bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy and safety of bone cement combined with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of spinal metastases
Authors: Lv Nanning , Geng Rui , Ling Feng , Zhou Zhangzhe , Liu Mingming 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of bone cement combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of spinal metastases.MethodsThe medical records of patients with spinal metastatic tumor admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on different surgical methods, the patients were divided into groups A (treated with RFA combined with bone cement) and B (treated with bone cement only). Group A included 35 patients with 47 segments of diseased vertebral bodies. Group B consisted of 52 patients with 78 vertebral segments. Pain, quality of life score, vertebra height, bone cement leakage, postoperative tumor recurrence, and complications were assessed 3 days and 1 and 6 months after surgery.ResultsAll the patients had smooth operation without paraplegia, spinal cord injury, and perioperative death. Visual analogue scales (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores of the two groups significantly improved 3 days and 1 month after surgery compared with those before surgery (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Six months after surgery, the VAS and ODI scores of patients in group A were lower than those in group B, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The postoperative vertebral body height of the two groups significantly increased compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Postoperative bone cement permeability in group A was 6.4%, and postoperative tumor recurrence rate was 11.4%. The permeability of bone cement in group B was 20.5%, and the tumor recurrence rate was 30.8%. The bone cement permeability and tumor recurrence rate in group A were lower than those in group B, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).ConclusionsBone cement combined with RFA for the treatment of spinal metastases can achieve good efficacy, desirable analgesic effect, low incidence of complications, small surgical trauma, and high safety. The proposed method has the value of clinical popularization and application.
ROBO2 signaling in lung development regulates SOX2/SOX9 balance, branching morphogenesis and is dysregulated in nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Gonçalves Ana N. , Correia-Pinto Jorge , Nogueira-Silva Cristina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundCharacterized by abnormal lung growth or maturation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1:3000 live births. Cellular studies report proximal (SOX2+) and distal (SOX9+) progenitor cells as key modulators of branching morphogenesis and epithelial differentiation, whereas transcriptome studies demonstrate ROBO/SLIT as potential therapeutic targets for diaphragm defect repair in CDH. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that (a) experimental-CDH could changes the expression profile of ROBO1, ROBO2, SOX2 and SOX9; and (b) ROBO1 or ROBO2 receptors are regulators of branching morphogenesis and SOX2/SOX9 balance.MethodsThe expression profile for receptors and epithelial progenitor markers were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry in a nitrofen-induced CDH rat model. Immunohistochemistry signals by pulmonary structure were also quantified from embryonic-to-saccular stages in normal and hypoplastic lungs. Ex vivo lung explant cultures were harvested at E13.5, cultures during 4 days and treated with increasing doses of recombinant rat ROBO1 or human ROBO2 Fc Chimera proteins for ROBO1 and ROBO2 inhibition, respectively. The lung explants were analyzed morphometrically and ROBO1, ROBO2, SOX2, SOX9, BMP4, and β-Catenin were quantified by Western blot.ResultsExperimental-CDH induces distinct expression profiles by pulmonary structure and developmental stage for both receptors (ROBO1 and ROBO2) and epithelial progenitor markers (SOX2 and SOX9) that provide evidence of the impairment of proximodistal patterning in experimental-CDH. Ex vivo functional studies showed unchanged branching morphogenesis after ROBO1 inhibition; increased fetal lung growth after ROBO2 inhibition in a mechanism-dependent on SOX2 depletion and overexpression of SOX9, non-phospho β-Catenin, and BMP4.ConclusionsThese studies provided evidence of receptors and epithelial progenitor cells which are severely affected by CDH-induction from embryonic-to-saccular stages and established the ROBO2 inhibition as promoter of branching morphogenesis through SOX2/SOX9 balance.
Pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary fibrosis: clinical data, histopathology and molecular insights
Authors: Ruffenach Grégoire , Hong Jason , Vaillancourt Mylène , Medzikovic Lejla , Eghbali Mansoureh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) developing secondarily in pulmonary fibrosis (PF) patients (PF-PH) is a frequent co-morbidity. The high prevalence of PH in PF patients is very concerning since the presence of PH is a strong predictor of mortality in PF patients. Until recently, PH was thought to arise solely from fibrotic destruction of the lung parenchyma, leading to hypoxic vasoconstriction and loss of vascular bed density. Thus, potential cellular and molecular dysregulation of vascular remodeling as a driver of PF-PH has been under-investigated. The recent demonstrations that there is no correlation between the severity of the fibrosis and development of PH, along with the finding that significant vascular histological and molecular differences exist between patients with and without PH have shifted the etiological paradigm of PF-PH. This review aims to provide a comprehensive translational overview of PH in PF patients from clinical diagnosis and outcome to the latest understanding of the histology and molecular pathophysiology of PF-PH.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.): a potential unique therapeutic food rich in organosulfur and flavonoid compounds to fight with COVID-19
Authors: Khubber Sucheta , Hashemifesharaki Reza , Mohammadi Mehrdad , Gharibzahedi Seyed Mohammad Taghi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the current major health crisis in the world. A successful strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic is the improvement of nutritional pattern. Garlic is one of the most efficient natural antibiotics against the wide spectrum of viruses and bacteria. Organosulfur (e.g., allicin and alliin) and flavonoid (e.g., quercetin) compounds are responsible for immunomodulatory effects of this healthy spice. The viral replication process is accelerated with the main structural protease of SARS-CoV-2. The formation of hydrogen bonds between this serine-type protease and garlic bioactives in the active site regions inhibits the COVID-19 outbreak. The daily dietary intake of garlic and its derived-products as an adjuvant therapy may improve side effects and toxicity of the main therapeutic drugs with reducing the used dose.
The influence of concern about COVID-19 on mental health in the Republic of Georgia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Makhashvili Nino , Javakhishvili Jana Darejan , Sturua Lela , Pilauri Ketevan , Fuhr Daniela C. , Roberts Bayard 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Early evidence indicates increased mental health burden arising from COVID-19 and related control measures. The study aim was to examine concern about COVID-19 and its association with symptoms of mental disorders in the Republic of Georgia.
A cross-sectional internet-based survey of adults in Georgia using non-probabilistic sampling was used. Questionnaire topics were: (i) demographic and socio-economic characteristics; (ii) level of burden caused by common causes of COVID-19 related concerns; (iii) strategies used in response to concerns about COVID-19; and (iv) symptoms of mental disorders of anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), PTSD (ITQ) and adjustment disorder (ADNM8). Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results
There were 2088 respondents. High levels of symptoms for mental disorders were observed for anxiety (23.9% women, 21.0% men), depression (30.3% women, 25.27% men), PTSD (11.8% women, and 12.5% men), and adjustment disorder (40.7% women, 31.0% men). Factors significantly associated with increased COVID-19 concern included bad/very bad household economic situation, larger household size, current NCD, symptoms of anxiety, adjustment disorder and PTSD. Response strategies significantly associated with reduced mental disorder symptoms included meditation and relaxation exercises, physical exercise, positive thinking, planning for the future, TV/radio, housework/DIY, and working. Drinking alcohol was associated with a greater probability of increased mental disorder symptoms.

Conclusions
High levels of mental disorders were recorded, and they were strongly associated with increased concern about COVID-19. A number of response strategies were identified which may help protect against worse mental health and these could be supported by innovations in mental health care in Georgia.
Disseminating evidence-based research on mental health and coping to adolescents facing adversity in Lebanon: a pilot of a psychoeducational comic book ‘Somoud’
Authors: Bosqui Tania , Mayya Anas , Younes Liliane , Baker Myriam Claire , Annan Ismat Maktabi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite advances in the evidence base and scaling up of mental health and psychosocial interventions for children and adolescents affected by conflict and adversity, a theory-practice gap remains, with limited translation of research findings to affected communities.MethodsIn order to disseminate findings from a review on mental health and coping for children and adolescents, a psychoeducational comic book ‘Somoud’ was developed and piloted with adolescents and their caregivers in Lebanon, using a qualitative Grounded Theory approach.ResultsIn total, 10 participants (5 adolescents, 5 parents), took part in the study. Using Thematic Content Analysis, 6 themes were identified; 1) psychoeducation versus misinterpretation, 2) balancing depth with accessibility, 3) aesthetic appeal, 4) contextual relevance and realism, 5) daily stressors, and 6) parental and social relationships.ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate the importance of cultural and contextual piloting of psychoeducational content, and the potential usefulness and accessibility of a comic book format to disseminate information to adolescents. Data from the pilot was used to inform the development of a new version of ‘Somoud’ for sharing with adolescents in Lebanon. Further research is required to establish the effectiveness of the psychoeducational book as a ‘self-help’ tool, and to further improve knowledge exchange between researchers and communities.
Knowledge of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency among Chinese obstetricians and gynaecologists: a national questionnaire survey
Authors: Wang Yanfang , Zou Ying , Wang Wei , Zheng Qingmei , Feng Ying , Dong Han , Tan Zhangyun , Zeng Xiaoqin , Zhao Yinqing , Peng Danhong , Yang Xiaomin , Sun Aijun 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
With increasing cases of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), more clinicians are required to counsel patients regarding the gonadotoxic effects of iatrogenic treatments. This survey aimed to explore obstetricians and gynaecologists’ knowledge regarding iatrogenic POI. A national online questionnaire survey was conducted across China. Respondents were asked to select the iatrogenic condition(s) that can cause POI based on their experience and knowledge.

Results
Of the 5523 returned questionnaires, 4995 were analysed. Among tumour therapies causing POI, most respondents agreed that radiotherapy (73.5% of respondents) and chemotherapy (64.1%) are risk factors for POI. While only 6.5 and 7.8% of the gynaecological oncologists believed that tumour immunotherapy and tumour-targeting therapy, respectively, may cause ovarian impairment, 31.8 and 22.2% of the non-gynaecologic oncologists believed that these therapies could affect ovarian health. Most respondents believed that ovarian cystectomy (54.4%) was a risk factor for POI. In contrast, only a few respondents believed that hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy (39.6%) and uterine artery embolisation (33.5%) could cause ovarian impairment. Only 30.5% of respondents believed that immunosuppressants (ISs) increased the risk of POI. Views differed with experience and hospital setting.

Conclusions
The knowledge of gonadal toxicity due to traditional tumour treatments is generally high among Chinese obstetricians and gynaecologists. A misunderstanding may exist in primary care hospitals and general gynaecologists regarding a link between novel tumour treatments and POI, owing to the lack of convincing evidence. Knowledge of POI caused by hysterectomy and ISs should be improved.
Impact of COVID-19 upon changes in emergency room visits with chest pain of possible cardiac origin
Authors: Butt Adeel A. , Kartha Anand , Asaad Nidal , Azad Aftab M. , Bertollini Roberto , Abou-Samra Abdul-Badi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objectives
A decrease in Emergency Department (ED) visits for cardiac conditions has recently been reported from the US and Western Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The data are still scant, and the correlation between cardiac symptoms and confirmed diagnoses are not available. There are no reports on changes in ED volumes at a national level, or from countries in the Asia-Middle Eastern region. We report data from national referral centers for tertiary care and cardiac care centers in Qatar, which see > 80% of cardiac emergencies in the country.

Results
We analyzed 102,033 ED visits in the COVID-19-era (March–April 2020 and 2019) and determined the proportion presenting for cardiac symptoms and their confirmed diagnoses. We observed a 16–37% decline in ED volumes overall, with a 25–50% decline in patients presenting with cardiac symptoms in March and April 2020 compared with March and April 2019. Among those presenting with cardiac symptoms, we observed a 24–43% decline in cardiac diagnoses in March and April 2020 compared with March and April 2019.
Differences and similarities between cancer and somatic stem cells: therapeutic implications
Authors: Rossi Fiorella , Noren Hunter , Jove Richard , Beljanski Vladimir , Grinnemo Karl-Henrik 
Published: November 2020

AbstractOver the last decades, the cancer survival rate has increased due to personalized therapies, the discovery of targeted therapeutics and novel biological agents, and the application of palliative treatments. Despite these advances, tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiation and rapid progression to metastatic disease are still seen in many patients. Evidence has shown that cancer stem cells (CSCs), a sub-population of cells that share many common characteristics with somatic stem cells (SSCs), contribute to this therapeutic failure. The most critical properties of CSCs are their self-renewal ability and their capacity for differentiation into heterogeneous populations of cancer cells. Although CSCs only constitute a low percentage of the total tumor mass, these cells can regrow the tumor mass on their own. Initially identified in leukemia, CSCs have subsequently been found in cancers of the breast, the colon, the pancreas, and the brain. Common genetic and phenotypic features found in both SSCs and CSCs, including upregulated signaling pathways such as Notch, Wnt, Hedgehog, and TGF-β. These pathways play fundamental roles in the development as well as in the control of cell survival and cell fate and are relevant to therapeutic targeting of CSCs. The differences in the expression of membrane proteins and exosome-delivered microRNAs between SSCs and CSCs are also important to specifically target the stem cells of the cancer. Further research efforts should be directed toward elucidation of the fundamental differences between SSCs and CSCs to improve existing therapies and generate new clinically relevant cancer treatments.
Identities of symmetry for Bernoulli polynomials and power sums
Authors: Kim Taekyun , Kim Dae San , Kim Han Young , Kwon Jongkyum 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIdentities of symmetry in two variables for Bernoulli polynomials and power sums had been investigated by considering suitable symmetric identities. T. Kim used a completely different tool, namely thep-adic Volkenborn integrals, to find the same identities of symmetry in two variables. Not much later, it was observed that thisp-adic approach can be generalized to the case of three variables and shown that it gives some new identities of symmetry even in the case of two variables upon specializing one of the three variables. In this paper, we generalize the results in three variables to those in an arbitrary number of variables in a suitable setting and illustrate our results with some examples.
Does hemofiltration protect the brain after head trauma? An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Martinez-Gonzalez Enrique , Garcia-Olmo Dolores , Mayordomo-Aranda Empar , Granada-Picazo Maria , Gomez-Juarez Monica , Moreno-Cuesta Jeronimo 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most frequent and severe neurological diseases. In the last few decades, significant advances have been made in TBI pathophysiology and monitoring, however new treatments have not emerged. Although the central nervous system (CNS) has been historically defined as an immunologically privileged organ, recent studies show the increasingly predominant role of inflammatory and apoptotic phenomena in the pathogenesis of TBI. Inflammatory response mediators can be eliminated with continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT). Our aim was to investigate whether hemofiltration protects the brain after head trauma in an experimental study in animals.

Methods and results
A model of TBI and CVVH was performed in anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits without acute renal failure. The experimental group TBI ( +)-CVVH ( +) was compared with a TBI ( +)-CVVH (−) and a TBI (−)-CVVH ( +) control groups. Rabbits were assessed immediately (NES1) and 24 h hours after (NES2) TBI and/or CVVH using a functional Neurological Evaluation Score (NES) and histology of the brains after sacrifice. There was evidence to support a difference of NES1 comparing with the TBI (−)-CVVH ( +), but not with TBI ( +)-CVVH (−) with only 15% of the rabbits treated with CVVH and TBI showing a favorable neurological course. The final neurological outcome (mortality at 24 h) was 0%, 22% and 53% in the TBI(−) + CVVH( +), TBI( +)-CVVH(−) and TBI( +)-CVVH( +) groups respectively. The use of hemofiltration before or after TBI did not make a difference in regards the outcome of the rabbits. There was evidence in the histology to support an increase of mild ischemia, hemorrhage and edema in the experimental group compared with the other two groups.

Conclusions
CVVH in rabbits without renal failure used with the intention to protect the brain may worsen the prognosis in TBI.
Interrelationships between Cellular Density, Mosaic Patterning, and Dendritic Coverage of VGluT3 Amacrine Cells
Authors: Keeley Patrick W. , Lebo Mikayla C. , Vieler Jordan D. , Kim Jason J. , St. John Ace J. , Reese Benjamin E. 
Published: November 2020

Amacrine cells of the retina are conspicuously variable in their morphologies, their population demographics, and their ensuing functions. Vesicular glutamate transporter 3 (VGluT3) amacrine cells are a recently characterized type of amacrine cell exhibiting local dendritic autonomy. The present analysis has examined three features of this VGluT3 population, including their density, local distribution, and dendritic spread, to discern the extent to which these are interrelated, using male and female mice. We first demonstrate thatBax-mediated cell death transforms the mosaic of VGluT3 cells from a random distribution into a regular mosaic. We subsequently examine the relationship between cell density and mosaic regularity across recombinant inbred strains of mice, finding that, although both traits vary across the strains, they exhibit minimal covariation. Other genetic determinants must therefore contribute independently to final cell number and to mosaic order. Using a conditional KO approach, we further demonstrate thatBaxacts via the bipolar cell population, rather than cell-intrinsically, to control VGluT3 cell number. Finally, we consider the relationship between the dendritic arbors of single VGluT3 cells and the distribution of their homotypic neighbors. Dendritic field area was found to be independent of Voronoi domain area, while dendritic coverage of single cells was not conserved, simply increasing with the size of the dendritic field.Bax-KO retinas exhibited a threefold increase in dendritic coverage. Each cell, however, contributed less dendrites at each depth within the plexus, intermingling their processes with those of neighboring cells to approximate a constant volumetric density, yielding a uniformity in process coverage across the population.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDifferent types of retinal neuron spread their processes across the surface of the retina to achieve a degree of dendritic coverage that is characteristic of each type. Many of these types achieve a constant coverage by varying their dendritic field area inversely with the local density of like-type neighbors. Here we report a population of retinal amacrine cells that do not develop dendritic arbors in relation to the spatial positioning of such homotypic neighbors; rather, this cell type modulates the extent of its dendritic branching when faced with a variable number of overlapping dendritic fields to approximate a uniformity in dendritic density across the retina.
Entrenamiento de la pliometría y propiocepción en discapacidad cognitiva, síndrome de Down y autism
Authors: Aguilar Mejía Cesar Alonso , Rodríguez Cepeda Ricardo 
Published: November 2020

El propósito de esta investigación fue contribuir en la mejora de la estabilidad postural estática unipodal (epeu) y la capacidad de salto vertical (csv) por medio del entrenamiento de la pliometría y propiocepción en sujetos con síndrome de Down (sd), autismo (a) y discapacidad cognitiva (dc) de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia, en el 2019. Como método se utilizó la valoración de la epeu, que se ejecutó bajo el protocolo de Iowa Brace (ib), y la csv, bajo el protocolo de Abalakov (abk). Se realizó un entrenamiento de propiocepción y pliometría de dos meses y tres semanas (once semanas) con una frecuencia de dos sesiones semanales y una duración por sesión de dos horas. Se obtuvo como resultados una mejora significativa en la csv (r = 0.95, et (Error típico) 2.81, p < 0.000) y en la epeu (r = 0.57, et = 0.60, p < 0.005). Hubo un cambio entre el pre y postest de un 23.7 % a favor del protocolo de abk, y un 48.4 % favorable con el protocolo ib. Se concluyó que ambos tipos de entrenamiento (pliométrico y propioceptivo) mejoran significativamente la epeu y la csv en sujetos con sd, a y dc, contribuyendo a la coordinación y estabilidad de gestos mecánicos cotidianos y disminución de la pérdida del equilibrio. Se recomiendan entrenamientos de fortalecimiento (en glúteos y core) y de corrección postural.