bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Fixation Techniques for Metastatic Spinal Disease
Authors: Rao Prashanth J. , Thayaparan Ganesha K. , Fairhall Jacob M. , Mobbs Ralph J. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveSurgical treatment of spinal metastasis is generally a palliative procedure. Although minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques are supposedly less morbid than open techniques, there is a lack of stratification of MIS techniques based on anticipated longevity. A simple stratification into three percutaneous surgical techniques based on modified Tokuhashi score is here proposed.MethodsPatients recommended for spinal surgery for metastatic spinal disease between 2009 and 2012 and operated on by the senior author (RJM) were retrospectively reviewed. One of three MIS techniques was offered based on estimated survival using a modified Tokuhashi score. Technique #1 is suitable for patients with predicted short longevity (<6 months). Using a mini‐open midline or paramedian decompression and percutaneous screw fixation, the goal here is for rapid mobilization and minimization of hospitalization. Technique #2 is suitable for patients with predicted medium longevity (6–12 months). They are suitable for decompression and/or cement vertebral body replacement and a two levels stabilization. Technique #3 is suitable for patients with predicted long term survival survival (>12 months). In these patients, the primary goal of surgery is a wide local or marginal resection of tumor, decompression of the neurological elements and a robust stabilization construct. They are suitable for an open 360°decompression, vertebral body reconstruction and a multilevel stabilization.ResultsThe study included eight patients with a mean age of 59 years (range, 36–72 years). Mean modified Tokuhashi score was 10 (range, 7–13) with three patients in the short term, two in the medium term and three in the long term survival category. Mean blood loss was 700 mL (range, 100–1200 mL), mean operating time 280 min (range, 120–360 min) and length of stay in the hospital was on average 13 days (range, 3–30 days).ConclusionThe authors present three minimally invasive technique options for the management of spinal metastatic disease corresponding to three clinical prognostic categories. In this small series, MIS techniques resulted in speedy recovery, minimal morbidity and no mortality.
Prediction of Health Status Based on Postoperative Radiographic Variables in Adult Scoliosis
Authors: Zou Hai‐bo , Wu Chun‐hui , Mehbod Amir A. , Lick Corky , Transfeldt Ensor E. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of surgical treatment on health related quality of life (HRQOL) and radiographic variables in patients with adult scoliosis.MethodsSixty‐eight patients with adult spinal deformities underwent radiographic analysis. The enrollment criteria were as follows: age older than 18 years, adult degenerative or progressive idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angle >10°), and surgical treatment within one year before this study was undertaken. The following variables were measured: curve type, apical level, curve magnitude, coronal and sagittal balance using a C7 plumb line (C7PL) and gravity line, lateral intervertebral olisthesis, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope and pelvic tilt. HRQOL was assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Both preoperative and postoperative data were collected and changes in radiographically assessed variables and ODI scores attributable to surgery calculated; correlations between these changes were then assessed. The radiographically assessed variables and ODI scores were analyzed with SigmaStat (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA). The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsSurgical treatment resulted in improvements in ODI scores and several radiographically assessed variables, including sagittal balance, lumbar lordosis, lateral olisthesis and coronal Cobb angle. Only sagittal balance expressed as C7PL was correlated to both preoperative and postoperative ODI. Gravity line, an alternative measurement of spinal balance, did not provide better correlations with HRQOL than C7PL.ConclusionsSpinal balance assessed by gravity line did not provide a better correlation with HRQOL than C7PL. Loss of sacral slope and retroverted pelvis are commonly seen in adult scoliosis and are not significantly changed by surgical treatment, including restoration of lumbar lordosis and sagittal balance.
Molecular genetic characterization of Central European soybean breeding germplasm
Authors: Hahn Volker , Würschum Tobias 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSoybean is the most important oilseed and protein crop worldwide, but in Europe, the acreage is comparably low. Thus, Europe strongly depends on imports of soy products and consequently recent efforts aim at expanding the acreage of soybean, particularly in Central Europe. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assist these breeding efforts by characterizing Central European soybean germplasm, employing a genotyping‐by‐sequencing approach yielding 7741 genomewide distributed markers. Our analysis on genetic diversity and population structure revealed that the Central European lines are most closely related to Swiss and Canadian lines and somewhat more distant from the investigated Chinese and US lines. In addition, we analysed patterns of allelic diversity and the extent of linkage disequilibrium. Collectively, our results can assist breeding of Central European soybean and suggest that further progress can be made by crosses among adapted material but a long‐term success also requires introgression of alleles from non‐European germplasm to further broaden the genetic diversity and incorporate novel traits.
Phenotypic characterization of wheat–barley ‘Mv9 kr1’/‘Igri’ introgression lines in the field
Authors: Aranyi Nikolett Réka , Molnár‐Láng Márta , Hoffmann Sándor , Hoffmann Borbála 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWheat–barley addition (2H, 3H, 4H, 6HS, 7H) and translocation (7D‐5HS) lines developed from a winter wheat ‘Martonvásári 9 kr1’ × winter barley ‘Igri’ cross were examined to determine how the added barley chromosomes (or segments) influence morphological and agronomic traits. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the advantageous traits of barley can be transferred to wheat by hybridization of the two species. The field experiment was carried out at UP Georgikon Faculty, Keszthely, during 2010–2011. Plants carrying the barley chromosomes had altered ontogenesis: days to 50% flowering, date of maturity, plant height, length and morphology of ear, flag leaf area, yield and components of grain yield. Regarding anthesis and maturity, the 7H addition line was the earliest, whereas the 4H addition was the latest to mature. Plant height and the length of spikes were decreased by the addition of 3H, 4H and 7H. Grain yield was decreased in addition lines 7H and 6HS and increased in addition 3H. Thousand grain weight was decreased in addition lines 2H, 4H and 6HS.
De novo amyloidosis in a renal transplant patient
Authors: Yılmaz Songül , Özçakar Z. Birsin , Bulum Burcu , Kiremitçi Saba , Ensari Arzu , Ekim Mesiha , Keven Kenan , Yalçınkaya Fatoş 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSystemic AA amyloidosis is a serious complication of many chronic inflammatory disorders and chronic infections. Renal involvement is seen in the majority of the patients and can lead to end‐stage renal disease. Renal transplantation can be performed in these patients; however, amyloidosis can recur in the transplanted kidneys. On the other hand, de novo AA amyloidosis in renal transplant patients has been rarely reported. We report a 17‐yr‐old patient with end‐stage renal disease due to genitourinary anomalies who developed recurrent pyelonephritis after transplantation. Three yr after transplantation, renal biopsy was performed for proteinuria and AA amyloidosis was identified in the renal allograft. Although rare, chronic infections might cause de novo amyloidosis in renal transplant patients. Therefore, amyloidosis should be kept in mind in those types of patients who present with proteinuria.
HLA desensitization with bortezomib in a highly sensitized pediatric patient
Authors: May Lindsay J. , Yeh Justin , Maeda Katsuhide , Tyan Dolly B. , Chen Sharon , Kaufman Beth D. , Bernstein Daniel , Rosenthal David N. , Hollander Seth A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has been used with variable success in the treatment of AMR following heart transplant. There is limited experience with this agent as a pretransplant desensitizing therapy. We report a case of successful HLA desensitization with a bortezomib‐based protocol prior to successful heart transplantation. A nine‐yr‐old boy with dilated cardiomyopathy, not initially sensitized to HLA (cPRA of zero), required three days of ECMO, followed by implantation of a Heartmate II LVAD. Within six wk, the patient developed de novo class I IgG and C1q complement‐fixing HLA antibodies with a cPRA of 100%. Two doses of IVIG (2 g/kg) failed to reduce antibody levels, although two courses of a novel desensitization protocol consisting of rituximab (375 mg/m2), bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 × 5 doses), and plasmapheresis reduced his cPRA to 0% and 87% by the C1q and IgG assays, respectively. He underwent heart transplantation nearly two months later. The patient is now >one yr post‐transplant, is free of both AMR and ACR, and has no detectable donor‐specific antibodies by IgG or C1q. Proteasome inhibition with bortezomib and plasmapheresis may be an effective therapy for HLA desensitization pretransplant.
Morpho‐colorimetric analysis and seed germination of Brassica insularis Moris (Brassicaceae) populations
Authors: Santo A. , Mattana E. , Grillo O. , Bacchetta G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBrassica insularis is a perennial plant growing on both coastal and inland cliffs. Three seed lots from Sardinia were analysed using an image analysis system to detect differences in seed morphology, both within and among populations. Germination requirements at constant (5–25 °C) and alternating temperatures (25/10 °C), both in light and in darkness, were evaluated for all populations. In addition, the effect of a dry after‐ripening period (90 days at 25 °C) was also investigated. Morpho‐colorimetric analysis clearly identified seeds from different populations and discriminated three chromatic categories for seeds belonging to the Isola dei Cavoli coastal population, but not for the inland Masùa and the coastal Planu Sartu. Inter‐population variability was also observed in germination behaviour. B. insularis seeds germinated, with percentages up to 60%, in a wide range of temperatures (5–25 °C), and neither light nor dry after‐ripening affected final germination percentages. Moisture content measurements were made for seeds of each colour, but there were no particular differences among colours. Inter‐populational variability in germination behaviour may be a survival strategy for species growing under unpredictable environmental conditions, such as under Mediterranean climate, while heteromorphy may be due to independent evolutionary divergence processes of the Isola dei Cavoli population.
Tracking wind‐dispersed seeds using 15N‐isotope enrichment
Authors: Forster C. , Herrmann J. D. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSeed dispersal influences a wide range of ecological processes. However, measuring dispersal patterns, particularly long‐distance dispersal, has been a difficult task. Marking bird‐dispersed seeds with stable 15N isotopes has been shown to be a user‐friendly method to trace seed dispersal. In this study, we determined whether 15N urea solution could be used to enrich seeds of two common wind‐dispersed plants, Eupatorium glaucescens (Asteraceae) and Sericocarpus tortifolius (Asteraceae). We further tested if the water type (distilled versus tap) in 15N urea solutions influences the level and variability of enrichment of plant seeds, and if increasing spraying frequency per se increases enrichment. Because droughts may lower seed set or kill plants, we wanted to investigate if the additional use of an externally applied anti‐transpirant affects the intake of externally applied 15N into seeds. The results demonstrate that 15N enrichment of seeds can facilitate dispersal experiments with wind‐dispersed plants. The use of distilled water in 15N urea solutions did not increase 15N enrichment compared to tap water. Further, enrichment was more efficient at lower spray frequencies. Both the use of tap water and low frequencies could lower time, effort and project costs. The results suggest that species can be protected from drought using an anti‐transpirant without decreasing the incorporation of 15N into seeds.
Resting high‐frequency heart rate variability is related to resting brain perfusion
Authors: Allen Ben , Jennings J. Richard , Gianaros Peter J. , Thayer Julian F. , Manuck Stephen B. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe examined the neural correlates of resting cardiac vagal activity in a sample of 432 participants (206 male; 61 African American; mean age 42 years). Pulsed arterial spin labeling was used to quantify whole brain and regional cerebral blood flow at rest. High‐frequency heart rate variability (HF‐HRV) was used to measure cardiac vagal activity at rest. The primary aim was to determine whether brain regions implicated in regulating cardiac vagal reactions were also related to cardiac vagal activity at rest, and whether these associations varied by sex or race. Brain areas previously related to vagal reactivity were related to resting HF‐HRV. Directionality of relationships differed between overall and regional flows. Some relationships were only observed in women and African Americans. There appears to be communality between brain regions associated with task‐induced vagal reactivity and those associated with resting cardiac vagal activity.
Evaluation of an immunological score to assess the risk of severe infection in heart recipients
Authors: Sarmiento E. , Navarro J. , Fernandez‐Yañez J. , Palomo J. , Muñoz P. , Carbone J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundWe previously reported how specific humoral and cellular immunological markers that are readily available in clinical practice can be used to identify heart transplant recipients (HTR) at risk of developing severe infections. In this study, we perform an extended analysis to identify immunological profiles that could prove to be superior to individual markers in assessing the risk of infection early after heart transplantation.MethodsIn a prospective follow‐up study, we evaluated 100 HTR at 1 week after transplantation. Laboratory tests included determination of immunoglobulin (Ig) levels (IgG, IgA, IgM), complement factors (C3 and C4), and lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells, B cells, and natural killer [NK] cells). The prevalence of infection during the first 3 months was registered at scheduled visits after transplantation. Severe infections were defined as all infections requiring hospitalization and intravenous antimicrobial therapy.ResultsDuring follow‐up, 33 patients (33%) developed severe infections. The individual risk factors of severe infection, according to the Cox regression analysis, were as follows: IgG <600 mg/dL (hazard ratio [HR], 2.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–4.78; P = 0.012), C3 <80 mg/dL (HR, 4.65; 95% CI, 2.31–9.38; P < 0.0001), C4 <18 mg/dL (HR 2.30, 95% CI, 1.15–4.59; P = 0.018), NK count <30 cells/μL (HR 4.07, 95% CI, 1.76–9.38; P = 0.001), and CD4 count <350 cells/μL (HR, 3.04; 95% CI, 1.47–6.28; P = 0.0027). An immunological score was created. HRs were used to determine the number of points assigned to each of the 5 previously mentioned individual risk factors. The score was obtained from the sum of these factors. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the immunological score was useful for identifying patients at risk of infection and was the only variable that maintained a significant association with the development of infection, after adjustment for the 5 individual factors.ConclusionPatients with an immunological score ≥13 were at the highest risk of severe infections (HR, 9.29; 95% CI, 4.57–18.90; P < 0.0001). This score remained significantly associated with the risk of severe infection after adjustment for clinical risk factors of infection. An immunological score was useful for identifying HTR at risk of developing severe infections. If this score is validated in multicenter studies, it could be easily introduced into clinical practice.
Development of a consensus protocol to quantify primate anti‐non‐Gal xenoreactive antibodies using pig aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Azimzadeh Agnes M. , Byrne Guerard W. , Ezzelarab Mohamed , Welty Emily , Braileanu Gheorghe , Cheng Xiangfei , Robson Simon C. , McGregor Christopher G. A. , Cooper David K. C. , Pierson Richard N. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundScientists working in the field of xenotransplantation do not employ a uniform method to measure and report natural and induced antibody responses to non‐Galα(1,3)Gal (non‐Gal) epitopes. Such humoral responses are thought to be particularly pathogenic after transplantation of vascularized GalTKO pig organs and having a more uniform assay and reporting format would greatly facilitate comparisons between laboratories.MethodsFlow cytometry allows examination of antibody reactivity to intact antigens in their natural location and conformation on cell membranes. We have established a simple and reproducible flow cytometric assay to detect antibodies specific for non‐Gal pig antigens using primary porcine aortic endothelial cells (pAECs) and cell culture‐adapted pAEC cell lines generated from wild type and α1,3galactosyl transferase knockout (GalTKO) swine.ResultsThe consensus protocol we propose here is based on procedures routinely used in four xenotransplantation centers and was independently evaluated at three sites using shared cells and serum samples. Our observation support use of the cell culture‐adapted GalTKO pAEC KO:15502 cells as a routine method to determine the reactivity of anti‐non‐Gal antibodies in human and baboon serum.ConclusionsWe have developed an assay that allows the detection of natural and induced non‐Gal xenoreactive antibodies present in human or baboon serum in a reliable and consistent manner. This consensus assay and format for reporting the data should be accessible to laboratories and will be useful for assessing experimental results between multiple research centers. Adopting this assay and format for reporting the data should facilitate the detection, monitoring, and detailed characterization of non‐Gal antibody responses.
Progress in pig‐to‐non‐human primate transplantation models (1998–2013): a comprehensive review of the literature
Authors: Cooper David K. C. , Satyananda Vikas , Ekser Burcin , van der Windt Dirk J. , Hara Hidetaka , Ezzelarab Mohamed B. , Schuurman Henk‐Jan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe pig‐to‐non‐human primate model is the standard choice for in vivo studies of organ and cell xenotransplantation. In 1998, Lambrigts and his colleagues surveyed the entire world literature and reported all experimental studies in this model. With the increasing number of genetically engineered pigs that have become available during the past few years, this model is being utilized ever more frequently.MethodsWe have now reviewed the literature again and have compiled the data we have been able to find for the period January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2013, a period of 16 yr.ResultsThe data are presented for transplants of the heart (heterotopic and orthotopic), kidney, liver, lung, islets, neuronal cells, hepatocytes, corneas, artery patches, and skin. Heart, kidney, and, particularly, islet xenograft survival have increased significantly since 1998.DiscussionThe reasons for this are briefly discussed. A comment on the limitations of the model has been made, particularly with regard to those that will affect progression of xenotransplantation toward the clinic.
The International Xenotransplantation Association consensus statement on conditions for undertaking clinical trials of xenocorneal transplantation
Authors: Kim Mee Kum , Choi Hyuk Jin , Kwon Ivo , Pierson Richard N. , Cooper David K. C. , Soulillou Jean‐Paul , O'Connell Philip J. , Vabres Bertrand , Maeda Naoyuki , Hara Hidetaka , Scobie Linda , Gianello Pierre , Takeuchi Yasuhiro , Yamada Kazuhiko , Hwang Eung‐Soo , Kim Sang Joon , Park Chung‐Gyu 
Published: September 2014

AbstractTo develop an international consensus regarding the appropriate conditions for undertaking clinical trials in xenocorneal transplantation, here we review specific ethical, logistical, scientific, and regulatory issues regarding xenocorneal transplantation, and propose guidelines for conduct of clinical xenocorneal transplantation trials. These proposed guidelines are modeled on the published consensus statement of the International Xenotransplantation Association regarding recommended guidelines for conduct of clinical islet xenotransplantation. It is expected that this initial consensus statement will be revised over time in response to scientific advances in the field, and changes in the regulatory framework based on accumulating clinical experience.
Modeling and control through leadership of a refined flocking system
Authors: Borzì Alfio , Wongkaew Suttida 
Published: September 2014

A new refined flocking model that includes self-propelling, friction, attraction and repulsion, and alignment features is presented. This model takes into account various behavioral phenomena observed in biological and social systems. In addition, the presence of a leader is included in the system in order to develop a control strategy for the flocking model to accomplish desired objectives. Specifically, a model predictive control scheme is proposed that requires the solution of a sequence of open-loop optimality systems. An accurate Runge–Kutta scheme to discretize the optimality systems and a nonlinear conjugate gradient solver are implemented and discussed. Numerical experiments are performed that investigate the properties of the refined flocking model and demonstrate the ability of the control strategy to drive the flocking system to attain a desired target configuration and to follow a given trajectory.