bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does Smoking Status Influence Health-Related Quality of Life Outcome Measures in Patients Undergoing ACDF?
Authors: Mangan John J. , Goyal Dhruv K. C. , Divi Srikanth N. , Bowles Daniel R. , Nicholson Kristen J. , Mujica Victor E. , Lee Thomas J. , DePaola Rosalie V. , Saline Austin , Fang Taolin , Galetta Matthew S. , Kaye I. David , Kurd Mark F. , Woods Barrett I. , Radcliff Kris E. , Rihn Jeffery A. , Anderson D. Greg , Hilibrand Alan S. , Kepler Christopher K. , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Schroeder Gregory D. 
Published: November 2019

Study design: Retrospective comparative study. Objective: Whereas smoking has been shown to affect the fusion rates for patients undergoing an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the relationship between smoking and health-related quality of life outcome measurements after an ACDF is less clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether smoking negatively affects patient outcomes after an ACDF for cervical degenerative pathology. Methods: Patients with tumor, trauma, infection, and previous cervical spine surgery and those with less than a year of follow-up were excluded. Smoking status was assessed by self-reported smoking history. Patient outcomes, including Neck Disability Index, Short Form 12 Mental Component Score, Short Form 12 Physical Component Score (PCS-12), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) arm pain, VAS neck pain, and pseudarthrosis rates were evaluated. Outcomes were compared between smoking groups using multiple linear and logistic regression, controlling for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), among other factors. A P value <.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 264 patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 19.8 months, age of 53.1 years, and BMI of 29.6 kg/m2. There were 43 current, 69 former, and 152 nonsmokers in the cohort. At baseline, nonsmokers had higher PCS-12 scores than current smokers ( P = .010), lower VAS neck pain than current ( P = .035) and former ( P = .014) smokers, as well as lower VAS arm pain than former smokers ( P = .006). Postoperatively, nonsmokers had higher PCS-12 scores than both current ( P = .030) and former smokers ( P = .035). Smoking status was not a significant predictor of change in patient outcome in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Whereas nonsmokers had higher function and lower pain than former or current smokers preoperatively, smoking status overall was not found to be an independent predictor of outcome scores after ACDF. This supports the notion that smoking status alone should not deter patients from undergoing ACDF for cervical degenerative pathology.
Effect of the Strengthening Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act on Opioid Prescription Practices After Ankle Fracture Fixation
Authors: Hussaini S. Hanif , Wang Kevin Y. , Luo T. David , Scott Aaron T. 
Published: November 2019

Background: In North Carolina, the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention Act of 2017 (STOP Act) went into effect on January 1, 2018, intending to increase oversight over opioid prescriptions. This study compares postoperative narcotic prescription practices following operative fixation of ankle fractures before and after the STOP Act. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of patients 18 years and older who underwent operative fixation of ankle fractures between January 1 and June 30, 2017 (before STOP Act), and between January 1 and June 30, 2018 (after STOP Act). Variables of interest included demographics, amount of opioids prescribed postoperatively, number of prescription refills, and number of pain-related calls or visits to the emergency department (ED) or clinic after surgery. This study assessed 71 patients in the Pre group and 47 patients in the Post group. Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the average number of postoperative narcotic pills prescribed after the STOP Act (52.7 vs 76.2, P < .001). There was also a statistically significant decrease in the average number of prescription refills (0.6 vs 1.0, P = .037). There were no significant changes in pain-related clinic calls (35.2% Pre vs 34.0% Post, P = .896), pain-related clinic visits ahead of schedule (4.2% Pre vs 6.4% Post, P = .681), or pain-related ED visits (2.8% Pre vs 10.6% Post, P = .113). Conclusion: In the postoperative period after operative fixation of ankle fractures, the volume of narcotic prescriptions decreased after the new legislation, without an associated strain on medical resources. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic, comparative study.
Weight Changes (in kg) in Mandible Fracture Patients After IMF: A Prospective Study
Authors: Lone Parveen Akhter , Khaliq Mohammed Israr ul , Sharma Mandeep , Malik Owais Ahmed , Lone Bashir Ahmed 
Published: November 2019

Background: This prospective study is done to assess weight loss due to maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) in patients who have undergone treatment for maxillofacial fractures. This fixation method is a closed reduction technique that can interfere with normal nutrition intake of solid and semisolid foods and thus can result in weight loss and malnutrition. Therefore, in this study we explain the degree and pattern of weight loss in patients treated with MMF. Materials and Methods: We treated 300 patients for 4 to 6 weeks of MMF. We measured and compared the weight before and after MMF. Results: The loss of weight was statistically significant ( P < .001) with MMF treatment. Conclusion: MMF caused mild to moderate malnutrition in some cases so protein diet was recommended to such patients post treatment.
Quality of life questionnaire for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDMQ-36): development and psychometric properties
Authors: Mokhlesi S. , Simbar M. , Ramezani Tehrani F. , Kariman N. , Alavi Majd H. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Gestational diabetes mellitus carries serious risks to mother and fetus and causes social, mental, and psychological consequences which can affect mothers’ quality of life. Accordingly, this study aims to develop and assess the psychometric properties of quality of life questionnaire for women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods
A methodological study of sequential exploratory mixed method was developed and implemented. It included qualitative (development of a quality of life questionnaire for mothers with GDM) and quantitative (assessment of psychometric prosperities of quality of life questionnaire for mothers with GDM) phases.

Results
Based on the findings of the qualitative phase and literature review, the primary questionnaire was prepared with 142 items. The outcome of face validity and content validity assessment was a 67-item questionnaire. S-CVI and S-CVR turned out to be 0.92 and 0.68, respectively. The results of exploratory factor analysis yielded an instrument with 36 items in five domains including concerns about high-risk pregnancy, perceived constraints, disease complications, medication and treatment, and support. Five factors explained 46.68% of the total variance of the questionnaire. The results indicated a moderate and significant correlation between the questionnaire of “Diabetes Clients Quality Of Life” and the researcher-made questionnaire (r = 0.63). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.93 and the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.95.

Conclusion
Quality of life questionnaire for mothers with GDM is a valid and reliable tool capable of measuring the quality of life of women with GDM.
Efficacy and radiographic analysis of oblique lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis
Authors: Wu Menghui , Li Jia , Zhang Mengxin , Ding Xufeng , Qi Dongxu , Li Guimiao , Shen Yong 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
To compare the clinical efficacy and radiographic analysis of oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in treating degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Methods
Grade I DLS patients admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. In sum, 78 patients that underwent OLIF (n = 31) and PLIF (n = 47) treatment of DLS were recruited. Clinical data including clinical and radiological evaluations were collected pre-operatively and at each follow-up. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), lumbar lordosis (LL), disc height (DH), and fusion rates were compared between the OLIF and PLIF groups.

Results
The operation time for both groups was 131.3 ± 14.6 min in the OLIF group and 156.9 ± 37.4 min in the PLIF group (P < 0.001). The intraoperative blood loss was 163.6 ± 63.9 ml in the OLIF group and 496.8 ± 122.6 ml in the PLIF group (P < 0.001). The length of the surgical incision was 4.63 ± 0.57 cm in the OLIF group and 11.83 ± 1.37 cm in the PLIF group (P < 0.001). The number of intraoperative and post-operative complications for both groups was 10 in the OLIF group and 20 in the PLIF group. Significant clinical improvement (P < 0.05) was observed in JOA scores and ODI when comparing pre-operative evaluation and final follow-up. After statistical analysis, there was no significant difference in the preoperative JOA scores between the two groups. There was no significant difference when comparing pre-operative LL and DH for either group. Post-operative reexamination was improved as compared to pre-operative exams. And the improvement of DH was better in the OLIF group as compared to the PLIF group.

Conclusions
For DLS patients, both OLIF and PLIF can achieve good results. Furthermore, OLIF displays marked advantages including smaller surgical incisions, shorter anesthesia times, decreased intraoperative blood loss, and post-operative pain better relieved.
Infection with carcinogenic helminth parasites and its production of metabolites induces the formation of DNA-adducts
Authors: Gouveia Maria João , Brindley Paul J. , Rinaldi Gabriel , Gärtner Fátima , da Costa José M. C. , Vale Nuno 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Infections classified as group 1 biological carcinogens include the helminthiases caused by Schistosoma haematobium and Opisthorchis viverrini. The molecular mediators underlying the infection with these parasites and cancer remain unclear. Although carcinogenesis is a multistep process, we have postulated that these parasites release metabolites including oxysterols and estrogen-like metabolites that interact with host cell DNA. How and why the parasite produce/excrete these metabolites remain unclear. A gene encoding a CYP enzyme was identified in schistosomes and opisthorchiids. Therefore, it is reasonable hypothesized that CYP 450 might play a role in generation of pro-inflammatory and potentially carcinogenic compounds produced by helminth parasites such as oxysterols and catechol estrogens. Here, we performed enzymatic assays using several isoforms of CYP 450 as CYP1A1, 2E1 and 3A4 which are involved in the metabolism of chemical carcinogens that have been associated with several cancer. The main aim was the analysis of the role of these enzymes in production of helminth-associated metabolites and DNA-adducts.

Method
The effect of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP 1A1, 2E1 and 3A4 during the interaction between DNA, glycocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholate sodium on the formation of DNA-adducts and metabolites associated with urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS) and opisthorchiasis was investigated in vitro. Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to detect and identify metabolites.

Main findings
Through the enzymatic assays we provide a deeper understanding of how metabolites derived from helminths are formed and the influence of CYP 450. The assays using compounds similar to those previously observed in helminths as glycocholic acid and taurochenodeoxycholate sodium, allowed the detection of metabolites in their oxidized form and their with DNA. Remarkably, these metabolites were previously associated with schistosomiaisis and opisthorchiasis. Thus, in the future, it may be possible to synthesize this type of metabolites through this methodology and use them in cell lines to clarify the carcinogenesis process associated with these diseases.

Principal conclusions
Metabolites similar to those detected in helminths are able to interact with DNA in vitro leading to the formation of DNA adducts. These evidences supported the previous postulate that imply helminth-like metabolites as initiators of helminthiases-associated carcinogenesis. Nonetheless, studies including these kinds of metabolites and cell lines in order to evaluate its potential carcinogenic are required.
ReorientExpress: reference-free orientation of nanopore cDNA reads with deep learning
Authors: Ruiz-Reche Angel , Srivastava Akanksha , Indi Joel A. , de la Rubia Ivan , Eyras Eduardo 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe describe ReorientExpress, a method to perform reference-free orientation of transcriptomic long sequencing reads. ReorientExpress uses deep learning to correctly predict the orientation of the majority of reads, and in particular when trained on a closely related species or in combination with read clustering. ReorientExpress enables long-read transcriptomics in non-model organisms and samples without a genome reference without using additional technologies and is available athttps://github.com/comprna/reorientexpress.
The Friendship Questionnaire, autism, and gender differences: a study revisited
Authors: Sedgewick Felicity , Leppanen Jenni , Tchanturia Kate 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe Friendship Questionnaire (FQ) is a widely used measure of friendships in autism research and beyond. This study sought to revisit the original paper where the measure was presented, using a larger sample of both autistic and non-autistic participants to examine gender differences in scoring. It also sought to expand upon the original paper by comparing FQ results to those of the Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale (URCS), to examine whether there are differences in how autistic people report on their general friendships in contrast to their most significant relationships.MethodsParticipants were recruited for an online study, and 949 people (532 autistic, 417 non-autistic) aged between 18 and 81 took part. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Autism Quotient-28, the Friendship Questionnaire, and the Unidimensional Relationship Closeness Scale.ResultsWe used robust regressions and Pearson’s correlational analyses, conducted in R. Autistic people scored lower than non-autistic people on the FQ, and similar gender differences in the pattern of FQ scores were seen in both groups. There was a significant negative correlation between AQ and FQ scores in both groups. On the URCS, we took the data from those who rated specific close relationships and found that autistic people scored this relationship more highly than non-autistic adults did. There was a significant negative correlation between AQ and URCS scores in both groups. Also, in both groups, there was a significant positive correlation between FQ and URCS scores.LimitationsThe data is entirely self-report, and diagnoses could not be verified with a clinician, although AQ scores support self-identification as autistic. Also, the groups were not evenly matched on age and other demographic variables, although this was controlled for in analyses. It is also the case that more autistic than non-autistic people were unable to specify a close relationship to score on the URCS, meaning that a certain set of experiences are not represented in this data.ConclusionsWe conclude that our data replicates the core finding of the original FQ paper that autistic people score lower on the FQ. In contrast to that paper, however, we found that there were gender differences among the autistic population. Also, our inclusion of the URCS suggests that the intimate romantic relationships and best-friendships of autistic people can be of similar quality to those of non-autistic people, suggesting that there may be important differences in autistic people’s relations with friends in general versus close friends and romantic partners.
Thymoma complicated with myasthenia gravis and Good syndrome – a therapeutic conundrum: a case report
Authors: Paranavitane Shiran , Handagala Sumana , De Silva Rajiva , Chang Thashi 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Thymomas are known to be associated with myasthenia gravis and Good syndrome. Good syndrome is the association of thymoma with combined B cell and T cell immunodeficiency. The combination of all three diseases has not been reported. We discuss the therapeutic dilemma of immunosuppression in such a case.

Case presentation
A 27-year-old Sinhalese man was evaluated for persistent cough which was associated with pleuritic chest pain and was found to have pleural-based lesions in his left hemithorax. Further evaluation confirmed these lesions to be implants from a thymoma. He subsequently developed myasthenia gravis and impending myasthenic crisis precipitated by pneumonia. He was found to have hypogammaglobulinemia with low B cell counts, confirming a diagnosis of Good syndrome. Treatment with intravenously administered broad-spectrum antibiotics, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, orally administered glucocorticoids, plasma exchange, and intravenous immunoglobulin led to clinical improvement. He subsequently underwent thymectomy and debulking of the tumor and was maintained on regular intravenous immunoglobulins combined with low-dose prednisolone.

Conclusions
Regular intravenous immunoglobulins combined with low-dose immunosuppression in addition to thymectomy appear to be safe when myasthenia gravis occurs in association with Good syndrome.
Phenotypic traits of mesenchymal stem cell sheets fabricated by temperature-responsive cell culture plate: structural characteristics of MSC sheets
Authors: Nakao Mitsuyoshi , Kim Kyungsook , Nagase Kenichi , Grainger David W. , Kanazawa Hideko , Okano Teruo 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
In most stem cell therapy strategies reported to date, stem cells are introduced to damaged tissue sites to repair and regenerate the original tissue structure and function. MSC therapeutic efficacies are inconsistent, largely attributed to transplanted MSC difficulties both in engrafting at tissue sites and in retaining their therapeutic functions from suspension formulations. MSC functional components, including cell adhesion and cell–cell junction proteins, and ECM that contribute to essential cellular therapeutic effects, are damaged or removed by proteolytic enzymes used in stem cell harvesting strategies from culture. To overcome these limitations, methods to harvest and transplant cells without disrupting critical stem cell functions are required. Cell sheet technology, exploiting temperature-responsive cell culture surfaces, permits cell harvest without cell protein damage. This study is focused on phenotypic traits of MSC sheets structurally and functionally to understand therapeutic benefits of cell sheets.

Methods/results
This study verified cleaved cellular proteins (vinculin, fibronectin, laminin, integrin β-1, and connexin 43) and increased apoptotic cell death produced under standard trypsin harvesting treatment in a time-dependent manner. However, MSC sheets produced without trypsin using only temperature-controlled sheet harvest from culture plastic exhibited intact cellular structures. Also, MSCs harvested using enzymatic treatment (i.e., chemical disruption) showed higher pYAP expression compared to MSC sheets.

Conclusion
Retention of cellular structures such as ECM, cell–cell junctions, and cell–ECM junctions is correlated with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUC-MSC) survival after detachment from cell culture surfaces. Retaining these proteins intact in MSC cultures using cell sheet technology is proposed to enhance stem cell survival and their function in stem cell-based therapy.
Glucose regulates tissue-specific chondro-osteogenic differentiation of human cartilage endplate stem cells via O-GlcNAcylation of Sox9 and Runx2
Authors: Sun Chao , Lan Weiren , Li Bin , Zuo Rui , Xing Hui , Liu Minghan , Li Jie , Yao Yuan , Wu Junlong , Tang Yu , Liu Huan , Zhou Yue 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a major cause of low back pain. The physiological low-glucose microenvironment of the cartilage endplate (CEP) is disrupted in DDD. Glucose influences proteinO-GlcNAcylation via the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), which is the key to stem cell fate. Thiamet-G is an inhibitor ofO-GlcNAcase for accumulatingO-GlcNAcylated proteins while 6-diazo-5-oxo-l-norleucine (DON) inhibits HBP. Mechanisms of DDD are incompletely understood but include CEP degeneration and calcification. We aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms of glucose in CEP calcification in DDD.MethodsWe assessed normal and degenerated CEP tissues from patients, and the effects of chondrogenesis and osteogenesis of the CEP were determined by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. Cartilage endplate stem cells (CESCs) were induced with low-, normal-, and high-glucose medium for 21 days, and chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiations were measured by Q-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. CESCs were induced with low-glucose and high-glucose medium with or without Thiamet-G or DON for 21 days, and chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiations were measured by Q-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. Sox9 and Runx2O-GlcNAcylation were measured by immunofluorescence. The effects ofO-GlcNAcylation on the downstream genes of Sox9 and Runx2 were determined by Q-PCR and western blot.ResultsDegenerated CEPs from DDD patients lost chondrogenesis, acquired osteogenesis, and had higher proteinO-GlcNAcylation level compared to normal CEPs from LVF patients. CESC chondrogenic differentiation gradually decreased while osteogenic differentiation gradually increased from low- to high-glucose differentiation medium. Furthermore, Thiamet-G promoted CESC osteogenic differentiation and inhibited chondrogenic differentiation in low-glucose differentiation medium; however, DON acted opposite role in high-glucose differentiation medium. Interestingly, we found that Sox9 and Runx2 wereO-GlcNAcylated in differentiated CESCs. Finally,O-GlcNAcylation of Sox9 and Runx2 decreased chondrogenesis and increased osteogenesis in CESCs.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate the effect of glucose concentration on regulating the chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential of CESCs and provide insight into the mechanism of how glucose concentration regulates Sox9 and Runx2O-GlcNAcylation to affect the differentiation of CESCs, which may represent a target for CEP degeneration therapy.