bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Objective evaluation of postoperative changes in real-life activity levels in the postoperative course of lumbar spinal surgery using wearable trackers
Authors: Inoue Masahiro , Orita Sumihis , Inage Kazuhide , Suzuki Miyako , Fujimoto Kazuki , Shiga Yasuhiro , Kanamoto Hirohito , Abe Koki , Kinoshita Hideyuki , Norimoto Masaki , Umimura Tomotaka , Sato Takashi , Sato Masashi , Suzuki Masahiro , Enomoto Keigo , Eguchi Yawara , Akazawa Tsutomu , Aoki Yasuchika , Kawasaki Yohei , Ohtori Seiji 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Lumbar spinal disease causes disabilities in performing daily activities. Operative treatments are aimed at pain relief and rapid return to routine activity. Patient-based outcome measures are used to evaluate pathologies and therapeutic effects associated with lumbar spinal disease. Nevertheless, it remains unknown as to how much such treatment improves activity levels.The purpose of the current study was to measure changes in activity levels before and after lumbar spinal surgery using a wearable activity tracker and to analyze the differences between results and patient-based outcomes.Methods: Sixty patients who underwent lumbar surgery were studied. The physical activity of participants was objectively evaluated using a wearable Micro-Motion logger system (Actigraph). We measured the amount of activity before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery to evaluate postoperative changes. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and visual analog scale were used to assess patient-based outcomes of pain and activities of daily living-related scores; we analyzed the relationships between scores and actual activity levels. Results: The amount of actual activity decreased significantly 1 month after the surgery compared to that during the preoperative period, which then improved after 3 months postoperatively (p <0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement 6 months after the surgery compared to that during the preoperative period (p < 0.05). The changes in activity for each period were strongly correlated, regardless of the period. In contrast, a significant improvement was observed at 1 month after the surgery in almost all items of the patient-based questionnaires (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The objective activity tracker demonstrated that lumbar surgery results in the amount of activity decreasing 1 month just after surgery followed by gradual postoperative recovery within 3 months. By contrast, patient-based outcomes showed improvement in 1 month that was significantly different from the change in actual activity, indicating a gap between patient-oriented clinical scores and their actual activities.
Prevalence of dental caries in decidous teeth and oral health related quality of life among preschool children aged 4-6 years in Kisarawe, Tanzania.
Authors: Masumo Ray Mrisho , Ndekero Tumaini S. , Carneiro Lorna C. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background : Preschool years are a critical period in the development of a healthy child. The consequences of poor oral health in preschool children reach beyond dental problems, with oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) being associated with overall systematic health as well as one’s quality of life. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries and its impacts on the OHRQoL in a sample of preschool children in Kisarawe.
Methods: A cross-sectional based study was conducted in 2017. A total of 1,106 preschool children completed a face-to-face interview, using a translated Kiswahili version of the Michigan Oral Health-related Quality of Life Scale (MOHRQoL) –Child Version (2003), and underwent clinical oral examination using WHO (1997) criteria.
Results: The decayed component was the most prevalent (dft = 2.08) and the Significant Caries Index (SiC) was 5.54 double of the (dft), showing polarization of dental caries in the studied population. After adjusting for appropriate covariates, preschool children of age 5 and 6 years old were more likely to have decayed tooth [Adjusted OR = 3.02, (95% CI =2.01-4.54)] and [Adjusted OR=2.23, (95% CI= 1.55-3.20)] respectively. Preschool children without visible plaque on the buccal surface of upper anterior teeth were less likely to have decayed teeth [Adjusted OR=0.21, (95% CI=0.09-0.45)]. Regarding measurements of oral health-related quality of life using the MOHRQoL, only preschool children who reported on ‘do your teeth hurt you now?’ and ‘do kids make fun of your teeth?’ were more likely to have a decayed tooth [Adjusted OR=1.74, (95% CI=1.12-2.71)] and [Adjusted OR=1.87, (95% CI=1.11-3.15)], respectively.
Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that dental caries affects a significant portion of preschool children and, was associated with poor oral hygiene. The overall impacts of dental caries prevalence to OHRQoL were low in this sample of preschool children . Children having caries (independent variable) were shown to report more frequently that ‘do your teeth hurt you now?’ and ‘do kids make fun of your teeth?’ were more likely to have a decayed tooth among preschool children in Kisarawe, Tanzania.
Individualized procedures for splenic artery dissection during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.
Authors: Wada Yusuke , Aoki Takeshi , Murakami Masahiko , Fujimori Akira , Koizumi Tomotake , Kusano Tomokazu , Matsuda Kazuhiro , Nogaki Koji , Hakozaki Tomoki , Shibata Hideki , Tomioka Kodai 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
[Background] There are no established standard criteria for choosing the most appropriate procedure of splenic artery dissection during laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical benefits of individualized procedures for splenic artery dissection during LDP based on the variations in arterial structure visualized on preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). [Methods] Patients who underwent LDP following 3D-CT at a single center were retrospectively evaluated. 3D-CT images were used to construct virtual 3D laparoscopic images for surgical planning. The splenic artery was classified into two major anatomic types: type S that curves and runs suprapancreatic and type D that runs straight and dorsal to the pancreas. Splenic artery dissection was planned according to these two variations, with type S dissected using an suprapancreatic approach and type D using a dorsal approach. [Results] Type-specific dissection was applied for 30 patients: 25 (83%) with type S and 5 (17%) with type D splenic artery anatomies. In 25 (83%) patients, the splenic artery was successfully dissected using the planned surgical procedure, whereas the surgical plan had to be altered in 5 cases (17%) due to difficulty in dissecting the splenic artery. [Conclusion] The individualized procedures for splenic artery dissection according to anatomic variations visualized on 3D-CT images can help improve the success and safety of LDP.
A novel approach to conducting clinical trials in the community setting: Utilizing patient-driven platforms and social media to drive web-based patient recruitment
Authors: Applequist Janelle , Burroughs Cristina , Ramirez Artemio , Merkel Peter A. , Rothenberg Marc E. , Trapnell Bruce , Desnick Robert J. , Sahin Mustafa , Krischer Jeffrey P. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Participant recruitment for clinical research studies remains a significant challenge for researchers. Novel approaches to recruitment are necessary to ensure that populations are easier to reach. In the context of rare diseases, social media provides a unique opportunity for connecting with patient groups that have representatively lower diagnosis rates when compared with more common diseases or illness. We describe the implementation of designing a patient-centered approach to message design for the purposes of recruiting patients for clinical research studies for rare disease populations. Methods: Using an iterative research approach, we analyzed our previous experience of using web-based direct-to-patient recruitment methods to compare these online strategies with traditional center of excellence recruitment strategies. After choosing six research studies for inclusion in the previous study, in-depth, online interviews (n=37) were conducted with patients represented in each disease category to develop and test recruitment message strategies for social media and a Web-based platform for patients to access study information and pre-screen. Finally, relationships were established with Patient Advocacy Groups representing each rare disease category to ensure further dissemination of recruitment materials via their own social media networks. Results: Guided by social marketing theory, we created and tested various recruitment message designs. Three key message concepts preferred by patients emerged: (1) infographic; (2) positive emotional messages; and (3) educational information for sharing. A base study website was designed and created based on the data from patient interviews. This website includes the option for potential participants to pre-screen and determine their eligibility for the study. Conclusions: Study participants report wanting to be involved in the design and implementation of recruitment approaches for clinical research studies. The application of the aforementioned methods could aide in the evolution of clinical research practices for the recruitment of both rare and common diseases, where patient-centric approaches can help to create targeted messages designs that participants pre-test and support.
Cloacal swabs and alcohol bird specimens are good proxies for compositional analyses of gut microbial communities of Great tits (Parus major)
Authors: Bodawatta Kasun H , Puzejova Katerina , Sam Katerina , Poulsen Michael , Jønsson Knud A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Comprehensive studies of wild bird microbiomes are often limited by difficulties of sample acquisition. However, widely used non-invasive cloacal swab methods and under-explored museum specimens preserved in alcohol provide promising avenues to increase our understanding of wild bird microbiomes, provided that they accurately portray natural microbial community compositions. To investigate this assertion, we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of Great tit (Parus major) gut microbiomes to compare 1) microbial communities obtained from dissected digestive tract regions and cloacal swabs, and 2) microbial communities obtained from freshly dissected gut regions and from samples preserved in alcohol for two weeks or two months, respectively. Results We found no significant differences in alpha diversities in communities of different gut regions and cloacal swabs (except in OTU richness between the dissected cloacal region and the cloacal swabs), or between fresh and alcohol preserved samples. However, we did find significant differences in beta diversity and community composition of cloacal swab samples compared to different gut regions. Despite these community-level differences, swab samples qualitatively captured the majority of the bacterial diversity throughout the gut better than any single compartment. Bacterial community compositions of alcohol-preserved specimens did not differ significantly from freshly dissected samples, although some low-abundant taxa were lost in the alcohol preserved specimens. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cloacal swabs, similar to non-invasive fecal sampling, qualitatively depict the gut microbiota composition without having to collect birds to extract the full digestive tract. Secondly, the satisfactory depiction of gut microbial communities in alcohol preserved samples opens up for the possibility of using an enormous resource readily available through museum collections to characterize bird gut microbiomes. The use of extensive museum specimen collections of birds for microbial gut analyses would allow for investigations of temporal patterns of wild bird gut microbiomes, including the potential effects of climate change and anthropogenic impacts. Overall, the utilization of cloacal swabs and museum alcohol specimens can positively impact bird gut microbiome research to help increase our understanding of the role and evolution of wild bird hosts and gut microbial communities.
Staging Procedures Fail to Benefit to the Fertility-preserved Women with Borderline Ovarian Tumors: A Retrospective Analysis of 448 cases
Authors: Li Na , Gou Jinhai , Li Lin , Ming Xiu , Hu Ting Wenyi , Li Zhengyu 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Purpose The study is aimed to evaluate the potential effect of clinicopathologic and surgical factors on the prognosis and fertile outcomes in the patients with borderline ovarian tumors. Patients and Methods We performed a retrospective analysis involving BOT patients who had underwent surgical procedures in West China Second University Hospital from January 2008 to January 2015 . The disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes and potential prognostic factors were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis, respectively. Furthermore, the fertile outcomes were analyzed using Pearson Χ2 and Fish correlation test. Results A total of 448 patients were included with a median age of 37.1 years and a median follow-up time of 113 months. Forty-two (11.6%) recurrences with the mean recurrence interval 80.2 months and four (0.9%) deaths were observed. One hundred and eighteen (26.3%) patients were underwent staging surgery and the remaining 330 (73.7%) patents underwent unstaged surgery. A total of 233 patients undergoing fertility sparing surgery (FSS) attempted to conceive and 92 (39.48%) of them achieved pregnancy. No statistically significant difference of fertile outcomes were found between staging surgery group or not (P=0.691). In univariate analyse, staging surgery was obviously associated with DFS (HR=2.191 P=0.005), but was not an independent prognostic factor (p=0.600) for DFS on multivariate analysis. The multivariate Cox analysis revealed that advanced FIGO stage (≥stage II), positive ascites\pelvic washings and laparotomy approach were independent prognostic factors for DFS in overall patients, whereas advanced stage (≥stage II), laparotomy approach, cystectomy-included procedure, invasive implants and bilateral tumors were independent prognostic factors for DFS in patients undergoing FSS. In addition, laparoscopy approach had better prognosis than laparotomy in patients of early stage (stage I) with fertility desire. Conclusion Patients with BOT fail to benefit from surgical staging in prognosis and fertile outcomes. Laparoscopy will be recommended to patients of stage I with fertility desire. Patients with fertility desire at advanced stage (≥stage II), invasive implants and bilateral tumors should pay more attention to the risk of recurrence and choose FSS carefully.
Risk Factors Associated With Outcomes of Non-cardioembolic Ischemic Stroke In Patients Stratified By Essen Stroke Risk Score
Authors: Ping Yanting Ping , Yang Qianqian Yang , Huang Yuwen Huang , Xu Huimin Xu , Dai Haibin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Identifying risk factors of cardiovascular events is crucial for stroke prevention and they can be used as predictive factors of stroke outcomes.In this study, it is to evaluate the risk factors that predict outcomes of acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke in patients stratified by Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS). Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke patients in a Chinese tertiary-care teaching hospital. ESRS stratification and factors that might influence the outcomes of stroke, as indicated by fatal or non-fatal combined vascular events of recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction, or primary intracranial hemorrhage, were documented. Univariate analysis and multivariable regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of stroke outcomes. Results: A total of 878 patients with acute non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke who completed a mean follow-up of 5.2 years were enrolled, and 163 patients experienced at least one component of the combined vascular event. In patients with an ESRS ≤ 3, age ≥ 65 years (OR , 2.935; 95% CI 1.625-5.301, P < 0.001) and clopidogrel treatment (OR , 1.685 ; 95% CI , 1.026-2.768; P = 0.041) were significantly associated with stroke outcomes. In patients with an ESRS > 3, age ≥ 65 years (OR , 2.107, 95% CI , 1.208-3.673 ; P = 0.008) and history of diabetes (OR , 1.465 ; 95% CI , 1.041–2.062 ; P = 0.027) were risk factors for stroke outcomes , whereas clopidogrel treatment (OR , 0.542; 95% CI , 0.356–0.824; P = 0.003) was a protective factor for stroke outcomes. Conclusions: According to this study, clopidogrel treatment, blood pressure control, and glycemic control are protective factors for stroke outcomes in high-risk patients (ESRS>3).
Effects of Remote Ischemic Conditioning on Hand Engagement in individuals with Spinal cord Injury (RICHES): A Preliminary Crossover Study
Authors: Wu Yu-Kuang , Harel Noam Y , Wecht Jill M , Bloom Ona 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMost spinal cord injuries (SCI) are not full transections, indicating that residual nerve circuits are retained after injury. SCI rehabilitation interventions, including physical training and neural stimulation, have been shown to beneficially reorganize motor pathways in the brain, corticospinal tract (CST), and at the spinal level. However, both physical training and neural stimulation require a large number of repetitions, and the retention of the intervention effects may be transient. Therefore, the need remains for an effective approach to synergistically improve the amount and duration of neuroplasticity in combination with other interventions. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) demonstrates several potential advantages as a candidate for such an approach. In this proposed study, we will investigate RIC coupled with physical training to promote neuroplasticity in hand muscles after cervical SCI This will be the first study to introduce RIC in the SCI population, so we will extensively focus on safety, tolerability, and hemodynamic responses during RIC.MethodsThis is a prospective randomized-order crossover trial to be performed over 24 months in 16 participants including 8 healthy controls and 8 participants with chronic cervical SCI. Patients will participate in one screening session (SCI subjects only) and two experimental sessions consisting of either active or sham RIC preceding a bout of pinch movement exercise. Serial evaluations will be carried out at baseline, after RIC, immediately after pinch exercise, and follow up 15-minutes later. The primary outcome is the change in corticospinal excitability (primarily measured by the motor evoked potential of abductor pollicis brevis muscle). Secondary outcomes will include maximal volitional pinch force, and inflammatory biomarkers such as components of the TLR signaling pathway. To ensure safety, we will monitor tolerability and hemodynamic responses during RIC.DiscussionThis study is the first to test RIC in people with cervical spinal cord injury and to investigate whether RIC alters corticospinal excitability. By sharing the details of our research protocol, we hope other interested researchers will seek to investigate similar approaches – depending on overlap with the current study and mutual sharing of participant-level data, this could increase the sample size, power, and generalizability of the analysis and results.
Interactomics: Development of an efficient and improved Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method for transient expression of heterologous protein in recalcitrant plant tissues in planta
Authors: Affandi Nurhafizah Dahniar , Mostaffa Nur Hikmah , Al-Idrus Aisyafaznim 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Since more researches leaned towards a holistic approach of “omics” to understand PPI, interactomics studies pivoting on AP-MS approach are getting popular amongst plant scientists. However, to date, AP-MS approach has yet to be adopted to study plant-pathogen interaction even in model plants, hence, the needs to design and develop an optimised transformation procedure for successful isolation of pathogen-targeted plant proteins.Methods: Banana plants were grown in soil or hydroponic media for 2-3 months before subjected to transformation procedure. As a bait, m16D10 , a mature parasitism gene isolated from Meloidogyne incognita was transiently expressed in banana root tissues cv. Grand naine (ITC1256) to prey for interacting plant proteins. Subsequently, the plant-pathogen interacting protein complex was “pulled” at the purification step using histidine affinity column, electrophoresed in SDS-PAGE gel and subjected to western blot assay.Results: We first compared Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation quality on root tissues grown in soil and hydroponic media and found that the latter yielded higher area of transformed tissues (99% - 100%). We found hydroponic-grown root tissues were amenable to syringe-based agroinfiltration method and required lesser acclimatisation period compared to the soil-grown root tissues. Our result showed that western blot minimum detection limit of heterologous protein amount in the purified root protein product was at 1:1 ratio, with minimum concentration of 9 mg/mL of purified protein. Using these parameters, western blot assay confirmed the expression of m16D10 gene in transformed plant root tissues and SDS-PAGE gel revealed that we had isolated putative plant proteins interacting with the bait protein.Conclusion: An improved, efficient, and cost-effective Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation protocol was developed for transient expression of heterologous protein in recalcitrant plant tissues, suitable for AP-MS-based plant-pathogen interaction studies. Confirming our hypothesis, we demonstrated that the improved method had successfully “pulled-out” banana root proteins interacting with m16D10 protein using histidine affinity column.
Influence of malformation of right coronary artery originating from the left sinus on the hemodynamic environment
Authors: Cong Mengyang , Xu Xingming , Qiu Jianfeng , Dai Shun , Chen Chuanzhi , Qian Xiuqing , Zhang Hongbin , Qin Shengxue , Zhao Huihui 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: The Anomalous origin of the Right Coronary Artery (RCA) from the Left Coronary artery sinus(AORL) is one of the abnormal origins of the coronary arteries. Most of these issues seldom have effects on human health, but some individuals may have symptoms such as myocardial ischaemia or even sudden death. Recently, researchers are studying AORL through clinical cases, but study based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is rarely seen. In this study, haemodynamic changes between normal origin of the RCA and AORL are compared according to numerical simulation results.Methods: Realistic three-dimensional models of 16 normal right coronary arteries and 26 abnormal origins of the right coronary arteries were reconstructed, respectively. The blood flow was numerically simulated using software ANSYS. This study involves one-way fluid-solid coupling finite element model in which the blood is assumed to be incompressible Newtonian fluid, and the vessel is assumed to be isotropic, linear elastic material.Results: The differences of the cross-sectional area at the inlet between the normal group and the abnormal group was significant ( P <0.0001). There were significant differences in the volumetric flow ( P <0.0001) and the pressure ( P =0.0001). There were positive correlations with the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the RCA to the inlet area of the ascending aorta (AAO) and the ratio of the inlet volumetric flow of the RCA to the volumetric flow of the AAO, in both the normal ( P =0.0001, r=0.8198) and abnormal ( P =0.0199, r=0.4925) group.Conclusion: This study shows that the cross-sectional area of the inlet of AORL may cause ischaemia symptoms, and the results may contribute to the further understanding of the clinical symptoms of AORL based on the haemodynamics.