bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strength Changes Associated with Elongation in Distal Biceps Tendon Repair
Authors: Moutzouros Vasilios , Marshall Nathan E. , Guest John-Michael , Okoroha Kelechi , Muh Stephanie , Makhni Eric C. , Keller Robert A.
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Operative repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures have shown successful outcomes. However, little is know about the amount of tendon or repair site lengthening after repair and how this may affect strength. The purpose of our study was to evaluate distal biceps tendon repair via radiostereometric analysis and correlate with final strength changes.

Methods:

Eleven patients with distal biceps ruptures were recruited. During repair, two 2-mm tantalum beads with laser-etched holes were sutured to the distal biceps tendon. Beads were evaluated via CT scans immediately post-operatively and at 16 weeks. X-rays were obtained at time 0 and then at 4, 8, and 16 weeks. Seven patients were available for final strength testing at minimum of 9 months postoperative.

Results:

The mean amount of tendon lengthening after surgery was 22.8 mm (range 11.2 - 30.9 mm, p < 0.05). The greatest change in lengthening was noted between time 0 and week 4 (mean: 11.3 mm, p<0.05), with the least amount of lengthening between week 8 and week 16 (mean: 2.6 mm, p<0.05). DASH averaged 8.2. Strength testing performed at final follow-up (n=7) showed 78% supination and 88% flexion strength compared to contralateral side (33% with dominant arm repaired). Supination strength loss showed the greatest decreases with increased lengthening from 0-4 weeks (Correlation coefficient: -0.39). Final ultrasound evaluations found all tendons to be in continuity.

Conclusion:

This study’s findings suggest that all patients undergoing distal biceps tendon repair have significant lengthening after surgery. The greatest amount of lengthening was noted in the early post-operative period, in which the greater the amount of lengthening trended toward a greater loss of supination strength. Further studies will focus on post-operative protocols as they may have an impact on early tendon lengthening and could be adjusted to minimize this consequence on long-term supination strength.
Long Term Results of Arthroscopic Debridement of Osteochondritis Dissecans in Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Matsuura Tetsuya , Iwame Toshiyuki , Sairyo Koichi
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the capitellum is a well-recognized cause of elbow pain and disability in adolescent athletes.Treatment of the lesions is determined by the age, symptom, radiographic appearance, and whether the cartilage is intact. Surgical indications include persistent symptoms despite conservative treatment, symptomatic loose bodies, and displacement or detachment of the fragment. Both arthroscopic and open treatments have been proposed and most authors recommend initial arthroscopic treatment with conversion to arthrotomy, as needed. Surgical treatment may consist of removal of loose bodies or fragments, fragment fixation with a bone graft, and autologous osteochondral plug grafting. Arthroscopic debridement is a common and minimally invasive procedure, however, little is known about the long term outcome of arthroscopic debridement for adolescent OCD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate minimum 10 year follow-up outcome of arthroscopic debridement of OCD in adolescent athletes.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated 25 athletes who had arthroscopic debridement. The average age at surgery was 15.0 years (range, 13-17 years).The sport related to the onset of the symptoms was baseball for 23 patients, and basketball and kendo for 1 patient each. We conducted arthroscopy in the supine position, and use 2.9-mm arthroscopes of 30° and 70°. Arthroscopic treatment for OCD may require 2 anterior and 2 posterior portals. Once the loose bodies are removed, all unstable cartilage of the capitellum lesion is removed to create a stable bed. If any sclerotic changes to the lesion bed are observed, we create microfractures in the lesion bed. The mean follow-up was 12.7 years (range, 10-13.5 years). The assessment included elbow pain, Timmerman and Andrews (TA) scores for the subjective component, and return to sports. Preoperative radiographic lesion size was categorized according to the classification of Takahara et al.

Results:

At final follow-up, 19 patients (76%) had no elbow pain, 5 patients (20%) had occasional mild pain, and only 1 patient (4%) had pain with moderate activity. TA scores for the subjective component was as follows; 100 points in 19patients, 95 points in 3 patients, 90 points in 2 patients, and 55 points in 1 patient. The evaluation result was excellent in 24 patients (96%) and poor in 1 patient (4%). Of all the patients, 22 patients (88%) returned to a competitive level at which they had previously played. Two patients chose another sport, and 1 patient retired from sport activity (Table 1). TA scores were associated with pain and preoperative radiographic osteochondral defects. The prevalence of elbow pain was 0% in small defect, 20% in moderate defect, and 69.2% in large defect.

Conclusion:

Long term results suggest that arthroscopic debridement of OCD for small osteochondral defects leads to excellent results and allow a return to the previous sport level. [Table: see text]
Radiographic Validation of a Non-invasive Method of Measuring Hip Joint Reaction Force using a Cartilage Relaxation Technique
Authors: Schaffer Joseph Christopher , Vasconcellos Daniel , Kaplan Nathan , Maqsoodi Noorullah , Olles Mark , Elfar John C. , Giordano Brian D.
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Joint reaction forces (JRF) and contact pressures are classically measured using destructive techniques which require dissection and interposition of materials into the joint, fundamentally altering the normal joint mechanics. Without an alternate method available, modern hip JRF biomechanical studies involve this stripping of periarticular tissues, potentially sacrificing accurate measurements. As hip arthroscopy is increasingly employed for minimally invasive treatment of hip pathology, there may be a need for minimally invasive biomechanical measurement techniques that reflect JRF more accurately. This study’s objectives were to demonstrate that a non-invasive, non-destructive technique for measuring JRF was feasible in the hip and to validate this concept using simultaneous radiographic imaging.

Methods:

Twenty fresh frozen male human cadaver hemipelves were instrumented with a custom-made retrograde intramedullary nail-plate construct in the femur and an iliac-crest locking plate. These otherwise fully-intact specimens were rigidly mounted for tensile testing (Instron Model 1122). With the hip in the neutral position, the joint was distracted 5mm along the axis of the femoral shaft at a rate of 0.4mm/s, while simultaneously measuring the force required for distraction. Force-displacement curves generated allowed the best-fit polynomial to be found with resulting revelation of the native state JRF. Next, the joint capsule was vented under fluoroscopic control using an 18 gauge spinal needle and distraction was repeated from the native state with fluoroscopic images captured at 0.5mm increments. All testing was repeated three times, and two specimens were excluded for severe osteoarthritis (<2mm joint-space).

Results:

Force-displacement curves demonstrated an initially steep but decreasing (concave-down) slope, followed by an inflection point, a linear region and then a relatively non-linear increasing (concave-up) slope with further distraction. High reproducibility between repeated measurements was found within specimens and the average native resting JRF was 115.1 N (n=18). Capsular venting decreased JRF by 16.3 N (mean post-venting=98.8 N). Under fluoroscopy, air arthrograms confirmed cartilage relaxation consistently at the measured force-distraction infection point.

Conclusion:

This study describes and validates a reproducible method of measuring hip JRF that preserves all periarticular stabilizing soft tissue structures. This is the first study in any joint to correlate force-distraction data with fluoroscopic images, confirming the method’s central premise: That JRF is equal to the measured force-distraction curve inflection point. This may be ideally suited for application in biomechanical studies of minimally invasive arthroscopic hip surgery.
Independent Risk Factors for Revision Surgery or Conversion to THA after Hip Arthroscopy: An Analysis of 3,957 Patients
Authors: Kester Benjamin , Mahure Siddharth Ashok , Capogna Brian , Ryan Michael K. , Wolfson Theodore , Hamula Mathew , Rokito Andrew S. , Youm Thomas
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

The use of hip arthroscopy for the management of hip pathology has increased dramatically in recent years. Despite evidence demonstrating excellent outcomes, there are some patients that may require revision arthroscopy or conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data regarding risk factors for poor outcomes after hip arthroscopy is limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rates of revision hip arthroscopy and conversion to THA in order to identify risk factors for suboptimal outcomes.

Methods:

New York State Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems database was queried from 2011 through 2014 to identify patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. Patients were longitudinally followed for a minimum of two years to determine the incidence and nature of subsequent hip procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for revision surgery or conversion to THA.

Results:

We identified 3,957 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy. Mean age of the sample was 35.8 years (SD±13.1). After a minimum follow-up of two years, overall failure rate was 9.6%: 3.7% (n=148) had revision hip arthroscopy at an average of 15.8 months, while 5.9% (n=235) converted to THA at 14.7 months. Index surgery performed by surgeons in the lowest volume tertile was an independent risk factor for both revision (p=0.001) and conversion to THA (p<0.001). Females (p<0.001), older patients (p<0.001) and those with a history of obesity (p<0.001) converted to THA at a significantly higher rate than other patients. Young patients (p<0.001) and females (p<0.001) were more likely to undergo revision hip arthroscopy.

Conclusion:

Hip arthroscopy may be better performed by medium to high volume surgeons. Additionally, patients with identified risk factors for revision or THA conversion should be counseled pre-operatively on potentially adverse outcomes, thus allowing patient-physician engagement during the shared decision-making process. [Table: see text]
The Dancers Hip: The Hyperflexible Athlete: Anatomy & Arthroscopic Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Larson Christopher M. , Ross James R. , Giveans Russell , Stone Rebecca M. , Ramos Nicole M. , Bedi Asheesh
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Competitive Dance places high demands on the hips joints and return to these activities after surgical management of intra-articular pathology is not well documented.

Methods:

Between 2008 and 2016, hip arthroscopy was performed for 63 competitive dancers (78 hips) with a mean age 21.0 years. Specific types of dance performed included 54 studio dance and 43 high kick dance. Morphology included Cam-type FAI (99%), Pincer-type FAI (45%), Subspine impingement (83%), Borderline dysplasia (9%), Dysplasia (10%), and Normal (5%). The mean preoperative LCE angle was 29.9 deg, alpha angle was 52.3 deg (Lateral), and offset ratio was 0.16. A positive Cross-over (COS) and Posterior Wall (PW) sign were present in 60% of hips, and the mean Tonnis angle was 3.2 deg. Outcomes were evaluated with MHHS, SF-12 scores, VAS scores.

Results:

At mean 19.7 months follow-up, the mean outcome improvements were 23.5 points (MHHS), 10.4 points (SF-12), 3.8 points (VAS), (p<.01 for each). MHHS improved from 60.5 points, preoperatively, to 84.0 points at most recent f/u (p<0.01). Sixty-seven percent returned to their prior level of competitive dance, 22% returned to limited or modified dance, and 10% were unable to return to dance, included 1 retirement. Procedures performed included 95% labral repairs, 10% labral debridements, 99% femoral resections, 55% rim resections, 83% subspine decompressions, and 68% capsular plications.

Conclusion:

Hip pain in dancers can be challenging secondary to high demands placed on the hips. A specific arthroscopic approach addressing subtle osseous abnormalities and capsular laxity led to significantly improved outcomes for competitive dancers. Eighty Nine percent of Dancers ultimately returned to competitive Dance, although only 67% returned to their pre-injury competitive level.
Patient Reported Outcomes and Symptomatic Impingement in US Women’s Professional Soccer
Authors: Harris Joshua David , Mitchell Ronald J. , Qadeer Ali , Gerrie Brayden John , McCulloch Patrick C.
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to determine: 1) normative data of multiple general health-, activity-, hip and groin-, and depression-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires; 2) if any PRO’s were able to predict a positive anterior impingement test, in female professional soccer player.

Methods:

An IRB-approved cross-sectional investigation of adult female US professional soccer players was performed at the team pre-season physical examination day. Adult (>18 years of age) female players without prior hip surgery were eligible. Hip impingement physical examination was performed (anterior, subspine, lateral, posterior) and recorded. Multiple questionnaires were administered to each player, including Short-Form-12 (Mental Component and Physical Component Scores [MCS, PCS]), Tegner activity score, Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), international Hip Outcome Tool-12 (iHOT-12), and Zung Depression Index. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Kolmogorov-Smirnov analysis was performed for data normality and Pearson’s (parametric) or Spearman’s (non-parametric) to assess correlation of ROM and radiographs. Binary logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of each PRO questionnaire score and prediction of a positive anterior impingement test.

Results:

Twenty-four players (48 hips) were analyzed (25.4+/-3.0 years of age; 2.8+/-2.2 years professional experience). Scores were collected: Tegner 9.9+/-0.3; SF-12 PCS 52.9+/-7.4; SF-12 MCS 54.3+/-7.0; iHOT-12 96.6+/-5.4%; NAHS Total 97.9+/-4.9; HAGOS symptoms 90.5+/-10.5, pain 97.8+/-3.4, activities of daily living 99.4+/-2.2, sports 97.1+/-4.2, physical activity 97.9+/-7.1, and quality of life 95.8+/-8.7; Zung 27.6+/-5.9. The iHOT-12 was able to correctly predict 71% of cases of positive anterior impingement test for the left hip and the logistic regression model was statistically significant, (5.2)1, p=0.02. For the right hip, the iHOT-12 was able to correctly predict 79% of cases of positive anterior impingement and the logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ 2 (9.1)1, p=0.003. SF-12 MCS and PCS scores were able to correctly predict 83% of cases for the left hip and the logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ 2 (11)2, p=0.005. The Zung score was able to correctly predict 83% of cases for the left hip and the logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ 2 (4.1)1, p=0.04.

Conclusion:

Multiple general health-, activity-, hip and groin-, and depression-specific patient reported outcome scores were collected and normative data established in a US women’s professional soccer club, showing that iHOT-12, SF-12 MCS and PCS, and Zung depression scores were able to correctly predict symptomatic impingement.
Return to Play and Career Length following Hip Arthroscopy in Professional Baseball Players
Authors: Mannava Sandeep , Frangiamore Salvatore Joseph , McNamara Shannen , Menge Travis J. , Briggs Karen K. , Philippon Marc J.
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Hip arthroscopy is a highly effective treatment for symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). High level, professional athletes have been able to return to their professional sport following arthroscopic hip surgery intervention. To date, there is a paucity of literature related to professional baseball player’s ability to return to sport following hip injury as a result of FAI. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of return to play and length of career in professional baseball players following hip arthroscopy for FAI. We hypothesized that professional baseball players were able to return to the same level of pre-surgical competition following FAI arthroscopic hip surgery for a sustained period of time.

Methods:

44 professional baseball players (51 hips) underwent hip arthroscopy for FAI between 2000 and 2015 by a single surgeon. Return to play was defined as a player competing in a pre-season or regular season minor or major league baseball game following surgery. Data was obtained for each player from MLB.com, MiLB.com, Baseballreference.com and individual team websites.

Results:

The average age of players at the time of arthroscopy was 26.6 years (18 to 38 years;StDev=4.8). No players had bilateral arthroscopy on the same day. Of the 44 players, 24 were pitchers and 27 were position players (12 infielders, 10 outfielders, 5 catchers). In hitters, 74% (20/27) of the procedures involved the front side hip of their batting stance. In pitchers, 71% (17/24) of procedures involved the lead leg of their pitching stance. Average career length prior to hip surgery was 6.2 years (range 1-20 years;stdev=5.1). Following hip arthroscopy, 96% (49/51) returned to professional baseball after each hip arthroscopy. Those who returned played for an average of 3.6 seasons (range 1 to 14 seasons;stdev=2.9) after hip arthroscopy. The average career length of players in this cohort was 10 seasons (range 1 to 21;stdev=5). There was no difference in the years played after arthroscopy by position (pitchers average =3.3(stdev=2.5) years and position players average = 3.9 (stdev=3.2) years) (p=0.48).

Conclusion:

Professional baseball players who underwent hip arthroscopy were able to return to the same high level of competition after surgery. Pitchers were more likely than position players to undergo surgical intervention with hip arthroscopy. Irrespective of player position, hip arthroscopy seems to be a surgical intervention that can allow for treatment of FAI pathology in a minimally invasive manner, while allowing for return to professional competition following full recovery. As hip arthroscopy continues to evolve, future interventions may improve post-operative return to play in baseball—lengthening playing career and level of play. At this time, hip arthroscopy is an effective surgical intervention that allows players to return to their professional level of baseball play.
A T-Capsulotomy Provides Increased Hip Joint Visualization Compared to an Extended Interportal Capsulotomy: Implications For Improved Capsular Management
Authors: Cvetanovich Gregory L. , Weber Alexander E. , Kuhns Benjamin D. , Ukwuani Gift , Wuerz Thomas H. , Khair Mahmoud Michael , Nho Shane Jay
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Growing biomechanical and clinical evidence suggests that the treating hip arthroscopist must balance creating a capsulotomy large enough to adequately address underlying pathology while not compromising the integrity of the hip capsule, which can potentially lead to iatrogenic hip instability. The purpose of this study was to compare the cross-sectional area (CSA) of joint visualization between interportal and T-capsulotomies.

Methods:

12 fresh-frozen cadaveric hips were dissected to their capsuloligamentous complexes and fixed in a custom apparatus in neutral hip position. Eight hips underwent sequential interportal capsulotomies at lengths of 2, 4, 6, and 8 cm. Four hips underwent sequential T-capsulotomies, 4 cm interportal and 2 cm T-capsulotomy (Half-T), then expansion of the T-capsulotomy to 4 cm (Full-T). A high-resolution digital photograph was taken of the capsulotomies from a standardized distance and angle with a calibration marker in place. Joint exposure gained from each capsulotomy was determined by measuring joint cross-sectional area (CSA) with ImageJ software (NIH, Bethesda, MD). Comparisons were made using t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results:

There was no significant difference in the age of cadaveric hips in both groups (65.6 ± 10.83 years: interportal vs 63.3 ± 2.5 years: T capsulotomy, p=0.53). There was statistically significant increase in CSA visualization with each increase in length (2cm: 0.58 ± 0.21cm2; 4cm: 2.14 ± 0.48 cm2; 6cm: 3.57±0.96 cm2; and 8cm: 4.22 ± 1.16 cm2, p<0.001 for all). For the T-capsulotomy group the average CSA visualization significantly increased from 3.54 ± 0.86 cm2 for the Half-T to 6.63 ± 0.90 cm2 for the Full-T (p=0.005). Half-T CSA visualization was statistically comparable to the 6 cm and 8 cm interportal capsulotomy (p=0.09, ). The Full-T had significantly superior CSA visualization area as compared to the 6 cm and 8 cm interportal capsulotomies (p<0.0001 for both).

Conclusion:

When improved joint exposure is necessary, T-capsulotomy should be considered given the decreased morbidity of cutting the IFL inline with its fibers and the significantly increased joint visualization compared to extending the interportal capsulotomy.
Predictors of Subsequent Injury After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Dekker Travis John , Godin Jonathan Alexander , Dale Kevin , Garrett William E. , Taylor Dean C. , Riboh Jonathan Charles
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft failure and contralateral ACL tears are more frequent in children/adolescents than adults. These re-injuries result in significant time lost from sport, and may contribute to worse long-term outcomes and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The reasons for higher subsequent injury rates in this unique population are incompletely understood.

Methods:

We analyzed a single center continuous cohort of patients under the age of eighteen years. Subjects underwent primary ACL reconstruction between 2006 and 2014 with minimum 2-year follow up. Age, sex, graft type, duration of physical therapy, time to return to sport, and length of follow-up were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression modeling to assess their contribution to the risk of subsequent ACL injury.

Results:

A total of 109 subjects met all study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eighty-two subjects (75%) had follow-up data and were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 14 +/- 1.9 years (range 8 - 17 years). Mean follow-up was 47.7 +/- 15.6 months (range 28 - 91 months). Seventeen patients (20.7%) sustained an ACL graft rupture, eleven patients (13.4%) sustained a contralateral ACL tear, and one patient (1.2%) sustained both. The combined subsequent injury incidence was 35.4% (29 of 82 subjects). The odds of subsequent ACL injury decreased by 0.29 for every yearly increase in age (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53 - 0.92, p = 0.008), and decreased by 0.16 for every monthly increase in time to return to sport (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.69 - 0.99, p = 0.048). Sex, graft type, duration of physical therapy, sport, and length of follow up did not have a statistically significant impact on the rate of subsequent ACL injury (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Subsequent ACL injuries (ipsilateral or contralateral) are common after primary ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents (combined incidence 35%). Within this high-risk population, younger age and an earlier return to sport portend a higher risk of a second injury.
Short-term Outcomes following Concussion in the NFL: An 11-year Retrospective Study of Player Release Rate and Financial Loss
Authors: Ramkumar Prem , Navarro Sergio Michael
Published: July 2017

Objectives:

The primary goal of this study was to assess the short-term outcomes among National Football League (NFL) players following concussion in terms of: (1) DNP protocol activation, (2) release rate at one and three years, and (3) mean salary reduction. A secondary goal of the study was to stratify the post-concussive release rate by franchise and player position.

Methods:

NFL player transaction records and publicly available weekly injury reports from August 2005 to January 2016 for NFL players were analyzed. All players immediately sustaining recorded concussions were evaluated for a change to inactive or do-not-play (DNP) status. The one-year and three-year release rate following concussion was defined as any player transitioning to inactivation, retirement, free agency, or any failure to return for a successive season on the same team’s active roster after one or three years from the initial concussion. Student’s t-test was used to compare release rates between non-concussed and concussed players at one and three years. Mean salary reduction per year following concussion was calculated using publicly available player contracts. Additionally, franchise-level and position-based analyses of the release rate were performed.

Results:

Of the total 5,451 NFL players retrospectively analyzed over the 11-year period, 373 sustained publicly reported concussions resulting in DNP protocol activation. The release rate of the post-concussive versus non-concussive player was 26% vs. 20% at 1 year (p<0.01) and 31% vs. 19% at 3 years (p<0.01). After analyzing individual player contracts, the mean year-over-year change in contract value for concussed players after DNP protocol activation was an overall salary reduction of $760,000/year ± $2,380,000. Figure 1 depicts the tendency of each NFL franchise to release an athlete following concussion within one and three years. Table 1 reports a position-based analysis in terms of concussion rate, mean salary reduction, and NFL career longevity.

Conclusion:

Our retrospective study demonstrates that NFL concussions resulting in DNP protocol activation leads to a statistically greater release rate among concussed NFL players than non-concussed players. Released players suffered reduction in year-over-year accumulated earnings, and particular franchises tended to release concussed players more than others. [Table: see text]
Learning from groundwater: Pragmatic compromise planning common goods
Authors: Vidyarthi Sanjeev , Hoch Charles
Published: July 2017

Planners often struggle with the ethical ambiguity of compromise in the preparation of development plans. The plans they make face the resistance and criticism of powerful economic and political interests competing for status, resources, and authority. What help can planning scholarship offer to practitioners seeking reassurance and guidance for their efforts to make plans serving a public good? In this essay, we take a pragmatic approach that avoids the effort to secure a theoretical foundation for moral judgment; and looks instead to the practical arts of compromise seeking common ground. Instead of pursuing ideal rules or principles to guide judgment, we argue that practitioners should look to the ways in which people make plans to bridge the political challenge between economic competition and social cooperation. Distinguishing the relevance and value of moral goods along a continuum from private to public with the middle ground tied to common goods frames the analysis. Four episodes of groundwater use in northwest India exemplify both the importance of compromise for reconciling the competing moral claims and the significance of pragmatic planning for making better development plans.
ASXL1 and BIM germ line variants predict response and identify CML patients with the greatest risk of imatinib failure
Authors: Marum Justine E. , Yeung David T. , Purins Leanne , Reynolds John , Parker Wendy T. , Stangl Doris , Wang Paul P. S. , Price David J. , Tuke Jonathan , Schreiber Andreas W. , Scott Hamish S. , Hughes Timothy P. , Branford Susan
Published: July 2017

Key Points

Germ line variants in ASXL1 and BIM are strong biomarkers of response to imatinib in chronic phase CML. A combined Sokal risk and ASXL1 and BIM variant model identified a subgroup of patients with the greatest risk of treatment failure.
Preventing Discontinuation of Radiation Therapy: Predictive Factors to Improve Patient Selection for Palliative Treatment
Authors: Puckett Lindsay L. , Luitweiler Eric , Potters Louis , Teckie Sewit
Published: July 2017

Purpose:

Approximately one third of patients with cancer require palliative radiation therapy (PRT), yet no guidelines exist for optimal patient selection. We have observed that many patients who begin PRT do not complete their prescribed treatment. Our study sought to identify factors associated with discontinuation of PRT, assess for a relationship with survival, and inform patient selection.

Methods:

We performed an institutional review board–approved retrospective analysis of patients with cancer treated in a multicenter radiation oncology department in 2014. Of 297 patients who began PRT, 60 discontinued and 237 completed treatment. Primary end points included discontinuation and overall survival.

Results:

Patient factors were analyzed for association with discontinuation of PRT and overall survival, respectively, using logistic regression and Cox proportional regression models. Factors associated with discontinuation were low Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, high number of fractions prescribed, and treatment site other than bone metastasis. The odds of discontinuing PRT decreased by approximately 52% for every 10-point increase in KPS score (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.63; P < .001). Factors associated with shorter survival included discontinuation of PRT, low KPS score, community practice location, multiple comorbidities, and treatment of brain metastases. Patients who discontinued treatment were more likely to die than patients who completed treatment, independent of other factors (hazard ratio, 3.67; 95% CI, 2.41 to 5.61; P < .001).

Conclusion:

Patients with low KPS scores, long treatment courses, and those treated to sites other than bone metastasis were significantly more likely to discontinue treatment. Discontinuation was predictive for poor survival. Pretreatment evaluation of KPS, comorbidities, and brain metastases can help guide appropriate patient selection for PRT.
Crying Songs and Their Fans: The Material and Affective Economy of Taiwanese Opera, 1945–1975
Authors: Silvio Teri
Published: July 2017

This article analyzes the structure of feeling embodied in a ritual of theater-going in which women fans of Taiwanese Opera would weep along with actresses singing “crying songs” and rush to the stage to hand them money and other gifts. The ritual was popular only during the opera's golden age as Taiwan's most popular genre of commercial theater and temple festival performance, from the late 1940s to the early 1970s, and the author places the ritual within the context of the decommodification of women's bodies and commodification of gendered performance taking place at the time. The author also reads the ritual in the context of the feminine fan culture focused on the women who played the leading male roles that emerged during this period, arguing that the ritual idealized the intertwining of kinship and commodity relations that was gradually loosened during the postwar decades.
COMBUSTION AND LEACHING BEHAVIOR OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN LIGNITE AND COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCTS FROM THE MUĞLA BASIN, SW TURKEY
Authors: Fotopoulou M. , Siavalas G. , İnaner H. , Katsanou K. , Lambrakis N. , Christanis K.
Published: July 2017

The Muğla Basin is one of the most well-documented coal basins of Anatolia, SW Turkey. Previous studies mainly focused on coal geology, as well as on the environmental impacts from trace elements emitted into the atmosphere during coal combustion. However, the environmental impacts from coal utilization also include groundwater contamination from hazardous trace elements leached from exposed lignite stockpiles or ash disposal dumps. In the present study a comparative assessment of the combustion, as well as the leaching behaviour of trace elements from sixteen lignite, fly ash and bottom ash samples under various pH conditions is attempted. The samples were picked up from three regions in the Muğla Basin, namely, these of Yeniköy, Kemerköy and Yatağan. Proximate and ultimate analyses were performed on all samples. Quantitative mineralogical analysis was carried out using a Rietveld-based full pattern fitting technique. The elements Ag, As, B, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hf, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, U, V and Zn were grouped according to their volatility during combustion and their leachability in the various types of samples. The pH of the leaching agent little affected the leaching trends of most elements and the mode of occurrence proved to be the major factor controlling primarily combustion and to a lesser extent leaching. The elements were classified into 7 classes with increasing environmental significance with Mo, Sr and V being the most potentially hazardous trace elements in the Muğla region.
THE INFLUENCE OF REDUCTIVE DISSOLUTION OF IRON OXIDES BY S(-II) ON URANIUM MOBILITY
Authors: Alexandratos V. G. , Behrends T. , Van Cappellen P.
Published: July 2017

This study investigates possible redox transformations of uranium under Ntransient redox conditions. NSpecific focus lies on the fate of U as reductive dissolution of iron oxyhydroxides by S(-II) is initiated. In batch experiments sulfide was incrementally added to a lepidocrocite suspension containing adsorbed U(VI). The partitioning of uranium was monitored during the progressing transformation of lepidocrocite into FeS. Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy was used to resolve the oxidation state of uranium.Upon addition of sulfide intermediate release of U from the solid to the solution was observed. The mobilization of U was followed by immobilization in later stages. XAS reveals that this immobilization coincides with reduction of NU(VI) to U(IV). Consequently, reduction of U(VI) and precipitation of U(IV) solids, due to a shift from oxic to sulfate reducing conditions is possible. NHowever, kinetic effects might lead to an intermediate mobilization of U that should be considered for the risk assessment of nuclear waste repositories and the remediation of sites, contaminated with radionuclides.
GEOCHEMICAL ATLASES OF EUROPE PRODUCED BY THE EUROGEOSURVEYS GEOCHEMISTRY EXPERT GROUP: STATE OF PROGRESS AND POTENTIAL USES
Authors: Demetriades A. , Reimann C. , Birke M. , Salminen R. , De Vos W. , Tarvainen T. , EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group
Published: July 2017

An ‘Atlas’ is a collection of maps usually published in a book form. A ‘Geochemical Atlas’ is a thematic special purpose atlas with maps describing the geographical distribution of chemical elements and other physico-chemical parameters in different natural sample media, such as stream sediment, overbank or floodplain sediment, stream water, ground water, soil, plants, etc. Because our standard of living and health depend closely on the chemistry of near-surface materials, such atlases that provide data on the state of our environment are important for policy and decision makers, but also for researchers and citizens alike. The EuroGeoSurveys Geochemistry Expert Group is dedicated to provide harmonised multi-purpose geochemical data bases, and has already published the Geochemical Atlas of Europe, and is in the process of preparing the Atlas of Ground water Geochemistry of Europe, and the Atlas of Agricultural and Grazing Land Soils. An important aspect is that all raw data, quality control information, statistics, maps and interpretation texts are freely available for downloading through the internet.
BAUXITE RESOURCE EXPLOITATION IN GREECE VS SUSTAINABILITY
Authors: Anagnostou Ch.
Published: July 2017

In the central part of Greece bauxite ore deposits are systematically exploited since more than fifty years, initially by a French industrial group and since few years by a Greek investment group. This “economical” activity uses the non renewable mineral resources of bauxite, non renewable energy sources, as well as significant amount of water and it exports to the environment pollutants andbyproducts. CO2, NOx, F, PAHs are diffused to the atmosphere, polluting the soil of the adjacent area. Big amount of red mud is deviated to the sea, covering an extended shelf area and parts of deeper marine areas. The aim of this work is to evaluate this “economic” activity using principles of the sustainability science. In its broadest definition, sustainability refers to the ability of a society to continue functioning into the future without being forced into decline through the exhaustion or overloading of key resources.
IMMOBILE TRACE ELEMENTS DISCRIMINATION DIAGRAMMS WITH ZEOLITIZED VOLCANICLASTICS FROM THE EVROS - THRACE - RHODOPE VOLCANIC TERRAIN
Authors: Kitsopoulos K.
Published: July 2017

The Rhodope and Evros areas of the Thrace Region in north-eastern Greece and the adjusted areas in Bulgaria are characterized by wide spread volcanic formations of Upper Eocene to Miocene in age. The volcaniclastic materials associated with such formations have, in some cases, undergone inter alia a notable zeolitization process. The mineralogy of the altered volcaniclastics is often dominated by clinoptilolite -heulandite type of minerals. The Winchester and Floyd (1977) plots indicating rhyodacite/dacite to trachyandesite parent materials, while the similar diagram, as modified by Pearce (1986), indicate andesite to trachyandesite precursors. The alkalinity index (Nb/Y ratio) seems to coincide between the two types of diagrams, but, there is a notable difference of the differentiation index, i.e. the Zr/TiO2 ratio. The Th-Co diagram (Hastie et al., 2007) unfolds a clearer picture for the nature of the precursors and reveals a clear progression of a calc-alkaline to a high-K calc alkaline affinity of the parental volcanic materials.
MINERALOGY OF CHROMITITE, BULQIZA ULTRAMAFIC MASSIF, ALBANIAN OPHIOLITIC COMPLEX
Authors: Çina A.
Published: July 2017

Ultramafic massif of Bulqiza belongs to Eastern Jurassic Albanian ophiolite belt of IAT-BSV- type. This massif is the most important chromite-bearing ore. The mantle ultramafics have extremely refractory nature. This is due to the high partial fusion of upper mantle which is depleted in CaO and Al2 O3 . The chromitite is situated to different parts of ultramafic pile, from bottom Cpx harzburgites up to massive dunites and cumulate ultramafic but the mainly chromite potential belongs to mantle harzburgite –dunite level and to transition dunites partly. The chromite is chiefly of Cr-rich metallurgical type. The atomic ratios of chromite , Fo of olivine and some physical properties of them vary according to the chromitite setting and reflects the evolution of Ol-Sp equilibrium process depended of the chromite concentration, from baren dunitic lenses towards dunite envelops of the ore bodies and the interstitial and inclusions of olivine within chromite grains. Two particular chromite deposits are the Bulqiza- Batra tabular folded ore body and Shkalla, pencil –like ore body.
MAGMA GENERATION AND MIXING IN THE EARLIEST VOLCANIC CENTRE OF SANTORINI (AKROTIRI PENINSULA). MINERAL CHEMISTRY EVIDENCE FROM THE AKROTIRI PYROCLASTICS
Authors: Kitsopoulos K.
Published: July 2017

Santorini is a dominant expression of magma generation and subsequent volcanism in the Meditereanean area, where a calk-alkaline, high-alumina, basalt-andesite-dacite type of volcanism was expressed from eight centres. The volcanics of the Akrotiri peninsula are considered to be the products of the earliest (Pliocene Pleistocene) volcanic centre. The present study has investigated the mineral chemistry of some major pyrogenic phenocrysts, such as plagioclase and Fe-Ti oxides, of the Akrotiri pyroclatics unit, which have undergone a notable zeolitization procedure. The results are compatible with magma mixing mechanism of a primitive mantle derived, saturated, of mafic composition component with silicic magma in shallow crustal depths.
CHEMICAL AND MINERALOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF CLAYS FROM PELOPONNESE (S. GREECE) AND THEIR EVALUATION FOR UTILIZATION IN CERAMICS INDUSTRY
Authors: Michailidis K. , Trontzios G. , Sofianska E.
Published: July 2017

Mineral constituents, particle size and chemistry of ceramic raw materials may control the way ceramic products are formed and fired. Three compound (combined mixtures of 20 raw samples) clay samples from Chanakia area, Pelloponnese (S. Greece), were mineralogically and chemically investigated and their utilization as raw materials for the ceramic industry was evaluated. These samples come from different clay formations, they have red, blue and green colors and constitute the raw materials for a local brick plant. Particle size distribution analysis showed that the percentage of clay size fraction (d<2μm) ranges from 28.3 to 36.3 wt.%. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the main mineral constituents are quartz, micas, feldspars (plagioclases, orthoclase), calcite (except the red - clay) and clay minerals (discrete illite, mixed - layered illite/smectite, chlorite and traces of smectite and vermiculite). Projection of their bulk chemistry on some triangular discrimination diagrams has aided us to evaluate their suitability for ceramics production, namely majiolica (earthenware), cottoforte, gres and bricks were evaluated. In conclusion, all the studied materials are proved unsuitable for high quality ceramic products. Specifically, the blue and green clays were found suitable for earthenware ceramics as are high porosity building bricks, roofing tiles and similar products, while the red clay is appropriate for gres ceramics as are the low porosity tiles and bricks.
RADIOACTIVITY OF GRANITIC ROCKS FROM NORTHERN GREECE
Authors: Papadopoulos A. , Christofides G. , Papastefanou C. , Koroneos A. , Stoulos S.
Published: July 2017

Forty-nine samples from several plutons in northern Greece have been studied for their activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activities of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th of the majority of the samples exceed the average level of these radionuclides in soil and building materials. Samples of basic composition have very low concentrations of radionuclides while intermediate and acid rocks are more enriched in 40K, 226Ra and 232Th and their decay products. In order to assess the radiological impact from the investigated rocks, absorbed gamma dose rate (Da), annual effective dose (HE), activity index (AI) and gamma-ray index (Iγ) were estimated. The activity concentrations and hazard indices were compared to those of plutonic rock samples from all over the world, as well as other building materials. The average of hazard indices of Greek granites is below ‘world’ average in all cases. Moreover, it is still bellow the criteria of UNSCEAR (2000). Therefore, at least from radiological point of view and for the investigated rocks, the use of granites from northern Greece as building materials is recommended.
GEOLOGICAL, PETROLOGICAL AND TECTONIC FEATURES CHARACTERIZING THE COMMERCIALITY OF THE MARBLES OF SOUTHERN VERMION MOUNTAIN
Authors: Ploumis P. , Chatzipanagis I.
Published: July 2017

The southern Vermion mountain is composed of Pelagonian metamorphic rocks. Two different lithologic units are distinguished in this area. The first one consists of the highly metamorphosed rocks of Paleozoic age (migmatites, gneisses with marble intercalations and anatectic granites). The second unit comprises two series: the lower with schists, gneisses and marbles (200 m thick) and the upper with marbles (more than 2500m thick). The age of the rocks in the second unit is Triassic –Jurassic and these are metamorphosed in greenshist facies. During the last 40 years, the marbles of the second unit are being exploited for ornamental purposes in more than 100 quarries.Variations in chemical and mineralogical composition, grain size as well as some structural characteristics result to the 5 marble qualities – commercial types of Vermion mountain: a) White marbles, b) “Rigota” marbles, c) “Pitsilota” marbles, d) “Louloudata” marbles, e) Sipoline marbles.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF ASBESTOS FIBRES IN OPHIOLITIC ROCKS USED AS AGGREGATES AND HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT FOR HUMAN HEALTH
Authors: Rigopoulos I. , Tsikoura B. , Pomonis P. , Karipi S. , Hatzipanagiotou K.
Published: July 2017

This study focuses on the quantification of asbestiform minerals in basic and ultrabasic rocks from ophiolite suites of central and northern Greece. A combination of different methods were used for the detailed investigation of the samples, conducted in the following stages: (i) petrographic examination of thin sections with a polarizing microscope, (ii) mineral phase analysis using X-ray diffraction, (iii) determination of the fibrous mineral composition on polished thin sections using scanning electron microscopy, (iv) image analysis of back scattered electron images and secondary electron images, to quantify the dangerous asbestiform crystals. SEM is proved to be the most powerful tool for the detailed investigation of fibrous minerals, although polarized microscopy and XRD are necessary tools for a preliminary identification of these minerals. Basic rocks contain various amounts of actinolite, however not all crystals comprise asbestiform fibres. A conspicuous feature observed during careful petrographic analysis is that many of the non as best form actinolite crystals are broken up along their cleavage planes. Rocks with such features need specific consideration since these crystals may subsequently release numerous fibrous cleavage fragments during the production processes and in-service deterioration of aggregates. Among the serpentinized ultrabasic samples, only one contains chrysotile, while the other samples contain antigorite and lizardite.
UPTAKE ABILITY OF ZEOLITIC ROCK FROM SOUTH XEROVOUNI, AVDELLA, EVROS, HELLAS
Authors: Tzamos E. , Filippidis A. , Kantiranis N. , Sikalidis C. , Tsirambidis A. , Papastergios G. , Vogiatzis D.
Published: July 2017

Zeolitic rock samples from South Xerovouni contain on average, 57 wt.% HEU type zeolite, 6 wt.% clay minerals, 3 wt.% mica (total of 66 wt.% microporous minerals), 19 wt.% feldspars, 10 wt.% cristobalite and 5 wt.% quartz (total of 34 wt.% non-microporous minerals). Chemically the zeolitic rock consists mainly of 69.9 wt.% SiO2, 13.2 wt.% Al2O3, 1.2 wt.% Fe2O3t, 1.0 wt.% MgO, 3.0 wt.% CaO, 1.5 wt.% Na2O and 2.2 wt.% K2O. The zeolitic rock shows an average ammonia ion exchange capacity of 150 meq/100g. HEU-type zeolite accounts for the most of the uptake ability, while clay minerals and mica contribute to a relative small extent only. The uptake ability of the five zeolitic rock samples showed positive correlations with the content of HEU-type zeolite as well as with the total content of microporous minerals (zeolite + mica + clay minerals). Such materials could be used in a wide range and scale of agricultural, aquacultural, and environmental applications.
Tests about Ancient Culture
Authors: Брагова Арина , Bragova Arina
Published: July 2017

These tests will help students of humanitarian Universities and all those interested in ancient culture to check their knowledge on ancient culture. Each test consists of 25 questions. The first five questions of a General nature (periods, cultural phenomena, etc.). Questions from 6 th to 15 th on ancient art as a fundamental component of ancient culture (architecture, sculpture, painting, glyptic, toreutics etc.). Questions from the 16th to the 20th cover of ancient mythology, literature, philosophy, medicine, the emerging science (mathematics, physics, etc.), and issues with the 21st to the 25th, the ancient music, theatre and the Olympic games.