bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long Term Experience with Growth Hormone Treatment in Children with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Schaefer Franz , Haffner Dieter , Wühl Elke , Mehls Otto 
Published: February 2020

After a decade of experience with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in children with chronic renal failure (CRF), the long-term efficacy and safety of the drug is now established. In prepubertal children, partial catch-up growth is achieved during the first three treatment years, followed by sustained percentile-parallel growth. Discontinuation of rhGH treatment results in catch-down growth in 75% of patients. Treatment efficacy is inversely correlated with age and baseline height velocity, and positively influenced by genetic target height and residual renal function. Skeletal maturation is not accelerated, suggesting a true increase in final height potential. Side effects are limited to a stimulation of insulin secretion, which is not associated with changes in glucose tolerance, and occasional cases of benign intracranial hypertension. In summary, the advent of rhGH has opened a new era in the management of growth failure in CRF. Available evidence suggests that treatment should start in early childhood and early in the course of renal failure, and should be continued at least until renal transplantation. It remains to be seen whether the beneficial effect of rhGH on height observed during the prepubertal period will result in an eventual increase in adult height.
Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis in Korea: Practical Solutions to the Problems of Peritoneal Dialysis for Children
Authors: Kim Pyung-Kil , Kim Ji-Hong 
Published: February 2020

Purpose To find and solve the common problems of peritoneal dialysis (PD) by analyzing the clinical data of pediatric PD performed in Korea. Methods We looked at 264 cases of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and acute PD that were performed in 18 institutions of pediatric nephrology in Korea from November 1987 to October 1997. Results CAPD was performed in 114 cases. The mean age of the patients was 10.5 ± 6.6 years, and the male-to female ratio was 1.4:1. The original causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were proven in 92 cases (81%). The most common renal diseases were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (17%), reflux nephropathy (11%), and chronic glomerulonephritis (11 %). Mean duration of CAPD was 20 months ± 16.9 months. Peritonitis was the most common complication, and the peritonitis incidence was 0.96 episode per patient-year. Other complications were exit-site infection in 10 cases, obstruction in 7 cases, and leakage of dialysate in 6 cases. The most common etiologic organism of peritonitis was Staphylococcus aureus and the next most common was coagulase-negative staphylococcus. Acute PD was performed in 150 cases. The most common underlying causes were congenital heart disease, hemolytic uremic syndrome, sepsis, and dehydration. The mean duration was 10.3 ± 11.3 days. The most common complication was peritonitis (78.3%). The most common etiologic organisms of peritonitis were Staphylococcus aureus, coag-neg staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas. Conclusion Reflux nephropathy should be emphasized in early diagnosis and treatment to prevent ESRD. Incidence of congenital anomaly (7%) as a original cause of ESRD was relatively low in Korea. Growth status was not significantly improved after CAPD. In acute PD, the incidence of peritonitis rapidly increased at 2 weeks after the start of dialysis.
Taking Peritoneal Dialysis beyond the Year 2000
Authors: Gokal Ram 
Published: February 2020

Over the past 25 years, peritoneal dialysis (PD) has steadily improved so that now its outcomes, in the form of patient survival, are equivalent to, and at times better than, those for hemodialysis. We now have a better understanding of the pathophysiology of peritoneal membrane function and damage and the importance of appropriate prescription to meet agreed-upon targets of solute and fluid removal. In the next millennium, greater emphasis will be put on prescription setting and subsequent monitoring. This will entail an increase in automated PD, especially for lifestyle reasons as well as for patients with a hyperpermeable peritoneal membrane. To improve outcomes, dialysis should be started earlier than is currently the case. It is easy to do this with PD, where an incremental approach is made easier by the introduction of icodextrin for long-dwell PD. In the future, solutions will be tailored to be more biocompatible and to provide improved nutrition and better cardiovascular outcomes. Finally, economic considerations favor PD, which is cheaper than in-centre hemodialysis. Thus, for many, PD has become a first-choice therapy, and with further improvements this trend will continue.
Patient-Reported Outcomes After Structural Autograft for Large or Cystic Talar Dome Osteochondral Lesions
Authors: Kim Todd , Haskell Andrew 
Published: February 2020

Background: While smaller talar dome osteochondral lesions (OCLs) are successfully treated with bone marrow stimulation techniques, the optimal treatment for large or cystic OCLs remains controversial. This study tested the hypothesis that transferring structural autograft bone from the distal tibia to the talus for large or cystic OCLs improves pain and function. Methods: Thirty-two patients with large or cystic OCLs underwent structural bone grafting from the ipsilateral distal tibia to the talar dome. Patients were assessed with subjective patient-centered tools and objective clinical outcomes. Average age was 48.6 ± 14.9 years, and average follow-up was 19.5 ± 13.3 months. Average lesion area was 86.2 ± 23.5 mm2, and average depth was 8.4 ± 3.0mm. Results: At final follow-up, improvement compared to preoperative scores was seen in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (65.4 ± 21.2 to 86.9 ± 15.0, P < .05), Foot Function Index (48.9 ± 20.8 to 21.1 ± 18.9, P < .05), visual analog scale for pain (4.7 ± 3.0 to 1.4 ± 1.5, P < .05), and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (40.4 ± 5.4 to 45.5 ± 7.4, P < .05) scores. There was no improvement in PROMIS pain interference (54.7 ± 18.1 to 52.4 ± 7.3, P > .05). Satisfaction with surgery was 8.4 ± 1.3/10, and 96% of patients would have the procedure again. Ninety-four percent of patients returned to work and/or play. One patient had a deep vein thrombosis 6 weeks postoperatively, and 1 patient underwent ankle fusion at 18 months postoperatively. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that structural bone graft harvested from the distal tibia transferred to the talus was a safe and effective treatment for large and cystic OCLs. Outcomes compare favorably to other described techniques for treatment of these injuries. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Sweet’s syndrome under ipilimumab therapy and a brief comparison of the cases in literature
Authors: Yaşar Hatime A , Akkus Erman , Heper Aylin , Akay Bengu N , Urun Yuksel , Utkan Gungor 
Published: February 2020

Introduction Ipilimumab is an anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) antibody. Ipilimumab has shown improvement in overall survival in patients with advanced melanoma. Because ipilimumab activates the immune system against the tumor, ipilimumab is associated with adverse events related to immune system activation. Immune-associated side effects are frequently seen in the gastrointestinal system and skin. Sweet’s syndrome (SS) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder. Some drugs or malignancy can cause SS. Only a few case reports have been reported of ipilimumab-associated SS. Case A 53-year-old female with metastatic melanoma was treated with ipilimumab. After the fourth cycle, she developed painful lesions on her legs and hands. The pathologic biopsy of the lesions revealed neutrophilic dermatosis consistent with SS. Management and outcome: The patient was treated with 60 mg/day of prednisone for four days, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and inhaler bronchodilator and steroid. She had symptomatic relief at the beginning of treatment. The prednisone doses were quickly tapered every three days. When the patient was treated with 10 mg/day of prednisone for three days, the skin nodules recurred. Prednisone 40 mg per day was re-started and then a slower taper by decreasing by 10 mg/day every week was instituted. After one-month treatment the prednisone dose was given as a 5 mg doses for one week and then stopped. No new lesions recurred after slower taper of prednisone. Conclusion Herein we report a case presented with SS under ipilimumab therapy. Melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab can develop SS. The clinicians should be aware of this condition.
Estrogen inhibits vascular calcification in rats via hypoxia-induced factor-1α signaling
Authors: Wu Xinhua , Zhao Qiuyan , Chen Zhangrong , Geng Yong-Jian , Zhang Wanting , Zhou Qingqing , Yang Wei , Liu Quanyi , Liu Hong 
Published: February 2020

Objective Calcification serves as a surrogate for atherosclerosis-associated vascular diseases, and coronary artery calcification is mediated by multiple pathogenic factors. Estrogen is a known factor that protects the arterial wall against atherosclerosis, but its role in the coronary artery calcification development remains largely unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that estrogen inhibits coronary artery calcification via the hypoxia-induced factor-1α pathway. Methods Eight-week-old healthy female Sprague–Dawley rats were castrated, and vitamin D3 was administered orally to establish. Hypoxia-induced factor-1 inhibitor was administered to test its effect on vascular calcification and expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and runt-related transcription factor-2. Vascular smooth muscle cell calcification was induced with CaCl2 in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in the presence or absence of E2(17β-estradiol) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 siRNA intervention. Results The estrogen levels in ovariectomized rats were significantly decreased, as determined by ELISA. Expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α mRNA and protein was significantly increased in vascular cells with calcification as compared to those without calcification ( p < 0.01). E2 treatment decreased the calcium concentration in vascular cell calcification and cell calcium nodules in vitro ( p <  0.05). E2 also lowered the levels of hypoxia-induced factor-1α mRNA and protein ( p <  0.01). Oral administration of the hypoxia-induced factor-1α inhibitor dimethyloxetane in castrated rats alleviated vascular calcification and expression of osteogenesis-related transcription factors, bone morphogenetic protein 2 and RUNX2 ( p <  0.01). Finally, bone morphogenetic protein 2 siRNA treatment decreased the levels of p-Smad1/5/8 in A7r5 calcification cells ( p <  0.01). Conclusion Estrogen deficiency enhances vascular calcification. Treatment with estrogen reduces the expression of hypoxia-induced factor-1α as well as vascular calcification in rats. The estrogen effects occur in a fashion dependent on hypoxia-induced factor-1α regulation of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and downstream Smad1/5/8.
Overexpression of microRNA-185 alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration through inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and downregulation of Galectin-3
Authors: Yun Zhennan , Wang Yuhang , Feng Wei , Zang Junting , Zhang Daguang , Gao Yuhang 
Published: February 2020

Background Recent studies have found that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in development and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration. In the present study, we examined the role of miR-185 in nucleus pulposus cell behavior in vitro and the histological changes of intervertebral disc tissue in intervertebral disc degeneration rat models in vivo. Methods Intervertebral disc degeneration models were developed in Sprague-Dawley rats. Intervertebral disc tissue was collected for histological evaluation after miR-185 agomir/agomir transduction. Next, nucleus pulposus tissues were collected from lumbar intervertebral discs to isolate nucleus pulposus cells, which were treated with miR-185 mimic/inhibitor and an inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway to assess cell viability and apoptosis. Results We observed a high expression of Galectin-3 in nucleus pulposus cells of rats with intervertebral disc degeneration. Bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-185 specifically binds to and negatively regulates Galectin-3. Furthermore, we found that miR-185 inhibition resulted in increased expression of Galectin-3, pro-autophagy factors (LC3 and Beclin-1), and pro-apoptosis factors (caspase-3 and Bax), along with the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, the gain- and loss-of-function studies suggested that miR-185 overexpression promoted cell viability and inhibited nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and autophagy via inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, miR-185 agomir alleviated the histological changes observed in intervertebral disc tissues in intervertebral disc degeneration rats, which helped us validate the results observed in vitro. Conclusions Overexpression of miR-185 promotes nucleus pulposus cell viability and reduces the histological changes observed in intervertebral disc tissues in rats with intervertebral disc degeneration via inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and Galectin-3 inhibition. Our findings also highlight the potential of miR-185 as a promising novel therapeutic target to prevent and control intervertebral disc degeneration.
Morphological Parameters of the Thoracic Pedicle in an Asian Population: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Based Study of 3324 Pedicles
Authors: Soh Tamara Lee Ting , Kho Kangshi Cherish , Lim Zhi Kai , Tandon Ankit Anil , Kaliya-Perumal Arun-Kumar , Oh Jacob Yoong-Leong 
Published: February 2020

Study Design: A cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based anatomical study. Objectives: Instrumentation of the thoracic spine may be challenging due to the unique pedicle morphology and the proximity of vital structures. As prior morphological studies have mostly been done in Caucasians, our study aims to determine the optimal pedicle screw size for transpedicular fixation in an Asian population. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 400 patients who had undergone MRI of the thoracic spine was performed. A total of 3324 pedicles were included. Pedicle morphology was graded qualitatively based on the size of its cancellous channel, and quantitatively with the following parameters: pedicle transverse diameter, pedicle screw path length, and pedicle angle. Subgroup analysis based on gender was performed. Results: Mean pedicle transverse diameter was the narrowest at the T4 (2.9 ± 1 mm) and T5 (3.1 ± 1.1 mm) level. The mean pedicle screw path length progressively increased from T1 (34 ± 4.6 mm) to T12 (47 ± 4.6 mm). The mean pedicle angle was the largest at T1 (34° ± 7.9°) and decreased caudally, to 9.4° ± 3.8° at the T12 level. Females had significantly lower mean pedicle diameter and screw path length than males at every vertebral level; however, they had a larger pedicle angle at T8 to T10. The most common size of the pedicle cancellous channel was more than 4 mm. Conclusion: Morphological differences in the Asian pedicle suggest that caution needs to be taken during thoracic spine instrumentation, particularly in Asian females who have significantly smaller pedicles. In such cases, the use of alternative techniques or intraoperative navigation may be useful.
Path to diagnosis and women’s perspectives on the impact of endometriosis pain
Authors: Lamvu Georgine , Antunez-Flores Oscar , Orady Mona , Schneider Beth 
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Endometriosis is a burdensome chronic disease that can be difficult to diagnose, yet few studies examine experiences along the continuum of disease state. We sought to explore women’s journeys to an endometriosis diagnosis, experience with endometriosis pain, and interactions with healthcare practitioners. Methods: An anonymous 23-question online survey was distributed to women (aged >19 years) who self-identified as having a surgical or nonsurgical diagnosis of endometriosis and living in seven English-speaking countries through the social media network MyEndometriosisTeam.com . Results: From January through April 2018, 317 women in the United States and 134 women outside the United States completed the survey. More than 50% of the women waited 6 or more years for a diagnosis of endometriosis. Overall, 54.3% experienced endometriosis-related pain daily. Respondents (US/non-US) reported a significant impairment in quality of life that interfered with their family (45.7%/45.5%) and social life (40.1%/44.0%), education/career (42.9%/46.3%), and sexual function (68.1%/70.1%). Women reported their disease led to other conditions, including fatigue (93.6%), gastrointestinal issues (91.8%), and difficulty sleeping (87.4%). Many women were not satisfied with their practitioner’s ability to listen to concerns and felt that their practitioner’s treatment recommendations lacked consistency with their own goals/needs. Conclusion: Women still experience long delays and difficult journeys to an endometriosis diagnosis. Disease-associated pain is pervasive and has direct and indirect impacts on quality of life. Women are frequently not satisfied with disease-management options presented to them by their practitioners. These results suggest a need for improved medical education on disease state for both patients and practitioners.
Shedding light on endometriosis: Patient and provider perspectives on a challenging disease
Authors: Zale Madalene , Lambert Emily , LaNoue Marianna D , Leader Amy E 
Published: February 2020

Background: Endometriosis is a serious yet understudied medical condition impacting millions of women worldwide. Methods: This mixed-methods study aimed to understand healthcare provider perceptions and patient experiences with endometriosis in the United States. Providers were surveyed to assess their understanding of disease prevalence. A subset of providers also participated in short, open-ended interviews about treating patients who have or are suspected to have endometriosis. Interviews were also conducted with women diagnosed with endometriosis to understand their experiences with the disease. Means and frequencies were calculated for survey data; interviews were transcribed and separately analyzed by two coders using an iterative coding process until agreement was reached. Results: Fifty-three providers completed surveys. Of the 53 providers, 6 (11%) accurately identified the prevalence of endometriosis. Four providers and 12 patients completed interviews. Emergent themes among providers included limited training, difficulty of diagnosis, complexity of the referral process, a challenging patient–provider dynamic, and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration. Emergent themes from patients included the psychological impact of the disease, difficulties interacting with the healthcare system, self-advocacy, quality of life, and limited treatment options. Conclusion: Providers are frequently unfamiliar with the far-reaching scope of endometriosis and cite many challenges caring for patients with the disease. Patients equally find the disease challenging to live with as it encroaches on physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Menstrual characteristics, bleeding and other non-pelvic-pain symptoms in women presenting with severe endometriotic disease
Authors: Markham Robert , Luscombe Georgina M , Manconi Frank , Fraser Ian S 
Published: February 2020

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the detailed nature of menstrual characteristics, bleeding and other symptoms in women with and without endometriosis. Pelvic pain symptoms in this cohort have been reported elsewhere. Method: This is a self-administered cross-sectional study and was conducted using a structural questionnaire. A total of 737 women completed the study: women with endometriosis (n = 529) and with no current gynaecological complaint, ‘control’ (n = 208). Results: Some of the key findings in this study included significant differences between the control and endometriosis subjects in terms of bleeding symptoms, increased length and heaviness of menses, rectal and bladder bleeding, infertility and obstetric complications which were all more common in the endometriosis group. Other symptoms found to have a highly significant positive association with endometriosis included abdominal bloating, low resistance to infection, fatigue, increased urinary frequency, diarrhoea and constipation (p < 0.000). Data were cross-tabulated to examine the association of a number of symptoms to each other. The relationship of symptoms to a range of psychosocial factors was investigated to determine how the effects of endometriosis impacted on the life of subjects. Most women reported that endometriosis sometimes or often interfered with daily aspects of their life. Conclusion: The range of non-pain symptoms in women with endometriosis was generally much more diverse and extensive than recognised by most clinicians.
Re-description of the sauropod dinosaur Amanzia (“Ornithopsis/Cetiosauriscus”) greppini n. gen. and other vertebrate remains from the Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) Reuchenette Formation of Moutier, Switzerland
Authors: Schwarz Daniela , Mannion Philip D. , Wings Oliver , Meyer Christian A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDinosaur remains were discovered in the 1860’s in the Kimmeridgian (Late Jurassic) Reuchenette Formation of Moutier, northwestern Switzerland. In the 1920’s, these were identified as a new species of sauropod, Ornithopsis greppini, before being reclassified as a species of Cetiosauriscus (C. greppini), otherwise known from the type species (C. stewarti) from the late Middle Jurassic (Callovian) of the UK. The syntype of “C. greppini” consists of skeletal elements from all body regions, and at least four individuals of different sizes can be distinguished. Here we fully re-describe this material, and re-evaluate its taxonomy and systematic placement. The Moutier locality also yielded a theropod tooth, and fragmentary cranial and vertebral remains of a crocodylomorph, also re-described here. “C.” greppini is a small-sized (not more than 10 m long) non-neosauropod eusauropod. Cetiosauriscus stewarti and “C.” greppini differ from each other in: (1) size; (2) the neural spine morphology and diapophyseal laminae of the anterior caudal vertebrae; (3) the length-to-height proportion in the middle caudal vertebrae; (4) the presence or absence of ridges and crests on the middle caudal centra; and (5) the shape and proportions of the coracoid, humerus, and femur. These anatomical differences, combined with their discrepancy in stratigraphic age, make it unlikely that C. stewarti and “C.” greppini belong to the same genus, as also supported through our phylogenetic analysis. “C.” greppini cannot be assigned to any other contemporaneous sauropod taxon from Europe, but is diagnosed by an autapomorphic rugosity on the posteromedial margin of the humerus, as well as a unique combination of features. As such, we erect the new genus name Amanzia for the Swiss taxon “Ornithopsis” greppini, augmenting the growing diversity of Late Jurassic European sauropods. Our phylogenetic analysis places it outside of Neosauropoda, either as the sister taxon to that clade, or as a member of Turiasauria.ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:37860D8F-E49C-4F6B-9F51-705153499C1A.