bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sagittal Alignment Profile Following Selective Thoracolumbar/Lumbar Fusion in Patients With Lenke Type 5C Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Tauchi Ryoji , Kawakami Noriaki , Ohara Tetsuya , Saito Toshiki , Tanabe Hironori , Morishita Kazuaki , Yamauchi Ippei 
Published: March 2019

Study Design.
A retrospective case series.

Objective.
This study aimed to report the sagittal outcome measures in patients with Lenke type 5C adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing thoracolumbar/lumbar (TL/L) fusion surgery.

Summary of Background Data.
Previous studies have demonstrated coronal correction of Lenke type 5C AIS by selective TL/L fusion surgery. However, little is known about the sagittal influence of selective TL/L curve correction in Lenke type 5C AIS.

Methods.
Thirty-nine patients with Lenke type 5C AIS underwent selective posterior TL/L curves fusion (mean age, 15.9 ± 2.1 yrs). Preoperative and postoperative radiographic and clinical parameters were analyzed at a minimum 2-year follow-up period. Radiographic parameters were compared between patients with Lenke sagittal modifier normal (Group N) to those with Lenke sagittal modifier minus (Group M).

Results.
The main TL/L Cobb angle was 46.3° ± 7.7° preoperatively and 20.7° ± 5.3° (P < 0.0001) at 2-year follow-up. Also, thoracic kyphosis (TK) (T1–12) angle was 29.0° ± 11.3° preoperatively and 36.4° ± 10.3° at follow-up (P < 0.001), and TK (T5–12) angle was 18.1° ± 10.2° preoperatively and 25.9° ± 8.9° at follow-up (P < 0.001). The cervical lordosis (CL) was 9.6° ± 11.6° preoperatively and 6.1° ± 10.9° at follow-up (P = 0.037). Compared with the Lenke sagittal modifier groups, preoperative TK (T1–12), TK (T5–12), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), and CL were significantly different from both the groups; and after the surgery, no significant differences in these parameters were observed between the two groups.

Conclusion.
After the selective TL/L posterior fusion surgery in patients with Lenke type 5C AIS, the sagittal alignment profile, including TK, TLK, C7 sagittal vertical axis, T1 slope, and CL, was significantly changed. With regard to the sagittal aspect, selective TL/L surgery was more likely to affect Group M than Group N.

Level of Evidence: 4
Explaining variations in hospitals’ use of strategic human resource management: How environmental and organizational factors matter
Authors: Schneider Annika M. , Oppel Eva-Maria , Winter Vera 
Published: March 2019

Background
Against the background of increasing workforce-related challenges such as staff shortages, strategic human resource management (SHRM) has gained importance in hospitals. Although the positive implications of SHRM for hospital performance are well known and commonly accepted in research and practice, hospitals still vary in its use. However, the sources of variations in hospitals’ use of SHRM are largely unknown.

Purpose
Various organizational and environmental factors were used in this study to explain the variations in hospitals’ use of SHRM for physicians and nurses.

Methodology
Data were obtained from a hospital survey (n = 172) on topics related to human resource management in hospitals and linked to different secondary data sets. We apply multiple linear regression modeling to investigate the association between organizational and environmental characteristics and hospitals’ use of SHRM for nurses and physicians.

Findings
Our results suggest that organizational factors such as private for-profit and nonprofit ownership (compared to public ownership), academic teaching status, and the strategic involvement of the human resource administration are positively associated with hospitals’ use of SHRM. None of the environmental factors investigated in this study was significantly related to hospitals’ use of SHRM.

Practical Implications
The study results increase our understanding of variations in hospitals’ use of SHRM. Although organizational characteristics were found to explain variations in SHRM, environmental factors seem unrelated with hospitals’ use of SHRM. Our results inform both hospital managers and policy makers about possible approaches to enhance SHRM use in hospitals. Furthermore, profound knowledge about factors associated with SHRM will help to enhance our understanding of anticipating changes in hospitals’ use of SHRM through organizational- and environmental-oriented interventions.
Noninferiority of Preservative-free Versus BAK-preserved Latanoprost-timolol Fixed Combination Eye Drops in Patients With Open-angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension
Authors: Aptel Florent , Pfeiffer Norbert , Schmickler Stefanie , Clarke Jonathan , Lavín-Dapena Cosme , Moreno-Montañés Javier , Żarnowski Tomasz , Csutak Adrienne , Jugaste Tiia , Volksone Lāsma , Astakhov Yury S. , Coupier Laurent , Nordmann Jean-Philippe , Stalmans Ingeborg 
Published: March 2019

Précis:
Noninferiority of efficacy was demonstrated for a preservative-free latanoprost-timolol fixed combination compared with a BAK-containing formulation at 84 days after treatment in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare the effect on intraocular pressure and safety of preservative-free latanoprost-timolol fixed combination (T2347) to benzalkonium chloride-preserved latanoprost-timolol fixed combination in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods:
Phase III, randomized, parallel-group, investigator-masked study in 10 countries. A total of 242 patients aged 18 years or older with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in both eyes controlled with a preserved latanoprost-timolol fixed combination (15.7±2.4 mm Hg overall before inclusion) were randomized at day 0 with no washout period to receive the preservative-free alternative T2347 (N=127) or remain on the preserved comparator (N=115) for 84 days. Intraocular pressure changes from day 0 were measured at 9:00 am (±1 hour) on day 42 and day 84, and noninferiority of T2347 to the preserved comparator was analyzed statistically at day 84. Safety parameters were also reported.

Results:
The mean change in intraocular pressure from baseline to day 84 was −0.49±1.80 mm Hg for preservative-free T2347 and −0.49±2.25 mm Hg for the preserved comparator. These results met the noninferiority limits. Similar results were observed at day 42. There was no difference between groups in the incidence of adverse events or ocular signs. The total ocular symptoms score was better for T2347 than BPLT upon instillation at day 84 (45.9%/44.3%/9.8% of patients with improvement/no change/worsening vs. 33.6%/47.3%/19.1%; P=0.021), reflecting improvements in individual symptoms such as irritation/burning/stinging (P<0.001), and itching (P<0.01) on day 84.

Conclusions:
Preservative-free latanoprost-timolol fixed combination T2347 showed noninferior efficacy compared with the preserved comparator and was well tolerated.
Questionnaires Designed to Assess Knowledge of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Tam Wilson , Woo Brigitte , Lim Toon Wei 
Published: March 2019

Background:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Approximately half of patients with AF and at risk of stroke do not receive oral anticoagulation, despite its demonstrable reduction of stroke risk. Low adherence to anticoagulation medications may be a result of limited knowledge of AF among patients; hence, a validated instrument to assess AF knowledge is warranted. Cross-sectional surveys evaluating AF knowledge revealed the availability of instruments in the literature, but no systematic review has hitherto been conducted to characterize them.

Objective:
The objective of this study is to collate all validated instruments assessing AF knowledge.

Methods:
A systematic review was conducted. CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to May 25, 2018. Study selection and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers, from which results are presented narratively.

Results:
Based on 407 records retrieved from the databases, 15 studies were included, from which 7 questionnaires assessing AF knowledge were identified. The number of items ranged from 8 to 58. All the questionnaires were content validated, and some also examined other validities and reliabilities.

Conclusion:
In the literature, 7 validated questionnaires are available for assessing AF knowledge, in which the items often cover knowledge of AF in general, symptoms, treatments, and complications.
An Innovative Virtual Reality Experience in the PICU: A Pilot Study*
Authors: Badke Colleen M. , Essner Bonnie S. , O’Connell Megan , Malakooti Marcelo R. 
Published: March 2019

Objectives:
Patients in the PICU frequently have limitations that impede independent interactions with their environment. Virtual reality is an immersive experience that may improve outcomes in critically ill children. The objective of this study was to assess feasibility and satisfaction with virtual reality.

Design:
Cross-sectional, single-arm pilot study.

Setting:
PICU.

Patients:
Convenience sample of 3- to 17-year-old patients.

Interventions:
Three-hundred sixty degree immersions were delivered using a simple virtual reality headset and smartphone videos. Each participant was given a choice of developmentally appropriate virtual reality experiences. Following the short (< 15 min) virtual reality experience, participants, and parents completed a brief survey.

Measurements and Main Results:
One-hundred percent of participants enjoyed using virtual reality, and 84% reported preference to use virtual reality for a longer duration. One-hundred percent of parents agreed that their child enjoyed using virtual reality, and 100% enjoyed watching their child use virtual reality. Eighty-two percent of parents reported that virtual reality calmed their child.

Conclusions:
Virtual reality is an innovative, easily administered, and enjoyable tool that subjectively calms PICU patients in an otherwise chaotic environment.
Methods of assessing late radiotherapy effects on bowel function
Authors: Nelson Annmarie , Mann Mala , Staffurth John 
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review
Pelvic radiation disease in the form of chronic radiation-induced consequences of treatment is under recognized by healthcare professionals and under reported by patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms are not routinely assessed, and may not be causally associated with previous radiotherapy. These symptoms are therefore often under treated.

Recent findings
A literature search was conducted in Ovid Medline, which included Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Ovid Embase for articles published between 2016 and April 2018. A total of 11 articles were selected for review. A wide range of patient reported outcome measure instruments are used in research and practice. Clinical symptom grading is restricted to a fewer number of tools but may not always capture issues, such as urgency, that are important to the patient. Clinician and patient concordance in the assessment of outcomes is limited. Initiatives to prompt communication of the relative risks of the late consequences of treatment and comparative effectiveness of treatments decisions are developing, as are new techniques to limit irradiation of healthy tissue.

Summary
Nonstandardized outcome measurement reduces the ability to aggregate toxicity and patient outcomes across clinical trials. The development of standardized screening and treatment algorithms for gastrointestinal symptoms can systematically locate and treat gastrointestinal late effects of treatment.
Pursuing the limits of child survival in the most and least developed countries
Authors: Mejía-Guevara Iván , Zuo Wenyun , Mortensen Laust H. , Tuljapurkar Shripad 
Published: March 2019

Summary paragraphThe epidemiological transition from young to old deaths in high-income countries reduced mortality at all ages, but a major role was played by a decline of infant and child mortality from infectious diseases1,2that greatly increased life expectancy at birth2,3. Over time, declines in infectious disease continue but chronic and degenerative causes persist4,5, so we might expect under-5 deaths to be concentrated in the first month of life. However, little is known about the age-pattern of this transition in early mortality or its potential limits. Here we first describe the limit using detailed data on Denmark, Japan, France, and the USA— developed countries with low under-5 mortality. The limiting pattern of under-5 deaths concentrates in the first month, but is surprisingly dispersed over later ages: we call this the early rectangularization of mortality. Then we examine the progress towards this limit of 31 developing countries from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)—the region with the highest under-5 mortality6. In these countries, we find that early deaths have large age-heterogeneities; and that the age patterns of death is an important marker of progress in the mortality transition at early ages. But a negative association between national income and under-5 mortality levels, confirmed here, does not help explain reductions in child mortality during the transition.
A sensitive period in the neural phenotype of language in blind individuals
Authors: Pant Rashi , Kanjlia Shipra , Bedny Marina 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTIn congenital blindness, “visual” cortices respond to linguistic information, and fronto-temporal language networks are less left-lateralized. Does this plasticity follow a sensitive period? We tested this by comparing the neural basis of sentence processing in two experiments with adult-onset blind (AB,n=16), congenitally blind (CB,n=22) and blindfolded sighted controls (n=18). In Experiment 1, participants made semantic judgments for spoken sentences and solved math equations in a control condition. In Experiment 2, participants answered “who did what to whom” questions for grammatically complex (with syntactic movement) and grammatically simpler sentences. In a control condition, participants performed a memory task with lists of non-words. In both experiments, visual cortices of CB and AB but not sighted participants responded more to sentences than control conditions, but the effect was much larger in the CB group. Crucially, only the “visual” cortex of CB participants responded to grammatical complexity. Unlike the CB group, the AB group showed no reduction in left-lateralization of fronto-temporal language network relative to the sighted. These results suggest that blindness during development modifies the neural basis of language, and this effect follows a sensitive period.
Research grade marijuana supplied by the National Institute on Drug Abuse is genetically divergent from commercially availableCannabis
Authors: Schwabe Anna L. , Hansen Connor J. , Hyslop Richard M. , McGlaughlin Mitchell E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPublic comfort withCannabis(marijuana and hemp) has recently increased, resulting in previously strictCannabisregulations now allowing hemp cultivation, medical use, and in some states, recreational consumption. There is a growing interest in the potential medical benefits of the various chemical constituents produced by theCannabisplant. Currently, the University of Mississippi, funded through the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH/NIDA), is the sole Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) licensed facility to cultivateCannabisfor research purposes. Hence, most federally funded research where participants consumeCannabisfor medicinal purposes relies on NIDA-supplied product. Previous research found that cannabinoid levels in research grade marijuana supplied by NIDA did not align with commercially availableCannabisfrom Colorado, Washington and California. Given NIDA chemotypes were misaligned with commercialCannabis, we sought to investigate where NIDA’s research grade marijuana falls on the genetic spectrum ofCannabisgroups. NIDA research grade marijuana was found to genetically group with Hemp samples along with a small subset of commercial drug-typeCannabis. A majority of commercially available drug-typeCannabiswas genetically very distinct from NIDA samples. These results suggest that subjects consuming NIDA research grade marijuana may experience different effects than average consumers.
Structure-function analysis of ZAR1 immune receptor reveals key molecular interactions for activity
Authors: Baudin Maël , Schreiber Karl J. , Martin Eliza C. , Petrescu Andrei J. , Lewis Jennifer D. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTNLR (Nucleotide-binding [NB] Leucine-rich repeat [LRR] Receptor) proteins are critical for inducing immune responses in response to pathogen proteins, and must be tightly regulated to prevent spurious activation in the absence of a pathogen. The ZAR1 NLR recognizes diverse effector proteins from Pseudomonas syringae, including HopZ1a, and Xanthomonas species. Receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs) such as ZED1, interact with ZAR1 and provide specificity for different effector proteins, such as HopZ1a. We previously developed a transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana, that allowed us to demonstrate ZAR1 function is conserved from the Brassicaceae to the Solanaceae. Here, we combined structural modeling of ZAR1, with molecular and functional assays in our transient system, to show that multiple intramolecular and intermolecular interactions regulate ZAR1 activity. We identified new determinants required for the formation of the ZARCC dimer and its activity. Lastly, we characterized new intramolecular interactions between ZAR1 subdomains that participate in keeping ZAR1 immune complexes inactive. This work identifies molecular constraints on immune receptor function and activation.One sentence-summaryStructure-informed analyses reveal multiple finely-tuned intramolecular interactions that regulate the activity of the immune receptor ZAR1.FundingResearch on plant immunity in the Lewis laboratory was supported by the USDA ARS 2030-21000-046-00D and 2030-21000-050-00D (JDL), and the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences IOS-1557661 (JDL). ECM and AJP acknowledge financial support from UEFISCDI grant PN-III-ID-PCE-2016-0650 and the Romanian Academy programs 1 & 2 of IBAR.
A combined strategy of neuropeptide predictions and tandem mass spectrometry identifies evolutionarily conserved ancient neuropeptides in the sea anemoneNematostella vectensis
Authors: Hayakawa Eisuke , Watanabe Hiroshi , Menschaert Gerben , Holstein Thomas W. , Baggerman Geert , Schoofs Liliane 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNeuropeptides are a class of bioactive peptides and are responsible for various physiological processes including metabolism, development and reproduction. Although accumulated genome and transcriptome data have reported a number of neuropeptide candidates, it still remains difficult to obtain a comprehensive view of neuropeptide repertoires due to their small and variable nature. Neuropeptide prediction tools usually work only for those peptides for which sequentially related homologs have previously been identified. Recent peptidomics technology has enabled systematic structural identification of neuropeptides by using the combination of liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. However, obtaining reliable identifications of endogenous peptides is still difficult using a conventional tandem mass spectrometry-based peptide identification approach using protein database because a large search space has to be scanned due to the absence of a cleavage enzyme specification. We developed a pipeline consisting of the prediction ofin silicocleaved endogenous neuropeptides followed by peptide-spectrum matching enabling highly sensitive and reliable neuropeptide identification. This approach effectively reduces the search space of peptide-spectrum matching, and thus increases search sensitivity. To identify neuropeptides inNematostella vectensis,a basal eumetazoan having one of the most primitive nervous systems, we scanned theNematostellaprotein database for sequences displaying structural hallmarks of metazoan neuropeptides, including C/N-terminal structures and modifications. Peptide-spectrum matching was performed against thein silicocleaved peptides and successfully identified dozens of neuropeptides at high confidence. The identification of Nematostella neuropeptides structurally related the tachykinin, GnRH/AKH, neuromedin-U/pyrokinin peptide families indicate that these peptides already originated in the eumetazoan ancestor of all animal species, most likely concomitantly with the development of a nervous system.
A cross-country evaluation of energy efficiency from the sustainable development perspective
Authors: Jalali Sepehr Mehrdad , Haeri Abdorrahman , Ghousi Rouzbeh 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate energy efficiency of 132 countries from 2007 to 2014 according to their performance, categorizing the nations into similar groups.

Design/methodology/approach
Data envelopment analysis model based on Goal Programming and then K-Means clustering algorithm are used to determine the efficiency and clustering the nations based on their efficiency performances.

Findings
The results of the study reveal that developing low-income countries could lead to high energy-efficiency scores, and countries with different development and income levels can become efficient in the field of energy consumption. Following the nations during a seven-year period also indicates that the changes in energy-related indicators such as renewable energy consumption and energy productivity are the main drivers to move a country between clusters.

Originality/value
The present study aimed to investigate whether similar nations with similar energy efficiency level in a cluster are similar in their development and income level, and changing the energy consumption pattern during the seven-year period could move the countries from a cluster to another one.
Robot‐assisted surgery for the management of apical prolapse: a bi‐centre prospective cohort study
Authors: van Zanten F , Schraffordt Koops SE , O'Sullivan OE , Lenters E , Broeders IAMJ , O'Reilly BA 
Published: March 2019

ObjectiveRobot‐assisted surgery is a recognised treatment for pelvic‐organ prolapse. Many of the surgical subgroup outcomes for apical prolapse are reported together, leading to a paucity of homogenous data.DesignProspective observational cohort study (NCT01598467, clinicaltrials.gov) assessing outcomes for homogeneous subgroups of robot‐assisted apical prolapse surgery.SettingTwo European tertiary referral hospitals.PopulationConsecutive patients undergoing robot‐assisted sacrocolpopexy (RASC) and supracervical hysterectomy with sacrocervicopexy (RSHS).MethodsAnatomical cure (simplified Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification, sPOPQ, stage 1), subjective cure (symptoms of bulge), and quality of life (Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, PFIQ‐7).Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome: anatomical and subjective cure. Secondary outcomes: surgical safety and intraoperative variables.ResultsA total of 305 patients were included (RASC n = 188; RSHS n = 117). Twelve months follow‐up was available for 144 (RASC 76.6%) and 109 (RSHS 93.2%) women. Anatomical success of the apical compartment occurred for 91% (RASC) and in 99% (RSHS) of the women. In all compartments, the success percentages were 67 and 65%, respectively. Most recurrences were in the anterior compartment [15.7% RASC (symptomatic 12.1%); 22.9% RSHS (symptomatic 4.8%)]. Symptoms of bulge improved from 97.4 to 17.4% (P < 0.0005). PFIQ‐7 scores improved from 76.7 ± 62.3 to 13.5 ± 31.1 (P < 0.0005). The duration of surgery increased significantly for RSHS [183.1 ± 38.2 versus 145.3 ± 29.8 (P < 0.0005)]. Intraoperative complications and conversion rates were low (RASC, 5.3 and 4.3%; RSHS, 0.0 and 0.0%). Four severe postoperative complications occurred after RASC (2.1%) and one occurred after RSHS (1.6%).ConclusionsThis is the largest reported prospective cohort study on robot‐assisted apical prolapse surgery. Both procedures are safe, with durable results.Tweetable abstractEuropean bi‐centre trial concludes that robot‐assisted surgery is a viable approach to managing apical prolapse.