bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel spinal instrumentation to enhance osteogenesis and fusion: a preliminary study
Authors: MacEwan Matthew R. , Talcott Michael R. , Moran Daniel W. , Leuthardt Eric C. 
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE
Instrumented spinal fusion continues to exhibit high failure rates in patients undergoing multilevel lumbar fusion or pseudarthrosis revision; with Grade II or higher spondylolisthesis; or in those possessing risk factors such as obesity, tobacco use, or metabolic disorders. Direct current (DC) electrical stimulation of bone growth represents a unique surgical adjunct in vertebral fusion procedures, yet existing spinal fusion stimulators are not optimized to enhance interbody fusion. To develop an advanced method of applying DC electrical stimulation to promote interbody fusion, a novel osteogenic spinal system capable of routing DC through rigid instrumentation and into the vertebral bodies was fabricated. A pilot study was designed to assess the feasibility of osteogenic instrumentation and compare the ability of osteogenic instrumentation to promote successful interbody fusion in vivo to standard spinal instrumentation with autograft.

METHODS
Instrumented, single-level, posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with autologous graft was performed at L4–5 in adult Toggenburg/Alpine goats, using both osteogenic spinal instrumentation (plus electrical stimulation) and standard spinal instrumentation (no electrical stimulation). At terminal time points (3 months, 6 months), animals were killed and lumbar spines were explanted for radiographic analysis using a SOMATOM Dual Source Definition CT Scanner and high-resolution Microcat II CT Scanner. Trabecular continuity, radiodensity within the fusion mass, and regional bone formation were examined to determine successful spinal fusion.

RESULTS
Quantitative analysis of average bone density in pedicle screw beds confirmed that electroactive pedicle screws used in the osteogenic spinal system focally enhanced bone density in instrumented vertebral bodies. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of high-resolution CT scans of explanted lumbar spines further demonstrated that the osteogenic spinal system induced solid bony fusion across the L4–5 disc space as early as 6 weeks postoperatively. In comparison, inactive spinal instrumentation with autograft was unable to promote successful interbody fusion by 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study demonstrate that novel osteogenic spinal instrumentation supports interbody fusion through the focal delivery of DC electrical stimulation. With further technical development and scientific/clinical validation, osteogenic spinal instrumentation may offer a unique alternative to biological scaffolds and pharmaceutical adjuncts used in spinal fusion procedures.
Lactucin induces potent anti-cancer effects in HL-60 human leukemia cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and sub-G1 cell cycle arrest
Authors: Zhang Fu-Hua , Yan Yu-Ling , Wang Ying , Liu Zhen 
Published: April 2016

<p class="Abstract">The main purpose of the present study was to examine the antitumor and apoptotic effects of lactucin in HL-60 human leukemia cancer cells. MTT assay was used to examine the cytotoxic effects of lactucin while as phase contrast, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to evaluate the apoptotic effects of lactucin in these cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess the effects of lactucin on cell cycle phase distribution. The results indicate that lactucin induced potent, time– and dose-dependent antitumor effects. The microscopic techniques showed that lactucin induced characteristic features of apoptosis including cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing, appearance of vacuoles, swelling of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Viable cells are stained green, early apoptotic cells are stained yellow, while as late apoptotic cells are stained reddish orange. Flow cytometry revealed that lactucin induced sub-G1 cell cycle arrest.</p><p class="Abstract"><strong>Video Clips</strong></p><p class="Abstract">Phase contrast microscopy: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/xrTjOVvlTxQ">1</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/GxuMkGnkpSE">2</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/SfmdL2-O45Y">3</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/7vbJ9HMRTHU">4</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/u4aLzmlXF8s">5</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ucl8DjPeV9c">6</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/uI932TJVfFY">7</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/5sMlUKbKMhc">8</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/-tx20gFHYnc">9</a></p><p> </p>
The Scottish Referendum
Authors: Emerson Peter 
Published: April 2016

And the winner was… devo-max. It was not on the ballot paper; it received just a handful of spoiled votes; but it won.So maybe the two-option, yes-or-no ballot was not the most appropriate decision-making methodology. Rather, a three-option poll might have been the catalyst for a more subtle debate and a more accurate outcome, while a preferential vote on five or six options could have catered for even more sophistication.Accordingly, this article questions the decision to restrict the 2014 referendum to two options. Next, it asks what might have happened if a three-option ballot had been held. It then compares what could happen under different voting procedures before advocating a more inclusive structure. And lastly, consideration is given to multi-option referendums, both in Scotland and abroad.
Inter-arm blood pressure difference and mortality: a cohort study in an asymptomatic primary care population at elevated cardiovascular risk
Authors: Clark Christopher E , Taylor Rod S , Butcher Isabella , Stewart Marlene CW , Price Jackie , Fowkes F Gerald R , Shore Angela C , Campbell John L 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundDifferences in blood pressure between arms are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in cohorts with established vascular disease or substantially elevated cardiovascular risk.AimTo explore the association of inter-arm difference (IAD) with mortality in a community-dwelling cohort that is free of cardiovascular disease.Design and settingCohort analysis of a randomised controlled trial in central Scotland, from April 1998 to October 2008.MethodVolunteers from Lanarkshire, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, free of pre-existing vascular disease and with an ankle-brachial index ≤0.95, had systolic blood pressure measured in both arms at recruitment. Inter-arm blood pressure differences were calculated and examined for cross-sectional associations and differences in prospective survival. Outcome measures were cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality during mean follow-up of 8.2 years.ResultsBased on a single pair of measurements, 60% of 3350 participants had a systolic IAD ≥5 mmHg and 38% ≥10 mmHg. An IAD ≥5 mmHg was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19 to 3.07) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.44, 95% CI = 1.15 to 1.79). Within the subgroup of 764 participants who had hypertension, IADs of ≥5 mmHg or ≥10 mmHg were associated with both cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 2.63, 95% CI = 0.97 to 7.02, and adjusted HR 2.96, 95% CI = 1.27 to 6.88, respectively) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.67, 95% CI = 1.05 to 2.66, and adjusted HR 1.63, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.50, respectively). IADs ≥15 mmHg were not associated with survival differences in this population.ConclusionSystolic IADs in blood pressure are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, including mortality, in a large cohort of people free of pre-existing vascular disease.
Practical Classification Guidelines for Diabetes in patients treated with insulin: a cross-sectional study of the accuracy of diabetes diagnosis
Authors: Hope Suzy V , Wienand-Barnett Sophie , Shepherd Maggie , King Sophie M , Fox Charles , Khunti Kamlesh , Oram Richard A , Knight Bea A , Hattersley Andrew T , Jones Angus G , Shields Beverley M 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundDifferentiating between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is fundamental to ensuring appropriate management of patients, but can be challenging, especially when treating with insulin. The 2010 UK Practical Classification Guidelines for Diabetes were developed to help make the differentiation.AimTo assess diagnostic accuracy of the UK guidelines against ‘gold standard’ definitions of type 1 and type 2 diabetes based on measured C-peptide levels.Design and settingIn total, 601 adults with insulin-treated diabetes and diabetes duration ≥5 years were recruited in Devon, Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire.MethodBaseline information and home urine sample were collected. Urinary C-peptide creatinine ratio (UCPCR) measures endogenous insulin production. Gold standard type 1 diabetes was defined as continuous insulin treatment within 3 years of diagnosis and absolute insulin deficiency (UCPCR<0.2 nmol/mmol ≥5 years post-diagnosis); all others classed as having type 2 diabetes. Diagnostic performance of the clinical criteria was assessed and other criteria explored using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.ResultsUK guidelines correctly classified 86% of participants. Most misclassifications occurred in patients classed as having type 1 diabetes who had significant endogenous insulin levels (57 out of 601; 9%); most in those diagnosed ≥35 years and treated with insulin from diagnosis, where 37 out of 66 (56%) were misclassified. Time to insulin and age at diagnosis performed best in predicting long-term endogenous insulin production (ROC AUC = 0.904 and 0.871); BMI was a less strong predictor of diabetes type (AUC = 0.824).ConclusionCurrent UK guidelines provide a pragmatic clinical approach to classification reflecting long-term endogenous insulin production; caution is needed in older patients commencing insulin from diagnosis, where misclassification rates are increased.
Urbanisme touristique littoral et environnement entre fait et droit : enjeux et limites de la démarche normative (le cas de la Guadeloupe)
Authors: Breton Jean-Marie 
Published: April 2016

L'urbanisme touristique a, jusqu'à présent, assez peu été étudié en tant que tel, et les dispositions normatives du droit français n'en consacrent pas véritablement la spécificité, face au droit commun de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement. La législation littorale, pour sa part, si elle comporte quelques inflexions propres aux DOM, n'y consacre pas de développements remarquables, même s'il apparaît ici et là qu'elle n'en ignore pas pour autant la problématique.
Si, au regard des fondements et des cadres de l'urbanisme touristique en zone littorale, dans leur approche formelle globale, on considère la situation qui est à cet égard celle des dépendances françaises de I' « ultrapériphérie », à partir de l'exemple de la Guadeloupe, l'analyse est de nature à mettre en évidence la distanciation de la pratique et du droit. En raison d'un contexte particulier, la norme y est en effet souvent marginalisée et privée de facto d'effectivité, marquant ainsi les limites de l'emprise du droit de l'urbanisme aussi bien que de l'environnement et, partant, de la démarche normative y afférente.
Les « brûleurs » de frontières dans la musique populaire tunisienne
Authors: Salzbrunn Monika , Souiah Farida , Mastrangelo Simon 
Published: April 2016

Cet article propose une analyse des représentations des « brûleurs » de frontières, les migrants d’Afrique du Nord, dans la musique populaire tunisienne à partir d’un corpus constitué de cinquante-quatre chansons. Il mobilise la musique populaire tel un révélateur de l’imaginaire migratoire et de dynamiques sociales profondes. Après avoir exploré le contexte d’énonciation des chansons, l’article se structure autour des quatre thèmes prévalents : désirs migratoires, dangers de la traversée, souffrance de l’exilé et des siens, acceptation de la volonté divine. Cette analyse permet de conclure que, sans pouvoir être classées dans la musique révolutionnaire au sens classique du terme, les paroles des chansons sur la harga contiennent un potentiel de subversion important : voter avec ses pieds.
Mucinous adenocarcinoma of urachus: A tailored approach
Authors: Kumar M. , Prasad Karthik , Chaudhary Rahul , Kavitha B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractVesical adenocarcinomas are uncommon, accounting for less than 2% of all malignant urinary bladder tumors. Of these, urachal adenocarcinoma represents a rare subset. We report a case of a urachal adenocarcinoma, highlighting its unique features and management. A 50-year-old female presented with hematuria and burning micturition. Computed tomography scan showed a mass arising from an outpouching in the apex of bladder, suggestive of urachal origin. Biopsy revealed moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma. Partial cystectomy with ileocystoplasty, excision of urachus along with umbilicus and pelvic lymph node dissection was done. Histopathology confirmed urachal mucinous adenocarcinoma. The pathogenesis of urachal adenocarcinoma is unknown. It is important to distinguish between urachal and non urachal adenocarcinoma as the former carry a better prognosis. Management of urachal adenocarcinoma involves complete eradication of the disease. Stage and margin status have been identified as the most important predictors of long-term survival.
Botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of common bile duct: Diagnostic imaging features of an unusual pathology: Case report and review
Authors: Mane Abhishek , Verma Ashish , Kar Amrita , Ojha Ritu , Shukla Ram , Srivastava Arvind 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common tumor of biliary tree in childhood. Biliary tree is an uncommon site for RMS to occur, accounting for about 1% of all pediatric RMS. A preoperative diagnosis is not difficult with background knowledge of its imaging features. The diagnosis of this malignancy is especially important as it many times mimics a more common and benign condition of choledochal cyst. The key to diagnosis is to distinguish solid component of the tumor from organized sludge seen in choledochal cyst. Imaging plays a vital role for preoperative staging as well.
An observational study of abdominal organ involvement detected by ultrasound and computed tomography in children suffering from lymphoreticular malignancy at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India
Authors: Chakrabarti Abhiram , Nandy Manab , Sarkar Partha , Chowdhury Ananya , Rahaman Rafiqul 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Introduction: Abdominal organs are usually involved in lymphoreticular malignancies (LRM), and the detection is crucial for Initial staging, determination of the location and extent of disease, and is the hallmark for the choice of treatment. At present, the established radiological technique for staging Hodgkin's disease is computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (USG) in our country.
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the pattern of abdominal organ involvement in childhood LRM by USG and CT and to analyze the findings.
Methods: The study included 121 children with newly diagnosed childhood LRM who underwent real time USG and contrast enhanced CT scan. The records of the US and CT scanning were analyzed with respect to size, shape, margins, echogenicity/density pattern of various abdominal organs and lymph nodes to evaluate the extent and pattern of abdominal organ involvement by the disease process.
Results: Out of 121 cases of LRM, US detected significant portal lymphadenopathy in 9 (7.44%) cases where CT detected enlarged portal nodes in only 3 and missed in 6 cases. However in the retroperitoneal lynphadenopathy CT scored over US, as CT detected 16 (13.22%) cases as against 13 (10.74%) cases detected by US.
Conclusion: In our study we observed abdominal organs are commonly involved at the time of initial presentation in childhood LRM, with diffuse organomegaly being commoner than focal lesions. Abdominal symptoms and GIT involvement were also found more common in NHL patients at their initial presentation. There are no characteristic patterns of involvement either on US or CT which are specific to any individual disease entity. Although organomegaly and focal lesions are not diagnostic, but in a known case of childhood LRM these are highly suggestive of involvement by the existing disease process. There is no significant difference in the detection rate of abdominal organ involvement by US and CT in our study. However US being safer and cheaper, US may be suggested as the primary imaging modality to detect abdominal organ involvement in childhood LRM at initial presentation.
On the Notion of Conductor in the Local
Geometric Langlands Correspondence
Authors: Kamgarpour Masoud 
Published: April 2016

AbstractUnder the local Langlands correspondence, the conductor of an irreducible representation of Gln(F) is greater than the Swan conductor of the corresponding Galois representation. In this paper, we establish the geometric analogue of this statement by showing that the conductor of a categorical representation of the loop group is greater than the irregularity of the corresponding meromorphic connection.
Association of heat shock protein 70 gene polymorphisms with acute thermal tolerance, growth, and egg production traits of native chickens in Taiwan
Authors: Liang Hsiao-Mei , Lin Der-Yuh , Hsuuw Yan-Der , Huang Tsung-Ping , Chang Hsiu-Luan , Lin Cheng-Yung , Wu Hsi-Hsun , Hung Kuo-Hsiang 
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Heat stress is among the most challenging environmental conditions affecting commercial poultry. It severely affects growth and egg production, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to examine physiological responses – including triiodothyronine (T3) levels, enzymatic activity of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), respiratory rates, and cloacal temperature – to acute heat stress associated with different genotypes of the HSP70 gene and to evaluate the association of these polymorphisms with growth and egg production. Genotyping was performed by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. The polymorphisms identified were A258A, A258G, and G258G. Twenty 12-week old birds were randomly selected from each genotype and exposed to 40 °C ambient temperature for 1 h. Blood samples were collected at 0 and 1 h following heat stress. Respiratory rate and cloacal temperature were measured following 0, 30, and 60 min of exposure. After 1 h, the A258A genotype exhibited lower levels of CK activity and plasma T3. Neither respiratory rate nor cloacal temperature displayed a significant association with the genotypes. Body weight gain differed among the genotypes for males (F =  3.268, P = 0.041) and females (F =  14.029, P < 0.001), and the A258A genotype exhibited the greatest weight gain at 0–16 weeks of age for both genders. There were no significant differences among genotypes regarding egg weight at first egg or the number of eggs laid until 40 weeks of age. The A258A genotype displayed higher heat tolerance with no negative effects on growth performance and egg production.
The link between marine sediment records and changes in Holocene Saharan landscape: simulating the dust cycle
Authors: Egerer Sabine , Claussen Martin , Reick Christian , Stanelle Tanja 
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Marine sediment records reveal an abrupt and strong increase in dust deposition in the North Atlantic at the end of the African Humid Period about 4.9 to 5.5 ka ago. The change in dust flux has been attributed to varying Saharan land surface cover. Alternatively, the enhanced dust accumulation is linked to enhanced surface winds and a consequent intensification of coastal upwelling. Here we demonstrate for the first time the direct link between dust accumulation in marine cores and changes in Saharan land surface. We simulate the mid-Holocene (6 ka BP) and pre-industrial (1850 AD) dust cycle as a function of Saharan land surface cover and atmosphere-ocean conditions using the coupled atmosphere–aerosol model ECHAM6.1-HAM2.1. Mid-Holocene surface characteristics, including vegetation cover and lake surface area, are derived from proxy data and simulations. In agreement with data from marine sediment cores, our simulations show that mid-Holocene dust deposition fluxes in the North Atlantic were two to three times lower compared with pre-industrial fluxes. We identify Saharan land surface characteristics to be the main control on dust transport from North Africa to the North Atlantic. We conclude that the increase in dust accumulation in marine cores is directly linked to a transition of the Saharan landscape during the Holocene and not due to changes in atmospheric or ocean conditions alone.
Actinistian gular plates from the Cretaceous of Mexico and the problems assigning gular plates taxonomically
Authors: Schultze Hans-Peter , González-Rodríguez Katia Adriana 
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Two gular plates of an indeterminate actinistian are described from the Cretaceous of Muhi quarry, Hidalgo state, in central Mexico. Their narrow shape belongs to the few actinistian gular plates with a high length / width ratio (above 4) in contrast to most known actinistian gular plates with a length / width ratio below 4. The gulars of Muhi quarry are assigned, with caution, to the actinistian family Mawsoniidae on the basis of the length / width ratio (around 4.5) of the gular, which can be found in three other genera of the family. There are not enough characteristics in actinistian gular plates alone to erect a new genus or species. Noteworthy is the large size of the Muhi gulars that corresponds to a body length of about 1.6 m – the length of Latimeria today. The gulars are preserved in association with a basibranchial tooth plate and a few neural spines. This is the third actinistian record from the Cretaceous of Mexico.
Effects of wood chip amendments on the revegetation performance of plant species on eroded marly terrains in a Mediterranean mountainous climate (Southern Alps, France)
Authors: Breton Vincent , Crosaz Yves , Rey Freddy 
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The establishment of plant species can limit soil erosion dynamics in degraded lands. In marly areas in the Southern French Alps, both harsh water erosion and drought conditions in summer due to the Mediterranean mountainous climate prevent the natural implementation and regeneration of vegetation. Soil fertility improvement is sometimes necessary. With the purpose of revegetating such areas, we aimed to evaluate the effects of wood chip amendments on the revegetation performance of different native or sub-spontaneous plant species. We conducted two experiments on steep slopes over three growing seasons (2012–2014). The first consisted of planting seedlings (10 species), and the second consisted of seeding (nine species including six used in the first experiment). First we noted that wood chips were able to remain in place even in steep slope conditions. The planting of seedlings showed both an impact of wood chip amendment and differences between species. A positive effect of wood chips was shown with overall improvement of plant survival (increasing by 11 % on average, by up to 50 % for some species). In the seeding experiment, no plants survived after three growing seasons. However, intermediate results for the first and second years showed a positive effect of wood chips on seedling emergence: seeds of four species only sprouted on wood chips, and for the five other species the average emergence rate increased by 50 %.