bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF SPORTS SPECIALIZATION ON LOWER EXTREMITY SAGITTAL PLANE LOADING IN ADOLESCENT MALES AND FEMALES
Authors: Goto Shiho , Hannon Joseph P. , Grondin Angellyn N. , Bothwell James M. , Garrison J. Craig 
Published: April 2020

Background: Sport specialization has been associated with increased risk of both acute and chronic lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries in adolescent athletes. Repetitive movement through sport specialization has been hypothesized to increase the stress through the lower extremity, leading to injury. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in sagittal plane lower extremity loading between adolescent athletes who participate in a single sport (SS) verse those who participate multiple sports (MS). Methods: A cross sectional study design was used. A total 252 adolescent athletes participated in the study (Males: SS=26, Age=14.62±1.72, Ht=173.06±12.41 cm, Mass =62.47±14.72 Kg; MS=27, Age=13.52±1.72, Ht=171.61±11.20 cm, Mass =61.32±14.21 Kg Females: SS=127, Age=14.28±1.77, Ht=164.72±10.73 cm, Mass =58.29±11.17 Kg, MS=84, Age=13.62±1.41, Ht=163.22±7.67 cm, Mass =57.63±11.44 Kg). Participants were included if they were between the ages of 10 and 17, involved in high-risk sports for equal or greater than 50 hours per year, and reported no injuries in the 3 months prior to participation in the study. Joint moments of the hip, knee, and ankle were assessed at initial contact (IC) during a jump-landing (JL) task in both the dominant and non-dominant limbs. All values were normalized to the product of height and weight and averaged across three trials. Participants were grouped into SS or MS groups, then sub-grouped by gender. Separate independent t-tests were performed on each dependent variable for the dominant and non-dominant limbs in males and females to examine the differences between the groups (SS vs MS) (α = 0.05). Results: In the female cohort, the SS group demonstrated lesser knee flexion moments compared to the MS group on dominant side (SS=0.022 HtWt-1, MS=0.026 HtWt-1; p=0.012). The female SS group also demonstrated lesser hip extension moments (SS=0.031HtWt-1, MS=0.042 HtWt-1; p=0.022) and knee flexion moments on non-dominant side compared to that of the MS group (SS=0.023HtWt-1, MS=0.027 HtWt-1; p=0.013). There were no significant differences observed in any of the variables in male adolescents. Conclusion: Altered sagittal plane biomechanics were observed in female adolescents, but not in male adolescents during a JL task. The MS group had greater loading at the hip and knee joints than the SS group. Since MS has been suggested to increase the risk of lower extremity injuries, this biomechanical pattern at IC of a JL may be a profile for higher risk of lower extremity injuries. (394/400) [Table: see text]
IS OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE TRULY A BENIGN KNEE CONDITION? A PILOT STUDY DEMONSTRATING INCREASED POSTERIOR TIBIAL SLOPE
Authors: Green Daniel W. , Sidharthan Sreetha , Schlichte Lindsay M. 
Published: April 2020

Background: Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a traction apophysitis caused by repetitive strain and chronic avulsion of the secondary ossification center of the tibal tuberosity from the patellar tendon. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if OSD is associated with increased posterior tibial slope (PTS). Methods: A total of 40 knees with OSD and 32 control knees examined by the senior author between 2008 and 2019 were included. Patients aged 10 to 15 years old with clinical diagnosis of OSD supported by radiographic findings on lateral X-ray and MRI were eligible. Age- and sex-matched subjects with history of anterior knee pain but no evidence of OSD on clinical exam and no fragmentation of the tibial tubercle on lateral X-Ray and MRI were included in the control group. PTS was defined as the angle between the reference line and a line drawn tangent to the uppermost anterior and posterior edges of the medial tibial plateau. Measurements were carried out in duplicate on true lateral X-Rays by two blinded investigators. Interrater reliability of posterior tibial slope measurements between the two examiners was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Independent-sample student t-test was used to compare PTS in the OSD and control knees. Results: Mean age at time of lateral radiograph was 12.6 ± 1.6 years and 51% (37/72) of knees were male. There were no differences in age, sex, and laterality of knees between the OSD and control groups. Mean PTS was significantly higher in the OSD group (12.23º ± 3.58º) compared to the control group (8.82 º ± 2.76 º, p<0.001) (Figure 1). ICC was 0.931 (95% confidence interval, 0.890 to 0.957) for measurement of PTS between the two examiners, indicating almost perfect interrater reliability. Conclusion: This study is the first to identify an association between OSD and increased PTS. The clinical implications of this novel finding have not yet been elucidated. However, several studies have demonstrated that increased PTS is a risk factor for ACL injury and re-tear. It may be speculated in patients with OSD, stress from the extensor mechanism through the patellar tendon loads the anterior portion of the tibia disproportionately to the posterior segment, thereby resulting in asymmetric growth and an increased PTS. [Figure: see text]
USE CAUTION WHEN ASSESSING PRE-OPERATIVE LEG LENGTH DISCREPANCY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURIES
Authors: Schlichte Lindsay M. , Fabricant Peter D. , Goodbody Christine , Green Daniel W. 
Published: April 2020

Background: Pre- and post-operative standing hip to ankle radiography is critical for monitoring potential post-operative growth arrest and resultant length and angular deformities after pediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. During acquisition of pre-operative standing alignment radiographs, it is possible that patients are lacking full extension, not weight bearing comfortably, or leaning resulting in inaccurate measurements. Purpose: This study aims to assess both pre- and post-operative radiographic measurements to assess if the standing pre-operative x-ray is a accurate and reliable source for baseline measurements. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected pre-operative and first post-operative full-length hip-to-ankle radiographs in a cohort of skeletally immature athletes who presented with an acute ACL injury and underwent subsequent surgical reconstruction. Initially, leg length discrepancy for 25 patients was measured by 3 orthopedic surgeons (top of femoral head to center of tibial plafond). The intraclass correlation was almost perfect (ICC (2,1) = .996) therefore, 1 surgeon measured the remaining 94 radiographs. Measurements for both the injured and uninjured legs were obtained for comparison and surgeons were blinded to the injured side. Results: A total of 119 pediatric patients (mean age 13.4, range 7-14 years) were included (83 males and 36 females). Patient were categorized as either having ≥5mm, ≥10mm, or ≥15mm LLD on pre-operative standing x-ray. Sixty-two patients (52%) were found to have a pre-operative LLD ≥ 5mm. Forty-one (66%) of these patients tore their ACL on the limb measuring shorter. At 6 month post-operative standing x-ray, 35 patients (56%) resolved to ≤5mm LLD. Eighteen patients had a pre-operative LLD of ≥ 10mm. At 6 month post-operative standing x-ray, 13 (72%) patients resolved to ≤5mm LLD. Five patients had a pre-operative LLD of ≥ 15mm. At 6 month post-operative standing x-ray, 4 (80%) resolved ≤5mm. All patients with a pre-operative LLD of ≥ 13mm had sustained an ACL injury on the limb measuring shorter Conclusion: Of the pediatric ACL patients initially presenting with a pre-operative LLD of ≥ 10mm, 72% demonstrated apparent correction of their LLD on their 6 month standing x-ray. This high rate of LLD pre-operatively but not post operatively calls into question the accuracy of pre-operative standing alignment radiographs for patients after an ACL tear. Surgeons and radiology technicians should be aware of injured patients potentially lacking full extension, leaning, or not weight bearing comfortably, and should consider delaying preoperative radiographic length and alignment analysis until after the patient is able to fully straighten the injured knee and weight bear comfortably.
Agro-industrial accidents linked to length of service, operation site and confidence in employer adherence to safety rules
Authors: Koroma Emmanuel Tamba , Kangbai Jia Bainga 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
The agriculture sector consistently ranks among the most hazardous occupational industries globally with high risk of job-related injuries, illnesses, disability, and death. In 2015, the agricultural fatal work injury rate in the United States was 22.8 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers; seven times the all-worker fatal injury rate of 3.4 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. In this study we identified the factors that are associated with workplace accident and injuries at the Goldtree (SL) Limited Company - a private international agro-industrial palm kernel oil company operating in eastern Sierra Leone.

Methods
This is a descriptive research that made use of both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to collect and analyse agro-industrial occupation-related accident and injuries of workers attached to the Goldtree (SL) Limited Company, an international palm kernel oil producing and marketing company in Sierra Leone. We analyzed the responses of 100 workers at the Goldtree (SL) Limited Company that are related to their work safety, adherence to work safety guidelines as well as working habit.

Results
Thirty nine (39.0%) of the workers interviewed in this study said they had been involved in some forms of occupational accident; (33.3%) of those involved in some form of occupational-related accidents have been working in the company for 3–5 years, 22.0% have been working at the company for at least 2 years; 7.7% have been working for 6–8 years (X2 = 9.88, p-value = 0.02).

Conclusion
Workers who have spent few years in the job, and those workers who have confidence that management is committed to addressing health and safety issues, believed that their working tools were in excellent condition, or agreed that they have the rights and responsibilities for an effective workplace health and safety system have decreased odds of experiencing occupational-related accidents or injury at the study site.
Secondary care specialist visits made by children and young people prescribed antidepressants in primary care: a descriptive study using the QResearch database
Authors: Jack Ruth H. , Joseph Rebecca M. , Coupland Carol , Butler Debbie , Hollis Chris , Morriss Richard , Knaggs Roger David , Cipriani Andrea , Cortese Samuele , Hippisley-Cox Julia 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Antidepressants may be used to manage a number of conditions in children and young people including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. UK guidelines for the treatment of depression in children and young people recommend that antidepressants should only be initiated following assessment and diagnosis by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The aim of this study was to summarise visits to mental health specialists and indications recorded around the time of antidepressant initiation in children and young people in UK primary care.

Methods
The study used linked English primary care electronic health records and Hospital Episode Statistics secondary care data. The study included 5–17-year-olds first prescribed antidepressants between January 2006 and December 2017. Records of visits to paediatric or psychiatric specialists and potential indications (from a pre-specified list) were extracted. Events were counted if recorded less than 12 months before or 6 months after the first antidepressant prescription. Results were stratified by first antidepressant type (all, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic and related antidepressants) and by age group (5–11 years, 12–17 years).

Results
In total, 33,031 5–17-year-olds were included. Of these, 12,149 (37%) had a record of visiting a paediatrician or a psychiatric specialist in the specified time window. The majority of recorded visits (7154, 22%) were to paediatricians. Of those prescribed SSRIs, 5463/22,130 (25%) had a record of visiting a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Overall, 17,972 (54%) patients had a record of at least one of the pre-specified indications. Depression was the most frequently recorded indication (12,501, 38%), followed by anxiety (4155, 13%).

Conclusions
The results suggest many children and young people are being prescribed antidepressants without the recommended involvement of a relevant specialist. These findings may justify both greater training for GPs in child and adolescent mental health and greater access to specialist care and non-pharmacological treatments. Further research is needed to explore factors that influence how and why GPs prescribe antidepressants to children and young people and the real-world practice barriers to adherence to clinical guidelines.
Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs17548629 in RIPK1 gene may be associated with lung cancer in a young and middle-aged Han Chinese population
Authors: Yang Shimin , Yu Fanglin , Lin Mingyan , Sun Linyi , Wei Junjie , Lai Cheng , Cai Lin , Hu Zhijian , He Fei 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Genetic biomarkers of lung cancer (LC) susceptibility may provide a basis for treatment and prevention. This study analyzed an association between SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the complementary region of the 3′-UTR (3′ untranslated region) of microRNAs of the gene RIPK1 (receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1) and LC among an adult Han Chinese population aged younger than 60 years. Also explored the effect of regulation of the RIPK1 gene via rs17548629 and microRNA-1197 on the occurrence of LC.

Methods
RIPK1 variants (rs17548629, rs77736895) were determined in a population of 571 adults (younger than 60 years) with LC, and 609 gender- and age-matched healthy individuals. Bioinformatics methods predicted the microRNAs bound to rs17548629. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the presence of both rs17548629 and the predicted microRNA.

Results
A mutation (T) of rs17548629 was associated with an increased risk for LC in this population under the codominant and recessive genetic models. The risk of lung adenocarcinoma in rs17548629 mutant carriers was 1.769-fold higher than that of the wildtype. In vitro, the luciferase activity of co-transfected mutant psiCHECK2-RIPK1 and microRNA-1197 mimics was less than that of the group transfected with microRNA-1197 mimics only. Factorial analysis indicated interactions between microRNA-1197 mimics and genotypes of rs17548629.

Conclusion
A mutation (T) of rs17548629 may increase the risk of LC/lung adenocarcinoma in adult Han populations younger than 60 years. When carrying the T allele, rs17548629 may be the target of hsa-miR-1197. This mutation may affect transcriptional level of the RIPK1, thereby promoting the occurrence of LC.
In-vitro sonothrombolysis using thick-shelled polymer microbubbles - a comparison with thin-shelled microbubbles
Authors: Janjic Jovana , Larsson Malin K , Bjällmark Anna 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background
Vascular thrombosis can be treated pharmacologically, however, serious shortcomings such as bleeding may occur. Several studies suggest that sonothrombolysis can induce lysis of the clots using ultrasound. Moreover, intravenously injected thin-shelled microbubbles (MBs) combined with ultrasound can further improve clot lysis. Thick-shelled MBs have been used for drug delivery, targeting and multimodal imaging. However, their capability to enhance sonothrombolysis is unknown. In this study, using an in-vitro set-up, the enhancement of clot lysis using ultrasound and thick-shelled MBs was investigated. Thin-shelled MBs was used for comparison.

Method
The main components in the in-vitro set-up was a vessel mimicking phantom, a pressure mearing system and programmable ultrasound machine. Blood clots were injected and entrapped on a pore mesh in the vessel phantom. Four different protocols for ultrasound transmission and MB exposure (7 blood clots/protocol) were considered together with a control test were no MBs and ultrasound were used. For each protocol, ultrasound exposure of 20 min was used. The upstream pressure of the partially occluded mesh was continuously measured to assess clot burden. At the end of each protocol blood clots were removed from the phantom and the clot mass loss was computed.

Results
For the thick-shelled MBs no difference in clot mass loss compared with the control tests was found. A 10% increase in the clot mass loss compared with the control tests was found when using thin-shelled MBs and low pressure/long pulses ultrasound exposure. Similarly, in terms of upstream pressure over exposure time, no differences were found when using the thick-shelled MBs, whereas thin-shelled MBs showed a 15% decrease achieved within the first 4 min of ultrasound exposure.

Conclusion
No increase in clot lysis was achieved using thick-shelled MBs as demonstrated by no significant change in clot mass or upstream pressure. Although thick-shelled MBs are promising for targeting and drug delivery, they do not enhance clot lysis when considering the ultrasound sequences used in this study. On the other hand, ultrasound in combination with thin-shelled MBs can facilitate thrombolysis when applying long ultrasound pulses with low pressure.
Developing monitoring and evaluation tools for event-based surveillance: experience from Vietnam
Authors: Clara Alexey , Dao Anh T. P. , Mounts Anthony W. , Bernadotte Christina , Nguyen Huyen T. , Tran Quy M. , Tran Quang D. , Dang Tan Q. , Merali Sharifa , Balajee S. Arunmozhi , Do Trang T. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
In 2016–2017, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (MoH) implemented an event-based surveillance (EBS) pilot project in six provinces as part of Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) efforts. This manuscript describes development and design of tools for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of EBS in Vietnam.

Methods
A strategic EBS framework was developed based on the EBS implementation pilot project’s goals and objectives. The main process and outcome components were identified and included input, activities, outputs, and outcome indicators. M&E tools were developed to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The tools included a supervisory checklist, a desk review tool, a key informant interview guide, a focus group discussion guide, a timeliness form, and an online acceptability survey. An evaluation team conducted field visits for assessment of EBS 5–9 months after implementation.

Results
The quantitative data collected provided evidence on the number and type of events that were being reported, the timeliness of the system, and the event-to-signal ratio. The qualitative and subjective data collected helped to increase understanding of the system’s field utility and acceptance by field staff, reasons for non-compliance with established guidelines, and other factors influencing implementation.

Conclusions
The use of M&E tools for the EBS pilot project in Vietnam provided data on signals and events reported, timeliness of reporting and response, perceptions and opinions of implementers, and fidelity of EBS implementation. These data were valuable for Vietnam’s MoH to understand the function of the EBS program, and the success and challenges of implementing this project in Vietnam.
Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in caracals (Caracal caracal) living in human-modified landscapes of South Africa
Authors: Viljoen Storme , O’Riain M. Justin , Penzhorn Barend L. , Drouilly Marine , Serieys Laurel E. K. , Cristescu Bogdan , Teichman Kristine J. , Bishop Jacqueline M. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Wild carnivores living alongside humans and domestic animals are vulnerable to changes in the infectious disease dynamics in their populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and diversity of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of veterinary and/or zoonotic concern in wild populations of caracals (Caracal caracal) occurring in human-modified landscapes in South Africa. Using molecular techniques, we screened 57 caracal blood samples for infection by rickettsial bacteria and piroplasms in three regions of South Africa: rangeland in the Central Karoo (n = 27) and Namaqualand (n = 14) as well as the urban edge of the Cape Peninsula (n = 16) of South Africa. To characterise pathogen identity, we sequenced the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes from positive samples and analysed sequences within a phylogenetic framework. We also examine the diversity of potential tick vectors.

Results
All individuals tested were infected with at least one tick-borne pathogen. Pathogens included Hepatozoon felis, Babesia felis, Babesia leo and a potentially novel Babesia species. An Anaplasma species previously described in South African domestic dogs was also found in 88% of urban edge caracals. Higher rates of co-infection characterised urban edge caracals (81% vs 15% and 0% in the two rangeland populations), as well as a greater incidence of mixed infections. Host attached tick species include Haemaphysalis elliptica, an important pathogen vector among carnivore hosts.

Conclusions
This study confirms the occurrence of previously undocumented tick-borne pathogens infecting free-ranging caracals in human-modified landscapes. We identify clear differences in the pathogen profiles among our study populations and discuss the likely health costs to caracals living adjacent to urban areas.
Evaluating the consequences of health policy decisions
Authors: Nimptsch Ulrike 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUncertainty about intended and possible unintended side effects makes it important to evaluate changes following health policy decisions. A recent IJHPR article by Greenberg et al. evaluated changes in emergency department care following a directive of the Israeli Ministry of Health to limit occupancy in internal medicine wards. Over a six-year observation period, they found that one-month mortality and one-week readmissions after ED visits remained unchanged, while increases in average ED visit length, as well as increased delay time from ED admission to ward were observed. These findings help to assess the impact of the occupancy limit directive and may support future health policy decisions.However, the study by Greenberg et al. was limited by the unavailability of diagnostic data, and this illustrates a significant issue that transcends this particular study. In many countries, policy-relevant administrative data are not sufficiently available on a timely basis. Data availability is the prerequisite for monitoring developments in patterns of care following health policy changes. Besides conducting retrospective studies, timely availability of data makes it possible to establish monitoring systems which may help decision makers assess the impact of policy changes, identify undesired developments early, and recognize changes in need or demand of health services within the population.
Inconsistency of the conventional theory of superconductivity
Authors: Hirsch J. E. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
In a process where the temperature of a type-I superconductor in a magnetic field changes, the conventional theory of superconductivity predicts that Joule heat is generated and that the final state is independent of the speed of the process. I show that these two predictions cannot be simultaneously reconciled with the laws of thermodynamics. I propose a resolution of this paradox.