bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The precautionary principle: Making managerial decisions on GMOs is difficult
Authors: Jansen van Rijssen Fredrika W. , Eloff Jacobus N. , Morris E. Jane
Published: March 2015

The precautionary approach of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, if incorporated into legislation of countries as a precautionary principle (PP), could cause great difficulty in decision‑making on genetically modified organisms. No consensus seems to be possible on the interpretation of the PP, as responsibility often is passed on to political decision‑making and, eventually, to court rulings. A case study on the assessment of possible unintended effects of endogenous allergens illustrates the complexity decision‑makers may experience. We review the descriptions of the PP and the debate on the interpretation and conclusions that a number of authors have come to, as a step closer to a solution in decision‑making. South Africa may have to consider the PP in the broader context of its food security needs, which would require improved communication as an additional step in the process of risk analysis.
An assessment of South Africa’s research journals: Impact factors, Eigenfactors and structure of editorial boards
Authors: Pouris Androniki E.M. , Pouris Anastassios
Published: March 2015

Scientific journals play an important role in academic information exchange and their assessment is of interest to science authorities, editors and researchers. The assessment of journals is of particular interest to South African authorities as the country’s universities are partially funded according to the number of publications they produce in accredited journals, such as the Thomson Reuters indexed journals. Scientific publishing in South Africa has experienced a revolution during the last 10 years. Our objective here is to report the performance of the country’s journals during 2009 and 2010 according to a number of metrics (i.e. impact factors, Eigenfactors® and the international character of editorial boards); to identify and compare the impact of the South African journals that have been recently added to the Thomson Reuters' Journal Citation Reports®; and to elaborate on issues related to science policy.
Investigating the risk of lightning’s pressure blast wave
Authors: Blumenthal Ryan , West Nicholas J.
Published: March 2015

We investigated the pathology of human trauma associated with lightning’s pressure blast wave. Within what range is a human at risk and what are the risks? Two theories for the trauma currently exist: the flash moisture vaporisation theory and the sixth mechanism theory. We performed a simple proof-of-concept experiment in a high-voltage laboratory to determine which theory makes for better predictions. The experiment confirmed the existence of a non-discriminant pressure blast wave around a spark in air. The lightning data were compared with the known medical data. Findings may now help explain some of the more curious lightning injury patterns seen on lightning-strike victims.
Youngest dinocephalian fossils extend the Tapinocephalus Zone, Karoo Basin, South Africa
Authors: Day Michael O. , Güven Saniye , Abdala Fernando , Jirah Sifelani , Rubidge Bruce , Almond John
Published: March 2015

The dinocephalians (Synapsida, Therapsida) were one of the dominant tetrapod groups of the Middle Permian (Guadalupian Epoch, ~270–260 million years ago) and are most abundantly recorded in the Tapinocephalus Assemblage Zone (AZ) of the Main Karoo Basin, South Africa. Dinocephalians are thought to have become extinct near the top of the Abrahamskraal Formation of the Beaufort Group and their disappearance is one criterion used to define the base of the overlying Pristerognathus AZ. Because of the abundance of fossils in the Karoo, the Beaufort Group biozones form the biostratigraphic standard for later Permian terrestrial tetrapod ecosystems, so their stratigraphic delineation is of great importance to Permian palaeobiology. We report two new specimens of the rare tapinocephalid dinocephalian Criocephalosaurus from the lowermost Poortjie Member, which makes them the youngest dinocephalians known from the Main Karoo Basin and extends the Tapinocephalus AZ from the Abrahamskraal Formation up into the Teekloof Formation. The extension of the Tapinocephalus AZ relative to the lithostratigraphy potentially affects the biozone or biozones to which a fossil species can be attributed; this extension has implications for biostratigraphic correlations within the Main Karoo Basin as well as with other basins across Gondwana. These discoveries also indicate that a population of herbivorous tapinocephalids survived as rare constituents of the tetrapod fauna after most generic richness within the clade had already been lost.
Cover Crop Mixtures Do Not Use Water Differently than Single‐Species Plantings
Authors: Nielsen David C. , Lyon Drew J. , Hergert Gary W. , Higgins Robert K. , Calderón Francisco J. , Vigil Merle F.
Published: March 2015

Recent recommendations advocating the use of cover crop mixtures instead of single‐species in semi‐arid environments require rigorous scientific studies. One of those stated benefits is greatly reduced water use by cover crops grown in mixtures. The objectives of this study were to characterize soil water extraction patterns and determine water use of cover crops grown in single‐species plantings and in a 10‐species mixture and to compare cover crop water use to evaporative water loss from no‐till fallow. The study was conducted at Akron, CO, and Sidney, NE, during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons on silt loam soils. At each location there were a dryland treatment and an irrigated treatment. Soil water contents were measured by neutron scattering and time‐domain reflectometry at six depths (0.0–1.8 m, Akron) or four or five depths (to 1.2 m or 1.5 m, Sidney). There were no consistent significant differences in soil water contents or growing season crop water use with the single‐species plantings compared with the 10‐species mixture. Cover crop water use (216 mm) averaged 1.78 times greater than evaporative water loss (122 mm) from the no‐till fallow treatment with proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) residue. There appears to be no evidence from data collected in this semi‐arid environment, even when irrigated to simulate higher rainfall environments, to support the conclusion that cover crops grown in multi‐species mixtures use water differently than single species‐plantings of cover crops.
Mapping QTL, Selection Differentials, and the Effect of Rht‐B1 under Organic and Conventionally Managed Systems in the Attila × CDC Go Spring Wheat Mapping Population
Authors: Asif M. , Yang R.‐C. , Navabi A. , Iqbal M. , Kamran A. , Lara E. P. , Randhawa H. , Pozniak C. , Spaner D.
Published: March 2015

A randomly derived recombinant inbred line (RIL) population (n = 163) from a cross between CIMMYT spring wheat ‘Attila’ and the Canadian ‘CDC Go’ was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting various agronomic and quality traits. The experiment was also designed to investigate the feasibility of organic wheat breeding by determining selection differentials and the effect of Rht‐B1 in paired organic and conventional management systems. Heritability estimates differed between systems for five of nine traits measured; including grain yield, number of tillers, plant height, kernel weight, and grain protein content. Direct selection in each management system resulted in 50% or fewer selected individuals in common between the two systems, for eight of the nine (except for flowering time) studied traits. Most QTL were specific to either the organic or the conventional management system. However, consistent QTL for grain yield, grain volume weight, kernel weight, and days to flowering were mapped in both systems on chromosomes 6A, 1B, 3A, and 5B, respectively. The effect of Rht‐B1 was more pronounced in organic systems, where RILs carrying the wild‐type allele were taller, produced more grain yield with higher grain protein content, and suppressed weed biomass to a greater extent than those carrying dwarfing alleles. Results of the present study suggest that differences exist between the two management systems for QTL effects. Indirect selection of superior genotypes from one system to another will not result in the advancement of the best possible genotypes. Therefore, selection of spring wheat cultivars for organic systems should be conducted on organically managed lands.
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

Miscanthus 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.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Hillslope‐Scale Soil Moisture Patterns: Characteristic States and Transition Mechanisms
Authors: Martini Edoardo , Wollschläger Ute , Kögler Simon , Behrens Thorsten , Dietrich Peter , Reinstorf Frido , Schmidt Karsten , Weiler Markus , Werban Ulrike , Zacharias Steffen
Published: March 2015

Recent advances in wireless sensor technology allow monitoring of soil moisture dynamics with high temporal resolution at varying spatial scales. The objectives of this study were to: (i) develop an efficient strategy for monitoring soil moisture dynamics at the hillslope scale using a wireless sensor network; and (ii) characterize spatial patterns of soil moisture and infer hydrological processes controlling the dynamics of such patterns, using a method of analysis that allows the identification of the relevant hydrological dynamics within large data sets. We combined soil hydrological and pedological expertise with geophysical measurements and methods from digital soil mapping for designing the monitoring setup for a grassland hillslope in the Schäfertal catchment, central Germany. Hypothesizing a wet and a dry soil moisture state to be characteristic of the spatial pattern of soil moisture, we described the spatial and temporal evolution of such patterns using a method of analysis based on the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. We described the persistence and switching mechanisms of the two characteristic states, inferring the local properties that control the observed spatial patterns and the hydrological processes driving the transitions. The spatial organization of soil moisture appears to be controlled by different processes in different soil horizons, and the topsoil's moisture does not mirror processes that take place within the soil profile. The results will help to improve conceptual understanding for hydrological model studies at similar or smaller scales and to transfer observation concepts and process understanding to larger or less instrumented areas.
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

Bovine 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 > 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 < 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 < 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.
The Sena Dynasty: From Bengal to Nepal
Authors: Das Basudevlal
Published: March 2015

The Sena dynasty ruled in Bengal up to 1205 AD. They were the patron of Hinduism. After the downfall of their rule in Bengal, their descendants proceeded towards westward. The neighboring area Mithila was also influenced by the Senas. So, a branch of the family proceeded towards this and established their settlement in the land of present day Nepal in about middle of the thirteenth century. The Senas appeared first in this land at Rupanagar, which is at present in Saptari district of Sagarmatha zone and afterwards they established Makawanpur kingdom, which is now a district of Narayani zone. From Makawanpur, they proceeded towards Palpa, Rajapur, Tanahu, Pyuthan, Risinga, Vinayakapur, Gulmi etc. The rule of the Senas ended in eithteenth century because of the new rising power of Gorkhalis.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12350Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 9-16
Think Tanks in Nepal: Emergence and Growth
Authors: Shah Birendra Prasad
Published: March 2015

Think tank is bridging gap among academic and policy making communities, states and civil society to serve in the public interest as independent voices that translate applied and basic research into a language, form that is understandable, reliable, and accessible for policy makers and the public. Hence, Nepal is officially far from it. Although, practices in Nepal is very limited as well as narrow ideas, thinking, and approaches to sake prosperities of divergent Nepali societies and cultures. Government investment is very poor in these works. However, newly opened universities, private institutions and NGOs are work like as hybrid, are engaged in educational research activities. Over the last 10-15 years, governments, and civil society have come to rely on it, and this trend will continue to input better future of Nepal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12351Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 17-20
Accounting System in Schools of Parsa
Authors: Dwibedi Lalan
Published: March 2015

Accounting system are often the most important formal sources of information in organizations. They are designed to provide all the levels of management with timely and reasonably accurate information to help them make decisions which are in agreement with their organization’s goal. This paper focuses on accounting practices used by schools of Parsa district. Basically, questionnaire and observation methods were used for the collection of relevant data. The findings reveal that majority of the schools of Parsa district do not keep proper records of the financial transactions. The schools need the use of modern equipment such as computers with trained human resources in preparing and storing financial records of their transactions to get up-to-date information whenever needed.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12353Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 24-28
Postnatal Care Practices in Magar and Gurung Communities: A Case Study of Kaski District
Authors: Baral Om Prasad
Published: March 2015

This paper focuses on postnatal care awareness and practices of Magar and Gurung communities at Pumdi Bhumdi VDC in Kaski district. Both indigenous groups are suffering from different kinds of postnatal problems. The findings reveal that awareness and practices related to postnatal care were not satisfactory. Majority of the Magar and Gurung mothers were not aware of postnatal checkup. Gurung mothers seemed to be more aware than Magar mothers on immunization schedule. Most of the Magar mothers were found using razor or blade and knife or sickles which are medically unsterilized for cutting umbilical cord whereas one half of the Gurung mothers were using sterilized blade.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12355Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 37-41
Search for Chemosensors for Fluoride Ions: A Highly Promising Area of Research
Authors: Yadav Pramod Kumar
Published: March 2015

In recent times, chemosensors for fluoride ions have attracted a great deal of attention. Fluoride ions play an important role in many biological, industrial and environmental processes and are associated with diseases like Alzeimer’s disease. This paper covers imidazole, indole, azo-phenol and benzohydrazide based chemosensors for F-ion with synthesis and detection methods.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12356Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 42-44
Theory of General Relativity: Historical Perspective
Authors: Yadav Ranjit Prasad
Published: March 2015

General relativity was developed by Albert Einstein near about 100 Years ago. This article attempt to give an outline about the brief history of general theory of relativity and to understand the background to the theory we have to look at how theories of gravitation developed. Before the advent of GR, Newton's law of gravitation had been accepted for more than two hundred years as a valid description of the gravitational force between masses i.e. gravity was the result of an attractive force between massive objects. General relativity has developed in to an essential tool in modern astrophysics. It provides the foundation for the understanding of black holes, regions of space where gravitational attraction is strong that not even light can escape and also a part of the big bang model of cosmology.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12358Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 49-52
Trend and Impact of Public Debt in Nepalese Economy
Authors: Sharma Yadab Raj
Published: March 2015

The public debt or public borrowing in Nepal is considered to be an important source of income of the government. Public debt helps to achieve targeted economic growth and to narrow down the gap between expenditure and revenue. However, the country is falling into debt trap in the form of interest and principal payment. In this article an attempt has been made to find out the situation, trend and impact of public debt on Nepalese economy.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12363Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 85-89
Laghutam Kavita : Muktak
Authors: Dahal Balram
Published: March 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12364Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 90-92
Lakshmiprasad Devkotako khandkavyaka pramukh mod ra tinka mukhya pravrittiharu
Authors: Bhattarai Indraprasad
Published: March 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12365Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 93-97
Tribhuvan Vishwavidyalayama pradhyapakharuko vritti vikas
Authors: Thapa Tara Bahadur
Published: March 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12366Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 98-104
Continuing the Legacy
Authors: Quaiyum Abdul
Published: March 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12367Academic Voices Vol.4 2014
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.
Intramedullary spinal epidermoid presenting after thoracic meningocele repair: case report
Authors: Grobelny Bartosz T. , Weiner Howard L. , Harter David H.
Published: March 2015

A 4-year-old girl with a history of thoracic meningocele repair at the age of 3 months presented with progressive myelopathy. An intramedullary thoracic epidermoid was identified on MRI. The patient underwent excision of the epidermoid and subsequently returned to neurological baseline. This case illustrates the potential for delayed development of intraspinal epidermoid after initial repair of a simple meningocele.
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.
Neurological morbidity and mortality associated with the endovascular treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations before and during the Onyx era
Authors: Crowley R. Webster , Ducruet Andrew F. , Kalani M. Yashar S. , Kim Louis J. , Albuquerque Felipe C. , McDougall Cameron G.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

The widespread implementation of the embolic agent Onyx has changed the endovascular management of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Recent data suggest that outcomes following embolization and resection may have worsened in the Onyx era. It has been hypothesized that there may be increased complications with Onyx embolization and increased surgical aggressiveness in patients treated with Onyx. In this study the authors analyzed their institutional experience with the endovascular treatment of cerebral AVMs prior to and after the introduction of Onyx to determine factors associated with periprocedural neurological morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of all patients with cerebral AVMs undergoing embolization at the Barrow Neurological Institute from 1995 to 2012.

RESULTS

Endovascular treatment of 342 cerebral AVMs was performed over 446 treatment sessions (mean age 37.8 years, range 1–83 years). Clinical presentation included hemorrhage in 47.6%, seizures in 21.9%, headaches in 11.1%, and no symptoms in 10% of cases. The endovascular pretreatment strategy was preoperative in 78.9%, preradiosurgery in 9.1%, palliative in 5.3%, targeted in 4.4%, and curative in 2.3%. The median Spetzler-Martin grade was III. The mean number of arteries embolized was 3.5 (range 0–13 arteries), and the mean number of treatment sessions was 1.3 (range 1–4 sessions). Onyx was used in 105 AVMs (30.7%), and N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) without Onyx was used in 229 AVMs (67%). AVMs treated with Onyx had a higher mean number of arterial pedicles embolized than did NBCA cases (4.3 ± 2.7 vs 3.2 ± 2.4, respectively; p < 0.001) and a greater number of sessions (1.5 ± 0.7 vs 1.2 ± 0.5, respectively; p < 0.05). Unexpected immediate postprocedural permanent neurological deficits were present in 9.6% of AVMs, while transient deficits were present in 1.8%. There was 1 death (0.3%). Spetzler-Martin grade was not associated with differences in outcome, as permanent neurological deficits were observed in 12%, 9%, 13%, 11%, and 13% of AVMs for Spetzler-Martin Grades I–V, respectively (p = 0.91). The use of Onyx compared with NBCA was not associated with differences in periprocedural morbidity (p = 0.23). This lack of a difference persisted even when controlling for number of arteries and sessions (p = 0.14). Sex was not associated with differences in outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Permanent and transient postprocedural neurological deficits were noted in 9.6% and 1.8% of all cases, respectively. AVM grade was not associated with endovascular outcome. Despite the greater number of sessions required and arteries embolized for Onyx cases, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk of neurological deficits following cerebral AVM embolization with Onyx and NBCA.
Editorial Notes Vol.9(1)
Authors: Alam Mahmudul
Published: March 2015

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v9i1.22773 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.9(1) 2014
Exploitation of Social Networking Sites and Its Impacts on Students Academic Results: A Quest for Correlation or Misspecification in Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir Thawhidul , Akter Shirin , Ferdus Zannatul
Published: March 2015

Social networking sites have become the inevitable part of everyones life. Large numbers of students in Bangladesh spend a lion share of daily time by wandering through online social networking sites. So it is imperative to mention the effects of using social networking sites on the society. This study aims to analyse whether the use of social networking sites can influence students academic results or not. To get the desired answer, a random sample, constituted with 1182 university students from Dhaka Metropolitan City, Bangladesh, was drawn and surveyed with self-administered questionnaire. This study significantly found that, students achieved average results in last two semesters were inversely influenced by their hours of regular involvement in different social networking sites (SNSs), and also by the use of different mobile messaging applications (MMAs). Based on the finding, this study concludes that, students involvement in different SNSs and MMAs in terms of hours should be closely monitored to mitigate the aforesaid inverse effects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v9i1.22777 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.9(1) 2014; 23-51
Passage ou recours à l’acte dans la psychothérapie de l’adolescent
Authors: Houssier Florian
Published: March 2015

La fragilité des limites somato-psychiques à l’adolescence participe de l’externalisation agie des conflits. L’auteur différencie ici le recours à l’acte, qui fait appel à l’environnement et à une instance tierce potentielle, du passage à l’acte, décharge pulsionnelle à visée avant tout narcissique et anti-objectale. L’auteur illustre cliniquement cette différence métapsychologique par deux situations comparées d’anorexie mentale et de dépression à l’adolescence, incluant la dynamique transférentielle.
Automutilations psychotiques : entre coupure et écriture
Authors: Druel Gwénola
Published: March 2015

Les automutilations psychotiques qui surgissent en institution laissent bien souvent les professionnels désemparés, impuissants face à ces passages à l’acte d’« attaque » du corps dans le réel, auxquels ils ne peuvent donner sens. Aussi, interroger les coordonnées du déclenchement de tels passages à l’acte s’avère nécessaire et nécessite un examen psychopathologique minutieux de ce qui se présente comme retour du réel du corps dans notre modernité. Au-delà, la clinique de l’automutilation interroge la notion même de corps et du rapport du sujet au monde, à l’autre. L’auteur démontre en quoi le passage de la coupure du corps, à la trace, au trait, voire à l’écriture, sur le corps sont autant de tentatives de « nouage » pour border, faire tenir le corps. Ces écritures du réel sur le corps sont dès lors, dans certains cas, à envisager comme solutions « autothérapeutiques » avec leur effet d’apaisement pour le sujet.
« C’est un jeu pour la survie » : le syndrome de Godot dans la démence
Authors: Engasser Ophélie
Published: March 2015

Les démences sont des affections neurologiques évolutives qui mènent, dans leurs stades évolués, à l’expérience de la détresse existentielle. L’agir comportemental est considéré ici comme un recours offrant au sujet une modalité de résolution de la détresse. Cet article s’intéresse plus particulièrement au syndrome de Godot, peu exploité dans la littérature gérontologique, qui témoignerait d’une temporalité défaillante engendrant la répétition. Ce syndrome tient son nom de la célèbre pièce de Samuel Beckett, En attendant Godot , dont il disait qu’elle est « un jeu pour la survie ». À partir de considérations théorico-cliniques et littéraires conduisant à une problématisation des enjeux de ce syndrome, l’auteur invite à penser une éthique du soin psychique.