bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of the International Knee Documentation Committee Radiographic Grading System
Authors: Mehta Vishal M. , Paxton Liz W. , Fornalski Stefan X. , Csintalan Rick P. , Fithian Donald C. 
Published: March 2007

Background The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) forms are commonly used to measure outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The knee examination portion of the IKDC forms includes a radiographic grading system to grade degenerative changes. The interrater and intrarater reliability of this radiographic grading system remain unknown. Hypothesis We hypothesize that the IKDC radiographic grading system will have acceptable interrater and intrarater reliability. Study Design Case series (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 4. Methods Radiographs of 205 ACL-reconstructed knees were obtained at 5-year follow-up. Specifically, weightbearing posteroanterior radiographs of the operative knee in 35° to 45° of flexion and a lateral radiograph in 30° of flexion were used. The radiographs were independently graded by 2 sports medicine fellowship—trained orthopaedic surgeons using the IKDC 2000 standard instructions. One surgeon graded the same radiographs 6 months apart, blinded to patient and prior IKDC grades. The percentage agreement was calculated for each of the 5 knee compartments as defined by the IKDC. Interrater reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 2-way mixed effect model with absolute agreement. The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient (rs) was applied to evaluate intrarater reliability. Results The interrater agreement between the 2 surgeons was 59% for the medial joint space (ICC = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35-0.56), 54% for the lateral joint space (ICC = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.27-0.58), 49% for the patellofemoral joint (ICC = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.26-0.52), 63% for the anterior joint space (ICC = 0.20; 95% CI = 0.05-0.34), and 44% for the posterior joint space (ICC = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.15-0.40). The intrarater agreement was 83% for the medial joint space (rs = .77, P < .001), 86% for the lateral joint space (rs = .76, P < .001), 81% for the patellofemoral joint (rs = .79, P < .001), 91% for the anterior joint space (rs = .48, P < .001), and 69% for the posterior joint space (rs = .64, P < .001). Conclusions While intrarater reliability was acceptable, interrater reliability was poor. These findings suggest that multiple raters may score the same radiographs differently using the IKDC radiographic grading system. The use of a single rater to grade all radiographs when using the IKDC radiographic grading system maximizes reliability.
Intercondylar Notch Width Measurement Differences between African American and White Men and Women with Intact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knees
Authors: Shelbourne K. Donald , Gray Tinker , Benner Rodney W. 
Published: March 2007

Background A recent report of professional women's basketball found that white European American female players were 6.5 times more likely to tear their anterior cruciate ligament than their nonwhite European American counterparts. African Americans accounted for 95% of the nonwhite European American group. Hypothesis African American men and women have wider intercondylar notches than white men and women. Study Design Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 2. Methods We obtained 45° flexed weightbearing posteroanterior radiographs on 517 patients who had knee problems other than an anterior cruciate ligament injury or arthrosis. One experienced observer measured the intercondylar notch width with no knowledge of race or gender, and the measurements were analyzed based on race and gender. Results The mean intercondylar notch width was 15.5 mm (SD = 2.8; range, 9-22) for African American women and 14.1 mm (SD = 2.5; range, 8-21) for white women; this difference was statistically significant (P = .009). Similarly, the mean intercondylar notch width was 18.0 mm (SD = 3.6; range, 10-27) for African American men and 16.9 mm (SD = 3.1; range, 9-27) for white men; these values were statistically significantly different (P = .003). Conclusion We conclude that African Americans have statistically significantly wider intercondylar notch widths on 45° flexed weightbearing posteroanterior radiographs than whites of the same gender. This relationship may offer an explanation for the difference between races with regard to risk of anterior cruciate ligament tears.
Clinical profile of homozygous JAK2 617V>F mutation in patients with polycythemia vera or essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Antonioli Elisabetta , Guglielmelli Paola , Rambaldi Alessandro , Barosi Giovanni , Marchioli Roberto , Marfisi Rosa Maria , Finazzi Guido , Guerini Vittoria , Fabris Fabrizio , Randi Maria Luigia , De Stefano Valerio , Caberlon Sabrina , Tafuri Agostino , Ruggeri Marco , Specchia Giorgina , Liso Vincenzo , Rossi Edoardo , Pogliani Enrico , Gugliotta Luigi , Bosi Alberto , Barbui Tiziano 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
JAK2 617V>F mutation occurs in a homozygous state in 25% to 30% of patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and 2% to 4% with essential thrombocythemia (ET). Whether homozygosity associates with distinct clinical phenotypes is still under debate. This retrospective multicenter study considered 118 JAK2 617V>F homozygous patients (104 PV, 14 ET) whose clinical characteristics were compared with those of 587 heterozygous and 257 wild-type patients. Irrespective of their clinical diagnosis, homozygous patients were older, displayed a higher leukocyte count and hematocrit value at diagnosis, and presented larger spleen volume. Aquagenic pruritus was significantly more common among homozygous PV patients. JAK2 617V>F homozygosity associated with more frequent evolution into secondary myelofibrosis in both PV and ET. After adjustment for sex, age, leukocyte count, and previous thrombosis in a multivariate analysis, homozygous ET patients displayed a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR] 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–11.7; P = .013) than wild-type (HR = 1.0) or heterozygous patients (HR = 1.49). No significant association of JAK2 617V>F homozygosity with thrombosis risk was observed in PV. Finally, JAK2 617V>F homozygous patients were more likely to receive chemotherapy for control of disease. We conclude that JAK2 617V>F homozygosity identifies PV or ET patients with a more symptomatic myeloproliferative disorder and is associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with ET.
A cDNA-Based Random RNA Interference Library for Functional Genetic Screens in Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Jian Rui , Cheng Xiaoxing , Jiang Jing , Deng Shaoli , Hu Fuquan , Zhang Junlei 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTo facilitate high-throughput functional genetic screens in embryonic stem cells, a simple and efficient system to construct cDNA-based random RNA interference (RNAi) library was developed in the study. Previous studies have demonstrated that sequence-specific gene silencing could be induced by long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) in mouse embryos, mouse oocytes, embryonic stem cells, and other mammalian cells. Based on these findings, a dsRNA-expressing RNAi vector system was designed. This study provided evidence that the vector design could induce efficient knockdown of expression of both exogenous egfp gene and endogenous MTM1 gene in mouse embryonic stem cells. A random RNAi library was established by cloning enzyme-digested cDNA of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells into the BamHI site of the convergent dual promoter RNAi vector. Sequencing of 20 randomly selected clones from the library showed that 17 contained inserts and that all of them were unique sequences. A functional genetic screen of genes involving in self-renewal and differentiation with the random RNAi library identified ubiquitin. The ubiquitin knockdown ES cell line generated 20%–30% of undifferentiated colonies in the absence of leukemia inhibitor factor, whereas parental ES cells and control vector pDCont transfectants produced less than 5% of colonies of undifferentiated cells, suggesting that ubiquitin plays a role in ES cell differentiation. The random RNAi library provides a useful tool for investigation of molecular mechanisms of cellular development and differentiation.
Presence of Human Circulating Progenitor Cells for Cancer Stromal Fibroblasts in the Blood of Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Ishii Genichiro , Ito Ta-Kashi , Aoyagi Kazuhiko , Fujimoto Hiroshi , Chiba Haruki , Hasebe Takahiro , Fujii Satoshi , Nagai Kanji , Sasaki Hiroki , Ochiai Atsushi 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Recent animal data have suggested that cancer-induced stroma consists of blood-borne fibroblasts as well as tissue-derived fibroblasts. In this study, mononuclear cells isolated from the pulmonary vein blood of lungs resected from lung cancer patients were cultured to confirm the presence of blood-borne fibroblast. In 34% (16 of 47) of the cases, spindle cells with fibroblast morphology proliferated in a disarrayed fashion and were positive for vimentin and collagen type I but negative for both specific myogenic and endothelial markers. The cDNA profiles of blood-borne fibroblasts, tissue-derived (lung) fibroblasts, human vascular smooth muscle cells (HSMCs), and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were clustered with a hierarchical classification algorithm. The profiles of the blood-borne fibroblasts were clearly isolated from those of the tissue-derived fibroblasts, HSMCs, and HUVECs. When carboxyfluorescein succinyl ester (CFSE)-labeled human mononuclear cells from the blood of lung cancer patients were transferred into nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice engrafted with a human lung cancer xenograft, CFSE-labeled fibroblasts were found around the cancer nests. We investigated the several clinicopathological factors of blood-borne fibroblast-positive patients. The blood-borne fibroblast-positive cases had a significantly larger central fibrotic area in primary lung cancer than in the negative cases (123 ± 29 vs. 59 ± 13 mm2; p = .02). Our results indicated that the blood in the vicinity of human lung cancer contains fibroblast progenitor cells that have the capacity to migrate into the cancer stroma and differentiate into fibroblasts having biological characteristics different from those of tissue-derived fibroblasts.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Transient and Stable Transgene Expression in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Liew Chee-Gee , Draper Jonathan S. , Walsh James , Moore Harry , Andrews Peter W. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Plasmid vectors remain a valuable yet capricious tool for the genetic manipulation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells. We have compared the efficacy of four promoters to mediate transient and stable transfection in hES and human embryonal carcinoma cell lines with the reporter enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP). In transient assays, the two mammalian promoters, UbiquitinC and Rosa26 (pUbiC and pR26), the human cytomegalovirus major immediate early promoter (HCMV-MIE; pCMV), and the HCMV-MIE/chicken β-actin/rabbit β-globin hybrid promoter (pCAGG) gave variable results that depended upon the cell line transfected but in an unpredictable way: each promoter supported strong transient expression in at least one cell line. The results for stable transfection were generally at variance with the transient assays. In each case, transgene silencing was quite marked, most notably with the pCMV, with which no eGFP-positive clones were obtained. An exception was the pCAG vector, in which the CAGG composite promoter is linked to the polyoma virus mutant enhancer PyF101; stable eGFP-positive transfectants were obtained, and these clones retained eGFP expression for over 120 passages, even in the absence of selection. However, if the PyF101 elements were removed, the resulting transfectants were also subjected to progressive gene silencing. Thus, the choice of promoter is critical for determining the desired effect of transgene expression in hES cells. Our data also demonstrate that pUbiC, pR26, pCAGG, and pCAG are more superior to the pCMV for generation of stable transfectants in hES cells.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Concise Review: Stem Cell Antigen-1: Expression, Function, and Enigma
Authors: Holmes Christina , Stanford William L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCloned 20 years ago, stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) is used extensively to enrich for murine hematopoietic stem cells. The realization that many different stem cell types share conserved biochemical pathways has led to a flood of recent research using Sca-1 as a candidate marker in the search for tissue-resident and cancer stem cells. Although surprisingly little is still known about its biochemical function, the generation and analysis of knockout mice has begun to shed light on the functions of Sca-1 in stem and progenitor cells, demonstrating that it is more than a convenient marker for stem cell biologists. This review summarizes the plethora of recent findings utilizing Sca-1 as a parenchymal stem cell marker and detailing its functional role in stem and progenitor cells and also attempts to explain the lingering mysteries surrounding its biochemical function and human ortholog.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Characteristics, Progression, and Output of Randomized Platform Trials
Authors: Griessbach Alexandra , Schönenberger Christof Manuel , Taji Heravi Ala , Gloy Viktoria , Agarwal Arnav , Hallenberger Tim Jonas , Schandelmaier Stefan , Janiaud Perrine , Amstutz Alain , Covino Manuela , Mall David , Speich Benjamin , Briel Matthias 
Published: March 2024

ImportancePlatform trials have become increasingly common, and evidence is needed to determine how this trial design is actually applied in current research practice.ObjectiveTo determine the characteristics, progression, and output of randomized platform trials.Evidence ReviewIn this systematic review of randomized platform trials, Medline, Embase, Scopus, trial registries, gray literature, and preprint servers were searched, and citation tracking was performed in July 2022. Investigators were contacted in February 2023 to confirm data accuracy and to provide updated information on the status of platform trial arms. Randomized platform trials were eligible if they explicitly planned to add or drop arms. Data were extracted in duplicate from protocols, publications, websites, and registry entries. For each platform trial, design features such as the use of a common control arm, use of nonconcurrent control data, statistical framework, adjustment for multiplicity, and use of additional adaptive design features were collected. Progression and output of each platform trial were determined by the recruitment status of individual arms, the number of arms added or dropped, and the availability of results for each intervention arm.FindingsThe search identified 127 randomized platform trials with a total of 823 arms; most trials were conducted in the field of oncology (57 [44.9%]) and COVID-19 (45 [35.4%]). After a more than twofold increase in the initiation of new platform trials at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of platform trials has since declined. Platform trial features were often not reported (not reported: nonconcurrent control, 61 of 127 [48.0%]; multiplicity adjustment for arms, 98 of 127 [77.2%]; statistical framework, 37 of 127 [29.1%]). Adaptive design features were only used by half the studies (63 of 127 [49.6%]). Results were available for 65.2% of closed arms (230 of 353). Premature closure of platform trial arms due to recruitment problems was infrequent (5 of 353 [1.4%]).Conclusions and RelevanceThis systematic review found that platform trials were initiated most frequently during the COVID-19 pandemic and declined thereafter. The reporting of platform features and the availability of results were insufficient. Premature arm closure for poor recruitment was rare.
Modifier 22 Use in Fee-for-Service Medicare
Authors: Childers Christopher P. , Manisundaram Naveen V. , Hu Chung-Yuan , Chang George J. 
Published: March 2024

ImportanceModifier 22 is a mechanism designed for surgeons to identify cases that are more complex than their Current Procedural Terminology code accounts for. However, empirical studies of the use and efficacy of modifier 22 are lacking.ObjectiveTo assess the use of modifier 22 in common surgical procedures and the association of use with compensation.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis was a cross-sectional analysis of the 2021 Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Limited Data Set including all Part B carrier and durable medical equipment fee-for-service claims. Claims for 10 common surgical procedures were evaluated, including mastectomy, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting, laparoscopic right colectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, kidney transplant, laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and lumbar laminectomy. Data were analyzed from August to November 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresRate of modifier 22 use, rate of claim denial, mean charges, mean payment for accepted claims, and mean payment for all claims.ResultsThe sample included 625 316 surgical procedures performed in calendar year 2021. The proportion of modifier 22 coding for a procedure ranged from 5725 of 251 521 (2.3%) in total knee arthroplasty to 1566 of 18 459 (8.5%) in laparoscopic total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Submitted charges were 11.1% (95% CI, 9.1-13.2) to 22.8% (95% CI, 21.3-24.3) higher for claims with modifier 22, depending on the procedure. Among accepted claims, those with modifier 22 had increased payments ranging from 0.8% (95% CI, 0.7-1.0) to 4.8% (95% CI, 4.5-5.1). However, claims with modifier 22 were more likely to be denied (7.4% vs 4.0%; P &amp;lt; .001). As a result, overall mean payments were mixed, with 4 procedures having lower payments when modifier 22 was appended, 4 procedures having higher payments with modifier 22, and 2 procedures with no difference. The largest increase in mean payment for modifier 22 claims was for kidney transplant with an increased payment of $71.46 (95% CI, 55.32-87.60), which translates to a relative increase of 3.4% (95% CI, 2.9-4.6).Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings in this study suggest that modifier 22 had little to no financial benefit when appended to claims for a diverse panel of surgical procedures. In the current system, surgeons have little reason to request modifier 22, and no mechanisms currently exist for surgeons to recoup payment for difficult operations.
Effects of a Bioengineered Allogeneic Cellularized Construct (BACC) on Primary Human Macrophage Phenotype
Authors: Steele Lindsay A. , Hernaez Estrada Beatriz , Spiller Kara L. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe mechanisms behind the pro‐healing effects of multicellular, bioengineered allogeneic cellularized constructs (BACC) are not known. Macrophages are key regulators of every phase of the wound healing process and the primary cells that mediate the response to biomaterials. It is hypothesized that cells within the BACC modulate macrophage behavior, which may contribute to the mechanism by which BACC promotes healing. To probe the influence of cells within the BACC compared to effects of the underlying collagen substrate, primary human macrophages are cultured in direct or indirect contact with BACC or with the same collagen substrate used in the BACC manufacturing. Macrophage phenotype is characterized over time via multiplex gene expression, protein secretion, multidimensional flow cytometry, and functional assays with fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The BACC causes macrophages to exhibit a predominately reparative phenotype over time compared to relevant collagen substrate controls, with multiple subpopulations expressing both pro‐inflammatory and reparative markers. Conditioned media from macrophage‐BACC co‐cultures causes distinct effects on fibroblast and endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and network formation. Given the critical role of the reparative macrophage phenotype in wound healing, these results suggest that modulation of macrophage phenotype may be a critical part of the mechanisms behind BACC's pro‐healing effects.
Enhancing anticorrosive performance of epoxy‐based ZnO nanocomposite coatings via 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate modification
Authors: Dam Xuan Thang , Dao Phi Hung , Nguyen Anh Hiep , Pham Thi Thu Giang , Nguyen Thi Huong , Nguyen Thuy Chinh , Ly Thi Ngoc Lien , Thai Hoang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe influence of 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (TMSPM) on the properties of epoxy‐based ZnO nanocomposite coatings was investigated, considering its impact on both modified ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and epoxy resin matrix. FTIR analysis revealed that TMSPM‐modified epoxy resin (mEP) exhibited lower hydroxyl group and epoxy group content compared to the initial epoxy resin (EP). Furthermore, the obtained results demonstrated that epoxy‐based coatings incorporating modified ZnO NPs (m‐ZnO NPs) displayed superior mechanical properties compared to those of the sample filled with the unmodified ZnO NPs (u‐ZnO NPs). However, the mechanical properties of epoxy‐based coatings loaded with m‐ZnO NPs were found to be lower than those of coatings comprising mEP resin and m‐ZnO NPs. The arrangement of anticorrosion performance of coatings followed a similar pattern. SEM analysis of the cross‐cut surface revealed better dispersion of m‐ZnO NPs compared to the u‐ZnO NPs, although small gaps were observed among the m‐ZnO NPs and the epoxy matrix. The SEM images of coatings based on mEP and m‐ZnO NPs indicated a tighter structure. This structural characteristic is considered the main reason for the highest anticorrosion performance observed in the investigated coatings incorporating both mEP and m‐ZnO NPs.
1H‐NMR revealed pyruvate as a differentially abundant metabolite in the venom glands of Apis cerana and Apis mellifera
Authors: Zheng Xing , Liu Yanjun , Wang Rongshen , Geng Mingyang , Liu Jinliang , Liu Zhenxing , Zhao Yazhou 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs a common defense mechanism in Hymenoptera, bee venom has complex components. Systematic and comprehensive analysis of bee venom components can aid in early evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and protection of organ function in humans in cases of bee stings. To determine the differences in bee venom composition and metabolic pathways between Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) technology was used to detect the metabolites in venom samples. A total of 74 metabolites were identified and structurally analyzed in the venom of A. cerana and A. mellifera. Differences in the composition and abundance of major components of bee venom from A. cerana and A. mellifera were mapped to four main metabolic pathways: valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis; glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These findings indicated that the synthesis and metabolic activities of proteins or polypeptides in bee venom glands were different between A. cerana and A. mellifera. Pyruvate was highly activated in 3 selected metabolic pathways in A. mellifera, being much more dominant in A. mellifera venom than in A. cerana venom. These findings indicated that pyruvate in bee venom glands is involved in various life activities, such as biosynthesis and energy metabolism, by acting as a precursor substance or intermediate product.