bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety of surgical treatment for patients with scoliosis and surgically corrected congenital cardiac malformations: a comparison with patients with scoliosis and normal hearts
Authors: Liang Jinqian , Ding Ran , Chua Sooyong , Li Zheng , Shen Jianxiong 
Published: September 2013

Object
The safety of spinal fusion has been poorly studied in children with surgically corrected congenital cardiac malformations (CCMs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of spinal fusion in patients with CCMs following cardiac surgery.

Methods
A retrospective study was conducted on 32 patients with scoliosis who received surgical treatment for their CCMs (CCM group). Sixty-four age- and sex-matched patients with scoliosis and normal hearts who received spinal fusion served as the control group. These 2 groups were compared for demographic distribution, blood loss, transfusion requirements, and incidence of postoperative complications.

Results
The ages, curve pattern distributions, and number of levels fused were similar between the 2 groups before spinal fusion. Overall, a total of 7 patients in the CCM group (21.9%) and 5 (7.8%) in the control group had documented postoperative complications. The perioperative allogenic blood transfusion rate and mean red blood cell transfusion requirement in the CCM group were significantly higher than those found in patients in the control group (68.7% vs 28.1%, respectively, p = 0.000; and 2.68 ± 2.76 units/patient vs 0.76 ± 1.07 units/patient, respectively, p = 0.011). In the CCM group, a preoperative major curve magnitude ≥ 80° was the most accurate indicator of an increased risk for a major complication (p = 0.019), whereas no statistically significant correlation was noted between postoperative complications and age, type of congenital heart disease, operative duration, and estimated blood loss during the operation and transfusion.

Conclusions
Spinal fusion subsequent to prior cardiac surgery is relatively safe and effective in correcting the spinal deformity for patients with scoliosis and surgically corrected CCMs. A preoperative major curve magnitude ≥ 80° may be a risk factor in predicting postoperative complications in scoliotic patients with surgically corrected CCMs.
Un Ajax et deux Timothée (P. Berol. n° 6870)
Authors: Bélis Annie 
Published: September 2013

Written by an anonymous musician around 160 A.D., the Berlin Papyrus (inv. 6870vo) comprises 24 lines of music. According to the best specialists, they could correspond to 4 or 5 different musical scores, some of them vocal, the others instrumental, but whose authors remain unknown to us. Tecmessa's lament (occupying the lines 16 to 19, plus occasionally line 23) has been presented as a possible extract of a lost tragedy that could well be either Aeschylus's Hoplon krisis or Sophocles's Aias. The musical analysis of the passage, centered on the setting to music of the poetic text, shows that it can neither be a fragment of the Classic age nor a piece taken from a tragedy. Its irregular scale, the lenghtening of the syllables and its melodic boldness militate in favour of a 4 th century B.C. work, and more precisely, a dithyramb.
A paragraph of the Harmonides by Lucian (at the cost of a minute correction) enables us to establish its original title, to identify the author and to determine its date and also the circumstances in which the dithyramb had been created.
Thye work in question is the Ajax Mad by Timotheus of Miletus, a daring composer — if any — who wrote it when he was a very old man for the young aulos-player Timotheus of Thebes. Interpreted by a choir of children belonging to the Pandionis tribe, the dithyramb won the prize at the Greater Dionysia around 360 B.C. This was Timotheus's first major victory, in a career which took place, as we know otherwise, between 354 and 324 B.C.
In such conditions, the lines 20 to 22 of the Berlin papyrus, wich were till now considered as an instrumental piece, distinct from Tecmessa's lament, are fully part of it. This is precisely one of the instrumental interludes characteristic of the new dithyramb, which is a musical commentary of the preceding poetic text.
This is, consequently, the first fragment, — not only vocal but also instrumental, than can be attributed to Timotheus of Miletus, the most innovating musician of Antiquity.
Limited hybridization across an edaphic disjunction between the gabbro‐endemic shrub Ceanothus roderickii (Rhamnaceae) and the soil‐generalist Ceanothus cuneatus
Authors: Burge Dylan O. , Hopkins Robin , Tsai Yi‐Hsin Erica , Manos Paul S. 
Published: September 2013

• Premise of the study: Hybridization is thought to have played an important role in diversification of the speciose shrub genus Ceanothus; putative hybrid species have been described, and data suggest that intrinsic barriers may not exist among closely related species. However, the extent to which hybridization occurs in the wild is not known, and little is understood about how extrinsic factors such as soil chemistry may influence the process. The present research focuses on the gabbro‐endemic C. roderickii and the closely related soil‐generalist C. cuneatus. Though the species occur peripatrically, they remain distinct across an edaphic disjunction.• Methods: AFLP was used to quantify hybridization and introgression. Biological data and experiments were used to test for prezygotic isolation. Growth trials were used to test for local adaptation and selection against hybrids.• Key results: Ceanothus cuneatus and C. roderickii were strongly differentiated morphologically and genetically, despite a lack of evidence for prezygotic barriers. Hybrids and back‐crosses were present but infrequent. Finally, there was selection against hybrids in nonnative soil.• Conclusions: There is little genetic exchange between the focal species across an edaphic disjunction, despite the absence of prezygotic barriers. This result implies that soil conditions, as well as other extrinsic factors, should be considered as forces that may restrict hybridization and gene flow in Ceanothus, influencing local adaptation and speciation. Findings presented here are significant because they imply that exchange of genetic material between plants may be limited directly by the abiotic environment, rather than by the biology of the plants.
A new approach for the study of the chemical composition of bordered pit membranes: 4Pi and confocal laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Maschek Daniela , Goodell Barry , Jellison Jody , Lessard Mark , Militz Holger 
Published: September 2013

• Premise of the study: Coniferous bordered pits are some of the most unique and fascinating microstructures of the lignified cell wall. The pit membrane consists of a margo and a torus region, hence facilitating both xylary water transport and also limiting air intrusion by pit aspiration. Additionally, bordered pits have been reported to play a decisive role in the control of rapid liquid flow via the shrinkage and swelling of pectin. The study of the nanostructural chemical composition of pit membranes has been difficult with common imaging/chemical techniques, which involve drying and/or coating of the samples.• Methods: Using fluorescent tagging and antibodies specific to pectin, and a His‐tagged cellulose‐binding module that reacts with crystalline cellulose, in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and 4Pi microscopy, we generated three‐dimensional images of intact pit membranes.• Key results: With enhanced resolution in the z‐direction of the 4Pi microscope, it was possible to distinguish cellulose in the torus and the margo strands of Pinus strobus. The torus was surrounded by pectin, and a pectin ring was found at the margin of the torus. We also found differences in the structure of the pit membrane between aspirated and unaspirated pits, with a displacement of pectin to form a ring‐like structure, the collapse of a void in the interior of the torus, and an apparent change in the chemical structure of cellulosic components, during the aspiration process.• Conclusions: The 4Pi microscope is well suited to scanning pit membranes to discover previously undescribed anatomical features in bordered pits and can provide information on chemical composition when used in combination with appropriate probes.
Niche evolution through time and across continents: The story of Neotropical Cedrela (Meliaceae)
Authors: Koecke A. Valerie , Muellner‐Riehl Alexandra N. , Pennington Terence D. , Schorr Gertrud , Schnitzler Jan 
Published: September 2013

• Premise of the Study: Climatic and geological changes have been considered as major drivers of biological diversification. However, it has been generally assumed that lineages retain common environmental affinities, suggesting a limited capacity to switch their climatic niche. We tested this assumption with a study of the evolution of climatic niches in the Neotropical tree genus Cedrela (Meliaceae).• Methods: We combined distribution models of extant Cedrela with a dated molecular phylogeny based on one nuclear (ITS) and three plastid markers (psbA‐trnH, trnS‐G and psbB‐T‐N) to reconstruct the evolutionary dynamics of climatic niches. We calculated relative disparity of climatic tolerances over time to test for niche evolution within subclades or divergence between subclades and conservatism among closely related groups. Published fossil records and studies on paleosols were evaluated for the distribution and climatic conditions of extinct Cedrela.• Key results: The fossil record of Cedrela suggested a major biome shift from paratropical conditions into warm‐temperate seasonal climates in the Early Oligocene of western North America. In the Miocene, Cedrela extended from North America (John Day Formation, Oregon, USA) to southern Central America (Gatún, Panama). Diversification in the early evolutionary history was mainly driven by changes in precipitation. Temperature had an increasing impact on ecological diversification of the genus from the Miocene onwards. Sister‐species comparisons revealed that recent speciation events may be related to divergence of climatic tolerances.• Conclusions: Our study highlights the complexity of climatic niche dynamics, and shows how conservatism and evolution have acted on different temporal scales and climatic parameters in Cedrela.
Changes in Biomarkers of Liver Disease during Successful Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV–HCV-Coinfected Individuals
Authors: Rohrbach Janine , Stickel Felix , Schmid Patrick , Thormann Wolfgang , Kovari Helen , Scherrer Alexandra , Günthard Huldrych F , Vuichard Danielle , Cavassini Matthias , Ambrosioni Juan , Bernasconi Enos , Furrer Hansjakob , Rauch Andri ,   the Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Published: September 2013

Background We investigated changes in biomarkers of liver disease in HIV–HCV-coinfected individuals during successful combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) compared to changes in biomarker levels during untreated HIV infection and to HIV-monoinfected individuals. Methods Non-invasive biomarkers of liver disease (hyaluronic acid [HYA], aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index [APRI], Fibrosis-4 [FIB-4] index and cytokeratin-18 [CK-18]) were correlated with liver histology in 49 HIV–HCV-coinfected patients. Changes in biomarkers over time were then assessed longitudinally in HIV–HCV-coinfected patients during successful cART ( n=58), during untreated HIV-infection ( n=59), and in HIV-monoinfected individuals ( n=17). The median follow-up time was 3.4 years on cART. All analyses were conducted before starting HCV treatment. Results Non-invasive biomarkers of liver disease correlated significantly with the histological METAVIR stage ( P<0.002 for all comparisons). The mean ±sd area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve values for advanced fibrosis (≥F3 METAVIR) for HYA, APRI, FIB-4 and CK-18 were 0.86 ±0.05, 0.84 ±0.08, 0.80 ±0.09 and 0.81 ±0.07, respectively. HYA, APRI and CK-18 levels were higher in HIV-HCV-coinfected compared to HIV-monoinfected patients ( P <0.01). In the first year on cART, APRI and FIB-4 scores decreased (-35% and -33%, respectively; P=0.1), mainly due to the reversion of HIV-induced thrombocytopaenia, whereas HYA and CK-18 levels remained unchanged. During long-term cART, there were only small changes (<5%) in median biomarker levels. Median biomarker levels changed <3% during untreated HIV-infection. Overall, 3 patients died from end-stage liver disease, and 10 from other causes. Conclusions Biomarkers of liver disease highly correlated with fibrosis in HIV-HCV-coinfected individuals and did not change significantly during successful cART. These findings suggest a slower than expected liver disease progression in many HIV-HCV-coinfected individuals, at least during successful cART.
Le registre de population centralisé, source de statistiques démographiques en Europe
Authors: Poulain Michel , Herm Anne 
Published: September 2013

Depuis leur origine en Suède au xvii e siècle, les registres de population sont tenus à l’échelle locale, et c’est l’informatisation qui a permis la mise en œuvre d’un registre centralisé de population dans la majorité des 30 pays européens analysés dans cet article. Avec l’introduction de ces registres, la production de statistiques démographiques est entrée dans une ère nouvelle, présentant de nombreux avantages mais provoquant également des débats de nature éthique. De nouvelles questions apparaissent, notamment sur la définition des résidents, les problèmes de double enregistrement et la confidentialité des données. Cette étude décrit et compare les principes de fonctionnement du registre centralisé dans différents pays et la façon dont les données individuelles en sont extraites afin de produire les statistiques démographiques. Il est maintenant possible, de façon régulière, de suivre les trajectoires démographiques individuelles de l’ensemble de la population à l’échelle nationale ou de mettre en évidence certaines interactions entre les comportements démographiques des personnes d’un même ménage. Face aux nombreuses possibilités qu’offre l’analyse longitudinale, le soutien des scientifiques est plus que souhaité pour autant qu’ils puissent avoir accès aux données individuelles.
Espagne : l’émigration des immigrés
Authors: Larramona Gemma 
Published: September 2013

Près de 5 % des immigrés résidant en Espagne ont décidé de quitter le pays en 2009. L’Espagne est récemment devenue à la fois un pays d’accueil des migrants internationaux et un point de départ pour les immigrés. Cette émigration n’implique toutefois pas systématiquement un retour au pays d’origine. L’article analyse l’émigration des immigrés résidant en Espagne, en distinguant les retours au pays des mouvements à destination d’un pays tiers, pour la période 2002-2009. À partir des changements de résidence répertoriés dans les registres de population (EVR), l’auteure étudie les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des immigrés et celles sur les pays de destination et d’origine des migrants, ainsi que leurs effets sur la probabilité de retour. Les immigrés venus d’Asie, d’Afrique et d’Amérique latine ont de moindres probabilités de rentrer dans leur pays de naissance. Les résultats montrent que plus le PNB par tête dans le pays de destination est important ou plus le taux de chômage dans la région d’origine est élevé, plus la probabilité d’émigration vers un pays tiers est forte ; plus l’effectif des immigrés est important par rapport à la population de la région d’accueil, plus la probabilité est forte que l’émigration se fasse vers le pays d’origine.
Distribution patterns of Macrodasyceras hirsutum (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) eggs among Ilex integra (Aquifoliaceae) seeds and berries
Authors: Takagi Etsuro , Togashi Katsumi 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPreference-performance hypothesis in host selection by herbivorous insects predicts selective oviposition on plant on which the offspring maximise fitness. The seed parasitoid wasp, Macrodasyceras hirsutum Kamijo (Hymenoptera: Torymidae) selectively lays the eggs into the fertilised seeds of Ilex integra Thunberg (Aquifoliaceae). Only one larva develops in a seed. Therefore, the hypothesis predicts a uniform distribution pattern of wasp eggs among fertilised seeds. Dissection of 531 berries showed that M. hirsutum deposited one to five eggs into a fertilised seed. Iwao's patchiness regression suggested a uniform distribution pattern of M. hirsutum eggs among fertilised seeds at the scales of tree and berry and their random distribution pattern among berries at the tree scale. Destroying the connection of seeds within berries revealed that female wasps randomly selected berries for oviposition in most trees. Generalised linear mixed models showed that the number of fertilised seeds in a berry could not explain the number of eggs in a seed but could explain the number of eggs in a berry. Therefore, this study shows that the wasp females do not distinguish between berries with different numbers of fertilised seeds but distinguish between seeds harbouring different numbers of eggs, which supports the hypothesis.
HLA-F and MHC Class I Open Conformers Are Ligands for NK Cell Ig-like Receptors
Authors: Goodridge Jodie P. , Burian Aura , Lee Ni , Geraghty Daniel E. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) are innate immune receptors expressed by NK and T cells classically associated with the detection of missing self through loss of their respective MHC ligand. Some KIR specificities for allelic classical class I MHC (MHC-I) have been described, whereas other KIR receptor–ligand relationships, including those associated with nonclassical MHC-I, have yet to be clearly defined. We report in this article that KIR3DL2 and KIR2DS4 and the nonclassical Ag HLA-F, expressed as a free form devoid of peptide, physically and functionally interact. These interactions extend to include classical MHC-I open conformers as ligands, defining new relationships between KIR receptors and MHC-I. The data collectively suggest a broader, previously unrecognized interaction between MHC-I open conformers—including prototypical HLA-F—and KIR receptors, acting in an immunoregulatory capacity centered on the inflammatory response.
Rapid Deletion and Inactivation of CTLs upon Recognition of a Number of Target Cells over a Critical Threshold
Authors: Prato Sandro , Zhan Yifan , Mintern Justine D. , Villadangos Jose A. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractInitiation of CTL responses against foreign pathogens also primes anti-self CTLs. Mechanisms of CTL inactivation inhibit anti-self CTLs to prevent tissue damage. These mechanisms are exploited by pathogens and tumors to evade the immune response, and present a major hurdle to adoptive CTL therapies. It is unclear whether CTL inactivation is Ag specific and, if so, which APCs are involved. Potential candidates include the target cells themselves, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and macrophages. In this study, we show that lymphoma-specific CTLs are rapidly deleted in an Ag-specific manner after adoptive transfer into lymphoma-bearing mice, and the surviving CTLs are functionally impaired. The only APCs responsible were the target cells directly presenting Ag, notwithstanding the presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and CD8+ dendritic cells cross-presenting tumor Ag. The capacity to inactivate CTLs critically depended on the number of tumor/target cells; small numbers of targets were readily killed, but a large number caused quick deletion and functional inactivation of the CTLs. Application of mild, noninflammatory, and nonlymphoablative chemotherapy to specifically reduce tumor burden before CTL injection prevented CTL deletion and inactivation and allowed eradication of tumor. Our results advocate the use of adoptive CTL therapy soon after mild chemotherapy. They also suggest a simple mechanism for Ag-specific impairment of anti-self CTLs in the face of an active anti-foreign CTL response.
The Utility of Cancer-Related Cultural Constructs to Understand Colorectal Cancer Screening among African Americans
Authors: Thompson Vetta L. Sanders , Bugbee Alan , Meriac John P. , Harris Jenine K. 
Published: September 2013

Background Data suggest that colorectal cancer could be cut by approximately 60% if all people aged 50 years or older received regular screening. Studies have identified socio-cultural attitudes that might inform cancer education and screening promotion campaigns. This article applies item response theory (IRT) to a set of survey items selected to assess sociocultural attitudes in order to determine how current measures may affect what we know about how these attitudes affect colorectal cancer screening (CRCS). Design and Methods A survey of colorectal cancer screening, screening attitudes and cultural beliefs was administered to 1021 African Americans – 683 women and 338 men, ages 50 to 75. Eligibility criteria for participation included being born in the United States, self-identified African American male or female, age 50 to 75 years. The IRT analysis was performed on 655 individuals with complete data for the 43 observed variables. Results Twenty-nine items comprise the Multi-construct African American Cultural Survey (MAACS) that addresses seven cultural constructs: mistrust/distrust, privacy, ethnic identity, collectivism, empowerment, and male gender roles. The items provide adequate information about the attitudes of the population across most levels of the constructs assessed. Among the sociocultural variables considered, empowerment (OR=1.078; 95% CI: 1.008, 1.151) had the strongest association with CRCS adherence and privacy showed promise. Conclusions The MAACS provides a fixed length questionnaire to assess African American CRCS attitudes, two new constructs that might assist in CRCS promotion, and a suggested focus for identification of additional constructs of interest.
Gender and Regional Differentials in Health Expectancy in Greece
Authors: Bagavos Christos 
Published: September 2013

Background Differentials and inequalities in heath status are closely related to the implementation and the sustainability of public health policies. The paper investigates differences in health expectancy as an indicator of population health among regions and between genders. Design and Methods Based on activity limitation, we compute Healthy Life Years indicator by applying the prevalence-based Sullivan method. The analysis is based on data from the National Health Survey conducted in Greece in 2009 by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, carried out on a multistage probability sample of 6172 individuals. Results The results show that men are more likely than women to live a greater part of their life in good health. When regions are considered (NUTS_1 and NUTS_2 levels), the resulting diversities in healthy life years are more pronounced than those in life expectancy. Conclusions The paper provides additional insights about health status discrepancies among Greek geographic regions and between genders. The results indicate that men are more likely to report to be in good health than women, and the differences by gender are more pronounced at regional than at national level. This empirical evidence can be used for monitoring both, the population health status and the undesired differentials in health expectancy, and may therefore be a useful tool for health policies aiming at reducing heath inequalities among individuals.