bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of T2-weighted imaging for shoulder magnetic resonance arthrography by synthetic magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Lee Seung Hyun , Lee Young Han , Hahn Seok , Yang Jaemoon , Song Ho-Taek , Suh Jin-Suck 
Published: November 2017

Background Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows reformatting of various synthetic images by adjustment of scanning parameters such as repetition time (TR) and echo time (TE). Optimized MR images can be reformatted from T1, T2, and proton density (PD) values to achieve maximum tissue contrast between joint fluid and adjacent soft tissue. Purpose To demonstrate the method for optimization of TR and TE by synthetic MRI and to validate the optimized images by comparison with conventional shoulder MR arthrography (MRA) images. Material and Methods Thirty-seven shoulder MRA images acquired by synthetic MRI were retrospectively evaluated for PD, T1, and T2 values at the joint fluid and glenoid labrum. Differences in signal intensity between the fluid and labrum were observed between TR of 500–6000 ms and TE of 80–300 ms in T2-weighted (T2W) images. Conventional T2W and synthetic images were analyzed for diagnostic agreement of supraspinatus tendon abnormalities (kappa statistics) and image quality scores (one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis). Results Optimized mean values of TR and TE were 2724.7 ± 1634.7 and 80.1 ± 0.4, respectively. Diagnostic agreement for supraspinatus tendon abnormalities between conventional and synthetic MR images was excellent (κ = 0.882). The mean image quality score of the joint space in optimized synthetic images was significantly higher compared with those in conventional and synthetic images (2.861 ± 0.351 vs. 2.556 ± 0.607 vs. 2.750 ± 0.439; P < 0.05). Conclusion Synthetic MRI with optimized TR and TE for shoulder MRA enables optimization of soft-tissue contrast.
The neuro-ophthalmological effects related to long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents in painters
Authors: Allam Heba Khodary , Soliman Shaimaa , Wasfy Tamer , Ghoneim Ahmed , Serag Yasser , Sembajwe Grace 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: Organic solvents are widely used in many industries, and usually, exposure occurs with mixtures of solvents. Organic solvent mixtures are known for their ability to affect tissues of high lipid content including the myelin sheath in the nervous system. The purpose of this work was to study the evidence that long-term (more than 10 years) exposure to organic solvent mixtures among painters can induce neuro-ophthalmological effects on the function of retinal ganglion cells and the optic tract. Methods: Twenty workers with long-term occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents were compared to 40 control subjects. The controls were matched for age, gender, and demographic characteristics but were not occupationally exposed to any known organic solvents, using the following comparators: visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), color vision (CV), and contrast sensitivity (CS) testing. Environmental monitoring was done in the work environment with consideration to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH-TLVs). Results: The exposed group had significantly longer latency and higher amplitude of VEP waves especially P100, higher Color Confusion Index (CCI), especially affecting the blue–yellow spectrum, and lower Log CS. There was no significant difference between exposed and nonexposed groups in full-field flash ERG response; however, in the pattern ERG, the exposed group had significantly longer latency of P50, which reflects changes in the retinal ganglion cell. Conclusion: Long-term occupational exposure to mixed organic solvents appeared to affect the optic tract functions in the form of increasing latency of VEP response, affecting the quality of CV and decreasing CS. It also affects the retinal ganglion cell layer with increased latency of P50 of the pattern ERG response.
Clinical governance breakdown: Australian cases of wilful blindness and whistleblowing
Authors: Cleary Sonja , Duke Maxine 
Published: November 2017

Background: After their attempts to have patient safety concerns addressed internally were ignored by wilfully blind managers, nurses from Bundaberg Base Hospital and Macarthur Health Service felt compelled to ‘blow the whistle’. Wilful blindness is the human desire to prefer ignorance to knowledge; the responsibility to be informed is shirked. Objective: To provide an account of instances of wilful blindness identified in two high-profile cases of nurse whistleblowing in Australia. Research design: Critical case study methodology using Fay’s Critical Social Theory to examine, analyse and interpret existing data generated by the Commissions of Inquiry held into Bundaberg Base Hospital and Macarthur Health Service patient safety breaches. All data was publicly available and assessed according to the requirements of unobtrusive research methods and secondary data analysis. Ethical considerations: Data collection for the case studies relied entirely on publicly available documentary sources recounting and detailing past events. Findings: Data from both cases reveal managers demonstrating wilful blindness towards patient safety concerns. Concerns were unaddressed; nurses, instead, experienced retaliatory responses leading to a ‘social crisis’ in the organisation and to whistleblowing. Conclusion: Managers tasked with clinical governance must be aware of mechanisms with the potential to blind them. The human tendency to favour positive news and avoid conflict is powerful. Understanding wilful blindness can assist managers’ awareness of the competing emotions occurring in response to ethical challenges, such as whistleblowing.
The Impact of Complications on Patients’ Assessment of the Outcome of Tension-Free Vaginal Tape Procedure
Authors: Shaker David , Lindgren Alexander J , Chapman Gwenda 
Published: November 2017

Introduction: Our study aimed to assess the impact of managed complications of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) on the patients’ assessment of the results as measured by Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study, supplemented with a telephone interview, comparing patients who had complications of TVT procedures with those where no complications recorded. The primary outcome was the PGI-I score in the 2 groups. Results: A total of 118 invitations were sent. In all, 60 patients returned the signed consent and completed the telephone interview with one of the authors (response rate = 50.8%). Complications were recorded in 21 patients (group 1) and no complications in 39 patients (group 2). There was no statistically significant difference between PGI-I in both groups. Conclusions: Managed complications of TVT do not seem to affect patients’ assessment of outcome as measured by PGI-I score.
Children with lymphadenitis associated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination do not experience more infections when compared with BCG-vaccinated children without lymphadenitis: a three years paired-cohort in Mexico
Authors: Chacon-Cruz Enrique , Arellano-Estrada Jorge Luis , Lopatynsky-Reyes Erika , Alvelais-Palacios Jorge , Becka Chandra 
Published: November 2017

Objectives: Vaccination against tuberculosis with live-attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is widely used even though its effectiveness is controversial. BCG-lymphadenitis (BCG-LA) is its most common complication. Some studies have proposed that BCG-LA can be associated with primary immunodeficiencies (PIs). This study’s aim is to see whether patients who developed BCG-LA (named as ‘LA’) developed more infections than BCG-vaccinated children without BCG-LA (named as ‘NON-LA’). Methods: From January 2009 to April 2014, 31 LA children were seen at the outpatient clinic of the General Hospital of Tijuana, Mexico. Among them, 22 (70.97%), 5 (16.13%) and 4 (12.9%) had axillary, supraclavicular, or both BCG-LA, respectively. No treatment was given and complications were not seen. Per LA subject, a NON-LA not >1 month of age difference and same gender was paired and followed for 3 years to look for ambulatory infections (AINFs), acute otitis media (AOM) and hospitalizations. Surveillance per patient was performed by phone monthly, and they were seen at the clinic every 4 months. All patients were HIV-negative and had no family history of PI. Statistical analyses used were relative risk (RR) with confidence intervals (CI), t test for independent variables and z test. Results: In total 62 subjects were enrolled: 31 LA paired with 31 NON-LA. Between them, there were no differences in age, day care attendance and breastfeeding. There were no differences in the total number of AINF per patient (LA: 18.61 avg. ± 5.03 SD versus NON-LA: 18.19 avg. ± 4.17 SD, RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.33–0.66), AOM total episodes (LA: 30 versus NON-LA: 26, RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.31–0.68) and hospitalizations (LA: 5 versus NON-LA: 4, RR = 1, 95% CI = 0.25–0.74). Conclusions: This cohort strongly suggests that BCG-LA in healthy children is not associated with more episodes of AINF and hospitalizations, when paired and compared with children BCG-vaccinated without BCG-LA.
MRI evaluation of the ACL remnant tissue in ACL-deficient knee
Authors: Takahashi Tsuneari , Kimura Masashi , Takeshita Katsushi 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: To clarify the relationship between anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant tissue at the time of surgery and preoperative evaluation of ACL-injured knee. Methods: A total of 123 patients were enrolled and classified into four groups based on the classification of ACL remnant tissue. To quantify the signal–noise quotient (SNQ), five regions of interest (ROIs), such as tibial, mid, femoral ACL remnant, tendon of quadriceps femoris to normalize the signal intensity of ACL remnant tissue, and background measurements, were measured. Preoperative side-to-side difference (SSD) and SNQ were analyzed. Results: Significant differences were observed in preoperative SSD of the four groups ( p = 0.021), and a post hoc analysis revealed that SSD in Crain type 2 was significantly smaller than that in Crain type 4 ( p = 0.014). SSD in Crain type 3 was also significantly smaller than that in Crain type 4 ( p = 0.0030). There were significant differences in SNQ at the tibial, mid, and femoral portion in Crain types 2 and 3 ( p < 0.001); SNQ at the tibial portion in Crain type 2 was significantly lower than that at the mid portion ( p = 0.024); and SNQ at the tibial portion in Crain type 3 was significantly lower than that at the mid portion ( p = 0.016). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in SNQ at the tibial portions in the four groups ( p = 0.034), and SNQ at the tibial portions in Crain type 2 was significantly lower than that in Crain type 1 ( p = 0.044). Also, SNQ at the tibial portions in Crain type 3 was significantly lower than that in Crain type 1 ( P = 0.035). Conclusion: The femoral attachment of the ACL remnant tissue may influence the SNQ of the tibial remnant tissue and the stability of the ACL-injured knee.
Primary repair of Achilles tendon avulsions: Presentation of a novel technique and its comparison with suture anchor repair
Authors: Işık Çetin , Tahta Mesut 
Published: November 2017

Purpose: We aimed to present our novel technique in the surgical treatment of Achilles tendon avulsions and compare the clinical results of such technique with the repair method using suture anchors. Methods: A retrospective study was made of patients with Achilles tendon sleeve avulsion and patients where distal portion of the tear prohibited primary repair, surgically treated between January 2009 and January 2013. Twenty-one patients who met the criteria were examined and called for final examination: 9 patients were treated with the novel technique (group 1) and 12 patients were treated with suture anchor repair (group 2). Data were gathered from patient registry and final evaluation. The patients of both groups were compared in respect of mean age, follow-up, gender and AOFAS and VAS scores at final evaluation. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of follow-up period ( p = 0.478) and mean age ( p = 0.274). Three of 9 patients in group 1 and 4 of 12 patients in group 2 were female. A significant clinical difference was determined between two groups according to the AOFAS and VAS scores ( p = 0.034 and p = 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: Both techniques are beneficial in the treatment of avulsion injuries of Achilles tendon. Better clinical results can be obtained with the presented novel technique and such technique can be considered for the surgical fixation of Achilles tendon avulsions.
DNA damage responses and p53 in the aging process
Authors: Ou Hui-Ling , Schumacher Björn 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
The genome is constantly attacked by genotoxic insults. DNA damage has long been established as a cause of cancer development through its mutagenic consequences. Conversely, radiation therapy and chemotherapy induce DNA damage to drive cells into apoptosis or senescence as outcomes of the DNA damage response (DDR). More recently, DNA damage has been recognized as a causal factor for the aging process. The role of DNA damage in aging and age-related diseases is illustrated by numerous congenital progeroid syndromes that are caused by mutations in genome maintenance pathways. During the past 2 decades, understanding how DDR drives cancer development and contributes to the aging process has progressed rapidly. It turns out that the DDR factor p53 takes center stage during tumor development and also plays an important role in the aging process. Studies in metazoan models ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans to mammals have revealed cell-autonomous and systemic DDR mechanisms that orchestrate adaptive responses that augment maintenance of the aging organism amid gradually accumulating DNA damage.
Anal Cancer Risk Among People With HIV Infection in the United States
Authors: Colón-López Vivian , Shiels Meredith S. , Machin Mark , Ortiz Ana P. , Strickler Howard , Castle Philip E. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Engels Eric A. 
Published: November 2017

Purpose People with HIV infection have an elevated risk of anal cancer. However, recent calendar trends are incompletely described, and which population subgroups might benefit from cancer screening is unknown. Methods We used linked data from HIV and cancer registries in nine US areas (1996 to 2012). We calculated standardized incidence ratios to compare anal cancer incidence in people with HIV infection with the general population, used Poisson regression to evaluate anal cancer incidence among subgroups of people with HIV and to assess temporal trends, and estimated the cumulative incidence of anal cancer to measure absolute risk. Results Among 447,953 people with HIV infection, anal cancer incidence was much higher than in the general population (standardized incidence ratio, 19.1; 95% CI, 18.1 to 20.0). Anal cancer incidence was highest among men who have sex with men (MSM), increased with age, and was higher in people with AIDS than in those without AIDS (ie, HIV only; adjusted incidence rate ratio, 3.82; 95% CI, 3.27 to 4.46). Incidence among people with HIV increased steeply during 1996 to 2000 (annual percentage change, 32.8%; 95% CI, −1.0% to 78.2%), reached a plateau during 2001 to 2008, and declined during 2008 to 2012 (annual percentage change, −7.2%; 95% CI, −14.4% to 0.6%). Cumulative incidence after a 5-year period was high for MSM with HIV only age 45 to 59 or ≥ 60 years (0.32% to 0.33%) and MSM with AIDS age 30 to 44, 45 to 59, or ≥ 60 years (0.29% to 0.65%). Conclusion Anal cancer incidence is markedly elevated among people with HIV infection, especially in MSM, older individuals, and people with AIDS. Recent declines may reflect delayed benefits of HIV treatment. Groups with high cumulative incidence of anal cancer may benefit from screening.
High Incomplete Skeletal Muscle Fatty Acid Oxidation Explains Low Muscle Insulin Sensitivity in Poorly Controlled T2D
Authors: Gavin Timothy P , Ernst Jacob M , Kwak Hyo-Bum , Caudill Sarah E , Reed Melissa A , Garner Ron T , Nie Yaohui , Weiss Jessica A , Pories Walter J , Dar Moahad , Lin Chien-Te , Hubal Monica J , Neufer P Darrell , Kuang Shihuan , Dohm G Lynis 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Context
Almost 50% of type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients are poorly controlled [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7%]; however, the mechanisms responsible for progressively worsening glycemic control are poorly understood. Lower skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity is associated with low insulin sensitivity and the development of T2D.

Objective
We investigated if skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity (SI) was different between well-controlled T2D (WCD) and poorly controlled T2D (PCD) and if the difference was associated with differences resulting from mitochondrial respiratory function.

Design
Vastus lateralis muscle mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial content, mitochondrial enzyme activity, and fatty acid oxidation (FAO) were measured. SI and the acute response to glucose (AIRg) were calculated by MINMOD analysis from glucose and insulin obtained during a modified, frequently sampled, intravenous glucose tolerance test.

Results
SI and AIRg were lower in PCD than WCD. Muscle incomplete FAO was greater in PCD than WCD and greater incomplete FAO was associated with lower SI and higher HbA1c. Hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase expression and activity were greater in PCD than WCD. There was no difference in maximal mitochondrial respiration or content between WCD and PCD.

Conclusion
The current results suggest that greater skeletal muscle incomplete FAO in poorly controlled T2D is due to elevated β oxidation and is associated with worsening muscle SI.
The shape of the transmembrane domain is a novel endocytosis signal for single-spanning membrane proteins
Authors: González Montoro Ayelén , Bigliani Gonzalo , Valdez Taubas Javier 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT
Endocytosis is crucial for all cells as it allows them to incorporate material from the extracellular space and control the availability of transmembrane proteins at the plasma membrane. In yeast, endocytosis followed by recycling to the plasma membrane results in a polarised distribution of membrane proteins by a kinetic mechanism. Here, we report that increasing the volume of residues that constitute the exoplasmic half of the transmembrane domain (TMD) in the yeast SNARE Sso1, a type II membrane protein, results in its polarised distribution at the plasma membrane. Expression of this chimera in strains affected in either endocytosis or recycling revealed that this polarisation is achieved by endocytic cycling. A bioinformatics search of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteome identified several proteins with high-volume exoplasmic hemi-TMDs. Our experiments indicate that TMDs from these proteins can confer a polarised distribution to the Sso1 cytoplasmic domain, indicating that the shape of the TMD can act as a novel endocytosis and polarity signal in yeast. Additionally, a high-volume exoplasmic hemi-TMD can act as an endocytosis signal in a mammalian cell line.
The HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 interacts with and ubiquitylates SQSTM1 for inclusion body autophagy
Authors: Lin Qiong , Dai Qian , Meng Hongxia , Sun Aiqin , Wei Jing , Peng Ke , Childress Chandra , Chen Miao , Shao Genbao , Yang Wannian 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT
Our previous studies have shown that the HECT E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 interacts with LC3 and is required for starvation and rapamycin-induced activation of autophagy. Here, we report that NEDD4 directly binds to SQSTM1 via its HECT domain and polyubiquitylates SQSTM1. This ubiquitylation is through K63 conjugation and is not involved in proteasomal degradation. Mutational analysis indicates that NEDD4 interacts with and ubiquitylates the PB1 domain of SQSTM1. Depletion of NEDD4 or overexpression of the ligase-defective mutant of NEDD4 induced accumulation of aberrant enlarged SQSTM1-positive inclusion bodies that are co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) marker CANX, suggesting that the ubiquitylation functions in the SQSTM1-mediated biogenic process in inclusion body autophagosomes. Taken together, our studies show that NEDD4 is an autophagic E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitylates SQSTM1, facilitating SQSTM1-mediated inclusion body autophagy.
Lack of behavioural responses of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) indicate limited effectiveness of sonar mitigation
Authors: Wensveen Paul J. , Kvadsheim Petter H. , Lam Frans-Peter A. , von Benda-Beckmann Alexander M. , Sivle Lise D. , Visser Fleur , Curé Charlotte , Tyack Peter L. , Miller Patrick J. O. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACT
Exposure to underwater sound can cause permanent hearing loss and other physiological effects in marine animals. To reduce this risk, naval sonars are sometimes gradually increased in intensity at the start of transmission (‘ramp-up’). Here, we conducted experiments in which tagged humpback whales were approached with a ship to test whether a sonar operation preceded by ramp-up reduced three risk indicators – maximum sound pressure level (SPLmax), cumulative sound exposure level (SELcum) and minimum source–whale range (Rmin) – compared with a sonar operation not preceded by ramp-up. Whales were subject to one no-sonar control session and either two successive ramp-up sessions (RampUp1, RampUp2) or a ramp-up session (RampUp1) and a full-power session (FullPower). Full-power sessions were conducted only twice; for other whales we used acoustic modelling that assumed transmission of the full-power sequence during their no-sonar control. Averaged over all whales, risk indicators in RampUp1 (n=11) differed significantly from those in FullPower (n=12) by −3.0 dB (SPLmax), −2.0 dB (SELcum) and +168 m (Rmin), but not significantly from those in RampUp2 (n=9). Only five whales in RampUp1, four whales in RampUp2 and none in FullPower or control sessions avoided the sound source. For RampUp1, we found statistically significant differences in risk indicators between whales that avoided the sonar and whales that did not: −4.7 dB (SPLmax), −3.4 dB (SELcum) and +291 m (Rmin). In contrast, for RampUp2, these differences were smaller and not significant. This study suggests that sonar ramp-up has a positive but limited mitigative effect for humpback whales overall, but that ramp-up can reduce the risk of harm more effectively in situations when animals are more responsive and likely to avoid the sonar, e.g. owing to novelty of the stimulus, when they are in the path of an approaching sonar ship.