bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Previous Laparotomy is Not a Contraindication to Laparoscopy‐assisted Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Nunobe Souya , Hiki Naoki , Fukunaga Tetsu , Tokunaga Msanori , Ohyama Shigekazu , Seto Yasuyuki , Yamaguchi Toshiharu 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic procedures have generally been considered to be contraindicated in patients with a history of laparotomy because of a high risk of enteric injury during the procedure. Laparoscopy‐assisted gastrectomy (LAG) has been used increasingly in the treatment of early gastric cancer, but its indication for patients with a history of laparotomy remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to estimate whether LAG is contraindicated for the patient with a history of laparotomy (PSURG).MethodsFrom January 2003 to March 2006, 139 patients with early gastric cancer underwent LAG with curative intent in our institute. Fifty were PSURG patients, and the remaining 89 patients underwent LAG without any history of laparotomy (NSURG). Operative and early postoperative outcomes were compared between the groups.ResultsAppendectomy and gynecological surgery were the predominant procedures performed in the PSURG group prior to undergoing LAG, involving 28 patients (56.0%) and 16 patients (32.0%), respectively. Detachment of adhesion above the umbilicus was required in 25 PSURG patients (50.0%). There was no significant difference in operative and postoperative results between the two groups, although 1 PSURG patient developed symptoms of bowel injury on the first postoperative day, probably caused during the laparoscopic procedure for dissection of a jejuno‐jejunal adhesion.ConclusionsThere was no difference in outcome following LAG between the PSURG and NSURG groups in the present study. The PSURG patient is not contraindicated for LAG assuming careful attention is given for all operative procedures, including port insertion and dissection of intra‐abdominal adhesions.
How to write an original article for the Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
Authors: Pierannunzii L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The abstract is the precise summary of the article, not a preface. As Baue wrote in a popular editorial of the Archives of Surgery in 1979, “writing a good abstract is not abstract writing” [6]. The main data have to be represented, as they allow readers to understand contents clearly. Sentences like “The paper reports...” or “The authors describe...” have to be avoided as well as any generic statements.
In order to help writers avoid generalities, the recently revised version of this journal’s “instructions to authors” [4] requires the abstract to be no longer than 300 words and structured in 4 paragraphs: the Background declares the hypothesis, the Materials and methods impart the study design and quote the relevant numerical features of the samples, the Results report the main data and their statistical significance, the Conclusions state whether the hypothesis is verified or not. One or two sentences per paragraph are usually sufficient.
The abstract is frequently recommended to be written after the text, as “the process of writing changes thought and perhaps even purpose” [7]. Nonetheless, in my view, preparing the abstract first is a useful exercise that forces the authors to organize their thoughts and guides the organization of the article. However, the abstract should be always revised after the manuscript has been completed.
Perspectives on metaphyseal conservative stems
Authors: Falez F. , Casella F. , Panegrossi G. , Favetti F. , Barresi C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Total hip replacement is showing, during the last decades, a progressive evolution toward principles of reduced bone and soft tissue aggression. These principles have become the basis of a new philosophy, tissue sparing surgery. Regarding hip implants, new conservative components have been proposed and developed as an alternative to conventional stems. Technical and biomechanical characteristics of metaphyseal bone-stock-preserving stems are analyzed on the basis of the available literature and our personal experience. Mayo, Nanos and Metha stems represent, under certain aspects, a design evolution starting from shared concepts: reduced femoral violation, non-anatomic geometry, proximal calcar loading and lateral alignment. However, consistent differences are level of neck preservation, cross-sectional geometry and surface finishing. The Mayo component is the most time-tested component and, in our hands, it showed an excellent survivorship at the mid-term follow-up, with an extremely reduced incidence of aseptic loosening (partially reduced by the association with last generation acetabular couplings). For 160 implants followed for a mean of 4.7 years, survivorship was 97.5% with 4 failed implants: one fracture with unstable stem, 1 septic loosening and 2 aseptic mobilizations. DEXA analysis, performed on 15 cases, showed a good calcar loading and stimulation, but there was significant lateral load transfer to R3–R4 zones, giving to the distal part of the stem a function not simply limited to alignment. Metaphyseal conservative stems demonstrated a wide applicability with an essential surgical technique. Moreover, they offer the options of a “conservative revision” with a conventional primary component in case of failure and a “conservative revision” for failed resurfacing implants.
Effects of fragmentation of secondary broadleaf deciduous forests on populations of the near‐threatened butterfly,Sasakia charonda(Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), in central Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Takato , Nakashizuka Tohru , Kitahara Masahiko 
Published: March 2008

AbstractWe examined the effects of fragmentation of secondary broadleaf deciduous forests (secondary forests) on populations of the near‐threatened butterfly,Sasakia charonda, in central Japan. Regression analyses revealed that the number of overwintering larvae per host tree significantly increased when the area of secondary forest patches and the Isolation Index of the forest patch increased and the distance from secondary forest patches containing the focal host trees to the nearest secondary forest patch decreased. There was a significantly positive correlation between the number of overwintering larvae and the number of host trees in the neighborhood. The host trees were primarily distributed at the edges of secondary forests. From the results of the backward elimination method of multiple linear regression analysis, independent variables other than patch area were eliminated, and the standardized partial regression coefficient of the patch area was significant. This result suggested that a contiguous distribution of large secondary forest patches with many host trees is very important to conserving this butterfly species.
Plasma connective tissue growth factor is a novel potential biomarker of cardiac dysfunction in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Koitabashi Norimichi , Arai Masashi , Niwano Kazuo , Watanabe Atai , Endoh Michiko , Suguta Masahiko , Yokoyama Tomoyuki , Tada Hiroshi , Toyama Takuji , Adachi Hitoshi , Naito Shigeto , Oshima Shigeru , Nishida Takashi , Kubota Satoshi , Takigawa Masaharu , Kurabayashi Masahiko 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground:Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been recently reported as a mediator of myocardial fibrosis; however, the significance of plasma CTGF concentration has not been evaluated in patients with heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical utility of plasma CTGF concentration for the diagnosis of heart failure.Methods and results:We evaluated fifty‐two patients with chronic heart failure. The plasma concentration of CTGF and other markers of fibrosis were assessed and compared with clinical and echocardiographic data. Plasma CTGF was significantly elevated in symptomatic patients in proportion to their NYHA classes and was significantly correlated with plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentration (r = 0.395, P < 0.01). Plasma CTGF was also correlated with plasma transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) (r = 0.512, P < 0.01), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 (r = 0.391, P < 0.05) and tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)‐2 (r = 0.354, P < 0.05) concentrations. Interestingly, plasma CTGF was correlated with E/E' value evaluated by tissue Doppler echocardiography (r = 0.593, P = 0.012), but not with systolic function and left ventricular mass.Conclusion:Our study suggests that plasma CTGF concentration is a novel diagnostic marker for cardiac dysfunction and may provide additional specific information about myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure patients.
Childhood Family Structure and Personality Disorders in Adulthood
Authors: Kantojärvi L. , Joukamaa M. , Miettunen J. , Läksy K. , Herva A. , Karvonen J.T. , Taanila A. , Veijola J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground.The association between childhood family structure and sociodemographic characteristics and personality disorders (PDs) in a general population sample was studied.Methods.This study is a substudy of the prospective Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort Project with 1588 young adult subjects. The case-finding methods according to the DSM-III-R criteria for PDs were: (1) Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID) for 321 cases who participated in a 2-phase field study, (2) Finnish Hospital Discharge Register data, and (3) analysis of the patient records in public outpatient care in 1982–1997. Statistical analyses were performed on the association between PDs and family background factors.Results.Altogether 110 (7.0%) of the subjects had at least one probable or definite PD. After adjusting for confounders (gender, parental social class and parental psychiatric disorder) the results indicated that single-parent family type in childhood was associated with cluster B PDs in adulthood. Being an only child in childhood was associated with cluster A PDs. No special childhood risk factors were found for cluster C PDs.Conclusions.Results suggest that single-parent family type at birth and being an only child in the 1960s are associated with PD in adulthood. Further studies are needed to explore the psychosocial aspects of family environment which may nowadays promote vulnerability to PDs in adulthood.
Cortisol Response To Interpersonal Stress in Young Adults With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Pilot Study
Authors: Walter Marc , Bureau Jean-François , Holmes Bjarne M. , Bertha Eszter A. , Hollander Michael , Wheelis Joan , Brooks Nancy Hall , Lyons-Ruth Karlen 
Published: March 2008

AbstractHypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysregulation after stress was found to be associated with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Nine female BPD young adults and 12 control subjects were investigated for stress reactivity and recovery after an interpersonal conflict discussion with their mothers. BPD subjects showed a delayed cortisol response after psychosocial stress.
Justice from Above or Below? Popular Strategies for Resolving Grievances in Rural China
Authors: Michelson Ethan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractResearch on rural conflict in China suggests that village leaders are sources of trouble and obstacles to justice and that aggrieved villagers have more trust in and receive more satisfactory redress from higher-level solutions than from local solutions. In contrast to this account of “justice from above,” evidence presented in this article from a 2002 survey of almost 3,000 households supports an alternative theory of “justice from below.” According to this latter theory, the social costs associated with appealing to higher authorities, including the legal system, for help with local disputes tend both to discourage the escalation of disputes and to produce relatively disappointing experiences and outcomes when such routes are taken. Survey respondents indicated that local solutions, often with the involvement of village leaders, were far more desirable and effective than higher-level solutions.
China's Emerging Credit Rating Industry: The Official Foundations of Private Authority
Authors: Kennedy Scott 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAlthough China has had difficulty improving the performance of its banks and stock markets, it has struggled even more to develop a credit rating industry. Credit rating agencies (CRA), which provide bond ratings, are vital to financial markets in advanced capitalist countries, but China's credit rating companies are weak and have had little influence over the behaviour of those who issue or invest in bonds. Some argue that CRAs gain authority through their strong reputation in the eyes of market participants, but the experience of rating agencies in China supports evidence from elsewhere that their private authority is largely dependent on government mandate, a benefit China's CRAs have only recently begun to enjoy. Many private actors, from trade associations to charity groups, are struggling to gain public influence in China, but credit rating agencies may be the best barometer to measure the Chinese government's general stance towards private authority.
Making Sense of Participation: The Political Culture of Pro-democracy Demonstrators in Hong Kong
Authors: Lee Francis L. F. , Chan Joseph M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA wave of large-scale demonstrations from 2003 to 2006 has given rise to a new pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and raised important questions about the political activism of the Hong Kong public. This study aims at achieving a better understanding of the cultural underpinnings of Hong Kong people's protest participation (and non-participation). Following a tradition of constructivist analysis which sees culture as a set of shared and more or less structured ideas, symbols, feelings and common senses, this study examines how participants in the pro-democracy protests make sense of their experiences and the ongoing political and social changes in Hong Kong. It shows that the 1 July 2003 demonstration has indeed empowered many of its participants, but feelings of efficacy became more complicated and mixed as people continued to monitor changes in the political environment and interpret the actions of others. At the same time, beliefs and ideas that can be regarded as part of Hong Kong's culture of de-politicization remain prevalent among the protesters. The findings of the study allow us to understand why many Hong Kong people view protests as important means of public opinion expression and yet participate in them only occasionally.
The 1967 Riots in Hong Kong: The Diplomatic and Domestic Fronts of the Colonial Governor
Authors: Yep Ray 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThis article examines the dynamics behind the Hong Kong colonial government's policy during the 1967 riots, a turning point in the colony's development. Starting as an industrial dispute, it soon erupted into a major crisis that prompted the British to consider evacuation from the territory. While the Governor, David Trench, was preoccupied with the colossal task of maintaining order on the domestic front, his success was heavily dependent on his progress on the “diplomatic front.” His perception of British interests did not always resonate with the views of the British diplomats in China. This article argues that the prevalence of Trench's proposed policy of firm suppression of local communists over the accommodating approach, suggested by the British diplomats in Beijing, was a result of his success in persuading the officials in London of the greater utility of his proposal in preserving British interests. The limited options available to Britain and Trench's shrewdness in exploiting the sovereign's uncertainty over the future of China contributed to the Governor's success in swaying the opinions of officials in London.
GabiPD: Gabi Primary Database - a plant integrative ‘omics’ database in GABI-FUTURE
Authors: Riaño-Pachón Diego Mauricio , Nagel Axel , Wagner Robert , Weber Elke , Kersten Birgit 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGabiPD ("http://gabi.rzpd.de":http://gabi.rzpd.de) was established within GABI-I and further developed in GABI-II and constitutes a repository and analysis platform for a wide array of heterogeneous data arising from high throughput experiments developed by members of the GABI/WPG community. Currently, data from different fronts (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) are incorporated in GabiPD, representing 14 different biological species. Last year GabiPD moved to the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology. In the progressing GABI-FUTURE phase, the GabiPD team has been creating a more integrative data view, expanding the tools and information provided by our well-known GreenCards. Links to different species-specific (Arabidopsis thaliana so far) GABI-resources (e.g., Aramemnon, GABI-KAT) as well as external resources (e.g., ProMEX) are being added or updated. All data types (e.g., protein spots, clones) in GabiPD are pointing to the central Gene’s GreenCard, where gene information is retrieved from genome annotation projects or large UniGene sets provided by NCBI. Moreover, the GabiPD team will perform new types of data computations, like analysis of conserved domains in protein sequences.
A pattern recognition approach to infer time-lagged genetic interactions
Authors: Chuang Cheng-Long , Jen Chih-Hung , Chen Chung-Ming , Shieh Grace S. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Motivation: For any time-course microarray data in which the gene interactions and the associated paired patterns are dependent, the proposed pattern recognition (PARE) approach can infer time-lagged genetic interactions, a challenging task due to the small number of time points and large number of genes. PARE utilizes a non-linear score to identify subclasses of gene pairs with different time lags. In each subclass, PARE extracts non-linear characteristics of paired gene-expression curves and learns weights of the decision score applying an optimization algorithm to microarray gene-expression data (MGED) of some known interactions, from biological experiments or published literature. Namely, PARE integrates both MGED and existing knowledge via machine learning, and subsequently predicts the other genetic interactions in the subclass.
Results: PARE, a time-lagged correlation approach and the latest advance in graphical Gaussian models were applied to predict 112 (132) pairs of TC/TD (transcriptional regulatory) interactions. Checked against qRT-PCR results (published literature), their true positive rates are 73% (77%), 46% (51%), and 52% (59%), respectively. The false positive rates of predicting TC and TD (AT and RT) interactions in the yeast genome are bounded by 13 and 10% (10 and 14%), respectively. Several predicted TC/TD interactions are shown to coincide with existing pathways involving Sgs1, Srs2 and Mus81. This reinforces the possibility of applying genetic interactions to predict pathways of protein complexes. Moreover, some experimentally testable gene interactions involving DNA repair are predicted.
Availability: Supplementary data and PARE software are available at http://www.stat.sinica.edu.tw/~gshieh/pare.htm.
Contact: gshieh@stat.sinica.edu.tw
Tobacco Transcription Factors: Novel Insights into Transcriptional Regulation in the Solanaceae
Authors: Rushton Paul J. , Bokowiec Marta T. , Han Shengcheng , Zhang Hongbo , Brannock Jennifer F. , Chen Xianfeng , Laudeman Thomas W. , Timko Michael P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractTobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is a member of the Solanaceae, one of the agronomically most important groups of flowering plants. We have performed an in silico analysis of 1.15 million gene-space sequence reads from the tobacco nuclear genome and report the detailed analysis of more than 2,500 tobacco transcription factors (TFs). The tobacco genome contains at least one member of each of the 64 well-characterized TF families identified in sequenced vascular plant genomes, indicating that evolution of the Solanaceae was not associated with the gain or loss of TF families. However, we found notable differences between tobacco and non-Solanaceae species in TF family size and evidence for both tobacco- and Solanaceae-specific subfamily expansions. Compared with TF families from sequenced plant genomes, tobacco has a higher proportion of ERF/AP2, C2H2 zinc finger, homeodomain, GRF, TCP, zinc finger homeodomain, BES, and STERILE APETALA (SAP) genes and novel subfamilies of BES, C2H2 zinc finger, SAP, and NAC genes. The novel NAC subfamily, termed TNACS, appears restricted to the Solanaceae, as they are absent from currently sequenced plant genomes but present in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), and potato (Solanum tuberosum). They constitute approximately 25% of NAC genes in tobacco. Based on our phylogenetic studies, we predict that many of the more than 50 tobacco group IX ERF genes are involved in jasmonate responses. Consistent with this, over two-thirds of group IX ERF genes tested showed increased mRNA levels following jasmonate treatment. Our data are a major resource for the Solanaceae and fill a void in studies of TF families across the plant kingdom.
Weighting against homoplasy improves phylogenetic analysis of morphological data sets
Authors: Goloboff Pablo A. , Carpenter James M. , Arias J. Salvador , Esquivel Daniel Rafael Miranda 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe problem of character weighting in cladistic analysis is revisited. The finding that, in large molecular data sets, removal of third positions (with more homoplasy) decreases the number of well supported groups has been interpreted by some authors as indicating that weighting methods are unjustified. Two arguments against that interpretation are advanced. Characters that collectively determine few well‐supported groups may be highly reliable when taken individually (as shown by specific examples), so that inferring greater reliability for sets of characters that lead to an increase in jackknife frequencies may not always be warranted. But even if changes in jackknife frequencies can be used to infer reliability, we demonstrate that jackknife frequencies in large molecular data sets are actually improved when downweighting characters according to their homoplasy but using properly rescaled functions (instead of the very strong standard functions, or the extreme of inclusion/exclusion); this further weakens the argument that downweighting homoplastic characters is undesirable. Last, we show that downweighting characters according to their homoplasy (using standard homoplasy‐weighting methods) on 70 morphological data sets (with 50–170 taxa), produces clear increases in jackknife frequencies. The results obtained under homoplasy weighting also appear more stable than results under equal weights: adding either taxa or characters, when weighting against homoplasy, produced results more similar to original analyses (i.e., with larger numbers of groups that continue being supported after addition of taxa or characters), with similar or lower error rates (i.e., proportion of groups recovered that subsequently turn out to be incorrect). Therefore, the same argument that had been advanced against homoplasy weighting in the case of large molecular data sets is an argument in favor of such weighting in the case of morphological data sets.© The Willi Hennig Society 2008.