bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transporting People with Visual Impairments: Knowledge of University Campus Public Transportation Workers
Authors: Fast Danene K. , Wild Tiffany A. 
Published: May 2019

Introduction: To support independent travel skills and accessibility for people with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision), this research acknowledges bus driver perceptions of visual impairment and investigates how bus drivers interact with visually impaired travelers who ride public transportation. Methods: This study utilized the Social Responsibility about Blindness Scale and a researcher-created instrument to explore how bus drivers interact with visually impaired travelers. Results: Fifty-five drivers participated in this study, with 94.55% of these drivers reporting that they have had experiences interacting with visually impaired passengers. The top concern drivers reported was ensuring these passengers located the correct stop (26.56%). Using Likert-type scale ratings to assess driver knowledge and role in assisting passengers with vision loss, overall mean average of driver knowledge was 3.33 ( SD = 1.09, V = 1.23), indicating, as a whole, driver knowledge was in the range of “unsure/don’t know.” Discussion: Although many campus area bus drivers have experience interacting with passengers who are visually impaired, the attitude of drivers toward visual impairment is varied, and their knowledge of visual impairments is limited. Implications for practitioners: Based on results, drivers recognize that accommodations may be needed for passengers with vision loss, and they have an interest in learning how to assist passengers who are visually impaired who ride campus transportation. Based on this outcome, in-service training for drivers to address interactions and accommodations for passengers with vision loss may be warranted within public transportation operations.
Determining Type and Amount of Service Delivery Time by Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments: Results of a National Validation Study of the VISSIT
Authors: Pogrund Rona L. , Darst Shannon , Munro Michael 
Published: May 2019

Introduction: This research followed the lead of an initial validation study and responded to the call from the state education agency–endorsed Service Intensity Subcommittee of the Texas Action Committee for the Education of Students with Visual Impairments to conduct a larger scale validation study on the Visual Impairment Scale of Service Intensity of Texas (VISSIT). Methods: The authors collected survey data from 77 respondents using a mixed-methods survey research design. These data were used to determine the VISSIT’s validity and reliability. Participants represented urban, suburban, and rural geographic regions across 20 U.S. states. Results: The results of the national study showed that the VISSIT has social validity, which was supported by both ease of use and acceptability of the tool. The VISSIT’s consequential and content validity were also supported by the data collected. The internal consistency reliability showed reliability for the VISSIT with a Cronbach’s alpha calculated as being .935. Based on the results presented here, in which the social, consequential, and content validity of the VISSIT have been confirmed, it can also be confidently asserted that the VISSIT is construct valid. Discussion: The findings of this national study indicate an overall positive response to the usability and understandability of the VISSIT. Participants used the tool to provide quantifiable documentation to identify accurate student need for service across all expanded core curriculum areas as well as to provide administrators and families with research-based data to justify service type and time. Implications for practitioners: Respondents in the national study saw the VISSIT as an effective way to take student evaluation data and convert those results into a measurable recommendation for service type and intensity. The VISSIT helps a teacher of students with visual impairments to document how much time is needed for both direct and collaborative consultation services, as appropriate for each individual student.
Altered brain network centrality in patients with trigeminal neuralgia: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Zhu Pei-Wen , Chen You , Gong Ying-Xin , Jiang Nan , Liu Wen-Feng , Su Ting , Ye Lei , Min You-Lan , Yuan Qing , He Lai-Chang , Shao Yi 
Published: May 2019

Background Neuroimaging studies revealed that trigeminal neuralgia was related to alternations in brain anatomical function and regional function. However, the functional characteristics of network organization in the whole brain is unknown. Purpose The aim of the present study was to analyze potential functional network brain-activity changes and their relationships with clinical features in patients with trigeminal neuralgia via the voxel-wise degree centrality method. Material and Methods This study involved a total of 28 trigeminal neuralgia patients (12 men, 16 women) and 28 healthy controls matched in sex, age, and education. Spontaneous brain activity was evaluated by degree centrality. Correlation analysis was used to examine the correlations between behavioral performance and average degree centrality values in several brain regions. Results Compared with healthy controls, trigeminal neuralgia patients had significantly higher degree centrality values in the right lingual gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, left paracentral lobule, and bilateral inferior cerebellum. Receiver operative characteristic curve analysis of each brain region confirmed excellent accuracy of the areas under the curve. There was a positive correlation between the mean degree centrality value of the right postcentral gyrus and VAS score (r = 0.885, P < 0.001). Conclusions Trigeminal neuralgia causes abnormal brain network activity in multiple brain regions, which may be related to underlying disease mechanisms.
Properties and Function of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament: A Systematic Review
Authors: Huber Christian , Zhang Qiang , Taylor William R. , Amis Andrew A. , Smith Colin , Hosseini Nasab Seyyed Hamed 
Published: May 2019

Background:As the main passive structure preventing patellar lateral subluxation, accurate knowledge of the anatomy, material properties, and functional behavior of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is critical for improving its reconstruction.Purpose:To provide a state-of-the-art understanding of the properties and function of the MPFL by undertaking a systematic review and statistical analysis of the literature.Study Design:Systematic review.Methods:On June 26, 2018, data for this systematic review were obtained by searching PubMed and Scopus. Articles containing numerical information regarding the anatomy, mechanical properties, and/or functional behavior of the MPFL that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed, recorded, and statistically evaluated.Results:A total of 55 articles met the inclusion criteria for this review. The MPFL presented as a fanlike structure spanning from the medial femoral epicondyle to the medial border of the patella. The reported data indicated ultimate failure loads from 72 N to 208 N, ultimate failure elongation from 8.4 mm to 26 mm, and stiffness values from 8.0 N/mm to 42.5 N/mm. In both cadaveric and in vivo studies, the average elongation pattern demonstrated close to isometric behavior of the ligament in the first 50° to 60° of knee flexion, followed by progressive shortening into deep flexion. Kinematic data suggested clear lateralization of the patella in the MPFL-deficient knee during early knee flexion under simulated muscle forces.Conclusion:A lack of knowledge regarding the morphology and attachment sites of the MPFL remains. The reported mechanical properties also lack consistency, thus requiring further investigations. However, the results regarding patellar tracking confirm that the lack of an MPFL leads to lateralization of the patella, followed by delayed engagement of the trochlear groove, plausibly leading to an increased risk of patellar dislocations. The observed isometric behavior up to 60° of knee flexion plausibly suggests that reconstruction of the ligament can occur at flexion angles below 60°, including the 30° and 60° range as recommended in previous studies.
Intravitreal aflibercept efficacy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration with suboptimal response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-A therapy
Authors: Monés Jordi , Biarnés Marc ,   The Macbeth Study Group
Published: May 2019

Importance: To provide new insights into aflibercept effect in non-naive-treated patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Purpose: To assess the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration without optimal response to previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A therapy. Design: Single-arm, multi-centre, prospective study. Participants: Patients ⩾50 years with active neovascular age-related macular degeneration, best-corrected visual acuity between 20/32 and 20/320 with suboptimal response to ranibizumab or bevacizumab. Methods: Aflibercept was administered monthly (3-first months), and bimonthly thereafter until month 8. Anatomical and functional outcomes were assessed. Main outcome measure: Percentage of eyes without intra or subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography after 3-monthly loading doses of aflibercept. Results: A total of 46 patients were included. At week 12, 45.7% (95% confidence interval: 31.5%–60.1%) of eyes showed no fluid on optical coherence tomography. The mean (standard deviation) best-corrected visual acuity increased from 65.1 (8.3) to 69.6 (8.1) letters (+4.5 (5.8) p < 0.0001) and was stabilized at week 40 as compared to baseline. Mean central macular thickness decreased from 430 (119) µm to 323 (100) µm at week 12 (–107 (90) µm, p < 0.0001) and was reduced at week 40 (–46 (111) µm, p = 0.0056). At week 40, 21.7% (95% confidence interval: 9.8%–33.7%) had no fluid. There was a case of presumed noninfectious endophthalmitis that was successfully managed. Conclusion: Almost half of patients presented no fluid on optical coherence tomography at week 12, and there was a clinically significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity. At week 40, one in five patients did not show intra or subretinal fluid, central macular thickness decreased and best-corrected visual acuity was stabilized compared to baseline.
Biologic Characteristics of Shoulder Articular Cartilage in Comparison to Knee and Ankle Articular Cartilage From Individual Donors
Authors: Chubinskaya Susanna , Cotter Eric J. , Frank Rachel M. , Hakimiyan Arnavaz A. , Yanke Adam B. , Cole Brian J. 
Published: May 2019

Objective To describe histological and metabolic characteristics of glenohumeral joint (GHJ) articular cartilage and compare to knee and ankle joints. Design Macroscopically healthy human humeral head, glenoid, knee, and ankle articular cartilage were obtained from tissue donors ( N = 16, 9 males, 7 females; age 45-78 years), within 24 hours of death. Gross morphology of each joint was assessed using Collins grading. Cartilage explants were removed from the entire surface of each joint, cultured for 48 hours with or without interleukin-1β and processed for histology with Safranin O, proteoglycan (PG) synthesis/content, and polymerase chain reaction for collagen II, aggrecan, and SOX9. Results were compared between uncultured and cultured controls and across all 3 joints. Results Structural differences were seen on histology between GHJ cartilage and knee and ankle cartilage of the same Collins grade, specifically, depletion of Safranin O staining in the extracellular matrix. Treatment of glenoid and humerus specimens with IL-1β demonstrated a trend toward decreased PG synthesis in each explant but this decrease did not reach significance. There was no significant difference in PG synthesis between humerus, glenoid, knee, and ankle samples at baseline, day-0 control, 48-hour control, and 48 hours after treatment with 0.1 ng or 10 ng of IL-1β. There were no significant increases in collagen II, SOX9, and aggrecan expression in glenoid and humeral head cartilage samples treated with IL-1β compared to baseline controls. Conclusions GHJ articular cartilage did not significantly differ from ankle or knee cartilage with regard to PG synthesis and gene expression. However, it did differ in its histological appearance in normal state.
Ramp Lesions of the Medial Meniscus in Patients Undergoing Primary and Revision ACL Reconstruction: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Balazs George C. , Greditzer Harry G. , Wang Dean , Marom Niv , Potter Hollis G. , Marx Robert G. , Rodeo Scott A. , Williams Riley J. 
Published: May 2019

Background: Ramp lesions are peripheral tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus that involve the meniscocapsular attachments or red-red zone and typically occur in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures. Purpose: To identify the prevalence of, and risk factors for, ramp lesions in a large cohort of patients undergoing primary and revision ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We queried our institutional registry of patients who underwent primary or revision surgical treatment for an ACL injury. Those who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our facility were included in the study. Clinical details were extracted and verified using electronic records. All preoperative MRI scans were reviewed by a musculoskeletal radiologist for the presence of a ramp lesion. Stable ramp lesions were defined as a peripheral posterior horn medial meniscal tear identified on MRI but either not identifiable with viewing and probing from the anterior portals or, if identified, not displaceable with anteriorly directed probing. Unstable ramp lesions were defined as peripheral posterior horn medial meniscal tears at the meniscocapsular junction that were identifiable at the time of surgery and displaced into the medial compartment with probing. The prevalence of stable and unstable ramp lesions was calculated. Demographic, injury, and imaging parameters were determined using univariate statistics. Results: A total of 372 patients were included. The overall prevalence of ramp lesions was 42% (155/372). Unstable ramp lesions were present in 73 (20%) patients, and stable ramp lesions were present in 82 (22%) patients. The presence of any ramp lesion (stable or unstable) was associated with bone marrow edema of the posteromedial tibia on MRI (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; P < .0001), a contact injury mechanism (OR, 1.8; P = .02), and a concurrent lateral meniscal tear (OR, 1.7; P = .02). No demographic, injury, surgical, or radiological variable was associated with a stable versus unstable ramp lesion. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of a ramp lesion in patients treated for ACL ruptures at our institution was 42%. The presence of bone marrow edema of the posteromedial tibia, a contact injury mechanism, or a lateral meniscal tear should alert surgeons to the potential presence of a medial meniscal ramp lesion.
Development and Validation of a Cytogenetic Prognostic Index Predicting Survival in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Perrot Aurore , Lauwers-Cances Valérie , Tournay Elodie , Hulin Cyrille , Chretien Marie-Lorraine , Royer Bruno , Dib Mamoun , Decaux Olivier , Jaccard Arnaud , Belhadj Karim , Brechignac Sabine , Fontan Jean , Voillat Laurent , Demarquette Hélène , Collet Philippe , Rodon Philippe , Sohn Claudine , Lifermann François , Orsini-Piocelle Frédérique , Richez Valentine , Mohty Mohamad , Macro Margaret , Minvielle Stéphane , Moreau Philippe , Leleu Xavier , Facon Thierry , Attal Michel , Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Corre Jill 
Published: May 2019

PURPOSE The wide heterogeneity in multiple myeloma (MM) outcome is driven mainly by cytogenetic abnormalities. The current definition of high-risk profile is restrictive and oversimplified. To adapt MM treatment to risk, we need to better define a cytogenetic risk classification. To address this issue, we simultaneously examined the prognostic impact of del(17p); t(4;14); del(1p32); 1q21 gain; and trisomies 3, 5, and 21 in a cohort of newly diagnosed patients with MM. METHODS Data were obtained from 1,635 patients enrolled in four trials implemented by the Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome. The oldest collection of data were used for model development and internal validation. For external validation, one of the two independent data sets was used to assess the performance of the model in patients treated with more current regimens. Six cytogenetic abnormalities were identified as clinically relevant, and a prognostic index (PI) that was based on the parameter estimates of the multivariable Cox model was computed for all patients. RESULTS In all data sets, a higher PI was consistently associated with a poor survival outcome. Dependent on the validation cohorts used, hazard ratios for patients in the high-risk category for death were between six and 15 times higher than those of patients in the low-risk category. Among patients with t(4;14) or del(17p), we observed a worse survival in those classified in the high-risk category than in those in the intermediate-risk category. The PI showed good performance for discriminating between patients who died and those who survived (Harrell’s concordance index greater than 70%). CONCLUSION The cytogenetic PI improves the classification of newly diagnosed patients with MM in the high-risk group compared with current classifications. These findings may facilitate the development of risk-adapted treatment strategies.
Humor and the Law of Rights: Voltaire’s Cosmopolitan Optimism and Emile Habiby’s Dissensual Pessoptimism
Authors: Mor Liron 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article explores the operation of humor in Palestinian author Emile Habiby’s novel The Pessoptimist (1974) and compares it to Voltaire’s humor in Candide, which it explicitly cites. The differences between the two authors’ modes of humor are read as an index of their different relations to the law, and specifically, to international law as the guarantor of human rights. Voltaire’s humorous critique is limited to the current content of the law, reflecting his confidence in universalist ideals and rights attainable by legal reform. Habiby’s humor, however, protests the law as such, exposing universalist ideals as not merely unhelpful for the Palestinians’ struggle but also as complicit in the oppression and fragmentation of Palestinian society. Habiby therefore redirects the emphasis toward interpersonal manners and intimacies that are external to the realm of the law yet underwrite it. Against Voltaire’s cosmopolitanism and Enlightenment-era ideals, Habiby’s humor thus offers a differential and conflictual community that prioritizes a practice of decolonization over ideal solutions and their dichotomous logic.
Functional analysis of Niemann-Pick disease type C family protein, NPC1a, in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bialistoky Tzofia , Manry Diane , Smith Peyton , Ng Christopher , Kim Yunah , Zamir Sol , Moyal Victoria , Kalifa Rachel , Schedl Paul , Gerlitz Offer , Deshpande Girish 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACT
During embryonic gonad coalescence, primordial germ cells (PGCs) follow a carefully choreographed migratory route circumscribed by guidance signals towards somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs). In Drosophila melanogaster, SGP-derived Hedgehog (Hh), which serves as a guidance cue for the PGCs, is potentiated by mesodermally restricted HMGCoA-reductase (Hmgcr) and the ABC transporter Multi-drug-resistant-49 (Mdr49). Given the importance of cholesterol modification in the processing and long-distance transmission of the Hh ligand, we have analyzed the involvement of the Niemann-Pick disease type C-1a (NPC1a) protein, a cholesterol transporter, in germ cell migration and Hedgehog signaling. We show that mesoderm-specific inactivation of Npc1a results in germ cell migration defects. Similar to Mdr49, PGC migration defects in the Npc1a embryos are ameliorated by a cholesterol-rich diet. Consistently, reduction in Npc1a weakens the ability of ectopic HMG Coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr) to induce germ cell migration defects. Moreover, compromising Npc1a levels influences Hh signaling adversely during wing development, a process that relies upon long-range Hh signaling. Last, doubly heterozygous embryos (Mdr49/Npc1a) display enhanced germ cell migration defects when compared with single mutants (Npc1a/+ or Mdr49/+), supporting cooperative interaction between the two.
Quantum of fluids in hospitalised patients with dengue fever and the presence of warning signs: a pilot cross-sectional study
Authors: Ramanathan Ramayee , Jain Dheeraj , Viswanathan Stalin 
Published: May 2019

Background: The World Health Organization in 2009 revised categories of dengue fever severity into classes A, B, and C based on the presence or absence of warning signs. The quantum of oral and intravenous fluids (IVF) in hospitalised patients with Group B (warning signs) has, to our knowledge, not been studied. Oral fluids in hospitalised patients and monitoring administration with the help of patients’ relatives have not been assessed. Methods: Consecutive patients with dengue fever and warning signs were studied for 48 hours after hospitalisation. Patients were asked to consume 4-5 l of fluids. Maintenance and bolus IVF were administered depending upon the presence of compensated or hypotensive shock. Intake and urinary output were monitored by the patient’s attendant. Total fluids (oral and intravenous) were divided by a number of anthropometric measurements. The significance of warning signs, compensated and hypotensive shock, thrombocytopenia, bleeding episodes and the need for transfusions, and organ impairment were considered in relation to the total amount of fluids received daily. Results: In total, 43 patients were studied. Patients with obesity and hypotensive shock received significantly more fluids on Day 1; taller patients and those with tachycardia, higher haematocrit and elevated creatine kinase correspondingly received more on Day 2. Hypotensive shock was significantly correlated with fluids/BSA, fluids/weight and fluids/BMI, while laboratory parameters correlated most strongly with fluids/BMI. Conclusions: Most adults with dengue and warning signs seem to require >100 ml/kg/day of fluids during their stay. Advising a similar amount of fluids at home during epidemics may further reduce the need for admissions. Participation of patients and their relatives in the bedside management of fluid administration may go a long way in preventing morbidity and mortality. Adults probably need a better anthropometric measurement to decide on the quantum of fluids to be given.