bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early Prediction of Miscanthus Biomass Production and Composition Based on the First Six Years of Cultivation
Authors: Arnoult Stéphanie , Mansard Marie‐Chantal , Brancourt‐Hulmel Maryse 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTMiscanthus is a promising feedstock for second‐generation bioethanol production. This perennial crop produces its biomass in two phases: a yield‐building phase, where the biomass production increases gradually, and a plateau phase, where it is maintained. However, to target the breeding of Miscanthus for second‐generation bioethanol production, the early selection of interesting traits is critical. We therefore investigated the interannual correlations within and among the traits related to biomass production and composition. We studied 21 clones belonging to M. × giganteus J. M. Greef & Deuter ex Hodk. & Renvoize, M. sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Franch., and M. sinensis Andersson species cultivated on plots from the second to the sixth year at two harvest dates. The biomass production, canopy height, plant stem number, and aboveground plant volume index were better predicted from the third year than from the second year (minimum correlation coefficients of 0.76 and 0.67 respectively). The stem diameter was well predicted from the second year (correlations above 0.93). The canopy height and the aboveground plant volume index determined in the second and third year were the best predictors of the biomass produced in the second, third, and fourth year (minimum correlations of 0.77 against 0.52 for flowering date or 0.64 for stem diameter). For older crops, the canopy height measured in the second and third year was the best predictor of the biomass production (correlations above 0.70). The interannual correlations were lower for the biomass composition‐related traits than for the production‐related traits and fluctuated over time. These results showed that early prediction of interesting traits is feasible to breed varieties tailored for biofuel production.
Does Diapirism Influence Greenhouse Gas Production on Patterned Ground in the High Arctic?
Authors: Brummell Martin E. , Guy Amanda , Siciliano Steven D. 
Published: March 2015

There are unusual patterns of greenhouse gas (GHG) net production in soil profiles of Arctic polar deserts. These deserts include frost boils that are symptomatic of permafrost‐associated soils. Some frost boils contain diapirs, intrusions of recently thawed, carbon‐ and water‐rich fine material pushed upward into the overlying active layer. Here we identified diapir‐associated frost boils in an Arctic polar desert that we had previously found to have highly variable patterns of GHG net production, and compared patterns of GHG net production in soil profiles between diapir and non‐diapir frost boils. In addition, we tested the repeatability of soil gas probes measurements and if estimates of diffusivity based on bulk density were accurate. Probes were installed in frost boils identified as including or not including diapirs, and measurements were conducted over several days to evaluate net GHG production.Soil gas probes deployed for longer than approximately 3 d showed loss of signal, and the injection of an inert tracer, SF6, validated our estimates of soil diffusivity based on bulk density. Diapir‐associated frost boils showed reduced soil respiration compared with non‐diapir frost boils, despite these diapir‐associated frost boils having increased soil organic matter content. Thus, diapir intrusions in frost boils of the Arctic polar desert simultaneously store greater amounts of organic C and reduce soil respiration compared with non‐diapir frost boils. Differences in soil organic matter quality and/or its interaction with soil texture may be an important control for carbon storage in Arctic soils.
Cattle with increased severity of bovine respiratory disease complex exhibit decreased capacity to protect against histone cytotoxicity
Authors: Matera J. A. , Wilson B. K. , Hernandez Gifford J. A. , Step D. L. , Krehbiel C. R. , Gifford C. A. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in feedlot cattle. Significant inflammation and lesions are often observed in lungs of infected cattle. During acute inflammatory responses, histones contribute to mortality in rodents and humans and serum proteins can protect against histone-induced cytotoxicity. We hypothesized that cattle experiencing chronic or fatal cases of BRDC have reduced ability to protect against cytotoxic effects of histones. Serum samples were collected from 66 bull calves at the time of normal feedlot processing procedures. Animals were retrospectively assigned to groups consisting of calves never treated for BRDC (control [CONT]; n = 10), calves treated with antimicrobials once for BRDC (1T; n = 16), calves treated twice for BRDC (2T; n = 13), calves treated 3 times for BRDC (3T; n = 14), or calves treated 4 times for BRDC (4T; n = 13). Samples were also collected each time animals received antimicrobial treatment; animals within a group were further sorted by calves that recovered and calves that died to test histone cytotoxicity. Bovine kidney cells were cultured in duplicate in 96-well plates and exposed to 0 or 50 μg/mL of total histones for 18 h with 1% serum from each animal. Cell viability was assessed by the addition of resazurin for 6 h followed by fluorescent quantification. Fluorescent values from serum alone were subtracted from values obtained for histone treatment for each animal. Serum from CONT, 1T, and 2T at initial processing all exhibited a similar (P &gt; 0.10) response to histone treatment with fluorescent values of –312 ± 557, –1,059 ± 441, and –975 ± 489, respectively. However, 3T and 4T demonstrated an impaired capacity (P &lt; 0.05) to protect against histones (–2,778 ± 471 and –3,026 ± 489) at initial processing when compared to the other groups. When sorted by mortality within group, calves that were treated twice and recovered (–847 ± 331) demonstrated a greater (P &lt; 0.05) protective capacity than calves that were treated twice and died (–2,264 ± 412), indicating that calves that contract BRDC and ultimately die might have reduced protective capacity against histone cytotoxicity. Results suggest that calves that require multiple treatments for BRDC have reduced ability to protect against cytotoxicity of histones. Understanding the primary mechanism responsible for protecting against histone cytotoxicity could lead to improved identification of animals susceptible to severe cases of BRDC, improved focus and use of available resources, or better treatments for severe cases of BRDC.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial hemangioblastomas: a retrospective international outcome study
Authors: Kano Hideyuki , Shuto Takashi , Iwai Yoshiyasu , Sheehan Jason , Yamamoto Masaaki , McBride Heyoung L. , Sato Mitsuya , Serizawa Toru , Yomo Shoji , Moriki Akihito , Kohda Yukihiko , Young Byron , Suzuki Satoshi , Kenai Hiroyuki , Duma Christopher , Kikuchi Yasuhiro , Mathieu David , Akabane Atsuya , Nagano Osamu , Kondziolka Douglas , Lunsford L. Dade 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of intracranial hemangioblastomas.

METHODS
Six participating centers of the North American Gamma Knife Consortium and 13 Japanese Gamma Knife centers identified 186 patients with 517 hemangioblastomas who underwent SRS. Eighty patients had 335 hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) and 106 patients had 182 sporadic hemangioblastomas. The median target volume was 0.2 cm3 (median diameter 7 mm) in patients with VHL and 0.7 cm3 (median diameter 11 mm) in those with sporadic hemangioblastoma. The median margin dose was 18 Gy in VHL patients and 15 Gy in those with sporadic hemangioblastomas.

RESULTS
At a median of 5 years (range 0.5–18 years) after treatment, 20 patients had died of intracranial disease progression and 9 patients had died of other causes. The overall survival after SRS was 94% at 3 years, 90% at 5 years, and 74% at 10 years. Factors associated with longer survival included younger age, absence of neurological symptoms, fewer tumors, and higher Karnofsky Performance Status. Thirty-three (41%) of the 80 patients with VHL developed new tumors and 17 (16%) of the106 patients with sporadic hemangioblastoma had recurrences of residual tumor from the original tumor. The 5-year rate of developing a new tumor was 43% for VHL patients, and the 5-year rate of developing a recurrence of residual tumor from the original tumor was 24% for sporadic hemangioblastoma patients. Factors associated with a reduced risk of developing a new tumor or recurrences of residual tumor from the original tumor included younger age, fewer tumors, and sporadic rather than VHL-associated hemangioblastomas. The local tumor control rate for treated tumors was 92% at 3 years, 89% at 5 years, and 79% at 10 years. Factors associated with an improved local tumor control rate included VHL-associated hemangioblastoma, solid tumor, smaller tumor volume, and higher margin dose. Thirteen patients (7%) developed adverse radiation effects (ARE) after SRS, and one of these patients died due to ARE.

CONCLUSIONS
When either sporadic or VHL-associated tumors were observed to grow on serial imaging studies, SRS provided tumor control in 79%–92% of tumors.
Intraoperative subcortical mapping of a language-associated deep frontal tract connecting the superior frontal gyrus to Broca's area in the dominant hemisphere of patients with glioma
Authors: Fujii Masazumi , Maesawa Satoshi , Motomura Kazuya , Futamura Miyako , Hayashi Yuichiro , Koba Itsuko , Wakabayashi Toshihiko 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
The deep frontal pathway connecting the superior frontal gyrus to Broca's area, recently named the frontal aslant tract (FAT), is assumed to be associated with language functions, especially speech initiation and spontaneity. Injury to the deep frontal lobe is known to cause aphasia that mimics the aphasia caused by damage to the supplementary motor area. Although fiber dissection and tractography have revealed the existence of the tract, little is known about its function. The aim of this study was to determine the function of the FAT via electrical stimulation in patients with glioma who underwent awake surgery.

METHODS
The authors analyzed the data from subcortical mapping with electrical stimulation in 5 consecutive cases (3 males and 2 females, age range 40–54 years) with gliomas in the left frontal lobe. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography of the FAT were performed in all cases. A navigation system and intraoperative MRI were used in all cases. During the awake phase of the surgery, cortical mapping was performed to find the precentral gyrus and Broca's area, followed by tumor resection. After the cortical layer was removed, subcortical mapping was performed to assess language-associated fibers in the white matter.

RESULTS
In all 5 cases, positive responses were obtained at the stimulation sites in the subcortical area adjacent to the FAT, which was visualized by the navigation system. Speech arrest was observed in 4 cases, and remarkably slow speech and conversation was observed in 1 case. The location of these sites was also determined on intraoperative MR images and estimated on preoperative MR images with DTI tractography, confirming the spatial relationships among the stimulation sites and white matter tracts. Tumor removal was successfully performed without damage to this tract, and language function did not deteriorate in any of the cases postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS
The authors identified the left FAT and confirmed that it was associated with language functions. This tract should be recognized by clinicians to preserve language function during brain tumor surgery, especially for tumors located in the deep frontal lobe on the language-dominant side.
Soft-tissue reconstruction after total en bloc sacrectomy
Authors: Kim Jennifer E. , Pang John , Christensen Joani M. , Coon Devin , Zadnik Patricia L. , Wolinsky Jean-Paul , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Bydon Ali , Sciubba Daniel M. , Witham Timothy , Redett Richard J. , Sacks Justin M. 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
Total en bloc sacrectomy is a dramatic procedure that results in extensive sacral defects. The authors present a series of patients who underwent flap reconstruction after total sacrectomy, report clinical outcomes, and provide a treatment algorithm to guide surgical care of this unique patient population.

METHODS
After institutional review board approval, data were collected for all patients who underwent total sacrectomy between 2002 and 2012 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Variables included demographic data, medical history, tumor characteristics, surgical details, postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes. All subtotal sacrectomies were excluded.

RESULTS
Between 2002 and 2012, 9 patients underwent total sacrectomy with flap reconstruction. Diagnoses included chordoma (n = 5), osteoblastoma (n = 1), sarcoma (n = 2), and metastatic colon cancer (n = 1). Six patients received gluteus maximus (GM) flaps with a prosthetic rectal sling following a single-stage, posterior sacrectomy. Four required additional paraspinous muscle (PSM) or pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) fasciocutaneous flaps. Three patients underwent multistage sacrectomy with an anterior-posterior approach, 2 of whom received pedicled vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flaps, and 1 of whom received local GM, LD, and PSM flaps. Flap complications included dehiscence (n = 4) and infection (n = 1). During the 1st year of follow-up, 2 of 9 patients (22%) were able to ambulate with an assistive device by the 1st postoperative month, and 6 of 9 (67%) were ambulatory with a walker by the 3rd postoperative month. By postoperative Month 12, 5 of 9 patients (56%)—or 5 of 5 patients not lost to follow-up (100%)—were able to able to ambulate independently.

CONCLUSIONS
The authors' experience suggests that the GM and pedicled VRAM flaps are reliable options for softtissue reconstruction of total sacrectomy defects. For posterior-only operations, GM flaps with or without a prosthetic rectal sling are generally used. For multistage operations including a laparotomy, the authors consider the pedicled VRAM flap to be the gold standard for simultaneous reconstruction of the pelvic diaphragm and obliteration of dead space.
Laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical myelopathy: a meta-analysis of clinical and radiological outcomes
Authors: Lee Chang-Hyun , Lee Jaebong , Kang James D. , Hyun Seung-Jae , Kim Ki-Jeong , Jahng Tae-Ahn , Kim Hyun-Jib 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
Posterior cervical surgery, expansive laminoplasty (EL) or laminectomy followed by fusion (LF), is usually performed in patients with multilevel (≥ 3) cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, the superiority of either of these techniques is still open to debate. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and postoperative kyphosis in patients undergoing EL versus LF by performing a meta-analysis.

METHODS
Included in the meta-analysis were all studies of EL versus LF in adults with multilevel CSM in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. A random-effects model was applied to pool data using the mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, such as the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) grade, the cervical curvature index (CCI), and the visual analog scale (VAS) score for neck pain.

RESULTS
Seven studies comprising 302 and 290 patients treated with EL and LF, respectively, were included in the final analyses. Both treatment groups showed slight cervical lordosis and moderate neck pain in the baseline state. Both groups were similarly improved in JOA grade (MD 0.09, 95% CI −0.37 to 0.54, p = 0.07) and neck pain VAS score (MD −0.33, 95% CI −1.50 to 0.84, p = 0.58). Both groups evenly lost cervical lordosis. In the LF group lordosis seemed to be preserved in long-term follow-up studies, although the difference between the 2 treatment groups was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS
Both EL and LF lead to clinical improvement and loss of lordosis evenly. There is no evidence to support EL over LF in the treatment of multilevel CSM. Any superiority between EL and LF remains in question, although the LF group shows favorable long-term results.
Transoccipital endoscopic fenestration of atrial cysts causing ventricular entrapment
Authors: Ellis Jason A. , McCormick Paul C. , Feldstein Neil A. , Ghatan Saadi 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
Cystic lesions in the atrium (trigone) of the lateral ventricle may become symptomatic due to obstruction of physiological CSF circulation and/or from mass effect on adjacent structures. A minimally invasive approach that not only allows for straightforward access to multiple regions of the atrial cyst wall, but also enables direct inspection of the entire lateral ventricular system, has not been elaborated. In this paper the authors describe their experience with the endoscopic transoccipital horn approach for treating cystic lesions in the atrium of the lateral ventricle.

METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent endoscopic surgical treatment for cysts in the atrium of the lateral ventricle between 1999 and 2014.

RESULTS
The cohort consisted of 13 consecutive patients who presented with symptomatic lateral ventricular entrapment due to the presence of an atrial cyst. There were 9 male and 4 female patients, with a median age of 5 years. Headache was the most common complaint at presentation. The transoccipital horn approach facilitated successful cyst reduction and fenestration in all cases. Temporal and occipital horn entrapment was reversed in all cases, with reestablishment of a physiological CSF flow pattern throughout the ventricles. Hydrocephalus was also reversed in all patients presenting with this neuroimaging finding at presentation. No cyst or ventricular entrapment was noted to recur during a mean follow-up period of 36 months. No patient in the study cohort required repeat surgery or permanent CSF diversion postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic transoccipital horn approach represents a safe and effective treatment strategy for patients with symptomatic atrial cysts of the lateral ventricle. Using this minimally invasive technique, all poles of the lateral ventricular system can be visualized and the unobstructed flow of CSF can be confirmed after cyst resection obviating the need for additional diversion.
Multimodal treatment strategies for complex pediatric cerebral arteriovenous fistulas: contemporary case series at Barrow Neurological Institute
Authors: Zaidi Hasan A. , Kalani M. Yashar S. , Spetzler Robert F. , McDougall Cameron G. , Albuquerque Felipe C. 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
Pediatric cerebral arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare but potentially lethal vascular lesions. Management strategies for these lesions have undergone considerable evolution in the last decade with the advent of new endovascular, surgical, and radiosurgical technologies. This study sought to review current treatment strategies and long-term clinical outcomes at a high-volume cerebrovascular institute.

METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with a diagnosis of cerebral AVF from 1999 to 2012. Patients with carotid-cavernous fistulas, vein of Galen malformations, and age > 18 years were excluded from final analysis. Medical history, surgical and nonsurgical treatment, and clinical outcomes were documented. Pre- and postoperative angiograms were analyzed to assess for obliteration of the fistula.

RESULTS
Seventeen patients with pial AVFs (29.4%), dural AVFs (64.7%), or mixed pial/dural AVFs (5.9%) were identified. The majority of lesions were paramedian (70.6%) and supratentorial (76.5%). The study population had a mean age of 6.4 years, with a slight male predominance (52.9%), and the most common presenting symptoms were seizures (23.5%), headaches (17.6%), congestive heart failure (11.7%), and enlarging head circumference (11.7%). Among patients who underwent intervention (n = 16), 56.3% were treated with endovascular therapy alone, 6.3% were treated with open surgery alone, and 37.5% required a multimodal approach. Overall, 93.8% of the treated patients received endovascular treatment, 43.8% received open surgery, and 12.5% received radiosurgery. Endovascular embolysates included Onyx (n = 5), N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA; n = 4), or coil embolization (n = 7) with or without balloon assistance (n = 2). Complete angiographic obliteration was achieved in 87.5% at the last follow-up evaluation (mean follow-up 3.1 years). One infant with incomplete AVF obliteration died of congestive heart failure, and 1 patient with complete obliteration died of acute sinus thrombosis, with an overall complication rate of 18.8%.

CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric cerebral AVFs are challenging neurosurgical lesions. Although advancements in endovascular therapy in the last decade have greatly changed the natural course of this disease, a multidisciplinary approach remains necessary for a large subset of patients. Surgeon experience with a thorough analysis of preoperative imaging is paramount to achieving acceptable clinical outcomes.
Is total en bloc sacrectomy using a posterior-only approach feasible and safe for patients with malignant sacral tumors?
Authors: Zang Jie , Guo Wei , Yang Rongli , Tang Xiaodong , Li Dasen 
Published: March 2015

OBJECT
In this study the authors' aim was to describe their experience with total en bloc sacrectomy using a posterioronly approach and to assess the outcome of patients with malignant sacral tumors who underwent this procedure at their center.

METHODS
The authors identified and retrospectively reviewed the records of 10 patients with malignant sacral tumors who underwent a total en bloc sacrectomy via a single posterior approach at their center. The pathological diagnosis was chordoma in 4 patients, chondrosarcoma in 1, osteosarcoma in 1, malignant schwannoma in 1, malignant giant cell tumor in 1, and Ewing's sarcoma in 2. Radiological examination revealed that the tumor involved S1–5 in 7 patients, S1–4 in 1, S1–3 in 1, and S1–2 in 1.

RESULTS
All 10 patients were stable during the perioperative period. The mean surgery duration was 282 minutes (range 250–310 minutes). The median estimated blood loss was 2595 ml (range 1500–3200 ml). All patients were followed up for 13–29 months (mean 22 months). Two patients had a local recurrence. Two patients died of disease, 1 patient was alive with disease, and 7 patients were alive without evidence of disease. Among the 8 surviving patients, 6 were able to walk without assistive devices, and 2 were able to walk with crutches. The total complication rate was 40% (4 of 10). Wound complications (deep infection and wound healing problems) occurred in 3 patients, and a distal deep vein thrombosis occurred in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS
Total en bloc sacrectomy using a posterior-only approach is feasible and safe in selected patients and is an important procedure for the treatment of primary malignant tumor involving the entire sacrum or only the top portion.