bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From digital world to real life: a robotic approach to the esophagogastric junction with a 3D printed model
Authors: Marano Luigi , Ricci Alessandro , Savelli Vinno , Verre Luigi , Di Renzo Luca , Biccari Elia , Costantini Giacomo , Marrelli Daniele , Roviello Franco 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Three-dimensional (3D) printing may represent a useful tool to provide, in surgery, a good representation of surgical scenario before surgery, particularly in complex cases. Recently, such a technology has been utilized to plan operative interventions in spinal, neuronal, and cardiac surgeries, but few data are available in the literature about their role in the upper gastrointestinal surgery. The feasibility of this technology has been described in a single case of gastroesophageal reflux disease with complex anatomy due to a markedly tortuous descending aorta.

Methods
A 65-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to our Department complaining heartburn and pyrosis. A chest computed tomography evidenced a tortuous thoracic aorta and consequent compression of the esophagus between the vessel and left atrium. A “dysphagia aortica” has been diagnosed. Thus, surgical treatment of anti-reflux surgery with separation of the distal esophagus from the aorta was planned. To define the strict relationship between the esophagus and the mediastinal organs, a life-size 3D printed model of the esophagus including the proximal stomach, the thoracic aorta and diaphragmatic crus, based on the patient’s CT scan, was manufactured.

Results
The robotic procedure was performed with the da Vinci Surgical System and lasted 175 min. The surgeons had navigational guidance during the procedure since they could consult the 3D electronically superimposed processed images, in a “picture-in-picture” mode, over the surgical field displayed on the monitor as well as on the robotic headset. There was no injury to the surrounding organs and, most importantly, the patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course.

Conclusions
The present clinical report highlights the feasibility, utility and clinical effects of 3D printing technology for preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance in surgery, including the esophagogastric field. However, the lack of published data requires more evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of this novel surgical-applied printing technology.
Sex differences in the prevalence and adverse outcomes of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in community dwelling elderly in East China using the AWGS criteria
Authors: Du Yanping , Wang Xiaodong , Xie Hua , Zheng Songbai , Wu Xiaoqing , Zhu Xiaoying , Zhang Xuemei , Xue Sihong , Li Huilin , Hong Wei , Tang Wenjing , Chen Minmin , Cheng Qun , Sun Jianqin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) have a greater impact on the elderly. This study aimed to explore whether there were sex differences in the prevalence and adverse outcomes of sarcopenia and SO in community-dwelling elderly individuals in East China.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 213 males and 418 females aged > 65 years. Demographic characteristics, body composition, hand grip, gait speed, and indices of glucose and lipid metabolism were collected. Sarcopenia and SO were diagnosed using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria.

Results
(1) The prevalence of sarcopenia was 19.2% in males and 8.6% in females. The prevalence of SO was 7.0% in males and 2.4% in females. (2) In males, the odds ratios (ORs) of osteoporosis and dyslipidemia in the SO group were 4.21-fold and 4.15-fold higher than those in the normal group, respectively. In females, the ORs of osteoporosis and hyperglycemia in the SO group were 1.12-fold and 4.21-fold higher than those in the normal group.

Conclusions
Males were more likely to be sarcopenic and to have SO than females using the AWGS criteria. Females with SO were more likely to have higher blood glucose, whereas males with SO were more likely to have osteoporosis and dyslipidemia.
Effect of single follow-up home visit on readmission in a group of frail elderly patients – a Danish randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lembeck Maurice A. , Thygesen Lau C. , Sørensen Birgitte Dreyer , Rasmussen Lisbeth Lumby , Holm Ellen A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundUnplanned hospital admissions are costly and prevention of these has been a focus for research for decades. With this study we aimed to determine whether discharge planning including a single follow-up home visit reduces readmission rate. The intervention is not representing a new method but contributes to the evidence concerning intensity of the intervention in this patient group.MethodsThis study was a centrally randomized single-center controlled trial comparing intervention to usual care with investigator-blinded outcome assessment. Patients above the age of 65 were discharged from a single Danish hospital during 2013–2014 serving a rural and low socioeconomic area. For intervention patients study and department nurses reviewed discharge planning the day before discharge. On the day of discharge, study nurses accompanied the patient to their home, where they met with the municipal nurse. Together with the patient they reviewed cognitive skills, medicine, nutrition, mobility, functional status, and future appointments in the health care sector and intervened if appropriate.Readmission at any hospital in Denmark within 8, 30, and 180 days after discharge is reported. Secondary outcomes were time to first readmission, number of readmissions, length of stay, and readmission with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions, visits to general practitioners, municipal services, and mortality.ResultsOne thousand forty-nine patients aged > 65 years discharged from medical, geriatric, emergency, surgical or orthopedic departments met inclusion criteria characteristic of frailty, e.g. low functional status, need of more personal help and multiple medications. Among 945 eligible patients, 544 were randomized. Seven patients died before discharge. 56% in the intervention group and 54% in the control group were readmitted (p = 0.71) and 23% from the intervention group and 22% from the control group died within 180 days. There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups concerning other secondary outcomes.ConclusionsThere was no effect of a single follow-up home visit on readmission in a group of frail elderly patients discharged from hospital.Trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov(identifier NCT02318680), retrospectively registered December 11, 2014.
Barriers to and solutions for addressing insufficient professional interpreter use in primary healthcare
Authors: Jaeger Fabienne N. , Pellaud Nicole , Laville Bénédicte , Klauser Pierre 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The aim of this nationwide study was to investigate barriers to adequate professional interpreter use and to describe existing initiatives and identify key factors for successful interpreter policies in primary care, using Switzerland as a case study.

Methods
Adult and paediatric primary care providers were invited to participate in an online cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. All accredited regional interpreter agencies were contacted first by email and, in the absence of a reply, by mail and then by phone. Local as well as the national health authorities were asked about existing policies.

Results
599 primary care physicians participated. Among other reasons, physicians identified cumbersome organization (58.7%), absent financial coverage (53.7%) and lack of knowledge on how to arrange interpreter interventions (44%) as main barriers. The odds of organising professional interpreters were 6.6-times higher with full financial coverage. Some agencies confirmed difficulties providing professional interpreters for certain languages at a timely manner. Degrees of coverage of professional interpreter costs (full coverage to none) and organization varied between regions resulting in different levels of unmet needs.

Conclusions
Professional interpreter use can be improved through the following points: increase awareness and knowledge of primary care providers on interpreter use and organization, ensure financial coverage, as well as address organizational aspects. Examples of successful interventions exist.
Functional characterization of canine wild type glucocorticoid receptor and an insertional mutation in a dog
Authors: Yamanaka Kosei , Okuda Masaru , Mizuno Takuya 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Glucocorticoids, among the most widely utilized drugs in veterinary medicine, are employed to treat a wide variety of diseases; however, their use often induces adverse events in dogs. The efficacy of glucocorticoids usually depends on dosage, although differences in sensitivity to glucocorticoids in individual animals have been reported. Glucocorticoids bind to the cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which is expressed in almost all cells. These receptors are key factors in determining individual sensitivity to glucocorticoids. This study examined individual differences in glucocorticoid sensitivity in dogs, focusing on reactivity of the GR to prednisolone.

Results
We first molecularly cloned the GR gene from a healthy dog. We discovered a mutant GR in a dog suspected to have iatrogenic Cushing syndrome. The mutant GR had extra nucleotides between exons 6 and 7, resulting in a truncated form of GR that was 98 amino acids shorter than the wild-type dog GR. The truncated GR exhibited very low reactivity to prednisolone, irrespective of concentration.

Conclusions
We have identified the truncated form of canine GR in a dog with iatrogenic Cushing syndrome. This truncated form showed the very less sensitivity to glucocorticoid in vitro, unfortunately, we could not elucidate its clinical significance. However, our data is a first report about the function of canine GR, and will facilitate the analysis of canine glucocorticoid sensitivity.
Influence of cancellous bone microstructure on ultrasonic attenuation: a theoretical prediction
Authors: Liu Jinjin , Lan Li , Zhou Jiafeng , Yang Yunjun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundQuantitative ultrasound has been used for the assessment of cancellous bone status. The attenuation mechanisms of cancellous bone, however, have not been well understood, because the microstructure of cancellous bone is significantly inhomogeneous and the interaction between ultrasound and the microstructure of cancellous bone is complex. In this study, a theoretical approach was applied to investigate the influence of the microstructure of cancellous bone on ultrasonic attenuation.ResultsThe scattering from a trabecular cylinder was significantly angle dependent. The dependencies of the ultrasonic attenuation on frequency, scatterer size, and porosity were explored from the theoretical calculation. Prediction results showed that the ultrasonic attenuation increased with the increase of frequency and decreased linearly with the increase in porosity, and the broadband ultrasound attenuation decreased with the increase in porosity. All these predicted trends were consistent with published experimental data. In addition, our model successfully explained the principle of broadband ultrasound attenuation measurement (i.e., the attenuation over the frequency range 0.3–0.65 MHz was approximately linearly proportional to frequency) by considering the contributions of scattering and absorption to attenuation.ConclusionThe proposed theoretical model may be a potentially valuable tool for understanding the interaction of ultrasound with cancellous bone.
Estimating fetal cholesterol synthesis rates by cord blood analysis in intrauterine growth restriction and normally grown fetuses
Authors: Pecks Ulrich , Bornemann Verena , Klein Anika , Segger Laura , Maass Nicolai , Alkatout Ibrahim , Eckmann-Scholz Christel , Elessawy Mohamed , Lütjohann Dieter 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundCholesterol is an essential component in human development. In fetuses affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), fetal blood cholesterol levels are low. Whether this is the result of a reduced materno-fetal cholesterol transport, or due to low fetal de novo synthesis rates, remains a matter of debate. By analyzing cholesterol interbolites and plant sterols we aimed at deeper insights into transplacental cholesterol transport and fetal cholesterol handling in IUGR with potential targets for future therapy. We hypothesized that placental insufficiency results in a diminished cholesterol supply to the fetus.MethodsVenous umbilical cord sera were sampled post-partum from fetuses delivered between 24 weeks of gestation and at full term. IUGR fetuses were matched to 49 adequate-for-age delivered preterm and term neonates (CTRL) according to gestational age at delivery. Cholesterol was measured by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection using 5a-cholestane as internal standard. Cholesterol precursors and synthesis markers, such as lanosterol, lathosterol, and desmosterol, the absorption markers, 5α-cholestanol and plant sterols, such as campesterol and sitosterol, as well as enzymatically oxidized cholesterol metabolites (oxysterols), such as 24S- or 27-hydroxycholesterol, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, using epicoprostanol as internal standard for the non-cholesterol sterols and deuterium labeled oxysterols for 24S- and 27-hydroxycholesterol.ResultsMean cholesterol levels were 25% lower in IUGR compared with CTRL (p < 0.0001). Lanosterol and lathosterol to cholesterol ratios were similar in IUGR and CTRL. In relation to cholesterol mean, desmosterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol, and 27-hydroxycholesterol levels were higher by 30.0, 39.1 and 60.7%, respectively, in IUGR compared to CTRL (p < 0.0001). Equally, 5α-cholestanol, campesterol, and β-sitosterol to cholesterol ratios were higher in IUGR than in CTRL (17.2%,p < 0.004; 33.5%,p < 0.002; 29.3%,p < 0.021).ConclusionsCholesterol deficiency in IUGR is the result of diminished fetal de novo synthesis rates rather than diminished maternal supply. However, increased oxysterol- and phytosterol to cholesterol ratios suggest a lower sterol elimination rate. This is likely caused by a restricted hepatobiliary function. Understanding the fetal cholesterol metabolism is important, not only for neonatal nutrition, but also for the development of strategies to reduce the known risk of future cardiovascular diseases in the IUGR fetus.
Cystic lymphangioma in the peripheral jejunal mesentery in an adult and excision with laparoscopic-assisted surgery: a case report
Authors: Nagano Hideki , Kimura Toshihisa , Iida Atsushi , Togawa Tamotsu , Goi Takanori , Sato Yasunori 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Lymphangiomas are uncommon congenital malformations that present mainly in the head, neck, and axillar regions in pediatric patients. Mesenteric cystic lymphangiomas (MCLs), which occasionally present with substantial growth and the invasion of adjacent vital structures, are rarely reported in adults. We report a case of MCL in an adult who was treated with laparoscopic-assisted excision.

Case presentation
A 40-year-old Japanese man visited his family physician for prolonged periumbilical pain. Plain computed tomography (CT) showed a low-density mass in his left abdomen, and he was referred to our hospital 2 weeks later. His abdomen was flat and soft, and no mass was felt upon palpation. Routine laboratory data showed no abnormalities in the blood cell counts. The levels of tumor markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and cancer antigen 125 (CA125), were within normal ranges. Contrast-enhanced CT was performed, and a low-density mass was observed with an irregular outline and poor contrast, as well as involvement of the peripheral mesenteric artery and partial compression of the adjacent jejunum without dilatation of the oral side of the bowel. The patient was diagnosed with lymphatic cysts and observed for 1 month without symptom exacerbation. Follow-up CT showed no increase in the size of the mass but showed apparent invasion of the jejunal wall without bowel obstruction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed intermediate intensity on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) and high intensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). The coronal view on T2WI clearly showed an accumulation of cystic lesions. We performed tumor excision with partial resection of the jejunum in a laparoscopic-assisted manner. Pathological examination showed multicystic lesions with an attenuated endothelial lining, surrounding rich adipose tissue and scattered smooth muscle fibers; the patient was diagnosed with MCL.
Immunohistochemical assays supported this diagnosis.

Conclusions
This is rare case of MCL presenting in an adult who underwent successful laparoscopic-assisted resection. Mesenteric lymphangioma (ML) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with intraabdominal cysts. Radical excision is optimal, even when the patient is asymptomatic. Laparoscopic-assisted tumor resection is a suitable surgical method for treating MLs located in the peripheral mesentery.
HOPS: a quantitative score reveals pervasive horizontal pleiotropy in human genetic variation is driven by extreme polygenicity of human traits and diseases
Authors: Jordan Daniel M. , Verbanck Marie , Do Ron 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Horizontal pleiotropy, where one variant has independent effects on multiple traits, is important for our understanding of the genetic architecture of human phenotypes. We develop a method to quantify horizontal pleiotropy using genome-wide association summary statistics and apply it to 372 heritable phenotypes measured in 361,194 UK Biobank individuals. Horizontal pleiotropy is pervasive throughout the human genome, prominent among highly polygenic phenotypes, and enriched in active regulatory regions. Our results highlight the central role horizontal pleiotropy plays in the genetic architecture of human phenotypes. The HOrizontal Pleiotropy Score (HOPS) method is available on Github at https://github.com/rondolab/HOPS.
Modelling and nonlinear boundary stabilization of the modified generalized Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation
Authors: Smaoui N. , Chentouf B. , Alalabi A. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
In this paper, we study the modelling and nonlinear boundary stabilization problem of the modified generalized Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers equation (MGKdVB) when the spatial domain is $[0,1]$
[
0
,
1
]
. First, the MGKdVB equation is derived using the long-wave approximation and perturbation method. Then, two nonlinear boundary controllers are proposed for this equation and the $L^{2} $

L
2

-global exponential stability of the solution is shown. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate the efficiency of the developed control schemes.
High-latitude thermospheric wind study using a Fabry–Perot interferometer at Tromsø in Norway: averages and variations during quiet times
Authors: Xu Heqiucen , Shiokawa Kazuo , Oyama Shin-ichiro , Nozawa Satonori 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The average winds in the thermosphere during geomagnetically quiet times are important because they provide a baseline wind in the upper atmosphere, but they remain insufficiently understood at high latitudes. This paper reports the first direct ground-based wind measurements of the quiet-time thermospheric wind pattern at Tromsø in Norway using 2009–2015 data from a Fabry–Perot interferometer. We analyzed red-line wind measurements (630.0 nm; altitude: 200–300 km). On average, the zonal wind shows a decrease of eastward wind compared with diurnal tidal wind before midnight. A maximum speed of 100 m/s occurs at both the dusk and dawn sides. The meridional wind has a diurnal tide structure with a minimum value of − 130 m/s around midnight. We also found occasional large wind deviations (> 100 m/s) from the averages, even during geomagnetically quiet times. We suggest that these large wind deviations are caused by the plasma convection associated with weak substorm activities with auroral electrojet (AE) index values of less than 100 nT that occurred at local times different from that at Tromsø.
Incidence trends and survival prediction of hepatoblastoma in children: a population‐based study
Authors: Feng Jincheng , Polychronidis Georgios , Heger Ulrike , Frongia Giovanni , Mehrabi Arianeb , Hoffmann Katrin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundHepatoblastoma is a rare disease that nevertheless accounts for the majority of liver malignancies in children. Due to limited epidemiological data, therapy for hepatoblastoma tends to be individualized. This study aimed to evaluate incidence trends of hepatoblastoma and to develop a nomogram to predict the survival of children with newly diagnosed hepatoblastoma on a population‐based level.MethodsIndividuals up to 18 years of age with hepatoblastoma recorded in 18 registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015 were examined. Joinpoint regression analyses were applied to assess incidence trends in annual percentage change (APC). Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS). A nomogram was constructed to predict OS in individual cases based on independent predictors. Concordance index (C‐index) and calibration curves were used to evaluate predictive performance.ResultsBetween 2004 and 2015, hepatoblastoma incidence increased significantly (APC, 2.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5% to 3.8%, P < 0.05). In particular, this increase was observed among 2‐ to 4‐year‐old patients, males, and African–Americans. The 5‐ and 10‐year OS rates were 81.5% and 81.0%, respectively. Age of 2 to 4 years, African–American ethnicity, and no surgery were independent predictors for short OS. Distant disease at presentation was found not to be an independent factor of survival. The nomogram had a C‐index of 0.79 (95% CI 0.74–0.84) with appropriate calibration curve fitting.ConclusionsWe constructed a nomogram that integrates common factors associated with survival for hepatoblastoma patients. It provides accurate prognostic prediction for children with hepatoblastoma.
Association study of TAAAA polymorphism in the first intron of p53 gene with risk of colorectal cancer in Iranian population
Authors: Fatehi Zahra , Amirmahani Farzane , Tavassoli Manoochehr 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundColorectal cancer is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the third most common cancer over the world. Genetic mutations in thep53gene are associated with tumorigenesis of most cancers. So far, no study has been conducted on the association between TAAAA repeats in the first intron of thep53gene and risk of colorectal cancer. In this study, we investigated the association of the TAAAA polymorphism in the first intron ofp53gene with colorectal cancer. We evaluated p53 gene polymorphism in 151 patients with colorectal cancer and a control group of 180 healthy individuals. For TAAAA repeat polymorphism evaluation, we used conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify the desired sequence and the number of TAAAA repeats was specified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and direct sequencing.ResultsIn the present study, 5 different alleles of TAAAA repeat with 6–10 repeats and 13 allele genotypes were determined between cases and controls. The most frequent allele in both controls (59.8%) and cases (57.6%) was the 8 repeats of TAAAA. Results of homozygous genotypes equal or lower than 8 repeats are higher among the healthy individuals than among the cases. In contrast, the number of genotypes equal or higher than 9 (9.10, 9.9) was higher among the colorectal cancer patients. Because of the small size of the studied population, the statistical analysis did not demonstrate a significant relationship. Also, there is no significant association between genotype, metastasis, and age.ConclusionOur observations did not show a significant association between the TAAAA repeat polymorphism in the first intron of thep53gene and the colorectal cancer risk.