bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lymphocele after anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a review of 1322 patients
Authors: Scheer Justin K. , Haddad Alexander F. , Chan Andrew K. , Eichler Charles M. , Tay Bobby , Burch Shane , Chou Dean , Ames Christopher P. , Mummaneni Praveen V. 
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is an effective surgical modality for many lumbar degenerative pathologies, but a rare and infrequently reported complication is postoperative lymphocele. The goals of the present study were to review a large consecutive series of patients who underwent ALIF at a high-volume institution, estimate the rate of lymphocele occurrence after ALIF, and investigate the outcomes of patients who developed lymphocele after ALIF.

METHODS
A retrospective review of the electronic medical record was completed, identifying all patients (≥ 18 years old) who underwent at a minimum a single-level ALIF from 2012 through 2019. Postoperative spinal and abdominal images, as well as radiologist reports, were reviewed for mention of lymphocele. Clinical data were collected and reported.

RESULTS
A total of 1322 patients underwent a minimum 1-level ALIF. Of these patients, 937 (70.9%) had either postoperative abdominal or lumbar spine images, and the resulting lymphocele incidence was 2.1% (20/937 patients). The mean ± SD age was 67 ± 10.9 years, and the male/female ratio was 1:1. Patients with lymphocele were significantly older than those without lymphocele (66.9 vs 58.9 years, p = 0.006). In addition, patients with lymphocele had a greater number of mean levels fused (2.5 vs 1.8, p < 0.001) and were more likely to have undergone ALIF at L2–4 (95.0% vs 66.4%, p = 0.007) than patients without lymphocele. On subsequent multivariate analysis, age (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.12, p = 0.013), BMI (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01–1.18, p = 0.021), and number of levels fused (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.05–3.14, p = 0.032) were independent prognosticators of postoperative lymphocele development. Patients with symptomatic lymphocele were successfully treated with either interventional radiology (IR) drainage and/or sclerosis therapy and achieved radiographic resolution. The mean ± SD length of hospital stay was 9.1 ± 5.2 days. Ten patients (50%) were postoperatively discharged to a rehabilitation center: 8 patients (40%) were discharged to home, 1 (5%) to a skilled nursing facility, and 1 (5%) to a long-term acute care facility.

CONCLUSIONS
After ALIF, 2.1% of patients were diagnosed with radiographically identified postoperative lymphocele and had risk factors such as increased age, BMI, and number of levels fused. Most patients presented within 1 month postoperatively, and their clinical presentations included abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and/or wound complications. Of note, 25% of identified lymphoceles were discovered incidentally. Patients with symptomatic lymphocele were successfully treated with either IR drainage and/or sclerosis therapy and achieved radiographic resolution.
Genetic variations of adenosine kinase as predictable biomarkers of efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Wang Xiongfei , Tang Chongyang , Guan Yuguang , Chen Fan , Gao Qing , Wang Jing , Zhou Jian , Zhai Feng , Boison Detlev , Luan Guoming , Li Tianfu 
Published: September 2021

OBJECTIVE
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an alternative treatment option for individuals with refractory epilepsy, with nearly 40% of patients showing no benefit after VNS and only 6%–8% achieving seizure freedom. It is presently unclear why some patients respond to treatment and others do not. Therefore, identification of biomarkers to predict efficacy of VNS is of utmost importance. The objective of this study was to explore whether genetic variations in genes involved in adenosine kinase (ADK), ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E), and adenosine A1 receptor (A1R) are linked to outcome of VNS in patients with refractory epilepsy.

METHODS
Thirty single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 9 in genes encoding ADK, 3 in genes encoding NT5E, and 18 in genes encoding A1R, were genotyped in 194 refractory epilepsy patients who underwent VNS. The chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to determine associations between genetic differences and VNS efficacy.

RESULTS
A significant association between ADK SNPs rs11001109, rs7899674, and rs946185 and seizure reduction with VNS was found. Regardless of sex, age, seizure frequency and type, antiseizure drug use, etiology, and prior surgical history, all patients (10/10 patients [100%]) with minor allele homozygosity at rs11001109 (genotype AA) or rs946185 (AA) achieved > 50% seizure reduction and 4 patients (4/10 [40%]) achieved seizure freedom. VNS therapy demonstrated higher efficacy among carriers of minor allele rs7899674 (CG + GG) (68.3% vs 48.8% for patients with major allele homozygosity).

CONCLUSIONS
Homozygous ADK SNPs rs11001109 (AA) and rs946185 (AA), as well as minor allele rs7899674 (CG + GG), may serve as useful biomarkers for prediction of VNS therapy outcome.
Improvement of glucose metabolism and safety of acacia bark-derived proanthocyanidins in healthy Japanese adults: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Trial
Authors: Baba Asami , Hoshino Tomohiro , Ogawa Sosuke , Takara Tsuyoshi 
Published: September 2021

Objective: Acacia bark-derived proanthocyanidins exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, hypotensive effects, and improving skin condition, in addition to beneficial effects on blood glucose. Herein, we evaluated the effects of acacia bark-derived proanthocyanidins on fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in healthy Japanese adults with fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels between 110–125 mg/dL.Methods: Subjects were randomly allocated into 2 groups (n = 33 per group) and consumed 6 tablets/day of either tablets of acacia bark extract containing proanthocyanidins (Acacia group) or placebo for 12 weeks. Evaluation points were at the screening, and after 4-week (4w), 8-week (8w), and 12-week intervention (12w). The primary outcome was FBG level at 12 w, whereas the secondary outcomes were FBG level at 4w and 8w, the FBG changes from Scr to each-week intervention, the percentage of subjects with FBG levels below 110 mg/dL after 12 w, the measured value and the change value from Scr to each-week intervention of HbA1c, the measured value and the change value from Scr to each-week intervention of postprandial blood glucose levels.Results: A total of 33 subjects (18 men, 15 women) from each group were analyzed. The Acacia group had significantly lower FBG levels at 8 and 12 w than the placebo group (P = 0.030 and P = 0.014, respectively). The percentage of subjects with FBG <110 mg/dL at 12 w was marginally higher in the Acacia group than in the placebo group (P = 0.079). HbA1c at 12 w was significantly lowered in the Acacia group compared to the placebo group (P = 0.015).Conclusions: Acacia bark-derived proanthocyanidins were confirmed to have FBG-lowering effects.Trial registration: UMIN000039414Foundation: Acacia-No-Ki Co.,Ltd.Keywords: Acacia bark extract, Proanthocyanidins, Fasting blood glucose level, HbA1c
Importância da Motivação para a Satisfação dos Colaboradores e Crescimento Organizacional
Authors: Pereira de Lima Dilene , Silva Anderson Diego Farias da 
Published: September 2021

Esta pesquisa visa analisar a importância da motivação nas organizações e os benefícios que ela apresenta para a produtividade dos colaboradores e crescimento das empresas. Para tal, são abordadas as principais teorias motivacionais, de forma a explorar os direcionamentos sobre a importância de manter um ambiente organizacional com colaboradores engajados. Com relação aos procedimentos metodológicos, trata-se de um estudo de natureza mista, com o emprego de análise qualitativa e quantitativa, com fins de pesquisas explicativa, exploratória e descritiva, sendo os meios, o estudo de caso, com a coleta de dados primária e secundária, através da aplicação de questionários e da realização de entrevistas e de pesquisas bibliográficas. Nos resultados, verificou-se que a motivação é individual, pois, o que pode ser fator motivante para um colaborador, pode não ser para outro e vice-versa. Nesse sentido, cabe aos líderes saberem identificar a melhor maneira de motivar cada um dá sua equipe. Concluiu-se, também, que o salário não é o fator mais motivante, mas sim fatores que levem ao reconhecimento e a valorização do funcionário. Foi constatado ainda que a motivação interfere na produtividade dos colaboradores, da mesma forma que diminui a rotatividade, logo, aumentando a retenção desses.
Análise do desempenho dos Fundos Imobiliários no Brasil de 2017 a pandemia Covid-19
Authors: Ivantes Dias Eric , Carlos Magalhães da Silva Antonio 
Published: September 2021

Em um contexto onde investidores pessoas físicas estão cada vez acessando o mercado imobiliário por meio dos fundos imobiliários em um cenário de queda de juros, este estudo tem como objetivo analisar o retorno dos fundos imobiliários no período de janeiro de 2017 a maio de 2021 como forma de auxiliar o investidor pessoa física na tomada de decisões para diversificação dos seus investimentos. A metodologia adotada foi a regressão linear de mínimos quadrados ordinários (MQO) para analisar o comportamento das variáveis explicativas macroeconômicas e de mercado em relação a variável dependente IFIX. Para análise da amostra foi realizada uma regressão para o período amostral completo e posteriormente, uma segunda regressão foi realizada para o subperíodo amostral da pandemia Covid-19, com a conclusão de que, das variáveis adotadas, apenas o Ibovespa apresentou significância na explicação da variação do IFIX em ambas amostras.
Prevalence and Predictors of Caregiver Burden in a Memory Clinic Population
Authors: O’Caoimh Rónán , Calnan Mareeta , Dhar Arup , Molloy D. William 
Published: September 2021

Background: Although caregiver burden is common among carers of people with dementia, little is known about its prevalence and predictors among caregivers of patients attending memory clinics. Objective: To examine carer and patient-specific characteristics associated with caregiver burden across the cognitive spectrum in a memory clinic population. Methods: Consecutive patients referred to a university hospital geriatric memory clinic were included. Caregiver burden was scored using the Caregiver Burden Score (CBS), (modified Zarit), with scores≥15/30 suggesting burden. BPSD were measured with the dysfunctional behaviour rating instrument (DBRI). Cognition was screened using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment (Q mci) screen. Results: In all, 351 patients were included, median age 77 (±11) years; 65.5% were female. The prevalence of caregiver burden was 33.6% overall, increasing from 10.8% in subjective cognitive decline (SCD), to 15% in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 43% in dementia; CBS scores were significantly higher in dementia ( p < 0.001). Caregivers with burden were significantly younger ( p = 0.045) and were more likely to be adult children ( p = 0.007). The CBS weakly correlated with the stage of cognitive impairment ( r = 0.16) but had moderate correlation with MoCA ( r = –0.54) and Q mci scores ( r = –0.60). After adjustment for co-variates, DBRI scores alone independently predicted burden (odds ratio 1.23;1.11–1.35, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Caregiver burden is associated with the stage of cognitive impairment, with higher prevalence proportions in those with dementia compared with MCI and SCD. Only the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms independently predicted caregiver burden in this population and its presence should prompt assessment for burden.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method development and validation for the determination of flunixin: Animal plasma based study
Authors: Alshahrani Sultan M. , Christensen John Mark 
Published: September 2021

This study was designed to develop and validate a simple and efficient high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to determine flunixin concentrations in Asian elephant’s ( Elephas maximus) plasma. Flunixin was administered orally at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg, and blood samples were collected. Flunixin extraction was performed by adding an equal amount of acetonitrile to plasma and centrifuging at 4500 rpm for 25 minutes. The supernatant was removed, and flunixin was analyzed using HPLC-UV detection. Two methods were developed and tested utilizing two different mobile phases either with or without adding methanol (ACN: H2O vs. ACN: H2O: MeOH). Both methods showed excellent linearity and reproducibility. The limit of detection was 0.05 ug/ml and limit of quantification was 0.1 ug/ml. the efficiency of flunixin recovery was maximized by the addition of methanol to mobile phase (ACN: H2O: MeOH as 50:30:20) at 95% in comparison to 23% without methanol. In conclusion, adding methanol to HPLC methods for extraction of flunixin from elephants’ plasma yielded higher recovery rate than without methanol.
The Impact of the Dynamic Model in Feedback Linearization Trajectory Tracking of a Mobile Robot
Authors: Benchouche Welid , Mellah Rabah , Bennouna Mohammed Salah 
Published: September 2021

This paper proposes the impact of the Dynamic model in Input-Output State Feedback Linearization (IO-SFL) technique for trajectory tracking of differential drive mobile robots, which has been restricted to using just the kinematics in most of the previous approaches. To simplify the control problem, this paper develops a novel control approach based on the velocity and position control strategy. To improve the results, the dynamics are taken into account. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the flaws unseen when adopting the kinematics-only controllers because the nonlinear kinematic model will suffice for control design only when the inner velocity (dynamic) loop is faster than the slower outer control loop. This is a big concern when using kinematic controllers to robots that don’t have a low-level controller, Arduino robots for example. The control approach is verified using the Lyapunov stability analysis. MATLAB/SIMULINK is carried out to determine the impact of the proposed controller for the trajectory tracking problem, from the simulation, it was discovered that the proposed controller has an excellent dynamic characteristic, simple, rapid response, stable capability for trajectory-tracking, and ignorable tracking error. A comparison between the presence and absence of the dynamic model shows the error in tracking due to dynamic system that must be taken into account if our system doesn’t come with a built-in one, thus, confirming the superiority of the proposed approach in terms of precision, with a neglectable difference in computations.
The Preparedness of Emergency Care Providers to Deal with Death, Dying and Bereavement in the Pre-Hospital Setting in Dubai
Authors: Conning Reon , Naidoo Raveen , Bhagwan Raisuyah 
Published: September 2021

Introduction This study sought to investigate how prepared emergency care providers are to deal with death, dying and bereavement in the pre-hospital setting in Dubai, and to make recommendations related to such events. Methods A quantitative descriptive prospective design was utilised. Data was collected using an online self-report questionnaire sent to all operational emergency care providers in the Dubai Corporation of Ambulance Services. The data was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0. Results Nearly 65% of participants (n=316) reported that they had not received any formal education or training on death, dying and bereavement. Those that did, reported that the training was conducted mainly by nursing (25.9%; n=124) and paramedic (13.6%; n=65) instructors. One-quarter of participants (25.4%; n=126) reported experiencing intrusive symptoms such as sleep loss, nightmares and missing work as a result of a work-related death or dying incident, but only 4.1% (n=20) had received professional counselling. Conclusion This study found that emergency care providers are underprepared to deal with death, dying and bereavement. A comprehensive death education program encompassing the unique challenges that emergency and pre-hospital setting presents should be implemented to reduce emotional anxiety and help emergency care providers cope better with death, and decrease abnormal grief reactions of the bereft. Abnormal grief reactions can include restlessness, searching for the lost person and disrupted autonomic nervous system functions.
The effect of short-term resistance training on hand reaction time improvement is independent of sexual dimorphism
Authors: Silveira Anderson Luiz Bezerra da , De Carvalho Lucas Monteiro , Nascimento Caio Lima do , Costa César Rafael Marins , Bentes Claudio Melibeu 
Published: September 2021

Objectiveː The aim was to evaluate the effects of four weeks of resistance training and sexual dimorphism on Manual reaction time in apparently healthy subjects.
Methods: The subjects of the sample were randomly allocated in two groups, as follow: Control (CTRL) - kept 4 weeks without any systematized physical activity (Nmales= 8, age= 24±3 yrs., body weight= 76.9±15.4 kg; Nfemales= 8, age= 22.5±4 yrs., body weight= 70.8±17.5 kg); Experimental (EXP) - 4 weeks of resistance training (Nmales= 8, age= 23±3 yrs., weight= 69.6±11 kg; Nfemales= 8, age= 22.5±1 yrs., body weight= 59.77±6.8 kg). The resistance training consisted of 4 exercises for upper limbs (3 sets x 8-12 reps) and 4 exercises for lower (3 sets x 12-15 reps). Manual reaction time was evaluated in a manufactured Arduino-based reaction time device connected to a computer.
Results: For men, there was a significant decrease in Manual reaction time after resistance training within EXP (p<0.0001) and between groups (p<0.0001). Women showed the same results within EXP (p<0.0001) and between groups (p<0.0001). Additionally, there was no sexual dimorphism before or after four weeks of resistance training.
Conclusion: The results suggest that just four weeks of resistance training was sufficient to improve Manual reaction time, regardless of sexual dimorphism. Therefore, resistance training inclusion in the training periodization seems essential to improve or rehabilitate the fast voluntary motor response, especially for activities or sports that require it.
Variaciones en método de síntesis de UiO-66-NH2 para esterificación catalítica del ácido levulínico
Authors: Bravo Fuchineco Daiana Antonella , Heredia Angélica Constanza , Rodríguez Castellón Enrique , Crivello Mónica Elsie 
Published: September 2021

La creciente tendencia al reemplazo parcial de los combustibles derivados del petróleo por aquellos provenientes de la revalorización de biomasa ha tomado gran importancia en el último tiempo. Es por ello que el presente trabajo propone la obtención de ésteres levulínicos mediante una reacción catalítica de esterificación del ácido levulínico, molécula plataforma, con diferentes alcoholes. Para ello se han sintetizado nanocatalizadores MOFs, que fueron utilizados como catalizadores (UiO-66-NH2), constituidos por circonio como fuente metálica y ácido aminotereftálico como agente ligante orgánico. Se presenta una alternativa de síntesis mediante agitación por vía ultrasónica a temperatura de 60 ºC y una variación en el tiempo de mufla. La finalidad fue lograr una síntesis en condiciones más favorables y mejorar las propiedades estructurales de los catalizadores. Las mismas fueron analizadas por difracción de rayos X, espectroscopía infrarroja, microscopía electrónica de barrido, espectroscopia de emisión atómica de plasma de microondas, isotermas de adsorción de N2 y espectrometría de fotoelectrones inducidos por rayos X. El progreso de la reacción catalítica fue seguido por cromatografía gaseosa y espectroscopía de masa. Se optimizaron parámetros como temperatura, masa de catalizador y relación molar de reactivos, buscando mejorar el rendimiento catalítico. Para todos los esteres levulínicos, el MOF que presentó la mayor actividad y selectividad al producto deseado fue el obtenido con un tiempo de síntesis de 6hs, con un rendimiento de 77,54 % a levulinato de metilo, de 34,58 % a levulinato de etilo y de 31,41 % a levulinato de butilo.
A Novel Classifier Based on Urinary Proteomics for Distinguishing Between Benign and Malignant Ovarian Tumors
Authors: Ni Maowei , Zhou Jie , Zhu Zhihui , Yuan Jingtao , Gong Wangang , Zhu Jianqing , Zheng Zhiguo , Zhao Huajun 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundPreoperative differentiation of benign and malignant tumor types is critical for providing individualized treatment interventions to improve prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. High-throughput proteomics analysis of urine samples was performed to identify reliable and non-invasive biomarkers that could effectively discriminate between the two ovarian tumor types.MethodsIn total, 132 urine samples from 73 malignant and 59 benign cases of ovarian carcinoma were divided into C1 (training and test datasets) and C2 (validation dataset) cohorts. Mass spectrometry (MS) data of all samples were acquired in data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer and analyzed using DIA-NN software. The generated classifier was trained with Random Forest algorithm from the training dataset and validated in the test and validation datasets. Serum CA125 and HE4 levels were additionally determined in all patients. Finally, classification accuracy of the classifier, serum CA125 and serum HE4 in all samples were evaluated and plotted via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsIn total, 2,199 proteins were quantified and 69 identified with differential expression in benign and malignant groups of the C1 cohort. A classifier incorporating five proteins (WFDC2, PTMA, PVRL4, FIBA, and PVRL2) was trained and validated in this study. Evaluation of the performance of the classifier revealed AUC values of 0.970 and 0.952 in the test and validation datasets, respectively. In all 132 patients, AUCs of 0.966, 0.947, and 0.979 were achieved with the classifier, serum CA125, and serum HE4, respectively. Among eight patients with early stage malignancy, 7, 6, and 4 were accurately diagnosed based on classifier, serum CA125, and serum HE4, respectively.ConclusionThe novel classifier incorporating a urinary protein panel presents a promising non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for classifying benign and malignant ovarian tumors.