bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal study of carotid artery bifurcation geometry using magnetic resonance angiography
Authors: NGO Minh Tri , Kwak Hyo Sung , Ho Chung Gyung , Koh Eun Jeong 
Published: February 2019

Objectives Geometry of carotid artery has been known as a risk factor for atherosclerotic carotid disease. Though aging and disease progression can both attribute to geometric changes in the arteries, the exact nature of this phenomenon remains elusive. The aim of our study was to investigate carotid artery geometric changes in a longitudinal study. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 114 subjects who underwent carotid contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography at our clinic at baseline (2005 to 2007) and after 10 years. The right carotid arteries were segmented using semi-automated methods to obtain various measurements of carotid artery geometry. For each patient, these parameters were assessed at both time points, including bifurcation angle, internal carotid artery angle, vessel diameter, and circumference. Results The median age for the total patient population ( n = 114) at baseline was 59.06 ± 10.40 years. Mean time interval between baseline magnetic resonance angiography and magnetic resonance angiography after 10 years of these patients was 129.18 ± 7.77 months. For the whole group, there was a significant increase in the bifurcation angle ( p < 0.05) over a 10-year period. A significant increase was also noted in the diameter and circumference of the common carotid artery ( p < 0.05). However, the other vessel diameters and circumferences (bulb carotid, internal carotid) as well as the internal carotid angle did not significantly change ( p ≥ 0.05). Conclusions The diameter and circumference of the common carotid artery and bifurcation angle significantly increased over a decade of life.
Wear performance of inverted non-conforming bearings in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Banci Lorenzo , Meoli Alessio , Hintner Martin , Bloch Hans Rudolf 
Published: February 2019

Background Glenoid component failures still represent the most common complication in total shoulder arthroplasty. These failures depend on several factors, including ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear. One reason for UHMWPE wear in total shoulder arthroplasty may be the current use of a spherical prosthetic humeral head against a radially mismatched UHMWPE glenoid component, which leads to reduced glenohumeral translations, glenoid edge loading and high translational forces during shoulder motions. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro wear of an anatomic total shoulder prosthesis with non-spherical non-conforming bearings with inverted conventional materials. Methods The wear of a vitamin E-blended UHMWPE non-spherical humeral head articulating against a non-conforming titanium-niobium nitride (TiNbN)-coated metallic glenoid was tested using a joint simulator. The wear test was performed by applying a constant load of 756 N with angular motions and translations. Results After 2.5 million cycles, the mean wear rate of the humeral head was 0.28 ± standard deviation (SD) 0.45 mg/million cycles. Conclusion The low wear rate of the vitamin E UHMWPE humeral head supports the use of non-spherical non-conforming bearings with inverted conventional materials in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.
Antibiotic-laden cement wrap: A simple but effective way of treating patients with megaprosthesis infection
Authors: Lam Ying-Lee , Yau Raymond , Ho Kenneth WY , Ho Pak-Leung 
Published: February 2019

Infection is one of the commonest causes for megaprosthesis failure. The current treatment includes antibiotics but no surgery, debridement, prosthesis removal and joint fusion, prosthesis revision or amputation. Success in controlling infection may be less than 50% in implant revision. The overall risk of amputation is more than 20%. We believe that repeated debridement with antibiotic-laden cement wrap (ALCW) may be a reliable alternative for managing the megaprosthesis infection. The purposes of this article are to identify whether ALCW is an effective way of eradicating the megaprosthesis infection, the associated complications and the functional outcome after management by ALCW. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with megaprosthesis infection. From January 2014 to June 2016, there were five patients with tumour megaprosthesis infection who had undergone the ALCW procedure. Ages ranged from 17 to 59 years of age. Male to female ratio was 4:1. The patients studied had humeral (1), proximal femoral (1), distal femoral (1) and proximal tibial (2) prostheses. All patients had follow-ups more than 1 year (21–52 months) after treatment. Results: All patients recovered from their implant infection and the implants were retained in all patients. There was no sign of infection in the most recent follow-up. One patient died of osteosarcoma recurrence. One patient had a large block of cement causing plastic insert dislodgement in the shoulder joint 1 year after surgery. Another patient with a dislocated hip cup had revision carried out in the final debridement. The most recent Musculoskeletal Tumor society (MSTS) scores ranged from 21 to 30. All patients were satisfied with their treatment. Conclusions: In this preliminary report of a small number of patients, ALCW has achieved 100% infection control. ALCW may be an easy and effective alternative for managing the megasprosthesis infection. The complications associated can be avoidable. The functional outcome is excellent.
Shoulder and Elbow Range of Motion Can Be Maintained in Major League Baseball Pitchers Over the Course of the Season, Regardless of Pitching Workload
Authors: McGraw Michael H. , Vrla Michael , Wang Dean , Camp Christopher L. , Zajac John M. , Pearson Dave , Sinatro Alec A. , Dines Joshua S. , Coleman Struan H. 
Published: February 2019

Background: Studies examining the evolution of shoulder and elbow range of motion (ROM) in baseball pitchers over a single season have yielded inconsistent results. Purpose: To evaluate shoulder and elbow ROM in Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers over a single season and to assess for correlations between these changes and measures of a pitcher’s workload. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Bilateral shoulder ROM (internal rotation [IR], external rotation [ER], and total range of motion [TROM]) was assessed in 92 MLB pitchers pre- and postseason. Shoulder forward flexion (FF) was measured in 64 pitchers, horizontal adduction (HA) was measured in 87 pitchers, and elbow ROM was measured in 86 pitchers. Data collected included demographics (age, height, weight, and body mass index) and measures of workload for pitchers (pitches thrown, innings pitched, and mean fastball velocity). Pitchers were not specifically excluded if they had an injury during the season but had recovered and were actively pitching at the time of postseason measurements. The change in motion from pre- to postseason was measured and the associations with player demographics and workload were calculated by use of the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: On average, pitchers demonstrated an increase in dominant shoulder ER from 118.8° to 125.4° ( P < .001) and TROM from 173.1° to 181.7° ( P < .001). HA was increased by an average of 15.7° ( P < .001). The average shoulder IR ( P = .189), FF ( P = .432), and elbow ROM (flexion, P = .549; extension, P = .185) remained similar over the span of the season. Average glenohumeral IR deficit did not increase. Pitcher demographics and measures of throwing workload (total pitches thrown, innings pitched, mean fastball velocity) were not significantly correlated with changes in shoulder or elbow ROM. Conclusion: Significant increases in dominant shoulder ER, TROM, and HA were identified in MLB pitchers over the course of a single baseball season. These ROM changes were not correlated with measures of pitching workload.
Informing thresholds for paediatric transfusion in Africa: the need for a trial
Authors: Maitland Kathryn , Ohuma Eric O. , Mpoya Ayub , Uyoga Sophie , Hassall Oliver , Williams Thomas N. 
Published: February 2019

Background: Provision of adequate supplies of donor blood for paediatric transfusion remains a challenge. Guidelines recommend restrictive transfusion practices, based on expert opinion. We examined whether survival among children admitted to hospital varied by admission haemoglobin status and whether this was influenced by malaria infection and/or transfusion. Methods: A retrospective analysis in an unselected population of children admitted to a rural district hospital in Kenya over an 8-year period. We describe baseline parameters with respect to categories of anaemia and outcome (in-hospital death) with respect to haemoglobin, malaria and transfusion status. Results: Among 29,226 admitted children, 1,143 (3.9%) had profound anaemia (Hb <4g/dl) and 3,469 (11.9%) had severe anaemia (Hb 4-6g/d). In-hospital mortality was; 97/1,143 (8.5%) in those with Hb<4g/dl and 164/2,326 (7.1%) in those with severe anaemia (Hb ≥4.0-<6g/dl). Admission Hb <3g/dl was associated with higher risk of death versus those with higher Hbs (OR=2.41 (95%CI: 1.8 - 3.24; P<0.001), increasing to OR=6.36, (95%CI: 4.21–9.62; P<0.001) in malaria positive children. Conversely, mortality in non-malaria admissions was unrelated to Hb level. Transfusion was associated with a non-significant improvement in outcome if Hb<3g/dl (malaria-only) OR 0.72 (95%CI 0.29 - 1.78), albeit the number of cases were too few to show a statistical difference. For those with Hb levels above 4g/dl, mortality was significantly higher in those receiving a transfusion compared to the non-transfused group. For non-malarial cases, transfusion did not affect survival-status, irrespective of baseline Hb level compared to children who were not transfused at higher Hb levels. Conclusion: Although severe and complicated anaemia is common among children admitted to hospital in sSA (~16%), our data do not indicate that outcome is improved by transfusion irrespective of malaria status. Given the limitations of observational studies, clinical trials investigating the role of transfusion in outcomes in children with severe anaemia are warranted.
TRANSFORMAÇÕES SOCIAIS, FORMAS DE EDUCAÇÃO E APRENDIZAGENS
Authors: Valença Vera Lúcia Chacon 
Published: February 2019

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar as relações entre as transformações sociais, as formas de educação e as aprendizagens, a partir de uma revisão teórica sobre o tema. Observou-se que os autores não entendem da mesma maneira as noções de educação formal, não formal e informal; que tais noções estão articuladas aos contextos sociais dos diferentes países; que o conceito de aprendizagem, com o passar dos tempos, foi sendo ampliado, tanto no que diz respeito aos espaços e ao tempo; que novos paradigmas sobre as aprendizagens surgiram, incluindo as noções de experiência e participação; que o uso da trilogia é mais importante nos projetos políticos que nos acadêmicos. Duas novas modalidades de educação surgiram no quadro disciplinar ou interdisciplinar: uma descritiva, que tem por base as dimensões educativas, que possibilita a elaboração de perfis educativos; outra que relaciona os contextos aos conteúdos educativos, possibilitando o traçado tipológico da educação.
Was Plato an Eristic according to Isocrates?
Authors: Lachance Geneviève 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe article examines the passages in Isocrates’ Corpus containing a description and a critique of a new type of sophistic called “eristic”. Based on the chronology of Isocrates’ discourses and the description he gave, the author shows that the majority of these passages could not have aimed at Plato as its sole or principal target. However, it should not be excluded that Isocrates’ criticism of eristics was directed against various members of the Socratic circle, a heterogeneous group in which Plato was comprised. The article shows that although a feud between Plato and Isocrates is not an acceptable premise, a possible rivalry between both men may have been possible. Nonetheless, such a rivalry does not allow one to assimilate Plato with an eristic.
Modified carbon nanotubes for water-based cathode slurries for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Kapitanova Olesya O. , Mironovich Kirill V. , Melezhenko Daniil E. , Rokosovina Viktoria V. , Ryzhenkova Serafima Y. , Korneev Sergey V. , Shatalova Tatyana B. , Xu Xieyu , Napolskiy Filipp S. , Itkis Daniil M. , Krivchenko Victor A. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Efeitos da posição prona em pacientes com síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Véras Joana Branco , Martinez Bruno Prata , Neto Mansueto Gomes , Saquetto Micheli Bernadone , Conceição Cristiano Sena , Silva Cássio Magalhães 
Published: February 2019

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA) é caracterizada por resposta inflamatória da membrana alvéolo capilar a injúrias pulmonares diretas ou indiretas, cursando com redução de complacência e presença de infiltrados pulmonares. Tal condição provoca alterações na mecânica pulmonar e nas trocas gasosas, gerando hipoxemia. OBJETIVO: Revisar sistematicamente ensaios clínicos randomizados que investigaram os efeitos da posição prona e suas repercussões na oxigenação, mecânica respiratória, mortalidade e ocorrência de eventos adversos em pacientes com SDRA. Materiais e MÉTODOS: Revisão sistemática da literatura, seguindo as recomendações PRISMA. As buscas foram realizadas nas bibliotecas de dados PubMed, BVS, PEDro e SciELO, por dois revisores independentes. Incluído estudos ensaio clínico randomizado que apresentavam intervenção a terapia de posicionamento em prono, que compararam a ventilação na posição prona com a supina. Os desfechos analisados foram oxigenação, mecânica respiratória, mortalidade e ocorrência de eventos adversos, através de análise descritiva. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi avaliada pela escala PEDro. Foram incluídos os ensaios clínicos randomizados RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 8 artigos, com média 6 na escala PEDro. Os estudos demonstraram resultados positivos na oxigenação, pouca influência na mecânica respiratória, melhora nas taxas de mortalidade e alta prevalência de efeitos adversos, minimizados com a capacitação da equipe. Destaco a variedade metodológica e dos desfechos como limitação da pesquisa. CONCLUSÃO: A posição prona é capaz de promover efeitos benéficos na oxigenação, complacência, mortalidade e queda de eventos adversos em indivíduos com SDRA. Entretanto, destaca-se a necessidade de realização de novos ensaios clínicos sobre o tema, que ofereçam amostras satisfatórias e metodologias semelhantes.
Beliefs and Practices Concerning Academic Writing among Postgraduate Language-Teacher Trainees
Authors: Anderson Carl Edlund , Cuesta-Medina Liliana 
Published: February 2019

This paper reports on the initial stages of a larger study on plurilingual rhetorical communicative competences. Experiential evidence indicated a mismatch between the academic writing competences desired from and those displayed by the participants—adult bilingual (L1 Spanish, L+ English) English-language teacher trainees in a postgraduate program at Colombian university. We examined participants’ beliefs and practices concerning academic writing to identify the sources of their challenges and develop the evidential basis for identifying appropriate remedial strategies. This was a mixed methods study, in which we analyzed data from semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, and student artifacts through the grounded theory approach and descriptive statistics. The results suggest that participants’ challenges with rhetorical aspects of academic writing stem from a lack of training. However, participants were relatively successful with aspects of writing in which they had been trained: discrete language skills and purely descriptive prose. We conclude their academic writing difficulties are fundamentally non-linguistic and hypothesize they would face similar academic writing challenges even if writing in their L1. There is an urgent need to address these challenges, not only because rhetorical competences are increasingly important in a knowledge-driven society but also because teachers need to be able to train their own students in such competences.
Efficacy of plasma exchange in patients with ischemia-reperfusion syndrome of the lower extremities
Authors: Zhigalova M S , Pasechnik I N , Kutepov D E 
Published: February 2019

Aim. Optimization of treatment of patients with critical lower limb ischemia in ischemia-reperfusion syndrome by a combination of infusion therapy and plasma exchange.
Methods. The study included 58 patients (48 men, 10 women) aged 52 to 87 years (mean age 67.1±6.2 years) operated for critical lower limb ischemia. In the postoperative period all patients received standard conservative treatment. Depending on its effectiveness, the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=30) with a positive response to the treatment and group 2 (n=28) where plasma exchange was required. The indications for plasma exchange were a decrease in the rate of diuresis <0.5 ml/kg/h after the surgery for 4-6 hours, exceeding 5 times the normal values of creatine phosphokinase and 3 times the level of myoglobin.
Results. In 48% of patients (group 2), deterioration of the condition was registered, which manifested by deterioration of the state, increase in shortness of breath, decrease in the rate of diuresis. In the laboratory analysis of patients of group 2, attention was drawn to an increase in the level of myoglobin to 287.8±30.1 ng/ml, creatine phosphokinase activity to 1769.3±191.8 u/l, and that of lactate to 2.2±0.3 mmol/l. These parameters exceeded not only the normal values, but also the indicators of group 1. These changes indicated the manifestation of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome and the threat of acute kidney injury. Plasma exchange was accompanied by clinical improvement (decrease in shortness of breath, increase in the rate of diuresis) and pronounced positive dynamics of laboratory parameters. The inclusion of plasma exchange into the complex therapy of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome was accompanied by an increase in the rate of diuresis by 1.7 times (p <0.05), a decrease in the level of myoglobin by 3.1 times (p <0.05) and the activity of creatine phosphokinase by 2.8 times (p <0.05).
Conclusion. The use of plasma exchange during the first hours of clinical and laboratory manifestations of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome can prevent the development of fatal complications associated with the progression of this syndrome.
Distress symptoms development after a single episode of ultrasound exposure
Authors: Nosova M N , Bondarchuk Yu A , Shakhmatov I I , Matsyura A V , Marshalkina P S , Prokopets D A 
Published: February 2019

Aim. To study the influence of a single 24-hour episode of exposure to ultrasound waves propagating in air on microcirculation and parameters of hemostasis in rats.
Methods. The study was performed on 28 Wistar male rats. The experimental group was exposed to ultrasound for 24 hours. Geometric mean frequency was 25 kHz, acoustic pressure was 84.3 dB. Parameters of microcirculation of experimental rats received by laser Doppler flowmetry were compared with those of intact animals. Also comparative analysis of platelet and coagulation hemostasis, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic plasma activity was performed in rats from both groups.
Results. In experimental rats in response to 24-hour exposure to ultrasound, significant decrease of the studied active and passive factors of blood flow modulation occurred compared to those of intact animals: parameters of microcirculation, flax, endothelial and vasomotor wave amplitude, respiratory and pulse wave amplitude. When studying the parameters of hemostasis, significant hypercoagulation of extrinsic pathway and at the latest stages of coagulation which worsened with anticoagulant plasma activity inhibition along with decrease of fibrinolytic activity. The character of changes of hemostatic parameters confirmed the development of stress-reaction in rats registered during the study of microcirculation.
Conclusion. 24-hour ultrasound exposure causes significant disorders of microcirculation and unfavorable shifts in hemostasis - the signs of distress.
Cytoprotective effect of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue in primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts in oxidative stress
Authors: Sazonova E N , Lebed’ko O A , Denisyuk G A , Zhmerenetskiy K V , Dobrykh V A 
Published: February 2019

Aim. Analysis of the cytoprotective effect of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue (Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) in the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts in conditions of oxidative stress.
Methods. Pulmonary fibroblasts were incubated with the peptide of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue (Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg) in the concentration 0.1 μM for 6 hours. To simulate oxidative stress, 60 μM H2O2 was added to the culture medium for 2 hours. Experimental series included (1) «control»; (2) «non-opiate leu-enkephalin analogue» (the peptide was added to the culture medium 44 hours after the final passage); (3) «oxidative stress» (H2O2 was added to the culture medium 48 hours after the final passage); (4) «non-opiate leu-enkephalin analogue + oxidative stress» (the peptide and H2O2 were added to the culture medium 44 and 48 hours respectively after the final passage). In order to evaluate the generation of superoxide anion by pulmonary fibroblasts, the method of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence was used. Computer morphometry of the nucleo-nucleolar apparatus of fibroblasts stained with silver nitrate by the AgNOR method was used to assess the cell state: the area of fibroblast nuclei, the total nucleoli area in the nucleus, and the number of nucleoli in the nucleus were measured. These parameters correlate with the activity of anabolic processes in the cells.
Results. The effect of H2O2 on the primary culture of pulmonary fibroblasts caused an increase of superoxide anion generation by the fibroblasts, reduction of fibroblast nuclei size, decrease of nucleoli amount and size. Pre-incubation of pulmonary fibroblasts with a non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue reduced the H2O2-induced generation of superoxide anion, corrected changes in the nucleo-nucleolar apparatus of fibroblasts caused by oxidative stress. In our previous studies, similar effect in the same model was shown for non-selective μ/δ-opioid receptor agonist peptide sedatin (dermorphin analogue). The mechanism of cytoprotective effect of non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue may include the affinity of this peptide to nociceptin receptors (NOR receptors) that requires further studies.
Conclusion. The results of the study indicate a direct cytoprotective effect of the peptide Phe-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Arg (non-opioid leu-enkephalin analogue) in oxidative stress.