bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased 99mTc Pertechnetate Uptake But Unimpressive 131I Activity in the Metastatic Mediastinal Lymph Nodes in a Thyroid Cancer Patient
Authors: Shao Fuqiang , Zhou Dan , Lan Xiaoli 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
False negative 131I accumulation in metastatic lesions of thyroid carcinoma could be due to various etiologies. Here we present a 33-year-old woman with a history of papillary thyroid cancer who had increased 99mTc pertechnetate activity in the mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes, which was not clearly seen on whole body 131I scan due to adjacent activity from lung metastases.
The Application of Ultrasound and Fine-Needle Aspiration in Low-Volume Lateral Lymph Nodes of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Chen Yilai , Zhan Weiwei , Zhou Wei , Dong Yijie 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
This research investigates the application of high-frequency ultrasound (US) examination and US-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-FNA) in diagnosing low-volume metastatic lateral lymph nodes (LLNs) from papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. This study reviewed the medical records of 996 LLNs from 858 patients with suspicious thyroid nodules or after thyroidectomy from January 2013 to January 2016. All patients took US-FNA. The US characteristics and the malignancy rate of LLNs classified into group A and group B based on size were analyzed and compared (group A, ≥6 mm; group B, <6 mm). Size was not an independent predictor for malignancy (P > 0.005) in multiple regression analysis, whereas the malignancy rate in the large LLNs (286/425; 67.3%) was slightly higher than that in the small LLNs (338/571; 59.2%) (P = 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of calcification, absence of hilum, and peripheral vascularization. The prevalence of malignant LLNs was slightly higher in the small LLNs than that in the large ones when there were less than 3 suspicious US features (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the small and large LLNs when there were 3 or more suspicious US features (P > 0.05). The results indicate that metastases may occur in the lymph nodes even when they were small. Ultrasound and US-FNA showed excellent performance in the diagnosis of low-volume metastatic lateral lymph nodes from papillary thyroid carcinoma patients.
A Clinical Study Comparing the Diagnostic Performance of Assist Strain Ratio Against Manual Strain Ratio in Ultrasound Breast Elastography
Authors: Barr Richard G. , Managuli Ravi A. 
Published: December 2018

Objective
Strain ratio (SR) is a semiquantitative parameter in differentiating benign from malignant tumors in breast ultrasound elastography. Currently, SR is computed manually and, thus, user dependent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new tool assist strain ratio (ASR) and determine how it performs compared with an expert sonologist.

Methods
Ninety-one patients scheduled for breast biopsy were included in this institutional review board–approved/Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant study. For manual strain ratio (MSR), fat and lesion were manually outlined, whereas for ASR, the clinician indicated the lesion center and the fat-to-lesion ratio is computed automatically. Three measurements were obtained for each lesion. The same raw data were used to calculate the MSR and ASR.

Results
The SR thresholds to differentiate benign from malignant tumors were determined using the Youden index. For MSR, the cutoff was 2.7, and for ASR was 2.8. The MSR showed a sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 64%, accuracy of 77%, positive predictive value of 72%, and negative predictive value of 92.1%. Corresponding ASR showed a sensitivity of 86%, specificity of 76%, accuracy of 81%, positive predictive value of 79%, and negative predictive value of 84%. The areas under the curve for the MSR and ASR were 0.83 and 0.85, respectively. The average coefficients of variation for the MSR and ASR measurements were 43% and 30%, respectively.

Conclusion
Assist strain ratio demonstrated similar diagnostic performance compared with MSR. In addition, the coefficient of variation of ASR is lower, implying lower intraoperator dependency. Thus, ASR may aid less-experienced scanners in obtaining improved results.
Linea Arcuate Hernia Following Transversus Abdominis Release Incisional Hernia Repair
Authors: McCulloch Ian Lambourne , Mullens Cody L. , Hardy Kristen M. , Cardinal Jon S. , Ueno Cristiane M. 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Open abdominal surgery continues to be most commonly complicated by postoperative herniation at the incision line. In 2012, Novitsky et al described a novel hernia repair technique that utilized a transversus abdominis release coupled with a posterior (retrorectus) component separation (TAR-PCS) of the ventral abdominal wall. Early reports attest to the versatility and low recurrence rate of this technique, particularly when repairing large and complex defects. We present a rare case of herniation below the linea arcuate (LAH) following repair via TAR-PCS. Given its novelty compared with more widely utilized techniques, literature review revealed less discussion regarding potential pitfalls associated with this type of reconstruction, in particular the potential for LAH. To date, only 9 cases of symptomatic LAH have been described, although 2 previously described “suprapubic” herniations following TAR-PCS may represent previously mischaracterized cases of this type of complication. Nonetheless, none of these reports were in the setting of ventral hernia repair.
Perception of Lip Cant as a Sign of Facial Deformity
Authors: Lee Shou-Fan , Dumrongwongsiri Sarayuth , Lo Lun-Jou 
Published: December 2018

Objective
Lip cant is a feature of facial deformity and commonly seen in patients with facial asymmetry. Because of its importance in aesthetic assessment, it is necessary to define the perceptions of lip cant and investigate differences in perception between laypersons and professionals. These data were insufficient in the literature.

Methods
Photographs of 30 male and 30 female individuals with normal faces were collected, and the lip line angles were measured. A composite facial photograph was generated from superimpositions of the normal faces. Lip line angles from 0° to 9° were made, with other facial features remaining unchanged. The test photographs were arranged in random fashion and evaluated by 64 laypersons and 30 professionals. Comparisons and cumulative frequency were performed.

Results
The lip line angle from the 60 normal persons was 1.20° ± 0.94°. From the composite test photographs, the average first perception of lip cant was 3.25° 1± 1.36° in the laypersons and 1.70° ± 0.69° in the professionals. The average first perception of unacceptable lip cant was 6.40° ± 1.79° in the laypersons and 4.40°1. ± 1.65° in the professionals. Significant differences were found between the first perception and perception as unacceptable lip cant, as well as between the laypersons and the professionals. Cumulative data showed that 82.8% of the laypersons perceived lip cant at 4°, and 17.2% of them felt it aesthetically unacceptable. Few laypersons (1.6%) considered less than 4° unacceptable.

Conclusions
The data in this study provide helpful information in the evaluation of lip cant. A lip cant of 4° or more could be considered an indication for clinical management.
Comparison of the Effects of Epidural Analgesia and Patient-controlled Intravenous Analgesia on Postoperative Pain Relief and Recovery After Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Kikuchi Satoru , Kuroda Shinji , Nishizaki Masahiko , Matsusaki Takashi , Kuwada Kazuya , Kimura Yoshikazu , Kagawa Shunsuke , Morimatsu Hiroshi , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi 
Published: December 2018

Purpose:
Epidural analgesia (EDA) is an imperative modality for postoperative pain relief after major open abdominal surgery. However, whether EDA has benefits in laparoscopic surgery has not been clear. In this study, the effects of EDA and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) were compared.

Methods:
This was a retrospective study that included 82 patients undergoing LDG for gastric cancer. Patients received either EDA (n=67) or PCIA (n=15) for postoperative pain relief. Postoperative outcomes and analgesia-related adverse events were compared between the two modalities.

Results:
EDA and PCIA patients showed no differences in the incidence of complications [9 (13%) vs. 2 (13%); P=0.99] and the length of postoperative hospital stay (9.6±4.5 d vs. 9.7±4.0 d; P=0.90), although the PCIA included poorer preoperative physical status (PS) patients. The number of additional doses of analgesics was higher in the EDA than in the PCIA (1.8±2.4 vs. 0.9±1.0; P=0.01), although postoperative pain scores were similar in the 2 groups. Though the time to first passage of flatus was shorter in the EDA (P<0.05), more EDA patients developed postoperative hypotension as an adverse event (P<0.01). The full mobilization day and the day of oral intake tolerance were not significantly different between the 2 groups after surgery.

Conclusions
After LDG, EDA may not be indispensable, while PCIA may be the optimal modality for providing safe and effective postoperative analgesia and recovery.
Clinical Outcomes of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Retrospective Comparative Study Between Patients With and Without Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis
Authors: Domínguez-Comesaña Elias , Tojo-Artos Iria , Domínguez-Fernández Rubén , Tojo-Ramallo Sergio , Rial-Durán Agata , Estévez-Fernández Sergio M. 
Published: December 2018

Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) compared with patients without XGC.

Methods:
A retrospective study was performed including patients who had undergone elective LC between January 2003 and November 2017. Results of patients with XGC (25) were compared with those of patients without XGC (2181) with respect to operative time, conversion rate, drain use, postoperative complications, and postoperative stay.

Results:
The mean operative times in patients with and without XGC were 112.8 and 66.3 minutes, respectively (P=0.001). The conversion rate was 36% in patients with XGC and 3.89% in patients without XGC (P=0.001). Drains were used in 76% of patients with XGC and in 24% of patients without XGC (P=0.001). Postoperative complication rate was 16% and 9.9% in patients with and without XGC, respectively (P=0.309). Mean postoperative stays in patients with and without XGC were 4.3 and 2.3 days, respectively (P=0.001).

Conclusions:
LC in patients with XGC is associated with significantly longer operative time, higher conversion rate, greater drain use, and longer postoperative stay compared with patients without XGC.
Prospective Comparison of Bleeding Complications Between Right and Left Approaches in Percutaneous Biliary Drainage
Authors: Houghton Eduardo J. , Zeledón Manuel , Acquafresca Pablo , Finger Caetano , Palermo Mariano , Giménez Mariano E. 
Published: December 2018

Purpose:
The present study aimed to determine whether the percentage of bleeding complications differs between the right and the left approaches in percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) in adult patients.

Materials and Methods:
This was a prospective, descriptive, nonrandomized comparative and longitudinal study. We included adult patients over 18 years of age who underwent a PBD. We excluded those with a bilateral PBD for the comparative study. Usually, but not exclusively, we performed the right approach under fluoroscopic guidance and the left one under ultrasound and fluoroscopy.

Results:
Of 150 cases, 63 were performed using the right approach and 61 with the left; 26 were performed with the bilateral. The right approach faced less dilated biliary ducts and more benign diseases. We experienced 20 bleeding complications (13.33%, confidence intervals of 95%=8.3-19.8), 7 in the bilateral approach, 10 in the right approach, and 3 in the left one. The difference between the right and the left approaches was statistically significant (Fisher P=0,04). No procedures were required to obtain hemostasis, and only one patient (0.66%, confidence intervals of 95%=0.009-3.66) (in the right side) required a red blood cell transfusion. We found no related mortality.

Conclusions:
Global bleeding complications are more likely to appear in the right approach in which less dilated biliary ducts and more benign diseases probably contributed to a higher number of needle passes, portal and hepatic vein punctures, and, therefore, to an increase in the risk of bleeding complications. The significant bleeding complication rate was low (0.66%).
Management of intracranial haemorrhage, unruptured aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations during and after pregnancy
Authors: Acciarresi Monica , Altavilla Riccardo , Mosconi Maria G. , Caso Valeria 
Published: December 2018

Purpose of review
The absolute risk of pregnancy-associated intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) has been reported to be relatively low and often associated with high risks of life-long disabilities and mortality. The aim of this narrative review was obtaining a better understanding of the current management practices for ICH, unruptured aneurysms and/or arteriovenous malformations during pregnancy, as well as the effects of future pregnancies, and the uses of oral contraceptive or HRT.

Recent finding
General guidelines for the management of ICH are used for pregnant women but additional expedient and thorough evaluation of foetal viability and its gestational age are requested. Recent epidemiological data suggest that menopause can be an independent risk factor for the development of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage. Furthermore, several population-based studies performed on women with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage observed a lower risk of bleeding with HRT.

Summary
The current review observed that the management practices for ICH during pregnancy were seen to be somewhat uniform. Whereas, the practices regarding future pregnancies and the prescriptions of either oral contraceptives or HRT do not follow coherent patterns. In light of this, we recommend the establishment of an international registry that would collect data on women with ICH during pregnancy.
Visual function in children with primary brain tumors
Authors: Peragallo Jason H. 
Published: December 2018

Purpose of review
To review the recent advances in understanding how primary brain tumors affect vision in children.

Recent findings
Children with primary brain tumors may have vision loss due to involvement of their afferent visual pathways or from papilledema. These vision deficits may go unrecognized until later in life, years after treatment of the primary lesion. Strabismus and cranial nerve palsies may occur as a result of brain tumors. Ophthalmologists can monitor and treat young children at risk for vision loss from amblyopia as a result of effects from their underlying lesion. Advances in imaging techniques have made it possible to quantify damage to the visual pathways with objective tests.

Summary
Systematic referrals for evaluation by an ophthalmologist should occur early in the course of treatment of primary brain tumors as these evaluations may improve visual outcomes and quality of life.
Treatment strategies for Leber hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Jurkute Neringa , Harvey Joshua , Yu-Wai-Man Patrick 
Published: December 2018

Purpose of review
Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most common primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorder in the population and it carries a poor visual prognosis. In this article, we review the development of treatment strategies for LHON, the evidence base and the areas of unmet clinical need.

Recent findings
There is accumulating evidence that increasing mitochondrial biogenesis could be an effective strategy for protecting retinal ganglion cells in LHON. A number of clinical trials are currently investigating the efficacy of viral-based gene therapy for patients harbouring the m.11778G>A mtDNA mutation. For female LHON carriers of childbearing age, mitochondrial replacement therapy is being offered to prevent the maternal transmission of pathogenic mtDNA mutations.

Summary
Although disease-modifying treatment options remain limited, a better understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms in LHON is paving the way for complementary neuroprotective and gene therapeutic strategies for this mitochondrial optic nerve disorder.
Association Study Between Serotonin Transporter Gene and Fluoxetine Response in Mexican Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Camarena Beatriz , Álvarez-Icaza Deni , Hernández Sandra , Aguilar Alejandro , Münch Lucía , Martínez Consuelo , Becerra-Palars Claudia 
Published: December 2018

Objective
Pharmacogenetic studies have identified genetic variants associated with fluoxetine response in patients with major depression disorder (MDD). The serotonin transporter gene is the principal site of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Previous studies analyzing SLC6A4 gene variants are inconsistent and differ among populations. The aim of the present study was to analyze the association between 5-HTTLPR/rs24531 triallelic polymorphism and fluoxetine response in Mexican patients with MDD.

Methods
We analyzed a sample of 150 patients with MDD. Fluoxetine response was assessed according to a reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Montgomery Depression Rating Scale scores of 50% or more at 8 weeks from baseline. In addition, we analyzed the genotype and allele distribution between responder and nonresponder patients in a subgroup of very severe depression patients.

Results
We did not find association between fluoxetine responders and 5-HTTLPR/rs25531 variants (P = 0.0637). However, in the analysis of severe depression at baseline (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ≥ 25), we observed a high frequency of low activity alleles (S/LG) in nonresponders patients (P = 0.0102).

Conclusions
Our findings showed an association between low activity alleles of SLC6A4 gene and fluoxetine nonresponse in patients with severe depression.
Genetic variation within genes associated with mitochondrial function is significantly associated with later age at onset of Parkinson disease and contributes to disease risk
Authors: Billingsley Kimberley J. , Barbosa Ines A. , Bandrés-Ciga Sara , Quinn John P. , Bubb Vivien J. , Deshpande Charu , Botia Juan A. , Reynolds Regina H. , Zhang David , Simpson Michael A. , Blauwendraat Cornelis , Gan-Or Ziv , Gibbs J Raphael , Nalls Mike A. , Singleton Andrew ,   International Parkinson’s Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC), Ryten Mina , Koks Sulev 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTMitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the aetiology of monogenic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Yet the role that mitochondrial processes play in the most common form of the disease; sporadic PD, is yet to be fully established. Here we comprehensively assessed the role of mitochondrial function associated genes in sporadic PD by leveraging improvements in the scale and analysis of PD GWAS data with recent advances in our understanding of the genetics of mitochondrial disease. First, we identified that a proportion of the “missing heritability” of the PD can be explained by common variation within genes implicated in mitochondrial disease (primary gene list) and mitochondrial function (secondary gene list). Next we calculated a mitochondrial-specific polygenic risk score (PRS) and showed that cumulative small effect variants within both our primary and secondary gene lists are significantly associated with increased PD risk. Most significantly we further report that the PRS of the secondary mitochondrial gene list was significantly associated with later age at onset. Finally, to identify possible functional genomic associations we implemented Mendelian randomisation, which showed that 14 of these mitochondrial function associated genes showed functional consequence associated with PD risk. Further analysis suggested that the 14 identified genes are not only involved in mitophagy but implicate new mitochondrial processes. Our data suggests that therapeutics targeting mitochondrial bioenergetics and proteostasis pathways distinct from mitophagy could be beneficial to treating the early stage of PD.
Non-academic employability of life science PhDs: the importance of training beyond the bench
Authors: Her Sohyoung , Jacob Mathieu D , Wang Sharon , Xu Songyi , Sealey David CF 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTTo better understand how PhD graduates have prepared for the non-academic job market, we surveyed life science PhD and postdoctoral graduates from the University of Toronto who were employed in non-academic sectors. We also surveyed life science PhD and postdoctoral trainees to assess their engagement in career preparation activities. PhD professionals employed in non-academic sectors had engaged in various career preparation activities during their training. Some activities had a higher perceived impact on the path to employment than others. Trainees had also engaged in such activities, but those rated by professionals as having a highly positive impact on their path to employment were engaged in by only a minority of trainees. The proportion of trainees who wished to work in a non-academic sector was higher among those who were closer to program completion. Like professionals, many trainees reported facing barriers to pursuing career development activities. Our findings suggest that PhD trainees seeking to work in non-academic sectors should engage in career preparation activities, particularly those that involve experiential learning. By supporting co-curricular programming and reducing barriers to participation in career development activities, academic administrators and faculty have the opportunity to support trainees’ professional development beyond the laboratory.
Expanding the toolbox of broad host-range transcriptional terminators for Proteobacteria through metagenomics
Authors: Amarelle Vanesa , Sanches-Medeiros Ananda , Silva-Rocha Rafael , Guazzaroni María-Eugenia 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAs the field of synthetic biology moves towards the utilization of novel bacterial chassis, there is a growing need for biological parts with enhanced performance in a wide number of hosts. Is not unusual that biological parts (such as promoters and terminators), initially characterized in the model bacteria Escherichia coli, do not perform well when implemented in alternative hosts, such as Pseudomonas, therefore limiting the construction of synthetic circuits in industrially relevant bacteria. In order to address this limitation, we present here the mining of transcriptional terminators through functional metagenomics to identify novel parts with broad host-range activity. Using a GFP-based terminator trap strategy and a broad host-range plasmid, we identified 20 clones with potential terminator activity in Pseudomonas putida. Further characterization allowed the identification of 4 unique sequences between 58 bp and 181 bp long that efficiently terminates transcription in P. putida, E. coli, Burkholderia phymatum and two Pseudomonas strains isolated from Antarctica. Therefore, this work presents a new set of biological parts useful for the engineering of synthetic circuits in Proteobacteria.