bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term results of thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures after short‐segment pedicle instrumentation, with special reference to implant failure and correction loss
Authors: Xu Bao‐shan , Tang Tian‐si , Yang Hui‐lin 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  To assess the long‐term results of short‐segment pedicle instrumentation for thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures.Methods:  From February 1987 to June 1995, 89 patients with thoracolumbar or lumbar burst fracture were treated with short‐segment pedicle instrumentation, and 68 (76.4%) of them were followed up for an average of 8.0 years (range, 5–13 years). Radiographs were taken pre‐ and post‐ operatively, before implant removal and at final follow‐up. Computerized tomography (CT) scans of the fractured vertebrae were done on 18 patients, with their consent, at final follow‐up.Results:  At final follow‐up, neurological status had improved at least one grade in the Frankel Grading system in 90.8% patients who had presented incomplete paralysis preoperatively, and low back pain was evaluated as Denis' P1 in 60.3%, P2 in 35.3% and P3 in 4.4% of patients. An average of 2.5 mm (range, 0–6.5 mm) of implant deformation was recorded before implant removal, and implant failure was noted in 11 (16.2%) patients. At final follow‐up, loss of correction of the anterior vertebral body height and Cobb angle averaged 1.9% and 12.1°, leaving residual correction rates of 30.5% and 5.8°, respectively. The loss of correction occurred mainly at adjacent disc spaces, and collapse of the vertebral body was more severe at its center. CT scan revealed an obvious gap, which communicated with the adjacent disc space, in the vertebral body of 16 of the 18 patients scanned. Local kyphosis of more than 20° existed in five patients and three of them had low back pain.Conclusion:  Short‐segment pedicle instrumentation provides satisfactory reduction for thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures. The relatively high incidence of implant failure and the loss of correction may be caused by various factors, and more adequate fusion is recommended.
A free‐hand technique for pedicle screw placement in the lower cervical spine
Authors: Xu Rong‐ming , Ma Wei‐hu , Wang Qing , Zhao Liu‐jun , Hu Yong , Sun Shao‐hua 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  To describe a free‐hand method for pedicle screw placement in the lower cervical spine with no intraoperative imaging monitors, and to evaluate the safety of this technique.Methods:  A study of the free‐hand technique of cervical pedicle screw placement was conducted by postoperative radiological review and follow‐up. Thirty‐six patients who had had cervical reconstruction with posterior plate utilizing pedicle screw fixation, and been followed for a minimum of 2 years, were studied. The position of the pedicle screw was evaluated by postoperative oblique radiographs and axial computed tomograms. Clinical outcomes were measured by Odem's criteria.Results:  A total of 144 screws of diameter 3.5 or 4.0 mm were inserted into the cervical pedicles in 36 patients. Postoperative images showed that 16 (11.1%) of the screws had penetrated the pedicle walls. Among them, 10 (6.9%) screws had penetrated the lateral, 4 (2.8%) the superior and 2 (1.3%) the inferior walls. However, there were no neurological or vascular complications related to the malpositioned screws during a minimum of 2 years follow‐up. In addition, Odem's scores were applied postoperatively in all patients except one with complete neurological deficit.Conclusion:  Based on 144 screw placements, cervical pedicle screw insertion utilizing a free‐hand technique without intraoperative imaging guidance seems to be safe and reliable. However, solid knowledge of the anatomy of the cervical pedicle and adjacent neurovascular bundles, and careful preoperative review of cervical images, are imperative for successful screw placement in the cervical spine.
Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the lower limb using the free serratus anterior flap
Authors: Xu Xiang‐yang , Zhu Yuan , Liu Jin‐hao 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  To present the application and clinical results of soft tissue reconstruction of the lower limb with the free serratus anterior muscle flap.Methods:  Twenty Chinese adult cadavers were studied to determine detailed anatomical information about the serratus anterior muscle flap. From 1997 to 2007, 82 patients with soft tissue defects of the lower limbs were treated with free serratus anterior muscle flaps and skin grafts. There were 24 females and 58 males, aged from 22 to 63 years (mean 34). The patients were followed up for an average of 30 months (range, 8 months–5 years).Results:  All flaps survived except for one, in which necrosis occurred. Six patients developed partial necroses of the muscle flap or skin graft. Five of them healed with debridement or wound care, and one healed with a repeat skin graft. There was no notable donor site morbidity. Dysfunction of the shoulder was not found in any of the patients.Conclusion:  The serratus anterior muscle flap is a good option for the treatment of soft tissue defects of the lower limb. This muscle flap has many advantages owing to its anatomical features.
Two‐year follow‐up results after treatment of lumbar instability with titanium‐coated fusion system
Authors: Zhang Ya‐feng , Yang Hui‐lin , Wang Jian‐wei , Tang Tian‐si 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  The purpose of this prospective clinical trial, with a minimum two‐year follow‐up, was to evaluate the clinical effects of a titanium‐coated lumbar interbody fusion system in the treatment of lumbar instability.Methods:  The study cohort consisted of 94 patients with lumbar instability who accepted posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a titanium‐coated fusion system. The patients were examined at the sixth, 12th and 24th month postoperatively. The clinical outcomes of all patients were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiological studies, which included assessment of loss of disc space height, intervertebral angle and isodense bone bridging, were used to evaluate the fusion.Results:  The overall fusion rate was 95.75% at the 24th month after surgery. Ninety‐two (97.87%) patients were able to work while 53 patients (56.38%) were capable of performing heavy manual labor. Neurological assessment showed 77 patients (81.92%) had no sensory or motor deficit. The mean JOA score had increased from 15.34 to 28.92 and ODI had decreased from 45 to 15 at the 24th month after surgery. No implant fracture or displacement was found.Conclusion:  The titanium‐coated intervertebral fusion cage is effective and safe for treatment of lumbar instability.
Performance of the Abbott Real-Time PCR Assay Usingm2000spandm2000rtfor Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantification
Authors: Chevaliez Stéphane , Bouvier-Alias Magali , Pawlotsky Jean-Michel 
Published: April 2009

ABSTRACTQuantification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is essential for the everyday management of chronic hepatitis C therapy. “Real-time” PCR techniques are potentially more sensitive than classical PCR techniques, are not prone to carryover contamination, and have a consistently wider dynamic range of quantification. Thus, they are rapidly replacing other technologies for routine quantification of HCV RNA. We extensively evaluated the intrinsic characteristics and clinical performance of them2000sp-m2000rtAbbott real-time PCR platform for HCV RNA quantification. The study shows that them2000sp-m2000rtplatform is sensitive, specific, and precise; that the results are reproducible; and that the platform has a broad dynamic range of quantification. When comparing HCV RNA levels measured in the same individuals with them2000sp-m2000rtplatform and the third-generation branched-DNA assay, a trend toward a modest overestimation of HCV RNA levels was observed in them2000sp-m2000rtplatform in all genotypes except genotype 5. The differences, however, were unlikely to have any impact in clinical practice. In conclusion, our study shows that the Abbottm2000 real-time PCR system for HCV RNA quantification is sensitive, specific, and precise; that the results are reproducible; and that the platform's broad dynamic range of quantification is well suited to HCV RNA monitoring in the clinical setting.
HYDROGENIC IMPURITY IN A QUANTUM WIRE: EFFECT OF DIFFERENT MASSES OF WIRE AND BARRIER
Authors: MIKHAIL I. F. I. , EL-SAYED S. B. A. 
Published: April 2009

A variational calculation is given within the effective mass approximation of the binding energy of a hydrogenic donor impurity located on the axis of an infinitely long circular quantum well wire. A uniform magnetic field is applied along the axis of the wire. The different effective masses of the wire and the barrier are taken into consideration. This has not been done hitherto in the presence of the magnetic field. New analytical expressions for the electron energy levels and the binding energies of the hydrogenic impurity in the ground and the first four excited states have been derived. Moreover, the form of the binding energy reported in earlier works in the special case of zero magnetic field has been amended. A new form of the trial wavefunction has also been introduced. It has the advantage of satisfying the required boundary conditions in the case of different masses of the wire and barrier, and thus it resembles the exact solution in this respect. The new form of the trial wavefunction has been applied to the case of the ground state. It has improved the results of binding energy considerably as they tend to approach the exact solution from below.
Short-chain fatty acid–mediated effects on erythropoiesis in primary definitive erythroid cells
Authors: Bhatia Himanshu , Hallock Jennifer L. , Dutta Amrita , Karkashon Shay , Sterner Lauren S. , Miyazaki Toru , Dean Ann , Little Jane A. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs; butyrate and propionate) up-regulate embryonic/fetal globin gene expression through unclear mechanisms. In a murine model of definitive erythropoiesis, SCFAs increased embryonic β-type globin gene expression in primary erythroid fetal liver cells (eFLCs) after 72 hours in culture, from 1.7% (± 1.2%) of total β-globin gene expression at day 0 to 4.9% (± 2.2%) in propionate and 5.4% (± 3.4%) in butyrate; this effect was greater in butyrate plus insulin/erythropoietin (BIE), at 19.5% (± 8.3%) compared with 0.1% (± 0.1%) in ins/EPO alone (P < .05). Fetal γ-globin gene expression was increased in human transgene-containing eFLCs, to 35.9% (± 7.0%) in BIE compared with 4.4% (± 4.2%) in ins/EPO only (P < .05). Embryonic globin gene expression was detectable in 11 of 15 single eFLCs treated with BIE, but in0 of 15 ins/EPO-only treated cells. Butyrate-treated [65.5% (± 9.9%)] and 77.5% (± 4.0%) propionate-treated eFLCs were highly differentiated in culture, compared with 21.5% (± 3.5%) in ins/EPO (P < .005). Importantly, signaling intermediaries, previously implicated in induced embryonic/fetal globin gene expression (STAT5, p42/44, and p38), were not differentially activated by SCFAs in eFLCs; but increased bulk histone (H3) acetylation was seen in SCFA-treated eFLCs. SCFAs induce embryonic globin gene expression in eFLCS, which are a useful short-term and physiologic primary cell model of embryonic/fetal globin gene induction during definitive erythropoiesis.
IL-7 administration drives T cell–cycle entry and expansion in HIV-1 infection
Authors: Sereti Irini , Dunham Richard M. , Spritzler John , Aga Evgenia , Proschan Michael A. , Medvik Kathy , Battaglia Catherine A. , Landay Alan L. , Pahwa Savita , Fischl Margaret A. , Asmuth David M. , Tenorio Allan R. , Altman John D. , Fox Lawrence , Moir Susan , Malaspina Angela , Morre Michel , Buffet Renaud , Silvestri Guido , Lederman Michael M. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is a common gamma chain receptor cytokine implicated in thymopoiesis and in peripheral expansion and survival of T lymphocytes. The safety and activity of recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) administration were therefore examined in HIV-infected persons. In this prospective randomized placebo-controlled study, a single subcutaneous dose of rhIL-7 was well tolerated with biologic activity demonstrable at 3 μg/kg and a maximum tolerated dose of 30 μg/kg. Injection site reactions and transient elevations of liver function tests were the most notable side effects. Transient increases in plasma HIV-RNA levels were observed in 6 of 11 IL-7–treated patients. Recombinant hIL-7 induced CD4 and CD8 T cells to enter cell cycle; cell-cycle entry was also confirmed in antigen-specific CD8 T cells. Administration of rhIL-7 led to transient down-regulation of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (CD127) in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Single-dose rhIL-7 increased the numbers of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, predominantly of central memory phenotype. The frequency of CD4+ T cells with a regulatory T-cell phenotype (CD25high CD127low) did not change after rhIL-7 administration. Thus, rhIL-7 has a biologic and toxicity profile suggesting a potential for therapeutic trials in HIV infection and other settings of lymphopenia. This clinical trial has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov under NCT0099671.
CHK1 inhibition as a strategy for targeting fanconi anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway deficient tumors
Authors: Chen Clark C , Kennedy Richard D , Sidi Samuel , Look A Thomas , D'Andrea Alan 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackgroundDNA repair deficient tumor cells have been shown to accumulate high levels of DNA damage. Consequently, these cells become hyper-dependent on DNA damage response pathways, including the CHK1-kinase-mediated response. These observations suggest that DNA repair deficient tumors should exhibit increased sensitivity to CHK1 inhibition. Here we offer experimental evidence in support of this hypothesis.ResultsUsing isogenic pairs of cell lines differing only in the Fanconi Anemia (FA) DNA repair pathway, we showed that FA deficient cell lines were hypersensitive toCHK1silencing by independent siRNAs as well as CHK1 pharmacologic inhibition by Gö6976 and UCN-01. In parallel, an siRNA screen designed to identify gene silencings synthetically lethal with CHK1 inhibition identified genes required for FA pathway function. To confirm these findingsin vivo, we demonstrated that whole zebrafish embryos, depleted forFANCD2by a morpholino approach, were hypersensitive to Gö6976. Silencing of FA genes led to hyper-activation of CHK1 and vice versa. Furthermore, inactivation of CHK1 in FA deficient cell lines caused increased accumulation of DNA strand and chromosomal breakages. These results suggest that the functions subserved by CHK1 and the FA pathway mutually compensate in maintaining genome integrity. As CHK1 inhibition has been under clinical trial in combination with cisplatin, we showed that the FA specific tumoricidal effect of CHK1 inhibition and cisplatin was synergistic.ConclusionTaken together, these results suggest CHK1 inhibition as a strategy for targeting FA deficient tumors.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of the First Two-dimensional Inorganic/Organic Composite Solid of Iron(III) Molybdate
Authors: Zhao Junwei , Liu Jiangping , Wang Jingping , Niu Jingyang 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
A novel two-dimensional inorganic–organic composite solid material of iron(III) molybdate [enH2][Fe2(MoO4)4] (1) (en = ethylenediamine) has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The sheet structure is constructed by binuclear {FeO6} octahedra and bridging {MoO4} tetrahedra. The two iron octahedra are edge-shared, and all of the oxygen atoms in iron coordination spheres are provided from the {MoO4} tetrahedral units which interconnect the diiron core through the corner sharing, leading to a novel two-dimensional framework.
Effects of Organosilica-derived Microporous Coverage of Carbon-supported Pt Catalysts on Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexane
Authors: Nakagawa Keizo , Tanimoto Yusuke , Sotowa Ken-Ichiro , Sugiyama Shigeru , Takenaka Sakae , Kishida Masahiro 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Pt catalysts covered with an organosilica layer containing phenyl and/or methyl groups showed higher conversion in the dehydrogenation of cyclohexane, compared with Pt catalysts covered with a silica layer containing no functional groups. Micropores formed in the organosilica layer owing to the decomposition of functional groups by heat treatment resulted in this increase in catalytic activity which is dependent on the functional groups contained in the organosilica layer.
One-step Direct Conversion of Heterocyclic Aldehydes to Esters
Authors: Goswami Shyamaprosad , Hazra Anita 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
One-step direct conversion of a series of heterocyclic aldehydes to heterocyclic esters is reported here by the use of thiamine hydrochloride as a catalyst in the absence of nitrogen atmosphere in a reasonably high yield. This method exclusively produces heterocyclic esters in most cases (specially with more electron-withdrawing heterocyclic aldehydes) without the formation of side products like heteroin. Thus the method developed looks promising and general for the synthesis of electron-withdrawing heterocyclic esters from the corresponding aldehydes.
Generation and Reactions of α-Silyloxiranyllithium in a Microreactor
Authors: Nagaki Aiichiro , Takizawa Eiji , Yoshida Jun-ichi 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
α-Triphenylsilyloxiranyllithium was effectively generated by the reaction of epoxyethyltriphenylsilane with n-BuLi in a microflow reactor at 0 °C, though it is well known that an over reaction cannot be avoided even at lower temperatures in a conventional macrobatch reactor. Subsequent reactions with various electrophiles in the microflow reactor gave the corresponding α-substituted epoxysilanes.
Multistep Coloring and Bleaching of Viologens Monomolecularly Incorporated in DNA
Authors: Kakibe Takeshi , Kurihara Ryo , Ohno Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Two different viologens have been incorporated into double-strand DNA on ITO glass electrodes. Thus prepared DNA/viologen complex film showed reversible two-step color change by potential control.
Synthesis of Helical Polymers with a Pentasilane Core
Authors: Morisaki Yasuhiro , Otaka Hiromichi , Nagai Atsushi , Naka Kensuke , Chujo Yoshiki 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
The asymmetric anionic polymerization of N-(4-methylphenyl)-N-phenylacrylamide was carried out using a new pentasilyl dianion initiator prepared by the reaction of decaphenylcyclopentasilane with lithium. The optically active higher-ordered structure of the pentasilane chain was induced by the helical poly[N-(4-methylphenyl)-N-phenylacrylamide] segments.
Preparation and Structure Characterization of β-BaB2O4 Nanowires
Authors: Zhang Jiang , Liang Shaojun , He Guiping 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
A cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)-assisted hydrothermal method was applied to prepare β-BaB2O4 nanowires using Ba(NO3)2 and NaBH4 as reactants. After subsequent annealing in air at 700 °C, β-BaB2O4 nanowires with a diameter of 10–20 nm and a length up to several micrometers were obtained. The characterization results indicate that β-BaB2O4 nanowires are single crystalline with the preferential growth direction along [113].
Hirsutism in young women
Authors: Swingler Rebecca , Awala Alero , Gordon Uma 
Published: April 2009

Hirsutism is a distressing condition affecting 5–15% of women.
It is usually associated with an underlying endocrine disorder: in 70–80% of women with hirsutism this is polycystic ovary syndrome.
Management depends upon the cause but combines lifestyle changes and cosmetic, physical and medical treatments.
It takes 9–12 months for hormonal treatments to take their maximum effect.

Learning objectives:

To learn how to assess women with hirsutism.
To understand common and less common aetiologies.
To be able to take a sensitive and sensible approach to management.

Ethical issues:

To what extent should drugs not yet approved for use in women with hirsutism be used as a treatment for this condition?
What is the role of the gynaecologist in ensuring women on drugs such as finasteride are using effective contraception?

Please cite this article as: Swingler R, Awala A, Gordon U. Hirsutism in young women. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2009;11:101–107.
The Use of Generalized Additive Models for Forecasting the Abundance of Queets River Coho Salmon
Authors: Wang Shizhen , Morishima Gary , Sharma Rishi , Gilbertson Larry 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
We examined three types of models for preseason forecasting of the abundance of Queets River coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch: (1) a simple model in which estimates of smolt production are multiplied by projected marine survival rates, (2) a Ricker spawner–recruitment model, and (3) a regression model relating log-transformed adult recruitment to smolt production. Each type of model was formulated with and without environmental variables that influence production and survival. We attempted to use a nonparametric generalized additive model (GAM) to guide the selection of the environmental variables and the form of the regression model. The GAM model was derived through a stepwise selection strategy based on the Akaike information criterion. Parametric approximate models were developed for each selected GAM model, and their performance was compared with postseason estimates of abundance using three criteria: the mean absolute percentage error, the largest absolute percentage error, and the probability of being included in the 90% prediction interval. This paper shows that the GAM approach is useful in constructing forecasting models by identifying promising relationships with predictor variables and improving abundance forecasts through the incorporation of environmental variables.
Stock–Recruitment Dynamics and the Maximum Population Growth Rate of the Barndoor Skate on Georges Bank
Authors: Gedamke Todd , Hoenig John M. , DuPaul William D. , Musick John A. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
In 1998, the barndoor skate Dipturus laevis was reported to have been locally extirpated in parts of its northern range and to be potentially on the brink of extinction. Managers were faced with assessing the species with virtually no information other than a limited number of individuals observed in annual groundfish surveys. Since that time, a number of the primary life history parameters have been estimated, but the population dynamics of the species remain largely unexplored. In this study, we use information from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) annual groundfish surveys to investigate two critical components of barndoor skate population dynamics: the relationship of recruitment to spawner abundance and the maximum population growth rate. A strong stock–recruitment relationship was found in the fall survey data, suggesting that recruitment is closely tied to spawner abundance. The Ricker and Beverton–Holt stock–recruit models were fitted to the survey data, and estimates of the slope at the origin was generated. These parameters provided an estimate of the maximum annual reproductive rate, which was then converted to an estimate of the instantaneous maximum population growth rate of 0.37–0.38 per year. A second analysis was also conducted using a Leslie matrix and data from the NMFS survey. Observed rates of population change were used to estimate early life history parameters and incorporate density dependence into the density-independent framework of a Leslie matrix demographic model. From this method, the instantaneous maximum population growth for the barndoor skate was estimated to be 0.36–0.48 per year. Our results suggest that the species is more resilient to fishing pressure than previously believed and is capable of growing at an instantaneous rate in excess of 35% at low population sizes.