bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rat model and validation of a modified single‐armed suture technique for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy: Guo’s SA‐LIVE
Authors: Yuan Yiming , Fang Dong , Lei Hongen , Li Meng , Cheng Wanjun , Gao Bing , Peng Jing , Zhang Zhichao , Xin Zhongcheng , Guo Yinglu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundDouble‐armed suture longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (DA‐LIVE) has been widely adopted owing to its simplicity and high success rate; however, specialized double‐armed microsutures are required.ObjectiveTo provide a novel single‐armed suture longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (SA‐LIVE) technique using only two single‐armed sutures, named Guo's SA‐LIVE.Materials and methodsFour weeks after vasectomy in male adult Wistar rats, vasoepididymostomies were performed using DA‐LIVE, SA‐LIVE, or Guo's SA‐LIVE. After 12 weeks, functional patency was functionally assessed by evaluating for motile spermatozoa distal to the anastomosis. If no motile spermatozoa were visible, the mechanical patency of the anastomosis was tested by the ability of methylene blue to pass through the surgical anastomosis. The key procedure in Guo's SA‐LIVE was cutting each needle with over 1cm attaching suture and making a flat overhand bend knot to tie the needle to the other end of the suture, after the needles were passed through the epididymal tubule and then the vasal lumen in an inside‐out fashion, and then, the needles were passed through the vasal lumen in an inside‐out fashion.ResultsThe proportions of functional patency were 50.0% (3/6), 33.3% (2/6), and 50% (3/6) for the DA‐LIVE, SA‐LIVE, and Guo's SA‐LIVE groups, respectively (P = .799). The proportions of mechanical plus functional patency for the three methods were 83.3% (5/6), 66.7% (4/6), and 83.3% (5/6), respectively (P = .725). The mean anastomosis times for the three LIVE techniques and the proportions of complications were similar (P = .150 and .758, respectively).ConclusionsGuo's single‐armed suture technique is a potentially effective alternative to perform vasoepididymostomy when specialized double‐armed microsutures are not available based on the current animal experiment.
Effects of interphase interval during neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the wrist extensors with maximally tolerated current intensity
Authors: Elboim‐Gabyzon Michal , Awad Yara 
Published: August 2020

AbstractShort interphase intervals (IPIs) within biphasic symmetrical pulses enhance maximal electrically induced isometric contractions (EIC). However, IPI effects have not been previously studied in muscles stimulated at the highest tolerated current intensity. Our aim was to examine IPI effects on the strength of EIC, degree of discomfort, and sensory and motor thresholds on the wrist extensor muscles. Eighteen subjects (mean age 25.5, SD ± 3.97 years) participated in a repeated‐measures trial. Five parameter settings were used to stimulate the wrist extensors: monophasic pulses with phase durations (PD) 200 µs, and biphasic pulses with PDs either 200 or 500 µs, applied with/without an IPI of 200 µs duration. Order of settings was randomized, and current was set at the maximum intensity tolerated by each subject. IPIs applied at the maximally tolerated current intensity did not increase the strength of the EICs and did not reduce the degree of discomfort or the sensory and motor thresholds. These findings were not dependent on the PDs. Insertion of an IPI within the biphasic current during stimulation of the wrist muscle yielded no advantage in term of contraction strength or degree of discomfort. These results contradict previous studies indicating stronger contractions when an IPI is inserted during stimulation at a predetermined submaximal current intensity. As some of the clinical applications of neuromuscular electrical stimulation utilize the highest intensity tolerated by the individual, these findings are clinically relevant. Additional studies involving other muscle groups, electrode size and locations, and phase parameters are warranted.
Fatty acid composition of the erythrocyte membrane and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Mouillot Thomas , Rizk Maud , Pais de Barros Jean‐Paul , Gilloteau Adrien , Busson Amandine , Bernard‐Chabert Brigitte , Thiefin Gérard , Barraud Hélène , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Richou Carine , Di Martino Vincent , Doffoel Michel , Minello Anne , Latournerie Marianne , Jouve Jean‐Louis , Brondel Laurent , Brindisi Marie‐Claude , Petit Jean‐Michel , Hillon Patrick , Cottet Vanessa ,   CIRCE Study Group
Published: August 2020

SummaryBackgroundDisturbances in fatty acid (FA) metabolism have been reported in cirrhosis, but the role of FAs in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. Biomarkers are a promising means to explore the associations between exogenous intake or endogenous production of FAs and cancer risk.AimTo estimate the relationship between fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes and HCC risk in cirrhotic patientsMethodsThe “CiRCE” case‐control study recruited cirrhotic patients from six French hospitals between 2008 and 2012. Cases were cirrhotic patients with HCC (n = 349); controls were cirrhotic patients without HCC at inclusion (n = 550). FA composition of phospholipids in erythrocyte membranes was determined by high performance gas chromatography. Odds ratios for HCC risk according to FA concentrations were estimated with multivariable logistic regression.ResultsHCC patients were older and more often men (P < 0.001). In both groups, saturated FAs represented more than 39% of all FAs in erythrocyte membranes, mono‐unsaturated FAs around 14%, and polyunsaturated FAs around 46%. High levels of C15:0 + C17:0, C20:1 n‐9, C18:2 n‐6 and C20:2 n‐6 were associated with higher risk of HCC. The levels of C18:0 and C20:4 n‐6 were lower in HCC cases than in controls.ConclusionsThe FA composition of erythrocyte membranes differed according to the presence of HCC with higher levels of saturated FAs, linoleic and eicosadienoic acids, and lower levels of stearic and arachidonic acids. These alterations may reflect particular dietary patterns and/or altered FA metabolism. Further investigations are warranted.
Development of adoptive immunotherapy with KK‐LC‐1‐specific TCR‐transduced γδT cells against lung cancer cells
Authors: Ichiki Yoshinobu , Shigematsu Yoshiki , Baba Tetsuro , Shiota Hironobu , Fukuyama Takashi , Nagata Yoshika , So Tetsuya , Yasuda Manabu , Takenoyama Mitsuhiro , Yasumoto Kosei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe present study analyzed the antitumor effect of γδT cells transduced with the TCR of cancer‐specific CTLs to establish forceful cancer‐specific adoptive immunotherapy. We cloned the TCRαβ genes from CTLs showing HLA‐B15 restricted recognition of Kita‐Kyushu lung cancer antigen‐1 (KK‐LC‐1), a cancer/germline gene antigen, identified in a lung adenocarcinoma case (F1121). The TCRαβ and CD8 genes were transduced into γδT cells induced from PBLs of healthy volunteers stimulated with zoledronate and IL‐2. The KK‐LC‐1‐specific TCRαβ‐CD8 γδT cells showed cytotoxic activity against the KK‐LC‐1 positive lung cancer cell line F1121L and produced IFN‐γ against F1121L and KK‐LC‐1 peptide‐pulsed F1121 EBV‐B cells. These responses were blocked by HLA class I and HLA‐B/C antibodies. An in vivo assay using NOD/SCID mice with xenotransplantation of human lung cancer cells was performed, and the TCRαβ‐CD8 transduced γδT cells (TCRαβ‐CD8 γδT cells) were intravenously injected. Growth inhibition of KK‐LC‐1+, HLA‐B15+ lung cancer cells was confirmed in mice with injection of the TCRαβ‐CD8 γδT cells from 1 wk after xenotransplantation of cancer cells but not in those treated 2 wk after xenotransplantation. The resected specimens of the tumor, 2 wk after xenotransplantation, highly expressed FasL but not programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) by immunohistochemical staining. FasL highly expressed cancer cells xenotransplanted 2 wk ago were resistant to TCRαβ‐CD8 γδT cells injection. These results suggested that apoptosis of Fas‐positive TCRαβ‐CD8 γδT cells may be induced by a Fas‐mediated signal after interacting with FasL‐positive cancer cells.
Inter‐Relations Between Ethnic‐Racial Discrimination and Ethnic‐Racial Identity Among Early Adolescents
Authors: Del Toro Juan , Hughes Diane , Way Niobe 
Published: August 2020

The authors examined whether the longitudinal inter‐relations between ethnic‐racial discrimination and ethnic‐racial identity vary according to the perpetrator of discrimination. The authors used three waves of data from early adolescents (n = 387; ages 11–12 at Wave 1) to assess the strength and direction of relations between perceived discrimination from non‐school adults and peers vis‐à‐vis ethnic‐racial identity exploration, commitment, private regard, and public regard. Cross‐lagged autoregressive path analyses showed that more frequent discrimination, regardless of source, had reciprocal and significant longitudinal inter‐relations with exploration and public regard. Peer discrimination predicted lower commitment and private regard 1 year later, whereas non‐school adult discrimination did not. Implications are discussed in relation to the role of peers and ethnic‐racial identity processes.
Protective loop‐ileostomy in ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis – advantages and disadvantages. A retrospective study
Authors: Ellebæk M. B. , Dilling Kjær M. , Spanggaard K. , El‐Faramawi M. , Möller S. , Qvist N. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimThe aim was to investigate the overall postoperative complication rate within 90 days following ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA), with or without a diverting stoma, together with complications 30 days after stoma closure and overall pouch failure rate.MethodThis was a retrospective chart review including IPAA patients with or without a diverting loop‐ileostomy for ulcerative colitis (1 January 1983 to 31 December 2015). Demographic data and postoperative complications were retrieved and recorded.ResultsA total of 434 patients were included. A diverting loop‐ileostomy was performed in 348 patients (80%). Baseline data were similar in the two groups except for body mass index (BMI) and the ratio of women, which were significantly higher in the group without a protective ileostomy. Overall 90‐day complication rate after IPAA [Clavien–Dindo (CD) > 2] was similar in the two groups. Clinical anastomotic leaks (CD > 2) were higher in patients without a diverting stoma (9.3% vs 1.7%) (P = 0.002). The odds ratio for leakage after adjustments (age, gender, immune‐modulating medicine and BMI) was 5.0 for omitting a diverting stoma (P = 0.004). Complications (CD > 2) after loop‐ileostomy closure were seen in 61 cases (14.1%). Omitting a diverting stoma at IPAA demonstrated a non‐significant odds ratio of 1.04 (0.46, 2.38) (P = 0.924) for pouch failure after adjustments (age, gender, immune‐modulating medicine, BMI, time from pouch formation and clinical leakage).ConclusionThe overall postoperative surgical and medical complication rate within 90 days after IPAA was similar in the group with and without diverting stoma. Postoperative complication rate after reversal was 14%. Omitting a diverting stoma at IPAA demonstrated an increased risk of leaks but no significant risk of long‐term pouch failure.
A prospective evaluation of the outcome of submucosal ligation of fistula tract
Authors: Raja Ram N. K. , Chan K. K. , Md Nor S. F. , Sagap I. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimFistula‐in‐ano (FIA) is an anomalous passage between perianal skin and the anal canal or the rectum that presents many management difficulties. Ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) was introduced as a cost‐effective sphincter‐saving procedure with a reported success rate of 94.4%. Unfortunately, this procedure is technically challenging, and recently submucosal ligation of fistula tract (SLOFT), a simplification of LIFT, was proposed. Our aim was to assess the SLOFT technique over a longer follow‐up period to determine its effectiveness.MethodA prospective observational study was performed in 47 patients with FIA treated by SLOFT from September 2017 to February 2019.ResultsThere were 47 patients, of whom 33(70.2%) were men. The median age was 39 years (range 30–50 years). All the patients had primary FIA of cryptoglandular origin. The patients were followed up for 1 year and were postoperatively assessed at 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks and 1 year. The median body mass index was 27.3 kg/m2 (range 24.3–29.4 kg/m2) and the median duration of surgery was 15 min (range 13–20 min). Most (83.0%) of the fistulas were trans‐sphincteric. The success rates at the end of 24 weeks and 1 year were 87.2% and 80.9%, respectively. No postoperative incontinence was recorded.ConclusionIn our series the success rate of SLOFT was 80.9%. There were no sphincter‐related complications. Repeat SLOFT was feasible for cases of recurrence. Therefore, SLOFT should be considered an alternative sphincter‐saving procedure to LIFT for the management of FIA.
Utility of computed tomography and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose with positron emission tomography/computed tomography for distinguishing appendiceal mucocele caused by mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies
Authors: Kaneko M. , Kawai K. , Nozawa H. , Hata K. , Tanaka T. , Nishikawa T. , Shuno Y. , Sasaki K. , Emoto S. , Murono K. , Ishii H. , Sonoda H. , Watadani T. , Takao H. , Abe O. , Ishihara S. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimDifferentiating appendiceal mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma from other pathologies before surgery is difficult. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of CT and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for differentiating mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal mucocele from other pathologies.MethodThe study included 25 patients who underwent surgery for clinically diagnosed appendiceal mucoceles detected on CT at the University of Tokyo Hospital. Among these patients, 19 underwent FDG‐PET/CT preoperatively. We compared features of the CT imaging findings and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) detected by FDG‐PET/CT between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies.ResultsA total of 13 men (52%) and 12 women (48%) were included in this study, with a median age of 65 years (range 34–83). There were six patients (24%) with pathologically confirmed mucinous adenocarcinoma, 15 patients (60%) with appendiceal mucinous neoplasm and four patients (16%) with simple mucocele caused by chronic inflammation. On the CT findings, wall irregularity was the only significant feature for the two groups in this study (83.3% vs 0.0%, P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in the SUVmax levels on PET/CT between the two groups (100.0% vs 20.0%, P < 0.01).ConclusionDistinguishing between mucocele with mucinous adenocarcinoma and other pathologies using imaging modalities is challenging. Our results suggest that wall irregularity on CT and elevated SUVmax on PET/CT are useful factors that can be employed for such discrimination.
Faults diagnosis of a centrifugal pump using multilayer perceptron genetic algorithm back propagation and support vector machine with discrete wavelet transform‐based feature extraction
Authors: Al Tobi Maamar , Bevan Geraint , Wallace Peter , Harrison David , Okedu Kenneth Eloghene 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis paper presents a comparative study of two artificial intelligent systems, namely; Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and support vector machine (SVM), to classify six fault conditions and the normal (nonfaulty) condition of a centrifugal pump. A hybrid training method for MLP is proposed for this work based on the combination of Back Propagation (BP) and Genetic Algorithm (GA). The two training algorithms are tested and compared separately as well. Features are extracted using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), both approximations, details, and two mother wavelets were used to investigate their effectiveness on feature extraction. GA is also used to optimize the number of hidden layers and neurons of MLP. In this study, the feature extraction, GA‐based hidden layers, neurons selection, training algorithm, and classification performance, based on the strengths and weaknesses of each method, are discussed. From the results obtained, it is observed that the DWT with both MLP‐BP and SVM produces better classification rates and performances.
Impact of diabetes mellitus on the risk of severe exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Figueira Gonçalves Juan Marco , García Bello Miguel Ángel , Golpe Rafael , Alonso Jerez Juan Luis , García‐Talavera Ignacio 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIntroductionSuffering type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) appears to promote the occurrence of respiratory infections. However, studies to evaluate the risk of hospital admission due to exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and concomitant T2DM are scarce.Materials and methodsProspective, observational study with a maximum follow‐up of 18 months. Information on lung function, body mass index, degree of dyspnea, number of exacerbations, comorbidities and pneumococcal vaccination was obtained. Patients were classified into the categories COPD with (COPD/+T2DM) and without T2DM (COPD/‐T2DM).ResultsA total of 121 patients with COPD were enrolled. Forty‐seven (38%) of the study participants were diabetic. The presence of T2DM increased the risk of hospital admission due to COPD exacerbation (OR 2.66; P = 0.031), but no significant difference in the total number of exacerbations was detected.ConclusionsThe risk of hospital admission in the course of exacerbation seems to be higher in COPD/+T2DM patients than in COPD/−T2DM subjects.
Medical Cosmopolitanism: The global extension of justice in healthcare practice
Authors: Gantsho Luvuyo , Wareham Christopher S. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWhile there is a shortage of healthcare workers in virtually all countries, there currently exists a pronounced inequality in the distribution of healthcare workers, with a high concentration of healthcare workers in high income countries (HIC) and low concentrations in low‐ and middle‐ income countries (LMIC). This inequality in the distribution of healthcare workers persists, in spite of the fact that HICs enjoy a much lower disease burden than LMICs This inequality raises medical ethical issues related to what obligations health workers from HICs have to correct these imbalances by working in LMICs. While the biomedical principle of Justice, first formulated by Beauchamp and Childress, advocates for healthcare workers to conduct themselves in a manner that is fair and equitable in light of what is due or owed, it does not elaborate on what sort of obligation this places on healthcare workers from HICs to work in LMICs in a bid fairly distribute the availability of healthcare workers. As such, this paper gives a normative argument for why healthcare workers from HICs have a moral obligation to work in LMICs, a concept we call Medical Cosmopolitanism. Following our positive argument, we debunk prominent objections to the concept of Medical Cosmopolitanism and consider ethical, educational and governmental implications of our findings.
Maternal obesity in sheep impairs foetal hepatic mitochondrial respiratory chain capacity
Authors: Serafim Teresa L. , Cunha‐Oliveira Teresa , Deus Claudia M. , Sardão Vilma A. , Cardoso Ines M. , Yang Shanshan , Odhiambo John F. , Ghnenis Adel B. , Smith Ashley M. , Li Junfei , Nathanielsz Peter W. , Ford Stephen P. , Oliveira Paulo J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundChanges in the nutritional environment in utero induced by maternal obesity (MO) lead to foetal metabolic dysfunction predisposing offspring to later‐life metabolic diseases. Since mitochondria play a crucial role in hepatic metabolism and function, we hypothesized that MO prior to conception and throughout pregnancy programmes foetal sheep liver mitochondrial phenotype.Material and methodsEwes ate an obesogenic diet (150% requirements; MO), or 100% requirements (CTR), from 60 days prior to conception. Foetal livers were removed at 0.9 gestation. We measured foetal liver mitochondrial DNA copy number, activity of superoxide dismutase, cathepsins B and D and selected protein content, total phospholipids and cardiolipin and activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes.ResultsA significant decrease in activities of mitochondrial complexes I, II‐III and IV, but not aconitase, was observed in MO. In the antioxidant machinery, there was a significant increase in activity of total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and SOD2 in MO. However, no differences were found regarding autophagy‐related protein content (p62, beclin‐I, LC3‐I, LC3‐II and Lamp2A) and cathepsin B and D activities. A 21.5% decrease in total mitochondrial phospholipid was observed in MO.ConclusionsThe data indicate that MO impairs foetal hepatic mitochondrial oxidative capacity and affects total mitochondrial phospholipid content. In addition, MO affects the regulation of foetal liver redox pathways, indicating metabolic adaptations to the higher foetal lipid environment. Consequences of in utero programming of foetal hepatic metabolism may persist and compromise mitochondrial bioenergetics in later life, and increase susceptibility to metabolic diseases.
Perceptions of students on a stand‐alone dental materials course in a revised dental curriculum
Authors: Soni Vishani , Kotsane Daisy F , Moeno Sharon , Molepo Julitha 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Dental Materials (DM) course was introduced as a stand‐alone course in 2013, at the University. Prior to that, DM was integrated into clinical courses.ObjectiveTo determine the perceptions of the Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS2 to BDS5) students on a stand‐alone DM course following curricular amendment.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study, in which a simple random sampling strategy was used, with forty‐six students participating. The study was conducted in 2017. A self‐administered, structured, validated questionnaire was used to collect data. The obtained data were summarised and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (one‐way ANOVA).ResultsThe study was conducted on Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS2 to BDS5) students. A response rate of 49% from the administered questionnaires was achieved. The overall perception, total mean percentage score of 71.4% was obtained showing a generally positive view on the relevance of the course by students. A total mean percentage score of 74.1% showed the students’ view that the DM course was well managed whilst a total mean score of 56.7% expressed the overall view on the reintegration of DM into clinical courses.ConclusionThe students felt that DM was relevant and it could continue as a stand‐alone course. They perceived that the course was run effectively and managed well, but they had conflicting views on reintegration of the course into clinical modules. Studies with larger sample sizes at other Dental Schools are recommended to determine similarity of results.