bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minimally invasive Venetian blinds ventral hernia repair with botulinum toxin chemical component separation
Authors: Chan Daniel L. , Ravindran Praveen , Fan Howard S. , Elstner Kristen E. , Jacombs Anita S. W. , Ibrahim Nabeel , Talbot Michael L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic ventral repair is safe, with lower wound infection rates compared with open repair. ‘Venetian blinds’ technique of plication in combination with mesh reinforcement, is totally intra‐corporeal, with hernia defect and sac plication to reduce seroma formation. While laparoscopic suturing of the abdominal wall can represent a technical challenge, pre‐operative botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections as an adjunct can assist. This study aims to demonstrate feasibility and efficacy of this technique in abdominal wall hernia repair, with BTA adjunct in midline hernias.MethodsA single‐centre case series was conducted using minimally invasive ‘Venetian blinds’ technique for repair of complex ventral abdominal hernias. Twelve patients (seven midline, five non‐midline) underwent repair (11 laparoscopic; one robotic). Midline hernias received BTA (200–300 units Botox) 4–6 weeks prior to surgery. Repairs were mesh‐reinforced following fascial closure.ResultsTwelve (10 female, two male) patients, with a median age 72 years (range 31–83) and body mass index of 27.3 kg/m2 (range 22.8–61.7) were included. The median length of operation was 133 min (range 45–290) and length of hospital stay 3 days (range 1–28). To date there has been no recurrence of hernia. A single symptomatic seroma was treated with antibiotics and did not require mesh removal. One patient developed hospital‐acquired pneumonia and pseudomembranous colitis.ConclusionMinimally invasive ‘Venetian blinds’ technique has promising early results with both midline and non‐midline ventral hernias. The addition of BTA is a novel and feasible combination for repair of midline ventral hernias.
Surgical treatment results of hepatocellular carcinoma in non‐cirrhotic liver in southern Chile: case series with follow‐up
Authors: Manterola Carlos , Grande Luis , Otzen Tamara , Duque Galo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary tumour of the liver. Although often associated with chronic liver disease, it can also occur in non‐cirrhotic livers. The aim of this study was to describe post‐operative morbidity (POM), and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in non‐cirrhotic liver treated surgically, and to identify variables associated with prognosis.MethodsCase series of patients who underwent surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma in non‐cirrhotic liver at Clínica RedSalud Mayor de Temuco, Chile (2001–2017), were studied. The minimum follow‐up time considered was 12 months. Principal outcomes were development of POM and survival. Other variables of interest were age, sex, tumour diameter, surgical time, hospital stay, follow‐up time, need for surgical re‐intervention, mortality, vascular and lymph node invasion and staging. Descriptive and analytic statistics were calculated.ResultsA total of 32 patients were studied. They were characterized by a mean age of 67.3 ± 7.2 years, 62.5% of whom were men. Averages of tumour diameter, surgical time and hospitalization were 12.0 ± 2.6 cm, 114.4 ± 32.3 min and 7.2 ± 2.9 days, respectively. POM was 31.3%. There was no mortality and there were no re‐interventions. The overall actuarial survival at 1, 2 and 3 years was 96.8%, 73.4% and 17.3%, respectively. Lower survival was verified in patients with vascular invasion, lymph node infiltration and stages III and IVa.ConclusionDespite the tumour diameter and extent of the resections, POM in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in non‐cirrhotic liver is moderate. However, its prognosis is poor. Vascular invasion, lymph node invasion and advances stages were associated with worse survival.
The evolving role of next generation sequencing in myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Spaulding Travis P. , Stockton Shannon S. , Savona Michael R. 
Published: October 2019

SummaryMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal haematological disorders characterized by haematopoietic cell dysplasia, peripheral blood cytopenias, and a predisposition for developing acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Cytogenetics have historically been important in diagnosis and prognosis in MDS, but the growing accessibility of next generation sequencing (NGS) has led to growing research in the roles of molecular genetic variation on clinical decision‐making in these disorders. Multiple genes have been previously studied and found to be associated with specific outcomes or disease types within MDS and knowledge of mutations in these genes provides insight into previously defined MDS subtypes. Knowledge of these mutations also informs development of novel therapies in the treatment of MDS. The precise role of NGS in the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of MDS remains unclear but the improvements in NGS technology and accessibility affords clinicians an additional practice tool to provide the best care for patients.
Rethinking Power, Strategy and Renewal: Members and Unions in Crisis
Authors: Ellem Bradon , Goods Caleb , Todd Patricia 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWhy are some unions unable to rebuild membership and bargaining coverage despite significant changes in strategy? We examine the trajectory of a key union in a vital sector, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, calling into question aspects of the union renewal literature. Much scholarship sees members’ associational power as a power resource that can cover the loss of other power resources, but we show that this assumption does not necessarily hold. To explain why members are not necessarily a resource in renewal, we argue that studies of renewal must more fully consider the interplay between different forms of power resources — institutional, structural and societal — and locate union strategies within that dynamic. Critically, this interplay also shapes members’ perceptions of their power, which may further limit a union's options as it responds to external threats.
Akt inhibition synergizes with polycomb repressive complex 2 inhibition in the treatment of multiple myeloma
Authors: Rizk Mohamed , Rizq Ola , Oshima Motohiko , Nakajima‐Takagi Yaeko , Koide Shuhei , Saraya Atsunori , Isshiki Yusuke , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Yamazaki Satoshi , Ma Anqi , Jin Jian , Iwama Atsushi , Mimura Naoya 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPolycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) components, EZH2 and its homolog EZH1, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway are focal points as therapeutic targets for multiple myeloma. However, the exact crosstalk between their downstream targets remains unclear. We herein elucidated some epigenetic interactions following Akt inhibition and demonstrated the efficacy of the combined inhibition of Akt and PRC2. We found that TAS‐117, a potent and selective Akt inhibitor, downregulated EZH2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels via interference with the Rb‐E2F pathway, while EZH1 was compensatively upregulated to maintain H3K27me3 modifications. Consistent with these results, the dual EZH2/EZH1 inhibitor, UNC1999, but not the selective EZH2 inhibitor, GSK126, synergistically enhanced TAS‐117‐induced cytotoxicity and provoked myeloma cell apoptosis. RNA‐seq analysis revealed the activation of the FOXO signaling pathway after TAS‐117 treatment. FOXO3/4 mRNA and their downstream targets were upregulated with the enhanced nuclear localization of FOXO3 protein after TAS‐117 treatment. ChIP assays confirmed the direct binding of FOXO3 to EZH1 promoter, which was enhanced by TAS‐117 treatment. Moreover, FOXO3 knockdown repressed EZH1 expression. Collectively, the present results reveal some molecular interactions between Akt signaling and epigenetic modulators, which emphasize the benefits of targeting PRC2 full activity and the Akt pathway as a therapeutic option for multiple myeloma.
A genetic risk score predicts coronary artery disease in familial hypercholesterolaemia: enhancing the precision of risk assessment
Authors: Ellis Katrina L. , Hooper Amanda J. , Pang Jing , Chan Dick C. , Burnett John R. , Bell Damon A. , Schultz Carl J. , Moses Eric K. , Watts Gerald F. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFamilial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, risk prediction and stratification remain a challenge. Genetic risk scores (GRS) may have utility in identifying FH patients at high CAD risk. The study included 811 patients attending the lipid disorders clinic at Royal Perth Hospital with mutation‐positive (n = 251) and mutation‐negative (n = 560) FH. Patients were genotyped for a GRS previously associated with CAD. Associations between the GRS, clinical characteristics, and CAD were assessed using regression analyses. The average age of patients was 49.6 years, and 44.1% were male. The GRS was associated with increased odds of a CAD event in mutation‐positive [odds ratio (OR) = 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3‐8.2; P = .009] and mutation‐negative FH patients (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.0‐3.3; P = .039) after adjusting for established predictors of CAD risk. The GRS was associated with greater subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by coronary artery calcium score (P = .039). A high GRS was associated with CAD defined clinically and angiographically in FH patients. High GRS patients may benefit from more intensive management including lifestyle modification and aggressive lipid‐lowering therapy. Further assessment of the utility of the GRS requires investigation in prospective cohorts, including its role in influencing the management of FH patients in the clinic.
Mutational spectrum by phenotype: panel‐based NGS testing of patients with clinical suspicion of RASopathy and children with multiple café‐au‐lait macules
Authors: Castellanos Elisabeth , Rosas Inma , Negro Alex , Gel Bernat , Alibés Andreu , Baena Neus , Pineda Mercè , Pi Graciela , Pintos Guillem , Salvador Hector , Lázaro Conxi , Blanco Ignacio , Vilageliu Lluïsa , Brems Hilde , Grinberg Daniel , Legius Eric , Serra Eduard 
Published: October 2019

AbstractChildren with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) may exhibit an incomplete clinical presentation, making difficult to reach a clinical diagnosis. A phenotypic overlap may exist in children with other RASopathies or with other genetic conditions if only multiple café‐au‐lait macules (CALMs) are present. The syndromes that can converge in these inconclusive phenotypes have different clinical courses. In this context, an early genetic testing has been proposed to be clinically useful to manage these patients. We present the validation and implementation into diagnostics of a custom NGS panel (I2HCP, ICO‐IMPPC Hereditary Cancer Panel) for testing patients with a clinical suspicion of a RASopathy (n = 48) and children presenting multiple CALMs (n = 102). We describe the mutational spectrum and the detection rates identified in these two groups of individuals. We identified pathogenic variants in 21 out of 48 patients with clinical suspicion of RASopathy, with mutations in NF1 accounting for 10% of cases. Furthermore, we identified pathogenic mutations mainly in the NF1 gene, but also in SPRED1, in more than 50% of children with multiple CALMs, exhibiting an NF1 mutational spectrum different from a group of clinically diagnosed NF1 patients (n = 80). An NGS panel strategy for the genetic testing of these two phenotype‐defined groups outperforms previous strategies.
Collected Reflections
Authors: Drake Campbell , Gilbert Jock , Mehzoud Sven , Pearce Sophia 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis article offers four reflective commentaries on Interpretive Wonderings*, an intercultural community engagement, art and exhibition project. It consists of three interrelated events: the Mapping Culpra Station Workshop, the Interpretive Wonderings exhibition and the Migratory Wonderings exhibition. All were shaped by the coming together of community and creative practitioners on the land of Culpra Station, New South Wales, Australia, in order to work beside local Aboriginal people to learn and share, and to generate creative responses from this experience. The four personal reflections included in this compilation offer multiple perspectives on the Interpretive Wonderings project and draw on the four project leaders’ roles as well as various disciplinary and cultural backgrounds. They include a collaborator’s indigenous viewpoint, transformational experiences that brought about a different understanding of landscape, and observations on the project’s curatorial and exhibition processes and practices.*Editorial note: The Interpretive Wonderings Portfolio comprises a set of interrelated writings that attempt to provide a distinctive, multi‐perspectival account of this creative research project. In addition to this research piece, other articles include: a co‐authored contextual overview which situates the project in theoretical and practical terms (Drake et al. 2019a, this issue) and associated research‐led articles by Gilbert (2019, this issue) and Mehzoud (2019,this issue). Read individually, each designated article presents a focused inquiry (depth); taken together as a curated series, they provide the reader with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview (breadth) and appreciation of the project’s guiding aspirations, objectives and outcomes that amounts to more than the sum of its discrete parts.
Atypicalities in sleep and semantic consolidation in autism
Authors: Fletcher Fay E. , Knowland Victoria , Walker Sarah , Gaskell M. Gareth , Norbury Courtenay , Henderson Lisa M. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSleep is known to support the neocortical consolidation of declarative memory, including the acquisition of new language. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often characterized by both sleep and language learning difficulties, but few studies have explored a potential connection between the two. Here, 54 children with and without ASD (matched on age, nonverbal ability and vocabulary) were taught nine rare animal names (e.g., pipa). Memory was assessed via definitions, naming and speeded semantic decision tasks immediately after learning (pre‐sleep), the next day (post‐sleep, with a night of polysomnography between pre‐ and post‐sleep tests) and roughly 1 month later (follow‐up). Both groups showed comparable performance at pre‐test and similar levels of overnight change on all tasks; but at follow‐up children with ASD showed significantly greater forgetting of the unique features of the new animals (e.g., pipa is a flat frog). Children with ASD had significantly lower central non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sigma power. Associations between spindle properties and overnight changes in speeded semantic decisions differed by group. For the TD group, spindle duration predicted overnight changes in responses to novel animals but not familiar animals, reinforcing a role for sleep in the stabilization of new semantic knowledge. For the ASD group, sigma power and spindle duration were associated with improvements in responses to novel and particularly familiar animals, perhaps reflecting more general sleep‐associated improvements in task performance. Plausibly, microstructural sleep atypicalities in children with ASD and differences in how information is prioritized for consolidation may lead to cumulative consolidation difficulties, compromising the quality of newly formed semantic representations in long‐term memory.
Two‐dimensional systolic speckle tracking echocardiography provides a noninvasive aid in the identification of acute pediatric heart transplant rejection
Authors: Engelhardt Kevin , Das Bibhuti , Sorensen Matthew , Malik Sadia , Zellers Thomas , Lemler Matthew 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundAcute rejection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric heart transplant (HT) population. A reliable noninvasive method for diagnosis of clinical rejection could substantially reduce these negative outcomes.ObjectiveEvaluate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) as early noninvasive indicators of acute pediatric HT rejection.MethodsAn 18‐month prospective cohort study involving 61 patients evaluated absolute change in peak global systolic strain (GLS and GCS) from enrollment (baseline) to next planned clinical encounter (follow‐up) or rejection. Acute rejection defined as a biopsy of grade ≥ 2R or treatment with enhanced immunosuppression by the transplant team, blinded to strain analysis. Two patient cohorts three months post HT without evidence of rejection at enrollment were identified. The study cohort experienced rejection. The control cohort remained free from rejection on follow‐up. Two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) models evaluated change in GLS and GCS by cohort group and time.ResultsApplying exclusion criteria, 51 patients enrolled in the control cohort and 10 in the study cohort. The study cohort's mean GLS declined 33% from baseline to rejection (P < .001) and mean GCS declined 16.6% (P = .021). No significant change from baseline to follow‐up was seen in the control cohort. A threshold absolute GLS value of 16.1% identified acute rejection with 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity (Likelihood Ratio, [LR] 51).ConclusionNoninvasive global longitudinal strain was sensitive and specific in the identification of acute clinical rejection in pediatric HT recipients.
Manifestation of coronary subclavian steal phenomenon using reactive hyperemia in the ipsilateral forearm
Authors: Iino Takako , Yamanaka Takayuki , Sato Wakana , Iino Kenji , Watanabe Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCoronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is a coronary steal phenomenon secondary to subclavian artery stenosis in patients who have undergone coronary bypass surgery with the internal thoracic artery. Most commonly, CSSS is diagnosed angiographically. Our case emphasizes that stress ultrasound assessment using reactive hyperemia in the ipsilateral arm elicits a functional diagnosis of CSSS.
Self‐reported visual dysfunction in Parkinson disease: the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
Authors: Hamedani A. G. , Willis A. W. 
Published: October 2019

Background and purposeVisual dysfunction is a non‐motor symptom of Parkinson disease (PD), but its prevalence is unknown as population‐based data on the epidemiology of visual symptoms in PD are lacking. The objective was to determine the prevalence of visual dysfunction in PD.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional analysis of data from adults ≥50 years old in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), a multinational population‐based health survey of adults living in one of 27 European countries and Israel. PD diagnosis was self‐reported. Impairment in overall, distance or near eyesight was defined as a score of 4 or 5 on a 1–5 scale. Adjusted logistic regression was used to determine the association between PD and self‐reported vision.ResultsThere were 115 240 age‐eligible participants in the SHARE study (mean age 64.3 years, 54% female), of whom 1438 (1.25%) reported a diagnosis of PD. In adjusted logistic regression models, PD was associated with increased odds of impaired overall [odds ratio (OR) 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91–3.72], distance (OR 2.55, 95% CI 2.04–3.19) and near (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.69–2.55) eyesight. Individuals with PD were also less likely to report having an eye examination within the previous 2 years (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38–0.92), but this did not remain statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.47–1.24).ConclusionsVisual dysfunction is significantly more common in PD than in the general adult population. Visual symptoms are a potentially under‐recognized and under‐treated source of reduced quality of life in PD patients that require further attention and study.
Ex vivo characterization of neuroinflammatory and neuroreceptor changes during epileptogenesis using candidate positron emission tomography biomarkers
Authors: Bascuñana Pablo , Gendron Thibault , Sander Kerstin , Jahreis Ina , Polyak Andras , Ross Tobias L. , Bankstahl Marion , Arstad Erik , Bankstahl Jens P. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveIdentification of patients at risk of developing epilepsy before the first spontaneous seizure may promote the development of preventive treatment providing opportunity to stop or slow down the disease.MethodsAs development of novel radiotracers and on‐site setup of existing radiotracers is highly time‐consuming and expensive, we used dual‐centre in vitro autoradiography as an approach to characterize the potential of innovative radiotracers in the context of epilepsy development. Using brain slices from the same group of rats, we aimed to characterise the evolution of neuroinflammation and expression of inhibitory and excitatory neuroreceptors during epileptogenesis using translational positron emission tomography (PET) tracers; 18F‐flumazenil (18F‐FMZ; GABAA receptor), 18F‐FPEB (metabotropic glutamate receptor 5; mGluR5), 18F‐flutriciclamide (translocator protein; TSPO, microglia activation) and 18F‐deprenyl (monoamine oxidase B, astroglia activation). Autoradiography images from selected time points after pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE; baseline, 24 and 48 hours, 5, 10 and 15 days and 6 and 12‐14 weeks after SE) were normalized to a calibration curve, co‐registered to an MRI‐based 2D region‐of‐interest atlas, and activity concentration (Bq/mm2) was calculated.ResultsIn epileptogenesis‐associated brain regions, 18F‐FMZ and 18F‐FPEB showed an early decrease after SE. 18F‐FMZ decrease was maintained in the latent phase and further reduced in the chronic epileptic animals, while 18F‐FPEB signal recovered from day 10, reaching baseline levels in chronic epilepsy. 18F‐flutriciclamide showed an increase of activated microglia at 24 hours after SE, peaking at 5‐15 days and decreasing during the chronic phase. On the other hand, 18F‐deprenyl autoradiography showed late astrogliosis, peaking in the chronic phase.SignificanceAutoradiography revealed different evolution of the selected targets during epileptogenesis. Our results suggest an advantage of combined imaging of inter‐related targets like glutamate and GABAA receptors, or microglia and astrocyte activation, in order to identify important interactions, especially when using PET imaging for the evaluation of novel treatments.
Considerations for an Inclusive Global Theological Education
Authors: Mombo Esther 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis article considers the role of theological education in developing the ministry of the church and the need for it to be relevant to the realities and needs of the people it is to serve. The article considers three factors – racism, imperialism, and tribalism – that influence theological education in different ways. It then turns to a consideration of African‐American womanist theology and African women's theology – as reflected in the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians – and the similarities between these two approaches as expressions of liberation theology and their relevance for inclusive global theological education.