bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of intravenous administration of dextrose on coagulation in healthy dogs
Authors: Gonzales Jennifer L. , Hanel Rita M. , Hansen Bernie D. , Marks Steve L.
Published: April 2011

Objective—To investigate effects of IV administration of dextrose on coagulation in healthy dogs.

Animals—7 dogs.

Procedures—Thromboelastography and coagulation panel analysis were used to assess coagulation. Samples (S1 through S9) were collected during the study phases: phase 0 (S1 [baseline]); phase 1 (S2 and S3), infusion of crystalloid fluid without dextrose; phase 2 (S4 and S5), high-rate dextrose infusion; phase 3 (S6, S7, and S8), moderate-rate dextrose infusion; and phase 4 (S9), discontinuation of fluids for 24 hours. In phase 3, dogs were allocated to 2 groups; 1 was administered dextrose at a rate comparable to total parental nutrition (40% of resting energy requirement; group A), and 1 was administered dextrose at rates equaling 70% to 90% of resting energy requirement (group B). Blood glucose concentration was measured every 2 hours.

Results—No dogs had clinically relevant sustained hyperglycemia. Maximum amplitude and elastic shear modulus were significantly lower at S6 than at S1 through S4. Concentration of D-dimer was significantly higher at S6 than at S1, S3, and S4 and significantly higher at S5 than at S3. Prothrombin time was significantly prolonged at S3, S5, S7, S8, and S9, compared with the value at S1. Activated partial thromboplastin time was significantly prolonged at S5 and S6, compared with values at S1, S2, S3, S4, and S9.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—IV administration of dextrose to healthy dogs at rates comparable to or higher than those for conventional parenteral nutrition resulted in mild but clinically unimportant interference with coagulation.
Evaluation of the effects of bovine hemoglobin glutamer-200 on systolic arterial blood pressure in hypotensive cats: 44 cases (1997–2008)
Authors: Wehausen Conni E. , Kirby Rebecca , Rudloff Elke
Published: April 2011

Objective—To determine effects of bovine hemoglobin glutamer-200 (Hb-200) solution on systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) in hypotensive cats and describe potential adverse effects associated with this treatment.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—44 cats.

Procedures—Medical records of hypotensive (Doppler SAP ≤ 80 mm Hg) cats that received Hb-200 treatment were reviewed. Volume and rate of Hb-200 administration, treatments for hypotension given prior to Hb-200 administration, changes in SAP, potential adverse effects, and short-term outcome were evaluated.

Results—44 cats were included in the study. Mean ± SD SAP prior to Hb-200 administration was 52 ± 11 mm Hg, despite other treatments. Forty-three cats received Hb-200 via IV bolus administration (mean ± SD volume, 3.1 ± 2.2 mL/kg [1.41 ± 1.0 mL/lb] over 25.17 ± 17.51 minutes); 1 cat received a continuous rate infusion (CRI) only. The SAP increased to > 80 mm Hg in 33 of 44 (75%) cats. The SAP increased > 20 mm Hg above baseline value in 29 of these 33 cats and in 4 cats in which SAP did not exceed 80 mm Hg. A CRI (mean ± SD rate, 0.8 ± 0.5 mL/kg/h [0.36 ± 0.23 mL/lb/h]) of Hb-200 was administered to 37 cats (after bolus infusion in 36). Mean SAP during the CRI was 92 ± 18 mm Hg. Adverse effects included respiratory changes (n = 8 cats), vomiting (2), and pigmented serum (30). Seventeen (39%) cats survived to discharge from the hospital, 6 died, and 21 were euthanized.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Hb-200 effectively increased SAP in hypotensive cats with few adverse effects.
Describing Motion Events in Sign Languages
Authors: Arik Engin
Published: April 2011

Describing Motion Events in Sign Languages

Research has shown that sign languages represent space by using the body and the signing space in front of the signers. To date, it is largely unknown to what extent sign languages differ from one another in their linguistic use of space. The present study addressed this question by conducting an experimental study on basic motion event descriptions in historically unrelated sign languages: American, Croatian, Austrian, and Turkish Sign Languages. It was found that these sign languages are similar to one another in the use of classifiers to encode location, orientation, and movement of objects, and that they are similar in using path-only and path+manner descriptions, while leaving out manner-only descriptions. However, these sign languages differ from one another in their lexical signs, in choosing a particular set of classifiers, in responding to the manipulations of objects in space, and in the ratio of path-only constructions with respect to path+manner constructions for the same events. Overall, this study contributes to our knowledge of how motion events are encoded in natural human language. Future research will compare the current findings with those from spoken languages to further explore the properties of the language of motion events.
Polish Place-Names and Word-Final Consonant Groups: More Affricates and Diphthongs in Polish?
Authors: Jaskuła Krzysztof
Published: April 2011

Polish Place-Names and Word-Final Consonant Groups: More Affricates and Diphthongs in Polish?

In this paper, an attempt is made at classifying word-final clusters occurring in Polish place-names from the viewpoint of syllabic structure within a strict CVCV model of Government Phonology. It is proposed here that the phonemic analysis of sounds should be truly abandoned. As a result, we can discover that segments behave according to the unchangeable syllabic structure: more than one segment can be attached to one skeletal position, the string of sounds in a word being preserved and the governing relations being contracted in line with the theoretical assumptions. Consequently, what we have in Polish is occasional diphthongs, affricates and complex segments which need not be recognized as distinctive phonemically.
Intrusive Consonants: The Internal Structure of English Liquids
Authors: Kijak Artur
Published: April 2011

Intrusive Consonants: The Internal Structure of English Liquids

The aim of the paper is to explore the internal structure of English liquids. This is done by analysing some processes, both diachronic and synchronic, in which liquids are the leading actors. Thus we discuss historical liquid vocalization together with the vocalic developments in the preliquid position. Moreover, we look at two sandhi phenomena of liquid-zero alternations, i.e. linking and intrusion in two varieties of English recorded in southern England and north-eastern United States. We address the questions concerning the distribution, representation and interaction of liquids with the preceding vowel and explain the mechanics behind the liquid-zero alternations.
Towards a Gradual Scale of Vowel Reduction: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kul Małgorzata
Published: April 2011

Towards a Gradual Scale of Vowel Reduction: A Pilot Study

The study reports the results of an acoustic analysis of vowel reduction of the /i:/ vowel, considering all three traditionally explored aspects of vowel reduction, i.e. duration, F1 and F2 in read speech produced by 12 native speakers of English. Starting from the observation that the standard literature considers only duration as a proxy for overall reduction, the aim of the study is to verify whether duration, F1 and F2 exhibit reduction (construed as shortening of duration and centralization of formants, respectively) to the same degree. The r test reveals the lack of a robust linear correlation between duration, F1 and F2, the highest value being 0.51 (the correlation between duration and F1) and 0.24 (the correlation between duration and F2), neither of which is a strong correlation. In light of the results, the study seeks to establish a gradual scale of vowel reduction, combining the spatial and the temporal aspects by means of averaging the distances between the least and the most reduced tokens across duration, F1/F2 on an equal basis. The resulting degree is expressed on a scale of reduction, ranging from 0 (no reduction whatsoever) to 100 per cent (reduction to schwa).
The Linguistic Worldview Revisited. A Cognitive Analysis of Plant Terms
Authors: Mierzwińska-Hajnos Agnieszka
Published: April 2011

The Linguistic Worldview Revisited. A Cognitive Analysis of Plant Terms

The analysis of plant names offers enormous interpretive possibilities in the field of lexical semantics. (On the name-related interpretation of an expression's meaning, see, for example, Carroll 1985.) One such possibility, for example, is to define a plant term through the prism of the linguistic worldview as proposed by Bartmiński (1999, 2007, 2009), another - by the theory of cognitive domains as delineated by Langacker (1987, 1988a, 1988b, 2005, 2008). The problem is not a trivial one: what is required of a modern lexical analysis nowadays is that it should offer an account of how, for example, the meaning of the word pansy ‘any of various plants of the genera Achimenes or Viola, especially V. tricolor or its hybrids, having flowers with velvety petals of various colors’ is related to such disparate meanings as ‘a man or boy who is considered effeminate’ or even to ‘a homosexual male’.

Although both Bartmiński's and Langacker's theories can provide viable lexicographic definitions of an expression such as pansy, the two theories differ in the ways such definitions are held to be structured. Thus, using the notion of facet, Bartmiński's theory makes a clear-cut division between the so-called lexicographical definition of a word and its cognitive counterpart, "which reflects the socially preserved categorization of phenomena specific for a given language and its users" (Bartmiński 2007: 42). Langacker, in turn, by making crucial use of the so-called complex matrix of domains (Langacker 1988: 56), claims - contra Bartmiński - that "the existence of a clear-cut boundary [between linguistic and extra-linguistic knowledge] has been assumed on methodological (not factual) grounds [only]ę (Langacker 1988:57; also Taylor 1989).

The aim of this paper is to critically evaluate the two approaches to an expression's meaning. It is argued that of the two, it is Langacker's approach that is to be preferred, given its precise description of the processes involved in the "dynamic, on-line" account of plant meaning.
Phonology in the Speech Signal - Unifying cue and Prosodic Licensing
Authors: Schwartz Geoffrey
Published: April 2011

Phonology in the Speech Signal - Unifying cue and Prosodic Licensing

This paper is offered in commemoration of Prof. Edmund Gussmann, who passed away sadly and unexpectedly just a few short weeks before the 41st Poznań Linguistic Meeting, where the paper was presented. The PLM session, Competing Explanations in Phonology, was the type of gathering at which Prof. Gussmann would thrive, advancing his strong theoretical position that phonetics is irrelevant for phonological theory (Gussmann 2004). Prof. Gussmann argued for this view in an animated and sometimes provocative manner, but he always did so with charm and good nature. My own views on the role of speech in phonology differ sharply from Prof. Gussmann's. I am nevertheless quite grateful for his perspective, which has indeed changed the way I think of speech. Under the influence of Government Phonology, I have adopted a phonological view of the acoustic signal, which seeks to challenge phoneticians with new hypotheses about the way speech interacts with grammar. This paper explicates this perspective, and applies it to a recent case, cue vs. prosodic licensing, in which "phonetic" and "phonological" explanations seemed to be at an impasse. Thanks in part to Prof. Gussmann's strong theoretical position, I have developed a new theory of constituency that offers a vehicle with which we may reconcile competing views on the underpinnings of phonological licensing.
Machine Learning Approach for the Classification of Demonstrative Pronouns for Indirect Anaphora in Hindi News Items
Authors: Dutta Kamlesh , Kaushik Saroj , Prakash Nupur
Published: April 2011

Machine Learning Approach for the Classification of Demonstrative Pronouns for Indirect Anaphora in Hindi News Items

In this paper, we present machine learning approach for the classification indirect anaphora in Hindi corpus. The direct anaphora is able to find the noun phrase antecedent within a sentence or across few sentences. On the other hand indirect anaphora does not have explicit referent in the discourse. We suggest looking for certain patterns following the indirect anaphor and marking demonstrative pronoun as directly or indirectly anaphoric accordingly. Our focus of study is pronouns without noun phrase antecedent. We analyzed 177 news items having 1334 sentences, 780 demonstrative pronouns of which 97 (12.44 %) were indirectly anaphoric. The experiment with machine learning approaches for the classification of these pronouns based on the semantic cue provided by the collocation patterns following the pronoun is also carried out.
Quiz-Based Evaluation of Machine Translation
Authors: Berka Jan , Černý Martin , Bojar Ondřej
Published: April 2011

Quiz-Based Evaluation of Machine Translation

This paper proposes a new method of manual evaluation for statistical machine translation, the so-called quiz-based evaluation, estimating whether people are able to extract information from machine-translated texts reliably. We apply the method to two commercial and two experimental MT systems that participated in WMT 2010 in English-to-Czech translation. We report inter-annotator agreement for the evaluation as well as the outcomes of the individual systems. The quiz-based evaluation suggests rather different ranking of the systems compared to the WMT 2010 manual and automatic metrics. We also see that overall, MT quality is becoming acceptable for obtaining information from the text: about 80% of questions can be answered correctly given only machine-translated text.
Word-Order Issues in English-to-Urdu Statistical Machine Translation
Authors: Jawaid Bushra , Zeman Daniel
Published: April 2011

Word-Order Issues in English-to-Urdu Statistical Machine Translation

We investigate phrase-based statistical machine translation between English and Urdu, two Indo-European languages that differ significantly in their word-order preferences. Reordering of words and phrases is thus a necessary part of the translation process. While local reordering is modeled nicely by phrase-based systems, long-distance reordering is known to be a hard problem. We perform experiments using the Moses SMT system and discuss reordering models available in Moses. We then present our novel, Urdu-aware, yet generalizable approach based on reordering phrases in syntactic parse tree of the source English sentence. Our technique significantly improves quality of English-Urdu translation with Moses, both in terms of BLEU score and of subjective human judgments.
Differential Diagnosis in a Patient With Dizziness
Authors: Brudvig Tracy J. , Fletcher Mary
Published: April 2011

The patient was a 54-year-old woman with a 5-month history of worsening dizziness with head movements. She also complained of mild coordination problems and intermittent numbness and tingling in both upper extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbits ordered by the patient's neurologist revealed a left orbital mass thought to represent a benign optic nerve sheath meningioma. Management included close monitoring of the patient's vision by the neurologist and referral to a physical therapist. On observation, the patient demonstrated a slowed gait and an inability to tandem walk. Range-of-motion assessment of the cervical spine revealed full pain-free motion. Although no visual deficits were noted, the patient complained of dizziness with eye movements. Manual muscle testing revealed weakness with testing of right shoulder abduction, right elbow flexion and extension, and bilateral hip flexion and knee extension. Because of the strong suspicion of spinal cord involvement, the physical therapist contacted the referring neurologist and recommended magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine, which revealed a right-sided protrusion of the C4-5 disc. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(4):281. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0407
Thoracic Syrinx in a Patient With Balance Difficulties
Authors: Richard Shanan L. , Wang Sharon S. , Georgelas Timothy J.
Published: April 2011

The patient was a 42-year-old woman who was referred to a physical therapist with diagnoses of lumbar degenerative joint disease and a left ankle fracture. The patient reported an insidious onset of low back and left lower extremity pain, which began approximately 2 years prior to referral. She reported having difficulties with balance, which ultimately led to a fall 1 year after her low back and left lower extremity pain began. Her fall resulted in a left ankle fracture that required open reduction and internal fixation. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain and spine revealed a diffuse, abnormally increased cord signal. The patient was diagnosed with a thoracic syrinx, which is a longitudinal fluid-filled cavity along the spinal cord. The patient underwent a T5-T6 hemilaminectomy, with placement of a syringopleural shunt between T4 and T6. Following surgery, the patient's neurologic status stabilized and did not deteriorate any further.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(4):282. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0408
L'effet des prélèvements fiscaux et des transferts aux particuliers sur la pauvreté au Québec et au Canada
Authors: Bibi Sami , Duclos Jean-Yves
Published: April 2011

Dans cet article, nous estimons la contribution des principales sources de revenu (positives ou négatives, comme le revenu du marché, les transferts aux particuliers, les impôts, les taxes, etc.) à la réduction de la pauvreté au Québec et au Canada. Les contributions des différents éléments sont départagées grâce à un produit de la taille de chacun et de son efficacité relative par dollar dépensé. Cet exercice pose un problème important, puisque l'ordre selon lequel on classe les différentes composantes du revenu peut considérablement influencer la part de la réduction de la pauvreté attribuée à chacune. Comme il est généralement arbitraire de privilégier un ordre plutôt qu'un autre, nous utilisons une règle de partage qui attribue à chaque composante une part de la réduction totale indépendante de l'ordre choisi. Nous faisons également des tests de sensibilité pour mesurer la sensibilité des résultats obtenus aux choix, souvent critiquables, du seuil et de l'indice de pauvreté. Les résultats révèlent d'une part que les programmes sociaux les plus généreux (comme les pensions de retraite) ne sont pas toujours les plus efficaces en matière de réduction de la pauvreté par dollar dépensé, et d'autre part que les mesures fiscales les moins généreuses (comme les prestations provinciales pour enfants) peuvent être parmi les plus efficaces en matière de réduction de la pauvreté par dollar dépensé. Par ailleurs, on constate que, en comparaison avec le reste du Canada, le Québec a des programmes sociaux plus généreux et plus efficaces en termes de réduction de la pauvreté, mais que, en contrepartie, la fiscalité y est plus lourde et plus coûteuse.
Border Delays Re-Emerging Priority: Within-Country Dimensions for Canada
Authors: Nguyen Trien T. , Wigle Randall M.
Published: April 2011

This paper reviews the re-emergence of delays as a source of concern at the Canada-US border. We reassess their economic impacts in light of new economic research and conduct model-based numerical simulations to estimate the regional composition of trade impacts and welfare costs within Canada. We find ample reason for concern about the re-emergence of these delays, as the economic consequences are likely to be particularly acute for Ontario and Quebec. Our findings have significant public policy relevance to Canada at both national and regional levels given the current renewed interests in border protection issues.
Aboriginal Income Disparity in Canada
Authors: Pendakur Krishna , Pendakur Ravi
Published: April 2011

Investigating the earnings and income disparity faced by Aboriginal people in Canada from 1995 to 2005, we find that Aboriginal people face substantial income and earnings gaps in comparison with Canadian-born majority-group workers with similar characteristics (such as age and education). The estimated gaps are large: about 10 to 20 percent for women and 20 to 50 percent for men. However, these gaps eroded somewhat over 1995 to 2005. Among Aboriginals, registered Indians fare worst, persons with self-reported Aboriginal identity fare somewhat better, and persons with Aboriginal ancestry (but not identity or registry) fare better still.
Mixing enthalpies in liquid alloys of manganese with the lanthanides
Authors: Ivanov Michael , Berezutski Vadim , Usenko Nathalia
Published: April 2011

The enthalpies of mixing in binary liquid alloys of manganese with the lanthanides (Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Tm and Lu) were determined over a wide range of composition by isoperibolic calorimetry. The heats of mixing in the systems were found to change gradually across the lanthanides row from the Mn–Nd system (ΔHmin = – 0.40 ± 0.26 kJ mol− 1 at xNd = 0.14; ΔHmax = 1.99 ± 0.65 kJ mol− 1 at xNd = 0.60; T = 1 600 K) to the Mn–Lu system (ΔHmin = – 6.76 ± 0.93 kJ mol− 1 at xLu = 0.40; T = 1 700 K)
Reaction synthesis and wear resistance of a TiCp/Ni3Al-Fe composite coating on steel
Authors: Wei Minxian , Wang Shuqi , Cui Xianghong , Yang Zirun , Zhao Yutao
Published: April 2011

A multiphasic composite coating on steel was fabricated by reaction synthesis in the melt. The ceramic particulate reinforced intermetallic matrix composite (TiCp/Ni3Al) and the mixture (TiCp/Ni3Al-Fe) of the composite and steel were successively formed from the coating surface to the steel matrix. Metallurgical fusion of the reactive products with the steel melt occurred to form the multiphasic composite coating after solidification. The Ti-C-3Ni-Al system was employed to synthesize the composite coating. The reaction processes of the system were investigated using a differential scanning calorimeter and an X-ray diffractometer. The coating presented higher elevated-temperature wear resistance than H13 steel and markedly postponed the transition from mild wear to severe wear.
A novel method for Al/SiC composite fabrication: Lost foam casting
Authors: Guler Kerem A. , Kisasoz Alptekin , Karaaslan Ahmet
Published: April 2011

In this paper, an innovative manufacturing approach to cast metal-matrix composite is proposed. Aluminum matrix composite production by lost foam casting has been investigated. In order to produce metal-matrix composite by lost foam casting, expanded polystyrene boards were designed as sandwich shaped and three layered. SiC particulates with 60 lm average grain size were settled between the board layers, while A6063 and A413 aluminum alloys were used as matrix materials. The effect of the matrix materials on the mechanical properties of the composite specimens was investigated and fabricated specimens were characterized using image analysis, hardness tests, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that in the lost foam casting method, the hardness of the A6063 and the A413 materials specimens increases with SiC reinforcement up to 70% and 80%, respectively.
Optical and thermodynamic studies of silver nanoparticles stabilized by Daxad 19 surfactant
Authors: Lah Nurul Akmal Che , Johan Mohd Rafie
Published: April 2011

A method for the reduction of AgNO3 in aqueous Daxad 19 solution is presented in this study. The relationships between the size, shape and optical properties of silver nanoparticles are highlighted while controlling synthesis. The variation of size and shape of silver nanoparticles with the change in reactant temperatures are obtained from the transmission electron microscopy images. Ultra violet-visible spectra show that the Surface Plasmon Resonance peak is shifted to the lower wavelength with decreases in particle size. Gibbs free energies (Gf) of silver nanoparticles were calculated by using the data obtained from UV-Vis spectra. Calculation results proved that the Gf of silver nanoparticles have an intimate relationship with the particle size and shape. Gf increases significantly with decrease in particle size. However, the value dropped significantly after the increase in particle size.
Numerical simulation for the determination of the limit drawing ratio of a cold rolled and solution treated Nimonic C-263 alloy sheet
Authors: Ankamma Kandula , Reddy Pidugu Venkata Rama Ravindra , Nagarjuna Settivari , Reddy Gangireddy Chandra Mohan , Komaraiah Methuku , Prasad NamburiEswara
Published: April 2011

Nimonic alloys are Ni-based superalloys used for several high temperature applications, notable among them are components in space vehicles, rocket engines, submarines, nuclear reactors, chemical processing vessels and heat exchange tubing, as they exhibit excellent mechanical strength and creep resistance at high temperatures. Hence, evaluation of their formability characteristics is of the utmost importance in making them into several useful components. The limit drawing ratio is one of the parameters that indicate the formability, especially the drawability of sheet material for deep drawing applications. In this paper, the limit drawing ratio of Nimonic C-263 alloy is investigated and presented using an explicit finite element code LSDYNA-3D. The material properties and the material model are evaluated through tensile testing.
Determination of liquidus temperature in Ti-rich alloys of the Fe–Ni–Ti system obtained by DTA, electrical conductivity and XRD measurements
Authors: Duarte Liliana I. , Leinenbach Christian , Wang Jiang , Plevachuk Yuriy , Sklyarchuk Vasyl , Korolyshyn Andriy , Klotz Ulrich E. , Löffler Jörg F.
Published: April 2011

Despite its significant technical relevance, a number of uncertainties remain regarding the Fe–Ni–Ti ternary system. These concern phase relations, the solidus–liquidus range and the liquidus projection, especially in the Ti-rich corner. In this study the melting and solidification behaviour of Tirich Fe–Ni–Ti alloys was characterized using differential thermal analysis, electrical conductivity measurements and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. Combining these different methods allowed us to determine the liquidus temperatures more precisely than with differential thermal analysis measurements alone. The results were compared with calculated values using the ThermoCalc software package.
Efficacy of simultaneous single-trajectory endoscopic tumor biopsy and endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures in intra- and paraventricular tumors
Authors: Mohanty Aaron , Santosh Vani , Devi B. Indira , Satish Satyanarayana , Biswas Arundhati
Published: April 2011

Object

Intraventricular and paraventricular tumors resulting in hydrocephalus commonly require a CSF diversion procedure. A tumor biopsy can often be performed concurrently. Although the tissue samples obtained during endoscopic biopsy procedures are small, a diagnosis can be made in most cases. In the present study the authors analyzed the efficacy of concurrent endoscopic biopsy and CSF diversion procedures using a single bur hole and trajectory.

Methods

Eighty-seven patients with intraventricular and paraventricular tumors were treated with endoscopic biopsy and CSF diversion procedures using a rigid rod-lens endoscope or a rigid fiberscope during a 10-year period. All patients underwent a tumor biopsy and an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), aqueductal stenting (AS), or ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting, depending on the tumor location and site of obstruction. A single bur hole for both procedures was used in all patients.

Results

Among the 87 patients, the biopsy was diagnostic in 72 (83%) and merely suggestive in 7 (8%); in 8 patients (9%) the sample was nondiagnostic. Among the 22 patients who underwent an initial endoscopic biopsy and subsequent procedures, the specimen obtained at the second surgery was concordant with the initial endoscopic biopsy sample in 13 patients; it was somewhat similar in 4 patients. In the other 5 patients, either a microsurgical or stereotactic approach was used to correctly diagnose the pathology. Fifty-five patients were considered for endoscopic CSF diversion procedures; an ETV was performed in 52 patients and AS in 2. An ETV could not be performed in 3 patients for technical reasons. A VP shunt was inserted in 32 patients, with 25 undergoing shunt placement at the same time as the ETV and 7 at a later date. Significant bleeding was encountered in 3 patients during the tumor biopsy and in 1 patient during the ETV. The ETV failed in 1 patient during the follow-up, and a repeat ETV was required.

Conclusions

Endoscopic biopsy sampling and a concurrent CSF diversion procedure through a single bur hole and trajectory can be considered for intraventricular tumors. The overall success rates of 83% for the biopsy procedure and 86% for the ETV indicate that the procedures are beneficial in the majority of cases. A concordance rate of 75% was found in patients who underwent an initial biopsy procedure and a subsequent microsurgical approach for tumor excision.
Idiopathic bilateral stenosis of the foramina of Monro treated using endoscopic foraminoplasty and septostomy
Authors: Kalhorn Stephen P. , Strom Russell G. , Harter David H.
Published: April 2011

Hydrocephalus caused by stenosis of the foramen of Monro is rare. The authors describe a 28-year-old female patient with bilateral foraminal stenosis treated using endoscopic septostomy and unilateral foraminal balloon plasty (foraminoplasty). The patient's hydrocephalus and symptoms resolved postoperatively. Endoscopic strategies may be employed as first-line therapy in this condition.
Long-term operative failure of endoscopic third ventriculostomy in pediatric patients: the role of cine phase-contrast MR imaging
Authors: Faggin Roberto , Calderone Milena , Denaro Luca , Meneghini Luisa , d'Avella Domenico
Published: April 2011

Object

Although a rarely reported occurrence, late failure of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) may occur in children as a result of a variety of factors. Delay in recognition of symptoms can lead to harmful deterioration in the patient's condition. The authors undertook this study to assess the capacity of cine phase-contrast MR imaging to identify late failure in asymptomatic pediatric patients treated with ETV for hydrocephalus.

Methods

This study was a retrospective evaluation of cases involving patients who underwent ETV between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2008, at the pediatric neurological surgery service of the University of Padua. Before 2004, patients were routinely followed up with cine MR imaging at 3, 6, and 12 months after ETV. In 2004, a protocol of annual cine MR follow-up was instituted as a result of a case of fatal late failure. The authors evaluated all cases of late failure identified through cine MR imaging and performed a statistical analysis to investigate the relationship between ETV failure and several variables, including the cause of hydrocephalus for which ETV was originally indicated.

Results

In a series of 84 patients (age range 6 days–16 years), 17 patients had early ETV failure. Of the remaining 67 patients, 5 (7%) were found to have no CSF flow through the fenestration and recurrent ventriculomegaly when assessed with cine MR imaging at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 years after ETV. The patient in whom ETV failure was identified 1 year postoperatively had Dandy-Walker malformation. The patients in whom ETV failure was identified 2, 3, and 4 years postoperatively all had undergone ETV for treatment of postinfective hydrocephalus. The patient in whom ETV failure was identified 7 years postoperatively had a cystic arachnopathy in the fourth ventricle after cerebellar astrocytoma removal.

Conclusions

Patients who undergo ETV for infective hydrocephalus and Dandy-Walker malformation should receive long-term follow-up, because late closure of the stoma may occur progressively and slowly. Intraoperative observation of thickened arachnoid membranes at the level of the interpeduncular cisterns at the first ETV and a progressive decreasing of CSF flow through the stoma on routine cine MR imaging should be considered unfavorable elements entailing a significant risk of deterioration.
Evidence of improved surgical outcome following endoscopy for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma removal
Authors: Messerer Mahmoud , De battista Juan Carlos , Raverot Gérald , Kassis Sebouh , Dubourg Julie , Lapras Veronique , Trouillas Jacqueline , Perrin Gilles , Jouanneau Emmanuel
Published: April 2011

Object

Because of their size and lateral extension, total removal of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) remains a challenge and postoperative tumor remnants are frequent. Endoscopy has improved the surgeon's view; however, its superiority in terms of surgical outcome remains undetermined. The authors' aim in this study was to compare the clinical results and morbidity between microscopic and endoscopic techniques in 164 patients with NFPAs.

Methods

Tumoral (3D MR imaging), endocrinological, and ophthalmological results and morbidity were compared between 2 groups of 82 patients with newly diagnosed NFPAs surgically treated via either a sublabial microscopic approach (Group B) or a fully endonasal endoscopic technique (Group A).

Results

The groups showed no difference in terms of clinical features, tumor size, or cavernous sinus invasion (p > 0.05). One year postoperatively, the quality of resection was significantly improved in Group A (gross-total removal [GTR]: 74% vs 50% in Group B, p = 0.002) with greater control of lateral extension (Knosp Grade 2: GTR 88.2% vs 47.8% in Group B, p = 0.02; Knosp Grade 3: 67.9% vs 16.7% in Group B, p < 0.001) and suprasellar extension (tumor height 20–30 mm: GTR 76% vs 53% in Group B, p = 0.01). Endocrinological outcome in patients with a partial deficiency in anterior pituitary function preoperatively was significantly better in Group A (improvement 56% vs 25% in Group B, stabilization 22% vs 46%, and aggravation 22% vs 29%; p = 0.01). Among the ophthalmologically symptomatic patients, 100% from Group A improved compared with 93% in Group B (p = 0.35). Lastly, no significant difference was found regarding morbidity. These data were supported by the literature in which the GTR rate is consistently higher for endoscopy compared with microscopy.

Conclusions

In this large series of patients with NFPAs, endoscopy improved the quality of resection and endocrinological outcome. Larger studies focusing on the impact of these promising results on the long-term recurrence of NFPAs are warranted.
Nasal symptoms following endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: assessment using the General Nasal Patient Inventory
Authors: Wang Yi Yuen , Srirathan Vinothan , Tirr Erica , Kearney Tara , Gnanalingham Kanna K.
Published: April 2011

Object

The endoscopic approach for pituitary tumors is a recent innovation and is said to reduce the nasal trauma associated with transnasal transsphenoidal surgery. The authors assessed the temporal changes in the rhinological symptoms following endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary lesions, using the General Nasal Patient Inventory (GNPI).

Methods

The GNPI was administered to 88 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery at 3 time points (presurgery, 3–6 months postsurgery, and at final follow-up). The total GNPI score and the scores for the individual GNPI questions were calculated and differences between groups were assessed once before surgery, several months after surgery, and at final follow-up.

Results

Of a maximum possible score of 135, the mean GNPI score at 3–6 months postsurgery was only 12.9 ± 12 and was not significantly different from the preoperative score (10.4 ± 13) or final follow-up score (10.3 ± 10). Patients with functioning tumors had higher GNPI scores than those with nonfunctioning tumors for each of these time points (p < 0.05). Individually, a mild increase in symptom severity was seen for symptoms attributable to the nasal trauma of surgery, with partial recovery (nasal sores and bleeding) or complete recovery (nasal blockage, painful sinuses, and unpleasant nasal smell) by final follow-up (p < 0.05). Progressive improvements in symptom severity were seen for symptoms more attributable to tumor mass preoperatively (for example, headaches and painkiller use [p < 0.05]). In total, by final follow-up 8 patients (9%) required further treatment or advice for ongoing nasal symptoms.

Conclusions

Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is a well-tolerated minimally invasive procedure for pituitary fossa lesions. Overall patient-assessed nasal symptoms do not change, but some individual symptoms may show a mild worsening or overall improvement.
Retrospective assessment of the dismasking flap procedure as a craniofacial approach
Authors: Fujimoto Takuya , Imai Keisuke , Takahashi Makoto , Hatano Takaharu , Tamai Motoki , Nakano Tomoaki , Sakamoto Hiroaki , Ohata Kenji
Published: April 2011

Object

In 1997 the authors presented the case of a 3-year-old girl who underwent complete resection of a huge tumor via a new technique using a dismasking flap. Since that report, 14 patients have undergone surgery using this technique. There have been few reports on long-term follow-up after a craniofacial surgical approach and reconstruction of a huge tissue defect. The authors report details of this procedure based on these cases, including long-term follow-up in the original case.

Methods

The dismasking flap is a cranioorbitofacial degloving method that uses a circumpalpebral approach with or without piriform margin incisions and presents a wide surgical field under direct vision. Fourteen patients have undergone surgery using the dismasking flap technique. These patients had multiple craniofacial bone fractures (3 cases) and malignant or premalignant craniofacial tumors (11 cases). Patients ranged in age from 3 to 62 years old. The longest follow-up period was 15 years. The results of these cases are reported regarding changes in the facial bones and soft tissues with growth, the various pathologies involved, and complications.

Results

Complications using this approach were lagophthalmos with ectropion of the lower eyelid, disturbance of the superior orbital nerve, disturbance of the inferior orbital nerve, maxillary hypoplasia, and blepharoptosis. In all affected patients these complications were almost always temporary. In 2 of the 14 cases, a repair operation for lagophthalmos was necessary, while others showed spontaneous improvement approximately 6 months to a year after the procedure. In the case with the longest follow-up duration, the patient's nose is asymmetrical, especially the alar portion, due to hypoplasia of the grafted bone and/or the fixation with titanium miniplates.

Conclusions

This flap is very useful for en bloc resection of huge skull base tumors, multiple craniofacial bone fractures, and as a lateral approach to a deep portion of the middle cranial base. Careful attention is necessary, however, because one may encounter unexpected complications if one does not ensure adequate protection of the perioperative flap. Meticulous postoperative management is also essential.
Fluoroscopically guided, transoral, closed reduction, and halo vest immobilization for an atypical C-1 fracture
Authors: Sanborn Matthew R. , DiLuna Michael L. , Whitmore Robert G. , Storm Phillip B.
Published: April 2011

Fractures through the ring of the C-1 vertebrae are very rare in the pediatric patient population. In this report, the authors describe the case of a widely displaced fracture of the C-1 anterior arch in a 6-year-old boy. The fracture was initially treated using a fluoroscopy-guided, transoral, closed reduction with subsequent halo vest immobilization. Although conservative management of C-1 fractures is generally adequate and efficacious in the pediatric population, mechanistic and anatomical considerations in this case were concerning for potential instability in extension, and prompted an unusual method of closed reduction followed by treatment in a halo vest.
Evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy in patients with nongerminomatous malignant germ cell tumors
Authors: Nakamura Hideo , Makino Keishi , Kochi Masato , Ushio Yukitaka , Kuratsu Jun-ichi
Published: April 2011

Object

The authors evaluated the effectiveness of a neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) consisting of combined chemoand radiotherapy followed by complete resection of the residual tumor in patients with nongerminomatous malignant germ cell tumors (NGMGCTs).

Methods

The authors treated 14 consecutive patients in whom NGMGCTs were diagnosed based on elevated levels of the tumor markers α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG). Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed, and after the serum tumor markers level was in the normal or near-normal range, the residual tumors were completely resected.

Results

Residual tumors were confirmed in 11 of the 14 patients after NAT, and total removal was successful in 10 of the 11 patients. In the other patient the residual tumor could not be completely excised because it was attached to a deep vein. The follow-up duration ranged from 1.2 to 22.2 years. The 5-year event-free and total survival rates were 86% and 93%, respectively. Although 3 patients died, 2 of tumor recurrence and 1 of a radiation-induced secondary tumor (glioblastoma), the other 11 are alive and without evidence of tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

The authors consider their NAT protocol for NGMGCT to be highly effective in relation to survival for the patients with NGMGCT, but there are several quality of life issues that need to be resolved.
Emerging technology in intracranial neuroendoscopy: application of the NICO Myriad
Authors: Dlouhy Brian J. , Dahdaleh Nader S. , Greenlee Jeremy D. W.
Published: April 2011

Improvement in fiber optics and imaging paved the way for tremendous advancements in neuroendoscopy. These advancements have led to increasingly widespread use of the endoscope in neurosurgical procedures, which in turn incited a technological revolution leading to new approaches, instruments, techniques, and a diverse armamentarium for the treatment of a variety of neurosurgical disorders. Soft-tissue removal is often a rate-limiting aspect to endoscopic procedures, especially when the soft tissue is dense or fibrous. The authors review a series of cases involving patients treated between August 2009 and October 2010 with a new device (the NICO Myriad), a non–heat-generating, oscillating, cutting, and tissue removal instrument that can be used through the working channel of the endoscope as well as in open neurosurgical procedures. They used this device in 14 purely endoscopic intracranial procedures and 1 endoscope-assisted keyhole craniotomy. They report that the device was easy to use and found that tissue resection was more efficient than with other available endoscopic instruments, especially in the resection of fibrotic tissue. There were no observed device-related complications. The authors discuss the technical aspects of using this device in endoscopic resection of pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas, and colloid cysts. They also demonstrate its use in hydrocephalus and intraventricular clot removal and discuss its potential use in other neurosurgical disorders.
The painting of hand-coloured zoological illustrations
Authors: Jackson Christine E.
Published: April 2011

Millions of hand-coloured illustrations were incorporated in zoological books and journals between about 1710 and 1925. All the combined skills of the artists, etchers, engravers and lithographers, to produce good and accurate figures for these illustrations could be ruined by bad colouring. Yet we know the names of very few colourists who undertook this vital part of the publishing process. The identity of some of the British colourists, their working conditions and wages, and their method of working have been established from many scattered sources.
The Valencia Harbour survey (1895 and 1896) in Ireland, with special reference to the work of Edward Thomas Browne (1866–1937)
Authors: Baker R. A. , Bayliss R. A.
Published: April 2011

In 1895 and 1896 a group of English naturalists led by Edward Thomas Browne visited Ireland to carry out survey work in Valencia Harbour, which involved shore collecting, dredging and sampling the pelagic fauna. The area was selected because of the rich fauna in the harbour and the railway connection, but more importantly the presence of the Reverend Alexander Delap and his family who were naturalists. Browne, assisted by Gamble, organized the two visits and team work with other scientists produced the Royal Irish Academy report based on their findings.
The Great Barrier Reef Expedition's “Coral Corroboree”, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 10 July 1928: an historical portent
Authors: Morton Brian
Published: April 2011

On their arrival in Brisbane from Great Britain, biological members of the Great Barrier Reef Expedition were invited to a welcoming dinner on 10 July 1928. The copy of C. M. Yonge's (the expedition's leader) dinner menu survives and is signed by, presumably, all attendees. At first glance, the menu appears to comprise exotic Australian seafood courses but closer examination suggests these are mostly amusing epithets for basic fare perhaps to create bonhomie. Queensland interest in the expedition's aims was concerned with the fisheries potential of the reef and its waters and the dinner menu may thus have also represented a more subtle enjoinder to the British guests. Other guests at the dinner hosted by H. C. Richards, Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Committee, have been identified from their signatures and, in addition to expedition members, comprise representatives of the committee, senior scientists from the University of Queensland, State officials and local dignitaries. Expedition members departed for Low Isles on the following morning.
“A botanical encampment at the foot of Ben Voirlich June 22d. 1821” by Robert Kaye Greville, and a Scottish beetle
Authors: Nelson E. Charles
Published: April 2011

A lithograph and an “etching” depicting the same botanical excursion into the Scottish Highlands in June 1821 led by Professor William Jackson Hooker are reunited. The encampment depicted was on the west shore of Loch Lomond at the base of Ben Vorlich in Dunbartonshire. The participants probably included John Scouler and David Douglas, but a French entomologist, Charles Nodier, missed the excursion. A few weeks afterwards in the Highlands Nodier found some insects he did not recognize and named one, a beetle, after Hooker.
The golden geyser – Robert Logan Jack and the geology of Mount Morgan, Queensland
Authors: Lambkin Kevin J.
Published: April 2011

In 1884 the highly respected Queensland Government Geologist, Robert Logan Jack, was sent to inspect and report on a new gold discovery at Mount Morgan in central Queensland. The find was rumoured to be both rich and geologically unique. Jack was bewildered by the form, structure and exceptional richness of the ore that was being quarried in bulk from the summit of Mount Morgan and in response he proposed the radical theory that the deposit represented the outpourings of an extinct gold-bearing thermal spring. The surface ore was in reality the enriched supergene zone of a massive sulphide ore body, a fact that became more and more evident as the deposit was opened up by subsequent mining activity. Jack's theory of a gold spouting geyser, however, had captured the public imagination, and this, as well as factors related to Jack himself and his relationship with the Mount Morgan Gold Mining Company, gave the theory a life well beyond that justified by the growing evidence of the true nature of the deposit.