bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic spine surgery for every thoracic disc herniation: a 43-patient case series and technical note demonstrating safety and efficacy using a partial transpedicular thoracic discectomy with ultrasonic aspiration and ultrasound guidance
Authors: Saway Brian F. , Alshareef Mohammed , Lajthia Orgest , Cunningham Coby , Shope Chelsea , Martinez Jaime L. , Kalhorn Stephen P. 
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVE
Thoracic disc herniations (TDHs) are a challenging pathology. A variety of surgical techniques have been used to achieve spinal cord decompression. This series elucidates the versatility, efficacy, and safety of the partial transpedicular approach with the use of intraoperative ultrasound and ultrasonic aspiration for resection of TDHs of various sizes, locations, and consistencies. This technique can be deployed to safely remove all TDHs.

METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent a thoracic discectomy via the partial transpedicular approach between January 2014 and December 2020 by a single surgeon. Variables reviewed included demographics, perioperative imaging, and functional outcome scores.

RESULTS
A total of 43 patients (53.5% female) underwent 54 discectomies. The most common presenting symptoms were myelopathy (86%), motor weakness (72%), and sensory deficit (65%) with a symptom duration of 10.4 ± 11.6 months. A total of 21 (38.9%) discs were fully calcified on imaging and 15 (27.8%) were partially calcified. A total of 36 (66.7%) were giant TDHs (> 40% canal compromise). The average operative time was 197.2 ± 77.1 minutes with an average blood loss of 238.8 ± 250 ml. Six patients required ICU stays. Hospital length of stay was 4.40 ± 3.4 days. Of patients with follow-up MRI, 38 of 40 (95%) disc levels demonstrated < 20% residual disc. Postoperative Frankel scores (> 3 months) were maintained or improved for all patients, with 28 (65.1%) patients having an increase of 1 grade or more on their Frankel score. Six (14%) patients required repeat surgery, 2 of which were due to reherniation, 2 were from adjacent-level herniation, and 2 others were from wound problems. Patients with calcified TDHs had similar improvement in Frankel grade compared to patients without calcified TDH. Additionally, improvement in intraoperative neuromonitoring was associated with a greater improvement in Frankel grade.

CONCLUSIONS
The authors demonstrate a minimally disruptive, posterior approach that uses intraoperative ultrasound and ultrasonic aspiration with excellent outcomes and a complication profile similar to or better than other reported case series. This posterior approach is a valuable complement to the spine surgeon’s arsenal for the confident tackling of all TDHs.
TIMolol nasal spray as a treatment for epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) – Study protocol of the prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled cross-over TIM-HHT trial
Authors: Andorfer K.E.C. , Seebauer C.T. , Koller M. , Zeman F. , Berneburg M. , Fischer R. , Vielsmeier V. , Bohr C. , Kühnel T.S. 
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an inherited orphan disease, in which the absence of capillary beds between arterioles and venules lead to arteriovenous shunts. Epistaxis is the core symptom. Several case reports have described the nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist timolol as a successful treatment method of nosebleeds due in HHT patients. OBJECTIVE: TIM-HHT is a single-site, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over study to investigate whether the efficacy of standard laser treatment of epistaxis in HHT patients can be increased by the additional use of timolol nasal spray (1 mg/d). METHODS: Twenty patients will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment sequences. Primary outcome is the severity of epistaxis determined by the Epistaxis Severity Score (ESS). Secondary outcomes are subjective satisfaction, quality of life, as well as the hemoglobin, ferritin, and transferrin levels of the participating patients. Safety outcome is assessed by means of pulse, blood pressure, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: TIM-HHT will evaluate the efficacy and safety of timolol as an additional treatment of epistaxis in HHT patients in a three-month trial period. Benzalkonium chloride is used as a placebo, which has no documented positive effect on the nasal mucosa and hence on epistaxis in HHT patients (in contrast to saline). TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00020994. Registered on 10 March 2020
Do managers learn more about successful project management methods from articles in high impact factor journals?
Authors: Zwilling Moti , Eckhaus Eyal 
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the need to develop performance-based measurement systems to improve project management outcomes has dramatically increased. Managers still take various risks during the course of managing projects which lead to ineffective decision making. A range of theories discuss such behaviors. These theories demonstrate that the discussion of risk embedded in non-optimal decision-making processes is based on theory rather than practical knowledge. However, various components of project management can be derived from academic best practices for decision making. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to explore whether articles in high impact journals tend to embody practical, rather than theoretical, knowledge thus closing the gap between academia and industry. The study is based on SEM and various machine learning classification methods. METHOD: The study was conducted using an NLP analysis of 1461 academic journals in the field of project management. RESULTS: Results show a significant positive relationship between the success of projects and the impact of new practical procedures. In contrast, a negative correlation was found between theories that use non-practical processes of effective project management. CONCLUSION: Managers can learn about new methods for project management from articles in high impact factor journals.
Kanamycin in Cereal Biotechnology: A Screening or a Selectable Marker?
Authors: Shuja Malik , Riaz Hassan , Jamal Muhsin , Imran Muhammad 
Published: December 2021

Kanamycin is a widely used selection agent in dicot-plant genetic transformation systems. In monocots, however, it does not seem to be effective as it has no or minimal effect on the normal growth of non-transformed plants. Kanamycin was previously demonstrated to bleach the pigments of the non-transgenic plants. This may yield the idea that kanamycin can be used as an effective screening marker rather than a selectable marker in monocots. Copyright (c) 2021 Malik Nawaz Shuja, Hasan Riaz, Muhsin Jamal, Muhammad Imran
Analisis Komparasi Teknik Rendering Blender Render Dan Cycles Render Pada Video Animasi 3d Tentang Alat Pencernaan Manusia
Authors: Nusa Bhakti Brilian , Nurfaizal Yusmedi , Anwar Toni 
Published: December 2021

Perkembangan teknologi dari tahun ke tahun semakin pesat. Tidak bisa dipungkiri lagi segala aspek bidang sudah menggunakan teknologi baik bidang militer, pendidikan, informasi dan sebagainya. Sehingga pengerjaan yang biasanya membutuhkan waktu yang lama dengan adanya perkembangan teknologi menjadi lebih mudah dan cepat.Saat ini penggunaan animasi 3D semakin populer, karena dapat diaplikasikan ke berbagai aspek. Animasi 3D mampu menyampaikan konsep yang rumit sekalipun menjadi mudah dimengerti. Selain itu, animasi 3D memilki kelebihan yaitu menjadikan penonton lebih mudah memberikan perhatian dan fokusnya. Rendering adalah proses yang akan menentukan hasil dari animasi 3D tersebut. Peneliti mengangkat judul Analisis Komparasi Teknik Rendering Blender Render Dan Cycles Render Pada Video Animasi 3d Tentang Alat Pencernaan Manusia.Tujuan penelitian ini membandingkan teknik rendering Blender render dan Cycles render berdasarkan kecepatan rendering, ukuran file hasil render dan kualitas hasil render. Parameter yang digunakan untuk pengujian kedua teknik ini adalah texture.Dari hasil pengujian tersebut didapatkan bahwa teknik render dengan menggunakan Blender render akan lebih baik digunakan pada video animasi 3d tentang alat tubuh manusia, karena dari hasil pengujian kecepatan render, Blender render lebih cepat dibanding Cycles render. Sedangkan ketika untuk menghemat ukuran file hasil render maka lebih baik menggunakan Cycles render walaupun ukurannya tidak jauh berbeda.Untuk kualitas hasil render Blender render unggul dari Cycles render.

Kata kunci: Animasi 3D, Rendering, Cycles render, Blender render
3D Bioprinting of Pectin-Cellulose Nanofibers Multicomponent Bioinks
Authors: Pitton Matteo , Fiorati Andrea , Buscemi Silvia , Melone Lucio , Farè Silvia , Contessi Negrini Nicola 
Published: December 2021

Pectin has found extensive interest in biomedical applications, including wound dressing, drug delivery, and cancer targeting. However, the low viscosity of pectin solutions hinders their applications in 3D bioprinting. Here, we developed multicomponent bioinks prepared by combining pectin with TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNFs) to optimize the inks’ printability while ensuring stability of the printed hydrogels and simultaneously print viable cell-laden inks. First, we screened several combinations of pectin (1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5% w/v) and TOCNFs (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% w/v) by testing their rheological properties and printability. Addition of TOCNFs allowed increasing the inks’ viscosity while maintaining shear thinning rheological response, and it allowed us to identify the optimal pectin concentration (2.5% w/v). We then selected the optimal TOCNFs concentration (1% w/v) by evaluating the viability of cells embedded in the ink and eventually optimized the writing speed to be used to print accurate 3D grid structures. Bioinks were prepared by embedding L929 fibroblast cells in the ink printed by optimized printing parameters. The printed scaffolds were stable in a physiological-like environment and characterized by an elastic modulus of E = 1.8 ± 0.2 kPa. Cells loaded in the ink and printed were viable (cell viability &gt;80%) and their metabolic activity increased in time during the in vitro culture, showing the potential use of the developed bioinks for biofabrication and tissue engineering applications.
Ischemic Heart Disease Selectively Modifies the Right Atrial Appendage Transcriptome
Authors: Mulari Severi , Eskin Arda , Lampinen Milla , Nummi Annu , Nieminen Tuomo , Teittinen Kari , Ojala Teija , Kankainen Matti , Vento Antti , Laurikka Jari , Kupari Markku , Harjula Ari , Tuncbag Nurcan , Kankuri Esko 
Published: December 2021

Background: Although many pathological changes have been associated with ischemic heart disease (IHD), molecular-level alterations specific to the ischemic myocardium and their potential to reflect disease severity or therapeutic outcome remain unclear. Currently, diagnosis occurs relatively late and evaluating disease severity is largely based on clinical symptoms, various imaging modalities, or the determination of risk factors. This study aims to identify IHD-associated signature RNAs from the atrial myocardium and evaluate their ability to reflect disease severity or cardiac surgery outcomes.Methods and Results: We collected right atrial appendage (RAA) biopsies from 40 patients with invasive coronary angiography (ICA)-positive IHD undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery and from 8 patients ICA-negative for IHD (non-IHD) undergoing valvular surgery. Following RNA sequencing, RAA transcriptomes were analyzed against 429 donors from the GTEx project without cardiac disease. The IHD transcriptome was characterized by repressed RNA expression in pathways for cell–cell contacts and mitochondrial dysfunction. Increased expressions of the CSRNP3, FUT10, SHD, NAV2-AS4, and hsa-mir-181 genes resulted in significance with the complexity of coronary artery obstructions or correlated with a functional cardiac benefit from bypass surgery.Conclusions: Our results provide an atrial myocardium-focused insight into IHD signature RNAs. The specific gene expression changes characterized here, pave the way for future disease mechanism-based identification of biomarkers for early detection and treatment of IHD.
Uric Acid Variability as a Predictive Marker of Newly Developed Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kim Hae Kyung , Lee Minyoung , Lee Yong-ho , Lee Byung-Wan , Cha Bong-Soo , Kang Eun Seok 
Published: December 2021

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, the role of serum uric acid as a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease is controversial. This study investigated whether uric acid variability was associated with new-onset symptomatic CVD in patients with T2D, requiring percutaneous coronary intervention.Methods: A total of 1,071 patients were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study after propensity score matching. Patients with T2D and new-onset symptomatic CVD who received percutaneous coronary intervention for the first time, and with at least three consecutive 6-monthly measurements of serum uric acid were recruited from Severance Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. Uric acid variability was measured by average successive variability (ASV) and analyzed to evaluate a possible correlation with the risk of developing CVD.Results: The patients were divided into quartiles based on the uric acid variability. Patients in the highest quartile were older and presented lower renal function and a higher mortality from CVD. There was a linear association between a high uric acid variability and the development of CVD. Compared to the lowest quartile, patients in the higher quartiles had a higher risk of CVD [quartile 3: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–2.82; P = 0.019; quartile 4 aOR = 2.89; 95% CI, 1.74–4.80; P &lt; 0.001].Conclusion: High uric acid variability is independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset symptomatic CVD requiring percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with T2D. Thus, maintaining serum uric acid in a narrow range by prescribing effective medications is essential to prevent new-onset CVD in patients with T2D. Nonetheless, the potential use of uric acid variability as a predictive marker of CVD in patients with T2D needs further validation.
Case Report: Key Role of the Impella Device to Achieve Complete Revascularization in a Patient With Complex Multivessel Disease and Severely Depressed Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Monizzi Giovanni , Grancini Luca , Olivares Paolo , Bartorelli Antonio L. 
Published: December 2021

Background: Left ventricle (LV) assist devices may be required to stabilize hemodynamic status during complex, high-risk, and indicated procedures (CHIP). We present a case in which elective hemodynamic support with the Impella CP device was essential to achieve complete revascularization with PCI in a patient with complex multivessel disease and severely depressed LV function.Case Summary: A 45-year-old male with no previous history of cardiovascular disease presented to the emergency department for new onset exertional dyspnoea. Echocardiography showed severely depressed LV function (EF 27%) that was confirmed with cardiac magnetic resonance. Two chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) were found at coronary angiography. After Heart Team evaluation, PCI with Impella hemodynamic support was planned. After crossing and predilating the CTO of the LCx, ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred. No direct current (DC) shock was performed because the patient was conscious thanks to the support provided by the Impella pump. About 1 min later, spontaneous termination of VF occurred. Afterwards, the two CTOs were successfully treated with good result and no complications. Recovery of LV function was observed at discharge. At 9 months, the patient had no symptoms and echocardiography showed an EF of 60%.Discussion: In this complex high-risk patient, hemodynamic support was essential to allow successful PCI. It is remarkable that the patient remained conscious and hemodynamically stable during VF that spontaneously terminated after 1 min, likely because the Impella pump provided preserved coronary perfusion and LV unloading. This case confirms the pivotal role of Impella in supporting CHIP, particularly in patients with multivessel disease and depressed LV function.
Iterative Forecasting Improves Near-Term Predictions of Methane Ebullition Rates
Authors: McClure Ryan P. , Thomas R. Quinn , Lofton Mary E. , Woelmer Whitney M. , Carey Cayelan C. 
Published: December 2021

Near-term, ecological forecasting with iterative model refitting and uncertainty partitioning has great promise for improving our understanding of ecological processes and the predictive skill of ecological models, but to date has been infrequently applied to predict biogeochemical fluxes. Bubble fluxes of methane (CH4) from aquatic sediments to the atmosphere (ebullition) dominate freshwater greenhouse gas emissions, but it remains unknown how best to make robust near-term CH4 ebullition predictions using models. Near-term forecasting workflows have the potential to address several current challenges in predicting CH4 ebullition rates, including: development of models that can be applied across time horizons and ecosystems, identification of the timescales for which predictions can provide useful information, and quantification of uncertainty in predictions. To assess the capacity of near-term, iterative forecasting workflows to improve ebullition rate predictions, we developed and tested a near-term, iterative forecasting workflow of CH4 ebullition rates in a small eutrophic reservoir throughout one open-water period. The workflow included the repeated updating of a CH4 ebullition forecast model over time with newly-collected data via iterative model refitting. We compared the CH4 forecasts from our workflow to both alternative forecasts generated without iterative model refitting and a persistence null model. Our forecasts with iterative model refitting estimated CH4 ebullition rates up to 2 weeks into the future [RMSE at 1-week ahead = 0.53 and 0.48 loge(mg CH4 m−2 d−1) at 2-week ahead horizons]. Forecasts with iterative model refitting outperformed forecasts without refitting and the persistence null model at both 1- and 2-week forecast horizons. Driver uncertainty and model process uncertainty contributed the most to total forecast uncertainty, suggesting that future workflow improvements should focus on improved mechanistic understanding of CH4 models and drivers. Altogether, our study suggests that iterative forecasting improves week-to-week CH4 ebullition predictions, provides insight into predictability of ebullition rates into the future, and identifies which sources of uncertainty are the most important contributors to the total uncertainty in CH4 ebullition predictions.
Identification of Immune-Related Biomarkers for Sciatica in Peripheral Blood
Authors: Jin Xin , Wang Jun , Ge Lina , Hu Qing 
Published: December 2021

Objective: Sciatica pertains to neuropathic pain that has been associated with inflammatory response. We aimed to identify significant immune-related biomarkers for sciatica in peripheral blood.Methods: We utilized the GSE150408 expression profiling data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database as the training dataset and extracted immune-related genes for further analysis. Differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) between healthy controls and patients with sciatica were selected using the “limma” package and verified in clinical specimens by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). A diagnostic immune-related gene signature was established using the training model and random forest (RF), generalized linear model (GLM), and support vector machine (SVM) models. Sciatica patient subtypes were identified using the consensus clustering method.Results: Thirteen significant DEIRGs were acquired, of which five (CRP, EREG, FAM19A4, RLN1, and WFIKKN1) were selected to establish a diagnostic immune-related gene signature according to the most appropriate training model, namely, the RF model. A clinical application nomogram model was established based on the expression level of the five DEIRGs. The sciatica patients were divided into two subtypes (C1 and C2) according to the consensus clustering method.Conclusions: Our research established a diagnostic five immune-related gene signature to discriminate sciatica and identified two sciatica subtypes, which may be beneficial to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of sciatica.
Belimumab for Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy Associated With Anti-SRP Antibodies: A Case Report and Retrospective Review of Patients Treated With Anti-B-Cell Therapy in a Single Center and Literature
Authors: Cui Bei-Bei , Tian Yun-Ru , Ma Xin-Yue , Yin Geng , Xie Qibing 
Published: December 2021

BackgroundImmune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is characterized by markedly elevated creatinine kinase and histologically scattered necrotic muscle fibers and generally associated with autoantibodies against signal recognition particle (SRP) or 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coA-reductase (HMGCR). Poor clinical response to conventional therapies and relapses commonly occur in severe cases. Anti-B-cell therapies have been used in refractory/relapsing cases.MethodsThe characteristics of a patient with IMNM associated with anti-SRP antibodies including physical examination, laboratory tests, and disease activity assessment were evaluated. Conventional therapy, belimumab treatment schedule, and follow-up data were recorded. Medical records of IMNM patients treated in our department from September 2014 to June 2021 were reviewed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anti-B-cell therapy for anti-SRP IMNM. A literature review of patients with anti-SRP IMNM treated with anti-B-cell therapies was performed.ResultsWe describe a case of a 47-year-old woman with IMNM associated with anti-SRP antibodies who relapsed twice after conventional therapy but showed good response and tolerance to belimumab at 28 weeks follow-up. In this review, three patients from our department were treated with rituximab. Two of the three patients rapidly improved after treatment. Twenty patients and five retrospective studies were included in the literature review. All patients were administered rituximab as an anti-B-cell drug.ConclusionDespite a lack of rigorous clinical trials, considerable experience demonstrated that anti-B-cell therapy might be effective for patients with IMNM associated with anti-SRP antibodies. Belimumab in association with steroids might be an encouraging option for refractory/relapsing cases.
Case Report: Two Cases of Abdominal Aggressive Fibromatosis That Mimicked Abdominal Wall Endometriosis and Review of Literature
Authors: Chen Xin , Wang Yuan , Liu Haiyuan , Shi Honghui , Fan Qingbo , Lang Jinghe 
Published: December 2021

Background: Abdominal aggressive fibromatosis (AF) can be confounded with abdominal wall endomentriosis (AWE) because they share considerable similarity. Because of the different patient prognoses and treatment strategies available, accurate pre-operative diagnosis is important.Case Presentation: We here report two cases of abdominal masses presenting as periodic changes in tumor sizes, which occurred in correlation with the menstrual cycle. The clinical findings were highly suggestive of AWE. However, the final pathological findings revealed AF. The estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expressions were negative in the two cases. The differences between the two diseases have been discussed in detail.Conclusion: A diagnosis of AWE should be scrutinized closely if the patient does not complain of cyclic pain. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a suitable tool for pre-operative evaluation.