bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Middle Fossa Approach for Resection of Vestibular Schwannomas: A Decade of Experience
Authors: Kosty Jennifer A , Stevens Shawn M , Gozal Yair M , DiNapoli Vincent A , Patel Smruti K , Golub Justin S , Andaluz Norberto O , Pensak Myles , Zuccarello Mario , Samy Ravi N 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach is a challenging surgical technique for the resection of small and intermediate sized, primarily intracanalicular, vestibular schwannomas (VS), with the goal of hearing preservation (HP).

OBJECTIVE
To describe a decade-long, single institutional experience with the MCF approach for resection of VS.

METHODS
This is a retrospective cohort study of 63 patients who underwent the MCF approach for resection of VS from 2006 to 2016. Audiometric data included pure-tone average (PTA), low-tone pure-tone average (LtPTA), word recognition score, and American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) hearing classification at presentation and follow-up. Patients with postoperative serviceable (AAO-HNS class A-B) and/or useful (AAO-HNS class A-C) hearing were compared to those without HP. Facial nerve function was assessed using the House–Brackmann scale.

RESULTS
The mean age and duration of follow-up were 50 ± 13 yr and 21 ± 21 mo, respectively. The mean tumor size was 10 ± 4 mm. The serviceable and usable HP rates were 54% and 50%, respectively. Some residual hearing was preserved in 71% of patients. Large tumor size (P = .05), volume (P = .03), and extrameatal tumor extension (P = .03) were associated with poor audiometric outcomes. The presence of a fundal fluid cap (P = .01) was a favorable finding. At definitive testing, LtPTA was significantly better preserved than traditional PTA (P = .01). Facial nerve outcomes, tumor control rates, and durability of audiometric outcomes were excellent. 47% of patients pursued aural rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION
In our series, the MCF approach for VS provided excellent rates of tumor and facial nerve function, with durable serviceable HP.
Hybrid Therapy for Metastatic Epidural Spinal Cord Compression: Technique for Separation Surgery and Spine Radiosurgery
Authors: Barzilai Ori , Laufer Ilya , Robin Adam , Xu Ran , Yamada Yoshiya , Bilsky Mark H 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Despite major advances in radiation and systemic treatments, surgery remains a critical step in the multidisciplinary treatment of metastatic spinal cord tumors.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the indications, rationale, and technique of “hybrid therapy” (separation surgery and concomitant spine stereotactic radiosurgery [SRS]) along with practical nuances.

METHODS
Separation surgery describes a posterolateral approach for circumferential epidural decompression and stabilization. The goal is to decompress the spinal cord, stabilize the spine, and create adequate separation between the neural elements and the tumor for SRS to achieve durable tumor control.

RESULTS
A transpedicular route to achieve ventrolateral access and limited resection of the tumorous vertebral body is carried out. In the setting of high-grade cord compression, caution must be taken when performing the tumor decompression. “Separation” of the ventral epidural tumor component anteriorly creates space for concomitant SRS while a simple laminectomy would not adequately achieve this goal. Dissection of the posterior longitudinal ligament allows maximal ventral decompression. Gross total tumor resection is not crucial for durable tumor control using the “hybrid therapy” model. Thus, attempts at ventral tumor resection may unnecessarily increase operative morbidity. Cement augmentation of the construct or vertebral body may improve construct stability. CT myelogram is the preferred exam for postoperative SRS planning. Radiosurgical planning constitutes a multidisciplinary effort and guidelines for contouring in the postoperative setting have recently become available.

CONCLUSION
Separation surgery is an effective, well-tolerated, and reproducible surgery. It provides safe margins for concomitant SRS. Combined, this “Hybrid Therapy” allows durable local control, maintenance of spinal stability, and palliation of symptoms, while minimizing operative morbidity.
MAXI upper limits of the electromagnetic counterpart of GW170817
Authors: Sugita Satoshi , Kawai Nobuyuki , Nakahira Satoshi , Negoro Hitoshi , Serino Motoko , Mihara Tatehiro , Yamaoka Kazutaka , Nakajima Motoki 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe report on the Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) observation of the gravitational-wave (GW) event GW170817 and the electromagnetic counterpart of GW170817. GW170817 is a binary neutron star coalescence candidate detected by the Advanced Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and Advanced Virgo detectors, and it is the first event for which the optical counterpart has been discovered. In the MAXI observation, the Gas Slit Camera (GSC) covered approximately 62% of the sky region of the GW event within the 90% probability during the first 92 min orbital period after the trigger. No significant X-ray transient was detected in the error region, and the upper limit of the average flux with a significance of 3σ in the 2–10 keV band was 53/26 mCrab (one-orbit observation/one-day observation). In the optical counterpart of GW170817, the observational window of the GSC at the position started 20 s after the GW trigger, but the high-voltage power supply of the GSC was unfortunately off at the time because the International Space Station (ISS) was entering a high-particle-background region.The first observation of the position by the GSC was eventually performed 16797 s (4.6 hr) after the GW trigger, yielding the 3σ upper limit of 8.60 × 10−9 erg cm−2 s−1 in the 2–10 keV band, though it was the earliest X-ray observation of the counterpart.
Obesity treatment by epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate−regulated bile acid signaling and its enriched Akkermansia muciniphila
Authors: Sheng Lili , Jena Prasant Kumar , Liu Hui‐Xin , Hu Ying , Nagar Nidhi , Bronner Denise N. , Settles Matthew L. , Baümler Andreas J. , Wan Yu‐Jui Yvonne 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTDysregulated bile acid (BA) synthesis is accompanied by dysbiosis, leading to compromised metabolism. This study analyzes the effect of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) on diet‐induced obesity through regulation of BA signaling and gut microbiota. The data revealed that EGCG effectively reduced diet‐increased obesity, visceral fat, and insulin resistance. Gene profiling data showed that EGCG had a significant impact on regulating genes implicated in fatty acid uptake, adipogenesis, and metabolism in the adipose tissue. In addition, metabolomics analysis revealed that EGCG altered the lipid and sugar metabolic pathways. In the intestine, EGCG reduced the FXR agonist chenodeoxycholic acid, as well as the FXR‐regulated pathway, suggesting intestinal FXR deactivation. However, in the liver, EGCG increased the concentration of FXR and TGR‐5 agonists and their regulated signaling. Furthermore, our data suggested that EGCG activated Takeda G protein receptor (TGR)‐5 based on increased GLP‐1 release and elevated serum PYY level. EGCG and antibiotics had distinct antibacterial effects. They also differentially altered body weight and BA composition. EGCG, but not antibiotics, increased Verrucomicrobiaceae, under which EGCG promoted intestinal bloom of Akkermansia muciniphila. Excitingly, A. muciniphila was as effective as EGCG in treating diet‐induced obesity. Together, EGCG shifts gut microbiota and regulates BA signaling thereby having a metabolic beneficial effect.—Sheng, L., Jena, P. K., Liu, H.‐X., Hu, Y., Nagar, N., Bronner, D. N., Settles, M. L., Baumler, A. J., Wan, Y.‐J. Y. Obesity treatment by epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate−regulated bile acid signaling and its enriched Akkermansia muciniphila. FASEB J. 32, 6371–6384 (2018). www.fasebj.org
Treatment of Nonhealing Ulcers with an Allograft/Xenograft Substitute: A Case Series
Authors: Sivlér Tobias , Sivlér Petter , Skog Mårten , Conti Luca , Aili Daniel 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:
Wound dressings that use biosynthetic cellulose may be a good alternative to dressings currently used to treat chronic and acute ulcers because their nanostructure is similar to collagen. The objective of this study was to evaluate a wound dressing created with a new material that is composed of a fibrillary network of biosynthetic cellulose.

METHODS:
A case series of 8 patients in primary healthcare centers in Östergötland county council, Sweden, with chronic and acute lower limb wounds were treated with a wound dressing based on eiratex (S2Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden). The dressing was applied to traumatic (n = 5) and venous ulcers (n = 3). All ulcers were considered healed at the end of the treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:
The wounds were examined at regular intervals by a physician to determine healing time, number of dressing changes, and number of visits.

MAIN RESULTS:
Mean healing time was 43 ± 6 days after the first application of the dressing. The mean number of visits was 5.7 ± 0.6, and the mean number of dressings used per patient was 1.7 ± 0.2.

CONCLUSIONS:
These results demonstrate the efficacy of a wound dressing made of eiratex to heal chronic and acute ulcers. The data show that the number of dressings used and dressing changes needed to heal the ulcers are lower than what have been reported in the literature for other dressing materials.
Mixed-methods development of a new patient-reported outcome instrument for chronic low back pain: part 2—The Patient Assessment for Low Back Pain–Impacts (PAL-I)
Authors: Bushnell Donald M. , Blum Steven I. , Liedgens Hiltrud , Martin Mona L. , Freynhagen Rainer , Wallace Mark , Argoff Charles , Eerdekens Mariёlle , Kok Maurits , Patrick Donald L. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
We describe qualitative and quantitative development and preliminary validation of the Patient Assessment for Low Back Pain–Impacts (PAL-I), a patient-reported outcome measure for use in chronic low back pain (cLBP) clinical trials. Concept elicitation and cognitive interviews (qualitative methods) were used to identify and refine symptom concepts. Classical test theory and Rasch measurement theory (quantitative methods) were used to evaluate item-level and scale-level performance of the PAL-I using an iterative approach between qualitative and quantitative methods. Patients with cLBP participated in concept elicitation interviews (N = 43), cognitive interviews (N = 38), and assessment of paper-to-electronic format equivalence (N = 8). A web-based sample of self-reported patients with cLBP participated in quantitative studies to evaluate preliminary (N = 598) and revised (n = 401) drafts and patients with physician-diagnosed cLBP (N = 45) participated in preliminary validation of the PAL-I. The instrument contained 9 items describing cLBP impacts (walking, sitting, standing, lifting, sleep, social activities, travelling, climbing, and body movements). Item-level performance, scale structure, and scoring seemed to be appropriate. One-week test–retest reproducibility was acceptable (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.88 [95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.94]). Convergent validity was demonstrated with PAL-I total score and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (Pearson correlation 0.82), MOS-36 Physical Functioning (−0.71), and MOS-36 Bodily Pain (−0.71). Individual item scores and total score discriminated between numeric rating scale tertile groups and painDETECT categories. Interpretation of paper and electronic administration modes was equivalent. The PAL-I demonstrated content validity and is potentially useful to assess treatment benefit in clinical trials of cLBP therapies.
Lessons Learned From an Epidemiologist-Led Countywide Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in Oregon
Authors: Repp Kimberly K. , Hawes Eva , Rees Kathleen J. , Vorderstrasse Beth , Mohnkern Sue 
Published: June 2018

Context:
Conducting a large-scale Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) in a geographically and linguistically diverse county presents significant methodological challenges that require advance planning.

Program:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has adapted methodology and provided a toolkit for a rapid needs assessment after a disaster. The assessment provides representative data of the sampling frame to help guide effective distribution of resources.

Implementation:
This article describes methodological considerations and lessons learned from a CASPER exercise conducted by Washington County Public Health in June 2016 to assess community emergency preparedness. The CDC's CASPER toolkit provides detailed guidance for exercises in urban areas where city blocks are well defined with many single family homes. Converting the exercise to include rural areas with challenging geographical terrain, including accessing homes without public roads, required considerable adjustments in planning. Adequate preparations for vulnerable populations with English linguistic barriers required additional significant resources. Lessons learned are presented from the first countywide CASPER exercise in Oregon.

Evaluation:
Approximately 61% of interviews were completed, and 85% of volunteers reported they would participate in another CASPER exercise. Results from the emergency preparedness survey will be presented elsewhere.

Discussion:
This experience indicates the most important considerations for conducting a CASPER exercise are oversampling clusters, overrecruiting volunteers, anticipating the actual cost of staff time, and ensuring timely language services are available during the event.
Understanding the Collaborative Planning Process in Homeless Services: Networking, Advocacy, and Local Government Support May Reduce Service Gaps
Authors: Jarpe Meghan , Mosley Jennifer E. , Smith Bikki Tran 
Published: June 2018

Objective:
The Continuum of Care (CoC) process—a nationwide system of regional collaborative planning networks addressing homelessness—is the chief administrative method utilized by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to prevent and reduce homelessness in the United States. The objective of this study is to provide a benchmark comprehensive picture of the structure and practices of CoC networks, as well as information about which of those factors are associated with lower service gaps, a key goal of the initiative.

Design:
A national survey of the complete population of CoCs in the United States was conducted in 2014 (n = 312, 75% response rate). This survey is the first to gather information on all available CoC networks. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was used to determine the relationship between internal networking, advocacy frequency, government investment, and degree of service gaps for CoCs of different sizes.

Setting:
United States.

Participants:
Lead contacts for CoCs (n = 312) that responded to the 2014 survey.

Main Outcome Measure:
Severity of regional service gaps for people who are homeless.

Results:
Descriptive statistics show that CoCs vary considerably in regard to size, leadership, membership, and other organizational characteristics. Several independent variables were associated with reduced regional service gaps: networking for small CoCs (β = −.39, P < .05) and local government support for midsized CoCs (β = −.10, P < .05). For large CoCs, local government support was again significantly associated with lower service gaps, but there was also a significant interaction effect between advocacy and networking (β = .04, P < .05).

Conclusions:
To reduce service gaps and better serve the homeless, CoCs should consider taking steps to improve networking, particularly when advocacy is out of reach, and cultivate local government investment and support.
Epidemiology of a bubonic plague outbreak in Glasgow, Scotland in 1900
Authors: Dean Katharine R. , Krauer Fabienne , Schmid Boris V. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOn August 3, 1900, bubonic plague (Yersinia pestis) broke out in Glasgow for the first time during the Third Pandemic. The local sanitary authorities rigorously tracked the spread of the disease and they found that nearly all of the 35 cases could be linked by contact with a previous case. Despite trapping hundreds of rats in the area, there was no evidence of a rat epizootic and the investigators speculated that the outbreak could be due to human-to-human transmission of bubonic plague. Here we use a likelihood-based method to reconstruct transmission trees for the outbreak. From the description of the outbreak and the reconstructed trees, we infer several epidemiological parameters. We found that the estimated mean serial interval was 7.4 days and the mean effective reproduction number dropped below 1 after implementation of control measures. We also found that there was a high rate of secondary transmissions within households and observations of transmissions from individuals who were not terminally septicemic. Our results provide important insights into the epidemiology of plague that are useful for modeling current and historic plague epidemics.
A Model Quantitative Assessment Tool for Nonhuman Primate Environmental Enrichment Plans
Authors: Dutton Mackenzie B. , Pierre Peter J. , Bailoo Jeremy D. , Warkins Emily , Michel George F. , Bennett Allyson J. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe housing and care of captive nonhuman primates (NHP) typically meets federal regulations and standards as well as guidelines by private accreditation organizations. There is, however, a gap between such policy, common practices, and the findings of a large empirical research literature on the effects of environmental enrichment (EE), particularly with respect to the degree to which different enrichment strategies lead to a demonstrable improvement of the animal’s psychological wellbeing. Assessment tools to guide decisions about selection and refinement of EE practices are largely missing and our companion paper offers a theoretically grounded qualitative approach to the categorization and assessment of sensory, motor, and cognitive (SMC) EE strategies. Here, we propose and illustrate a model for quantitative assessment of enrichment practices using a sample of research facility, zoo, and sanctuary NHP environmental enrichment plans (EEP). Our scoring technique provides a means for comparing the efficacy of different strategies across facilities and allows for the selection of priority areas for improvement. Overall, our assessment tool provides a framework that has several advantages. It is inherently flexible. It can be tailored to fit a range of species. It can readily be adapted to accommodate new evidence about a specific EE strategy, or new EE strategies, or both. Because a scientifically valid evidence-based framework drives priority, our method is readily adaptable to different types of facilities and is more likely to lead to longer-term benefits, both in terms of the enhancement of psychological wellbeing of captive NHP, and with respect to the judicious use of limited resources.AcronymsNHPnonhuman primatesEEenvironmental enrichmentEEPenvironmental enrichment plansSMCsensory motor cognitiveSSIBsomatic self-injurious behaviorNSSIBnon-somatic self-injurious behaviorUSDAUnited States Department of AgricultureAWAAnimal Welfare ActAZAAssociation of Zoos and AquariumsGFASGlobal Federation of Animal SanctuariesNRC GuideGuide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
Stem-loops direct precise processing of 3′ UTR-derived small RNA MicL
Authors: Updegrove Taylor B , Kouse Andrew B , Bandyra Katarzyna J , Storz Gisela 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIncreasing numbers of 3′UTR-derived small, regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) are being discovered in bacteria, most generated by cleavage from longer transcripts. The enzyme required for these cleavages has been reported to be RNase E, the major endoribonuclease in enterica bacteria. Previous studies investigating RNase E have come to a range of different conclusions regarding the determinants for RNase E processing. To understand the sequence and structure determinants for the precise processing of the 3′ UTR-derived sRNAs, we examined the cleavage of multiple mutant and chimeric derivatives of the 3′ UTR-derived MicL sRNA in vivo and in vitro. Our results revealed that tandem stem-loops 3′ to the cleavage site define optimal, correctly-positioned cleavage of MicL and likely other similar sRNAs. Moreover, our assays of MicL, ArcZ and CpxQ showed that sRNAs exhibit differential sensitivity to RNase E, likely a consequence of a hierarchy of sRNA features recognized by the endonuclease.
Memory for non-painful auditory items is influenced by whether they are experienced in a context involving painful electrical stimulation
Authors: Vogt Keith M. , Norton Caroline M. , Speer Lauren E. , Tremel Joshua J. , Ibinson James W. , Reder Lynne M. , Fiez Julie A. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this study, we sought to examine the effect of pain on memory. Subjects heard a series of words and made categorization decisions in two different contexts. One context included painful shocks administered just after presentation of some of the words; the other context involved no shocks. For the context that included painful stimulations, every other word was followed by a shock and subjects were informed to expect this pattern. Word lists were repeated three times within each context in randomized order, with different category judgments but consistent pain-word pairings. After a brief delay, recognition memory was assessed. Non-pain words from the pain context were less strongly encoded than non-pain words from the completely pain-free context. An important accompanying finding is that response times to repeated experimental items were slower for non-pain words from the pain context, compared to non-pain words from the completely pain-free context. This demonstrates that the effect of pain on memory may generalize to non-pain items experienced in the same experimental context.
Uneven distribution of cobamide biosynthesis and dependence in bacteria predicted by comparative genomics
Authors: Shelton Amanda N. , Seth Erica C. , Mok Kenny C. , Han Andrew W. , Jackson Samantha N. , Haft David R. , Taga Michiko E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe vitamin B12family of cofactors known as cobamides are essential for a variety of microbial metabolisms. We used comparative genomics of 11,000 bacterial species to analyze the extent and distribution of cobamide production and use across bacteria. We find that 86% of bacteria in this data set have at least one of 15 cobamide-dependent enzyme families, yet only 37% are predicted to synthesize cobamidesde novo. The distribution of cobamide biosynthesis varies at the phylum level, with 57% of Actinobacteria, 45% of Proteobacteria, and 30% of Firmicutes, and less than 1% of Bacteroidetes containing the complete biosynthetic pathway. Cobamide structure could be predicted for 58% of cobamide-producing species, based on the presence of signature lower ligand biosynthesis and attachment genes. Our predictions also revealed that 17% of bacteria that have partial biosynthetic pathways, yet have the potential to salvage cobamide precursors. These include a newly defined, experimentally verified category of bacteria lacking the first step in the biosynthesis pathway. These predictions highlight the importance of cobamide and cobamide precursor crossfeeding as examples of nutritional dependencies in bacteria.