bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modified Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique Can Potentially Improve Safety of Interbody Graft Placement
Authors: Kurtom Khalid H , Towers Wendy S 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MITLIF) is a well-described procedure with excellent reported outcomes. A modification of interbody graft placement can potentially improve the ease and safety of this procedure.

OBJECTIVE
To describe a modification of the MITLIF graft placement and retrospectively review our experience including intraoperative and postoperative complications.

METHODS
Single surgeon, single institution, retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent a modified MITLIF technique between November 2011 and December 2013. Hospital records including operative notes and discharge summaries were reviewed for patient demographics, surgical parameters including operative time and estimated blood loss, intraoperative complications including durotomy/cerebrospinal fluid leak, and postoperative outcomes including time before ambulation and length of stay were all reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTS
Eighty-three consecutive MITLIF patients; 71 underwent 1-level fusion and 12 had multilevel fusions. Average operative time for single level was 181 min; multilevel was 323 min. Average estimated blood loss was 140 mL. Time before ambulation was <1 d, average length of stay was 1.6 d. There were a total of 4 complications in this series (4.8%). There was zero incidence of durotomy or cerebrospinal fluid leak.

CONCLUSION
This modified MITLIF technique of maintaining the medial facet prior to discectomy and interbody graft placement can offer the minimally invasive spine surgeons increased assurance while placing the graft and potentially enhance the overall safety and efficacy of this approach. Surgeons utilizing this approach will have little difficulty utilizing this slight modification.
An ‘i’ for ani, a Truth for a Truth†
Authors: Leng Mary 
Published: February 2018

AbstractStewart Shapiro’s ante rem structuralism recognizes the structural or ‘algebraic’ aspects of mathematical practice while still offering a face-value semantics. Fictionalism, as a purely ‘algebraic’ approach, is held to be at a disadvantage, as compared with Shapiro’s structuralism, in not interpreting mathematics at face value. However, the face-value reading of mathematical singular terms has difficulty explaining how we can use such terms to pick out a unique referent in cases where the relevant mathematical structures admit non-trivial automorphisms. Shapiro offers a solution to this difficulty, but his solution, I argue, evens the score between Shapiro’s structuralism and fictionalism.
Recent advances in radiation oncology: multimodal targeting of high risk and recurrent prostate cancer
Authors: Kwok Young , Kaiser Adeel , Rice Stephanie R. , Cohen Randi , Mishra Mark 
Published: February 2018

Purpose of review
The overview summarizes recent developments in radiation oncology for high risk and recurrent prostate cancer.

Recent findings
A number of well known phase III prostate hypofractionated radiation therapy (HFxRT) trials were finally published with long-term follow-ups. These trials demonstrate patterns of equivalent tumor control with several showing worse toxicity rates. The ASCENDE-RT randomized trial demonstrated the superiority of brachytherapy boost in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer. Important randomized trials show a clear benefit to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in both intermediate-risk prostate cancer and postprostatectomy patients with rising PSA. Finally, the first randomized trial of metastasis-directed therapy showed a delay in time to ADT and biochemical failures in oligometastatic prostate cancer.

Summary
The use of brachytherapy boost in high-risk disease and ADT in locally recurrent cancer after prostatectomy are practice changing given the magnitude of benefit seen in the randomized trials. The benefit of metastasis-directed therapy in oligometastatic prostate cancer must be validated in a larger randomized trial. However, hypofractionated radiation therapy requires further long-term follow-up so that late toxicity risk can be accurately assessed before it becomes a standard of care in prostate cancer.
Variability in Quality of Life Outcomes Following a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program in Patients With COPD
Authors: Porto Elias F. , Castro Antonio A. M. , Cortopassi Felipe , de Souza Gerson F. , Jardim José R. 
Published: February 2018

Purpose:
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, it is unclear why some patients do not improve quality of life during a training program. Our objective was to evaluate the differences between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who improve and those who do not improve quality of life during a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

Methods:
Seventy-three patients underwent a PR program. All patients trained at 80% (legs) and 50% (arms) of their maximum load. Incremental and endurance tests, 6-min walk test, and health-related quality of life with the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were measured. We subdivided the groups based on a decrease ≥4 points in the pre- and post-PR SGRQ total score (G1); <4-point change in the SGRQ total score (G2); and an increase in scores ≥4 points (G3).

Results:
Exacerbation frequency (P = .004) and SGRQ total scores (P < .001) were lower in G1 and G2 than in G3. G1 (P = .0007) and G2 (P = .0005) significantly improved 6-min walk test distance. Before PR, G1 and G2 walked greater distances than G3 (P = .003); however, the difference was no longer significant after PR (P = .34). A significant load increase was seen after PR for the 3 groups (P < .05). We found a significant correlation between the SGRQ and the Charlson index (r = 0.78, P < .0001), exacerbation frequency (r = 0.72, P < .0001), and basal dyspnea index (r = −0.48, P < .0001).

Conclusion:
Patients whose quality of life did not improve after comprehensive PR presented a higher number of disease-related exacerbations with comorbidities.
Safety and Functionality of a Guidewire Fixator
Authors: Liungman Krister , Mani Kevin , Wanhainen Anders , Bosaeus Linus , Lachat Mario 
Published: February 2018

Objective A new endovascular tool, the Liungman Guidewire Fixator, has been developed to simplify endovascular treatment in complex aortic aneurysms. The device has been extensively tested in bench models and animal trials. To verify the safety and functionality demonstrated in the porcine model, the device was tested in ten patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) or fenestrated endovascular aortic repair (f-EVAR) treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Methods The Liungman Guidewire Fixator consists of a braided stent-like, cylindrical structure with conical ends and a central channel for a 0.035” guidewire. When in use, it is slid along the guidewire and positioned in the target artery, where the Liungman Guidewire Fixator interacts with the arterial wall by anchoring the guidewire to the wall through a radial force. The Liungman Guidewire Fixator allows for uninterrupted blood flow passed the point of fixation. In this study, the Liungman Guidewire Fixator was tested in ten patients undergoing EVAR or f-EVAR treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm. The device was deployed and retrieved crossover into the hypogastric artery, and the occurrence of thrombotic occlusion, arterial dissection, and vascular rupture or trauma was studied using angiography, as well as device ability to withstand guidewire tension. Results There were no instances of occlusion, dissection, or vascular trauma detected using angiography. In all cases, deployment and retrieval were successful, and the devices could withstand an applied tension of 3 N. In one instance, retrieval was challenging because of significant tortuosity, which was resolved by a coaxial catheterization. Conclusions Deployment was uneventful in all ten patients. Retrieval according to the intended instruction for use was performed in nine of the patients. In one patient, a coaxial catheterization was necessary. All devices withstood a retention force of 3 N.
Evolving Practice and Changing Phenotype in Pediatric Autoimmune Liver Disease
Authors: Singh Harveen , Balouch Fariha , Noble Charlton , Lewindon Peter 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTObjectives:Autoimmune liver disease (AILD) incorporates primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). ASC is a condition that includes overlap of AIH and PSC. We investigate changes in practice in relation to diagnosis and phenotype over 2 time periods.Methods:Retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2000 to 2016. Data were divided into two 8‐year cohorts, CI and C2.Results:Data were collected in 75 children, 29 in 2000–2007 (C1) and 46 in 2008–2016 (C2). Presenting AILD type was AIH in 59%, ASC in 10%, and PSC in 31%. Final AILD type was AIH in 53%, ASC in 16%, and PSC in 31%. When comparing C1 to C2, those with AIH decreased (65% vs 45%) and those with ASC increased (14% vs 18%). Use of magnetic resonance cholangio‐pancreatography increased from 34% in C1 to 65% in C2. Advanced liver disease on biopsy was noted in 53% of all children at presentation. Only 5 female children progressed to liver transplant (3 ASC‐IBD [inflammatory bowel disease]; 1 PSC‐IBD; 1 AIH). Colonoscopy performance increased from 48% in C1 to 63% in C2 with diagnosis of AILD‐IBD increasing from 31% to 52%. Right‐sided disease was present in 46% and macroscopic rectal sparing in 36% of those with ulcerative colitis (UC). Colectomy was required in 3 children with large duct PSC‐IBD.Conclusions:PSC and ASC are increasing in relevance along with IBD and reflect increasing performance of magnetic resonance cholangio‐pancreatography and colonoscopy. Large duct PSC and ASC with IBD are risk factors for colectomy and along with female gender, for liver transplant.
Prognostic Implications of Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Pathologic Stage III Rectal Cancer
Authors: Karagkounis Georgios , Thai Leo , Mace Adam G. , Wiland Homer , Pai Rish K. , Steele Scott R. , Church James M. , Kalady Matthew F. 
Published: February 2018

Objective:
To evaluate the independent prognostic ability of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) tumor regression scores within pathologic stage II and III rectal cancers.

Background:
Response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) has been debated as a biologic surrogate for tumor biology and prognosis in rectal cancer. AJCC regression scores have been shown to correlate with prognosis.

Methods:
Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and AJCC scores (0 = complete response; 1 = isolated tumor cells remaining; 2 = residual cancer outgrown by fibrosis; 3 = extensive residual cancer) were assessed from 545 rectal cancer patients treated by nCRT followed by surgery at a single institution. Patients were classified as responders (score 0–2) or nonresponders (score 3). Survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results:
Of 545 cases, 123 and 182 were pathologic stage II and III, respectively. Median follow-up was 4.9 years. AJCC regression scores were not independently prognostic within stage II cancers. However, AJCC scores were strongly associated with prognosis within stage III cancers (nonresponse 5-year overall survival [OS] 27% vs 67%, P < 0.001). Stage III responders (N = 139, 76.4%) had similar outcomes to stage II (5-year OS 67% vs 74%, P = 0.89). Conversely, stage III nonresponders (N = 43, 23.6%) approached stage IV outcomes (5-year OS 27% vs 18%, P = 0.09). On multivariable analysis, nonresponse (hazard ratio 3.2, 95% confidence interval 1.7–6.2), along with positive margin, abdominoperineal resection, and no adjuvant chemotherapy administration were independently associated with worse OS.

Conclusions:
AJCC response score after nCRT is a novel prognostic factor in pathologic stage III rectal cancer and may guide surveillance and adjuvant therapy decisions.
Ultra-fast cellular contractions in the epithelium ofT. adhaerensand the “active cohesion” hypothesis
Authors: Armon Shahaf , Storm Bull Matthew , Aranda-Diaz Andres , Prakash Manu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBy definition of multi-cellularity, all animals need to keep their cells attached and intact, despite internal and external forces. Cohesion between epithelial cells provides this key feature. In order to better understand fundamental limits of this cohesion, we study the epithelium mechanics of an ultra-thin (~25 um) primitive marine animalTrichoplax adhaerens, composed essentially of two flat epithelial layers. With no known extra-cellular-matrix and no nerves or muscles,T. adhaerenswas claimed the “simplest known living animal”, yet is still capable of coordinated locomotion and behavior. Here we report the discovery of the fastest epithelial cellular contractions to date to be found inT. adhaerensdorsal epithelium (50% shrinkage of apical cell area within one second, at least an order of magnitude faster than known examples). Live imaging reveals emergent contractile patterns that are mostly sporadic single-cell events, but also include propagating contraction waves across the tissue. We show that cell contraction speed can be explained by current models of non-muscle actin-myosin bundles without load, while the tissue architecture and unique mechanical properties are softening the tissue, minimizing the load on a contracting cell. We propose a hypothesis, in which the physiological role of the contraction dynamics is to avoid tissue rupture (“active cohesion”), a novel concept that can be further applied to engineering of active materials.One Sentence SummaryWe report the fastest epithelial cell contractions known to date, show they fit the kinematics arising from current cytoskeletal models, and suggest the extreme tissue dynamics is a means to actively avoid rupture.
Mast Cells Enhance Sterile Inflammation in Chronic Nonbacterial Osteomyelitis
Authors: Young Stephanie , Sharma Namit , Lee Jae Hoon Peter , Chitu Violeta , Neumeister Volker , Sohr Elisabeth , Stanley E. Richard , Hedrich Christian M. , Craig Andrew W.B. 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTChronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) is an autoinflammatory bone disease. While some patients exhibit bone lesions at single sites, most patients develop chronically active or recurrent bone inflammation at multiple sites, and are then diagnosed with recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO). Chronic multifocal osteomyelitis (CMO) mice develop IL-1β-driven sterile bone lesions reminscent of severe CRMO. Mechanistically, CMO disease arises due to loss of PSTPIP2, a negative regulator of macrophages, osteoclasts and neutrophils. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential involvement of mast cells in CMO/CRMO disease pathophysiology. Here, we show that mast cells accumulate in the inflamed tissues from CMO mice, and mast cell protease Mcpt1 was detected in the peripheral blood. The role of mast cells in CMO disease was investigated using a transgenic model of connective tissue mast cell depletion (Mcpt5-Cre:Rosa26-Stopfl/fl-DTa) that was crossed with CMO mice. The resulting CMO/MC-mice showed a significant delay in disease onset compared to age-matched CMO mice. At 5-6 months of age, CMO/MC- mice had fewer bone lesions and immune infiltration in the popliteal lymph nodes that drain the affected tail and paw tissues. To test the relevance of mast cells to human CRMO, we tested serum samples from a cohort of healthy controls or CRMO patients at diagnosis. Interestingly, mast cell chymase was elevated in CRMO patients as well as patients with oligoclonal juvenile arthritis. Tryptase-positive mast cells were also detected in bone lesions from CRMO patients as well as patients with bacterial osteomyelitis. Taken together, our results identify mast cells as cellular contributors to bone inflammation in CMO/CRMO. Observations of this study promise potential for mast cells and derived mediators as future biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.
Emergence of the erythroid lineage from multipotent hematopoiesis
Authors: Khoramian Tusi Betsabeh , Wolock Samuel L. , Weinreb Caleb , Hwang Yung , Hidalgo Daniel , Zilionis Rapolas , Waisman Ari , Huh Jun , Klein Allon M. , Socolovsky Merav 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRed cell formation begins with the hematopoietic stem cell, but the manner by which it gives rise to erythroid progenitors, and their subsequent developmental path, remain unclear. Here we combined single-cell transcriptomics of murine hematopoietic tissues with fate potential assays to infer a continuous yet hierarchical structure for the hematopoietic network. We define the erythroid differentiation trajectory as it emerges from multipotency and diverges from 6 other blood lineages. With the aid of a new flow-cytometric sorting strategy, we validated predicted cell fate potentials at the single cell level, revealing a coupling between erythroid and basophil/mast cell fates. We uncovered novel growth factor receptor regulators of the erythroid trajectory, including the proinflammatory IL-17RA, found to be a strong erythroid stimulator; and identified a global hematopoietic response to stress erythropoiesis. We further identified transcriptional and high-purity FACS gates for the complete isolation of all classically-defined erythroid burst-forming (BFU-e) and colony-forming progenitors (CFU-e), finding that they express a dedicated transcriptional program, distinct from that of terminally-differentiating erythroblasts. Intriguingly, profound remodeling of the cell cycle is intimately entwined with CFU-e developmental progression and with a sharp transcriptional switch that extinguishes the CFU-e stage and activates terminal differentiation. Underlying these results, our work showcases the utility of theoretic approaches linking transcriptomic data to predictive fate models, providing key insights into lineage developmentin vivo.
Emerging Evidence of Chromosome Folding by Loop Extrusion
Authors: Fudenberg Geoffrey , Abdennur Nezar , Imakaev Maxim , Goloborodko Anton , Mirny Leonid A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractChromosome organization poses a remarkable physical problem with many biological consequences: how can molecular interactions between proteins at the nanometer scale organize micron-long chromatinized DNA molecules, insulating or facilitating interactions between specific genomic elements? The mechanism of active loop extrusion holds great promise for explaining interphase and mitotic chromosome folding, yet remains difficult to assay directly. We discuss predictions from our polymer models of loop extrusion with barrier elements, and review recent experimental studies that provide strong support for loop extrusion, focusing on perturbations to CTCF and cohesin assayed via Hi-C in interphase. Finally, we discuss a likely molecular mechanism of loop extrusion by SMC complexes.
High prevalence of the antibody against Syncytin-1 in schizophrenia
Authors: Hibi Yurina , Asamitsu Kaori , Matsumura Hiroyo , Sanda Takaomi , Nakahira Yuki , Arimoto Kenji , Nakanishi Shinsuke , Maekawa Kazunori , Akechi Tatsuo , Matsukawa Noriyuki , Fukaya Terutaka , Tomita Yutaka , Iijima Nariaki , Kato Hiroyuki , Okamoto Takashi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBoth genetic and environmental factors have been considered causative agents for schizophrenia (SZ). However, no single gene has been shown responsible for the development of SZ. Furthermore, the pathophysiological roles of environmental factors including psychological stress, autoimmunity, and microbial infection have not been fully understood. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of one of the human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), HERV-W, in SZ. In this study, prevalence of antibodies against the HERV-W Syncytin-1 protein was examined using a newly developed ELISA test. Fifty percent of patients with SZ (24 out of 48 cases) were antibody-positive, with a specificity of greater than 95% (less than 5% of control cases, 3 out of 79). No significant effect of medication was evident, nor did any SZ cases become seropositive after diagnosis. These findings indicate a possible involvement of HERV-W expression in the development of SZ and support its applicability to laboratory diagnoses.
Sequence-directed action of RSC remodeler and pioneer factors positions +1 nucleosome to facilitate transcription
Authors: Kubik Slawomir , O’Duibhir Eoghan , de Jonge Wim , Mattarocci Stefano , Albert Benjamin , Falcone Jean-Luc , Bruzzone Maria Jessica , Holstege Frank C.P. , Shore David 
Published: February 2018

SummaryAccessible chromatin is important for RNA polymerase II recruitment and transcription initiation at eukaryotic promoters. We investigated the mechanistic links between promoter DNA sequence, nucleosome positioning and transcription. Our results indicate that precise positioning of the transcription start site-associated +1 nucleosome in yeast is critical for efficient TBP binding, and is driven by two key factors, the essential chromatin remodeler RSC and a small set of ubiquitous pioneer transcription factors. We find no evidence for recruitment of RSC by pioneer factors, but show instead that the strength and directionality of RSC action on nucleosomes depends upon the arrangement of two specific DNA motifs that promote its binding and nucleosome displacement activity at promoters. Thus, despite their widespread co-localization, RSC and pioneer factors predominantly act independently to generate accessible chromatin. Our results provide insight into how promoter DNA sequence instructs trans-acting factors to control nucleosome architecture and stimulate transcription initiation.
Standard operating procedure for somatic variant refinement of tumor sequencing data
Authors: Barnell Erica K. , Ronning Peter , Campbell Katie M. , Krysiak Kilannin , Ainscough Benjamin J. , Ramirez Cody , Spies Nick , Kunisaki Jason , Hundal Jasreet , Skidmore Zachary L. , Gomez Felicia , Trani Lee , Matlock Matthew , Wagner Alex H. , Swamidass S. Joshua , Griffith Malachi , Griffith Obi L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPurposeManual review of aligned sequencing reads is required to develop a high-quality list of somatic variants from massively parallel sequencing data (MPS). Despite widespread use in analyzing MPS data, there has been little attempt to describe methods for manual review, resulting in high inter- and intra-lab variability in somatic variant detection and characterization of tumors.MethodsOpen source software was used to develop an optimal method for manual review setup. We also developed a systemic approach to visually inspect each variant during manual review.ResultsWe present a standard operating procedures for somatic variant refinement for use by manual reviewers. The approach is enhanced through representative examples of 4 different manual review categories that indicate a reviewer’s confidence in the somatic variant call and 19 annotation tags that contextualize commonly observed sequencing patterns during manual review. Representative examples provide detailed instructions on how to classify variants during manual review to rectify lack of confidence in automated somatic variant detection.ConclusionStandardization of somatic variant refinement through systematization of manual review will improve the consistency and reproducibility of identifying true somatic variants after automated variant calling.