bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atividade antimicrobiana, antiaderente e antifúngica in vitro de plantas medicinais brasileiras sobre microrganismos do biofilme dental e cepas do gênero Candida
Authors: Alves Pollianna Muniz , Queiroz Lélia Maria Guedes , Pereira Jozinete Vieira , Pereira Maria do Socorro Vieira
Published: May 2009

Avaliou-se in vitro a atividade antimicrobiana, antifúngica e antiaderente da aroeira-do-sertão, malva e goiabeira sobre microrganismos do biofilme dental e candidose oral. Os extratos mostraram-se eficazes, inibindo o crescimento das bactérias do biofilme dental e fungos da candidose oral, sugerindo a utilização dessas plantas como meio alternativo na terapêutica odontológica.
Seletividade dos herbicidas setoxidim, isoxaflutol e bentazon a espécies arbóreas nativas
Authors: Brancalion Pedro Henrique Santin , Isernhagen Ingo , Machado Ronan Pereira , Christoffoleti Pedro Jacob , Rodrigues Ricardo Ribeiro
Published: May 2009

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade de espécies nativas usadas em recuperação de áreas degradadas aos herbicidas setoxidim, isoxaflutol e bentazon. As espécies estudadas foram Senna multijuga, Guazuma ulmifolia e Croton urucurana. Os tratamentos de herbicida consistiram de uma testemunha (sem aplicação) e aplicação de um quarto, metade, uma vez, duas vezes e quatro vezes a dose recomendada. As doses recomendadas são 184 g ha-1 de setoxidim, 37,5 g ha-1 de isoxaflutol e 720 g ha-1 de bentazon. Avaliaram-se os sintomas de fitotoxicidade, crescimento em altura, acréscimo no número de folhas e massa de matéria seca de folhas. Em outros experimentos, as doses recomendadas dos mesmos herbicidas foram aplicadas em outras 22 espécies arbóreas nativas, nas quais avaliou-se a massa de matéria seca de folhas. O delineamento experimental dos experimentos foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Cada parcela experimental se constituiu de uma muda em estádio inicial de desenvolvimento. Os herbicidas não provocaram a morte das mudas, embora todas tenham apresentado sintomas de fitotoxicidade. A aplicação de isoxaflutol reduziu a massa de matéria seca das folhas em 20% das espécies, a aplicação de bentazon, em uma espécie, e a aplicação de setoxidim não reduziu a massa de matéria seca das folhas de nenhuma espécie.
Determinantes dos investimentos diretos externos em países em desenvolvimento
Authors: Nonnenberg Marcelo José Braga , Mendonça Mário Jorge Cardoso de
Published: May 2009

Basicamente, os determinantes dos investimentos diretos externos (IDE) podem ser relativos às firmas e a características dos países de origem - push factors - ou a fatores locacionais - pull factors. A maior parte da literatura teórica relativa a empresas multinacionais nos últimos quarenta anos, justamente por focar sua atenção nas empresas, enfatizou os fatores relacionados a vantagens das firmas, dando pouca importância aos fatores macroeconômicos. O objetivo desse trabalho é estimar, com base em dados em painel para 33 países para o período 1975-2000, os principais determinantes dos IDEs em direção aos países em desenvolvimento. Fatores como o tamanho e o ritmo de crescimento do produto, a qualificação da mão de obra, a receptividade em relação ao capital externo, o risco do país e o desempenho das bolsas de valores estão entre os principais determinantes de IDE. Além disso, por meio da aplicação de uma teste de causalidade no contexto de dados em painel, foi possível mostrar que o investimento direto externo não tem efeito positivo sobre o PIB. Ao contrário, esse procedimento lidade mostrou que o PIB do país é que tem efeito sobre a entrada de IDE.
Efeito do citrato e taurina em meio CR2aa no desenvolvimento de embriões bovinos fecundados in vitro
Authors: Camargo L.S.A. , Sá W.F. , Viana J.H.M. , Ramos A.A. , Ferreira A.M.
Published: May 2009

Avaliou-se o efeito do citrato em meio CR2aa suplementado com soro fetal bovino (SFB) ou livre de proteínas séricas e sua associação com taurina no desenvolvimento de embriões bovinos fecundados in vitro. Embriões foram cultivados em CR2aa contendo 0, 0,5, 1,0 e 3,0mM citrato, suplementado com 10% SFB (experimento 1) ou com álcool polivinil (PVA; experimento 2). No terceiro experimento, embriões foram cultivados em meio com 0,5mM citrato, ou 7mM taurina, ou com a associação de ambos, suplementado com SFB. Os cultivos foram realizados com células do cumulus em ambiente a 38,8ºC com 5% de CO2 em ar atmosférico. Melhora no desenvolvimento embrionário foi observado no cultivo de embriões em CR2aa com 0,5 e 1,0mM citrato na ausência de SFB (P<0,05), 8,6% e 11,3% de blastocistos, respectivamente, porém com valores mais baixos (P<0,05) que embriões cultivados em CR2aa com SFB (31,9%). Associação de citrato com taurina em meio com SFB não influenciou (P>0,05) a produção de embriões ou o número de células. Citrato em meio CR2aa pode ser uma alternativa para cultivo embrionário em condições atmosféricas com 5% de CO2 em ar na ausência de proteína sérica.
Receitas bruta e líquida parcial e custo de dietas contendo polpa cítrica para suínos abatidos com 130kg de peso
Authors: Watanabe P. H. , Thomaz M.C. , Martins M.I.E.G. , Ruiz U.S. , Fraga A.L. , Santos V.M. , Pascoal L.A.F. , Silva S.Z.
Published: May 2009

Avaliou-se o custo de inclusão da polpa cítrica em programa de restrição alimentar qualitativa, utilizando dados de desempenho de 36 suínos da linhagem Topigs, dos 83,7±5,1kg aos 129,8±1,9kg de peso, alimentados com dietas contendo porcentagens crescentes (0, 10, 20 e 30%) de polpa cítrica. Os animais foram abatidos aos 130kg e dos valores (R$) da carcaça foram descontados o valor de compra dos animais e o custo com alimentação, de acordo com cada tratamento. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) da inclusão da polpa cítrica sobre o custo com ração e receita bruta, porém houve efeito linear negativo (P<0,05) sobre o rendimento líquido parcial com o aumento da participação da polpa cítrica nas dietas. A queda no rendimento líquido parcial foi causada pelo menor peso da carcaça obtida de animais alimentados com porcentagem mais elevada de polpa cítrica. Considerando a evolução dos preços do milho, do farelo de soja e do suíno entre junho de 2005 e maio de 2006, foram determinados 12 diferentes cenários para o rendimento líquido parcial. Em todos esses cenários, foi observada redução linear da receita líquida parcial em função da inclusão da polpa cítrica, mostrando que esse ingrediente não foi eficiente em promover melhora no rendimento (R$) ao produtor.
Morfologia e reprodução de Chondria curvilineata F.S. Collins & Hervey (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta), uma adição à flora brasileira
Authors: Böker-Torres Martha , Horta Paulo Antunes , Salles José , Ouriques Luciane , Fujii Mutue Toyota , Bouzon Zenilda
Published: May 2009

O trabalho a espécie Chondria curvilineata é escrita pela primeira vez para o litoral brasileiro a. O material foi coletado no sublitoral da Lagoa da Conceição, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. É apresentada uma descrição detalhada da morfologia e reprodução, discutindo e comparando as características diagnósticas da referida espécie com as demais espécies descritas para o Brasil e para outras partes do mundo.
Relações entre o teor de fenóis totais e o ciclo das galhas de Cecidomyiida e em Aspidosperm a spruceanum Müll. Arg. (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Formiga Anete Teixeira , Gonçalves Samuel José de Melo Reis , Soares Geraldo Luiz Gonçalves , Isaias Rosy Mary dos Santos
Published: May 2009

Alterações morfológicas detectadas em diversas espécies vegetais em função da indução de galhas são comumente acompanhadas de mudanças químicas importantes para o estabelecimento e manutenção do sistema galhador-planta hospedeira. O estudo da variação do teor de fenóis totais e sua relação com o desenvolvimento das galhas no sistema Aspidosperma spruceanum-Cecidomyiidae foi realizado ao longo de um ano, no qual foram detectados pelo menos dois ciclos de vida dos insetos indutores. O nível de infestação foliar foi alto, atingindo 87%, e os Cecidomyiidae tiveram a região internervural como sítio preferencial de oviposição. A variação sazonal no conteúdo de fenóis totais nas amostras de folhas sadias e galhadas foi primariamente relacionada às condições abióticas e muito embora este teor tenha atingido o máximo de 10 mg EAT g-1, indicando um ambiente químico celular não favorável à indução e a sua sobrevivência, o indutor de A. spruceanum supera esta barreira química, podendo ainda ser favorecido pela proteção contra inimigos naturais propiciada pelos fenólicos.
Revisão taxonômica de Acosmium Schott (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Sophoreae)
Authors: Rodrigues Rodrigo Schütz , Tozzi Ana Maria Goulart de Azevedo
Published: May 2009

Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão taxonômica de Acosmium Schott, incluindo chave de identificação, descrições, ilustrações e mapa de distribuição dos táxons. Acosmium é um gênero sul-americano com três espécies reconhecidas: A. cardenasii H.S. Irwin & Arroyo, A. diffusissimum (Mohlenbr.) Yakovlev e A. lentiscifolium Schott. Acosmium fallax (Taub.) Yakovlev é proposto como sinônimo de A. lentiscifolium. Em adição, são discutidos aspectos sobre a morfologia e delimitação específica em Acosmium, bem como sobre sua distribuição geográfica, que parece estar fortemente associada com a distribuição das florestas tropicais estacionais secas na América do Sul.
Desenvolvimento pós-seminal de espécies de Poaceae (Poales)
Authors: Nakamura Adriana Tiemi , Scatena Vera Lucia
Published: May 2009

O presente estudo objetivou verificar a existência de um padrão do desenvolvimento pós-seminal em Poaceae. Para tanto, foram estudadas as seguintes espécies: Olyra humilis Nees (Bambusoideae); Axonopus aureus P. Beauv. e Paspalum polyphyllum Nees ex Trin. (Panicoideae); Chloris elata Nees e Eragrostis solida Desv. (Chloridoideae). Procurou-se também comparar as estruturas da plântula de Poaceae com as demais monocotiledôneas. As espécies estudadas são plantas perenes, rizomatosas, cespitosas e apresentam cariopses de tamanhos diferentes. Apresentam sementes albuminosas; embrião lateral, diferenciado, com raiz endógena (adventícia); cotilédone dividido em hiperfilo (escutelo), bainha reduzida e hipofilo (coleóptilo); coleorriza (raiz primária reduzida) e mesocótilo (eixo localizado entre o escutelo e coleóptilo). A presença de epiblasto (folha embrionária) foi observada em Olyra humilis, Chloris elata e Eragrostis solida. O desenvolvimento pós-seminal é semelhante nas espécies estudadas e forma um padrão em Poaceae. Primeiramente, observa-se a emissão da coleorriza, que cresce no sentido geotrópico positivo, seguida do coleóptilo e plúmula que crescem em sentido contrário, a partir do desenvolvimento do mesocótilo. As primeiras folhas são semelhantes às folhas definitivas (metafilos) das espécies, exceto em Olyra humilis, que são modificadas em catafilos e podem ser interpretadas como caráter basal em Bambusoideae. Raiz primária reduzida (coleorriza) e hipofilo modificado em coleóptilo são considerados caracteres derivados em Poaceae, quando comparados com as demais monocotiledôneas.
Expressão da resistência parcial à ferrugem da folha da aveia presente na linhagem MN841801, no ambiente do Sul do Brasil
Authors: Martinelli José Antônio , Chaves Márcia Soares , Federizzi Luiz Carlos , Savi Valda
Published: May 2009

A ferrugem da folha é a doença mais importante da aveia, podendo comprometer a qualidade e o rendimento de grãos em até 50%. No ambiente do Sul do Brasil, a maioria dos genes de resistência ao patógeno causador da doença tem baixa efetividade, e a virulência das raças encontradas é muito complexa. A resistência quantitativa, que é um tipo de resistência incompleta ou parcial, é uma opção bastante promissora para ambientes como o do Sul do Brasil, uma vez que não impõe a intensa pressão de seleção sobre a população patogênica, para raças virulentas, como ocorre com a resistência qualitativa. A linhagem de aveia MN841801 é atualmente uma das principais fontes de resistência parcial à ferrugem da folha, pois tem sido efetiva frente a diversas populações do patógeno durante mais de 35 anos. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram: a) validar a expressão da resistência parcial à ferrugem da folha da aveia presente na linhagem MN841801, no ambiente da região Sul do Brasil e b) caracterizar a herança dessa resistência em relação ao número de genes. Os resultados mostraram que a severidade da ferrugem da folha, na linhagem MN841801, foi significativamente inferior à de cultivares suscetíveis, eo progresso da doença foi lento, quando comparado ao das suscetíveis. Constatou-se também que a herança da resistência de MN841801 é quantitativa, sendo condicionada por dois genes.
Influência das vogais na estimulabilidade dos sons líquidos
Authors: Castro Márcia Mathias de , Wertzner Haydée Fizbein
Published: May 2009

OBJETIVO: verificar o número de crianças, entre 5:0 e 11:6 anos, com e sem Transtorno Fonológico, falantes do Português Brasileiro que imitaram corretamente os sons líquidos no teste de estimulabilidade considerando cada uma das vogais subsequentes. MÉTODOS: a estimulabilidade foi medida por uma prova de imitação de 63 sílabas com os sons com as sete vogais orais, em três repetições. Foi analisada a porcentagem de sujeitos que produziu corretamente os sons em função da vogal subsequente. RESULTADOS: o foi o som com mais produções corretas, independente da vogal subsequente; o foi melhor produzido com as vogais subsequentes [ε, ó], parecendo ser a altura da língua em posição média-baixa facilitadora da produção desse som; o foi melhor produzido com as vogais subsequentes arredondadas [o, ó, u] evidenciando que o gesto articulatório de arredondamento dos lábios facilita a produção deste som, assim como a posição média-alta e posterior da língua. CONCLUSÃO: as vogais subsequentes aos sons líquidos estudados evidenciam influências em suas produções, de forma a facilitá-las.
Prevalence of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3/internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD+) in de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients categorized according to cytogenetic risk
Authors: Krum Everson Augusto , Yamamoto Mihoko , Chauffaille Maria de Lourdes Lopes Ferrari
Published: May 2009

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The mechanism involved in leukemogenesis remains unclear and more information about the disruption of the cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis of neoplastic cells is required. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional prevalence study at the Discipline of Hematology, Hospital São Paulo, Universidade Federal de São Paulo. METHODS: We investigated FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3/internal tandem duplication (FLT3/ITD+) in 40 adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), categorized according to cytogenetic results, from September 2001 to May 2005. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (32.5%) were classified as presenting the favorable karyotype, 11 patients (27.5%) as an intermediate group, 7 patients (17%) as an undefined group and 9 patients (22.5%) as the unfavorable group. FLT3/ITD+ was found in 10 patients (25%): 3 with FLT3/ITD+ and favorable karyotype; 4 with FLT3/ITD+ and intermediate karyotype; 2 with FLT3/ITD+ and undefined karyotype; and only 1 with FLT3/ITD+ and unfavorable karyotype. Among the patients without FLT3/ITD+, 10 presented favorable karyotype, 8 intermediate, 4 undefined and 8 unfavorable karyotype. The cytogenetic results showed no correlations between FLT3/ITD presence and the prognostic groups (P = 0.13). We found that 2 patients were still alive more than 24 months later, FLT3/ITD+ did not influence the patients' survival rate. CONCLUSION: We found the same frequency of AML with FLT3/ITD+ in both the favorable and intermediate prognosis groups. Only one patient presented AML, FLT3/ITD+ and unfavorable karyotype (the hypothetical worst clinical situation). Therefore, the prognostic advantage of favorable cytogenetics among patients with FLT3/ITD+ remains to be elucidated, for it to be better understood.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure: systematic review
Authors: Lemos Júnior Hernani Pinto de , Atallah Álvaro Nagib
Published: May 2009

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has emerged as the predominant electrical treatment strategy for patients on pharmacological therapy who present heart failure with wide QRS and low ejection fraction. The objective of this study was to investigate whether cardiac resynchronization therapy improved mortality and morbidity among patients with heart failure. METHODS: This was a systematic review using the Cochrane Collaboration's methodology. The online search strategy included the Cochrane Library, Medline (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde) and cardiology congresses from 1990 to 2006. The criteria for considering studies for this review were as follows:-types of studies: randomized controlled trials; types of interventions: cardiac resynchronization therapy compared with other therapies; types of participants: patients with heart failure with low ejection fraction and wide QRS; outcomes: death or hospitalization. RESULTS: Seven trials met the selection criteria. The risk of death due to congestive heart failure was nonsignificant: relative risk (RR), 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60 to 1.03. There was an absolute risk reduction of 4% in all-cause mortality for the experimental group #&091;RR 0.70; CI: 0.60 to 0.83; number needed to treat (NNT) 25#&093;; sudden cardiac death showed a statistically significant difference favoring the experimental group, with absolute risk reduction of 1% (CI: 0.46 to 0.96; RR 0.67; NNT 100). There was an absolute risk reduction of 9% for hospitalization due to heart failure (RR 0.64; CI: 0.50 to 0.80; NNT 11) in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving CRT had a significantly lower risk of hospitalization due to heart failure, but death rates due to heart failure were similar.
Investigation of liver tissue and biochemical parameters of adult wistar rats treated with Arctium lappa L.
Authors: Predes Fabrícia Souza , Matta Sérgio Luis Pinto da , Monteiro Juliana Castro , Oliveira Tânia Toledo de
Published: May 2009

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Arctium lappa L. (burdock) on the liver of adult male Wistar rats as measured by light microscopy and biochemical parameters. The rats received the extract in water bottles at doses of 10 or 20 g/L daily for 40 days. There were no significant changes in the plasma levels of albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein, total cholesterol, urea, uric acid, triacylglycerol, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine and direct bilirubin. The morphological analysis did not reveal histopathological alterations in liver tissue. Both biochemical and morphological data did not indicate A. lappa toxicity.
Effects of limnological and morphometric factors upon Zmin, Zmax and width of Egeria spp stands in a tropical reservoir
Authors: Pierini Sandra Andréa , Thomaz Sidinei Magela
Published: May 2009

In this work, regression analyses were used to test the effects of fetch, littoral slope and Secchi disk depth upon the stand width (Wi) and maximum (Zmax) and minimum (Zmin) colonization depths of Egeria spp in a large tropical reservoir (Rosana Reservoir). Littoral slope was the only variable correlated with Wi, which was larger in locations with lower slopes. The higher Wi values (up to 260m) were found in locations where slopes were lower than 0.05 m.m-1. Zmin and Zmax were correlated positively with fetch. Nevertheless, different relationships were found at lower and higher fetch values observed in the arms and in the main body of the reservoir, respectively. At lower values, Secchi disk depth was the main variable explaining Egeria Zmax. On the other hand, in locations where fetch was longer (i.e. in the main axis of the reservoir), it was the only variable that explained Zmax significantly. Despite the great variability, the results indicated that the measured limnological (Secchi disk) and morphometric (fetch and slope) variables were important determinants of Egeria spp colonization in the Rosana Reservoir.
Surface enhanced raman scattering of aromatic thiols adsorbed on nanostructured gold surfaces
Authors: Abdelsalam Mamdouh
Published: May 2009

In this paper we describe the use of a simple and versatile technique of templated electrodeposition through polystyrene sphere templates to produce nanostructured films of gold with regular submicron spherical holes arranged in a hexagonal close-packed structure. The templates were produced by self assembly of a monodispersed suspension of polystyrene spheres on gold substrates using capillary forces. The self assembly process was modified through the chemical modification of the gold substrate with cysteamine thiol. Films of gold were prepared by electrochemical deposition through the template. The electrochemical deposition charge and the current time curve were used to control the film height with a precision of approximately 10 nm. The colour of the nanostructured films changed as the film thickness was changed. Surface enhanced Raman Scattering spectra were recorded and used to identify very low concentrations of aromatic thiol molecules, 4-Nitrobenzenethiol (4-NBT) and 4-Aminobenzenethiol (4-ABT), adsorbed on the surface of the nanostructured gold substrates.
Cognitive support in teaching football techniques
Authors: Duda Henryk
Published: May 2009

Cognitive support in teaching football techniques

Study aim: To improve the teaching of football techniques by applying cognitive and imagery techniques.

Material and methods: Four groups of subjects, n = 32 each, were studied: male and female physical education students aged 20 - 21 years, not engaged previously in football training; male juniors and minors, aged 16 and 13 years, respectively, attending mastery School of Sports (football); their training experience amounted to 6 and 3 years, respectively. Every group was divided into two subgroups (n = 16 each) - control and experimental. All subjects underwent a course consisting of 40 sessions lasting 90 min each, once weekly. Before and at the end of study period the participants were subjected to 3 specific tests assessing their knowledge, motor fitness and game skills.

Results: Subjects from all experimental groups achieved significantly (mostly p<0. 001) better results than the respective control groups in all three areas - knowledge, motor fitness and game skills. The levels of acquired knowledge significantly (p<0. 05 - 0. 001) correlated with specific motor fitness and game skills in all groups of subjects.

Conclusions: Cognitive approach improves the results teaching football techniques and may serve as a valuable tool in training.
Physiotherapy and Low Back Pain in the Injured Worker: An Examination of Current Practice During the Subacute Phase of Healing
Authors: Harman Katherine , Fenety Anne , Hoens Alison , Crouse James , Padfield Bev
Published: May 2009

Purpose: To describe current physiotherapy practice for injured workers with subacute low back pain (SA-LBP).

Method: A chart audit of discharged workers was conducted over three episodes of care: 4–6 weeks (T1), 6–8 weeks (T2), and 8–10 weeks (T3) post-injury. The prevalence and reproducibility of parameters for common interventions were calculated as the percentage of active charts over time. Focus groups were used to validate audit results and deepen our understanding of practice.

Results: In all, 164 charts were audited. The most prevalent interventions were (1) for manual therapy, joint mobilization and traction; (2) for electrophysical agents (EPAs), heat, ultrasound, and interferential therapy; and (3) for exercise, core stabilization exercises. Transcript analyses revealed that participants viewed injured workers with SA-LBP in a positive light, emphasized the importance of physiotherapy, and discussed SA-LBP in five themes: time frame, non-specific diagnosis, mixed client outlook, change in pain presentation, and the transition from a passive to a more active treatment approach.

Conclusions: The pattern of decreasing passive and increasing active interventions is consistent with the focus-group participants’ description of how they approach treatment of clients with SA-LBP. Also noted was a higher prevalence of interventions poorly supported by evidence and lower prevalence of interventions well supported by evidence.
A Study of the Al–Mg–B Ternary Phase Diagram
Authors: Bodkin Richard , Herrmann Mathias , Coville Neil J. , Sigalas Iakovos
Published: May 2009

The Al
x
Mg(1 – x)B2 solid solution was studied at temperatures of 900, 1000, 1200 and 1400 °C using X-ray diffraction. From the obtained data, isothermal sections at 1000, 1200 and 1400 °C have been proposed for the Al – Mg – B ternary system. Based on these results there exists an equilibrium between Al and AlMgB14 at temperatures above 1000 °C.
Comparison of Depth-Sensing Indentation at Ultramicroscopic Contacts by Single- and Multiple-Partial-Unload Cycles
Authors: Nassirou Maissarath , Thurn Jeremy
Published: May 2009

Thin films typically exhibit variations in modulus and hardness with increasing indentation depth during depth-sensing indentation experiments at ultramicroscopic contacts (“nanoindentation”) because the measured stiffness response is affected by the substrate. There are three techniques commonly used to sample this variation in properties with depth: multiple indentations with increasing peak load, a single indentation with multiple-partial-unload cycles, and continuous stiffness measurement during a single indentation event. Experiments using the first two options were performed on a series of thin film systems and the method of multiple-partial-unloading found to have significant drawbacks when used at the sub-micron length scale that lead to erroneous conclusions.
The coupled FEM analysis of super-high angular speed polishing of diamond films
Authors: Huang S. T. , Zhou L. , Xu L. F. , Jiao K. R.
Published: May 2009

Super-high angular speed polishing of diamond films is a new polishing method. During the polishing process, the rotational velocity of the cast iron polishing plate is higher than that of conventional polishing methods, and friction between the polishing plate and the diamond film during rotary motion generates heat that creates a diffusion condition for carbon atoms. The temperature and strain energy density distributions of the polished surface directly affect the polishing quality of diamond films. In this paper, a three-dimensional thermo-mechanical coupled finite element analysis was employed to analyze the temperature and strain energy due to the friction between the polishing plate and the thick diamond film while the polishing plate rotates at super-high angular speed. The results indicate that when the diamond film and polishing plate rotate in the same direction, the differences of temperature and strain energy evidently decrease, and the temperature and strain energy in the diamond film become more uniform. The removal rate by super-high speed polishing has been quantitatively described by the diffusion mechanism, and it agrees well with the experiment data. This work will provide theoretical guidance to the design and operation of the super-high speed polishing of diamond films.
Micromagnetism of advanced hard magnetic materials
Authors: Kronmüller Helmut , Goll Dagmar
Published: May 2009

The continuum theory of micromagnetism has been found to be a rather effective tool to describe magnetic states and magnetization processes. In this paper some rigorous micromagnetic results obtained for characteristic magnetic properties of nanocrystalline hard magnetic materials will be outlined and their application to the development of outstanding magnetic materials will be discussed. In particular the role of exchange coupled composite systems will be considered and the effects of the microstructure will be investigated. Furthermore, the deteriorating effects of magnetically softened surface regions, the depinning and pinning of domain walls at phase boundaries, the remanence exchange enhancing effects and the depinning fields of domain walls of composite particles in the case of high-density recording systems will be discussed.
Primary facial nerve tumors within the skull
Authors: King T. T. , Morrison A. W.
Published: May 2009

✓ In a series of 527 cerebellopontine angle tumors, there were 416 cases of acoustic nerve tumors and 14 cases of primary tumor of the facial nerve in the petrous bone or intracranial cavity. Six additional patients were presumed to have facial tumors, although they were not operated on. Of the 14 verified facial nerve tumors, all but two were neurinomas and 11 had important intracranial extensions into the middle and/or the posterior fossa. In most of these 14 cases, surgical removal was performed via the translabyrinthine route, which is advantageous in that it displays the characteristic relationship of the tumor to the facial nerve, and facilitates nerve repair. The clinical and radiological features of these facial nerve lesions are discussed and also the indications for surgical treatment which, as the unoperated cases illustrate, is not always necessary.
Recurrent hematomas following craniotomy for traumatic intracranial mass
Authors: Bullock Ross , Hannemann C. Oliver , Murray Lilian , Teasdale Graham M.
Published: May 2009

✓ Of 850 patients who underwent craniotomy for evacuation of a traumatic intracranial mass, 59 (6.9%) developed a second hematoma at the operation site, which required a second operation. Compared to those who did not, patients who developed postcraniotomy hematoma (PCH) had a significantly higher incidence of evidence of alcohol intake and preoperative mannitol administration; a higher percentage had a bad outcome. Coagulopathy was frequent in PCH patients.

Although three-quarters of the initial hematomas were intradural, 69% of the PCH's were predominantly extradural. The large potential space underlying a craniotomy bone flap may predispose to development of a PCH. Intracranial pressure (ICP) was monitored in 39 of the 59 PCH patients, which allowed earlier detection of the PCH in 22 (56%). In 17 patients, the ICP failed to rise despite clinical deterioration, and detection of the PCH was delayed, significantly worsening the outcome in this group.
Saphenous vein graft bypass of the cavernous internal carotid artery
Authors: Sekhar Laligam N. , Sen Chandra N. , Jho Hae Dong
Published: May 2009

✓ Saphenous vein graft reconstruction was performed from the petrous to the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) to replace the cavernous ICA in six patients during direct intracavernous operations. Four of these patients had intracavernous neoplasms with invasion of the ICA and two had intracavernous ICA aneurysms that could not be clipped or occluded with intraluminal balloons. All but one patient had evidence of poor collateral flow reserve in a balloon occlusion test of the ICA. The superficial temporal artery was not present in four patients, was minuscule in one, and was damaged during the initial dissection in another, making it unsuitable for superficial temporal-to-middle cerebral artery branch anastomosis.

Blood flow within the graft could not be established intraoperatively in one patient (who had excellent collateral circulation) due to the small size of the vein (3 mm). In all others, the grafts were patent on follow-up arteriography and transcranial Doppler studies. Three patients who had severe reduction of cerebral blood flow during test occlusion of the ICA exhibited temporary hemispheric neurological deficits postoperatively; the deficits were related to the duration of temporary ICA occlusion. All three recovered completely without evidence of infarction on computerized tomography (CT). One patient who clinically could not tolerate the balloon occlusion test of the ICA also had temporary neurological deficits with good recovery but showed evidence of border-zone infarction on CT scans. The present role of saphenous vein graft bypass of the cavernous ICA is discussed.
Relation of hypesthesia to the outcome of glycerol rhizolysis for trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Sahni K. Singh , Pieper Daniel R. , Anderson Randy , Baldwin Nevan G.
Published: May 2009

✓ The effects of percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizolysis were observed in a population of 58 cases of classical trigeminal neuralgia. The follow-up period ranged from 7 to 52 months postoperatively. It was noted that 84% of the patients had immediate relief of pain. The overall recurrence rate was 29%. Based on Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the overall half-life (T½) of this procedure was 16 months. Although none of the patients developed anesthesia dolorosa or corneal ulceration, one group of patients developed either a clinical or subclinical persistent “minimal hypesthesia.” In these there was a statistically significant difference in the T½ associated with this procedure (p = 0.01). This finding suggests that, contrary to the general belief, persistent hypesthesia after glycerol rhizolysis is a negative indicator of long-term success.
Localized 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of large pediatric brain tumors
Authors: Sutton Leslie N. , Lenkinski Robert E. , Cohen Bruce H. , Packer Roger J. , Zimmerman Robert A.
Published: May 2009

✓ Fourteen children aged 1 week to 16 years, with a variety of large or superficial brain tumors, underwent localized in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of their tumor. Quantitative spectral analysis was performed by measuring the area under individual peaks using a computer algorithm. In eight patients with histologically benign tumors the spectra were considered to be qualitatively indistinguishable from normal brain. The phosphocreatine/inorganic phosphate ratio (PCr/Pi) averaged 2.0. Five patients had histologically malignant tumors; qualitatively, four of these were considered to have abnormal spectra, showing a decrease in the PCr peak. The PCr/Pi ratio for this group averaged 0.85, which was significantly lower than that seen in the benign tumor group (p < 0.05). No difference between the two groups was seen in adenosine triphosphate or phosphomonoesters. It is concluded that a specific metabolic “fingerprint” for childhood brain tumors may not exist, but that some malignant tumors show a pattern suggestive of ischemia.
Postcallosotomy language impairments in patients with crossed cerebral dominance
Authors: Sass Kimberlee J. , Novelly Robert A. , Spencer Dennis D. , Spencer Susan S.
Published: May 2009

✓ Language impairments were reviewed retrospectively in patients who underwent partial or total corpus callosum section for medically refractory secondary generalized epilepsy. Postoperatively, four of 32 patients had clinically significant language impairments that were not present prior to the operation. All involved primarily verbal output (speech and writing) and spared verbal comprehension. Written language skills (reading and spelling), verbal memory, and verbal reasoning abilities were impaired to varying degrees. These impairments were associated with crossed cerebral dominance. Three patients with severe speech difficulties after surgery were right hemisphere-dominant for speech and were right-handed. One left hemisphere speech-dominant, left-handed patient was agraphic after surgery, but spoke normally.

It is concluded from these data and from other reports in the literature that three syndromes of language disturbance may follow callosotomy. The first, involving speech difficulty but sparing writing, is attributable to buccofacial apraxia. The second involves speech and writing difficulties and occurs in right hemisphere-dominant right-handed patients. The third involves dysgraphia with intact speech and occurs in left hemisphere-dominant left-handed patients.
Autologous transplantation of the superior cervical ganglion into the brain of parkinsonian monkeys
Authors: Nakai Mitsukazu , Itakura Toru , Kamei Ichiro , Nakai Kunio , Naka Yutaka , Imai Harumichi , Komai Norihiko
Published: May 2009

✓ The effect of autologous transplantation of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) into the brain of parkinsonian monkeys was studied through quantitative measurement of animal behavior. The motor activity of the monkey was measured with a telemetry system during the experiment. After experimental parkinsonism was induced by repeated intravenous injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), three monkeys were treated with autologous transplantation of the SCG into both caudate nuclei. One monkey served as a control without SCG transplantation after MPTP treatment. Three SCG-transplanted monkeys showed biphasic (acute and chronic) behavioral amelioration of parkinsonism after transplantation. In the acute stage, the animals showed transient hyperkinesia with aggressive behavior and loss of circadian rhythm. In the chronic stage following acute hyperkinesia, the animals regained normal behavior and circadian rhythm without aggressiveness. In contrast with the transplanted monkeys, the control monkey failed to show recovery of the bradykinesia and muscle rigidity.
18F-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine as a tracer of nucleic acid metabolism in brain tumors
Authors: Tsurumi Yuji , Kameyama Motonobu , Ishiwata Kiichi , Katakura Ryuichi , Monma Minoru , Ido Tatsuo , Suzuki Jiro
Published: May 2009

✓ The value of 18F-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (18F-FUdR) as a tracer for nucleic acid metabolism was studied using an experimental rat brain-tumor model. The 18F activity in the tumor tissue 45 minutes after intravenous injection of 18F-FUdR was about 12 times higher than that in the contralateral cortex. Double-labeled autoradiography with 18F-FUdR and 14C-thymidine revealed similar brain-tumor images. In contrast, an autoradiographic comparison of 18F-FUdR with 14C-aminoisobutyric acid, which reveals the impairment of the blood-brain barrier, showed very different images. Also, the 18F radioactivity in the tumor tissue was at a constant level for 30 to 120 minutes, whereas a notable increase in 18F activity with time was observed in nucleotides and acid-insoluble fractions. These results suggest that the distribution pattern of 18F-FUdR closely correlates with the metabolism of nucleic acid and that this drug could be a useful tracer for positron emission tomography.
Nerve graft immunogenicity as a factor determining axonal regeneration in the rat
Authors: Gulati Adarsh K. , Cole Geoffrey P.
Published: May 2009

✓ Acellular basal lamina grafts have recently been reported to support axonal regeneration and have been used in peripheral nerve repair. The present study was designed to determine the immunogenicity of such basal lamina allografts (grafts that are genetically different) and their potential as bridging material for nerve gap repair. Inbred strains of Fischer and Buffalo rats with known histocompatibility differences were used. Acellular grafts were prepared by repeated freezing and thawing nerve tissue predegenerated in situ for 6 weeks. Non-frozen predegenerated nerves were used as cellular grafts for comparison. Fischer rats were used as hosts and received cellular or acellular grafts obtained from Fischer (isograft, genetically identical) or Buffalo (allograft) donors. The grafts were evaluated morphologically at 1,2, 4, and 12 weeks after transplantation. The cellular isografts supported axonal regeneration best. The cellular allografts were invariably rejected and were unsuccessful or only partially successful in supporting regeneration. In contrast, acellular allografts, in spite of their mild immunogenicity were successful in supporting regeneration, as were the acellular isografts. The rate of host axonal regeneration and recovery of target muscle was reduced in acellular allografts and isografts as compared to cellular isografts. It is concluded that acellular allografts are suitable for supporting axonal regeneration and may be used to bridge gaps in injured peripheral nerves.
Choroid plexus arteriovenous malformation in a full-term neonate
Authors: Wakai Susumu , Andoh Youji , Nagai Masakatsu , Teramoto Chie , Tanaka Goro
Published: May 2009

✓ A full-term newborn infant with intracranial hemorrhage secondary to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the choroid plexus is presented. Although angiography was not undertaken before surgery, a vascular nodule containing an AVM nidus was found in the hematoma wall. The authors stress that an AVM should be considered as a cause of intracranial hemorrhage and that the hematoma wall be searched thoroughly in neonates without predisposing factors.
The anomaly of a non-bifurcating cervical carotid artery
Authors: Morimoto Tadashi , Nitta Kazumi , Kazekawa Kiyoshi , Hashizume Keizo
Published: May 2009

✓ A case of a rare developmental anomaly of the cervical carotid artery is reported. In this patient the non-bifurcating carotid artery gave origin to all of the branches normally supplied by the external carotid artery and thereafter continued as the internal carotid artery. Embryological events responsible for this anomaly are briefly discussed.
Acute presentations of syringomyelia
Authors: Zager Eric L. , Ojemann Robert G. , Poletti Charles E.
Published: May 2009

✓ Three unusual cases are reported in which communicating syringomyelia presented acutely. The first patient presented with paraplegia, the second with acute respiratory distress secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis, and the third with symptoms of acute brain-stem ischemia. Each patient had a communicating spinal cord syrinx associated with a posterior fossa and foramen magnum region anomaly (a huge posterior fossa arachnoid cyst in one and Chiari malformations in two). The mechanisms of craniospinal pressure dissociation and hindbrain herniation are discussed, along with other reported emergency presentations of syringomyelia.
A neurosurgical approach to far-lateral disc herniation
Authors: Jane John A. , Haworth Charles S. , Broaddus William C. , Lee Joung H. , Malik Jacek
Published: May 2009

✓ A technique for exposing far-lateral intervertebral disc herniations without disrupting the facet is described. This technique is a simple modification of the standard neurosurgical approach.
Initial experience related to the use of the Cosman-Roberts-Wells stereotactic instrument
Authors: Couldwell William T. , Apuzzo Michael L. J.
Published: May 2009

✓ Initial experience with a new arc-radius design of stereotactic frame that interfaced with the existing components of the Brown-Roberts-Wells instrument is reported. Over a 6-month period, 32 procedures were performed on 23 males and nine female patients (mean age 32 years); these included 27 stereotactic biopsy procedures, two stereotactic implantations of cyst catheter reservoirs, two ventriculoscopic aspirations of third ventricular colloid cysts, and one stereotactic aspiration of a craniopharyngioma. In all cases successful targeting was achieved and verified by postoperative computerized tomography. There were no operation-related complications. This new frame offers rapid and accurate targeting and is a useful adjunct to the stereotactic armamentarium.
Ultra-early evaluation of intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Broderick Joseph P. , Brott Thomas G. , Tomsick Thomas , Barsan William , Spilker Judith
Published: May 2009

✓ The authors evaluate eight patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who underwent computerized tomography (CT) within 2½ hours after symptom onset and then again several hours later. The second CT scan was performed within 12 hours after onset for seven of the patients and 100 hours after onset for the eighth patient. In four patients, the second CT scan was obtained prospectively. The mean percentage of increase in the volume of hemorrhage between the first and second CT scans was 107% (range 1% to 338%). In each of the six patients with a greater than 40% increase in hemorrhage volume, neurological deterioration occurred soon after the first CT. A systolic blood pressure of 195 mm Hg or greater was recorded during the first 6 hours in five of the same six patients. The data from this study indicate that, in ICH, bleeding may continue after the 1st hour post-hemorrhage, particularly in patients with early clinical deterioration.
Long-term pain relief produced by intrathecal morphine infusion in 53 patients
Authors: Onofrio Burton M. , Yaksh Tony L.
Published: May 2009

✓ The present report details the characteristics of the analgesic effects of morphine administered chronically by infusion pumps implanted in 53 patients suffering from terminal metastatic disease. The median postimplant survival time in these patients was 4 months. Patients (mean age 58 years) were characterized according to the duration of pain before pump implantation (mean 16 months), prior consumption of systemic opioids (mean one to six daily analgesic equivalents of morphine), and their response to a trial intrathecal dose of morphine (1 to 2 mg). The median infusion dose at 2 weeks was 3.8 mg/day. The analgesic index, calculated as (quality of pain relief × duration of pain relief in hours)/morphine dose in mg, that was observed after the trial dose of morphine was determined for each patient. A close correlation was observed between the acute (2-week) infusion dose necessary to produce pain relief and the analgesic index such that the infusion dose = −8.0 × log (analgesic index) + 17.1. By 16 weeks, the mean spinal morphine dose for the group had increased by a factor of about 2.5; however, significant variation in the dose incrementation was documented. The maximum increase was observed in patients with a low analgesic index, and this rapid incrementation was usually correlated with an unsatisfactory overall outcome. Evidence that long-term infusion continues to yield analgesia was evidenced in six cases where there was an unanticipated loss of drug infusion and a corresponding increase in parenteral narcotic consumption. These data indicate the long-term efficacy and safety of spinal opioid infusion in patients with terminal cancer, and emphasize the advantage of assessing the sensitivity of the patient to spinal opioids by a standardized trial injection prior to pump placement as a prognostic indication of outcome.