bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric Osteosarcoma of Extremities: A 15-year Experience From a Tertiary Care Cancer Center in Upper Egypt
Authors: Morsy Ahmed M. , Abdelgawad Marwa I. , Ahmed Badawy M. , Rezk Khalid M. , Aboelgheit Amir M. , Ramadan Islam K.-A. , Kamel Hosam E.M. , Fouad Doaa M. , Herdan Rania A. , Shabaan Shimaa H. , Eltyb Hanan A. 
Published: January 2019

Aim:
To assess the outcome and determine predictors of survival in pediatric patients with osteosarcoma of the extremities treated with a unified chemotherapy protocol at a single institution over a 15-year period.

Materials and Methods:
We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of 48 pediatric patients with histologically verified osteosarcoma of the extremities diagnosed at South Egypt Cancer Institute and received treatment between January 2001 and December 2015.

Results:
With a median follow-up of 61 months for the entire cohort, estimates of overall survival (OS) for 3- and 5-year were 50.9% and 42.1%, respectively. While the estimates of OS for 3- and 5-year in the nonmetastatic group were 79% and 65.2%, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, both metastatic disease at diagnosis and poor response to chemotherapy retained their statistical significance as independent predictors for event-free survival. Whereas for OS, a metastatic disease at diagnosis remained as the lone predictor of a dismal outcome, while a poor response to chemotherapy became marginally associated with an inferior outcome.

Conclusions:
In Upper Egypt, whereas slightly less than two thirds of children with localized osteosarcoma of extremities survives their disease, metastasis at presentation remains the key predictor of dismal survival outcomes.
Delay in Seeking Health Care Services After Onset of Urethritis Symptoms in Men
Authors: Aaron Kristal J. , Van Der Pol Barbara , Jordan Stephen J. , Schwebke Jane R. , Hook Edward W. 
Published: January 2019

Background
Symptom awareness, behavioral factors, and other barriers associated with timely sexually transmitted infection (STI) health care provision in men is not well studied.

Methods
Men attending an STI clinic answered a questionnaire regarding their symptoms, sexual behavior, and sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Characteristics of symptomatic men were compared between those who did and did not delay seeking health care services. Delayed care seeking was defined as clinic attendance longer than 7 days after symptoms, whereas early care seeking was defined as clinic attendance of 7 days or less.

Results
Over a quarter (n = 43 [27.7%]) of men with urethritis symptoms (urethral discharge or dysuria) delayed seeking care for more than 7 days. Compared with men who sought treatment within 7 days, those that delayed care worried for longer periods that their symptoms were STI-related, were more likely to attempt self-treatment of STI symptoms, were more likely to continue engaging in sexual activity, and were less likely to use a condom during their last sexual encounter. Conversely, men that delayed care seeking were less likely to have urethral discharge on physical examination, to have 5 or more polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and to test positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. When compared with men that sought care earlier, men that delayed care seeking had fewer overall and new partners in the past 30 days.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that over a quarter of men aware of STI symptoms delay seeking health services. Interventions that promote better patient understanding of the importance of symptom recognition and that facilitate timely access to care may provide new opportunities to reduce STI transmission.
Network Meta-Analysis of Various Nonpharmacological Interventions on Pain Relief in Older Adults With Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang Qi , Young Lufei , Li Feng 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
To compare the effectiveness of different nonpharmacological interventions on pain relief in older adults with osteoarthritis, literature databases, bibliographies, and other relevant sources were searched. No language limitations were applied. Thirty-two trials published from 1997 to 2017 were included in the systematic review and network meta-analyses. We included only randomized controlled trials and studies that evaluated the effects of nonpharmacological interventions on alleviating pain in elderly adults (age ≥60 yrs or mean age > 65 yrs) who experience osteoarthritis, irrespective of sex. In the network meta-analysis, resistance training was ranked as the most effective among all nonpharmacological interventions (surface under the cumulative ranking = 82.9%, standardized mean difference = 1.96, confidence interval = −1.39 to 5.31). In subgroup analyses, resistance training still ranked the most effective pain reduction intervention, followed by strengthening exercise and yoga. Among female subjects with intervention adherence rate more than 90%, the most effective intervention was yoga. Strengthening exercise was superior to all other forms of interventions when comparing long-term effect of selected interventions. Among older adults with osteoarthritis, resistance training can be considered a treatment option for pain relief. Yoga is an effective intervention strategy for female elderly, and strengthening exercise has a better long-term beneficial effect.
A Multiplex HIV Incidence Assay for Inferring Recent HIV-1 Transmission and Time of Infection
Authors: Curtis Kelly A. , Campbell Ellsworth M. , Hanson Debra L. , Rudolph Donna L. , Duwve Joan , J. Blosser Sara , Gentry Jessica , Lovchik Judith , Peters Philip J. , Owen Sherry Michele , Switzer William M. 
Published: January 2019

Background:
Laboratory assays for determining recent HIV-1 infection are an important public health tool for aiding in the estimation of HIV incidence. Some incidence assay analytes are remarkably predictive of time since seroconversion and may be useful for additional applications, such as predicting recent transmission events during HIV outbreaks and informing prevention strategies.

Methods:
Plasma samples (n = 154) from a recent HIV-1 outbreak in a rural community in Indiana were tested with the customized HIV-1 Multiplex assay, based on the Bio-Rad Bio-Plex platform, which measures antibody response to HIV envelope antigens, gp120, gp160, and gp41. Assay cutoffs for each analyte were established to determine whether an individual seroconverted within 30, 60, or 90 days of the sample collection date. In addition, a novel bioinformatics method was implemented to infer infection dates of persons newly diagnosed with HIV during the outbreak.

Results:
Sensitivity/specificity of the HIV-1 Multiplex assay for predicting seroconversion within 30, 60, and 90 days, based on a training data set, was 90.5%/95.4%, 94.1%/90%, and 89.4%/82.9%, respectively. Of 154 new diagnoses in Indiana between December 2014 and August 2016, the majority (71%) of recent infections (≤3 months since seroconversion) were identified between February and May 2016. The epidemiologic curve derived from the bioinformatics analysis indicated HIV transmission began as early as 2010, grew exponentially in 2014, and leveled off in April 2015.

Conclusions:
The HIV-1 Multiplex assay has the potential to identify and monitor trends in recent infection during an epidemic to assess the efficacy of programmatic or treatment interventions.
Considerations for Mandibular Reconstruction in the Pediatric Patient Following Resection of Malignant Tumors
Authors: Nam Jung Woo , Nam Woong , Cha In Ho , Kim Hyung Jun 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
We recently achieved favorable results in 3 pediatric patients with mandibular osteosarcomas that were treated at our hospital, including with immediate reconstructive surgery performed after tumor resection. Based on a literature review and practical investigation, we discuss the considerations for mandibular reconstruction after malignant lesions are removed from the mandible in children. Mandibular reconstruction for pediatric patients requires an understanding of the changes in bone and soft-tissue architecture due to growth and development at both the donor and recipient sites. Immediate mandibular reconstruction with a free flap can be considered a reasonable option even for young children who require extensive mandibular surgery. However, the variables affecting decisions about treatment planning vary between the different conditions in individual patients, and moreover, these cases are not common in the pediatric population. Therefore, long-term follow-up treatment and further investigations are required for the optimized diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of pediatric mandibular malignancies.
Various Applications of Nonincisional Blepharoptosis Repair Technique in Secondary Surgeries
Authors: Bae Sangmo , Han Jungkyu 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Surgical correction of blepharoptosis is one of the most challenging procedures to oculoplastic surgeons. Based on our previous results in primary cases, we tried our nonincisional blepharoptosis correction technique in secondary operations. We mainly used our technique in reoperations with undercorrected ptosis, asymmetric eyelids, loosening of the supratarsal crease, and just for contour adjustments of eyelids. From March 2015 to August 2017, we performed the nonincisional blepharoptosis correction technique on total 93 patients in our clinic. We analyzed the results of the patients with after at least 6-month follow-up. Total 64 of 93 (69%) patients showed satisfactory results with non-ncisional technique. For the other 29 patients, we converted surgical method to the incisional approach during the operation. There was no major complication that required surgical intervention. Nonincisional blepharoptosis correction technique is a safe and reliable method, which can also be applied in secondary surgeries with proper indications.
Comparison Between Continuous and Intermittent Administration of Hydrocortisone During Septic Shock: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Tilouche Nejla , Jaoued Oussama , Ali Habiba Ben Sik , Gharbi Rim , Fekih Hassen Mohamed , Elatrous Souheil 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
The best modality of administration of hydrocortisone during septic shock has been poorly evaluated and the guidelines remain unclear in this respect. This study aimed to compare bolus of hydrocortisone to a continuous infusion during septic shock.

Design:
Randomized controlled, open-label trial.

Setting:
Medical ICU of a university hospital.

Patients:
Adult patients with septic shock requiring more than 2 mg/h (approximately 33.3 μg/mn) of norepinephrine after adequate fluid administration were eligible.
Patients already receiving corticosteroids or who have a contraindication to corticosteroids, patients who died within 24 h and those with a decision of not to resuscitate were excluded.

Interventions:
Patients were randomized either to receive hydrocortisone 200 mg/d by continuous infusion or by boluses of 50 mg every 6 h throughout the prescription of vasopressors with a maximum of 7 days.

Results:
Twenty-nine patients were included in each group. Shock reversal was significantly higher in the HC bolus group (66% vs. 35%, P = 0.008). The median time to shock reversal was 5 days (95% CI, 4.31–5.69) in the HC bolus group compared to 6 days (95% CI, 4.80–7.19) in the HC continuous infusion group (log Rank = 0.048). The number of hours spent with blood glucose ≥ 180 mg/dL was higher in the HC continuous infusion group with a median of 64 h [IQR (2–100)] versus 48 h [IQR (14–107)] in the HC bolus group, (P = 0.60), and daily insulin requirements were similar between the two groups (P = 0.63). The occurrence of other side effects, mortality, and ICU LOS were similar between the study groups.

Conclusion:
Hydrocortisone administered by intermittent bolus was associated with higher shock reversal at day 7 compared with a continuous infusion.
Multi-institution Evaluation of Adherence to Comprehensive Postoperative VTE Chemoprophylaxis
Authors: Yang Anthony D. , Hewitt Daniel Brock , Blay Eddie , Kreutzer Lindsey J. , Quinn Christopher M. , Cradock Kimberly A. , Prachand Vivek , Bilimoria Karl Y. 
Published: January 2019

Objectives:
The aims of this study were to: (1) measure the rate of failure to provide defect-free postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis, (2) identify reasons for failure to provide defect-free VTE chemoprophylaxis, and (3) examine patient- and hospital-level factors associated with failure.

Summary Background Data:
Current VTE quality measures are inadequate. VTE outcome measures are invalidated for interhospital comparison by surveillance bias. VTE process measures (e.g., SCIP-VTE-2) do not comprehensively capture failures throughout patients’ entire hospitalization.

Methods:
We examined adherence to a novel VTE chemoprophylaxis process measure in patients who underwent colectomies over 18 months at 36 hospitals in a statewide surgical collaborative. This measure assessed comprehensive VTE chemoprophylaxis during each patient's entire hospitalization, including reasons why chemoprophylaxis was not given. Associations of patient and hospital characteristics with measure failure were examined.

Results:
The SCIP-VTE-2 hospital-level quality measure identified failures of VTE chemoprophylaxis in 0% to 3% of patients. Conversely, the novel measure unmasked failure to provide defect-free chemoprophylaxis in 18% (736/4086) of colectomies. Reasons for failure included medication not ordered (30.4%), patient refusal (30.3%), incorrect dosage/frequency (8.2%), and patient off-unit (3.4%). Patients were less likely to fail the chemoprophylaxis process measure if treated at nonsafety net hospitals (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.99, P = 0.045) or Magnet designated hospitals (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29–0.71, P = 0.001).

Conclusions:
In contrast to SCIP-VTE-2, our novel quality measure unmasked VTE chemoprophylaxis failures in 18% of colectomies. Most failures were due to patient refusals or ordering errors. Hospitals should focus improvement efforts on ensuring patients receive VTE prophylaxis throughout their entire hospitalization.
Genome editing for plant disease resistance: applications and perspectives
Authors: Yin Kangquan , Qiu Jin-Long 
Published: January 2019

Diseases severely affect crop yield and quality, thereby threatening global food security. Genetic improvement of plant disease resistance is essential for sustainable agriculture. Genome editing has been revolutionizing plant biology and biotechnology by enabling precise, targeted genome modifications. Editing provides new methods for genetic improvement of plant disease resistance and accelerates resistance breeding. Here, we first summarize the challenges for breeding resistant crops. Next, we focus on applications of genome editing technology in generating plants with resistance to bacterial, fungal and viral diseases. Finally, we discuss the potential of genome editing for breeding crops that present novel disease resistance in the future.
This article is part of the theme issue ‘Biotic signalling sheds light on smart pest management’.
Behavioural Evaluation of the Anticonvulsant Properties of the Traditional Medicine Anonna Senegalensis on ParabssDrosophila melanogaster Mutants
Authors: Dare Samuel , Merlo Emiliano , Ekanem Peter E. , Berni Jimena 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEpilepsy is the most common serious neurological disorder affecting 50 million people worldwide, 40 millions of which live in developing countries. Despite the introduction of a dozen of new Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs), one third of the patients continue to have seizure regardless of receiving a AEDs treatment. This emphasize on the need to discover new drugs with different mechanisms of action. Traditional medicine (TM), pays a significant role in the treatment of epilepsy in many countries and offers an affordable and accessible alternative to AEDs. However, the lack of both empirical testing in animal models and clinical data places constrains to their clinical recommendation.In this study, we use Drosophila melanogaster as a model for epilepsy and tested the anti-seizure effect of leaf and stem bark aqueous extract form Annona senegalensis, a plant used as anti-convulsant by rural populations in Africa.Our results show, that at the concentrations tested, the leaf extract of A. senegalensis was more effective than the AEDs phenytoin and phenobarbital to control seizures. These promising results demonstrate that Drosophila is an excellent model for new drug discovery and that it could be used to do large scale screening of TMs for the treatment of epilepsy.
Impaired Regulation of Redox Transcriptome during the Differentiation of iPSCs into Induced Cardiomyocytes (iCMs)
Authors: Shanmugam Gobinath , Crossman David , Rajasingh Johnson , Dalley Brian , Zhang Jianyi , Rajasekaran Namakkal S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundReprogramming of somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) and subsequent differentiation into iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iCM) seems to be a promising strategy for cardiac regenerative therapy. However, recent failure or poor outcomes in cardiac cell therapy warrants further investigation focusing on the infarction/wound environment (site of healing) to improve the cardiac regenerative medicine. Here, using next generation sequencing (NGS), we analyzed the global transcriptome to discover the unidentified genes/pathways that are crucial for cell survival, cytoprotection and mitochondrial dynamics during the differentiation of iPSC into iCM.MethodsHigh throughput NGS was performed RNA from human iPSCs and iCMs (n=3/group) and analyzed the global changes in the transcriptome during differentiation. Furthermore, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Gene Ontology (GO) for biological process were performed to understand the transcriptional networks that are involved during iCM differentiation. RNA-seq data were further validated by qRT-PCR analyses.ResultsGlobal transcriptome analysis revealed that ~9,290 genes (log2 FC >2) were significantly altered in human iCMs compared to the parent iPSCs, in which 4,784 transcripts were substantially upregulated and 4,506 transcripts were down-regulated during differentiation. GO enrichment and IPA analyses revealed the top 10 regulatory networks (i.e. hierarchical order) involved in differentiation of iCMs including cardiomyocyte remodeling, integrin-linked kinase signaling, Rho family of GTPases, etc. Surprisingly, none of the top 10 pathways listed the genes liable for redox signaling networks that are crucial for the basal cellular redox homeostasis, Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense, mitochondrial functions and cell survival. Our deeper and unbiased analysis of this data revealed that the genes involved in above canonical signaling pathways are found in the middle of the inverted vertical cone. Of note, although these pathways are significantly altered during the differentiation (of iPS into cardiomyocytes), a majority of them are ranked low in the hierarchical list (>150). Validation of the randomly selected genes representing various pathways real-time qPCR confirmed the global transcriptome changes observed in NGS.ConclusionWe highlight the significance of Nrf2-redox and mitochondrial transcriptome during differentiation of iPSC into iCMs. Thus, targeting the redox signaling mechanisms in iCMs may enhance their efficiency for cell therapy and improved myocardial repair.
How many bits of information can be transferred within a protein and how fast?
Authors: Hacisuleyman Aysima , Erman Burak 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAmount and rate of information that may be transferred from one residue to another in a protein is quantified using the transfer entropy concept of information theory. Information transfer from one residue to the second is defined as the decrease in the uncertainty in the second residue due to coupling with past values of the first. Three types of information transfer between pairs of residues are defined: transfer between residues that are (i) close in both space and along the primary protein chain, (ii) close in space but distant along the chain, and (iii) distant in space and along the chain may be distinguished. The widely studied third PDZ domain from the synaptic protein PSD-95 is used as an example. The three types of transfer show that residues close in space and chain transfer the largest amount of information. Transfer along the primary chain is also significant. Predictions of the model show that significant amount of transfer may also take place between spatially distant pairs of residues. The latter forms the basis of dynamic allostery in proteins. The role of information transfer between distant pairs in relation to coevolution has been controversial, some works assigning it to near neighbor residue pairs only and others supporting long range coupling. The present paper shows that significant amount of information may be transferred between distant pairs in PSD-95.Transfer rates of the order of gigabytes per second are predicted by the present theory. Information transfer between a specific set of residue pairs exhibit strong directionality, or causality, an observation that may be of use in protein engineering and drug design.
Coping with authoritarianism in international relocation
Authors: Fitzpatrick Frank 
Published: January 2019

Purpose
As the rate of growth in trade of developing and developed economies converges, international business is increasingly taking place in a growing assortment of political and ideological contexts with variable levels of tolerance for plural dissidence. This can create substantial challenges and risks for crosscultural adjustment and increases the potential for assignment failure. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an authoritarian regime on the process of adjustment amongst expatriate sojourners and draw out lessons for future research and policies for relocation in similar authoritarian contexts.

Design/methodology/approach
This was a qualitative research study over three years making use of participant observation methods as a result of researcher immersion in the local context.

Findings
This study finds that “culture” is an insufficient category for explaining difficulties in cross-cultural adjustment and demonstrates that adjustment difficulties under authoritarianism are heightened in the proximate sociocultural context, with geo-political and ideological dynamics creating more challenging conditions of life. Increased levels of social control act to heighten psychological vulnerability amongst sojourners, resulting in coping behaviours that seek a greater degree of psychological alleviation and companionship through more resource-intensive supportive networks and a tendency toward enclavism, thus inhibiting sociocultural adjustment to the host society.

Research limitations/implications
Research needs to recognise more fully the diverse nature of contexts in cross-cultural adjustment. Future research should explore different types of contexts and assess what sort of challenges may arise in relation to the process of psychological and sociocultural adjustment and the adjustive resources required to overcome them.

Practical implications
The paper contributes to the understanding of the psychological and sociocultural challenges of international relocation in an authoritarian context and serves as valuable insight for relocation planning in similar conditions, which are an ever-increasing feature of international business.

Originality/value
This paper gives a unique insight into international relocation in Cuba and draws out the areas of concern for cross-cultural adjustment under authoritarian conditions, an ever-increasing feature of international business. It serves as an example of how context-based research can inform cross-cultural theory and practice within an evolving landscape of doing business globally.