bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Complications of Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy
Authors: Daubs Michael D. , Brodke Darrel S. , Annis Prokopis , Lawrence Brandon D. 
Published: December 2015

Study Design Retrospective case series. Objective To describe the perioperative complications (0 to 90 days) associated with pedicle subtraction osteotomies (PSOs) performed at a tertiary spine center by two experienced spine surgeons who recently adopted the technique. Methods We reviewed all 65 patients (47 women and 18 men; mean age 60 years, range 24 to 80) who underwent a PSO at our institution. Descriptive data and analysis of complications were limited to the perioperative time (within 90 days of surgery). Data analyzed included operative time, length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss (EBL), blood products, comorbidities, neurologic complications, and medical complications. Complications were rated as major and minor. Radiographic data was also analyzed. Results Ten patients (15.4%) had a major complication, and 15 (23%) had a minor complication. There were three perioperative deaths. The most common major complication was neurologic deficit (6.2%, 4/65), three with a permanent foot drop, and one with paraplegia secondary to postoperative hematoma. There were no differences between patients with and without a major complication in regard to age, gender, comorbidities, operative time, number of levels fused, and EBL ( p > 0.05). Patients with a major complication had a longer intensive care unit stay ( p = 0.04). There was no difference in the rate of major complications between the initial and later cases performed. Conclusion The major complication rate for pedicle subtraction osteotomy was 15% and the minor complication rate was 23%. The most common major complication was neurologic deficit in 6.2%. The complication rate did not change with increased surgeon experience.
Perioperative Complications of Cervical Spine Surgery: Analysis of a Prospectively Gathered Database through the Association for Collaborative Spinal Research
Authors: Leckie Steven , Yoon S. Tim , Isaacs Robert , Radcliff Kris , Fessler Richard , Haid Regis , Traynelis Vincent 
Published: December 2015

Study Design Retrospective review of prospectively gathered data. Objective To report the rate and impact of perioperative complications in cervical spine surgery. To our knowledge, no prior study of the cervical spine has analyzed a large prospectively gathered data set for adverse events, based on surgical subgroup. Methods The ProSTOS database features prospectively documented perioperative adverse events for 1,269 patients who had cervical spine surgery at multiple centers in North America between 2008 and 2011. We subgrouped patients by approach, whether surgery was a primary or revision operation, and by the number of levels involved. Multivariate analysis with stepwise logistic regression was used to relate complication rates to gender, age, smoking status, body mass index, approach, revision status, and number of levels involved. Follow-up was 41%. Results Adverse events occurred significantly more frequently in posterior and combined procedures than in anterior procedures. Revision surgery had significantly more complications than primary surgery. For patients who had anterior surgery, those who had one, two, and three or more levels operated had no significant difference in complication rates. Patients who had posterior surgery had significantly more complications if they had two or more levels operated compared with one level. The lowest rates of complications were for one-level primary surgery (<5%), and multilevel posterior, revision posterior, and revision combined surgery had complication rates over 6 times higher (>28%). Patients who had complications were significantly older than patients who did not. The most common adverse events were dysphagia and cardiac complications. The most severe morbid complications, in terms of increased treatment needs and hospital stay, were paraparesis and seizure. Conclusions Perioperative complication rates in cervical spine surgery are significantly lower in younger patients, surgery performed through an anterior approach (compared with a posterior or combined approach), with fewer levels involved (particularly in posterior surgery), and in primary (compared with revision) procedures.
Abschätzung des ambulanten palliativmedizinischen Versorgungsgrades regionaler palliativmedizinischer Konsiliardienste in Westfalen-Lippe
Authors: Dasch B. , Blum K. , Bausewein C. 
Published: December 2015

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund: Daten zur Abschätzung des palliativmedizinischen Versorgungsbedarfs und dessen ambulanter Abdeckungsgrad sind vom gesundheitspolitischen Interesse.
Methodik: Der theoretische Bedarf einer palliativmedizinischen Versorgung wurde an Tumorpatienten mit fortgeschrittenem Krankheitsstadium festgemacht. Diese Patientengruppe wurde anhand der Todesursache aus ausgewerteten Totenscheinen des Jahres 2011 der Städte Bochum (BO) und Münster (MS) sowie der westfälischen Landkreise Coesfeld (COE) und Borken (BOR) ermittelt. Die so bestimmte Patientenzahl wurde mit anonymisierten Leistungsdaten der regionalen ambulanten palliativmedizinischen Konsiliardienste (PKDs) in Bezug gesetzt und hieraus ein prozentueller Versorgungsgrad abgeleitet.
Ergebnis: Ausgewertet wurden n=12 424 Totenscheine. Bei 22,1% (n=2 751) lag per definitionem ein palliativmedizinischer Versorgungsbedarf vor dem Versterben vor. Im gleichen Jahr betreuten die palliativmedizinischen Konsiliardienste 2 396 Patienten, wobei 1 288 Tumorpatienten verstarben. Hieraus leitete sich folgender ambulanter Versorgungsgrad ab: BO 54,2% (567/1 046), MS 60,6% (385/635), COE 54,4% (210/386), BOR 18,4% (126/684).
Schlussfolgerung: Jeder fünfte Todesfall weist vor Ableben einen palliativmedizinischen Versorgungsbedarf auf. Mehr als 50% dieser Patienten erfuhren rein rechnerisch in den westfälischen Studienregionen Bochum, Münster und dem Kreis Coesfeld im Jahre 2011 eine Betreuung durch einen ambulanten palliativmedizinischen Konsiliardienst. Der Landkreis Borken wies einen Versorgungsgrad<20% auf.
mTOR inhibition activates overall protein degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system as well as by autophagy
Authors: Zhao Jinghui , Zhai Bo , Gygi Steven P. , Goldberg Alfred Lewis 
Published: December 2015

Significance
Lack of nutrients or growth factors rapidly inhibits mTOR kinase and stimulates overall protein breakdown by autophagy, which provides amino acids for new protein synthesis and energy production. Here, we demonstrate that mTOR inhibition also rapidly increases overall protein degradation by the ubiquitin proteasome system by enhancing the ubiquitination of many cell proteins. These findings demonstrate a new general mechanism regulating overall protein breakdown in mammalian cells. This rapid activation of proteolysis not only slows growth and provides essential amino acids upon starvation, but also stimulates ubiquitin-dependent degradation of certain growth-related proteins, including HMG-CoA synthase, which is critical for cholesterol biosynthesis. Accelerated degradation of such proteins represents a new mechanism for rapid suppression of anabolic processes when mTORC1 activity decreases.
CytoGEDEVO—global alignment of biological networks with Cytoscape
Authors: Malek Maximilian , Ibragimov Rashid , Albrecht Mario , Baumbach Jan 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Motivation: In the systems biology era, high-throughput omics technologies have enabled the unraveling of the interplay of some biological entities on a large scale (e.g. genes, proteins, metabolites or RNAs). Huge biological networks have emerged, where nodes correspond to these entities and edges between them model their relations. Protein–protein interaction networks, for instance, show the physical interactions of proteins in an organism. The comparison of such networks promises additional insights into protein and cell function as well as knowledge-transfer across species. Several computational approaches have been developed previously to solve the network alignment (NA) problem, but only a few concentrate on the usability of the implemented tools for the evaluation of protein–protein interactions by the end users (biologists and medical researchers).
Results: We have created CytoGEDEVO, a Cytoscape app for visual and user-assisted NA. It extends the previous GEDEVO methodology for global pairwise NAs with new graphical and functional features. Our main focus was on the usability, even by non-programmers and the interpretability of the NA results with Cytoscape.
Availability and implementation: CytoGEDEVO is publicly available from the Cytoscape app store at http://apps.cytoscape.org/apps/cytogedevo. In addition, we provide stand-alone command line executables, source code, documentation and step-by-step user instructions at http://cytogedevo.compbio.sdu.dk.
Contact: malek@tugraz.at
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Observation of polarized hard X-ray emission from the Crab by the PoGOLite Pathfinder
Authors: Chauvin M. , Florén H.-G. , Jackson M. , Kamae T. , Kawano T. , Kiss M. , Kole M. , Mikhalev V. , Moretti E. , Olofsson G. , Rydström S. , Takahashi H. , Iyudin A. , Arimoto M. , Fukazawa Y. , Kataoka J. , Kawai N. , Mizuno T. , Ryde F. , Tajima H. , Takahashi T. , Pearce M. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
We have measured the linear polarization of hard X-ray emission from the Crab in a previously unexplored energy interval, 20–120 keV. The introduction of two new observational parameters, the polarization fraction and angle stands to disentangle geometrical and physical effects, thereby providing information on the pulsar wind geometry and magnetic field environment. Measurements are conducted using the PoGOLite Pathfinder – a balloon-borne polarimeter. Polarization is determined by measuring the azimuthal Compton scattering angle of incident X-rays in an array of plastic scintillators housed in an anticoincidence well. The polarimetric response has been characterized prior to flight using both polarized and unpolarized calibration sources. We address possible systematic effects through observations of a background field. The measured polarization fraction for the integrated Crab light curve is $18.4^{+9.8}_{-10.6}$ per cent, corresponding to an upper limit (99 per cent credibility) of 42.4 per cent, for a polarization angle of (149.2 ± 16.0)°.
First-generation science cases for ground-based terahertz telescopes
Authors: Hirashita Hiroyuki , Koch Patrick M. , Matsushita Satoki , Takakuwa Shigehisa , Nakamura Masanori , Asada Keiichi , Liu Hauyu Baobab , Urata Yuji , Wang Ming-Jye , Wang Wei-Hao , Takahashi Satoko , Tang Ya-Wen , Chang Hsian-Hong , Huang Kuiyun , Morata Oscar , Otsuka Masaaki , Lin Kai-Yang , Tsai An-Li , Lin Yen-Ting , Srinivasan Sundar , Martin-Cocher Pierre , Pu Hung-Yi , Kemper Francisca , Patel Nimesh , Grimes Paul , Huang Yau-De , Han Chih-Chiang , Huang Yen-Ru , Nishioka Hiroaki , Lin Lupin Chun-Che , Zhang Qizhou , Keto Eric , Burgos Roberto , Chen Ming-Tang , Inoue Makoto , Ho Paul T. P. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Ground-based observations at terahertz (THz) frequencies are a newly explorable area of astronomy in the coming decades. We discuss science cases for a first-generation 10-m class THz telescope, focusing on the Greenland Telescope as an example of such a facility. We propose science cases and provide quantitative estimates for each case. The largest advantage of ground-based THz telescopes is their higher angular resolution (∼ 4″ for a 10-m dish), as compared to space or airborne THz telescopes. Thus, high-resolution mapping is an important scientific argument. In particular, we can isolate zones of interest for Galactic and extragalactic star-forming regions. The THz windows are suitable for observations of high-excitation CO lines and [N ii] 205-μm lines, which are scientifically relevant tracers of star formation and stellar feedback. Those lines are the brightest lines in the THz windows, so they are suitable for the initiation of ground-based THz observations. THz polarization of star-forming regions can also be explored since it traces the dust population contributing to the THz spectral peak. For survey-type observations, we focus on “sub-THz” extragalactic surveys, the uniqueness of which is detecting galaxies at redshifts z ∼ 1–2, where the dust emission per comoving volume is the largest in the history of the Universe. Finally we explore possibilities of flexible time scheduling, which enables us to monitor active galactic nuclei, and to target gamma-ray burst afterglows. For these objects, THz and submillimeter wavelength ranges have not yet been explored.
Biomechanical Analysis of an S1 Pedicle Screw Salvage Technique via a Superior Articulating Process Entry Point
Authors: Lee Yu-Po , Ihn Hansel E. , McGarry Michelle H. , Farhan Saifal-Deen , Bhatia Nitin , Lee Thay Q. 
Published: December 2015

Study Design.
Biomechanical, cadaveric study.

Objective.
To compare the fixation strength of a novel S1 pedicle screw insertion technique in a revision setting to a standard S1 pedicle screw and an L5 pedicle screw.

Summary of Background Data.
Fusions to the sacrum remain a difficult clinical challenge. Very few salvage techniques exist when a nonunion occurs.

Methods.
The biomechanical integrity of three screw fixations, L5 pedicle screws, a standard S1 pedicle screw, and an S1 pedicle screw placed via a superior articulating process entry point (SAP S1), was characterized by performing pullout tests using cadaveric specimens including L5 and sacrum.

Results.
SAP S1 constructs (735.5 ± 110.1 N/mm) were significantly stiffer than standard S1 (P = 0.005) and L5 (P = 0.02) constructs. There was no statistically significant difference between the L5 constructs and the standard S1 constructs for linear stiffness. There was no statistical difference between the three fixations for yield load, displacement at yield load, and energy absorbed to yield load.
The ultimate pullout force for the SAP S1 was statistically higher than the standard S1 (1213.7 ± 579.6 vs. 478.6 ± 452.9 N; P = 0.004). Displacement at ultimate load was significantly greater for L5 screw fixation (3.3 ± 1.1 mm) compared to the other two constructs. Both the L5 (2277.4 ± 1873.3 N-mm) and SAP S1 (2628.2 ± 2054.4 N-mm) constructs had significantly greater energy absorbed to ultimate load than the standard S1 construct (811.7 ± 937.6 N-mm), but there was no statistical difference between the L5 and SAP S1 constructs.

Conclusion.
S1 pedicle screw fixation via an SAP entry point provides biomechanical advantages compared to screws placed via the standard S1 or L5 entry point and may be a viable option for revision of a failed L5-S1 fusion with a compromised standard S1 entry point.

Level of Evidence: N/A
MRI-Guided Stereotactic System for Delivery of Intraspinal Microstimulation
Authors: Grahn Peter J. , Goerss Stephan J. , Lujan J. Luis , Mallory Grant W. , Kall Bruce A. , Mendez Aldo A. , Trevathan James K. , Felmlee Joel P. , Bennet Kevin E. , Lee Kendall H. 
Published: December 2015

Study Design.
Laboratory/animal-based proof of principle study.

Objective.
To validate the accuracy of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided stereotactic system for intraspinal electrode targeting and demonstrate the feasibility of such a system for controlling implantation of intraspinal electrodes.

Summary of Background Data.
Intraspinal microstimulation (ISMS) is an emerging preclinical therapy, which has shown promise for the restoration of motor function following spinal cord injury. However, targeting inaccuracy associated with existing electrode implantation techniques remains a major barrier preventing clinical translation of ISMS.

Methods.
System accuracy was evaluated using a test phantom comprised of nine target locations. Targeting accuracy was determined by calculating the root mean square error between MRI-generated coordinates and actual frame coordinates required to reach the target positions. System performance was further validated in an anesthetized pig model by performing MRI-guided intraspinal electrode implantation and stimulation followed by computed tomography of electrode location. Finally, system compatibility with a commercially available microelectrode array was demonstrated by implanting the array and applying a selection of stimulation amplitudes that evoked hind limb responses.

Results.
The root mean square error between actual frame coordinates and software coordinates, both acquired using the test phantom, was 1.09 ± 0.20 mm. Postoperative computed tomography in the anesthetized pig confirmed spatially accurate electrode placement relative to preoperative MRI. Additionally, MRI-guided delivery of a microwire electrode followed by ISMS evoked repeatable electromyography responses in the biceps femoris muscle. Finally, delivery of a microelectrode array produced repeatable and graded hind limb evoked movements.

Conclusion.
We present a novel frame-based stereotactic system for targeting and delivery of intraspinal instrumentation. This system utilizes MRI guidance to account for variations in anatomy between subjects, thereby improving upon existing ISMS electrode implantation techniques.

Level of Evidence: N/A
US State-Level Policy Responses to the Ebola Outbreak, 2014-2015
Authors: Sell Tara Kirk , McGinty Emma E. , Pollack Keshia , Smith Katherine Clegg , Burke Thomas A. , Rutkow Lainie 
Published: December 2015

Context:
The 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic in West Africa raised concerns about the potential occurrence of an Ebola outbreak in the United States. The federal government and individual states developed guidance and policies to determine how to manage individuals within the United States who may have been exposed to Ebola.

Design:
A total of 139 documents describing state policies for individuals considered at risk for Ebola and the requirements, as well as restrictions these individuals may be subject to, were systematically identified and analyzed.

Results:
A wide range of policy responses and variations on quarantine, movement restrictions, exposure categories, and monitoring were found. While the majority of states reflected US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, some states enacted aggressive quarantine policies and movement restrictions, developed unique categorization strategies, and established more frequent monitoring procedures.

Conclusions:
Findings may help public health practitioners and policymakers anticipate what policies could be implemented in response to future infectious disease threats. Furthermore, practitioners and policymakers should assume that some variation in response policies will occur at the state level.
Emergent Patterns from Probabilistic Generalisations of Lateral Activation and Inhibition
Authors: Willis Lisa , Kabla Alexandre 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe combination of laterally activating and inhibiting feedbacks is well known to spontaneously generate spatial organisation. It was introduced by Gierer and Meinhardt as an extension of Turing’s great insight, that two reacting and diffusing chemicals can spontaneously drive spatial morphogenesisper se. In this study, we develop an accessible nonlinear and discrete probabilistic model to study simple generalisations of lateral activation and inhibition. By doing so, we identify novel modes of morphogenesis beyond the familiar Turing-type modes; notably, beyond stripes, hexagonal nets, pores, and labyrinths, we identify labyrinthine highways, Kagome lattices, gyrating labyrinths, and multi-colour travelling waves and spirals. The results are discussed within the context of Turing’s original motivating interest: the mechanisms which underpin the morphogenesis of living organisms.
Event Extraction from Biomedical Literature
Authors: M.A. Basher Abdur Rahman , Purdy Alexander S. , Birol Inanç 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe breadth and scope of the biomedical literature hinders a timely and thorough comprehension of its content. PubMed, the leading repository for biomedical literature, currently holds over 26 million records, and is growing at a rate of over 1.2 million records per year, with about 300 records added daily that mention ‘cancer’ in the title or abstract. Natural language processing (NLP) can assist in accessing and interpreting this massive volume of literature, including its quality NLP approaches to the automatic extraction of biomedical entities and relationships may assist the development of explanatory models that can comprehensively scan and summarize biomedical articles for end users. Users can also formulate structured queries against these entities, and their interactions, to mine the latest developments in related areas of interest. In this article, we explore the latest advances in automated event extraction methods in the biomedical domain, focusing primarily on tools participated in the Biomedical NLP (BioNLP) Shared Task (ST) competitions. We review the leading BioNLP methods, summarize their results, and their innovative contributions in this field.
A Multiscale Framework for Deconstructing the Ecosystem Physical Template of High-Altitudes Lakes
Authors: Zaharescu Dragos G. , Hooda Peter S. , Burghelea Carmen I. , Palanca-Soler Antonio 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAn ecosystem is generally sustained by a set of integrated physical elements forming a functional landscape unit – ecotope, which supplies nutrients, microclimate, and exchanges matter and energy with the wider environment. To better predict environmental change effects on ecosystems, particularly in critically sensitive regions such as high altitudes, it is imperative to recognise how their natural landscape heterogeneity works at different scales to shape habitats and sustain biotic communities prior to major changes.We conducted a comprehensive survey of catchment physical, geological and ecological properties of 380 high altitude lakes and ponds in the axial Pyrenees at a variety of scales, in order to formulate and test an integrated model encompassing major flows and interactions that drive lake ecosystems.Three composite drivers encompassed most of the variability in lake catchment characteristics. In order of total percentage of variance explained they were: (i) hydrology/hydrodynamics-responsible for type and discharge of inlets/outlets, and for water body size; (ii) bedrock geomorphology, summarizing geology, slope and fractal order-all dictating vegetation cover of catchment slope and lake shore, and the presence of aquatic vegetation; and, (iii) topography, i.e. catchment formation type-driving lakes connectivity, and the presence of summer snow deposits. While driver (i) appeared to be local, (ii) and (iii) showed gradient changes along altitude and latitude. These three drivers differentiated several lake ecotopes based on their landscape similarities. The three-driver model was successfully tested on a riparian vegetation composition dataset, further illustrating the validity and fundamental nature of the concept.The findings inform on the relative contribution of scale-dependent catchment physical elements to lake ecotope and ecosystem formation in high altitude lakes, which should be considered in any assessment of potentially major deleterious effects due to environmental/climate change.Abstract FigureLake Bassia at 2275m a.s.l. in the Pyrenees National Park, France, is one of the millions of remote high altitude lakes worldwide whose catchments are likely to experience severe effects due to climate change. Photo credit: Antonio Palanca-Soler.