bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stiffness modification of two ankle‐foot orthosis types to optimize gait in individuals with non‐spastic calf muscle weakness – a proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Ploeger Hilde E. , Waterval Niels F. J. , Nollet Frans , Bus Sicco A. , Brehm Merel‐Anne 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundTo reduce gait problems in individuals with non‐spastic calf muscle weakness, spring‐like ankle‐foot orthoses (AFOs) are often applied, but they are not individually optimized to treatment outcome. The aim of this proof‐of‐concept study was to evaluate the effects of modifying the stiffness for two spring‐like AFO types with shoes‐only as reference on gait outcomes in three individuals with calf muscle weakness due to polio.MethodsWe assessed 3D gait biomechanics, walking speed and walking energy cost for shoes‐only and five stiffness conditions of a dorsal‐leaf‐spring AFO and a spring‐hinged AFO. Outcomes were compared between stiffness conditions in the two AFOs and three subjects.ResultsMaximum ankle dorsiflexion angle decreased with increasing stiffness in both AFOs (up to 6–8°) and all subjects. Maximum knee extension angle changed little between stiffness conditions, however different responses between the AFOs and subjects were observed compared to shoes‐only. Walking speed remained unchanged across conditions. For walking energy cost, we found fairly large differences across stiffness conditions with both AFOs and between subjects (range 3–15%).ConclusionsModifying AFO stiffness in individuals with non‐spastic calf muscle weakness resulted in substantial differences in ankle biomechanics and walking energy cost with no effect on speed. Our results provide proof‐of‐concept that individually optimizing AFO stiffness can clinically beneficially improve gait performance.
The synergistic effect of electroacupuncture and bone mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on repairing thin endometrial injury in rats
Authors: Xia Liangjun , Meng Qingyu , Xi Jin , Han Qin , Cheng Jie , Shen Jie , Xia Youbing , Shi Liyun 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Tissue regeneration disorder after endometrial injury is an important cause of intrauterine adhesions, amenorrhea, and infertility in women. Both bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation and electroacupuncture (EA) are promising therapeutic applications for endometrial injury. This study examined their combined effects on thin endometrium in rats and the possible mechanisms underlying these effects.

Methods
A thin endometrial model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by perfusing 95% ethanol into the right side of the uterus. The wounds were randomly treated with PBS (model group), BMSCs only (BMSC group), EA only (EA group), and BMSCs combined with EA (BMSC + EA group). Endometrial morphological alterations were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Changes in markers of epithelial and stromal endometrium cells, endometrial receptivity-related chemokines, and paracrine factors were detected using immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Finally, the functional recovery of the uterus was evaluated by determining the rate of embryo implantation.

Results
As shown by endometrial morphology, the damaged uteri in all the treatment groups recovered to some extent, with the best effects observed in the BMSC + EA group. Further studies showed that EA promoted the migration of transplanted BMSCs to damaged uteri by activating the stromal cell-derived factor-1/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (SDF-1/CXCR4) axis. As compared with the other groups, upregulated expression of endometrial cytokeratin and vimentin, increased secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in endometrial lesions, and improved embryo implantation rates on the 8th day of pregnancy were found in the BMSC + EA group.

Conclusions
EA plays an important role in supporting BMSCs in the repair of thin endometrium, most likely by promoting the migration of BMSCs and enhancing the paracrine effect of BMSCs.
Prediction of Progression-Free Survival in Patients With Advanced, Well-Differentiated, Neuroendocrine Tumors Being Treated With a Somatostatin Analog: The GETNE-TRASGU Study
Authors: Carmona-Bayonas Alberto , Jiménez-Fonseca Paula , Lamarca Ángela , Barriuso Jorge , Castaño Ángel , Benavent Marta , Alonso Vicente , Riesco-Martínez María del Carmen , Alonso-Gordoa Teresa , Custodio Ana , Sánchez Cánovas Manuel , Hernando Cubero Jorge , López Carlos , Lacasta Adelaida , Fernández Montes Ana , Marazuela Mónica , Crespo Guillermo , Escudero Pilar , Diaz José Ángel , Feliciangeli Eduardo , Gallego Javier , Llanos Marta , Segura Ángel , Vilardell Felip , Percovich Juan Carlos , Grande Enrique , Capdevila Jaume , Valle Juan W. , García-Carbonero Rocío 
Published: August 2019

PURPOSE Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are recommended for the first-line treatment of most patients with well-differentiated, gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors; however, benefit from treatment is heterogeneous. The aim of the current study was to develop and validate a progression-free survival (PFS) prediction model in SSA-treated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We extracted data from the Spanish Group of Neuroendocrine and Endocrine Tumors Registry (R-GETNE). Patient eligibility criteria included GEP primary, Ki-67 of 20% or less, and first-line SSA monotherapy for advanced disease. An accelerated failure time model was developed to predict PFS, which was represented as a nomogram and an online calculator. The nomogram was externally validated in an independent series of consecutive eligible patients (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom). RESULTS We recruited 535 patients (R-GETNE, n = 438; Manchester, n = 97). Median PFS and overall survival in the derivation cohort were 28.7 (95% CI, 23.8 to 31.1) and 85.9 months (95% CI, 71.5 to 96.7 months), respectively. Nine covariates significantly associated with PFS were primary tumor location, Ki-67 percentage, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, alkaline phosphatase, extent of liver involvement, presence of bone and peritoneal metastases, documented progression status, and the presence of symptoms when initiating SSA. The GETNE-TRASGU (Treated With Analog of Somatostatin in Gastroenteropancreatic and Unknown Primary NETs) model demonstrated suitable calibration, as well as fair discrimination ability with a C-index value of 0.714 (95% CI, 0.680 to 0.747) and 0.732 (95% CI, 0.658 to 0.806) in the derivation and validation series, respectively. CONCLUSION The GETNE-TRASGU evidence-based prognostic tool stratifies patients with GEP neuroendocrine tumors receiving SSA treatment according to their estimated PFS. This nomogram may be useful when stratifying patients with neuroendocrine tumors in future trials. Furthermore, it could be a valuable tool for making treatment decisions in daily clinical practice.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness May Influence Metabolic Inflexibility During Exercise in Obese Persons
Authors: Amaro-Gahete Francisco J , Sanchez-Delgado Guillermo , Ara Ignacio , R. Ruiz Jonatan 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Context
We examined whether obese individuals have a reduced maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and the intensity that elicit MFO (Fatmax) compared with normal weight and overweight persons, taking into account their level of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Methods
The study subjects were 138 sedentary adults (87 women) aged 30.1 ± 13.6 years. Based on their body mass index, subjects were categorized as being of normal weight (n = 66), overweight (n = 48), or obese (n = 24). MFO and Fatmax were determined for all subjects by indirect calorimetry, using a walking graded exercise test. MFO was expressed in absolute terms (g/min) and relative to whole-body lean mass (mg/kgleanmass/min). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed via a maximal treadmill test.

Results
No differences in absolute MFO and Fatmax values were seen between the obese, normal weight, and overweight subjects (all P > 0.2), although after adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness, the obese subjects returned significantly higher values than did their normal weight and overweight counterparts (all P < 0.03). However, when expressed with respect to lean mass, the MFO of the normal weight subjects was significantly greater than that of the overweight and obese subjects, independent of age, sex, or cardiorespiratory fitness.

Conclusions
Obese individuals have higher absolute MFO values when cardiorespiratory fitness is taken into account, but when expressed with respect to lean mass, normal weight individuals show a greater capacity to oxidize fat during exercise per unit of metabolically active tissue independent of age, sex, or cardiorespiratory fitness. These findings suggest that obese individuals may suffer from metabolic inflexibility during exercise.
Serum Endocannabinoid Levels in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Moradi Hamid , Park Christina , Igarashi Miki , Streja Elani , Argueta Donovan A , Soohoo Melissa , Daglian Jennifer , You Amy S , Rhee Connie M , Kashyap Moti L , DiPatrizio Nicholas V , Vaziri Nosratola D , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Piomelli Daniele 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Context
Previous studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system plays a major role in energy metabolism through the actions of its main mediators, 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA).

Objective
We examined serum levels of major endocannabinoid mediators and their association with clinical parameters in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Design and Setting
Serum concentrations of 2-AG and AEA were measured in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and controls, and correlations with various clinical and laboratory indices were examined. 2-AG was also measured in age and sex-matched healthy subjects for comparison of levels in patients undergoing MHD.

Main Outcome Measure
Serum 2-AG.

Results
Serum 2-AG levels were significantly elevated in patients with ESRD compared with healthy controls. Higher levels of 2-AG were found in patients on MHD compared to healthy subjects, and similar findings were seen in a second set of subjects in independent analyses. Among 96 patients on MHD, 2-AG levels correlated significantly and positively with serum triglycerides (ρ = 0.43; P < 0.0001), body mass index (ρ = 0.40; P < 0.0001), and body anthropometric measures and negatively with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ρ = −0.33; P = 0.001) following adjustment for demographic and clinical variables.

Conclusions
In patients on MHD, levels of serum 2-AG, a major endocannabinoid mediator, were increased. In addition, increasing serum 2-AG levels correlated with increased serum triglycerides and markers of body mass. Future studies will need to evaluate the potential mechanisms responsible for these findings.
The S. pombe adaptor protein Bbc1 regulates localization of Wsp1 and Vrp1 during endocytic actin patch assembly
Authors: MacQuarrie Cameron Dale , Mangione MariaSanta C. , Carroll Robert , James Michael , Gould Kathleen L. , Sirotkin Vladimir 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACT
Arp2/3 complex-nucleated branched actin networks provide the key force necessary for endocytosis. The Arp2/3 complex is activated by nucleation-promoting factors including the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (Wsp1) and myosin-1 (Myo1). There are &gt;40 known yeast endocytic proteins with distinct spatial and temporal localizations and functions; however, it is still unclear how these proteins work together to drive endocytosis. Here, we used quantitative live-cell imaging to determine the function of the uncharacterized S. pombe protein Bbc1. We discovered that Myo1 interacts with and recruits Bbc1 to sites of endocytosis. Bbc1 competes with the verprolin Vrp1 for localization to patches and association with Myo1, thus releasing Vrp1 and its binding partner Wsp1 from Myo1. Normally Myo1 remains at the base of the endocytic invagination and Vrp1–Wsp1 internalizes with the endocytic vesicle. However, in the absence of Bbc1, a portion of Vrp1–Wsp1 remains with Myo1 at the base of the invagination, and endocytic structures internalize twice as far. We propose that Bbc1 disrupts a transient interaction of Myo1 with Vrp1 and Wsp1 and thereby limits Arp2/3 complex-mediated nucleation of actin branches at the plasma membrane.
This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Rich and Stable Interlayer Porous Bamboo Carbon Sulfonic Acids Constructed by Silica Intercalation as Cheap and Robust Acid Catalysts
Authors: Chen Zengtian , Huang Ting , Feng Yao , Hu Wenwei , Mao Feng , Zhang Chao , Liu Yachun , Fu Zaihui 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The rich and stable interlayer porous biomass carbon sulfonic acids (SBCSAs) pillared by silica were prepared conveniently using bamboo powder and water glass as main raw materials and investigated by a series of characterization techniques. Additionally, the acid catalysis performances of SBCSAs were evaluated using the hydrolysis of sucrose, the esterification of oleic acid with methanol and the alkylation of toluene with benzyl chloride. The results showed that 0.05–0.025 M acidic silica sols could be efficiently and uniformly intercalated into the interlayers between bamboo carbon (BC) nanosheets, yielding the silica-pillared BC materials (SBCs) with rich interlayer slit-like pores after dehydration at 350 °C. Moreover, the porosity of SBCs could be very well kept after further sulfonation with concentrated sulfuric acid. The newly constructed SBCSA materials exhibited higher catalysis efficiency and better reusability for the above acid-catalyzed reactions than the non-pillared BCSA and commercial Amberlyst-15, which should be due to the overall improvements relating to their structure, porosity and acidity, as supported by BET, TGA, STEM-EDS and solid-state 31P MAS NMR spectra of adsorbed TMPO. This work opens up a new voyage for the fabrication of porous bio-based solid acids with good catalysis properties and extensive application prospect.
Free Flap Transplantation on the repair of defects caused by oral and maxillofacial tumors resection
Authors: Dai Xuemei , Li Pengchong , Xu Haiyan 
Published: August 2019

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of free flap transplantation on the repair of tissue defects after oral and maxillofacial malignant tumor resection and its effects on serum sialic acid (SA) and interleukin-2 (IL-2).
Methods: Fifty-eight patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors were enrolled and set as the observation group. After the tumor resection, free flap transplantation was performed for postoperative repair. The postoperative efficacy, adverse reactions and follow-up indicators were observed. Moreover, 55 patients with benign tumors were enrolled into the control group, and 55 healthy persons were set as the healthy group. The levels of SA and IL-2 of the three groups were detected.
Results: In the observation group, 55 patients were successfully repaired (94.83%); 15 patients had adverse reactions after surgery. The follow-up duration was two to four years, and 45 patients survived for three years, with a survival rate of 77.59%. Before treatment, the serum SA level of patients with oral malignant tumor was significantly higher than those of the control group and healthy group, while the IL-2 level was significantly lower than those of the other two groups, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The serum IL-2 level in the observation group one day and fourteen days after surgery was higher than that before surgery, while the serum SA level was lower than that before surgery; the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The application of free flap transplantation in the repair of postoperative tissue defects of oral and maxillofacial tumor resection is effective and has less complications, and the determination of both serum SA and IL-2 levels offers important references to recovery of patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors and prognosis evaluation.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.316
How to cite this:Dai X, Li P, Xu H. Free Flap Transplantation on the repair of defects caused by oral and maxillofacial tumors resection. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(5):1339-1343. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.316
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Work-related risk factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Majmaah University female touchscreen users
Authors: Mohammad Walaa Sayed 
Published: August 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms among female touchscreen users at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia and to make a comparison for the wrist range of motion between probable CTS and non-CTS female touchscreen users.
Methods: Two hundred and twenty-two female touchscreen users were enrolled in the present study. Among this cohort, fifty-two were academic members, 40 were employees and 130 were undergraduates. A Digital Inclinometer device was used to assess ROM of the wrist movements. A computer-based questionnaire, Phalen’s test, and Tinel’s sign were used to investigate the presence of CTS symptoms. The study was conducted between November 2018 and February 2019 at Majmaah University.
Results: The prevalence of probable CTS was 34.2% among touchscreen users; the percent of probable CTS was significantly higher in undergraduates compared to other touchscreen users. There was a significant reduction in wrist flexion between the tested groups.
Conclusion: Female touchscreen users at Majmaah University tended to have a high-risk for CTS. Wrist ROM measurements, particularly wrist flexion, could be a beneficial indicator for anticipating deviations in wrist posture after long-term touchscreen use. It is necessary to consider the job nature, age, BMI, and duration of using touchscreen as risk factors for CTS symptoms.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.683
How to cite this:Mohammad WS. Work-related risk factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome among Majmaah University female touchscreen users. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(5):1221-1226. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.683
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Chicken feather hydrolysate as alternative peptone source for microbial cultivation
Authors: Akpor Oghenerobor B. , Odesola Damilola E. , Thomas Remilekun E. , Oluba Olarewaju M. 
Published: August 2019

Background: Commercially available conventional growth media for the culture of microbes are expensive, hence the need for alternative cheaper sources. Livestock waste, in the form of feather and blood, are of value in biotechnology because of their high protein content. Hence the primary aim of this study was to produce a cheaper peptone alternative from chicken feather protein hydrolysate (CFPH) and blood meal (BM). Methods: The growth of selected bacteria and fungi was monitored in different media prepared from varied concentrations of peptone, CFPH and BM in order to determine the combination that produced maximum growth. Five different media, namely 100% peptone (control), 100% BM, 40% peptone + 60% CFPH, 40% BM + 60% CFPH and 20% peptone + 20% BM + 60% CFPH were prepared and used for the study. The different media were inoculated with 1 ml of each test organism ( Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida carpophila, Candida tropicalis and Pichia kundriavzevii) and their growth monitored for 10 h. Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus grew best in the 100% peptone, Klebsiella pneumoniae grew best in 100 BM. The fungi species were observed to grow best in 100% peptone. The 60% CFPH + 40% peptone combination (CFPH obtained with precipitate of trichloroacetic acid (TCA), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO 3) gave the best growth of E. coli. The 60% CFPH + 40% peptone combination (CFPH obtained with precipitate of TCA) also gave the best growth of C. tropicalis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusions: Overall, the 60% CFPH + 40% peptone combination showed the most potential as an alternative to peptone, especially for E. coli.
Role of Government in Development of Sustainable Ecotourism in Karnataka
Authors: Naik Vinayak R , B C Sanjeevaiah 
Published: August 2019

Ecotourism is a visit to the natural reserved areas like national parks, sanctuaries and biosphere reserves for sightseeing as tourism. The visit of reserved areas by the tourists, the entrepreneurs, the government and the host community, the major agencies or stakeholders in ecotourism, has created numerous effects in the field of ecology, socio-cultural, economic which are indefensible lots of time. Sustainability is also a sober concern. The current article inspects sustainability as an association with all its stakeholders and proposes on preserving equilibrium in the correlation which is necessary to achieve sustainability. The part of rule in attaining sustainability is surveyed and found that it helps in reinstating the essential stability in the association with the stakeholders in ecotourism. Ecotourism in Karnataka is steadily qualified for the consideration of the tourists, the government and the entrepreneurs for clear motive. Karnataka has necessary prospective in ecotourism to cope up with the interests of the tourists, the entrepreneurs and the government but does sustainability study with concern in the schedule of these organizations. An environmental law is one of the most effectual tools for executing sustainability; it needs plenty of provisions to institute synchronization between the stakeholders and hence the goal of sustainability in ecotourism remains unachievable.
Learning When to Stop Searching
Authors: Goldstein Daniel G. , McAfee R. Preston , Suri Siddharth , Wright James R. 
Published: August 2019

In the classical secretary problem, one attempts to find the maximum of an unknown and unlearnable distribution through sequential search. In many real-world searches, however, distributions are not entirely unknown and can be learned through experience. To investigate learning in such settings, we conduct a large-scale behavioral experiment in which people search repeatedly from fixed distributions in a “repeated secretary problem.” In contrast to prior investigations that find no evidence for learning in the classical scenario, in the repeated setting we observe substantial learning resulting in near-optimal stopping behavior. We conduct a Bayesian comparison of multiple behavioral models, which shows that participants’ behavior is best described by a class of threshold-based models that contains the theoretically optimal strategy. Fitting such a threshold-based model to data reveals players’ estimated thresholds to be close to the optimal thresholds after only a small number of games.This paper was accepted by Yuval Rottenstreich, judgment and decision making.