bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relative difference in muscle strength between patients with knee osteoarthritis and healthy controls when tested bilaterally and joint-inclusive: an exploratory cross-sectional study
Authors: Vårbakken K. , Lorås H. , Nilsson K. G. , Engdal M. , Stensdotter A. K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundTo improve the goal-directedness of strength exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), physical rehabilitation specialists need to know which muscle-groups are most substantially weakened across the kinetic chain of both lower extremities. The purpose was to improve the knowledge base for strength exercise therapy. The objective was to explore the relative differences in muscle strength in the main directions bilaterally across the hip, knee, and ankle joints between patients with light-to-moderate symptomatic and radiographic KOA and people without knee complaints.MethodsThe design was an exploratory, patient vs. healthy control, and cross-sectional study in primary/secondary care. Twenty-eight patients with mild to moderate KOA (18 females, mean age 61) and 31 matched healthy participants (16 females, mean age 55), participated. Peak strength was tested concentrically or isometrically in all main directions for the hip, knee, and ankle joints bilaterally, and compared between groups. Strength was measured by a Biodex Dynamometer or a Commander II Muscle Tester (Hand-Held Dynamometer). Effect sizes (ES) as Cohen’sdwere applied to scale and rank the difference in strength measures between the groups. Adjustment for age was performed by analysis of covariance.ResultsThe most substantial muscle weaknesses were found for ankle eversion and hip external and internal rotation in the involved leg in the KOA-group compared to the control-group (ES [95% CI] −0.73 [−1.26,-0.20], − 0.74 [−1.26,-0.21], −0.71 [−1.24,-0.19], respectively;p < 0.01). Additionally, smaller but still significant moderate muscle weaknesses were indicated in four joint–strength directions: the involved leg’s ankle inversion, ankle plantar flexion, and knee extension, as well as the uninvolved leg’s ankle dorsal flexion (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference for 17 of 24 tests.ConclusionsFor patients with KOA between 45 and 70 years old, these explorative findings indicate the most substantial weaknesses of the involved leg to be in ankle and hip muscles with main actions in the frontal and transverse plane in the kinetic chain of importance during gait. Slightly less substantial, they also indicate important weakness of the knee extensor muscles. Confirmatory studies are needed to further validate these exploratory findings.
A pilot trial on lithium disilicate partial crowns using a novel prosthodontic functional index for teeth (FIT)
Authors: Cagidiaco Edoardo Ferrari , Grandini Simone , Goracci Cecilia , Joda Tim 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Lithium disilicate is now a well accepted material for indirect restorations. The aim of this trial was to evaluate two lithium disilicate systems using a novel prosthodontic Functional Index for Teeth (FIT).

Methods
Partial adhesive crowns on natural abutment posterior teeth were made on sixty patients. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 IPS e.max press (Ivoclar-Vivadent, Schaan, Liecthestein), and Group 2 Initial LiSi press (GC Co., Tokyo, Japan). The restorations were followed-up for 3 years, and the FIT evaluation was performed at last recall. The FIT is composed of seven variables (Interproximal, Occlusion, Design, Mucosa, Bone, Biology and Margins), each of them are evaluated using a 0–1-2 scoring scheme, and is investigated by an oral radiograph and occlusal and buccal pictures. More in details, three variables have the three scores made on the presence or not of major, minor or no discrepancy (for ‘Interproximal’, ‘Occlusion’ and ‘Design’), presence or not of keratinized and attached gingiva (‘Mucosa’), presence of bone loss > 1.5 mm, < 1.5 mm or not detectable (‘Bone’), presence or not of Bleeding on Probing and or Plaque Index (‘Biology’), presence of detectable gap and marginal stain or not (‘Margins’). The Mann-Whitney ‘U’ test was used and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Also, “success” of the crowns (restoration in place without any biological or technical complication) and “survival” (restoration still in place with biological or technical complication) were evaluated.

Results
Regarding FIT scores, all partial crowns showed a stable level of the alveolar crest without detectable signs of bone loss in the radiographic analysis. All other evaluated parameters showed a high score, between 1.73 and 2. No statistically significant difference emerged between the two groups in any of the assessed variables (p > 0.05). All FIT scores were compatible with the outcome of clinical success and no one restoration was replaced or repaired and the success rate was 100%.

Conclusions
The results showed that it is possible to evaluate the clinical performance of partial crowns using FIT. The FIT proved to be an effective tool to monitor the performance of the restorations and their compatibility with periodontal tissues at the recall. The FIT can be really helpful for a standardized evaluation of the quality of the therapy in prosthodontic dentistry. The two lithium disilicate materials showed similar results after 3 years of clinical service.

Trial registration
The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of University of Siena (clinicaltrial.gov # NCT 01835821), ‘retrospectively registered’.
Case report: optimal tumor cytoreduction and octreotide with durable disease control in a patient with MEN-1 and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome—over a decade of follow-up
Authors: Daniels Lynsey M. , Khalili Marian , Morano William F. , Simoncini Michaela , Mapow Beth C. , Leaf Andrea , Bowne Wilbur B. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is a rare condition characterized by hypersecretion of gastrin by gastrinoma tumors leading to severe peptic ulcer disease with potential development of gastric carcinoid tumors. Herein, we report the clinical course of a 68-year-old patient with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) who underwent several surgeries to ultimately undergo optimal tumor cytoreduction of locally advanced gastrinomas and symptomatic gastric carcinoids. The patient was subsequently maintained on octreotide long-acting release (LAR). This case report supports consideration for aggressive tumor cytoreduction and octreotide in similar patients with MEN-1-associated ZES for durable disease control and symptom management.

Case presentation
The patient is a 68-year-old male with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1), diagnosed in 1993 after presenting with recurrent renal calculi and hypercalcemia. Soon thereafter, he presented with symptoms and elevated gastrin levels suggestive of ZES prompting abdominal exploration with partial resection of the duodenum to remove gastrinoma tumor nodules. Within 4 years of the operation, he represented with intractable hypergastrinemia despite optimal medical management with peak gastrin levels exceeding 29,000 pg/mL, in 2006. In January 2007, the patient returned to the operating room for resection of regional peripancreatic and perigastric lymph nodes and enucleation of pancreatic body and tail gastrinoma tumors. Although his gastrin level decreased to 5000 pg/mL with resultant improvement of symptoms, in less than 2 years, he developed disease progression with obstructive symptomatology from enlarging gastric carcinoids and rising gastrin levels. In May of 2008, he underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and near-total gastrectomy. Since June of 2008, the patient shows no demonstrable progression of disease and remains asymptomatic on LAR octreotide (30 mgs). Gastrin levels have been well controlled (range, 100–624 pg/mL; current 114 pg/mL).

Conclusion
Success of this procedure in our case report highlights the potential role for optimal tumor cytoreduction and LAR octreotide to control disease progression in a patient with MEN-I and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome with locally advanced gastrinoma and secondary large gastric carcinoids.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: LncRNA TUG1 was upregulated in osteoporosis
and regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of osteoclasts
Authors: Han Ye , Liu Chunying , Lei Ming , Sun Shaosong , Zheng Wenkui , Niu Yanan , Xia Xi 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) TUG1 plays critical roles in the
development of human cancers. Its inhibition has been proved to participate in
ankylosing spondylitis, which is an inverse pathological procedure of
osteoporosis. In the present study, we aim to investigate the role of lncRNA
TUG1 in ankylosing spondylitis.

Materials and methods
Expressions of lncRNA TUG1 in plasma of 98 patients with
osteoporosis and 60 healthy participants were detected by real-time quantitative
PCR (RT-qPCR). Diagnostic values of lncRNA CASC11 for osteoclasts were performed
by the ROC curve with osteoporosis patients as positive and healthy participants
as negative. All experiments were repeated 3 times. Mean ± standard deviation
was calculated.

Results
We found that plasma lncRNA TUG1 was upregulated in osteoporosis
patients than in healthy participants. Upregulation of plasma lncRNA TUG1
distinguished osteoporosis patients from healthy participants. LncRNA TUG1 level
increased with the advances of clinical stages. Over-expression of lncRNA TUG1
promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of mice osteoclasts,
while lncRNA TUG1 siRNA silencing played an opposite role. In addition, lncRNA
TUG1 over-expression led to downregulated PTEN, while lncRNA TUG1 siRNA
silencing played an opposite role.

Conclusion
Therefore, lncRNA TUG1 is upregulated in osteoporosis and regulates
the proliferation and apoptosis of osteoclasts. lncRNA TUG1 knockdown may serve
as a promising therapeutic target for osteoporosis by inhibiting the
proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of osteoclasts through PTEN.
Effect of nursing intervention via a chatting tool on the rehabilitation of patients after Total hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Luo Jing , Dong Xiaohua , Hu Jing 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Nursing intervention following discharge is a long-term rehabilitation process that is essential for improving hip joint function and quality of life in affected patients. This study aimed to assess the effect of nursing intervention via WeChat on the rehabilitation of patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 232 patients who underwent THA at our hospital from January 2013 to October 2015. Of the 232 patients, 114 received nursing intervention via telephone (Group A), and 118 received nursing intervention via WeChat (Group B). Furthermore, the Harris hip score and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) health survey score were used to evaluate hip joint function and quality of life in patients in the two groups at discharge and 1, 3 and 6 months following discharge. Moreover, the functional independence measure was applied to assess the recovery of joint function in the patients.

Results
No significant difference was observed in the Harris hip score and the SF-36 health survey score between the two groups at discharge and 1 month following discharge (p > 0.05). However, the Harris hip score and SF-36 health survey score were lower in group A than in group B at 3 and 6 months following discharge (p < 0.05). Furthermore, no obvious difference was observed in terms of functional independence between the two groups at discharge (p > 0.05). However, more individuals were completely independent in group B than in group A at 1, 3 and 6 months following discharge (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Nursing intervention via WeChat can improve the effect of rehabilitation after THA and promote the recovery of joint function in patients.
KONTAKT© for Australian adolescents on the autism spectrum: protocol of a randomized control trial
Authors: Afsharnejad Bahareh , Falkmer Marita , Black Melissa H. , Alach Tasha , Lenhard Fabian , Fridell Anna , Coco Christina , Milne Kelly , Chen Nigel T. M. , Bölte Sven , Girdler Sonya 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience impairing challenges in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts. While social skills group training (SSGT) has shown moderate effects on various sociability outcomes in ASD, there is a need for (1) replication of effects in additional clinical and cultural contexts, (2) designs that employ active control groups, (3) calculation of health economic benefits, (4) identification of the optimal training duration, and (5) measurement of individual goals and quality of life outcomes.

Method/design
With the aim of investigating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a SSGT, KONTAKT©, a two-armed randomized control trial with adolescents aged 12–17 years (N = 90) with ASD and an intelligence quotient (IQ) of over 70 will be undertaken. Following stratification for centre and gender, participants will be randomly assigned to either KONTAKT© or to an active control group, a group-based cooking programme. Participants will attend both programmes in groups of 6–8 adolescents, over 16 one-and-a-half-hour sessions. The primary outcome examined is adolescent self-rated achievement of personally meaningful social goals as assessed via the Goal Attainment Scaling during an interview with a blinded clinician. Secondary outcomes include adolescent self-reported interpersonal efficacy, quality of life, social anxiety, loneliness, face emotion recognition performance and associated gaze behaviour, and parent proxy reports of autistic traits, quality of life, social functioning, and emotion recognition and expression. Cost-effectiveness will be investigated in relation to direct and indirect societal and healthcare costs.

Discussion
The primary outcomes of this study will be evidenced in the anticipated achievement of adolescents’ personally meaningful social goals following participation in KONTAKT© as compared to the active control group. This design will enable rigorous evaluation of the efficacy of KONTAKT©, exercising control over the possibly confounding effect of exposure to a social context of peers with a diagnosis of ASD.

Trial registration
Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). ACTRN12617001117303. Registered on 31 July 2017. anzctr.org.au
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03294668. Registered on 22 September 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov
Multiple drug resistance in the canine hookworm Ancylostoma caninum: an emerging threat?
Authors: Jimenez Castro Pablo D. , Howell Sue B. , Schaefer John J. , Avramenko Russell W. , Gilleard John S. , Kaplan Ray M. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe canine hookworm,Ancylostoma caninumis the most prevalent and important intestinal nematode parasite of dogs in the USA. Hookworms are typically well controlled by treatment with all commonly used anthelmintics that are approved for this use in dogs. However, in the past few years, cases of recurrent/persistent canine hookworm infections appear to have dramatically increased, suggesting that anthelmintic resistance (AR) may have evolved in this parasite. These cases are highly overrepresented by greyhounds, but multiple other breeds are also represented. The aim of this study was to characterize several of these suspected resistant isolates usingin vitro, genetic and clinical testing to determine if these cases represent true anthelmintic resistance inA. caninum.MethodsFecal samples containing hookworm eggs from three cases of persistent hookworm infections; one from a greyhound, one from a miniature schnauzer and one from a hound-mix, were received by our laboratory. These were then used to establish infections in laboratory dogs and to perform egg hatch assays (EHA) and larval development assays (LDA) for detecting resistance to benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones, respectively. Additional EHA and LDA were performed on eggs recovered from the laboratory-induced infections. Fecal egg count reduction tests were performed to detect resistance to pyrantel. Deep amplicon sequencing assays were developed to measure the frequency of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at codons 167, 198 and 200 of theA. caninumisotype-1 β-tubulin gene.ResultsResistance ratios for the threeA. caninumisolates tested ranged from 6.0 to > 100 and 5.5 to 69.8 for the EHA and LDA, respectively. Following treatment with pyrantel, reduction in faecal egg counts was negative or 0%. Deep amplicon sequencing of the isotype-1 β-tubulin gene identified a high frequency of resistance-associated SNPs at codon 167 in all three resistant isolates and in two additional clinical cases.ConclusionsThese data conclusively demonstrate multiple anthelmintic resistance in multiple independent isolates ofA. caninum, strongly suggesting that this is an emerging problem in the USA. Furthermore, evidence suggest that these resistant hookworms originate from racing greyhound farms and kennels, though additional research is needed to confirm this.
Atypical secondary syphilis presentation in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a case report
Authors: Yancheva Nina , Petrova Elena , Tchervenyakova Tatyana 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Introduction
Untreated syphilis may lead to severe complications. This infection has recently re-emerged in developed countries with a high number of cases coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus. In these patients, the skin lesions of secondary syphilis can be very atypical.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 38-year-old Bulgarian homosexual man who was coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis. His skin contained multiple extensive necrotic lesions with abundant purulent secretion that covered his face, lips, scalp, and torso. Initial clinical diagnoses included varicella pustulosa and staphylococcal dermatitis. Human immunodeficiency virus infection in our patient had been established 2 years earlier in prophylactic studies, but had not been treated. Due to lack of penicillin, he was successfully treated with ceftriaxone, and the skin lesions underwent complete reversal. He also began antiretroviral therapy, which resulted in a significant effect on his immune status. Three months after the onset of antiretroviral therapy, he also achieved optimal viral suppression.

Conclusion
This case emphasizes the importance of considering cutaneous secondary syphilis in the differential diagnosis of any inflammatory cutaneous disorder in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
Low septal to lateral wall 18F-FDG ratio is highly associated with mechanical dyssynchrony in non-ischemic CRT candidates
Authors: Degtiarova Ganna , Claus Piet , Duchenne Jürgen , Cvijic Marta , Schramm Georg , Nuyts Johan , Voigt Jens-Uwe , Gheysens Olivier 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
In order to better understand the concept of mechanical dyssynchrony, a promising hallmark of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response, we investigated its effect on regional myocardial metabolism and myocardial blood flow (MBF) in non-ischemic CRT candidates.

Results
Thirty consecutive non-ischemic CRT eligible patients underwent static 18F-FDG and resting dynamic 13N-NH3 PET/CT. 18F-FDG uptake and MBF for septal and lateral wall were analysed and septal-to-lateral wall ratios (SLR) were calculated. Based on the presence of mechanical dyssynchrony (septal flash and/or apical rocking) on echocardiography, patients were divided into 2 groups, with (n = 23) and without (n = 7) mechanical dyssynchrony.
Patients with mechanical dyssynchrony had significantly lower 18F-FDG SUVmean in the septum compared with the lateral wall (5.58 ± 2.65 vs 11.19 ± 4.10, p < 0.0001), while patients without mechanical dyssynchrony had a more homogeneous 18F-FDG distribution (7.33 ± 2.88 vs 8.31 ± 2.50, respectively, p = 0.30). Similarly, MBF was significantly different between the septal and lateral wall in the dyssynchrony group (0.57 ± 0.11 ml/g/min vs 0.92 ± 0.23 ml/g/min, respectively, p < 0.0001), whereas no difference was observed in the non-dyssynchrony group (0.61 ± 0.23 ml/g/min vs 0.77 ± 0.21 ml/g/min, respectively, p = 0.16). 18F-FDG SLR, but not MBF SLR, was associated with the presence of mechanical dyssynchrony and showed a significant inverse correlation with volumetric reverse remodeling after CRT (r = − 0.62, p = 0.001).

Conclusions
Non-ischemic heart failure patients with mechanical dyssynchrony demonstrate heterogeneous regional metabolism and MBF compared with patients without dyssynchrony. However, only 18F-FDG SLR appeared to be highly associated with the presence of mechanical dyssynchrony.

Trial registration
Clinicaltrials, NCT02537782. Registered 2 September 2015.
Almost sure local central limit theorem for the product of some partial sums of negatively associated sequences
Authors: Xu Feng , Wang Binhui , Hou Yawen 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe almost sure local central limit theorem is a general result which contains the almost sure global central limit theorem. Let $\{X_{k},k\geq 1\}${Xk,k≥1} be a strictly stationary negatively associated sequence of positive random variables. Under the regular conditions, we discuss an almost sure local central limit theorem for the product of some partial sums $(\prod_{i=1}^{k} S_{k,i}/((k-1)^{k}\mu^{k}))^{\mu/(\sigma\sqrt{k})}$(∏i=1kSk,i/((k−1)kμk))μ/(σk), where $\mathbb{E}X_{1}=\mu$EX1=μ, $\sigma^{2}={\mathbb{E}(X_{1}-\mu)^{2}}+2\sum_{k=2}^{\infty}\mathbb{E}(X_{1}-\mu)(X_{k}-\mu)$σ2=E(X1−μ)2+2∑k=2∞E(X1−μ)(Xk−μ), $S_{k,i}=\sum_{j=1}^{k}X_{j}-X_{i}$Sk,i=∑j=1kXj−Xi.
The age-performance relationship in the general population and strategies to delay age related decline in performance
Authors: Berthelot Geoffroy , Johnson Stacey , Noirez Philippe , Antero Juliana , Marck Adrien , Desgorces François-Denis , Pifferi Fabien , Carter Patrick A. , Spedding Michael , Manoux Archana Singh , Toussaint Jean-François 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe age-performance relationship describes changes in the organism’s structural and functional capabilities over the course of the lifespan. The typical, empirical pattern is an asymmetrical inverted-U shape association with peak capacity occurring early in life. This process is well described in the literature, with an increasing interest in features that characterize this pattern, such as the rate of growth, age of peak performance, and rate of decline with aging. This is usually examined in cohorts of individuals followed over time with repeat assessments of physical or cognitive abilities. This framework ought to be integrated into public health programs, embedding the beneficial (such as physical or cognitive training) or adverse effects (such as chronic diseases or injuries) that respectively sustain or limit capabilities. The maintenance of physical or cognitive performances at older ages would result in both optimal health and promote resistance to disabling conditions and chronic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The causes of accelerated degeneration of health optima are mainly: sedentary and unhealthy lifestyles -including poor nutrition-, exposure to environmental pollutants, and heterogeneity in aging. Better knowledge of optima, compatible with or required for good health, should also allow for establishing ideal conditions for longevity.