bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pullout Fixation of Posterior Medial Meniscus Root Tears: Correlation Between Meniscus Extrusion and Midterm Clinical Results
Authors: Chung Kyu Sung , Ha Jeong Ku , Ra Ho Jong , Nam Gun Woo , Kim Jin Goo 
Published: August 2016

Background: Medial meniscus posterior root tears (MMPRTs) lead to extrusion of the meniscus during weightbearing as well as loss of the ability of the meniscus to generate hoop stress. This loss of load-sharing ability leads to progressive arthritic changes. However, there have been no studies that correlate the correction of meniscus extrusion with clinical outcomes. Hypothesis: Decreased meniscus extrusion is associated with better clinical and radiographic outcomes compared with increased meniscus extrusion after MMPRT pullout fixation. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 39 patients who underwent MMPRT pullout fixation and had been observed for more than 5 years were recruited for this study. The mean follow-up period was 69.8 months. Participants were categorized into 2 groups according to the direction of meniscus extrusion: group A (increased extrusion; 23 patients) and group B (decreased extrusion; 16 patients). Meniscus extrusion was assessed in the coronal plane on magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. The postoperative clinical outcomes (Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC] scores) and radiographic results (Kellgren-Lawrence [K-L] grade and medial joint space) were compared between groups. Results: Meniscus extrusion in group A increased significantly from a mean (±SD) of 3.5 ± 0.9 mm preoperatively to 5.1 ± 1.4 mm at 1 year postoperatively ( P < .001), whereas in group B, it decreased significantly from 4.1 ± 1.3 mm preoperatively to 3.5 ± 1.4 mm at 1 year postoperatively ( P < .001). The K-L arthritis grade (0/1/2/3/4) significantly progressed in group A (from 2/12/9/0/0 preoperatively to 0/1/14/8/0 postoperatively, respectively; P = .009) but not in group B (from 1/11/4/0/0 preoperatively to 0/6/8/2/0 postoperatively, respectively; P = .274). The mean final Lysholm and IKDC scores in group B (88.1 ± 12.1 and 79.0 ± 11.4, respectively) were significantly better than those in group A (81.0 ± 9.0 and 71.1 ± 7.8, respectively) ( P < .05). There was less medial joint space narrowing at final follow-up in group B (0.6 ± 0.8 mm) than in group A (1.1 ± 0.6 mm) ( P = .015). Progression of the K-L arthritis grade was seen in 50% (8/16) of the patients in group B compared with 87% (20/23) of the patients in group A ( P = .027). Conclusion: The current study demonstrates that in patients with MMPRTs, pullout fixation leads to favorable midterm outcomes, regardless of meniscus extrusion at 1-year follow-up. However, patients with decreased meniscus extrusion at postoperative 1 year have more favorable clinical scores and radiographic findings at midterm follow-up than those with increased extrusion at 1 year. This study indicates that one of the main goals of the repair of MMPRTs is to reduce meniscus extrusion as much as possible.
Factors Influencing Parent Reports of Facilitators and Barriers to Human Milk Supply in Neonatal Intensive Care Units
Authors: Alves Elisabete , Magano Raquel , Amorim Mariana , Nogueira Conceição , Silva Susana 
Published: August 2016

Background: Successful human milk supply in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) requires the development of family-centered services. Objective: This study aimed to assess parent perceptions of factors that help or hinder providing human milk to very preterm infants (VPI) in the NICU according to sociodemographic, reproductive, and obstetric characteristics. Methods: This cross-sectional quantitative study included 120 mothers and 91 fathers of VPI hospitalized in a level 3 NICU located in the Northern Health Region of Portugal (July 2013-June 2014). Interviewers administered structured questionnaires regarding parent characteristics and the provision and perception of factors that help or hinder human milk supply in the NICU, 15 to 22 days after birth. Results: The main facilitators of human milk supply were its contribution to infant growth and well-being (51.4%) and parents’ knowledge of breastfeeding benefits (27.6%). The main barriers were worries related to inadequate milk supply (35.7%), difficulties with expressing breast milk (24.8%), and physical separation from infants (24.3%). Fathers referred less frequently to the contribution of human milk to infant growth and well-being (odds ratio [OR] = 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-1.00) but more frequently to knowledge of breastfeeding benefits as facilitators (OR = 2.31; 95% CI, 1.23-4.32). Participants with > 12 years of education (OR = 1.91; 95% CI, 1.05-3.47) and those with an extremely low birth weight infant (OR = 1.90; 95% CI, 1.02-3.54) highlighted worries related to inadequate milk supply. Fathers (OR = 2.16; 95% CI, 1.11-4.19) and participants with ≤ 12 years of education (OR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.11-0.57) more frequently reported difficulties with expressing as the main barrier. Conclusion: The parent’s gender and education and the infant’s birth weight are crucial considerations for establishing optimal practices for supporting breastfeeding.
Clinical Significance of Serum HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9 in Patients With Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Bian Jing , Sun Xiaoxu , Li Bo , Ming Liang 
Published: August 2016

Purpose: Serum markers with increased sensitivity and specificity for endometrial cancer are required. To date, no good marker has met this standard. The aims of our study were to evaluate the utility of tumor markers HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9 as potential markers in patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Methods: Blood samples from 105 patients with endometrial cancer and 87 healthy women were analyzed by Roche electrochemiluminescent immunoassay, and serum values were measured for the following biomarkers: HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9. Results: Serum HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with endometrial cancer, compared with controls ( P < .001). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve value for combination of HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9 was 82.1% (95% confidence interval: 75.3%-86.2%), the maximum area of the test groups. For all stages of patients with endometrial cancer, HE4 had higher sensitivity (58%), positive predictive value (60%), and negative predictive value (67%) than any other single tumor marker, and in the combination of HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9, the sensitivity and positive predictive values reached 59.1% and 88%, respectively. Meanwhile, the receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of the combination of the 4 markers was significantly increased than any other group, either in stage I or in stage II to IV cases. HE4 and CA125 both correlate with advanced age; in addition, HE4 was related to pathology subtypes and positive adnexal involvement, CA125 was related to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, CA19-9 was related to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, and CA724 was correlated with positive lymph node. Conclusion: Combination of HE4, CA125, CA724, and CA19-9 has the highest value in diagnosing endometrial cancer, and they can be a useful tissue immune marker for patients with endometrial cancer.
Structural sex differences at disease onset in multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Rojas Juan Ignacio , Sánchez Francisco , Patrucco Liliana , Miguez Jimena , Funes Jorge , Cristiano Edgardo 
Published: August 2016

Background Male sex is associated with worsening disability and a more rapid progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study analysed structural sex differences in magnetic resonance images of the brain, comparing women whose disease started before and after the menopause with a control group of men. Methods This was a case control study in which female patients whose MS started before (Group 1) and after (Group 2) the menopause were included. The control group was matched by age, disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale and disease-modifying treatment. Patients were analysed according to demographic and clinical variables, as well as in terms of radiological measurements at disease onset and during the first 12 months of follow-up. These measurements included normalised total brain volume (NTBV), normalised cortical volume (NCV), normalised white matter volume, left and right hippocampus, the thalamus, brain stem volume, lesion load and percentage brain volume change. A linear regression model was used to analyse the data. Results A total of 97 patients were included: 53 in Group 1 (27 females) and 44 in Group 2 (22 females). In Group 1, we observed a reduction in brain volume in males compared with females at disease onset in NTBV ( p = 0.01), NCV ( p = 0.001) and brain stem volume ( p = 0.01). We did not observe differences in Group 2 at disease onset in the brain volumes analysed. Conclusion We observed structural sex differences in brain volume at disease onset in the pre-menopausal group. However, no structural differences were observed at disease onset between the sexes after the menopause had started.
Factors impacting heart failure patients’ knowledge of heart disease and self-care management
Authors: Zeng Wenying , Chia Shaw Yang , Chan Yiong Huak , Tan Suan Choo , Low Esther Ju Huey , Fong Meng Kum 
Published: August 2016

Background: Heart failure (HF) contributes significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the ageing population and is one of the leading causes of re-hospitalization in Singapore. Studies have shown that patient education covering HF and self-care management can lead to greater compliance with treatment regimens, resulting in lower re-hospitalization rates. This study aimed to measure HF patients’ knowledge on the disease and self-care management, and to explore factors influencing their knowledge level. Methods: A questionnaire adapted from the Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale (DHFKS) was completed by 187 patients who were recruited from a tertiary center’s outpatient HF clinic. Data from the survey were analyzed using SPSS (version 22). Results: Knowledge of HF in general had the highest score and that of HF symptoms/recognition of HF symptoms the lowest. The knowledge deficit identified was mainly on therapeutic regimens and HF symptoms/recognition of HF symptoms. The respondents’ knowledge was significantly related to their educational level and whether they had received HF education. Conclusion: For HF patient education to be effective, the program has to be customized to cater to different target groups and individuals. There is a need to develop patient teaching materials and a program with consideration to the patients’ educational levels, demographic, and comorbidity backgrounds.
Influence of model based iterative reconstruction algorithm on image quality of multiplanar reformations in reduced dose chest CT
Authors: Barras Heloise , Dunet Vincent , Hachulla Anne-Lise , Grimm Jochen , Beigelman-Aubry Catherine 
Published: August 2016

Background Model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) reduces image noise and improves image quality (IQ) but its influence on post-processing tools including maximal intensity projection (MIP) and minimal intensity projection (mIP) remains unknown. Purpose To evaluate the influence on IQ of MBIR on native, mIP, MIP axial and coronal reformats of reduced dose computed tomography (RD-CT) chest acquisition. Material and Methods Raw data of 50 patients, who underwent a standard dose CT (SD-CT) and a follow-up RD-CT with a CT dose index (CTDI) of 2–3 mGy, were reconstructed by MBIR and FBP. Native slices, 4-mm-thick MIP, and 3-mm-thick mIP axial and coronal reformats were generated. The relative IQ, subjective IQ, image noise, and number of artifacts were determined in order to compare different reconstructions of RD-CT with reference SD-CT. Results The lowest noise was observed with MBIR. RD-CT reconstructed by MBIR exhibited the best relative and subjective IQ on coronal view regardless of the post-processing tool. MBIR generated the lowest rate of artefacts on coronal mIP/MIP reformats and the highest one on axial reformats, mainly represented by distortions and stairsteps artifacts. Conclusion The MBIR algorithm reduces image noise but generates more artifacts than FBP on axial mIP and MIP reformats of RD-CT. Conversely, it significantly improves IQ on coronal views, without increasing artifacts, regardless of the post-processing technique.
TGFβ-induced switch from adipogenic to osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells: identification of drug targets for prevention of fat cell differentiation
Authors: van Zoelen Everardus J. , Duarte Isabel , Hendriks José M. , van der Woning Sebastian P. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackgroundPatients suffering from osteoporosis show an increased number of adipocytes in their bone marrow, concomitant with a reduction in the pool of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) that are able to differentiate into osteoblasts, thus leading to suppressed osteogenesis.MethodsIn order to be able to interfere with this process, we have investigated in-vitro culture conditions whereby adipogenic differentiation of hMSCs is impaired and osteogenic differentiation is promoted. By means of gene expression microarray analysis, we have investigated genes which are potential targets for prevention of fat cell differentiation.ResultsOur data show that BMP2 promotes both adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs, while transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) inhibits differentiation into both lineages. However, when cells are cultured under adipogenic differentiation conditions, which contain cAMP-enhancing agents such as IBMX of PGE2, TGFβ promotes osteogenic differentiation, while at the same time inhibiting adipogenic differentiation. Gene expression and immunoblot analysis indicated that IBMX-induced suppression of HDAC5 levels plays an important role in the inhibitory effect of TGFβ on osteogenic differentiation. By means of gene expression microarray analysis, we have investigated genes which are downregulated by TGFβ under adipogenic differentiation conditions and may therefore be potential targets for prevention of fat cell differentiation. We thus identified nine genes for which FDA-approved drugs are available. Our results show that drugs directed against the nuclear hormone receptor PPARG, the metalloproteinase ADAMTS5, and the aldo-keto reductase AKR1B10 inhibit adipogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner, although in contrast to TGFβ they do not appear to promote osteogenic differentiation.ConclusionsThe approach chosen in this study has resulted in the identification of new targets for inhibition of fat cell differentiation, which may not only be relevant for prevention of osteoporosis, but also of obesity.
First high quality draft genome sequence of a plant growth promoting and cold active enzyme producing psychrotrophic Arthrobacter agilis strain L77
Authors: Singh Ram N. , Gaba Sonam , Yadav Ajar N. , Gaur Prakhar , Gulati Sneha , Kaushik Rajeev , Saxena Anil K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractArthrobacter agilis strain L77, is a plant growth promoting and cold active hydrolytic enzymes producing psychrotrophic bacterium, isolated from Pangong Lake, a subglacial lake in north western Himalayas, India. Genome analysis revealed metabolic versatility with genes involved in metabolism and cold shock adaptation, utilization and biosynthesis of diverse structural and storage polysaccharides such as plant based carbon polymers. The genome of Arthrobacter agilis strain L77 consists of 3,608,439 bp (3.60 Mb) of a circular chromosome. The genome comprises of 3316 protein coding genes and 74 RNA genes, 725 hypothetical proteins, 25 pseudo-genes and 1404 unique genes.
Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor signaling facilitates liver repair from acute ethanol-induced injury in zebrafish
Authors: Zhang Changwen , Ellis Jillian L. , Yin Chunyue 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) results from alcohol overconsumption and is among the leading causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors has been observed in ALD, but how it contributes to ALD pathophysiology is unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of VEGF signaling inhibition on an established zebrafish model of acute alcoholic liver injury. Kdrl activity was blocked by chemical inhibitor treatment or by genetic mutation. Exposing 4-day-old zebrafish larvae to 2% ethanol for 24 h induced hepatic steatosis, angiogenesis and fibrogenesis. The liver started self-repair once ethanol was removed. Although inhibiting Kdrl did not block the initial activation of hepatic stellate cells during ethanol treatment, it suppressed their proliferation, extracellular matrix protein deposition and fibrogenic gene expression after ethanol exposure, thus enhancing the liver repair. It also ameliorated hepatic steatosis and attenuated hepatic angiogenesis that accelerated after the ethanol treatment. qPCR showed that hepatic stellate cells are the first liver cell type to increase the expression of VEGF ligand and receptor genes in response to ethanol exposure. Both hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells, but not hepatic parenchymal cells, expressed kdrl upon ethanol exposure and were likely the direct targets of Kdrl inhibition. Ethanol-induced steatosis and fibrogenesis still occurred in cloche mutants that have hepatic stellate cells but lack hepatic endothelial cells, and Kdrl inhibition suppressed both phenotypes in the mutants. These results suggest that VEGF signaling mediates interactions between activated hepatic stellate cells and hepatocytes that lead to steatosis. Our study demonstrates the involvement of VEGF signaling in regulating sustained liver injuries after acute alcohol exposure. It also provides a proof of principle of using the zebrafish model to identify molecular targets for developing ALD therapies.
Triadin and CLIMP-63 form a link between triads and microtubules in muscle cells
Authors: Osseni Alexis , Sébastien Muriel , Sarrault Oriana , Baudet Mathieu , Couté Yohann , Fauré Julien , Fourest-Lieuvin Anne , Marty Isabelle 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
In skeletal muscle, the triad is a structure comprising a transverse (T)-tubule and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) cisternae. Triads constitute the basis of excitation–contraction coupling as the cradle of the Ca2+ release complex. We have shown previously that triadin, a member of this complex, has shaping properties on reticulum membrane and is indirectly involved in a link between triads and microtubules. We have identified here that CLIMP-63 (also known as CKAP4), as the partner of triadin, is responsible for this association of triads and microtubules. Triadin and CLIMP-63 interact through their respective luminal domains and the shaping properties of triadin depend on the capacity of CLIMP-63 to bind microtubules with its cytosolic portion. In skeletal muscle, CLIMP-63 is localized in the SR, including triads, and is associated with the Ca2+ release complex through its interaction with triadin. Knockout of triadin in muscles results in the delocalization of CLIMP-63 from triads, its dissociation from the Ca2+ release complex and a disorganization of the microtubule network. Our results suggest that the association of triadin and CLIMP-63 could be involved in the shaping of SR terminal cisternae and in the guidance of microtubules close to the triads.
Haspin kinase regulates microtubule-organizing center clustering and stability through Aurora kinase C in mouse oocytes
Authors: Balboula Ahmed Z. , Nguyen Alexandra L. , Gentilello Amanda S. , Quartuccio Suzanne M. , Drutovic David , Solc Petr , Schindler Karen 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Meiotic oocytes lack classic centrosomes and, therefore, bipolar spindle assembly depends on clustering of acentriolar microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs) into two poles. However, the molecular mechanism regulating MTOC assembly into two poles is not fully understood. The kinase haspin (also known as GSG2) is required to regulate Aurora kinase C (AURKC) localization at chromosomes during meiosis I. Here, we show that inhibition of haspin perturbed MTOC clustering into two poles and the stability of the clustered MTOCs. Furthermore, we show that AURKC localizes to MTOCs in mouse oocytes. Inhibition of haspin perturbed the localization of AURKC at MTOCs, and overexpression of AURKC rescued the MTOC-clustering defects in haspin-inhibited oocytes. Taken together, our data uncover a role for haspin as a regulator of bipolar spindle assembly by regulating AURKC function at acentriolar MTOCs in oocytes.
C. elegans midbodies are released, phagocytosed and undergo LC3-dependent degradation independent of macroautophagy
Authors: Fazeli Gholamreza , Trinkwalder Michaela , Irmisch Linda , Wehman Ann Marie 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
In animals, the midbody coordinates the end of cytokinesis when daughter cells separate through abscission. The midbody was thought to be sequestered by macroautophagy, but recent evidence suggests that midbodies are primarily released and phagocytosed. It was unknown, however, whether autophagy proteins play a role in midbody phagosome degradation. Using a protein degradation assay, we show that midbodies are released in Caenorhabditis elegans. Released midbodies are known to be internalized by actin-driven phagocytosis, which we show requires the RAB-5 GTPase to localize the class III phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) complex at the cortex. Autophagy-associated proteins, including the Beclin 1 homolog BEC-1 and the Atg8/LC3-family members LGG-1 and LGG-2, localize around the midbody phagosome and are required for midbody degradation. In contrast, proteins required specifically for macroautophagy, such as UNC-51 and EPG-8 (homologous to ULK1/Atg1 and Atg14, respectively) are not required for midbody degradation. These data suggest that the C. elegans midbody is degraded by LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), not macroautophagy. Our findings reconcile the two prevailing models on the role of phagocytic and autophagy proteins, establishing a new non-canonical role for autophagy proteins in midbody degradation.
Do Mandatory Overtime Laws Improve Quality? Staffing Decisions and Operational Flexibility of Nursing Homes
Authors: Lu Susan Feng , Lu Lauren Xiaoyuan 
Published: August 2016

During the 2000s, over a dozen U.S. states passed laws that prohibit healthcare employers from mandating overtime for nurses. Using a nationwide panel data set from 2004 to 2012, we find that these mandatory overtime laws reduced the service quality of nursing homes, as measured by an increase in deficiency citations. This outcome can be explained by two undesirable changes in the staffing hours of registered nurses: decreased hours of permanent nurses and increased hours of contract nurses per resident day. We observe that the increase in deficiency citations concentrates in the domains of administration and quality of care rather than quality of life, and the severity levels of the increased citations tend to be minor rather than major. We also find that the laws’ negative effect on quality is more severe in nursing homes with higher percentages of Medicare-covered residents. These observations are consistent with the predictions of a stochastic staffing model that incorporates demand uncertainty and operational flexibility. Furthermore, we rule out an alternative hypothesis that the quality decline is induced by an increase in nurse wages. This paper was accepted by Gad Allon, operations management.