bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extended treatment with fingolimod for relapsing multiple sclerosis: the 14-year LONGTERMS study results
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey A. , Tenenbaum Nadia , Bhatt Alit , Zhang Ying , Kappos Ludwig 
Published: September 2019

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that may require decades of ongoing treatment. Therefore, the long-term safety and efficacy of disease-modifying therapies is an important consideration. Methods: The LONGTERMS study evaluated the safety and efficacy of fingolimod in patients with relapsing MS (RMS) with up to 14 years of exposure. This phase IIIb, open-label extension study included patients aged ⩾ 18 years with confirmed RMS diagnosis who completed previous phase II/III/IIIb core/extension studies of fingolimod. Patients received fingolimod 0.5 mg orally once daily; safety and efficacy (clinical and magnetic resonance imaging) were the main outcomes. Results: Of 4086 patients from the core studies who entered LONGTERMS, 3480 (85.2%) completed the study. The median age (range) was 38 (17–65) years and median fingolimod exposure was 944.5 (range 75–4777) days. Overall, 85.5% of patients experienced at least one adverse event (AE); most common AEs (⩾10%) were viral upper respiratory tract infection (17.3%), headache (13.3%), hypertension (11.0%) and lymphopenia (10.7%). Among patients with serious AEs (12.6%), basal cell carcinoma and MS relapse (0.9% each) were most frequently reported. The aggregate annualized relapse rate decreased from 0.22 (in years 0–2) to 0.17 (years 0–10); 45.5% of patients remained relapse free after 10 years. At year 10, 63.2% of patients were free from 6-month confirmed disability worsening. Conclusion: This long-term observational study of patients treated for up to 14 years with fingolimod confirmed its established safety profile with no new safety concerns. Patients with RMS receiving fingolimod had sustained low levels of disease activity and progression. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01201356.
Clinical Outcomes of Decompression Alone Versus and Decompression and Fusion for First Episode Recurrent Disc Herniation
Authors: Carreon Leah Y. , Bisson Erica F. , Potts Eric A. , Brown Morgan E. , Gren Stacie , Cowan Rebecca Ruegg , Glassman Steven D. 
Published: September 2019

Study Design: Longitudinal cohort. Objective: It is unclear if patients with a recurrent disc herniation benefit from a concurrent fusion compared with a repeat decompression alone. We compared outcomes of decompression alone (D0) versus decompression and fusion (DF) for recurrent disc herniation. Methods: Patients enrolled in the Quality and Outcomes Database from 3 sites with a first episode of recurrent disc herniation were identified. Demographic, surgical, and radiographic data including the presence of listhesis and extent of facet resection on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging prior to the index surgery were collected. Patient-reported outcomes were collected preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Results: Of 94 cases identified, 55 had D0 and 39 had DF. Patients were similar in age, sex distribution, smoking status, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade and surgical levels. Presence of listhesis (D0 = 7, DF = 5, P = .800) and extent of facet resection (D0 = 19%, DF = 16%, P = .309) prior to index surgery were similar between the 2 groups. Estimated blood loss (D0 = 26 cm3, DF = 329 cm3, P < .001), operating room time (D0 = 79 minutes, DF = 241 minutes, P < .001) and length of stay (D0 <1 day, DF = 4 days, P < .001) were significantly less in the D0 group. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes were similar in both groups. Three patients in the D0 group and 2 patients in the DF group required revision. Regression analysis showed that presence of listhesis, extent of facet resection and fusion were not associated with the 12-month Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. Conclusion: For a first episode recurrent disc herniation, surgeons can expect similar outcomes whether patients are treated with decompression alone or decompression and fusion.
Demographics and clinical features of humeral shaft fractures: The Latin American multicentre prospective study (HSF-LAMPS)
Authors: Belangero William Dias , Zublin Carlos Miguel , Martinez Siekavizza Sergio Nicolas , Sánchez Rosenberg Guillermo F , Cardenas Quintero Renny Augusto , Azi Matheus Lemos , Suarez Romero Fabio Alfonso , Alvachian Fernandes Hélio Jorge , Elguezabal Igor Escalante , Badell Gerardo , Mouraria Guilherme , Kojima Kodi Edson , Triana Miguel , Prieto Mere Jose Antonio , Malaret Baldo Manuel Jose , Mariolani José Ricardo Lenzi 
Published: September 2019

Purpose: To present transversal data (demographic and clinical) on isolated humeral shaft fractures (HSFs) in Latin American countries. Methods: Patients were enrolled between December 2015 and April 2017 at 11 medical institutions from six Latin America countries. Inclusion criteria: Age ≥18 years and a closed, isolated 12A, 12B, or 12C fracture (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification). The patients’ demographic, comorbidity, and other baseline data were recorded. The outcome measures included the basal results of the research and the associations among the demographic factors, fracture features, and type of treatment applied. Results: A total of 123 patients were included. There was a preponderance of men (61.8%), whose mean age was significantly lower than that of the women (31.48 vs. 60.55). Overweight or obesity was present in 61.0% of women; 56.1% of patients were sedentary, 75.6% were nonsmokers, and 74.0% had no chronic disease. The type or treatment (operative/nonoperative) was not significantly associated with the patient’s or fracture’s characteristics. Falls and traffic accidents were the main causes of HSFs. Intramedullary nailing treatment was performed significantly more often in women, elderly patients, patients who did not participate in sports, and patients participating in only home activities. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis was performed significantly more frequently in men and in those who were self-employed. Open reduction internal fixation was performed significantly more often when the cause of the fracture was a traffic accident and when radial nerve palsy was present. Conclusion: The demographics and etiological differences observed in comparison to the current literature show the importance of regional studies for both preventive measures and educational guidance.
Thrombocytopenia according to antiretroviral drug combinations, viremia and CD4 lymphocytes among HIV-infected patients in Cameroon: a snapshot from the City of Yaoundé
Authors: Nka Alex Durand , Sosso Samuel Martin , Fokam Joseph , Bouba Yagai , Teto Georges , Simo Rachel Rachel , Tiga Aline , Yimga Junie , Nukenine Elias Nchiwan , Nanfack Aubin Joseph , Takou Désiré , Aroga Zélateur , Colizzi Vittorio , Ndjolo Alexis 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Objective
Thrombocytopenia is an abnormal decrease in blood platelets, which can affect the prognosis of people living with HIV (PLHIV). In order to assess the burden of this haematological disorder, we evaluated the frequency of thrombocytopenia according to antiretroviral drug combinations, viremia and the immune status of PLHIV.

Results
A cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted from June to November 2016 among 310 PLHIV at the “Chantal BIYA” International Reference Centre, Yaoundé, Cameroon. Overall rate of thrombocytopenia was 19.0% (59/310). The rate of thrombocytopenia was 64.6% (42/65) versus 6.9% (17/245) in ART-naïve versus ART-treated patients respectively, p < 0.0001. Following viral load, rate of thrombocytopenia was 15.8% (20/130) in those with undetectable viral load, and 34.1% (27/79) with viral loads > 3 log10 RNA/ml (p = 0.03). As concerns CD4-count, rate of thrombocytopenia was 16.2% (42/259) in those with ≥ 200 CD4/mm3 versus 33.3% (17/51) with < 200 CD4/mm3 (p = 0.0003). After adjusting for sex, ART, viral load and CD4, Viral load and ART exposure were significantly associated with decreased risk of thrombocytopenia (p < 0.05). Thrombocytopenia occurs especially among ART-naïve, high viremia and severe immune-compromised patients. Interestingly, ART coverage appears as an independent factor in preventing the occurrence of thrombocytopenia.
Lights, camera, path splitter: a new approach for truly simultaneous dual optical mapping of the heart with a single camera
Authors: Jaimes Rafael , McCullough Damon , Siegel Bryan , Swift Luther , Hiebert James , McInerney Daniel , Posnack Nikki Gillum 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Optical mapping of transmembrane voltage and intracellular calcium is a powerful tool for investigating cardiac physiology and pathophysiology. However, simultaneous dual mapping of two fluorescent probes remains technically challenging. We introduce a novel, easy-to-use approach that requires a path splitter, single camera and excitation light to simultaneously acquire voltage and calcium signals from whole heart preparations, which can be applied to other physiological models – including neurons and isolated cardiomyocytes.

Results
Complementary probes were selected that could be excited with a single wavelength light source. Langendorff-perfused hearts (rat, swine) were stained and imaged using a sCMOS camera outfitted with an optical path splitter to simultaneously acquire two emission fields at high spatial and temporal resolution. Voltage (RH237) and calcium (Rhod2) signals were acquired concurrently on a single sensor, resulting in two 384 × 256 images at 814 frames per second. At this frame rate, the signal-to-noise ratio was 47 (RH237) and 85 (Rhod2). Imaging experiments were performed on small rodent hearts, as well as larger pig hearts with sufficient optical signals. In separate experiments, each dye was used independently to assess crosstalk and demonstrate signal specificity. Additionally, the effect of ryanodine on myocardial calcium transients was validated – with no measurable effect on the amplitude of optical action potentials. To demonstrate spatial resolution, ventricular tachycardia was induced –resulting in the novel finding that spatially discordant calcium alternans can be present in different regions of the heart, even when electrical alternans remain concordant. The described system excels in providing a wide field of view and high spatiotemporal resolution for a variety of cardiac preparations.

Conclusions
We report the first multiparametric mapping system that simultaneously acquires calcium and voltage signals from cardiac preparations, using a path splitter, single camera and excitation light. This approach eliminates the need for multiple cameras, excitation light patterning or frame interleaving. These features can aid in the adoption of dual mapping technology by the broader cardiovascular research community, and decrease the barrier of entry into panoramic heart imaging, as it reduces the number of required cameras.
EvoChromo: towards a synthesis of chromatin biology and evolution
Authors: Drinnenberg Ines A. , Berger Frédéric , Elsässer Simon J. , Andersen Peter R. , Ausió Juan , Bickmore Wendy A. , Blackwell Alexander R. , Erwin Douglas H. , Gahan James M. , Gaut Brandon S. , Harvey Zachary H. , Henikoff Steven , Kao Joyce Y. , Kurdistani Siavash K. , Lemos Bernardo , Levine Mia T. , Luger Karolin , Malik Harmit S. , Martín-Durán José M. , Peichel Catherine L. , Renfree Marilyn B. , Rutowicz Kinga , Sarkies Peter , Schmitz Robert J. , Technau Ulrich , Thornton Joseph W. , Warnecke Tobias , Wolfe Kenneth H. 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT
Over the past few years, interest in chromatin and its evolution has grown. To further advance these interests, we organized a workshop with the support of The Company of Biologists to debate the current state of knowledge regarding the origin and evolution of chromatin. This workshop led to prospective views on the development of a new field of research that we term ‘EvoChromo’. In this short Spotlight article, we define the breadth and expected impact of this new area of scientific inquiry on our understanding of both chromatin and evolution.
The C9orf72 expansion is associated with accelerated respiratory function decline in a large Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis cohort
Authors: Rooney James , Murray Deirdre , Campion Anna , Moloney Hannah , Tattersall Rachel , Doherty Mark , Hammond Michaela , Heverin Mark , McLaughlin Russell , Hardiman Orla 
Published: September 2019

Introduction: The C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion is causal in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and has a negative effect on prognosis. The C9orf72 repeat expansion has been associated with an accelerated deterioration of respiratory function and survival in a cohort of 372 Portuguese patients. Methods: Cases presenting to the Irish ALS clinic with both longitudinal occluded sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) and C9orf72 testing were including in the study. Clinical variables and survival characteristics of these patients were collected. Joint longitudinal and time to event models were constructed to explore the longitudinal characteristics of the cohort by C9orf72 status. Results: In total, 630 cases were included, of which 58 (9.2%) carried the C9orf72 repeat expansion. Plots of the longitudinal trend after joint modelling revealed that those carrying the expansion had worse respiratory function throughout the course of their disease than those without. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) respiratory sub-score did not distinguish C9orf72 normal from expanded cases. Furthermore, modelling by site of onset and gender sub-groups revealed that this difference was greatest in male spinal onset cases. Joint models further indicated that occluded SNIP values were of prognostic importance. Conclusions: Our results confirm findings from Portugal that the C9orf72 repeat expansion is associated with accelerated respiratory function decline. Analysis via joint models indicate that respiratory function is of prognostic importance and may explain previous observations of poorer prognosis in male spinal onset patients carrying the C9orf72 expansion.
Stosunek rządu Australii do nielegalnej migracji w latach 1996–2018
Authors: Filus Adam 
Published: September 2019

Australian Governments’ Stance on Illegal Immigration in 1996–2018
Australia is well known for its strict immigration policy. It results from the country’s constant struggle with the flow of illegal migrants, brought to Australian shores through human smuggling. The author analyses immigration policies of five Prime Ministers representing two major Australian parties: the Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party. Starting with the premiership of John Howard (1996–2007), and ending with Malcolm Turnbull’s era (2015– –2018), the author examines the situation of illegal immigrants in Australia and changes in immigration and asylum policies.
Namiestnicy Królestwa Polskiego wobec polskiego ruchu niepodległościowego w drugiej połowie 1861 i pierwszej połowie 1862 roku w świetle ich korespondencji z carem Aleksandrem II
Authors: Wałdoch Jacek 
Published: September 2019

Namiestniks of the Kingdom of Poland and Their Attitude Towards the Independence Movement in the Second Half of 1861 and the First half of 1862 in their Correspondence with the Tsar Alexander II
The 1861 events proved to be essential for the development of independence movement in the Kingdom of Poland. The growing revolutionary feelings were further roused by the incompetent policy of the Tsar and his namiestniks (viceroys in Poland), whose decisions resulted in the orderly rule of the kingdom becoming increasingly difficult. The namiestniks had to meet Tsar’s demands, while at the same time trying at ameliorate the worsening domestic situation. The Tsar had obvious difficulty with the selection of appropriate personae to execute these functions. Namiestniks were changed four times in the span of one year, and the post was held by Mikhail Dmitrievich Gorchakov, Nikolai Onufrievich Sukhozanet, Karl Karlovich Lambert and Alexander Nikolajewitsch von Lüders. Keeping order and strict military regulations was not accompanied by knowledgeable execution of civilian administration, which would respect the specific situation of the Kingdom of Poland.
Identification of complications in paediatric cerebral palsy treated with intrathecal baclofen pump: A descriptive analysis of 15 years at one institution
Authors: Imerci A. , Rogers K. J. , Pargas C. , Sees J. P. , Miller F. 
Published: September 2019

Purpose Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is used with increasing frequency in the cerebral palsy population. We describe the complications of ITB treatment, the incidence of complications, and our experience with their treatment. Methods In a period of 15 years, 341 paediatric patients with cerebral palsy treated with ITB were evaluated. Device problems associated with the catheter or pump, or infection and complications such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and postdural spinal headache, were reviewed. Infection was classified as early (≤ 90 days) or late (> 90 days) according to the time of onset. Results The infection rate was 6.9% per procedure (50/720) and 14.6% per patient (50/341) over a mean 6.3 ± 3.9 years. There was a positive correlation between the risk of infection and preoperative comorbidities including epilepsy/seizure history, feeding tube, and mixed type cerebral palsy (p < 0.05, p = 0.03, p = 0.01, respectively). Eighty-five (24.9%) patients experienced 90 CSF leak episodes; 61 of these 85 patients had headache complaints as a result of CSF leak. There was a positive correlation between the risk of early infection and CSF leak (p < 0.05). Conclusions The most common complication related to ITB was associated with pump and catheter problems. The rate of complications with the use of ITB is relatively high; however, based on the literature reports, it is the most effective treatment for severe spasticity and dystonia in patients with severe cerebral palsy. Level of Evidence III
Spatial Pattern of Rice Field Productivity based on Physical Characteristics of Landscape in Citarum Watershed, West Java
Authors: Purwono Nugroho , Aprianto Arif 
Published: September 2019

This research to analyse the pattern of rice field productivity that is identified through landscape perspective. Identification of productivity pattern has been done partially based on each typology of land components into several segment of the Citarum watershed, West Java Province, Indonesia. Spatial autocorrelation through GIS tool is used as the method in this research. By using moran’s I (index) measurement, degree of dependency of these variables are generated to find the spatial pattern. The result of this study is separated the value of productivity based on segments of watershed, the values of the average of productivity are upstream (6,39 ton/Ha), middle stream (6,52 ton/Ha), and downstream (7,17 ton/Ha), sequentially. The highest productivity is in the downstream area (9,83 ton/Ha) and the lowest is in the upstream area (4,55 ton/Ha). In accordance with physiographic typology showed the rice field in the middle stream has more variation than the upstream or teh downstream area. The highest of average rice field productivity is on alluvial plain. Overall, the rice field productivity on the hills is higher rather that other types of landform the stuctural formation is more dominant, in addition. The spatial pattern shows the distribution of rice field productivity most likely to clustered based on the similarity of physiographic type. Statistically, it has p-value <0,01 and z-score >2,58 (239,26) correspond to Spatial Autocorrelation (Moron’s I). This positive value means a less than 1% likelihood that this clustered pattern could be result of random choice, which the rice field productivity value has similar pattern to others. Thus, it can be generated that the pattern of rice field productivity has a very close relation with the physical characteristics which associated of each typology of land components.
Designing of IMC-PID Controller for Higher-order Process Based on Model Reduction Method and Fractional Coefficient Filter with Real-time Verification
Authors: Nath Ujjwal Manikya , Dey Chanchal , Mudi Rajani K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAn improved model reduction scheme is proposed here for higher-order processes and subsequently an enhanced IMC-PID controller is designed based on the obtained reduced model. In the proposed scheme, higher-order processes are estimated as first-order-plus-dead-time (FOPDT) model. Designed IMC controller includes a filter having two separate time constants with fractional order coefficients. Efficacy of the proposed model reduction scheme is verified in terms of closed loop performance evaluation for higher-order minimum and non-minimum phase process models in comparison with improved SIMC (iSIMC) controller (Grimholt. Optimal PI and PID control of first-order plus delay processes and evaluation of the original and improved SIMC rules. J Process Control. 2018;70:36–46). Overall performance enhancement for the proposed method is demonstrated through simulation study as well as real-time experimentation on a level control loop.
Barba/ro Dante
Authors: Vitali Fabien 
Published: September 2019

Riassunto
La storia delle letture della Commedia nel sedicesimo secolo è ben documentata – dalle Prose della volgar lingua di Bembo fino ai commenti che, ridimensionando o avallandone il giudizio limitativo, comunque documentano il »precipitoso inarrestabile declino« (Dionisotti) della fama dantesca. Questa storia è basata soprattutto su giudizi espressi dagli »scrittori di alta classe«. Di contro, poco sappiamo del grado di diffusione e del significato di cui la Commedia godeva in ambito popolare. Partendo da alcune indicazioni presenti nello studio di Carlo Ginzburg, Il formaggio e i vermi, il saggio s’interroga anzitutto sul rapporto tra cultura popolare e Commedia nel Cinquecento. Più che alla dimensione storico-sociologica, l’interesse sarà rivolto a ciò che la ›popolarità‹ di Dante possa dirci della sua stessa opera. Riformulando quindi il problema in funzione dei presupposti teorici della Commedia – »villanus cantus« (Sanguineti), in parte scritto »per la piazza« (Pertile) – si arriverà ad esaminarne alcune qualità che con Mandelstam potremmo definire come »barbare«, quasi i fattori intrinseci dell’›attrattiva popolare‹ della poesia dantesca.Nella seconda parte, l’indagine si estenderà su alcuni esempi di lettori di Dante – Gelli, Doni, Franco. ›Popolari‹ di origine, ma non privi di educazione letteraria, questi autori a partire dagli anni ’30 irrompono nel campo delle forze con proposte originali, irriducibili alle posizioni della cultura egemone. Non solo: il loro discorso s’interseca in più punti con correnti di pensiero eterodosso, sia perché contrario al magistero classicistico-bembesco, sia perché affine alla Riforma. È quanto, in particolare, suggerisce un testo di Niccolò Franco cui si dedicherà un’analisi più approfondita – una lettera-finzione del 1547, rivolta a »Barba Dante«. Qui le parti coinvolte nella questione dantesca sono oggetto di un discorso apparentemente burlesco, ma che a ben vedere s’iscrive piuttosto nel registro ambiguo del paradosso erasmiano. In effetti, se Franco finge di assecondare le posizioni dominanti (Bembo, la Chiesa), in realtà le mina, accentuandone gli argomenti al punto da spingerle ad absurdum. L’esempio fa pensare che Dante ridiventi un punto di riferimento per la nuova generazione degli autori che nella generale contesa delle parti – »Streit der Autoritäten« (Kablitz/Regn) – cercano di affermarsi, militando per un’idea di letteratura alternativa a quella ufficiale.