bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Outcome of Single Stage Posterior Spinal Fusion for Severe Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) (Cobb Angle ≥90°)
Authors: Kwan Mun Keong , Chiu Chee Kidd , Hasan Mohd Shahnaz , Tan Shun Herng , Loh Ling Hui , Yeo Kye Sheng , Lee Wei Hong , Chan Chris Yin Wei 
Published: August 2018

Study Design.
Retrospective study.

Objective.
To evaluate the perioperative outcome of dual attending surgeon strategy for severe adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with Cobb angle more than or equal to 90°.

Summary of Background Data.
The overall complication rate for AIS remains significant and is higher in severe scoliosis. Various operative strategies had been reported for severe scoliosis. However the role of dual attending surgeon strategy in improving the perioperative outcome in severe scoliosis has not been investigated.

Methods.
The patients were stratified into two groups, Cobb angles 90° to 100° (Group 1) and more than 100° (Group 2). Demographic, intraoperative, preoperative, and postoperative day 2 data were collected. The main outcome measures were intraoperative blood loss, use of allogeneic blood transfusion, operative time, duration of hospital stay postsurgery, and documentation of any perioperative complications.

Results.
Eighty-five patients were recruited. The mean age for the whole cohort was 16.2 ± 5.2 years old. The mean age of Group 1 was 16.7 ± 5.7 and Group 2 was 15.6 ± 4.8 years old. The majority of the patients in both groups were Lenke 2 curves with the average Cobb angle of 93.9 ± 3.0° in Group 1 and 114.2 ± 10.2° in Group 2. The average operative time was 198.5 ± 47.5 minutes with an average blood loss of 1699.5 ± 939.3 mL. The allogeneic blood transfusion rate was 17.6%. The average length of stay postoperation was 71.6 ± 22.5 hours. When comparing the patients between Group 1 and Group 2, the operating time, total blood loss, allogeneic transfusion rate showed significant intergroup differences. Five complications were documented (one intraoperative seizure, one massive blood loss, one intraoperative loss of somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) signal, and two superficial wound breakdown).

Conclusion.
Dual attending surgeon strategy in severe AIS more than or equal to 90° demonstrated an average operative time of 199 minutes, intraoperative blood loss of 1.7 L, postoperative hospital stay of 71.6 hours, and a complication rate of 5.9% (5/85 patients). Curves with Cobb angle more than 100° lead to longer operating time, greater blood loss, and allogeneic transfusion rate.

Level of Evidence: 4
A Comparison of the Quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment Score and the National Early Warning Score in Non-ICU Patients With/Without Infection
Authors: Redfern Oliver C. , Smith Gary B. , Prytherch David R. , Meredith Paul , Inada-Kim Matthew , Schmidt Paul E. 
Published: August 2018

Objectives:
The Sepsis-3 task force recommended the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment score for identifying patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk of poor outcomes, but many hospitals already use the National Early Warning Score to identify high-risk patients, irrespective of diagnosis. We sought to compare the performance of quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment and National Early Warning Score in hospitalized, non-ICU patients with and without an infection.

Design:
Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:
Large U.K. General Hospital.

Patients:
Adults hospitalized between January 1, 2010, and February 1, 2016.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
We applied the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment score and National Early Warning Score to 5,435,344 vital signs sets (241,996 hospital admissions). Patients were categorized as having no infection, primary infection, or secondary infection using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition codes. National Early Warning Score was significantly better at discriminating in-hospital mortality, irrespective of infection status (no infection, National Early Warning Score 0.831 [0.825–0.838] vs quick Sequential [Sepsis-Related] Organ Failure Assessment 0.688 [0.680–0.695]; primary infection, National Early Warning Score 0.805 [0.799–0.812] vs quick Sequential [Sepsis-Related] Organ Failure Assessment 0.677 [0.670–0.685]). Similarly, National Early Warning Score performed significantly better in all patient groups (all admissions, emergency medicine admissions, and emergency surgery admissions) for all outcomes studied. Overall, quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment performed no better, and often worse, in admissions with infection than without.

Conclusions:
The National Early Warning Score outperforms the quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment score, irrespective of infection status. These findings suggest that quick Sequential (Sepsis-Related) Organ Failure Assessment should be reevaluated as the system of choice for identifying non-ICU patients with suspected infection who are at greater risk of poor outcome.
Survival Benefit of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy in Node-positive Vulvar Cancer
Authors: Xanthopoulos Eric P. , Grover Surbhi , Puri Priya M. , Corradetti Michael N. , Heilbroner Samuel P. , Mitra Nandita , Simone Charles B. , Lin Lilie L. 
Published: August 2018

Background:
Adjuvant radiation therapy improves overall survival in patients with vulvar cancer with 2+ positive lymph nodes, but its benefit remains uncertain for 1 positive lymph node.

Methods:
Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified node-positive, American Joint Committee on Cancer version 6-staged women with squamous cell vulvar carcinoma treated with and without radiation following surgery. The Kaplan-Meier approach assessed overall and cause-specific survival. Propensity score-based, multiply imputed Cox modeling accounted for missing data and selection bias.

Results:
From 2004 to 2013, 488 versus 206 women did and did not receive adjuvant radiation after surgery. Patient characteristics were well balanced, including home county, index tumor diameter, number of nodes excised, provider type, race, and surgery type (P>0.05). Unbalanced covariates—including median age, grade, number of positive nodes, N-stage—were adjusted using Cox regression. At a median follow-up of 36 months, adjuvant radiation was associated with improved median overall survival across all node-positive patients (54 vs. 24 mo; P<0.01). This survival benefit persisted in women with just one (not reached vs. 39 mo; P<0.01) and 2+ (26 vs. 16 mo; P<0.01) positive lymph nodes. Likewise, all node-positive groups saw a cause-specific survival benefit with adjuvant radiation (all P<0.02). On multivariable Cox regression, adjuvant radiation, age, tumor diameter, number of positive nodes, race, and N-stage associated with survival (P<0.05).

Conclusions:
All node positive vulvar cancer patients should benefit from and thus should receive adjuvant radiation, including those with one positive node.
Maternal peripartum urinary pyrethroid metabolites are associated with thinner children at 3.5 years in the VHEMBE birth cohort (Limpopo, South Africa)
Authors: Huang Jonathan Y. , Eskenazi Brenda , Bornman Riana , Rauch Stephen , Chevrier Jonathan 
Published: August 2018

Background:
Pyrethroids are the most widely used insecticides globally for domestic, agricultural, and malaria vector control. In 10 countries, dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) is also used for the latter. Thus, high exposure to pyrethroids and DDT have been reported among women and children from rural and/or malaria-endemic areas. Experimental studies suggest that fetal exposure to pyrethroids, particularly cypermethrin, and DDT may have sex-specific growth effects. However, epidemiologic investigations are scarce and inconsistent and have not considered postnatal environment or susceptibility factors.

Methods:
In 665 mother–child dyads participating in the Venda Health Examination of Mothers, Babies, and their Environment (VHEMBE), a rural South African birth cohort with high insecticide exposure, we examined associations of maternal peripartum urinary pyrethroid metabolites and serum DDT concentrations with child anthropometrics at 3.5 years using multivariable linear regression. We investigated effect modification by child sex, maternal nutrition and HIV status, and household poverty.

Results:
Pyrethroid metabolites cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis-DBCA), cis-3-(2,2,-dicholorvinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid (cis-DCCA), trans-DCCA, and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) were quantified in nearly all mothers. A 10-fold increase in cis-DCCA concentration was associated with 0.21 kg/m2 lower body mass index (95% confidence interval = −0.41, −0.01), with similar estimates for other cypermethrin or permethrin metabolites (trans-DCCA and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid). In stratified analyses, stronger associations were observed with lower weight, body mass index, arm circumference, and weight-for-height among boys relative to girls. Associations with cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-cyclopropane carboxylic acid, a metabolite specific to deltamethrin, were weaker or absent. No substantial associations were observed with DDT.

Discussion:
In a population with ubiquitous pyrethroid exposure, maternal concentrations of metabolites of cypermethrin and permethrin were associated with thinness at 3.5 years.
Status of bone strength and factors associated with vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chen Fang-Ping , Kuo Sheng-Fong , Lin Yu-Ching , Fan Chih-Ming , Chen Jung-Fu 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the status of bone mass, microarchitecture, and factors associated with vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods:
We consecutively enrolled 285 women (aged 60.7 ± 6.9 y) with T2DM who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) assessment using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; T8-S1 lateral spine radiographs; laboratory evaluation; and interviews regarding clinical risk factors based on the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX).

Results:
Low bone mass and deteriorated bone microarchitecture were observed in 63.2% and 72.6% of women with T2DM, respectively. TBS was correlated with lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip BMD. Significant differences in TBS were observed between the normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups. Age, vertebral fracture, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase significantly differed among groups with different T scores or those classified by TBS categories. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was inversely correlated with BMD and TBS but positively with glycated hemoglobin. BMD showed a weaker correlation with vertebral fracture than TBS, TBS and BMD, FRAX, and TBS-adjusted FRAX.

Conclusions:
Low bone mass and deteriorated TBS were noted in approximately two-thirds of T2DM women and was also associated with vertebral fracture. In addition to aging, poor glycemic control may play an important role in bone remodeling, which may be associated with changes in bone strength in T2DM women. Bone strength together with clinical risk factors has the strongest association with fracture, and may potentially be useful to identify women with T2DM at risk.
Bazedoxifene-induced vasodilation and inhibition of vasoconstriction is significantly greater than estradiol
Authors: Zimmerman Margaret A. , Hutson Dillion D. , Mauvais-Jarvis Franck , Lindsey Sarah H. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Objective:
A new strategy for menopausal hormone therapy replaces medroxyprogesterone with the selective estrogen receptor modulator bazedoxifene. While the agonist or antagonist activity of bazedoxifene has been examined in other tissues, the current study explored the impact of bazedoxifene on resistance artery reactivity. We hypothesized that bazedoxifene may induce greater vasoprotective effects than estradiol due to enhanced activation of the G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor.

Methods:
We measured the vasodilation of mesenteric resistance arteries from adult male and female wild-type and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor knockout mice (n = 58) in response to increasing concentrations of bazedoxifene, medroxyprogesterone, and estradiol, and also the impact of these compounds on the responses to phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside.

Results:
Bazedoxifene-induced vasorelaxation was greater than estradiol and blunted phenylephrine-induced contraction—an effect not observed with estradiol. Neither estradiol nor bazedoxifene altered relaxation to sodium nitroprusside. The combination of bazedoxifene + estradiol promoted greater vasodilation than medroxyprogesterone + estradiol, and opposed phenylephrine-induced contraction, whereas medroxyprogesterone + estradiol failed to attenuate this response. Both bazedoxifene + estradiol and medroxyprogesterone + estradiol enhanced sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation in females. Vascular responses were similar in both sexes in wild-type and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor knockout mice.

Conclusion:
Bazedoxifene and bazedoxifene + estradiol relaxed mesenteric arteries and opposed vasoconstriction to a greater degree than estradiol or medroxyprogesterone + estradiol. These effects were independent of sex and G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor expression. We conclude that bazedoxifene may provide vascular benefits over estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestogen combinations in postmenopausal women.
Comparison of Disposable Goldmann Applanation Tonometer, ICare ic100, and Tonopen XL to Standards of Care Goldmann Nondisposable Applanation Tonometer for Measuring Intraocular Pressure
Authors: Wong Benny , Parikh Deep , Rosen Lisa , Gorski Matthew , Angelilli Allison , Shih Carolyn 
Published: August 2018

Purpose:
To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), disposable Goldmann applanation prism, ICare, and Tonopen.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 74 patients with varying glaucoma status were examined in our outpatient clinic and IOP was measured with 3 tonometers. The disposable Tonojet prism (dGAT), Tonopen XL, and ICare ic100 were compared with the GAT.

Results:
There were good intraclass correlation coefficients between IOP measurements by GAT and dGAT (0.95), Tonopen (0.83), and ICare (0.77), all P<0.001. The IOP mean differences between dGAT and GAT were mean 0.80 mm Hg; 95% limits of agreement: −3.35 to 4.96 mm Hg. For Tonopen and GAT: mean, −1.67 mm Hg; limits of agreement, −8.55 to 5.21 mm Hg. For ICare and GAT: mean, 0.44 mm Hg; limits of agreement, −8.18 to 9.06 mm Hg.

Conclusions:
The most reliable modality, with good correlation with the Goldmann tonometer values, was the GAT with dGAT, followed in descending order by the Tonopen XL and ICare. There was good interdevice agreement and consistency between all devices. On subgroup analysis, all 3 modalities were found to be less reliable at extreme IOP values (<10 and >24 mm Hg). These disposable modalities should be avoided in extreme IOP ranges outside the normal range.
Cost and Outcome of Minimally Invasive Techniques for Coronary Surgery Using Robotic Technology
Authors: Pasrija Chetan , Kon Zachary N. , Ghoreishi Mehrdad , Lehr Eric J. , Gammie James S. , Griffith Bartley P. , Bonatti Johannes , Taylor Bradley S. 
Published: August 2018

Objective Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) with robotic distal anastomosis and robotic-assisted minimally invasive coronary artery bypass (RA-MIDCAB) with robotic internal mammary artery harvest and direct hand-sewn distal anastomosis via an anterior thoracotomy have both been reported as safe and efficacious. We compared hospital cost and short-term outcomes between these techniques. Methods Patients who underwent robotic-assisted minimally invasive single-vessel Coronary artery bypass grafting (2011–2014) were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred consecutive patients underwent either TECAB (n = 50) or RA-MIDCAB (n = 50). The two groups were sequential with TECAB performed by one surgeon in the first portion of the study interval and RA-MIDCAB by another surgeon in the latter. Demographics, short-term outcomes, and hospital cost data were compared between the two groups. Results Patient demographics and preoperative risk factors were similar between the TECAB and RA-MIDCAB groups, as total operating room time. Cardiopulmonary bypass was used for 56% of TECAB and 0% of RA-MIDCAB cases ( P < 0.001). Intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay, along with postoperative morbidities, were similar between the two groups. Operative mortality was 2% in the TECAB and 0% in the RA-MIDCAB group ( P = NS). Total hospital cost was significantly higher with TECAB compared with RA-MIDCAB (US $33,769 vs. $22,679, P < 0.001), which was primarily driven by operative costs (US $17,616 vs. $26,803, P < 0.001). Conclusions Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass and RA-MIDCAB both demonstrated excellent short-term clinical outcomes. However, TECAB was associated with significantly higher hospital costs. Further comparisons, including long-term outcomes, patient satisfaction, and functional status, are needed to evaluate whether this additional cost is justified.
Orbital Emphysema: A Case Report and Comprehensive Review of the Literature
Authors: Roelofs Kelsey A. , Starks Victoria , Yoon Michael K. 
Published: August 2018

Purpose:The objective of this study was to report a case of persistent and likely self-induced orbital emphysema (OE) following functional endoscopic sinus surgery with dislodgement of a previously placed orbital floor implant and to review the literature surrounding etiologies, pathophysiology, and management of OE.Methods:Case report and review of the literature.Results and Discussion:While blunt trauma resulting in disruption of the medial orbital wall is the most common cause of OE, there are an additional 25 underlying etiologies reported in the current literature. Pathophysiology of OE is somewhat dependent on underlying etiology but often involves a 1-way ball valve mechanism such that air may enter the orbit but not exit. When sufficient air enters the orbit, complications secondary to increased intraorbital pressure, including central retinal artery occlusion and compressive optic neuropathy, can occur. Mild cases of OE are typically observed, with most resolving within 7 to 10 days. Moderate cases are often managed by lateral canthotomy and cantholysis with possible needle decompression. Severe cases may require urgent surgical decompression. While the majority of cases of OE are benign and self-limited, there have been 4 reports in the literature documenting significant vision loss.Conclusions:Although there is often a history of trauma in patients presenting with OE, many other underlying etiologies have been reported with several cases occurring spontaneously. As such, OE should be included on the differential for a patient presenting with a sudden onset of orbital signs.
The onset of treatment with the antidepressant desipramine is critical for the emotional consequences of neuropathic pain
Authors: Alba-Delgado Cristina , Llorca-Torralba Meritxell , Mico Juan Antonio , Berrocoso Esther 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition that is challenging to treat. It often produces considerable physical disability and emotional distress. Patients with neuropathic pain often experience depression and anxiety both of which are known to be temporally correlated with noradrenergic dysfunction in the locus coeruleus (LC) as pain becomes chronic. Antidepressants are the first-line drug therapy for neuropathic pain, and the LC represents a potential target for such therapy. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine (DMI, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) in preventing or relieving the noradrenergic impairment induced by neuropathic pain. The treatment started before or after the onset of the anxiodepressive phenotype (“early or late treatment”) in adult rats subjected to chronic sciatic constriction. Electrophysiological and western blotting assays showed LC dysfunction (increased bursting activity, alpha2-adrenoceptor sensitivity, tyrosine hydroxylase, and noradrenaline transporter expression) in chronic constriction injury at long term. These noradrenergic changes were concomitant to the progression of anxiety and despair-like features. Desipramine induced efficient analgesia, and it counteracted the despair-like behavior in chronic constriction injury-DMI animals, reducing the burst rate and tyrosine hydroxylase expression. Surprisingly, “early” DMI treatment did not modify pain-induced anxiety, and it dampened pain aversion, although these phenomena were abolished when the treatment commenced after noradrenaline impairment had been established. Hence, DMI seems to produce different outcomes depending when the treatment commences, indicating that the balance between the benefits and adverse effects of DMI therapy may shift as neuropathy progresses.
Inhibition of spinal 15-LOX-1 attenuates TLR4-dependent, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug–unresponsive hyperalgesia in male rats
Authors: Gregus Ann M. , Buczynski Matthew W. , Dumlao Darren S. , Norris Paul C. , Rai Ganesha , Simeonov Anton , Maloney David J. , Jadhav Ajit , Xu Qinghao , Wei Spencer C. , Fitzsimmons Bethany L. , Dennis Edward A. , Yaksh Tony L. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAlthough nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the first line of therapeutics for the treatment of mild to moderate somatic pain, they are not generally considered to be effective for neuropathic pain. In the current study, direct activation of spinal Toll-like 4 receptors (TLR4) by the intrathecal (IT) administration of KDO2 lipid A (KLA), the active component of lipopolysaccharide, elicits a robust tactile allodynia that is unresponsive to cyclooxygenase inhibition, despite elevated expression of cyclooxygenase metabolites in the spinal cord. Intrathecal KLA increases 12-lipoxygenase-mediated hepoxilin production in the lumbar spinal cord, concurrent with expression of the tactile allodynia. The TLR4-induced hepoxilin production was also observed in primary spinal microglia, but not in astrocytes, and was accompanied by increased microglial expression of the 12/15-lipoxygenase enzyme 15-LOX-1. Intrathecal KLA-induced tactile allodynia was completely prevented by spinal pretreatment with the 12/15-lipoxygenase inhibitor CDC or a selective antibody targeting rat 15-LOX-1. Similarly, pretreatment with the selective inhibitors ML127 or ML351 both reduced activity of the rat homolog of 15-LOX-1 heterologously expressed in HEK-293T cells and completely abrogated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug–unresponsive allodynia in vivo after IT KLA. Finally, spinal 12/15-lipoxygenase inhibition by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) both prevents phase II formalin flinching and reverses formalin-induced persistent tactile allodynia. Taken together, these findings suggest that spinal TLR4-mediated hyperpathic states are mediated at least in part through activation of microglial 15-LOX-1.