bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Concurrent Cervical Spinal Cord Compression in Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Shimizu Takayoshi , Lehman Ronald A. , Pongmanee Suthipas , Alex Sielatycki J. , Leung Eric , Riew K. Daniel , Lenke Lawrence G. 
Published: March 2019

Study Design.
Retrospective cross-sectional cohort.

Objective.
To investigate the prevalence and predictive factors of concurrent cervical spinal cord compression (CSCC) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Summary of Background Data.
In patients with ASD undergoing major thoracolumbar realignment surgery, concurrent CSCC potentially increases the risk of progression of myelopathy or cervical cord injury due to various perioperative factors including poor intraoperative neck positioning and hypotension. However, the prevalence of CSCC in ASD patients has not been previously studied.

Methods.
This study included ASD patients who were indicated for major thoracolumbar corrective surgery (>5 levels). The presence of CSCC was determined using the modified Cord Compression Index (Grades 0–3) based on the cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Significant CSCC was defined as Grade>2, and the distribution of compression level as well as the number of Grade>2 segments were investigated in each patient. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of CSCC with variables being the patients’ characteristics including radiographic sagittal alignment parameters.

Results.
Of 121 patients with ASD, 41 patients (33.8%) demonstrated significant CSCC on MRI. Intramedullary T2 hyper-intensity (myelomalacia) was present in eight patients (6.6%). Thirty-five of 41 patients were asymptomatic or with myelopathy that is difficult to detect. Significant CSCC was most commonly observed at C4/5 level. Four patients (3.3%) underwent cervical decompression and fusion prior to thoracolumbar reconstruction. Multivariate regression analysis revealed old age, increased body mass index (BMI), and PI-LL mismatch independently predicted the CSCC grade.

Conclusion.
The prevalence of concurrent significant cervical cord compression in patients with ASD is relatively high at 33.8%. Preoperative evaluation of cervical MRI and examinations for signs/symptoms of myelopathy are essential for patients with (1) older age, (2) increased BMI, and (3) high PI-LL mismatch to avoid progressive myelopathy or cord injury during ASD surgery.

Level of Evidence: 4
The Change in Sway and Neuromuscular Activity in Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Patients Pre and Post Surgery Compared With Controls
Authors: Haddas Ram , Lieberman Isador H. 
Published: March 2019

Study Design.
Prospective cohort study.

Objective.
The purpose of this study is to quantify the extent of change in sway associated with maintaining a balanced posture within the cone of economy (CoE), in a group of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) patients’ pre and postsurgery and compare them to matched non-scoliotic controls.

Summary of Background Data.
Patients with spinal deformities adopt a variety of postural changes in the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities in their effort to compensate for the anterior shift in the gravity line. ADS patients are known to exhibit an increased sway within their CoE. Greater sway expends more energy while standing when compared with healthy controls. Spinal alignment surgery has been shown to improve sagittal vertical axis and balance.

Methods.
Thirty-three ADS patients and performed a series of functional balance tests a week before and 3 months after surgery along with 20 non-scoliotic control.

Results.
ADS patients demonstrated more initial CoM (P = 0.001) and head (P = 0.011) displacements. Postoperatively ADS patients exhibited less CoM sway (P = 0.043) and head sway (P = 0.050), in comparison to their presurgery measures. Postsurgical ADS patients demonstrated more CoM (P = 0.002) and head (P = 0.012) displacements and increased muscle activity in comparison to non-scoliotic controls.

Conclusion.
Surgical alignment reduced the amount of sway, reduced the center of mass displacement, and reduced spine and lower extremity energy expenditure in ADS’ patients. In symptomatic preoperative ADS patients, sagittal sway increased along with greater lumbar spine and lower extremity neuromuscular activity in comparison to a non-scoliotic control. Although surgical alignment improved ADS functional parameters during a dynamic balance test, these parameters approached but did not fully achieve non-scoliotic control parameters when measured 3 months after surgery.

Level of Evidence: 3
Long-Term Wound Palliation to Manage Exposed Hardware in the Setting of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Zamani Nader , Barshes Neal R. 
Published: March 2019

Summary:
Exposed orthopedic hardware in the lower extremity complicated by peripheral arterial disease typically demands multiple operative procedures by several disciplines to maintain skeletal integrity and achieve complete wound healing. For ambulatory patients that are either not candidates for lower extremity revascularization or prefer not to pursue surgical attempts at limb preservation, wound palliation is a potential management strategy. We discuss a patient with a history of severe peripheral arterial disease and a left pilon fracture previously treated with open reduction and internal fixation. He presented with a 2-month history of open wounds and exposed hardware over his left tibia. Though he initially underwent surgical revascularization to improve circulation to his lower extremity, the arterial bypass occluded within 6 months of the operation. At that point, the patient decided to forego any additional surgical intervention, including hardware removal, in favor of local wound care and expectant management. Remarkably, the wound remained stable in size over the next 14 years, he remained ambulatory, and never developed a deep wound infection. Though palliative wound care alone is understandably not the recommended first-line therapy for managing nonhealing wounds, it may be a safe and potentially durable alternative to major lower extremity amputation when revascularization and soft-tissue coverage cannot be achieved.
Evaluation of Chemokine mRNA Expression to Assess Allergic Inflammation of the Ocular Surface in Chronic Allergic Conjunctival Diseases
Authors: Aso Hiroshi , Shoji Jun , Shiraki Yukiko , Inada Noriko , Yamagami Satoru 
Published: March 2019

Purpose:
We validated the use of chemokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression analysis for the assessment of ocular surface allergic inflammation in chronic allergic conjunctival diseases (ACDs) with proliferative lesions, including giant papillae and gelatinous infiltration of the limbus.

Methods:
This prospective sectional study included 19 patients with chronic ACDs and 10 healthy volunteers as controls. Patients with chronic ACDs were divided into 2 subgroups according to the severity of the clinical score: active stage ACD subgroup (n = 9) and stable stage ACD subgroup (n = 10). Impression cytology using a filter paper for each upper tarsal conjunctiva of the patients with chronic ACDs and control subjects was performed, and the expression levels of IL1A, CXCL8, IL16, and CCL24 mRNAs encoding interleukin (IL)-1α, CXCL8/IL-8, IL-16, and CCL24/eotaxin-2, respectively, were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using impression cytology specimens.

Results:

CCL24 and IL16 mRNA levels in the active ACD subgroup were significantly higher than those in the control group (P = 0.003 and 0.004, respectively). IL1A and CXCL8 expression levels in the active ACD subgroup were significantly higher than those in the stable ACD (P = 0.008 and 0.029, respectively) and control (P = 0.008 and 0.014, respectively) subgroups. Furthermore, significant correlations were detected between IL16 and CCL24 mRNA levels (r = 0.76, P = 0.0001) and between IL1A and CXCL8 (r = 0.67, P = 0.0004).

Conclusions:
At least 2 kinds of inflammatory reactions, IL-1α- and CXCL8-associated inflammation and CCL24- and IL-16-associated inflammation, may be involved in the exacerbation of chronic ACDs.
Living or deceased donor kidney transplantation in children
Authors: Sigurjonsdottir Vaka Kristin , Grimm Paul Charles 
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review
Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment modality for children with end-stage renal disease. In this review, we discuss the factors affecting the selection of the appropriate donor to ensure the best possible short and long-term outcomes.

Recent findings
Outcomes of pediatric renal transplantation from living donors are superior to those obtained from deceased donors. Despite this, the rate of living donor kidney transplantation has declined over the last decade. Living donation is considered to be safe but long-term outcomes, especially for parents who are often young donors, are not well understood. Living donation can also cause a financial impact to the donor and family. Barriers to living donation must be sought and defeated. Deceased donor organs are now the primary source of kidneys. How the risk of extended time on dialysis must be weighed against the improved outcomes that may accrue from better matching is controversial. Increasing the donor pool may be accomplished by reassessing sources that are currently avoided, such as donation after cardiac death and infant kidneys transplanted en bloc.

Summary
The pediatric nephrologist must balance waiting for the highest quality kidney against the need for the shortest possible waiting time.
Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell toxicity
Authors: Baymon DaMarcus E. , Boyer Edward W. 
Published: March 2019

Purpose of review
Chimeric antigen receptor -(CAR) T-cell therapy has become a commonly used immunotherapy originally used in the treatment of B-cell leukemias but which are now applied broadly across tumor classes. Although high rates of remission are associated with CAR T-cell therapy, toxicities associated with these novel treatment regimens can be lethal if not recognized in a timely manner.

Recent findings
Cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity are the two most common toxicities associated with CAR T-cell therapy. Cytokine release syndrome is characterized by a flu-like illness accompanied by significant hemodynamic instability; treatments include administration of tocilizumab and corticosteroids. Neurotoxicity is associated with nonpattern-specific neurological changes and can rapidly progress to a comatose state from cerebral edema and death. Other potential toxicities from CAR T-cell therapy include tumor lysis syndrome, B-cell aplasia, graft versus host disease, and dermatological eruptions.

Summary
Clinical awareness of CAR T-cell toxicities is important because prompt treatment leads to improved survival and remission rates.
Perineal Assessment Tool (PAT-C)
Authors: Li Yi-Min , Lee Henry Hsin-Chung , Lo Yu-Ling , Chao Hui-Lin 
Published: March 2019

PURPOSE:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate content validity and feasibility of the Chinese language perineal assessment tool (PAT-C), to assess its use in the clinical setting, and establish an optimal cut point for identifying patients at high risk for incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

DESIGN:
Psychometric evaluation of existing instrument.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING:
The sample comprised 440 patients managed in intensive care units of 3 hospitals across the island of Taiwan and an affiliated home care service. One hundred three nurses practicing throughout Taiwan participated in the workshops in the third phase of the experiment.

METHODS:
The content validity of the PAT-C was evaluated by 3 experienced nurses using the content validity index statistic. We calculated a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve to determine a cut point of high-risk IAD. The curve was based on assessment of patients from receiving care from the intensive care unit and home care service of Cathay General Hospital (located in Taipei, New Paipei and Hsinchu). Nurse perceptions on the feasibility of PAT-C were assessed using an investigator-developed survey.

RESULTS:
Three experienced nurses rated the PAT-C and gave a robust overall content validity index score of 97.22%. The cut point for identifying patients at high risk for developing IAD via ROC curve analysis of 440 patients was 7.5 (sensitivity: 0.85; specificity: 0.79, area under curve: 0.82, P value < .001). One hundred three enrolled nurses attended the workshops and evaluated the feasibility using the PAT-C. Most of the participants considered the PAT-C as necessary (97.90%), 49.7% of participants suggested IAD risk assessment should be implemented by first-line (generalist) nurses, and 40% of participants recommended assessment on a daily basis.

CONCLUSIONS:
Study findings indicate robust content validity, and results of the investigator survey of nurse perceptions of the PAT-C indicate the potential for its widespread use in the clinical setting. We found that a cut point score 8 or more indicates a high risk for developing IAD.
Whisking asymmetry signals motor preparation and the behavioral state of mice
Authors: Dominiak Sina E. , Nashaat Mostafa A. , Sehara Keisuke , Oraby Hatem , Larkum Matthew E. , Sachdev Robert N.S. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA central function of the brain is to plan, predict and imagine the effect of movement in a dynamically changing environment. Here we show that in mice head fixed in a plus-maze, floating on air, and trained to pick lanes based on visual stimuli, the asymmetric movement and position of whiskers on the two sides of the face signals whether the animal is moving, turning, expecting reward or licking. We show that 1) we can decode and predict the behavioral state of the animal based on this asymmetry, 2) that tactile input from whiskers indicates little about the behavioral state, and 3) that movement of the nose correlates with asymmetry, indicating that facial expression of the mouse is itself correlated with behavioral state. Amazingly, the movement of whiskers – a behavior that is not instructed or necessary in the task--informs an observer about what a mouse is doing in the maze. Thus, these mobile tactile sensors reflect a behavioral and movement-preparation state of the mouse.
Unearthing Regulatory Axes of Breast Cancer circRNAs Networks to Find Novel Targets and Fathom Pivotal Mechanisms
Authors: Afzali Farzaneh , Salimi Mahdieh 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTCircular RNAs (circRNAs) along other complementary regulatory elements in ceRNAs networks possess valuable characteristics for both diagnosis and treatment of several human cancers including breast cancer (BC). In this study, we combined several systems biology tools and approaches to identify influential BC circRNAs, RNA binding proteins (RBPs), miRNAs, and related mRNAs to study and decipher the BC triggering biological processes and pathways.Rooting from the identified total of 25 co-differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) between triple negative (TN) and luminal A subtypes of BC from microarray analysis, five hub DECs (hsa_circ_0003227, hsa_circ_0001955, hsa_circ_0020080, hsa_circ_0001666, and hsa_circ_0065173) and top eleven RBPs (AGO1, AGO2, EIF4A3, FMRP, HuR (ELAVL1), IGF2BP1, IGF2BP2, IGF2BP3, EWSR1, FUS, and PTB) were explored to form the upper stream regulatory elements. All the hub circRNAs were regarded as super sponge having multiple miRNA response elements (MREs) for numerous miRNAs. Then four leading miRNAs (hsa-miR-149, hsa-miR-182, hsa-miR-383, and hsa-miR-873) accountable for BC progression were also introduced from merging several ceRNAs networks. The predicted 7- and 8-mer MREs matches between hub circRNAs and leading miRNAs ensured their enduring regulatory capability. The mined downstream mRNAs of the circRNAs-miRNAs network then were presented to STRING database to form the PPI network and deciphering the issue from another point of view. The BC interconnected enriched pathways and processes guarantee the merits of the ceRNAs networks’ members as targetable therapeutic elements.This study suggested extensive panels of novel covering therapeutic targets that are in charge of BC progression in every aspect, hence their impressive role cannot be excluded and needs deeper empirical laboratory designs.
Wnt7a-releasing synthetic hydrogel enhances local skeletal muscle regeneration and muscle stem cell engraftment
Authors: Han Woojin M. , Mohiuddin Mahir , Anderson Shannon E. , García Andrés J. , Jang Young C. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTSkeletal muscle possesses efficient ability to regenerate upon minor injuries, but its capacity to regenerate is severely compromised with traumatic injuries and muscle-associated diseases. Recent evidence suggests that skeletal muscle regeneration can be accelerated by transplantation of muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) or treatment with promyogenic factors, such as Wingless-type MMTV Integrated 7a (Wnt7a) protein. Although direct intramuscular injection is the simplest method to deliver MuSCs and Wnt7a for regenerative therapy, direct injection is not viable in many clinical cases where the structural integrity is severely compromised. To address this challenge, we engineered a synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel to facilitate the co-delivery of pro-myogenic factors, such as Wnt7a, and MuSCs to skeletal muscles affected by severe trauma or muscular dystrophies. Wnt7a release rate can be controlled by modulating the polymer density of the hydrogel, and this release rate can be further accelerated through the proteolytic degradation of the hydrogel. Treating cryo-injured tibialis anterior (TA) muscles with Wnt7a-loaded hydrogels resulted in an accelerated regenerative response, measured by increased muscle fiber cross-sectional area, bulk TA mass, and number of Pax7+MuSCs at the injury site, compared to the TA muscles treated with Wnt7a-free hydrogels. Co-delivery of Wnt7a and primary MuSCs using the synthetic hydrogel to the cryo-injured TA muscles significantly increased cellular migration during the engraftment process. This work provides a synthetic biomaterial platform for advancing treatment strategies of skeletal muscle trauma and diseases, specifically in conditions where direct intramuscular injection may be challenging.
A Modification of the Bielschowsky Silver Stain for Alzheimer Neuritic Plaques: Suppression of Artifactual Staining by Pretreatment with Oxidizing Agents
Authors: Intorcia Anthony J. , Filon Jessica R. , Hoffman Brittany , Serrano Geidy E. , Sue Lucia I. , Beach Thomas G. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Bielschowsky silver method has been the most commonly-used histological stain for demonstrating the neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that define Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The stain has been critical to providing a common measure allowing large clinicopathological correlation studies that have demonstrated statistically significant and independent contributions of both lesion types to cognitive impairment and dementia. The continuing relevance of neuritic plaques, and the Bielschowsky stain as the method of choice for their demonstration, is also indicated by its use as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “standard of truth” for autopsy confirmation of the validity of PET amyloid imaging agents. Many modifications of the Bielschowsky stain have been published but it is still known to frequently generate artifactual staining that at times mimics the appearance of amyloid plaques. In this study we found that pretreatment with oxidizing agents prior to the initial incubation in silver nitrate eliminates these artifacts and reduces the commonly observed high background staining. This new method may be valuable for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) researchers and neuropathologists.
A homozygous genome-edited Sept2-EGFP fibroblast cell line
Authors: Banko Monika , Mucha-Kruczynska Iwona , Weise Christoph , Heyd Florian , Ewers Helge 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSeptins are a conserved, essential family of GTPases that interact with actin, microtubules and membranes and form scaffolds and diffusion barriers in cells. Several of the 13 known mammalian septins assemble into nonpolar, multimeric complexes that can further polymerize into filamentous structures. While some GFP-coupled septins have been described, overexpression of GFP-tagged septins often leads to artifacts in localization and function. To overcome this ubiquitous problem, we have here generated a genome-edited rat fibroblast cell line expressing Septin 2 (Sept2) coupled to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) from both chromosomal loci.We characterize these cells by genomic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genomic integration, by western blot and reverse transcriptase-PCR for expression, by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation for the colocalization of septins with one another and cellular structures and for complex formation of different septins. By live cell imaging, proliferation and migration assays we investigate proper function of septins in these cells.We find that EGFP is incorporated into both chromosomal loci and only EGFP-coupled Sept2 is expressed in homozygous cells. We find that endogenous Sept2-EGFP exhibits expression levels, localization and incorporation into cellular septin complexes similar to the wt in these cells. The expression level of other septins is not perturbed and cell division and cell migration proceed normally. We expect our cell line to be a useful tool for the cell biology of septins, especially for quantitative biology.
Effect of organisational integrity and leadership behaviour on organisational excellence
Authors: AL-Abrrow Hadi , Abdullah Hasan , Atshan Nadia 
Published: March 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the effect of organisational integrity and leadership behaviour on organisational excellence by considering the mediating role of work engagement in the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThe quantitative (questionnaire survey) design was used to gather data from 285 employees of the banking sector in Southern and Central Iraq.FindingsThe findings revealed a partial mediation role of work engagement in the relation between organisational integrity and organisational excellence and a full mediation role between leadership behaviour and organisational excellence.Research limitations/implicationsManagers need to understand that the impact of their leadership behaviour on organisational outcomes; they also have to understand how people think and what motivates them positively. Therefore, managers must deal with employees as internal customers and realise that their satisfaction and performance is the satisfaction of external customers.Originality/valueFew studies have dealt with this topic in the in developing countries such as Iraq. The increases the strength of competition in the Iraqi banking sector pays more attention to the search for excellence. Therefore, more research efforts are needed for achieving organisational excellence in this sector.