bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of tantalum on human cell lineages important for healing in soft-tissue reattachment surgery: an in-vitro analysis
Authors: Gee Edward C. A. , Eleotério Renato , Bowker Laura M. , Saithna Adnan , Hunt John A. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundPorous tantalum is currently used in orthopaedic surgery for a variety of indications including soft tissue re-attachment. However, the clinical results have been variable and a previous laboratory study has suggested that tantalum may actually inhibit chick tendon fibroblasts. The influence of tantalum on human cell-types involved in soft tissue re-attachment has not been defined.MethodsHuman fibroblasts, human osteoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells were plated on glass cover slips, half of which were coated with tantalum. Cell numbers were assessed at 1, 2, 7 and 14 days using Cyquant® assay. Cell adhesion and morphology were assessed using light microscopy at 7, 14 and 28 days. To reduce the effect of an expected rate of error,n = 4 was utilised for each cell type and the experiment was repeated twice.ResultsStatistically similar numbers of human osteoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells were present at 14 days on tantalum-coated and uncoated glass cover slips, revealing no inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. More than double the number of human fibroblasts was seen on tantalum-coated cover slips at that time point (compared to controls), which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Morphological assessment revealed normal cell spreading and adhesion on both substrates at all time points.ConclusionsIn vitro study demonstrates that Tantalum causes a significant increase in the proliferation of human fibroblasts with no quantifiable negative effects seen on fibroblast behaviour after 28 days culture. Furthermore, tantalum does not exert any inhibitory effects on the proliferation or behaviour of human osteoblasts or human mesenchymal stem cells. Tantalum could be an appropriate biomaterial for use in situations where soft tissue requires direct reattachment to implants and may stimulate soft tissue healing.
Cranial-first approach of laparoscopic left colectomy for T4 descending colon cancer invading the Gerota’s fascia
Authors: Ogura Atsushi , Kobayashi Ryutaro , Kawai Satoru , Takagi Kenji , Kawai Kiyotaka , Maeda Takashi , Aritake Tsukasa , Nagano Natsuki , Kamiya Satoaki 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The safety and feasibility of laparoscopic colectomy for T4 colorectal cancer remain controversial. We believe that setting a “Goal” that will guide the surgeons in returning from the deep layer could be the key to safe en bloc resection of neighboring organs. For descending colon cancer, the cranial-first approach makes it possible to clearly visualize the pancreas and origin of the transverse mesocolon, leading to safe splenic flexure mobilization and complete mesocolic excision, which is the strongest advantage of this approach.

Case presentation
A 75-year-old woman was diagnosed with T4 descending colon cancer invading the Gerota’s fascia. We performed laparoscopic left colectomy using the cranial-first approach to set a “Goal” at the inferior border of the pancreas for safe resection of the Gerota’s fascia. The total operative time was 233 min, and the estimated blood loss was 98 ml. She was discharged after surgery without postoperative complications. Pathological findings revealed the invasion into the Gerota’s fascia, and the resection margin was negative for cancer.

Conclusions
The cranial-first approach of laparoscopic left colectomy appears to be safe and feasible and could be a promising method for selected patients with T4 descending colon cancer invading the Gerota’s fascia.
Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education – where are the educators?
Authors: Zawacki-Richter Olaf , Marín Victoria I. , Bond Melissa , Gouverneur Franziska 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
According to various international reports, Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIEd) is one of the currently emerging fields in educational technology. Whilst it has been around for about 30 years, it is still unclear for educators how to make pedagogical advantage of it on a broader scale, and how it can actually impact meaningfully on teaching and learning in higher education. This paper seeks to provide an overview of research on AI applications in higher education through a systematic review. Out of 2656 initially identified publications for the period between 2007 and 2018, 146 articles were included for final synthesis, according to explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria. The descriptive results show that most of the disciplines involved in AIEd papers come from Computer Science and STEM, and that quantitative methods were the most frequently used in empirical studies. The synthesis of results presents four areas of AIEd applications in academic support services, and institutional and administrative services: 1. profiling and prediction, 2. assessment and evaluation, 3. adaptive systems and personalisation, and 4. intelligent tutoring systems. The conclusions reflect on the almost lack of critical reflection of challenges and risks of AIEd, the weak connection to theoretical pedagogical perspectives, and the need for further exploration of ethical and educational approaches in the application of AIEd in higher education.
Wild at heart: 34-year-old male with new onset dyspnea, heart failure and history of amphetamine use; a case report
Authors: Navid Hossein , Soleimani Hamidreza , Hosseini Kaveh 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rather rare cause of acute coronary syndrome with a preponderance for young female patients. Amphetamines are now the second most widely used substance drugs in the world and they are associated with a myriad of cardiac diseases including cardiomyopathies and SCADs. There is much uncertainty regarding the best treatment strategy in such cases and decision-making remains mostly individualized and based on expert opinions.

Case presentation
A 34-year-old male with an unremarkable past medical history presented to a cardiologist with prominent dyspnea and orthopnea. He reported occasional methamphetamine use from 3 years before the presentation. An echocardiogram showed an enlarged left ventricle and severe systolic dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 10–15%. Coronary angiography revealed multiple linear dissections in both left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX). The patient’s right coronary artery (RCA) showed occlusion in the proximal segment. The patient was diagnosed with amphetamine-induced spontaneous coronary artery dissection and resultant ischemic cardiomyopathy. After thorough evaluation, medical treatment ensued.

Conclusions
Methamphetamine abusers have a 3.7 fold risk of developing some form of a cardiomyopathy in comparison to individuals without amphetamine abuse. Coronary artery dissection and increased thrombus burden are some of the mechanisms responsible for ischemic cardiomyopathy in these groups of patients.
OSSMAR: An Observational Study to Describe the Use of Sunitinib in Real-Life Practice for the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ghosn Marwan , Eid Roland , Hamada Emad , Abdel Azim Hamdy , Zekri Jamal , Al-Mansour Mubarak , Jaloudi Mohammed , Nasr Fadi , Errihani Hassan , Bounedjar Adda , Mezlini Amel , Boussen Hamouda , Kattan Joseph , El Karak Fadi , Farhat Fadi ,   on behalf of the Africa Middle East Cancer Intergroup
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE Sunitinib offers improved efficacy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). To provide better disease management in the Middle East, we studied its use in mRCC in real-life practice in this region. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with mRCC and started on sunitinib between 2006 and 2016 from 10 centers in Africa and the Middle East region were studied in this regional, multicenter, observational, retrospective trial to obtain routine clinical practice data on the usage patterns and outcomes of sunitinib in mRCC in real-life practice. RESULTS A total of 289 patients were enrolled. Median age at diagnosis was 58.7 years. The patient characteristics were as follows: 73.6% of patients were males; 85.8% had clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC); 97.5% had unilateral RCC; 66.3% had metastatic disease at initial diagnosis; 56.3% received previous treatment for RCC, among which 98.7% had undergone surgery; and 15.2% and 31.4% were classified in the favorable and poor-risk groups (expanded Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center criteria), respectively. On treatment initiation, the mean total sunitinib dose was 48.1 mg, and 87.6% of patients were started on a sunitinib dose of 50 mg. The mean duration of sunitinib treatment was 9.6 months. Overall response rate was 20.8%, with a median duration of 8.2 months. Median time to progression was 5.7 months. Median follow-up time was 7.8 months. By months 12 and 24, 34.3% and 11.4% of patients, respectively, were still alive. Seventy-six patients (60.9%) experienced 314 adverse events. Twenty-three patients (8.0%) experienced 28 serious adverse events. Overall, 83 patients (28.7%) discontinued their sunitinib treatment. CONCLUSION The results are indicative of the general treatment outcomes of patients with mRCC in the Middle East using sunitinib in routine clinical practice. Reported adverse events are similar to those described in the literature but at lower frequencies.
[Retracted] Construction of a New In(III)-Based Coordination Polymer for Selective Luminescent Detection of Cr2O72− and Anti-Bacterial Protective Effect on Staphylococcus Aureus Infection after Missed Abortion
Authors: Wang Di , Zhang Bin , Xu Lin-Fen , Huang Ling-Na 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
A new luminescent In(III)-based coordination polymer with the chemical formula of {[In(ipa)(H2O)](H2O)(CH3CN)2}n (1, H3ipa = 5-hydroxyisophthalate) has been successfully prepared via a solvothermal reaction of H3ipa and In(NO3)3·6H2O in CH3CN and DMF mixed solvent. The strong emission of 1 could be quenched efficiently by trace amounts of Cr2O72−, while other competing analogues show no such quenching effect, indicating complex 1 could be applied as an effective sensor for the detection of Cr2O72− in the solution. To solve the problem of bacterial infection after missed abortion, the protective effect of the compound in vivo was further explored. CFU detection was carried to evaluate the inhibitory effect of compound on bacterial numbers, and then ELISA was conducted to detect the level of IL-18 and IL-1β in the infectious tissues. The pharmacokinetic detection of the compound was also performed in SD rats. The results obtained from molecular docking and pose scoring software exhibited a possible binding mode of the compound binding to NFκB, which might provide potential regulation mechanisms for the compound.
Assessing service and treatment needs of young people who use illicit and non-medical prescription drugs living in Northern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Varatharajan Thepikaa , Sabioni Pamela , Russell Cayley , Henderson Joanna , Fischer Benedikt , Miles Sarah , Rehm Jürgen 
Published: October 2019

Background: The use of illicit and prescription drugs for non-medical purposes among youth and young adults living in Northern Ontario communities is a major public health concern. This problem is amplified in that there is insufficient knowledge on the types of services and treatment centers available for and utilized by young people with substance use issues in Northern Ontario. This needs assessment study aims to examine the service and treatment needs of youth and young adults who use drugs in Northern Ontario communities. Methods/Design: A mixed-methods study design will be used to assess the service and treatment needs of youth and young adults (aged 14-25) who have used one or more illicit drug (excluding cannabis) and/or psychoactive prescription drug for non-medical purposes for at least 3 months and on at least 10 days in the last month. Participants will be recruited from approximately ten Northern, remote and rural communities across Northern Ontario using a mobile research lab. Eligible study candidates from each community will be asked to partake in a focus group and questionnaire exploring service and treatment utilization and needs. We will additionally collect basic socio-demographic information as well as examine patterns of problematic drug use. Interviews with service providers and community organizers will also be conducted in each community. Discussion: Findings from our study will highlight the availability, accessibility and utilization of existing services; identify the gaps and barriers in current service provision; and provide insight into the service and treatment needs of youth and young adults who use drugs in Northern Ontario communities. Assessing the needs of young people who use drugs will allow service providers, community organizers and health policymakers to improve addiction-related services and treatment centers in Northern Ontario.
La inserción laboral de graduados y graduadas a través de los contactos personales. Una propuesta desde la gestión del conocimiento
Authors: Fernández-Salinero De Miguel Carolina , García-Álvarez Jesús 
Published: October 2019

La transformación de la economía a partir de la crisis financiera, junto con la aparición de nuevos productos y servicios, han supuesto un desafío, tanto en clave educativa como profesional, en la inserción laboral de las y los graduados universitarios, obligando a la educación superior a tomar decisiones en sintonía con esos cambios. En este contexto, el presente trabajo pretende ofrecer una visión analítica sobre el fenómeno de la inserción laboral a través del recurso de los contactos personales. Adoptando como hipótesis la derivada devaluación de la formación de las y los egresados en beneficio de lo que se ha denominado capital interpersonal, es decir, el volumen de redes y contactos de las y los egresados que les permiten acceder a un empleo, se proponen una serie de líneas estratégicas a desarrollar en el ámbito de la educación superior que giran en torno a la gestión de conocimiento. Para ello, se ha procedido con una metodología de corte cualitativo basada en la revisión sistemática de los principales estudios e informes realizados en el contexto español por universidades, observatorios de empleo, organizaciones público-privadas, agencias de evaluación de la calidad del sistema universitario y especialistas en el ámbito. Concretamente, se han analizado 56 estudios e informes realizados entre los años 2000 y 2018. Los resultados permiten identificar dos trayectorias fundamentales en la inserción laboral de los titulados superiores, descubriéndose un incremento notable en el uso del capital social como recurso de intermediación laboral en el último período analizado (2011-2018). Por consiguiente, se observa un importante cambio en la valoración de la formación de los recién titulados por parte de los propios egresados y egresadas, las y los empleadores y la universidad, justificando la propuesta planteada en relación con la gestión del conocimiento y su contribución a la empleabilidad de las y los universitarios.
Increased Risk of Osteoporotic Fracture in Postgastrectomy Gastric Cancer Survivors Compared With Matched Controls: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea
Authors: Shin Dong Wook , Suh Beomseok , Lim Hyunsun , Suh Yun-Suhk , Choi Yoon Jin , Jeong Su-Min , Yun Jae Moon , Song Sun Ok , Park Youngmin 
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES:
Gastrectomy can lead to bone loss. Previous studies have suggested that there is an increased risk of fracture in gastric cancer survivors. However, these studies were performed without proper control groups. Therefore, we used Korean national health insurance data to compare the fracture risk in gastric cancer survivors who received gastrectomy to that of the general population.

METHODS:
A total of 133,179 gastric cancer survivors were included and matched to noncancer controls using 1:1 propensity score matching. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine the relative risk of fracture between the gastric cancer survivors and matched controls. We also examined the factors associated with fracture in gastric cancer survivors.

RESULTS:
Compared with the matched controls, gastric cancer survivors had an elevated risk of osteoporotic fracture (hazard ratio [HR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53–1.70), which was most prominent in patients who underwent total gastrectomy (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.96–2.44) and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.81–2.23). In multivariate analysis, anemia was significantly associated with increased fracture risk (aHR 1.34, 95% CI 1.13–1.59), while decrease in weight >5% was not (aHR 1.06, 95% CI 0.89–1.25).

DISCUSSION:
Gastric cancer survivors who underwent gastrectomy had an increased osteoporotic fracture risk than did matched controls. Total gastrectomy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and anemia were associated with an even higher risk in these patients. Additional studies are needed to establish optimal strategies, such as screening for osteoporosis and preventive interventions, that will reduce fracture risk in this population.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty in 109 Consecutive Children and Adolescents With Obesity: Two-Year Outcomes of a New Modality
Authors: Alqahtani Aayed , Elahmedi Mohamed , Alqahtani Yara A. , Al-Darwish Abdullah 
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES:
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) uses full-thickness sutures that restrict the stomach to a sleeve-like configuration. There is no published evidence on endoscopic tissue apposition techniques in pediatric patients. In this article, we report our ESG experience with the first 109 pediatric patients with obesity who underwent ESG under our care.

METHODS:
ESG was offered as a day-case procedure under a standardized protocol and clinical pathway that included surgical, medical, and endoscopic modalities for the treatment of pediatric and adult obesity. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03778697.

RESULTS:
The 109 patients in this study had a baseline body mass index and age of 33.0 ± 4.7 and 17.6 ± 2.2 (range: 10–21) years, respectively. Ninety-nine (90.8%) were females. The mean procedure time was 61 ± 19 minutes. The mean % total weight loss at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 14.4% ± 6.5%, 16.2% ± 8.3%, 15.4% ± 9.2%, and 13.7% ± 8.0%, respectively. Fourteen adolescents visited the ambulatory clinic for analgesia. One patient (aged 19.8 years) requested removal of endoscopic stitches due to abdominal pain, and another underwent Redo-ESG for insufficient weight loss. There were no blood transfusions, emergency admissions, mortality, or significant morbidity.

DISCUSSION:
In this first study to date on ESG in pediatric patients, we observed that the procedure is safe and effective in children and adolescents with obesity. Significant weight loss occurs during the first 2 years without mortality or significant morbidity, and this weight loss seems to be maintained.
Massive Pulmonary Embolism with Hemodynamic Compromise Successfully Treated with Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Akkanti Bindu , Nathan Sriram , Centeno E. Núñez , Akasapu Karunakar , Doshi Pratik , Hussain Rahat , Raissi Farshad , Nascimbene Angelo , Srinivasan Ravi , Rajapreyar Indranee , Patel Manish , Patel Jayesh , Akay Mehmet , Loyalka P. , Kar B. , Gregoric I. 
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Cardiogenic shock that results from pulmonary embolus has a high mortality rate. Systemic thrombolysis is frequently used in submassive and massive pulmonary embolus and has been shown to restore circulation. However, in the event of impending or ongoing cardiac arrest, systemic thrombolysis or anticoagulation alone has not been always shown to be effective. Case reports have previously established that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can effectively be used as an effective rescue strategy in cases of cardiac arrest as a result from massive pulmonary embolus. We report six cases of massive pulmonary embolism (PE), in which veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was utilized or used as a backup strategy with excellent outcomes. We highly recommend using this strategy at the bedside in a tertiary care facility where VA ECMO support is available.
Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients that underwent VA ECMO or utilized VA ECMO at the bedside as a rescue strategy in the setting of massive PE. We abstracted relevant clinical information from patient charts for this review.
Results and analysis: Out of the 107 VA ECMO runs performed at our facility between 1 September 2013 and 31 December 2014, four patients utilized this strategy in the setting of massive PE with impending cardiac arrest; in two cases it was available to use as a backup strategy. All six patients (Table 1) had successful recovery with complete restoration of cognitive status, functional status, and without any clinical signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on discharge.
Damaging Cardiac and Cancer Genetic Variants in the LVAD Population
Authors: Lowes Brian D. , Rome Eric T. , Dhar Kajari , Kittrell Jeff , Eudy James D. , Um John Y. , Moulton Alexandra , Zao J. , Redder Ronald , Moulton Michael J. , Anderson Daniel R. , Raichlin Eugenia 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Next generation sequencing technology, coupled with population genetic databases, have made broad genetic evaluation relatively inexpensive and widely available. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of potentially damaging cancer and cardiac gene variants in advanced non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients.
Methods: Explanted human heart tissue procured at LVAD placement was obtained from the University of Nebraska Medical Center Heart Tissue Bank. Genomic DNA was isolated from tissues and amplified by PCR using targeted ampliseq primer pools from an inherited disease panel. Individual libraries were amplified by emulsion PCR on Ion Sphere particles and sequencing was performed on a PGM sequencer (Ion torrent) using the Ion 316 chip. The Ion Torrent browser suite was used to map the reads and call the variants. The identified single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, and deletions were then annotated and characterized with ANNOVAR. Non-synonymous mutations with a population frequency of less than or equal to 1% were identified and analyzed utilizing an open source integrative genomics viewer. Amino acid substitution effects on protein function were determined by a bioinformatics algorithm. Myocardial recovery was defined as an improvement in EF to greater than 45% at three months post implant.
Results: Our sample population included 12 males and 2 females with an average age of 49 and an average EF at presentation of 17%. Damaging cardiac gene variants were present in 11/14 patients. Only 1 of the 11 patients with damaging cardiac gene variants improved their ejection fraction to greater than 45% post LVAD. Two of the 2 patients without mutations improved their ejection fraction to greater than 45%, p-value=.04. Nine of the 14 patients in this population had damaging oncogene mutations.
Conclusions: Damaging variants in cancer and cardiac genes are common in end-stage non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients undergoing LVAD placement. Genetic variation likely contributes to disease progression and cancer risk.