissa Ahmed H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough gall bladder perforation (GBP) is not common, it is considered a life-threating condition, and the possibility of occurrence in cases of acute cholecystitis must be considered. The aim of this study was to assess the role of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in the assessment of GBP.ResultsIt is a retrospective study including 19 patients that had GBP out of 147, there were 11 females (57.8%) and 8 males (42.1%), aged 42 to 79 year (mean age 60) presented with acute abdomen or acute cholecystitis. All patients were examined with abdominal ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced abdominal MSCT after written informed consent was obtained from the patients. This study was between January and December 2018. Patients with contraindications to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) (pregnancy, acute kidney failure, or allergy to iodinated contrast agents) who underwent US only were excluded. Patients with other diagnoses, such as acute diverticulitis of the right-sided colon or acute appendicitis, were excluded. The radiological findings were evaluated such as GB distention; stones; wall thickening, enhancement, and defect; pericholecystic free fluid or collection; enhancement of liver parenchyma; and air in the wall or lumen. All CT findings are compared with the surgical results. Our results revealed that the most important and diagnostic MSCT finding in GBP is a mural defect. Nineteen patients were proved surgically to have GBP.ConclusionGBP is a rare but very serious condition and should be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible to decrease morbidity and mortality. The most accurate diagnostic tool is the CT, MSCT findings most specific and sensitive for the detection of GBP and its complications.
Reference values for ductus venosus flow in normal gestation among an Egyptian population
Authors: Zytoon Ashraf Anas , El-Abakawy Nada Nabil Ahmed , Hassanein Shaimaa Abdel-hamid 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Doppler studies of the fetal circulation have demonstrated the importance of the ductus venosus in the continuous monitoring of fetuses, especially those of high-risk pregnancies that can lead to abnormal pregnancy outcome. We tried to put reference values for the normal ductus venosus (DV) flow in normal gestation to be used in further studies assessing the different pathologies.

Results
The DV length ranged from 9.8 to 20.9 mm, and the diameter ranged from 0.6 to 2.3 mm. The DV pulsatility index, resistive index, and systolic velocity/maximum velocity during atrial wave ratio declined linearly with increasing of gestational age and were increased after that during the last weeks of pregnancy. Ductus venosus S wave and A wave velocities increased linearly from a mean of 38.30 at the first trimester to 61.68 at the third trimester and from a mean of 11.38 at the first trimester to 30.71 at the third trimester respectively.

Conclusion
A reference range of the normal ductus venosus different Doppler parameters was constructed in a centile module.
Quantitative Analysis of Oncology Professional Learning Preferences
Authors: George Thomas J. , Manochakian Rami , Wood Marie , Polansky Maura , Baer Allyson , Grupe Anne , Shyr Yu , Wang Cathy , Williams Jennifer , Horn Leora 
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE: ASCO is the premier and largest global professional society for oncology care professionals. In 2015, ASCO launched a longitudinal Learning Cohort Pilot Project to catalog and better understand the learning behaviors and preferences of oncology health care providers. A secondary goal was to assess learner preferences and utilization related to ASCO’s portfolio of educational resources. METHODS: The Learning Cohort Pilot Project was conducted between November 2015 and August 2016 with 49 ASCO members. Participants were selected via convenience sampling and stratified random sampling to generate a cohort that mirrored the demographic distribution of overall ASCO membership. Participants completed a different ASCO resource-specific feedback activity each month, which measured professional educational needs, sources sought, and preferences for educational resources. Responses were organized by demographic variables in our participant pool to identify trends in provider learning preferences. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the association between participant demographics and practice setting and responses. Holm’s procedure was used to adjust for multiple testing. RESULTS: The Learning Cohort Pilot Project revealed statistically significant relationships between participant demographic variables and learning preferences. Age and practice setting were the demographic variables most consistently associated with the different preferences explored throughout the targeted activities. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot cohort reinforced the hypothesis that oncology care providers have different professional educational needs and preferences that can be potentially anticipated and met with tailored resources. Delivering solutions to meet these needs represents an opportunity for further research and resource development.
Understanding Patients’ Attitudes Toward Cancer Multidisciplinary Meetings: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Devitt Bianca , Philip Jennifer , Singh Madhu , McLachlan Sue-Anne 
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE: Multidisciplinary cancer meetings (MDMs) are an integral component of quality care; however, little research exists regarding patients’ views on this model of care. We aimed to explore and understand the attitudes of patients toward MDMs. METHODS: A mixed methods exploratory design was used. Qualitative data from patients with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer were collected and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results informed the development of a questionnaire survey that was administered to patients with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Nine patients participated in 3 focus groups, and 152 patients (response rate, 90%) completed the questionnaire. Patients were strongly supportive of MDMs and thought that all patients with cancer should be routinely discussed. More than 90% of surveyed patients believed MDMs were reassuring, meant all treatment modalities were considered, and led to evidence-based treatment recommendations. Patients wanted MDMs to focus on medical treatment planning rather than psychosocial issues, and 87% regarded the meeting as confidential. Patients described a preference for doctor-led decision making, and most (84%) wanted MDM treatment decisions to be discussed with them in a subsequent consultation, with 73% of patients also wanting this in a written format. CONCLUSION: Patients strongly endorse MDMs as a means to develop an evidence-based, medical treatment plan agreed to by consensus. They want to be purposely informed of the meeting and its outcomes. Results from this study can help inform future guidelines on the conduct of MDMs.
Study protocol for a single-centre observational study of household wellbeing and poverty status following a diagnosis of advanced cancer in Blantyre, Malawi - ‘Safeguarding the Family’ study
Authors: Bates Maya Jane , Muula Adamson , Gordon Stephen B. , Henrion Marc Y.R. , Tomeny Ewan , MacPherson Peter , Squire Bertel , Niessen Louis 
Published: January 2020

Background: Many households in low-and-middle income countries face the additional burden of crippling out-of-pocket expenditure when faced with a diagnosis of life-limiting illness. Available evidence suggests that receipt of palliative care supports cost-savings for cancer-affected households. This study will explore the relationship between receipt of palliative care, total household out-of-pocket expenditure on health and wellbeing following a first-time diagnosis of advanced cancer at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Protocol: Patients and their primary family caregivers will be recruited at the time of cancer diagnosis. Data on healthcare utilisation, related costs, coping strategies and wellbeing will be gathered using new and existing questionnaires (the Patient-and-Carer Cancer Cost Survey, EQ-5D-3L and the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Score). Surveys will be repeated at one, three and six months after diagnosis. In the event of the patient’s death, a brief five-item questionnaire on funeral costs will be administered to caregivers not less than two weeks following the date of death. Descriptive and Poisson regression analyses will assess the relationship between exposure to palliative care and total household expenditure from baseline to six months. A sample size of 138 households has been calculated in order to detect a medium effect (as determined by Cohen’s f2=0.15) of receipt of palliative care in a regression model for change in total household out-of-pocket expenditure as a proportion of annual household income. Ethics and dissemination: The study has received ethical approval. Results will be reported using STROBE guidelines and disseminated through scientific meetings, open access publications and a national stakeholder meeting. Conclusions: This study will provide data on expenditure for healthcare by households affected by cancer in Malawi. We also explore whether receipt of palliative care is associated with a reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure at household level.
Onde a educação ambiental e a oceanografia se (des)encontram?
Authors: Costa-Fredo Gisele , Ferreira Washington 
Published: January 2020

RESUMO
Partindo do cenário da Oceanografia Socioambiental (Oc. Socioambiental) e da Educação Ambiental (EA) na Oceanografia do Brasil, utilizando como Estudo de Caso o curso de graduação em Oceanologia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), este ensaio ressalta a necessidade da inclusão de disciplinas que contemplem ambos os campos à sua grade curricular. Através de uma análise mista (quali-quantitativa) sobre aos resultados obtidos com entrevistas aplicadas aos estudantes do curso, buscou-se contribuir com o aperfeiçoamento da Oc. Socioambiental, da EA e suas interações, e para a constituição de cidadãos e profissionais em Oceanografia capazes de atuar e respeitar a diversidade de vida e de conhecimentos existentes.

ABSTRACT
Based on the scenario of Socioenvironmental Oceanography (Oc. Socioenvironmental) and Environmental Education (EA) in Oceanography of Brazil, using as a Case Study the degree course in Oceanology of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), this essay highlights the need for inclusion of disciplines that include both fields in their curriculum. Through a mixed analysis (quali-quantitative) on the results obtained with interviews applied to students of the course, we sought to contribute to the improvement of Oc. Socioenvironmental, EA and its interactions, and for the constitution of citizens and professionals in Oceanography able to act and respect the diversity of life and existing knowledge.