bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attenuation of MODS-related and ARDS-related mortality makes infectious complications a remaining challenge in the severely injured
Authors: van Wessem Karlijn J.P. , Hietbrink Falco , Leenen Luke P.H. 
Published: February 2020

IntroductionThe recent decrease in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)-associated and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)-associated mortality could be considered a success of improvements in trauma care. However, the incidence of infections remains high in patients with polytrauma, with high morbidity and hospital resources usage. Infectious complications might be a residual effect of the decrease in MODS-related/ARDS-related mortality. This study investigated the current incidence of infectious complications in polytrauma.MethodsA 5.5-year prospective population-based cohort study included consecutive severely injured patients (age >15) admitted to a (Level-1) trauma center intensive care unit (ICU) who survived >48 hours. Demographics, physiologic and resuscitation parameters, multiple organ failure and ARDS scores, and infectious complications (pneumonia, fracture-related infection, meningitis, infections related to blood, wound, and urinary tract) were prospectively collected. Data are presented as median (IQR), p<0.05 was considered significant.Results297 patients (216 (73%) men) were included with median age of 46 (27–60) years, median Injury Severity Score was 29 (22–35), 96% sustained blunt injuries. 44 patients (15%) died. One patient (2%) died of MODS and 1 died of ARDS. 134 patients (45%) developed 201 infectious complications. Pneumonia was the most common complication (50%). There was no difference in physiologic parameters on arrival in emergency department and ICU between patients with and without infectious complications. Patients who later developed infections underwent more often a laparotomy (32% vs 18%, p=0.009), had more often pelvic fractures (38% vs 25%,p=0.02), and received more blood products <8 hours. They had more often MODS (25% vs 13%, p=0.005), stayed longer on the ventilator (10 (5–15) vs 5 (2–8) days, p<0.001), longer in ICU (11 (6–17) vs 6 (3–10) days, p<0.001), and in hospital (30 (20–44) vs 16 (10–24) days, p<0.001). There was however no difference in mortality (12% vs 17%, p=0.41) between both groups.Conclusion45% of patients developed infectious complications. These patients had similar mortality rates, but used more hospital resources. With low MODS-related and ARDS-related mortality, infections might be a residual effect, and are one of the remaining challenges in the treatment of patients with polytrauma.Level of evidenceLevel 3.Study typePopulation-based cohort study.
Witchweed [Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth] control using imazapyr seed coating in maize hybrids in the Nigerian savannah
Authors: Chikoye David , Lum Ayeoffe Fontem , Menkir Abebe 
Published: February 2020

Witchweed [Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth] is a major parasitic weed of most cereal crops in Africa, including maize. Seed treatment with low doses of acetolactate synthase–inhibiting herbicides, such as imazapyr, was introduced in the 1990s to control witchweed. Field trials were conducted in four locations in Nigeria in 2007 and 2008, to assess the effect of coating seeds of several maize hybrids with imazapyr on witchweed control. The hybrids had genes for imidazolinone herbicide resistance (IR), as well as genetic tolerance to witchweed (ST). Treatments were 12 IR maize hybrids with ST and three checks without the IR gene (commercial, witchweed tolerant, and witchweed susceptible hybrids). Averaged across all locations, the coated IR hybrids with ST yielded more and supported fewer witchweed plants than the uncoated IR hybrids with ST. The IR hybrids with ST yielded 57%–60% more than the commercial and witchweed tolerant hybrid checks that were not coated. The witchweed susceptible hybrid check suffered a yield loss of 88% under infestation without seed coating. The IR hybrids with ST yielded 3564 kg ha−1 of grain when coated with imazapyr and 3266 kg ha−1 otherwise. The findings indicate that coating of IR/ST maize seeds with imazapyr improved tolerance to witchweed.
Lugares Abandonados
Authors: Macedo Wesley Aparecido 
Published: February 2020

Observamos lugares e edifícios abandonados, vazios urbanos; espaços construídos cujas funções originais não mais coexistem: edifícios obsoletos. Não raro, bens públicos e parte do patrimônio histórico arquitetônico. Aqui, o eixo central será desvelar possibilidades de uso e contemplação desses “estranhos espaços urbanos”, parafreaseando Ignasi de Solà-Morales (1996). São abordagens que recriam lugares, reconhecem identidades urbanas e reúnem memória, patrimônio e função social, num contexto de gentrificação.
Total White Blood Cell Count Mediated the Association Between Increased Arterial Stiffness and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Adults
Authors: Liu Yongming , Lai Xuefeng , Guo Wenting , Ma Lin , Li Wenze , Fang Qin , Yang Huihua , Cai Yunyao , Liu Miao , Zhang Xiaomin , Yang Liangle 
Published: February 2020

Objective:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is known to be related to increased arterial stiffness. However, little is known about the risk of T2DM due to accelerated arterial stiffness and the underlying mechanism involved. We aimed to examine arterial stiffness, as determined by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), in relation to T2DM among a community-based population and whether the association was mediated by white blood cell (WBC) counts.

Approach and results:

A total of 1036 Chinese adults aged 64.3 years with complete data were qualified in the present study. The dose-response association between baPWV levels, WBC counts, and risk of T2DM were explored using generalized linear models or multivariate logistic regression models. A mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the role of WBC counts on the association between baPWV and T2DM. After multivariate adjustments, we observed a dose-responsive relationship between increased baPWV and elevated risk of T2DM: comparing extreme tertiles of baPWV, the adjusted odds ratio for T2DM risk was 2.29 (95% CI, 1.32–3.98;
P
for trend =0.005). In addition, significant dose-dependent relationships were found across baPWV tertiles with increasing total or differential WBC counts, which in turn, were positively related to higher risk of T2DM (all
P
for trend <0.05). Mediation analyses indicated that total WBC count mediated 4.5% of the association between increased baPWV and elevated T2DM risk.

Conclusions:
Increased arterial stiffness might increase T2DM risk among middle-aged and older Chinese adults, which was partially mediated by total WBC count.
Adages as Insults
Authors: Regier Willis Goth 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The Chiliades is Erasmus’ extended Antibarbari, a manual for battling enemies of belles lettres. Erasmus did not stop with adages against ignorance and vulgarity. Adages also assail particular types of scholarly misbehavior: stubbornness, pretension, repetition, distemper, plagiarism, vacuity, superfluity, low- and narrow-mindedness. The scores of insults scattered through the Chiliades answer perennial scholarly needs, providing scholars with the wherewithal to insult, or respond if insulted, with precedents from classical Latin and Greek.
Poetics, Polymathy, and Critice. On Some Controversial Notions in Early Modern Intellectual History
Authors: Deitz Luc 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
In this article, Julius Caesar Scaliger’s Poetices libri septem and Johannes Wower’s De polymathia tractatio are analyzed and contrasted with each other, and a number of hitherto unnoticed similarities between the two works are brought to the fore. It is argued that these similarities are rooted in a shared understanding of the notions of grammatice and of critice, which, in turn, is traced back to a number of passages in Sextus Empiricus’s Adversus grammaticos. It is further argued that Sextus Empiricus was initially not read as a Pyrrhonian sceptic in the fifteenth century, but that at least some of his arguments were used in order to structure the encyclopedia of grammatical knowledge, understood in the widest possible meaning of this word. It is finally argued that Poliziano was the driving force behind this initial understanding; that poetics and polymathy were almost indistinguishable intellectual pursuits in the context of early modern erudition; and that their eventual drifting apart was mainly due to the key notion of critice being invested with different, irreconcilable meanings in the course the seventeenth century.
On the Average Shape of the Largest Waves in Finite Water Depths
Authors: Karmpadakis Ioannis , Swan Chris 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the average shape of the largest waves arising in finite water depths. Specifically, the largest waves recorded in time histories of the water surface elevation at a single point have been examined. These are compared to commonly applied theories in engineering and oceanographic practice. To achieve this both field observations and a new set of laboratory measurements are considered. The latter concern long random simulations of directionally spread sea states generated using realistic Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) frequency spectra. It is shown that approximations related to the linear theory of quasi-determinism (QD) cannot describe some key characteristics of the largest waves. While second-order corrections to the QD predictions provide an improvement, key effects arising in very steep or shallow water sea states are not captured. While studies involving idealized wave groups have demonstrated significant changes arising as a result of higher-order nonlinear wave–wave interactions, these have not been observed in random sea states. The present paper addresses this discrepancy by decomposing random wave measurements into separate populations of breaking and nonbreaking waves. The characteristics of average wave shapes in the two populations are examined and their key differences discussed. These explain the mismatch between findings in earlier random and deterministic wave studies.
Biologically Regulated Marrow Stimulation by Blocking TGF-β1 With Losartan Oral Administration Results in Hyaline-like Cartilage Repair: A Rabbit Osteochondral Defect Model
Authors: Utsunomiya Hajime , Gao Xueqin , Deng Zhenhan , Cheng Haizi , Nakama Gilberto , Scibetta Alex C. , Ravuri Sudheer K. , Goldman Julia L. , Lowe Walter R. , Rodkey William G. , Alliston Tamara , Philippon Marc J. , Huard Johnny 
Published: February 2020

Background: Microfracture or bone marrow stimulation (BMS) is often the first choice for clinical treatment of cartilage injuries; however, fibrocartilage, not pure hyaline cartilage, has been reported because of the development of fibrosis in the repair tissue. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which can promote fibrosis, can be inhibited by losartan and potentially be used to reduce fibrocartilage. Hypothesis: Blocking TGF-β1 would improve cartilage healing in a rabbit knee BMS model via decreasing the amount of fibrocartilage and increasing hyaline-like cartilage formation. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: An osteochondral defect was made in the patellar groove of 48 New Zealand White rabbits. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups: a defect group (defect only), a BMS group (osteochondral defect + BMS), and a BMS + losartan group (osteochondral defect + BMS + losartan). For the rabbits in the BMS + losartan group, losartan was administrated orally from the day after surgery through the day of euthanasia. Rabbits were sacrificed 6 or 12 weeks postoperatively. Macroscopic appearance, microcomputed tomography, histological assessment, and TGF-β1 signaling pathway were evaluated at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Results: The macroscopic assessment of the repair revealed that the BMS + losartan group was superior to the other groups tested. Microcomputed tomography showed superior healing of the bony defect in the BMS + losartan group in comparison with the other groups. Histologically, fibrosis in the repair tissue of the BMS + losartan group was significantly reduced when compared with the other groups. Results obtained with the modified O’Driscoll International Cartilage Repair Society grading system yielded significantly superior scores in the BMS + losartan group as compared with both the defect group and the BMS group ( F value: 15.8, P < .001, P = .012, respectively). TGF-β1 signaling and TGF-β-activated kinase 1 of the BMS + losartan group were significantly suppressed in the synovial tissues. Conclusion: By blocking TGF-β1 with losartan, the repair cartilage tissue after BMS was superior to the other groups and consisted primarily of hyaline cartilage. These results should be easily translated to the clinic because losartan is a Food and Drug Administration–approved drug and it can be combined with the BMS technique for optimal repair of chondral defects. Clinical Relevance: Biologically regulated marrow stimulation by blocking TGF-β1 (oral intake of losartan) provides superior repair via decreasing fibrocartilage formation and resulting in hyaline-like cartilage as compared with outcomes from BMS only.
The selection of dermatomes for sham (placebo) acupuncture points is relevant for the outcome of acupuncture studies: a systematic review of sham (placebo)-controlled randomized acupuncture trials
Authors: Ots Thomas , Kandirian Asal , Szilagyi Istvan , DiGiacomo Susan M , Sandner-Kiesling Andreas 
Published: February 2020

Background: Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture reveal no significant differences between acupuncture and so-called placebo acupuncture. There is a strong tendency to replace the term “placebo” by the term “sham,” because any needling stimulates a certain physiological response. However, neither concept accounts for the great diversity of results in RCTs comparing verum acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture. Some trials have shown little or no difference, while other studies have found statistically significant differences. Objective: Verum acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture may achieve similar results to the extent that they share active constituents. We identified these common active constituents as dermatomes: the segmental structure of the human body. In our study, we tested the hypothesis that the more verum and sham (placebo) acupuncture share the same dermatomes, the closer the clinical outcomes will be, and vice versa. Methods: All major databases were searched for RCTs that tested acupuncture versus sham (placebo) acupuncture. The dermatome charts of Hansen and Schliack were used to verify verum and sham (placebo) needling locations. Reported clinical outcomes were assessed in relation to the percentage of overlap between the dermatomes stimulated by acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture. Results: Our literature search yielded a total of 1738 references. Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. The effects of sham (placebo) acupuncture varied according to the dermatomes stimulated: high overlap with those stimulated by verum acupuncture resulted in almost identical efficacy, while low overlap resulted in significant differences in efficacy. Clinical outcomes were similar when verum acupuncture and sham (placebo) acupuncture shared the same dermatomes (p < 0.01). Discussion: The findings of this review confirm our hypothesis. Acupuncture studies that employed verum and sham locations on overlapping dermatomes helped to create a mediocre to negative picture of acupuncture’s efficacy. The segmental structure of the body with its interconnected reflex system offers an additional neurophysiological explanation for the effectiveness of acupuncture applied to structures segmentally innervated by the spinal and visceral nervous system. Further comparative acupuncture studies should be based on knowledge of segmental anatomy. In testing verum acupuncture versus sham acupuncture, the chosen sham acupuncture needling locations should be situated on non-overlapping dermatomes.
Tilt-and-crush: A safe, effective and energy-saving technique for soft cataract removal
Authors: Harb Ashraf Wasfy , Sadiq Salman Naveed 
Published: February 2020

Background and Objective: The tilt and crush technique is a modified chopping technique developed mainly to maximize safety and effectiveness in emulsifying soft cataracts. Material and Methods: After clear corneal incision and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, the hydro-dissection cannula is introduced under the anterior capsule about 90 degrees to the axis of the main wound and injection of fluid is continued until the distal pole of the nucleus prolapses out of the capsulorhexis rim into the anterior chamber. The centre of the nucleus is then engaged with the phacoemulsification tip using high vacuum and tilted vertically in the anterior chamber. The second instrument is passed behind the full length of the vertically tilted nucleus to crush it against the phacoemulsification tip. Results: This technique was successfully performed in 517 eyes by a single experienced surgeon. The mean effective phaco time was 0.11 ± 0.32 s, and it was zero in 382 (73.9%) eyes. The mean total phaco time was 4.79 ± 10.71 s. In 322 (62.3%) eyes, no phaco energy was utilized to remove cataract. None of the eyes experienced any complication during or after the surgery. Conclusion: This safe and reliable technique is significantly more energy-efficient compared to other traditional techniques like divide-and-conquer and phaco-chop. Unlike, some widely known pre-chopping techniques, it can be taught easily with good reproducibility.
Nutrition training in residency and fellowship programme: time for a change
Authors: Asokkumar Ravishankar , Salazar Ennaliza 
Published: February 2020

Background: Despite several measures, the nutrition education during undergraduate and postgraduate training has been identified to be suboptimal. The objective of this study was to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practice of residents, fellows and teaching faculties, following a reformation in the training curriculum, in a tertiary teaching hospital. Method: We conducted an anonymous survey involving residents, fellows and teaching faculties in medical and surgical speciality. We assessed four domains: (a) recognition, (b) knowledge, (c) application of basic principles of nutritional and (d) attitude towards clinical nutrition during residency and fellowship training. Each domain had five multiple choice questions and the attitude section was assessed using a five-point Likert scale. Result: We distributed the survey to 305 doctors: 265 completed the first three domains and 259 completed all the domains. The overall mean ± SD score between residents (6.5 ± 1.9), fellows (6.8 ± 1.8) and teaching faculties (6.5 ± 2.2) was similar. All scored similarly in the recognition, knowledge and application domain of the questionnaire. When subcategorised, the gastroenterology sub-speciality scored significantly higher than the rest (8.1 ± 2.2 vs. 6.4 ± 1.9, p = 0.001). Sixty-three per cent and 44% of the responders felt there was lack of adequate focus on clinical nutrition training in residency and during daily ward round, respectively. Only 10% of responders felt confident in providing nutritional counselling and treatment for malnourished patients. Conclusion: Our study shows the current nutritional education during residency and fellowship training is still inadequate and falls short in achieving the recommended goals.
European guidelines on achalasia: United European Gastroenterology and European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility recommendations
Authors: Oude Nijhuis RAB , Zaninotto G , Roman S , Boeckxstaens GE , Fockens P , Langendam MW , Plumb AA , Smout AJPM , Targarona EM , Trukhmanov AS , Weusten BLAM , Bredenoord Albert J 
Published: February 2020

IntroductionAchalasia is a primary motor disorder of the oesophagus characterised by absence of peristalsis and insufficient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation. With new advances and developments in achalasia management, there is an increasing demand for comprehensive evidence‐based guidelines to assist clinicians in achalasia patient care.MethodsGuidelines were established by a working group of representatives from United European Gastroenterology, European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility,European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology and the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery in accordance with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. A systematic review of the literature was performed, and the certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Recommendations were voted upon using a nominal group technique.ResultsThese guidelines focus on the definition of achalasia, treatment aims, diagnostic tests, medical, endoscopic and surgical therapy, management of treatment failure, follow‐up and oesophageal cancer risk.ConclusionThese multidisciplinary guidelines provide a comprehensive evidence‐based framework with recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of adult achalasia patients.
Assessing the Impact of Neurogenic Claudication on Outcomes Following Decompression With Lumbar Interbody Fusions in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Martini Michael L. , Nistal Dominic A. , Deutsch Brian C. , Neifert Sean N. , Lamb Colin D. , Caridi John M. 
Published: February 2020

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objectives: To conduct the first comprehensive national-level study examining specific risks, outcomes, and costs surrounding surgical treatment of lumar spinal stenosis (LSS) in patients with and without neurogenic claudication (NC). Methods: Data for patients with or without NC who underwent decompression with a lumbar interbody fusion approached anteriorly (ALIF), posteriorly (PLIF), or laterally (LLIF) for LSS was collected from the 2013-2014 National Inpatient Sample using International Classification of Disease codes. Results: A total of 121 025 LSS cases without NC and 20 095 cases with NC were included in this study. The most significant complications associated with NC status by organ system included renal ( P = .0030) and hematological complications ( P = .0003). Multivariate regression controlling for key demographic and comorbidity variables showed that patients with NC did not have significantly higher odds of complication, non-home discharge, or extended hospitalization compared to patients without NC regardless of fusion type. Interestingly, NC patients had comparatively lower total charges for their hospitalization following PLIFs ( P = .0001) and LLIFs ( P < .0001), but not ALIFs ( P = .6121). Conclusion: NC does not appear to significantly increase odds of adverse outcomes following fusion in LSS. Given the large prevalence of LSS and coincidental NC, these findings may carry important implications in managing this challenging patient population and justifies future prospective investigation of this topic.
Strategic Role of Mandated Corporate Social Responsibility: The India Story
Authors: Mitra Nayan 
Published: February 2020

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is changing from charity and philanthropy to structures and mandates; from voluntary to statutory! Moreover, with the introduction of this mandated CSR in India, there is a sudden surge in CSR research and the differences in the concept of CSR between developed and developing countries have become evident. It is in this perspective that this research aims to study the macro structure of CSR in India; understand its CSR mandate and document the different tenets of this CSR mandate as found in literature. In the micro context, it also analyzes the mediating role of the (variable) corporate social responsibility (VCSR) between strategic management and firm performance.