bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of exogenous epidermal growth factor on Ki-67 proliferation marker expression in the submandibular salivary gland of albino rats receiving doxorubicin
Authors: Mansy Mohamed , Soliman Malak , Mubarak Rabab , Shamel Mohamed 
Published: December 2020

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the role of exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) injection on the Ki-67 immuno-expression in submandibular salivary gland tissue of rats receiving doxorubicin (DXR). Methods: A total of 21 two-month-old male albino rats, of 200 g body weight, were divided into three groups: control group; DXR group, the rats received 20 mg/kg body weight DXR as a single intra peritoneal injection; DXR+EGF group, the rats received the same dose of DXR and on the next day they were injected intraperitoneally with 10 µg/kg body weight of EGF daily for one week. Histological sections and immunohistochemical expression of Ki67 sections were examined using a ZEISS Primo Star light microscopy and images taken using Tucsen IS 1000 10.0MP Camera. Results: Ki-67 expression was significantly increased in submandibular salivary glands of rats after DXR injection. However, Ki-67 expression in the glandular tissue was restored to normal levels after EGF injection. Conclusions: EGF preserved glandular architecture after DXR injection and maintained Ki-67 immune-expression within the glandular tissue near to the normal level.
Isolation and primary culture of Galleria mellonella hemocytes for infection studies
Authors: Senior Nicola J. , Titball Richard W. 
Published: December 2020

Galleria mellonella larvae are increasingly used to study the mechanisms of virulence of microbial pathogens and to assess the efficacy of antimicrobials. The G. mellonella model can faithfully reproduce many aspects of microbial disease which are seen in mammals, and therefore allows a reduction in the use of mammals. The model is now being widely used by researchers in universities, research institutes and industry. An attraction of the model is the interaction between pathogen and host. Hemocytes are specialised phagocytic cells which resemble neutrophils in mammals and play a major role in the response of the larvae to infection. However, the detailed interactions of hemocytes with pathogens is poorly understood, and is complicated by the presence of different sub-populations of cells. We report here a method for the isolation of hemocytes from Galleria mellonella. A needle-stick injury of larvae, before harvesting, markedly increased the recovery of hemocytes in the hemolymph. The majority of the hemocytes recovered were granulocyte-like cells. The hemocytes survived for at least 7 days in culture at either 28°C or 37°C. Pre-treatment of larvae with antibiotics did not enhance the survival of the cultured hemocytes. Our studies highlight the importance of including sham injected, rather than un-injected, controls when the G. mellonella model is used to test antimicrobial compounds. Our method will now allow investigations of the interactions of microbial pathogens with insect hemocytes enhancing the value of G. mellonella as an alternative model to replace the use of mammals, and for studies on hemocyte biology.
Biomechanical comparison of medial sustainable nail and proximal femoral nail antirotation in the treatment of an unstable intertrochanteric fracture
Authors: Nie Shaobo , Li Ming , Ji Hui , Li Zhirui , Li Wenwen , Zhang Hao , Licheng Zhang , Tang Peifu 
Published: December 2020

Aims Restoration of proximal medial femoral support is the keystone in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. None of the available implants are effective in constructing the medial femoral support. Medial sustainable nail (MSN-II) is a novel cephalomedullary nail designed for this. In this study, biomechanical difference between MSN-II and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA-II) was compared to determine whether or not MSN-II can effectively reconstruct the medial femoral support. Methods A total of 36 synthetic femur models with simulated intertrochanteric fractures without medial support (AO/OTA 31-A2.3) were assigned to two groups with 18 specimens each for stabilization with MSN-II or PFNA-II. Each group was further divided into three subgroups of six specimens according to different experimental conditions respectively as follows: axial loading test; static torsional test; and cyclic loading test. Results The mean axial stiffness, vertical displacement, and maximum failure load of MSN-II were 258.47 N/mm (SD 42.27), 2.99 mm (SD 0.56), and 4,886 N (SD 525.31), respectively, while those of PFNA-II were 170.28 N/mm (SD 64.63), 4.86 mm (SD 1.66), and 3,870.87 N (SD 552.21), respectively. The mean torsional stiffness and failure torque of MSN-II were 1.72 N m/° (SD 0.61) and 16.54 N m (SD 7.06), respectively, while those of PFNA-II were 0.61 N m/° (SD 0.39) and 6.6 N m (SD 6.65), respectively. The displacement of MSN-II in each cycle point was less than that of PFNA-II in cyclic loading test. Significantly higher stiffness and less displacement were detected in the MSN-II group (p < 0.05). Conclusion The biomechanical performance of MSN-II was better than that of PFNA-II, suggesting that MSN-II may provide more effective mechanical support in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(12):840–847.
Three-dimensional pre-operative planning of primary hip arthroplasty: a systematic literature review
Authors: Moralidou Maria , Di Laura Anna , Henckel Johann , Hothi Harry , Hart Alister J. 
Published: December 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) pre-operative planning in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is being recognized as a useful tool in planning elective surgery, and as crucial to define the optimal component size, position and orientation. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature for the use of 3D pre-operative planning in primary THA. A systematic literature search was performed using keywords, through PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar, to retrieve all publications documenting the use of 3D planning in primary THA. We focussed on (1) the accuracy of implant sizing, restoration of hip biomechanics and component orientation; (2) the benefits and barriers of this tool; and (3) current gaps in literature and clinical practice. Clinical studies have highlighted the accuracy of 3D pre-operative planning in predicting the optimal component size and orientation in primary THAs. Component size planning accuracy ranged between 34–100% and 41–100% for the stem and cup respectively. The absolute, average difference between planned and achieved values of leg length, offset, centre of rotation, stem version, cup version, inclination and abduction were 1 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 4°, 7°, 0.5° and 4° respectively. Benefits include 3D representation of the human anatomy for precise sizing and surgical execution. Barriers include increased radiation dose, learning curve and cost. Long-term evidence investigating this technology is limited. Emphasis should be placed on understanding the health economics of an optimized implant inventory as well as long-term clinical outcomes. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:845-855. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200046
Secure key generation and distribution scheme based on two independent local polarization scramblers
Authors: Huang Peng , Song Qiuheng , Peng Hekuo , Huang Jingwei , Wu Hongyan , Xiao Qian , Jia Bo 
Published: December 2020

We propose a practical secure key generation and distribution (SKGD) scheme for actual application. Based on the experiment results of the polarization properties of the actual optical-fiber link, we propose a SKGD method by the active modulation of the state of polarization of the optical-fiber by two polarization scramblers placed at the local end of the legal users in the point-to-point communication system. Experiment results prove that the signals received by legal users share high correlation using 20 km standard single-mode fiber and 1 KHz polarization scrambling rate, and the bit generation rate can reach to 1216 bit/s with a bit error rate of

∼

0.33

%

. Security of the system is also analyzed in terms of the polarization properties of the system; the theoretical and experimental results indicate that the proposed scheme possesses high security due to the invisibility of the key signal and the technical difficulty of the recovery of the key sequence.
High-extinction CROW filters for scalable quantum photonics
Authors: Kumar Rakesh Ranjan , Tsang Hon Ki 
Published: December 2020

We report an integrated tunable-bandwidth optical filter with a passband to stop-band ratio of over 96 dB using a single silicon chip with an ultra-compact footprint. The integrated filter is used in filtering out the pump photons in non-degenerate spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM), which is used for producing correlated photon pairs at different wavelengths. SFWM occurs in a long silicon waveguide, and two cascaded second-order coupled-resonator optical waveguide (CROW) filters were used to spectrally remove the pump photons. The tunable bandwidth of the filter is useful to adjust the coherence time of the quantum correlated photons and may find applications in large-scale integrated quantum photonic circuits.
Scalable non-mode selective Hermite–Gaussian mode multiplexer based on multi-plane light conversion
Authors: Wen He , Zhang Yuanhang , Sampson Rachel , Fontaine Nicolas K. , Wang Ning , Fan Shengli , Li Guifang 
Published: December 2020

Non-mode-selective (NMS) multiplexers (muxes) are highly desirable for coherent power combining to produce a high-power beam with a shaped profile (wavefront synthesis) from discrete, phase-locked emitters. We propose a design for a multi-plane light conversion (MPLC)-based NMS mux, which requires only a few phase masks for coherently combining hundreds of discrete input beams into an output beam consisting of hundreds of Hermite–Gaussian (HG) modes. The combination of HG modes as a base can further construct a beam with arbitrary wavefront. The low number of phase masks is attributed to the identical zero-crossing structure of the Hadamard-coded input arrays and of the output HG modes, enabling the practicality of such devices. An NMS mux supporting 256 HG modes is designed using only seven phase masks, and achieves an insertion loss of

−
1.6

dB

, mode-dependent loss of 4.7 dB, and average total mode crosstalk of

−
4.4

dB

. Additionally, this design, featuring equal power for all input beams, enables phase-only control in coherent power combining, resulting in significant simplifications and fast convergence compared with phase-and-amplitude control.
αIIbβ3 variants in ten families with autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopenia: Expanding the mutational and clinical spectrum
Authors: Morais Sara , Oliveira Jorge , Lau Catarina , Pereira Mónica , Gonçalves Marta , Monteiro Catarina , Gonçalves Ana Rita , Matos Rui , Sampaio Marco , Cruz Eugénia , Freitas Inês , Santos Rosário , Lima Margarida 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundRare pathogenic variants in either theITGA2BorITGB3genes have been linked to autosomal dominant macrothrombocytopenia associated with abnormal platelet production and function, deserving the designation of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia-Like Syndrome (GTLS) or ITGA2B/ITGB3-related thrombocytopenia.ObjectivesTo describe a series of patients with familial macrothrombocytopenia and decreased expression of αIIbβ3 integrin due to defects in theITGA2BorITGB3genes.MethodsWe reviewed the clinical and laboratory records of 10 Portuguese families with GTLS (33 patients and 11 unaffected relatives), including the functional and genetic defects.ResultsPatients had absent to moderate bleeding, macrothrombocytopenia, low αIIbβ3 expression, impaired platelet aggregation/ATP release to physiological agonists and low expression of activation-induced binding sites on αIIbβ3 (PAC-1) and receptor-induced binding sites on its ligand (bound fibrinogen), upon stimulation with TRAP-6 and ADP. Evidence for constitutive αIIbβ3 activation, occurred in 2 out of 9 patients from 8 families studied, but also in 2 out of 12 healthy controls. We identified 7 missense variants: 3 inITGA2B(5 families), and 4 inITGB3(5 families). Three variants (αIIb: p.Arg1026Trp and p.Arg1026Gln and β3: p.Asp749His) were previously reported. The remaining (αIIb: p.Gly1007Val and β3: p.Thr746Pro, p.His748Pro and p.Arg760Cys) are new, expanding the αIIbβ3 defects associated with GTLS. The integration of the clinical and laboratory data allowed the identification of two GTLS subgroups, with distinct disease severity.ConclusionsPreviously reportedITGA2BandITGB3variants related to thrombocytopenia were clustered in a confined region of the membrane-proximal cytoplasmic domains, the inner membrane clasp. For the first time, variants are reported at the outer membrane clasp, at the transmembrane domain of αIIb, and at the membrane distal cytoplasmic domains of β3. This is the largest single-center series of inherited macrothrombocytopenia associated with αIIbβ3 variants published to date.
A novel ultrasound-guided mouse model of sudden cardiac arrest
Authors: Rutledge Cody A. , Chiba Takuto , Redding Kevin , Dezfulian Cameron , Sims-Lucas Sunder , Kaufman Brett A. 
Published: December 2020

Aim
Mouse models of sudden cardiac arrest are limited by challenges with surgical technique and obtaining reliable venous access. To overcome this limitation, we sought to develop a simplified method in the mouse that uses ultrasound-guided injection of potassium chloride directly into the heart.

Methods
Potassium chloride was delivered directly into the left ventricular cavity under ultrasound guidance in intubated mice, resulting in immediate asystole. Mice were resuscitated with injection of epinephrine and manual chest compressions and evaluated for survival, body temperature, cardiac function, kidney damage, and diffuse tissue injury.

Results
The direct injection sudden cardiac arrest model causes rapid asystole with high surgical survival rates and short surgical duration. Sudden cardiac arrest mice with 8-min of asystole have significant cardiac dysfunction at 24 hours and high lethality within the first seven days, where after cardiac function begins to improve. Sudden cardiac arrest mice have secondary organ damage, including significant kidney injury but no significant change to neurologic function.

Conclusions
Ultrasound-guided direct injection of potassium chloride allows for rapid and reliable cardiac arrest in the mouse that mirrors human pathology without the need for intravenous access. This technique will improve investigators’ ability to study the mechanisms underlying post-arrest changes in a mouse model.
Evaluation of in-service training program of laboratory professionals in Amhara Public Health Institute Dessie Branch, northeast Ethiopia: A concurrent mixed-method study
Authors: Legesse Seid , Alemu Tefera , Tassew Mulugeta , Shiferaw Birtukan , Amare Semagn , Tadesse Zerfie , Maru Minwuyelet 
Published: December 2020

Background
In-service training programs should be evaluated and modified regularly to enhance training quality. However, in Ethiopia, there is no published evidence regarding its effectiveness. Therefore, we evaluated the Amhara Public Health Institute Dessie Branch (APHI_DB) in-service training program using the Kirkpatrick model.

Methods
In October 2019, a concurrent nested mixed method facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 107 laboratory stakeholders from 22 randomly selected government health facilities in the eastern part of the Amhara region. The qualitative part involved interviews with each of these key stakeholders. We collected data using a semi-structured questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. EpiData 3.1 and Microsoft Excel 2016 software were used for data entry and analysis respectively. The major qualitative findings were narrated and summarized based on four thematic areas to supplement the quantitative findings.

Results
A total of 107 laboratory personnel were interviewed, which makes a response rate of 97.3%. At the reaction level, 82.1% of the participants agree/strongly agree with the course structures, training contents, and learning tools. Likewise, 85.4% of the participants agreed/ strongly agreed on the trainer’s knowledge and their communication skills. In addition, 93.1% of the participants stated an improvement in knowledge and skills after attending the training. As a result, 65.6% of them were able to transfer their knowledge and skills into practice. Regarding the training set-ups and environment, 45.1% of the respondents disagree/strongly disagree with the training hall, toilet, cafe, tea and snacks, financial process, and accommodation perdiem.

Conclusion
Generally, the laboratory in-service training program of APHI_DB was more or less effective. Our findings suggest regular monitoring of each training event and evaluation of training programs against a clearly defined criterion. Furthermore, the institute is mandated to create a conducive learning environment and well-established training setups for trainees.
Quality assurance in anti-tuberculosis drug procurement by the Stop TB Partnership—Global Drug Facility: Procedures, costs, time requirements, and comparison of assay and dissolution results by manufacturers and by external analysis
Authors: Hauk Cathrin , Schäfermann Simon , Martus Peter , Muzafarova Nigorsulton , Babaley Magali , Waning Brenda , Heide Lutz 
Published: December 2020

Background
Quality-assured medicines are a principal means of achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals. An example of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures in drug procurement is provided by the operation of the Global Drug Facility (GDF) of the Stop TB Partnership, the largest provider of tuberculosis (TB) medicines to the public sector worldwide.

Methods
Procedures and results of GDF’s quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) over the five-year period 2013–2017 were analysed retrospectively. 13,999 batches of 51 different medicines had been procured and reviewed within this period. 1,388 of these batches had been analysed in the laboratories of GDF’s external quality control agent (QCA). Assay and dissolution results determined by the manufacturers and by the external QCA were compared using Bland-Altman analysis.

Results
All investigated batches of medicines were in specifications at the time of shipment. The costs for QA/QC were 0.8% of purchase costs. The median time required for chemical analysis was 10 working days. Comparison of the medicine quality analysis results showed for the poorly water-soluble compound rifampicin a bias of 4.4%, with the manufacturers reporting higher values than the external QCA, most likely due to different methods employed for the analysis. Overall 95% limits of agreement (LOAs) were -6.7 to +8.0% for assay, and -10.1 to +11.8% for dissolution. In case of kanamycin injections, 95% LOAs for assay reached -14.5 to +13.2%, largely attributable to samples from one manufacturer who had used a microbiological assay while the external QCA had used an HPLC assay.

Conclusions
GDF’s procedures represent a useful benchmark when evaluating QA/QC procedures of other medicine procurement operations. Inter-laboratory comparison using Bland-Altman plots allows to investigate bias and variability in medicine quality control and should be considered as a routine procedure by drug procurement agencies, to identify priorities for further improvements.
Attitudes, experiences, and preferences of ophthalmic professionals regarding routine use of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical practice
Authors: Robertson Alexandra O. , Tadić Valerija , Rahi Jugnoo S. 
Published: December 2020

Background/Objectives
Routine use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess quality of health care systems is mandated in many countries and has been implemented successfully in many specialities. Ophthalmology currently lags behind. To support and inform future implementation, we investigated paediatric ophthalmic clinicians’ experience of, and future training needs for, using child-appropriate vision PROMs and their views about the barriers and enablers to future routine implementation in clinical practice.

Methods
We conducted a pilot study, using an online survey to elicit the experience, attitudes, training needs and perceptions of barriers and enablers to routine PROMs use of ophthalmic health professionals in the Paediatric Ophthalmology Department at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. A focus-group was undertaken to discuss survey results and preferences regarding presentation of PROM data. Analysis comprised descriptive statistics, presented alongside complementary qualitative data.

Results
Eighteen clinicians in the department completed the survey. Twenty-seven took part in the focus group. Clinicians had limited experience of using PROMs but high confidence in the potential positive impact on communication with patients, monitoring chronic conditions and clinical decision-making. Clinicians identified operational issues (collection and analysis of data) and impact (interpretation and application of data) as the two key areas for consideration. Training and information requirements before implementation were clearly articulated, alongside the benefits of using digital/electronic data capture ahead of consultations to allow efficiency and automated analysis, and presentation in an appropriate visual format alongside clinical data to ensure meaningful use.

Conclusion
The findings of this pilot study of ophthalmic clinicians working in a specialist paediatric ophthalmology department, suggest that ophthalmic clinicians recognise the potential benefits of routine PROMs use in clinical practice. Together with existing literature outside ophthalmology relating to overcoming barriers and exploiting enablers to routine implementation, findings may be applicable in planning routine PROM implementation in paediatric ophthalmology.
Perceived psychological stress and associated factors in the early stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic: Evidence from the general Chinese population
Authors: Yang Xiao , Xiong Zhenzhen , Li Zhixiong , Li Xiao , Xiang Weiyi , Yuan Yiwen , Li Zhe 
Published: December 2020

Introduction
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection caused by novel coronavirus 2019. Many individuals suffered psychological symptoms in the early stage when the epidemic was uncertain. We explored the perceived psychological stress and associated factors in the early stage of COVID-19 epidemic.

Method
The Perceived Stress Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale and a general information questionnaire were integrated in an on-line survey conducted from February 1, 2020 until February 4, 2020. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore whether coping style, social support or other factors contributed to psychological stress.

Results
A total of 1638 participants were included, of whom 44.3% showed moderate psychological stress. Individuals who were younger, female, unmarried, spent more time on the disease, felt more concern about it, reported lower social support (Subjective Social support; Objective social support; Utilization social support), or showed a negative coping style were more likely to suffer higher psychological stress in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Conclusion
Psychological interventions may be targeted to individuals with the risk characteristics identified in this study. It may be helpful to promote social support and positive coping style in the early stage of infectious disease epidemics. This initial evidence from the general Chinese population may be relevant to interventions in other countries for dealing with the COVID-19 and other epidemics.