bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod the Game Changer in Early-onset Scoliosis? A Preliminary Report
Authors: Bekmez Senol , Afandiyev Ayaz , Dede Ozgur , Karaismailoğlu Eda , Demirkiran Halil G. , Yazici Muharrem 
Published: October 2018

Background:
Magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) concept was introduced with the premise of minimizing the repetitive lengthening surgeries, which is default in traditional growing rod (TGR) treatment for early-onset scoliosis (EOS). Despite good radiographic outcomes, previous studies did not compare identical patient groups in terms of etiology and deformity characteristics; therefore, a true comparison of the MCGR and TGR is essential. This study was designed to compare 2 techniques in terms of clinical, radiologic, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes.

Methods:
Patients with long sweeping congenital curves who underwent convex growth arrest and concave distraction (with TGR or MCGR) were retrospectively reviewed. Instrumented all-posterior convex growth arrest and concave distraction with growing rod technique were performed. Demographic parameters, follow-up time, number of lengthening procedures, radiographic parameters, number of unplanned surgeries, and complications were recorded. The Early-Onset Scoliosis Questionnaire (EOSQ-24) was used to evaluate HRQoL outcomes.

Results:
A total of 20 patients were included (10 MCGR, 10 TGR). No significant differences were found with regard to average age, follow-up time, radiographic parameters, or complications. Overall surgery per patient including index surgery, and planned and unplanned procedures were significantly lower in the MCGR group (8.8 vs. 1.3) (P=0.01). No patient in either group had graduated from growing rod treatment. HRQoL analysis revealed no significant difference between the 2 groups in any specific domain or in the overall score of the EOSQ-24.

Conclusions:
Although equally effective in controlling the deformity and superior in reducing the number of surgeries with comparable complication rates, MCGR does not offer any significant improvement in HRQoL outcomes or the overall complication rate. Despite the obvious advantages, according to this preliminary report, the current technology and technique of MCGR may not be sufficient to be the long-awaited “game changer” in the treatment of EOS.
French-Canadian Adaptation and Validation of the Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire for Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Marchand Andrée-Anne , Tétreau Charles , O'Shaughnessy Julie , Descarreaux Martin 
Published: October 2018

Study Design.
An observational prospective study.

Objective.
The study objective was to assess the reliability and validity of the French-Canadian version (FCSSSQ) of the Swiss Spinal Stenosis questionnaire (SSSQ).

Summary of Background Data.
The SSSQ is a validated disease-specific tool developed to assess pain, function, and satisfaction with care in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Methods.
The French-Canadian translation and adaptation of the SSSQ was completed following a four-stage approach: (1) forward translation; (2) synthesis; (3) expert committee review; and (4) testing of the questionnaire prefinal version. Psychometric properties were subsequently determined in patients who had undergone decompressive surgery for degenerative LSS. Patients completed the SSSQ adapted version, the Numerical Rating Scale, and the Oswestry Disability Index. Test-retest reliability was assessed with weighted Kappa score and intraclass correlation coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient and responsiveness with the mean standardized response as well as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Floor and ceiling effects and internal consistency were also evaluated.

Results.
Twenty-five and 50 patients were included for the adaptation and validation processes, respectively. The test-retest reliability of the FCSSSQ total score was excellent [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.996; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.938–0.982]. High Spearman correlation coefficients were also found between the total FCSSSQ score and the leg pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS, 0.801), back pain NRS (0.705), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI, 0.825) scores. External responsiveness analysis was satisfactory with an AUROC of 0.875 (95% CI 0.744–1.0). The lowest FCSSSQ possible score was observed in five patients (10%), whereas no patients reported the highest possible score. The Cronbach α coefficient ranged from 0.810 to 0.945 indicating good to excellent internal consistency.

Conclusion.
The French-Canadian version of the SSSQ is a reliable and valid questionnaire consistent with the original English version. This new version will help French-speaking clinicians and scientists document changes in condition and treatment satisfaction in patients with LSS.

Level of Evidence: 2
Ethics of Outbreaks Position Statement. Part 2: Family-Centered Care
Authors: Papadimos Thomas J. , Marcolini Evadne G. , Hadian Mehrnaz , Hardart George E. , Ward Nicholas , Levy Mitchell M. , Stawicki Stanislaw P. , Davidson Judy E. 
Published: October 2018

Objectives:
Continue the dialogue presented in Ethics of Outbreaks Position Statement. Part 1, with a focus on strategies for provision of family-centered care in critical illness during Pubic Health Emergency of International Concern.

Design:
Development of a Society of Critical Care Medicine position statement using literature review, expert consensus from the Society of Critical Care Medicine Ethics Committee. A family member of a patient who was critically ill during a natural disaster served on the writing panel and provided validation from a family perspective to the recommendations.

Setting:
Provision of family-centered care and support for patients who are critically ill or who have the potential of becoming critically ill, and their families, during a Pubic Health Emergency of International Concern.

Interventions:
Communication; family support.

Measurements and Main Results:
Family-centered interventions during a Pubic Health Emergency of International Concern include understanding how crisis standards may affect regional and local traditions. Transparently communicate changes in decision-making authority and uncertainty regarding treatments and outcomes to the family and community. Assess family coping, increase family communication and support, and guide families regarding possible engagement strategies during crisis. Prepare the public to accept survivors returning to the community.
Ethics of Outbreaks Position Statement. Part 1: Therapies, Treatment Limitations, and Duty to Treat
Authors: Papadimos Thomas J. , Marcolini Evadne G. , Hadian Mehrnaz , Hardart George E. , Ward Nicholas , Levy Mitchell M. , Stawicki Stanislaw P. , Davidson Judy E. 
Published: October 2018

Objectives:
Outbreaks of disease, especially those that are declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, present substantial ethical challenges. Here we start a discourse (with a continuation of the dialogue in Ethics of Outbreaks Position Statement. Part 2: Family-Centered Care) concerning the ethics of the provision of medical care, research challenges and behaviors during a Public Health Emergency of International Concern with a focus on the proper conduct of clinical or epidemiologic research, clinical trial designs, unregistered medical interventions (including vaccine introduction, devices, pharmaceuticals, who gets treated, vulnerable populations, and methods of data collection), economic losses, and whether there is a duty of health care providers to provide care in such emergencies, and highlighting the need to understand cultural diversity and local communities in these efforts.

Design:
Development of a Society of Critical Care Medicine position statement using literature review and expert consensus from the Society of Critical Care Medicine Ethics committee. The committee had representation from ethics, medical philosophy, critical care, nursing, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, anesthesiology, surgery, and members with international health and military experience.

Setting:
Provision of therapies for patients who are critically ill or who have the potential of becoming critically ill, and their families, regarding medical therapies and the extent of treatments.

Population:
Critically ill patients and their families affected by a Public Health Emergency of International Concern that need provision of medical therapies.

Interventions:
Not applicable.

Main Results:
Interventions by high income countries in a Public Health Emergency of International Concern must always be cognizant of avoiding a paternalistic stance and must understand how families and communities are structured and the regional/local traditions that affect public discourse. Additionally, the obligations, or the lack of obligations, of healthcare providers regarding the treatment of affected individuals and communities must also be acknowledged. Herein, we review such matters and suggest recommendations regarding the ethics of engagement in an outbreak that is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Light induced synaptic vesicle autophagy
Authors: Hoffmann Sheila , Orlando Marta , Andrzejak Ewa , Trimbuch Thorsten , Rosenmund Christian , Ackermann Frauke , Garner Craig C. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe regulated turnover of synaptic vesicle (SV) proteins is thought to involve the ubiquitin dependent tagging and degradation through endo-lysosomal and autophagy pathways. Yet, it remains unclear which of these pathways are used, when they become activated and whether SVs are cleared en-mass together with SV proteins or whether both are degraded selectively. Equally puzzling is how quickly these systems can be activated and whether they function in real time to support synaptic health. To address these questions, we have developed an imaging based system that simultaneously tags presynaptic proteins while monitoring autophagy. Moreover, by tagging SV proteins with a light activated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator, Supernova, it was possible to temporally control the damage to specific SV proteins and assess their consequence to autophagy mediated clearance mechanisms and synaptic function. Our results show that, in mouse hippocampal neurons, presynaptic autophagy can be induced in as little as 5-10 minutes and eliminates primarily the damaged protein rather than the SV en-mass. Importantly, we also find that autophagy is essential for synaptic function, as light-induced damage to e.g. Synaptophysin only compromises synaptic function when autophagy is simultaneously blocked. These data support the concept that presynaptic boutons have a robust highly regulated clearance system to maintain not only synapse integrity, but also synaptic function.Significance StatementThe real-time surveillance and clearance of synaptic proteins is thought to be vital to the health, functionality and integrity of vertebrate synapses and is compromised in neurodegenerative disorders, yet the fundamental mechanisms regulating these systems remain enigmatic. Our analysis reveals that presynaptic autophagy is a critical part of a real-time clearance system at glutamatergic synapses capable of responding to local damage of synaptic vesicle proteins within minutes and to be critical for the ongoing functionality of these synapses. These data indicate that synapse autophagy is not only locally regulated but also crucial for the health and functionality of vertebrate presynaptic boutons.
Dynamic enhancer partitioning instructs activation of a growth regulator during exit from naïve pluripotency
Authors: Greenberg Maxim V.C. , Teissandier Aurélie , Walter Marius , Noordermeer Daan , Bourc’his Deborah 
Published: October 2018

SUMMARYDuring early mammalian development, the genome undergoes profound transitions in chromatin states, topological organization and recruitment ofcisregulatory factors involved in transcriptional control. How these three layers of gene regulation interact is the matter of intense research. TheZdbf2gene—which is involved in growth control—provides a valuable model to study this question: upon exit from naïve pluripotency and prior to tissue differentiation, it undergoes a switch in usage from a distal to a proximal promoter, along with a switch in chromatin states, from polycomb to DNA methylation occupancy. Using an embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture system to mimic this period, we show here that four enhancers contribute to theZdbf2promoter switch, concomitantly with dynamic changes in chromosome architecture. Indeed, CTCF plays a key role in partitioning the locus in ESCs, to facilitate enhancer contact with the distalZdbf2promoter only. Partition relieving enhances proximalZdbf2promoter activity, as observed during differentiation or with mutants that lack local CTCF-based partition. Importantly, we show that CTCF-based regulation occurs independently of the polycomb and DNA methylation pathways. Our study reveals the importance of multi-layered regulatory frameworks to ensure proper spatio-temporal activation of developmentally important genes.
Strengthening Bolivian Pharmacovigilance system: new therapeutic strategies to improve health of Chagas Disease and Tuberculosis patients
Authors: Cortes-Serra Nuria , Saravia Ruth , Grágeda Rosse Mary , Apaza Amílcar , González Jorge Armando , Ríos Brenda , Gascon Joaquim , Torrico Faustino , Pinazo Maria-Jesus 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTIntroductionChagas disease (CD) and Tuberculosis (TB) are important health problems in Bolivia. Current treatments for both infections require a long period of time, and unwanted drug-related adverse events (ADRs) are frequent.PurposeThis study aims to strengthen the Bolivian Pharmacovigilance system, focusing on CD and TB.MethodsA situational diagnosis of Pharmacovigilance in the Department of Cochabamba was performed. The use of a new Local Case Report Form (CRF) was implemented, together with the CRF established by the Unidad de Medicamentos y Tecnología en Salud (UNIMED), in several health care centers. Training and follow-up on drug safety monitoring and ADR reporting was provided to all health professionals involved in CD and TB treatment. A comparative analysis of the reported ADRs using the CRF provided by UNIMED, the new CRF proposal, and medical records, was performed.ResultsOut of the total patients starting treatment for CD, 35,35% suffered ADR according to the information collected in the medical records, and 25% of them were classified as moderate/severe (MS) types. Only 51,43% of MS ADRs were reported to UNIMED. Regarding TB treatment, 9,89% of the total patients suffered ADR, 44% of them were classified as MS, and 75% of MS ADRs were reported to UNIMED.ConclusionsThe reinforcement of the Bolivian Pharmacovigilance system is an ambitious project that should take a long-term perspective and the engagement of national health workers and other stake holders at all levels. Continuity and perseverance are essential to achieve a solid ADR reporting system, improving patient safety, drug efficacy and adherence to treatment.
The mRNA export adaptor Yra1 contributes to DNA double-strand break repair through its C-box domain
Authors: Infantino Valentina , Tutucci Evelina , Martin Noël Yeh , Zihlmann Audrey , García-Molinero Varinia , Silvano Géraldine , Palancade Benoit , Stutz Françoise 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTYra1 is an mRNA export adaptor involved in mRNA biogenesis and export in S. cerevisiae. Yra1 overexpression was recently shown to promote accumulation of DNA:RNA hybrids favoring DNA double strand breaks (DSB), cell senescence and telomere shortening, via an unknown mechanism. Yra1 was also identified at an HO-induced DSB and Yra1 depletion causes defects in DSB repair. Previous work from our laboratory showed that Yra1 ubiquitination by Tom1 is important for mRNA export. Interestingly, we found that Yra1 is also ubiquitinated by the SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases Slx5-Slx8 implicated in the interaction of irreparable DSB with nuclear pores. Here we show that Yra1 binds an HO-induced irreparable DSB. Importantly, a Yra1 mutant lacking the evolutionarily conserved C-box is not recruited to an HO-induced irreparable DSB and becomes lethal under DSB induction in a HO-cut reparable system. Together, the data provide evidence that Yra1 plays a crucial role in DSB repair via homologous recombination. Unexpectedly, while the Yra1 C-box is essential, Yra1 sumoylation and/or ubiquitination are dispensable in this process.
Parents’ evaluation of services offered to autistic children
Authors: Fteiha Mohammad , Bustami Ghanem Al 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the assessment by parents of children with autism regarding the services provided by the Center for Special Care in the United Arab Emirates.Design/methodology/approachThe surveyed sample included 300 families of children with autism, receiving educational and rehabilitation services, treatment and support services.FindingsThe results indicated significant differences in the assessment of services provided by centers due to a place of service, nature of diagnosis, child’s age at the time of study and age when first diagnosed.Originality/valueParents taking part in this study expressed an average level of satisfaction with the received services.
Expatriates adjustment through transformation of social identity of Chinese expatriates working in Pakistan
Authors: Nadeem Sadia , Mumtaz Sana 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through integrating the U-curve model and social identity theory. It has also highlighted the importance of engaging in strong social ties and their contribution in expatriates’ adjustment.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through semi-structured interviews from 30 Chinese expatriates working as directors, deputy directors, senior managers, managers and assistant managers in Chinese organizations in Pakistan. After verbatim transcription of all the interviews, data were analyzed using the NVivo software.FindingsThe findings of this paper indicate that expatriates’ identities somewhat changed in terms of their behaviors and work habits, while fewer changes were observed in their belief and value system. These changes were related to expatriates’ perceptions of host country groups, attraction to these groups and similarity in beliefs, which resulted in the development of interdependent beliefs and depersonalization. However, a few Chinese expatriates predominantly interacted among themselves at work, and their reduced socialization with Pakistanis lessened their chances of change.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of the study suggest that expatriates’ adjustment is a multi-stage process and social identity change is one of the powerful mechanisms through which they adjust in the host country’s environment; hence host organizations should facilitate expatriates in strengthening their bond with local people.Originality/valueThis paper has proposed a model that explains the mechanism of Chinese expatriates’ adjustment in Pakistan through improved interactions between expatriates’ and host country nationals, resulting in minor social identity changes, leading to further positive relationship building, and then major social identity changes.
Comparison betweenO(n2) andO(n) neighbor search algorithm and its influence on superlinear speedup in parallel discrete element method (DEM) for complex-shaped particles
Authors: Yan Beichuan , Regueiro Richard 
Published: October 2018

PurposeThis paper aims to present performance comparison betweenO(n2) andO(n) neighbor search algorithms, studies their effects for different particle shape complexity and computational granularity (CG) and investigates the influence on superlinear speedup of 3D discrete element method (DEM) for complex-shaped particles. In particular, it aims to answer the question:O(n2) orO(n) neighbor search algorithm, which performs better in parallel 3D DEM computational practice?Design/methodology/approachTheO(n2) andO(n) neighbor search algorithms are carefully implemented in the code paraEllip3d, which is executed on the Department of Defense supercomputers across five orders of magnitude of simulation scale (2,500; 12,000; 150,000; 1 million and 10 million particles) to evaluate and compare the performance, using both strong and weak scaling measurements.FindingsThe more complex the particle shapes (from sphere to ellipsoid to poly-ellipsoid), the smaller the neighbor search fraction (NSF); and the lower is the CG, the smaller is the NSF. In both serial and parallel computing of complex-shaped 3D DEM, theO(n2) algorithm is inefficient at coarse CG; however, it executes faster thanO(n) algorithm at fine CGs that are mostly used in computational practice to achieve the best performance. This means thatO(n2) algorithm outperformsO(n) in parallel 3D DEM generally.Practical implicationsTaking for granted thatO(n) outperformsO(n2) unconditionally, complex-shaped 3D DEM is a misconception commonly encountered in the computational engineering and science literature.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies that performance ofO(n2) andO(n) neighbor search algorithms for complex-shaped 3D DEM is affected by particle shape complexity and CG. In particular, theO(n2) algorithm outperforms theO(n) algorithm in large-scale parallel 3D DEM simulations generally, even though this outperformance is counterintuitive.
Online relationship marketing and customer loyalty: a signaling theory perspective
Authors: Boateng Sheena Lovia 
Published: October 2018

PurposeOnline technologies have, in recent times, revolutionized the process of relationship building between firms and their customers. Nonetheless, there is a limited focus and theorization when it comes to explaining the link between online relationship marketing (ORM) activities and their impact on firm relationship marketing (RM) objectives. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the signaling role of ORM activities in generating online trust and customer loyalty, through the lens of the signaling theory.Design/methodology/approachData for the study were gathered through a survey of 429 Ghanaian retail bank customers. Results were analyzed using structural equation modeling techniques.FindingsThe paper highlights the signaling role of engagement and interactivity online in influencing banks’ RM outcomes per the signaling theory. It concludes that bank’s online relationship activities, over and above the online tools utilized, need to communicate appropriate and useful signals in order to positively influence online trust and loyalty among customers.Originality/valueThe study, in its uniqueness, utilizes the signaling theory to explain the role and impact of online RM activities in the banking industry.