bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early surgical debridement and fixation for pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis
Authors: Refaat Mohamed Ibrahim , Abdallah Omar Y. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Management of pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis still represent a major conflict and challenge in neurosurgery due to different pathogens and the different methods available for management.

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of posterior lumbar spinal fixation with debridement as a treatment modality in the management of pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis.
Patients and method
This is a prospective study conducted on patients presenting to the Neurosurgery Department of Cairo University hospitals diagnosed to have either spontaneous or iatrogenic pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis. All cases were operated upon by surgical debridement, drainage, and posterior lumbar fixation in the same setting. Antibiotics were prescribed according to the obtained culture and sensitivity. Laboratory follow-up was done to all patients. Clinical outcome was evaluated in terms of the Denis Functional Pain Scale. Follow-up period ranged from 5 to 14 months.

Results
A total of 25 patients comprised of 15 males and 9 females with a mean age of 45.7 years (range 32–63 years) were included in this study. Nine cases had a previous lumbar discectomy surgery, and 15 cases presented with spontaneous spondylodiscitis. L4–5 level was the most frequent site of pyogenic discitis. Excellent outcome and good outcomes (score 1–3 in Denis Functional Pain Scale) were reported in 84% of the patients and poor outcomes (score 4–5) in 16%.

Conclusion
Surgical fixation and debridement can be considered as an effective modality in the management of pyogenic lumbar spondylodiscitis with early ambulation, good control of pain, and early hospital discharge.
“Dried Fruits”: Flaubert, Marx, and the Literary-Historical Event
Authors: Bray Patrick M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis essay looks at Gustave Flaubert’s L’éducation sentimentale as a “literary-historical event,” that is, an event that becomes legible only by a literary text. Flaubert’s novel attempted to turn the ambiguous political events of 1848 and the coup d’état of Napoleon III into a literary manifesto and a history of his generation. One of the novel’s early titles was “Dried Fruits,” which conveys a sense of preserved youth or even lost potential that can be exploited later. Flaubert’s novel explores what changes over time and what inevitably repeats in apparently singular historical events. Similarly, Marx’s Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte famously uses literary and theatrical tropes to explain the same events as Flaubert as they unfolded. Both Flaubert and Marx show us that literary form (irony, farce, attention to linguistic repetition) participates in the politicization of, and the resistance to, historical events.
Genre Blindness in the New Descriptivism
Authors: Dean Tim 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis essay considers the “descriptive turn” in literary studies from the vantage point of poetics, arguing that the history of Western poetry, from the Greeks to the present, offers through the category of epideixis a theory and practice of description that illuminates some of the methodological impasses of contemporary literary studies. Epideixis, a basic mode of pointing or linguistic ostension, confers value, often by way of praise or blame, without trying to persuade its audience with the practical immediacy of political or forensic rhetoric. Drawing on the ordinary language philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Stanley Cavell, the essay suggests that praise constitutes a philosophically rigorous alternative to critique. This argument is exemplified via the work of Mark Doty, a contemporary poet of description-as-praise.
Feasibility of fresh frozen human cadavers as a research and training model for endovascular image guided interventions
Authors: Jansen Marloes M. , Hazenberg Constantijn E. V. B. , de Ruiter Quirina M. B. , van Hamersvelt Robbert W. , Bleys Ronald L. A. W. , van Herwaarden Joost A. 
Published: November 2020

Objective
To describe the feasibility of a fresh frozen human cadaver model for research and training of endovascular image guided procedures in the aorta and lower extremity.

Methods
The cadaver model was constructed in fresh frozen human cadaver torsos and lower extremities. Endovascular access was acquired by inserting a sheath in the femoral artery. The arterial segment of the specimen was restricted by ligation of collateral arteries and, in the torsos, clamping of the contralateral femoral artery and balloon occlusion of the supratruncal aorta. Tap water was administered through the sheath to create sufficient intraluminal pressure to manipulate devices and acquire digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Endovascular cannulation tasks of the visceral arteries (torso) or the peripheral arteries (lower extremities) were performed to assess the vascular patency of the model. Feasibility of this model is based on our institute’s experiences throughout the use of six fresh frozen human cadaver torsos and 22 lower extremities.

Results
Endovascular simulation in the aortic and peripheral vasculature was achieved using this human cadaver model. Acquisition of DSA images was feasible in both the torsos and the lower extremities. Approximately 84 of the 90 target vessels (93.3%) were patent, the remaining six vessels showed signs of calcified steno-occlusive disease.

Conclusions
Fresh frozen human cadavers provide a feasible simulation model for aortic and peripheral endovascular interventions, and can potentially reduce the need for animal experimentation. This model is suitable for the evaluation of new endovascular devices and techniques or to master endovascular skills.
Psychological trauma in different mechanisms of traumatic injury: A hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Agarwal Tulika Mehta , Muneer Mohammed , Asim Mohammad , Awad Malaz , Afzal Yousra , Al-Thani Hassan , Alhassan Ahmed , Mollazehi Monira , El-Menyar Ayman 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundPsychological distress following traumatic injury can influence the patient health, well-being and quality of life; however, this impact may partly vary according to the type and severity of injury. We aimed to study the predominant distress causing cluster and individual symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) at the clinical and subthreshold level in patients with traumatic injuries, based on the mechanism of injury (MOI).MethodsA hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at a Level 1 Trauma Center utilizing PTSD Checklist to diagnose PTSD after one month of the traumatic event. All patients suffering from psychological distresses were assessed by a clinical psychologist in the trauma section. PTSD diagnostic criteria from DSM-5 were used to classify the patients. The inclusion criteria comprised of adult trauma patients who were directly involved in traumatic injuries and admitted under the Trauma Surgery services for a minimum of one day; have ability to provide written informed consent and can be assessed with the PCL-5 checklist after 4 weeks post-injury.ResultsTwo hundred patients completed PCL-5 checklist, of them 26 (13.0%) were positive for PTSD and 174 (87%) had subthreshold scores. The mean age of participants was 34.4±11.8 years and males constituted 90.5%. Road traffic injury (RTI) was most the frequent injury mechanism (59%). PTSD positive patients with RTI, fall of heavy objects, pedestrian injury and assaults had highest average scores on clusters of negative alterations in mood and cognitions (16.9, 18.0, 18.5, 17.0 respectively), followed by hyperarousal. Symptom of always being on the guard and having repeated unwanted or disturbing memories of the incident, was reported by nearly 100% PTSD positive patients. Patients with subthreshold scores also reported distressing symptoms on all four clusters of PTSD.ConclusionsPatients with different MOI showed a broad range of psychological problems with respect to symptom clusters. Negative alteration in mood and cognition followed by hyperarousal caused higher level of distress in patients post traumatic injuries. Subthreshold symptoms of PTSD are more common and deserve more attention.
The association between triglycerides and ectopic fat obesity: An inverted U-shaped curve
Authors: Zou Yang , Sheng Guotai , Yu Meng , Xie Guobo 
Published: November 2020

Background
Ectopic fat obesity and triglycerides are risk factors for diabetes and multiple cardiovascular diseases. However, there have been limited studies on the association between triglycerides and ectopic fat obesity. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between triglycerides and ectopic fat obesity.

Methods and results
In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively analyzed 15464 adult participants recruited by Murakami Memorial Hospital (8430 men and 7034 women, average age of 43.71 ± 8.90). All patients were divided into two groups according to the threshold used to diagnose hypertriglyceridemia. The logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between triglycerides and the risk of ectopic fat obesity, and the generalized additive model was used to identify the nonlinear association. In this study population, the prevalence of ectopic fat obesity was 17.73%. After adjusting other covariables, triglycerides were positively correlated with the risk of ectopic fat obesity (OR: 1.54, 95% CI:1.41–1.69, P<0.0001). Through smooth curve fitting, we found that there was an inverted U-shaped curve association between triglycerides and ectopic fat obesity. This association remained unchanged even if the adjusted covariables were removed from the model, and the inflection point of the curve was 3.98. When triglyceride levels were ≤3.98, triglycerides were positively correlated with the risk of ectopic fat obesity (OR:1.784, 95% CI:1.611–1.975, P<0.0001). When triglyceride levels were >3.98 (right side of the inflection point), there was a negative correlation (OR:0.519, 95% CI:0.333–0.810, P = 0.0039).

Conclusions
Our research showed that there is a significant association between triglycerides and ectopic fat obesity. This relation is not a simple linear relationship but instead an inverted U-shaped curve association.
Risk factors for predicting mortality of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Lan , Jin Jing , Luo Wenxin , Gan Yuncui , Chen Bojiang , Li Weimin 
Published: November 2020

Background
Early and accurate prognosis prediction of the patients was urgently warranted due to the widespread popularity of COVID-19. We performed a meta-analysis aimed at comprehensively summarizing the clinical characteristics and laboratory abnormalities correlated with increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Methods
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically searched for studies considering the relationship between COVID-19 and mortality up to 4 June 2020. Data were extracted including clinical characteristics and laboratory examination.

Results
Thirty-one studies involving 9407 COVID-19 patients were included. Dyspnea (OR = 4.52, 95%CI [3.15, 6.48], P < 0.001), chest tightness (OR = 2.50, 95%CI [1.78, 3.52], P<0.001), hemoptysis (OR = 2.00, 95%CI [1.02, 3.93], P = 0.045), expectoration (OR = 1.52, 95%CI [1.17, 1.97], P = 0.002) and fatigue (OR = 1.27, 95%CI [1.09, 1.48], P = 0.003) were significantly related to increased risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, increased pretreatment absolute leukocyte count (OR = 11.11, 95%CI [6.85,18.03], P<0.001) and decreased pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count (OR = 9.83, 95%CI [6.72, 14.38], P<0.001) were also associated with increased mortality of COVID-19. We also compared the mean value of them between survivors and non-survivors, and found that non-survivors showed significantly raise in pretreatment absolute leukocyte count (WMD: 3.27×109/L, 95%CI [2.34, 4.21], P<0.001) and reduction in pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count (WMD = -0.39×109/L, 95%CI [-0.46, -0.33], P<0.001) compared with survivors. The results of pretreatment lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin (PCT), D-Dimer and ferritin showed the similar trend with pretreatment absolute leukocyte count.

Conclusions
Among the common symptoms of COVID-19 infections, fatigue, expectoration, hemoptysis, dyspnea and chest tightness were independent predictors of death. As for laboratory examinations, significantly increased pretreatment absolute leukocytosis count, LDH, PCT, D-Dimer and ferritin, and decreased pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count were found in non-survivors, which also have an unbeneficial impact on mortality among COVID-19 patients. Motoring these indicators during the hospitalization plays a very important role in predicting the prognosis of patients.
Rheology of polysulfone-N-methylpyrrolidone solutions used in the technology of lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Kulichikhin V. G. , Malkin A.Ya. , Gumennyi I.V. , Govorov V.A. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This paper is devoted to the analysis of the rheological properties of polysulfone solutions in N-methylpyrrolidone, which are an intermediate stage in preparing lithium-ionic batteries. The viscosity of the solutions has been measured in wide ranges of shear rate, temperature, and concentration. The crucial role of water in measuring the rheological properties of solutions has been observed and avoided. The solutions under study are Newtonian liquids, but they demonstrate the elasticity at moderately high concentrations. The concentration dependence of viscosity is very strong, and the threshold was found where the viscosity grows unlimitedly due to the transition of the solution to the gel-like state. Temperature dependences of viscosity are described by the Arrhenius-type equation with the activation energy increasing along with an increase in the polymer concentration in solutions.
In mehrdeutigen und unsicheren Fällen
Authors: Jankrift Kay Peter 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
The important role of Jewish medical practitioners in medieval and early modern Aschkenas has been underlined time and again. Regardless of legal restrictions and anti-Jewish polemics Jewish physicians were highly appreciated by Christian patients. However, although sources are rather scare, there were also Jewish patients who consulted Christian doctors. Practice records of the Nuremberg physician Johann Christoph Götz (1688–1733) and letters of his contemporary Christoph Jacob Trew (1695–1769) indicate that Jewish children, women and men from nearby Fürth asked for medical advice or treatment. The documents bear witness to a vivid exchange of ideas between Trew and the Jewish physician Wolf Enoch Levin from Fürth in the age of Enligthment. In ambiguous and difficult cases, Wolf often addressed himself to Trew as intermediary for his sick coreligionists.
Optimal Industrial Policies in a Two-Sector-R&D Economy
Authors: Sorek Gilad 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This study characterizes welfare-enhancing industrial policies in a two-sector-R&D economy that incorporates both vertical and horizontal innovation. It elaborates on current welfare analyses of two-sector-R&D economies along two lines. First, it explores the welfare properties of non-drastic innovations whereas current analyses are confined to drastic innovations. It is shown that while the endogenously chosen size of drastic innovations is insufficient compared to social optimum, the size of non-drastic innovations may be excessive compared with the welfare maximizing one. Second, it explores welfare-enhancing policies designed to restrict innovators’ market power, whereas current policy analyses focus on R&D and market-entry subsidies. The welfare-maximizing policies presented here combine proper limitations on innovators’ market power along with a corresponding production tax (or subsidy). The limitations over innovators’ market power are aimed to support the optimal innovation size, and the corresponding production tax is set to support the optimal product variety span.
Search Costs and Wage Inequality
Authors: Pi Jiancai , Zhang Kaiqi 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
This paper analyzes how search costs affect skilled-unskilled wage inequality. In the basic model, we find that an increase in skilled labor’s search costs will decrease wage inequality if the skilled labor market and the unskilled labor market are separated. In the extended model, our findings are as follows: (i) Even if there exists free entry into the unskilled labor market or the endogenous provision of public goods, an increase of search costs in the skilled labor market will decrease wage inequality; and (ii) if skilled search costs are negatively related to the skilled wage, wage inequality will be increased.
Evaluation of the protein gap for detection of abnormal serum gammaglobulin level: an imperfect predictor
Authors: Suleman Adam , Cameron D. William , Corrales-Medina Vicente , McCudden Christopher , Cowan Juthaporn 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The value of the serum protein gap (PG, difference between total protein and albumin) in the detection of hyper- or hypogammaglobulinemia is not well established. We assessed the performance of PG for the detection of hyper- or hypogammaglobulinemia in a large sample of patients.

Methods
We reviewed all paired measurements of serum total protein, albumin, quantitative immunoglobulins, and serum protein electrophoresis tested between March 2014 and June 2017 at the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and likelihood ratios of PG at thresholds between 18 and 44 g/L for the detection of hyper- and hypogammaglobulinemia were assessed.

Results
There were 19,575 and 5,426 simultaneous paired data points to assess hyper- and hypogammaglobulinemia identified by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and nephelometry, respectively. The mean PG was 36.3 g/L (SD 8.6). The prevalence of hypergammaglobulinemia (>16 g/L by SPE) and hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG <7 g/L) was 21.9 and 5.5%, respectively. High PG (≥38 g/L) had sensitivity and specificity of 76.2 and 71.5% respectively for hypergammaglobulinemia. PG ≥38 g/L had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 93.1% for monoclonal, and 96.9% for polyclonal gammopathy. A PG threshold of ≤18 g/L had of sensitivity of 0.4%, specificity of 100%, PPV of 100% and NPV of 80.1% to detect hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG <7 g/L).

Conclusions
High and low PG values were not sensitive in detecting hyper- or hypogammaglobulinemia, although negative predictive values were high for both. Performance of PG should be further evaluated prospectively in specific populations at risk of for abnormal IgG levels.
A proposed Common Training Framework for Specialists in Laboratory Medicine under EU Directive 2013/55/EC (The Recognition of Professional Qualifications)
Authors: Wieringa Gijsbert , Queraltó Josep , Homšak Evgenija , Jassam Nuthar , Cavalier Etienne , Svinarov Dobrin , Krleža Jasna L , Christou Spyroula , Pikner Richard , Larsen Trine Rennebod , Tomberg Karel , Linko-Parvinen Anna , Sapin Vincent , Baum Hannsjorg , Kroupis Christos , Bagoly Zsuzsa , Costelloe Sean , Sciacovelli Laura , Stasulans Janis , Vitkus Dalius , Meunier Danielle , Solnica Bogdan , Reguengo Henrique , Mambet Cristina , Kovac Gustav , Krhin Blaž , Ohlson Mats , Buhagiar Gerald , Simundic Ana-Maria 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
European Union (EU) Directive 2013/55/EC (The Recognition of Professional Qualifications) allows Member States to decide on a common set of minimum knowledge, skills and competences that are needed to pursue a given profession through a Common Training Framework. To be adopted the framework must combine the knowledge, skills and competences of at least one third of the Member States. Professionals who have gained their qualifications under a Common Training Framework will be able to have these recognised automatically within the Union. The backbone of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine’s (EFLM) proposed Common Training Framework for non-medical Specialists in Laboratory Medicine is outlined here. It is based on an Equivalence of Standards in education, training, qualifications, knowledge, skills, competences and the professional conduct associated with specialist practice. In proposing the recognition of specialist practice EFLM has identified 15 EU Member States able to meet Equivalence and in whom the profession and/or its training is regulated (an additional EU Commission requirement). The framework supports and contributes to the Directive’s enabling goals for increasing professional mobility, safeguarding consumers and ensuring a more equitable distribution of skills and expertise across the Member States. It represents EFLM’s position statement and provides a template for professional societies and/or competent authorities to engage with the EU Commission.
M-polynomial and topological indices of zigzag edge coronoid fused by starphene
Authors: Afzal Farkhanda , Hussain Sabir , Afzal Deeba , Hameed Saira 
Published: November 2020

AbstractChemical graph theory is a subfield of graph theory that studies the topological indices for chemical graphs that have a good correlation with chemical properties of a chemical molecule. In this study, we have computed M-polynomial of zigzag edge coronoid fused by starphene. We also investigate various topological indices related to this graph by using their M-polynomial.
Robustness study of the tricalcium phosphate synthesis by using Taguchi’s approach
Authors: Nohair Mohamed , Jermouni Chaymae , Azmi Sara , Khoumri El Mati , Britel Ouafaa , Chaair Hassan 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
In this work we propose a contribution for the optimization of the tricalcium phosphate synthesis by a double decomposition with a Ca/P ratio equal to 1.5, using Taguchi’s approach in the methodology of experiment design. We used a model involving four factors, namely the pH of the reaction, the concentration of Ca2+ ions, the temperature and the reaction time. We reduced the number of factors by subtracting the temperature, because it varies randomly in its range of variation. So we have developed a much simpler and more robust model by a double optimization. It consists in finding a configuration of the retained factors to synthesize a product with a Ca/P equal to 1.5 with the minimum of dispersion. We propose a synthesis process insensitive to random variations in temperature in its field of experimental variation defined previously. The synthesis process of the tricalcium phosphate is robust and insensitive on the temperature in the range of variation that was analyzed. The resolution of the mathematical model proposes different ways for this synthesis by a factorial variation of the three remaining factors. The proposed mathematical model is linear and efficient with very satisfactory statistical indicators.
Cardiac implant and the risk of infective endocarditis in pregnancy
Authors: Kim Sara , Pollard Jennifer , Garretto Diana , Herrera Kimberly 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Infective endoplastitis/endocarditis (IE) due to a cardiac implant is an extremely rare event during pregnancy. Management and prognosis is not well known in this population.

Case presentation
A 29-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 0, at 19 3/7 weeks gestation with an Amplatzer septal occluder presented to the hospital with fever. A transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated cardiac vegetations. She subsequently underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with fetal monitoring to remove the device and eventually went on to deliver a full-term infant.

Conclusions
IE should be on the differential in patients with cardiac device. Multidisciplinary efforts enable prompt initiation of treatment after weighing the risks and benefits to both mother and fetus. Lastly, the fetal status can be utilized to assess for hemodynamic status of the mother.