bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bella Italia: Specialized Pediatric Surgical Care in Italy
Authors: Gamba Piergiorgio , Lima Mario , Inserra Alessandro , Martino Ascanio , Mattioli Girolamo , Pelizzo Gloria , Romeo Carmelo , Riccipetitoni Giovanna 
Published: September 2017

AbstractItalian pediatric surgery has a long history, rich in events, places, and personalities that make it unique. Our first pediatric surgical unit dates back to the first half of the 19th century and its number has grown exponentially during the following decades, with a maximum flowering in the years after the second world war.The rich history of pediatric surgery has not prevented it from facing important problems, such as the demographic crisis, underemployment of surgeons, and care of pediatric patients by adult specialists.The attempt to find solutions to these problems has led to a great deal of efforts not only by pediatric surgeons, but also by the Italian government and institutions, with the implementation of ministerial plans that favor the specificity and growth of our discipline through thematic and territorial networks, through more effective training and specialization plans, the cooperation between the Directors of Pediatric Surgical Units for a better coordination of care, the participation in European networks, such as the recently created ERNs (European Reference Networks).Many Italian pediatric surgeons are active in International Societies, as members or coordinators, in the design and management of multicenter studies and surveys and even in the creation of new international networks.The Italian response to the demand for specialization and centralization involves knowledge sharing, large-scale cooperation, transversal between specialists and vertical with governmental authorities for a better and more effective care of pediatric patients.
Surgical Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment of Intestinal Aspergillosis in Pediatric Patients with ALL
Authors: Simon Thorsten , Hamprecht Axel , Hos Nina , Möricke Anja , Cernaianu Grigore , Tharun Lars , Gruhn Bernd , Plum Georg , Dübbers Martin , Fischer Janina 
Published: September 2017

Background The incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in children with hematooncological malignancies is increasing as a result of intensive treatment, immunosuppression, and extended use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Infection of the GI tract by Aspergillus spp. is a rare and fatal complication, which often requires surgical diagnostic and therapeutic exploration.
Objective The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of symptomatic intestinal aspergillosis, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of pediatric patients with an underlying hemato-oncologic disease.
Patients and Methods We analyzed 2,307 German patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from age 1 to 17 years registered in the AIEOP-BFM ALL 2000 study from 2000 to 2006. All reported adverse events were assessed for symptoms of IA and retrospectively reviewed for any sign or proof of intestinal involvement of IA.
Results In this cohort, IA was reported in 30 of 2,307 patients while intestinal involvement was documented in five patients. Four of these patients had intestinal symptoms and three patients underwent explorative laparotomy. Among clinical cases with IA, gastrointestinal manifestation of IA mostly occurred in adolescent patients (10–16 years). Symptoms varied from abdominal tenderness and pain to constipation. Intestinal aspergillosis was proven by microbiological and histopathological examination and fungal infection was observed macroscopically in the jejunal lumen during surgery. Despite the extended surgery and antifungal therapy, outcome of disseminated IA with intestinal involvement remains poor.
Conclusion Surgeons should be aware of surgical complications of intestinal aspergillosis in children with hematooncological diseases requiring exploration and resection. IA is a rare event and still difficult to diagnose due to unspecific abdominal symptoms. Thus, biopsy sampling is of utmost importance to ensure diagnosis, and resection of necrotic or perforated tissue should be attempted early.
Duplex Sonographic Diagnosis of Perinatal Hemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Deeg Karl-Heinz 
Published: September 2017

AbstractChildren are particularly at risk for stroke in the neonatal period. Neonatal hemorrhagic stroke is rarer than ischemic stroke. The incidence is 40.7/100 000 live births. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a disruption in venous drainage usually due to local thrombosis. As a result of the nonspecific clinical symptoms in this age group, diagnosis is usually made too late. The only relatively specific symptom is a cerebral seizure during the first week of life. Therefore, stroke should be ruled out by diagnostic imaging in the case of any seizure in the first days of life. The diagnostic method of choice is MRI, but it is not always available. Most neonatal strokes can be detected with high-resolution duplex ultrasound. Hemorrhagic stroke appears as a focal increase in echogenicity in a venous drainage area on ultrasound. The corresponding venous drainage can be visualized with duplex ultrasound and measured with spectral Doppler. Hemorrhagic stroke of the internal veins appears as hemorrhage in the basal ganglia. Venous thrombosis must be ruled out in every cerebral hemorrhage of unclear origin in an otherwise healthy term newborn. In the case of hemorrhagic infarction of the basal ganglia, both internal cerebral veins, the great vein of Galen, and the straight sinus must be examined with Doppler ultrasound. Doppler ultrasound should be used to differentiate between complete occlusion and severe stenosis. The recanalization of vessels and the morphological consequences of hemorrhagic stroke can be visualized in the further course.
Genetic Evidence of Isolation by Distance and Impact of Impoundments on Genetic Diversity of Riverine Channel Catfish
Authors: Sotola V. Alex , Schrey Aaron W. , Ragsdale Alexandria K. , Whitledge Gregory W. , Frankland Les , Bollinger Eric K. , Colombo Robert E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study used microsatellite loci to provide evidence of isolation by distance and an effect of artificial impoundments on the genetic diversity of Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus from the Wabash and Ohio rivers. The Wabash River is the longest free‐flowing river east of the Mississippi River in the USA, and the Ohio River is highly impounded, yet both rivers support large Channel Catfish fisheries. There was a significant positive relationship between genetic differentiation and geographic distance indicating isolation by distance. Clustering with the programs, STRUCTURE and GENELAND, and principal component analysis revealed multiple genetic clusters, and several sites had results consistent with adults existing as mixtures of genetic groups. These results suggest that the rate of straying among reproductive sites or dispersal is dependent on geographic distance. Channel Catfish from the unimpounded Wabash River had higher genetic diversity (Ho and He) than that from the impounded Ohio River. The impoundments had discordant effects on genetic structure; two site comparisons across a dam were differentiated more strongly than would be expected by geographic distance, whereas genetic differentiation was not detected in another comparison across a dam. Thus, the effect of artificial impoundments on Channel Catfish biology may be affected by river or site‐specific characteristics, and the presence of genetic differentiation may be minimized by large population sizes.
Screening of plant resources with anti-ice nucleation activity for frost damage prevention
Authors: Suzuki Shingo , Fukuda Satoshi , Fukushi Yukiharu , Arakawa Keita 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that some polyphenols have anti-ice nucleation activity (anti-INA) against ice-nucleating bacteria that contribute to frost damage. In the present study, leaf disk freezing assay, a test of in vitro application to plant leaves, was performed for the screening of anti-INA, which inhibits the ice nucleation activity of an ice-nucleating bacterium Erwinia ananas in water droplets on the leaf surfaces. The application of polyphenols with anti-INA, kaempferol 7-O-β-glucoside and (–)-epigallocatechin gallate, to the leaf disk freezing assay by cooling at −4–−6 °C for 3 h, revealed that both the compounds showed anti-INAs against E. ananas in water droplets on the leaf surfaces. Further, this assay also revealed that the extracts of five plant leaves showed high anti-INA against E. ananas in water droplets on leaf surfaces, indicating that they are the candidate resources to protect crops from frost damage.
Deuterium incorporation experiments from (3R)- and (3S)-[3-2H]leucine into characteristic isoprenoidal lipid-core of halophilic archaea suggests the involvement of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase
Authors: Yamauchi Noriaki , Tanoue Ryo 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
The stereochemical reaction course for the two C-3 hydrogens of leucine to produce a characteristic isoprenoidal lipid in halophilic archaea was observed using incubation experiments with whole cell Halobacterium salinarum. Deuterium-labeled (3R)- and (3S)-[3-2H]leucine were freshly prepared as substrates from 2,3-epoxy-4-methyl-1-pentanol. Incorporation of deuterium from (3S)-[3-2H]leucine and loss of deuterium from (3R)-[3-2H]leucine in the lipid-core of H. salinarum was observed. Taken together with the results of our previous report, involving the incubation of chiral-labeled [5-2H]leucine, these results strongly suggested an involvement of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase in leucine conversion to isoprenoid lipid in halophilic archaea. The stereochemical course of the reaction (anti-elimination) might have been the same as that previously reported for mammalian enzyme reactions. Thus, these results suggested that branched amino acids were metabolized to mevalonate in archaea in a manner similar to other organisms.
Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Reverse Remodeling After 18 Months of Antihypertensive Treatment in Stage I Hypertension. Results From the Prever-Treatment Study
Authors: Bertoluci Carolina , Foppa Murilo , Santos Angela Barreto Santiago , Branchi Thais Valenti , Fuchs Sandra Costa , Fuchs Flavio Danni 
Published: September 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Antihypertensive treatment improves echocardiographic parameters of hypertensive target organ damage in stage II hypertension, but less is known about the effects in stage I hypertension.

METHODS
In a cohort study nested in the randomized double-blind trial PREVER-treatment, 2-dimensional echocardiograms were performed in 110 individuals, aged 54.8 ± 7.9 years-old, with stage I hypertension at baseline and after 18 months of treatment with chlorthalidone/amiloride or losartan.

RESULTS
At baseline, 66 (60%) participants had concentric remodeling. After antihypertensive treatment, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were reduced from 141/90 to 130/83 mm Hg (P = 0.009). There was a significant reduction in left ventricular (LV) mass (LVM) index (82.7 ± 17.1 to 79.2 ± 17.5 g/m2; P = 0.005) and relative wall thickness (0.45 ± 0.06 to 0.42 ± 0.05; P &lt; 0.001), increasing the proportion of participants with normal LV geometry (31% to 49%, P = 0.006). Left atrial (LA) volume index reduced (26.8 ± 7.3 to 24.9 ± 6.5 ml/m2; P = 0.001), and mitral E-wave deceleration time increased (230 ± 46 to 247 ± 67 ms; P = 0.005), but there was no change in other parameters of diastolic function. LVM reduction was significantly higher in the 2 higher tertiles of SBP reduction compared to the lower tertile.

CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of patients with stage I hypertension for 18 months promotes favorable effects in the LA and LV remodeling. This improvement in cardiac end-organ damage might be associated with reduction of long term clinical consequences of hypertensive cardiomyopathy, particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.
Modelling growth and reproduction of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, based on temperature, food and resource allocation amongst life history functions
Authors: Constable Andrew John , Kawaguchi So 
Published: September 2017

Abstract
Estimates of productivity of Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, are dependent on accurate models of growth and reproduction. Incorrect growth models, specifically those giving unrealistically high production, could lead to over-exploitation of the krill population if those models are used in setting catch limits. Here we review available approaches to modelling productivity and note that existing models do not account for the interactions between growth and reproduction and variable environmental conditions. We develop a new energetics moult-cycle (EMC) model which combines energetics and the constraints on growth of the moult-cycle. This model flexibly accounts for regional, inter- and intra-annual variation in temperature, food supply, and day length. The EMC model provides results consistent with the general expectations for krill growth in length and mass, including having thin krill, as well as providing insights into the effects that increasing temperature may have on growth and reproduction. We recommend that this new model be incorporated into assessments of catch limits for Antarctic krill.
Longitudinal Validation of the PROMIS Physical Function Item Bank in Upper Extremity Trauma
Authors: Kaat Aaron J. , Rothrock Nan E. , Vrahas Mark S. , O'Toole Robert V. , Buono Sarah K. , Zerhusen Timothy , Gershon Richard C. 
Published: September 2017

Objectives:
To evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity Computer Adaptive Test (UE-CAT) and the 8-item Physical Function short form (PF-SF8a) for monitoring outcomes after musculoskeletal injuries in upper extremity trauma patients.

Design:
Prospective cohort study.

Setting:
Two Level-I trauma centers.

Patients:
Eligible consecutive patients were approached and 424 consented at time 1 (median 9.7 weeks posttreatment). After 6 months, 132 patients (43% of the 307 eligible) completed follow-up measures.

Intervention:
Cross-sectional and longitudinal monitoring of upper extremity trauma patients treated with or without surgery.

Main Outcome Measurements:
Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the UE-CAT and PF-SF8a. Internal consistency reliability, convergent validity correlations, and discriminant validity (by fracture severity and dominant/nondominant extremity groups) were calculated for PROMIS and non-PROMIS forms. Floor and ceiling effects were also examined at both assessment occasions. Responsiveness was evaluated using random-intercept mixed effects models and effect sizes.

Results:
PROMIS measures had excellent reliability, correlated well with legacy measures, and were responsive to treatment.

Conclusions:
PROMIS measures had good statistical properties. In addition to the known advantages of PROMIS, such as lower patient burden and the ability to assess the broadest range of functioning, our data demonstrated that for patients with upper extremity limitations, a region-specific measure such as the UE-CAT may perform more favorably than an overall/full body physical function measure.
Scientific Understanding of the Induced Membrane Technique: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Yee Michael A. , Mead Matthew P. , Alford Andrea I. , Hak David J. , Mauffrey Cyril , Hake Mark E. 
Published: September 2017

Objectives:
To review the most recent basic science advances made in relation to the induced membrane technique and how those relate to clinical practice, applications, and future research directions.

Design:
Review of the literature.

Setting:
Any trauma center which might encounter large segmental bone defects.

Articles Reviewed:
Basic science articles that looked at characteristics of the induced membrane published in the past 30 years.

Intervention:
None.
Risk Factors for Failure of Bone Grafting of Tibia Nonunions and Segmental Bone Defects: A New Preoperative Risk Assessment Score
Authors: Maceroli Michael A. , Gage Mark J. , Wise Brent T. , Connelly Daniel , Ordonio Katherine , Castillo Renan C. , Jarman Molly P. , Nascone Jason W. , O'Toole Robert V. , Sciadini Marcus F. 
Published: September 2017

Objective:
To develop a clinically useful prediction model of success at the time of surgery to promote bone healing for established tibial nonunion or traumatic bone defects.

Design:
Retrospective case controlled.

Setting:
Level 1 trauma center.

Patients:
Adult patients treated with surgery for established tibia fracture nonunion or traumatic bone defects from 2007 to 2016. Two hundred three patients met the inclusion criteria and were available for final analysis.

Intervention:
Surgery to promote bone healing of established tibia fracture nonunion or segmental defect with plate and screw construct, intramedullary nail fixation, or multiplanar external fixation.

Main Outcome Measures:
Failure of the surgery to promote bone healing that was defined as unplanned revision surgery for lack of bone healing or deep infection. No patients were excluded who had a primary outcome event.

Results:
Multivariate logistic modeling identified 5 significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for failure of the surgery to promote bone healing: (1) mechanism of injury, (2) Increasing body mass index, (3) cortical defect size (mm), (4) flap size (cm2), and (5) insurance status. A prediction model was created based on these factors and awarded 0 points for fall, 17 points for high energy blunt trauma (OR = 17; 95% CI, 1–286, P = 0.05), 22 points for industrial/other (OR = 22; 95% CI, 1–4, P = 0.04), and 28 points for ballistic injuries (OR = 28; 95% CI, 1–605, P = 0.04). One point is given for every 10 cm2 of flap size (OR = 1; 95% CI, 1–1.1, P < 0.001), 10 mm of mean cortical gap distance (OR = 1; 95% CI, 1–2, P = 0.004), and 10 units BMI, respectively (OR = 1.5; 95% CI, 1–3, P = 0.16). Two points are awarded for Medicaid or no insurance (OR = 2; 95% CI, 1–5, P = 0.035) and 3 points for Medicare (3; 95% CI, 1–9, P = 0.033). Each 1-point increase in risk score was associated with a 6% increased chance of requiring at least 1 revision surgery (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:
This study presents a clinical score that predicts the likelihood of success after surgery for tibia fracture nonunions or traumatic bone defects and may help clinicians better determine which patients are likely to fail these procedures and require further surgery.
All Internal Segmental Bone Transport and Optional Lengthening With a Newly Developed Universal Cylinder-Kombi-Tube Module for Motorized Nails—Description of a Surgical Technique
Authors: Krettek Christian , El Naga Ashraf 
Published: September 2017

Summary:
Segmental transport is an effective method of treatment for segmental defects, but the need for external fixation during the transport phase is a disadvantage. To avoid external fixation, we have developed a Cylinder-Kombi-Tube Segmental Transport (CKTST) module for combination with a commercially available motorized lengthening nail. This CKTST module allows for an all-internal segmental bone transport and also allows for optional lengthening if needed. The concept and surgical technique of CKTST are described and illustrated with a clinical case.
Accuracy and Repeatability of an Anterior Segment Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomographer
Authors: Peguda Rajini , Kang Pauline , Maseedupally Vinod , Swarbrick Helen 
Published: September 2017

Objectives:
To assess accuracy and repeatability of the CASIA swept-source optical coherence tomographer (SS-OCT) in measuring contact lens (CL) radii of curvature and thicknesses compared with verified CL parameters and to investigate intrasession and intersession repeatability of the CASIA SS-OCT in measuring epithelial and total corneal thicknesses.

Methods:
Rigid CLs with varying radii of curvature (front, rf; back, rb) and thicknesses were imaged with the CASIA SS-OCT across two sessions. Contact lens parameters were measured from processed images using an automated MATLAB program and were compared with parameters verified using standard techniques. Central epithelial and total corneal thicknesses of 43 normal subjects were measured to assess intrasession and intersession repeatability of the CASIA SS-OCT.

Results:
No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in rigid CL rf and central and peripheral thickness measurements compared with verified CL parameters. However, the rb values obtained from the CASIA SS-OCT were consistently 0.2 mm flatter than the verified rb values (P<0.001) along horizontal and vertical meridians. Bland–Altman analysis revealed excellent intrasession agreement with mean differences of 0.004 and 0.003 mm for rf and rb, 0.000 mm for CL thickness and 0.372 and 0.395 μm for epithelial and total corneal thicknesses, respectively. Similarly, mean intersession differences of 0.020 and 0.000 mm for rf and CL thickness and 0.100 and 0.984 μm for epithelial and total corneal thicknesses were found, respectively. Ninety-five percentage confidence intervals across one or two sessions indicated insignificant undermeasurement or overmeasurement for CL rf, and corneal thicknesses, but significant bias toward overmeasurement for CL rb was found across two sessions.

Conclusions:
The CASIA SS-OCT produces accurate measurements of CL parameters compared with verified values. Inbuilt distortion correction in this instrument necessitated no further correction of scanned images and provided high intrasession and intersession repeatability in measuring both CLs and corneal thicknesses. Further investigation of discrepancies in rb measurements is warranted.
Efficacy of Toric Contact Lenses in Fitting and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Contact Lens Wearers
Authors: Cox Stephanie M. , Berntsen David A. , Bickle Katherine M. , Mathew Jessica H. , Powell Daniel R. , Little B. Kim , Lorenz Kathrine Osborn , Nichols Jason J. 
Published: September 2017

Objectives:To assess whether patient-reported measures are improved with soft toric contact lenses (TCLs) compared with soft spherical contact lenses (SCLs) and whether clinical time needed to fit TCL is greater than SCL.Methods:Habitual contact lens wearers with vertexed spherical refraction +4.00 to +0.25 D or −0.50 to −9.00 D and cylinder −0.75 to −1.75 DC were randomly assigned to be binocularly fitted into a TCL or SCL, and masked to treatment assignment. Time to successful fit was recorded. After 5 days, the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life Instrument (NEI-RQL-42) and modified Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) were completed. After washout, subjects were fit into the alternative lens design (TCL or SCL). Outcomes were evaluated using linear mixed models for the time to fit and CISS score, generalized linear model for the successful fit, and Wilcoxon tests for the NEI-RQL-42.Results:Sixty subjects (71.7% women, mean age [±SD] = 27.5±5.0 years) completed the study. The mean time to fit the TCL was 10.2±4.3 and 9.0±6.5 min for the SCL (least square [LS] mean difference (TCL−SCL)=1.2,P=0.22). Toric contact lens scored better than SCL in global NEI-RQL-42 score (P=0.006) and the clarity of vision (P=0.006) and satisfaction with correction subscales (P=0.006). CISS showed a 15% reduction in symptoms (LS mean difference [TCL−SCL]=−2.20,P=0.02).Conclusion:TCLs are a good option when trying to improve the vision of patients with low-to-moderate astigmatism given the subjective improvements in outcomes.