bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pain Following Amputation
Authors: Cohen Steven P , Gilmore Christopher A , Rauck Richard L , Lester Denise D , Trainer Robert J , Phan Thomas , Kapural Leonardo , North James M , Crosby Nathan D , Boggs Joseph W 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Introduction
Chronic pain and reduced function are significant problems for Military Service members and Veterans following amputation. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) is a promising therapy, but PNS systems have traditionally been limited by invasiveness and complications. Recently, a novel percutaneous PNS system was developed to reduce the risk of complications and enable delivery of stimulation without surgery.

Materials and Methods
Percutaneous PNS was evaluated to determine if stimulation provides relief from residual and phantom limb pain following lower-extremity amputation. PNS leads were implanted percutaneously to deliver stimulation to the femoral and/or sciatic nerves. Patients received stimulation for up to 60 days followed by withdrawal of the leads.

Results
A review of recent studies and clinical reports found that a majority of patients (18/24, 75%) reported substantial (≥50%) clinically relevant relief of chronic post-amputation pain following up to 60 days of percutaneous PNS. Reductions in pain were frequently associated with reductions in disability and pain interference.

Conclusions
Percutaneous PNS can durably reduce pain, thereby enabling improvements in quality of life, function, and rehabilitation in individuals with residual or phantom limb pain following amputation. Percutaneous PNS may have additional benefit for Military Service members and Veterans with post-surgical or post-traumatic pain.
PatchSearch: a web server for off-target protein identification
Authors: Rey Julien , Rasolohery Inès , Tufféry Pierre , Guyon Frédéric , Moroy Gautier 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The large number of proteins found in the human body implies that a drug may interact with many proteins, called off-target proteins, besides its intended target. The PatchSearch web server provides an automated workflow that allows users to identify structurally conserved binding sites at the protein surfaces in a set of user-supplied protein structures. Thus, this web server may help to detect potential off-target protein. It takes as input a protein complexed with a ligand and identifies within user-defined or predefined collections of protein structures, those having a binding site compatible with this ligand in terms of geometry and physicochemical properties. It is based on a non-sequential local alignment of the patch over the entire protein surface. Then the PatchSearch web server proposes a ligand binding mode for the potential off-target, as well as an estimated affinity calculated by the Vinardo scoring function. This novel tool is able to efficiently detects potential interactions of ligands with distant off-target proteins. Furthermore, by facilitating the discovery of unexpected off-targets, PatchSearch could contribute to the repurposing of existing drugs. The server is freely available at http://bioserv.rpbs.univ-paris-diderot.fr/services/PatchSearch.
Surgical Treatment of Intraneural Ganglion Cysts of the Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow: Long-Term Follow-up of 9 Cases
Authors: Wu Peng , Xu Sudan , Cheng Biao , Chen Lin , Xue Chao , Ge Heng’an , Yu Cong 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Intraneural ganglion (IG) cysts have been considered curiosities and their pathogenesis remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE
To clarify ulnar nerve at the elbow (UNE) pathogenesis and long-term surgical outcomes by presenting 9 rare cases of IG of the UNE.

METHODS
Surgical treatment of IG was performed. Clinical symptoms, physical examinations, and electromyogram were evaluated pre- and postoperatively. At least 4 yr of follow-up was performed.

RESULTS
The Tinel's sign became negative and local elbow pain disappeared in all 9 patients after surgery, and the average visual analog scale/score dropped from 4.9 (3-8) to 0 (0-0) after 6.2 d (2-10) on average. Two patients retained positive Froment test, “claw hand” and paresthesias with the 2-point discrimination much different from the contralateral little finger. Postoperative the UK Medical Research Council muscle strength score (MRC) grades of the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor digitorum profundus muscle of the fourth and fifth digits recovered to M4-M5 from M0-M2 in all 9 patients. The postoperative MRC grades of the third to fourth lumbrical muscles, the interossei, and the hypothenar recovered to M3-M5 from M0-M2 in 7 patients. Cystic articular branch (CAB) was found in all 9 patients intraoperatively. No symptomatic recurrence of IG was seen. The mean motor nerve conduction velocity of ulnar nerve across the elbow recovered from 5.3 to 41.2 m/s.

CONCLUSION
A unifying articular theory is responsible for the pathogenesis of IG of UNE and disconnection of the CAB would prevent recurrence. The long-term outcome is good after surgical treatment of IG of UNE.
Comparison of the In Vitro Susceptibility of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam With the Cumulative Susceptibility Rates of Standard Antibiotic Combinations When Tested Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa From ICU Patients With Bloodstream Infections or Pneumonia
Authors: Shortridge Dee , Pfaller Michael A , Arends S J Ryan , Raddatz Janet , DePestel Daryl D , Flamm Robert K 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPseudomonas aeruginosa remains an important cause of hospital-acquired infections in the United States and is frequently multidrug-resistant (MDR). The Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines recommend empiric combination therapy that includes an antipseudomonal β-lactam with an aminoglycoside or fluoroquinolone likely to cover ≥95% of P. aeruginosa infections in seriously ill patients at risk of having an MDR pathogen. Ceftolozane is an antipseudomonal cephalosporin, combined with the β-lactamase inhibitor tazobactam. Ceftolozane-tazobactam is approved for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections. A phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia including ventilator-associated pneumoniae was recently completed. We compared the in vitro susceptibility rate of ceftolozane-tazobactam with the cumulative susceptibility rates of antibiotic combinations commonly used against P. aeruginosa.MethodsIsolates were collected from intensive care unit patients hospitalized in 32 US hospitals from 2011 to 2017. The susceptibilities of 1543 P. aeruginosa isolates from bloodstream infections (198 isolates, 12.8%) or pneumonia (1345 isolates, 87.2%) were determined for ceftolozane-tazobactam and comparators.ResultsThe most active antimicrobials were colistin (99.4% susceptible), amikacin (98.1% susceptible), and ceftolozane-tazobactam (96.5% susceptible). The susceptibilities to other antipseudomonal β-lactams and fluoroquinolones were &lt;84%. A cumulative susceptibility of ≥95% was reached for cefepime, ceftazidime, meropenem, and piperacillin-tazobactam only in combination with amikacin due to the lower susceptibilities of gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. Monotherapies that exceeded 95% were ceftolozane-tazobactam, amikacin, and colistin.ConclusionsCeftolozane-tazobactam monotherapy is likely to be active against more isolates than a combination of another β-lactam and a fluoroquinolone or gentamicin for serious P. aeruginosa infections.
Factors Associated With Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement in Patients With Cryptococcal Meningitis
Authors: Baddley John W , Thompson George R , Riley Kristen O , Moore Mary K , Moser Stephen A , Pappas Peter G 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveIncreased intracranial pressure (ICP) is an important complication of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) and impacts morbidity and mortality. Factors associated with permanent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement are poorly characterized.MethodWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with CM at the University of Alabama at Birmingham from 1996 through 2015. Characteristics of patients at time of CM diagnosis who did and did not receive a VP shunt were compared with use of the 2-group chi-square test or Fisher exact test for categorical variables and the 2-group t test for continuous variables. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of shunt placement.ResultsOf 422 patients with cryptococcosis, 257 (60.9%) had CM. Mean age was 47.7 years, 71.6% were male, and 44.4% were African American. The most common underlying conditions were HIV (42.4%), solid organ transplantation (29.6%), and corticosteroid use (34.2%). Forty-four (17.1%) received a VP shunt a median of 17 days (range, 1–320 days) post-diagnosis. By multivariable analysis, baseline opening pressure &gt;30 cm H2O (OR, 9.4; 95% CI, 3.0, 28.8; P &lt; .0001), being a normal host (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 1.5, 26.1; P = .011) and hydrocephalus (OR, 4.9, 95% CI, 1.3, 17.9); P = .017) were associated with increased odds of shunting (Table 2). In contrast, age (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92, 0.99; P = .037) and male gender (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06, 0.55; P = .023) were associated with decreased odds of shunting.ConclusionsIdentification of factors at time of CM diagnosis associated with need for permanent VP shunt placement may allow for earlier, more aggressive treatment and potentially improve outcomes associated with increased ICP from cryptococcal meningitis.
Vein of Galen Malformations: The Texas Children's Hospital Experience in the Modern Endovascular Era
Authors: Wagner Kathryn M , Ghali Michael G Z , Srinivasan Visish M , Lam Sandi , Johnson Jeremiah , Chen Stephen , Kan Peter 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vein of Galen malformations (VOGM) comprise nearly a third of pediatric cerebrovascular anomalies, with potentially devastating neurological and systemic complications. Advances in endovascular therapies have dramatically improved outcomes compared to historical surgical treatments, and neurosurgeons are an essential component of the multidisciplinary critical care team.

OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively review pediatric patients with VOGM treated at Texas Children's Hospital (TCH), a quaternary referral center, over 15 yr, and present lessons learned in treating children with modern endovascular techniques.

METHODS
Charts from TCH were retrospectively reviewed for the past 15 yr. Patients with diagnosis including “Vein of Galen,” “Vein of Galen malformation,” “Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation,” or any abbreviations (ie, VOG, VOGM, VOGAM) were reviewed. Presentation, imaging, treatment specifics, and clinical outcomes were reported.

RESULTS
There were 18 patients with VOGM managed at TCH from 2002 to 2018 with a total of 29 embolizations. Seventeen were performed with a single embolisate (NBCA or Onyx), and 12 with a combination. A dual lumen balloon catheter was used as an adjunct in 3 embolizations. Complications occurred in 5 embolizations (24%), including hemorrhage, embolisate migration, and femoral vessel occlusion. Surviving patients were followed for a mean of 38 mo, with 12 having normal or near-normal neurological development.

CONCLUSION
VOGM can present with a myriad of neurological and systemic symptoms, potentially in extremis. Neurosurgical involvement in these cases is critical, as urgent treatment can be lifesaving. Patients may require multiple treatment sessions using a variety of endovascular tools and techniques.
Women’s Political Representation in a Hybrid and Patriarchal Regime: Evidence from Singapore
Authors: Tam Waikeung 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis article investigates women’s political representation in a hybrid and patriarchal regime—Singapore. Specifically, it examines whether female legislators in Singapore put more emphasis on women’s rights and traditional women’s concerns than male legislators. We answer this question through conducting content analyses of the questions raised by legislators at the plenary meetings during the 10th–12th Parliaments of Singapore (2002–2015). Our results demonstrate that female legislators in Singapore were more likely to provide substantive representation on women’s interests than male legislators. Besides gender, this study shows that legislators’ political affiliation crucially affected the likelihood of them to represent traditional women’s concerns but not women’s rights. Opposition legislators were more likely than People’s Action Party legislators to ask questions on traditional women’s concerns. Finally, legislators’ ethnicity mattered, given that ethnic minority legislators (Malay, Indian and Eurasian legislators) were more likely to raise questions on women’s rights and traditional women’s concerns (except environment) than Chinese legislators.
Does community engaged Carnegie status matter for county health rankings in the United States?
Authors: Apatu Emma , Stallings-Smith Sericea , Alvarez Elizabeth , Anderson Laura , Spaulding Aaron 
Published: May 2019

Abstract

Background
Community engagement is commonly used to address social inequities. The Carnegie Foundation offers an optional designation for which U.S. colleges and universities may apply to facilitate better educational outcomes through the institutionalization of community engagement. This study is the first to examine the relationship between Carnegie community engaged status and community health outcomes.

Methods
Ordinal logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between the presence of a community engaged institution and county health outcomes, including health behaviors, clinical care relating to access and quality, social and economic factors, and physical environment from the 2016 Robert Wood Johnson County Health Rankings and 2015 New England Resource Center for Higher Education Community engaged list. We examined 820 U.S. counties containing a university or college, 240 of which had a community engaged designation.

Results
Findings indicated that the presence of a community-engaged institution was positively associated with Clinical Care (OR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.64). Other county health factors were not similarly associated.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that community engagement status may be most relevant for achieving better access and quality of clinical care. More research is needed to explore this association in the U.S. and internationally.
Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the diagnosis, assessment of disease activity and therapeutic response in relapsing polychondritis
Authors: Sharma Aman , Kumar Rajender , MB Adarsh , Naidu G S R S N K , Sharma Vikas , Sood Apurva , Dhir Varun , Verma Roshan , Singh Harmandeep , Bhattacharya Anish , Jain Sanjay , Mittal Bhagwant Rai 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in the assessment of disease activity, extent of the disease and response to therapy in relapsing polychondritis.MethodsTwenty-five patients (9 men, 16 women) with a mean age of 38.2 years (s.d. 13.7; range 18–62), diagnosed to have relapsing polychondritis according to Damiani and Levine’s modification of McAdam’s criteria, who underwent PET/CT examination were included. Ten patients underwent a second PET/CT examination after therapy or during follow-up. Clinical symptoms and auxiliary examination findings were recorded. PET/CT findings were reviewed and correlated with the clinical symptoms.ResultsThe major symptoms were aural pain (n = 21), nasal pain (n = 10), stridor (n = 5), cough (n = 9), fever (n = 8) and laryngeal tenderness (n = 8). The initial PET/CT was positive in 23/25 patients. PET/CT revealed involvement of auricular (n = 14), nasal (n = 8), laryngeal (n = 7), tracheobronchial (n = 6) and Eustachian (n = 3) cartilages with a mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 4.1 (s.d. 2.5; range 1.7–12.7). Fair correlation of aural/nasal pain/stridor with FDG avidity of cartilage involvement on PET/CT was noted. The key finding was detection of asymptomatic large airway involvement in seven patients (28%). Re-examination PET in 10 patients revealed complete therapeutic response (n = 5), partial response (n = 1), stable disease (n = 1), progressive disease (n = 1) and disease recurrence (n = 2).ConclusionFDG PET/CT is a useful tool for the assessment of the disease activity and extent. It identified activity in clinically inaccessible sites that are of clinical significance. It is also useful in assessing treatment response and finding relapse.
INGESTION AND INHALATION DOSES DUE TO INTAKE OF RADON IN DRINKING WATER SAMPLES OF AMRITSAR PROVINCE, PUNJAB, INDIA
Authors: Sharma Sumit , Kumar Ajay , Mehra Rohit , Kaur Ranbir 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn the present investigation, the ingestion and inhalation dosage for the particular body organs in light of the intake of radon through ground water utilised by the occupants have been assessed in the different villages of the Upper Bari Doab region of Amritsar province, India using an electrostatic collection type radon monitor (RAD7) analyzer with RAD-H2O accessory. The mean radon activity level in water was seen to be 8.34 ± 2.99 Bql−1. The newborn children have higher radiation dosage than the other age groups because of their high dosage transformation factors. However, the radiation dosage received by all different age groups significantly less than the UNSCEAR and WHO suggested a level of 100 μSv y−1. The annual effective dosage for the diverse body organs because of the intake of radon was moreover ascertained and found the maximum dosage for lungs than other organs. The radiation dosage received by bronchial epithelium by the means of inhalation was likewise high when contrasted with that by stomach walls through ingestion.
RADIATION DOSE DISTRIBUTION OF A PLAIN RADIOGRAPHY ROOM AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ROOM IN A VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Authors: Chen Kuan-Sheng , Chou Ying-Hsiang , Wu Ruey-Shyuan , Lee Wei-Ming , Tyan Yeu-Sheng , Chen Tou-Rong 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) were attached to the walls of a plain radiography room and a computed tomography (CT) room, control rooms and corridors to measure the radiation dose. The types of animals scanned and scan parameters were analysed. Dogs and cats accounted for the largest proportion of animals, a combined total of 96.0%. Distributions of tube voltage and tube current-time product are presented. In the CT room, the dose at the angle of the gantry opening was higher than that on either side of the gantry. The study developed equations that may be useful to assess the dose for staff standing in radiography rooms. The personal annual doses for the controlled and uncontrolled areas were lower than the recommended dose limit. The annual doses for personnel and nonworkers were also within the acceptable level for radiation safety.
The Effect of Fossil Sampling on the Estimation of Divergence Times with the Fossilized Birth–Death Process
Authors: O’Reilly Joseph E , Donoghue Philip C J 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTimescales are of fundamental importance to evolutionary biology as they facilitate hypothesis tests of historical evolutionary processes. Through the incorporation of fossil occurrence data, the fossilized birth–death (FBD) process provides a framework for estimating divergence times using more paleontological data than traditional node calibration approaches have allowed. The inclusion of more data can refine evolutionary timescale estimates, but for many taxonomic groups it is computationally infeasible to include all available fossil occurrence data. Here, we utilize both empirical data and a simulation framework to identify approaches to subsampling fossil occurrence data that result in the most accurate estimates of divergence times. To achieve this we assess the performance of the FBD-Skyline model when implementing multiple approaches to incorporating subsampled fossil occurrence data. Our results demonstrate that it is necessary to account for all available fossil occurrence data to achieve the most accurate estimates of clade age. We show that this can be achieved if an empirical Bayes approach, accounting for fossil sampling through time, is applied to the FBD process. Random subsampling of occurrence data can lead to estimates of clade age that are incompatible with fossil evidence if no control over the affinities of fossil occurrences is enforced. Our results call into question the accuracy of previous divergence time studies incorporating the FBD process that have used only a subsample of all available fossil occurrence data.
Dual role of Miro protein clusters in mitochondrial cristae organisation and ER-Mitochondria Contact Sites
Authors: Modi Souvik , López-Doménech Guillermo , Halff Elise F. , Covill-Cooke Christian , Ivankovic Davor , Melandri Daniela , Arancibia-Cárcamo Lorena , Burden Jemima J. , Lowe Alan R. , Kittler Josef T. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMitochondrial Rho (Miro) GTPases localize to the outer mitochondrial membrane and are essential machinery for the regulated trafficking of mitochondria to defined subcellular locations. However, their sub-mitochondrial localization and relationship with other critical mitochondrial complexes remains poorly understood. Here, using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, we report that Miro proteins form nanometer-sized clusters along the mitochondrial outer membrane in association with the Mitochondrial Contact Site and Cristae Organizing System (MICOS). Using knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) we show that Miro1 and Miro2 are required for normal mitochondrial cristae architecture and endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts sites (ERMCS). Further, we show that Miro couples MICOS to TRAK motor protein adaptors to ensure the concerted transport of the two mitochondrial membranes and the correct distribution of cristae on the mitochondrial membrane. The Miro nanoscale organization, association with MICOS complex and regulation of ERMCS reveal new levels of control of the Miro GTPases on mitochondrial functionality.