bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microsurgical Experience with Pedicle-Sparing Transfacet Approach for Thoracic Disk Herniation
Authors: Çelik Suat , Samancı Yavuz , Özkaya Ferdi , Peker Olgün 
Published: February 2019

Purpose Thoracic disk herniation (TDH) is relatively uncommon. The surgical approach differs from lumbar or cervical disk herniations because serious complications are associated with the posterior approach in TDH. Various different approaches have been tried for the surgical removal of TDH, but most of them are cumbersome surgeries such as thoracotomy or thoracoscopic or anterior approaches with or without instrumentation. The requirement for a simplified, familiar, and less morbid surgery has motivated some new approaches. A pedicle-sparing transfacet approach (PSTA) was first described in 1995, but to date no sufficient clinical series has been presented in the literature to report on its feasibility and applicability along with complication and morbidity rates. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of the PSTA under microscopic visualization in a cumulative clinical series.
Methods Twenty-eight consecutive patients with no response to medical/physical treatment with and without motor weakness of their lower extremities underwent the surgery for TDH via the PSTA under microscopic visualization by a senior neurosurgeon. Preoperative and postoperative low extremity muscle strength, sensation, reflex status, and visual analog scores (VAS), Nurick grades, and complications were recorded. Postoperative MRI within 24 hours was performed. The median follow-up period was 33 months.
Results The patients consisted of 16 men and 12 women. The disk levels ranged from T8 to T12–L1. All but one patient received one-level surgery. One patient was operated on two levels. A total of 21 patients had paracentral disk herniations; the other 7 had central disk herniations. Postoperative MRI showed satisfactory removal of disk herniation in all but one patient. There was no infection, wrong level surgery, or incidental durotomy. Median VAS levels significantly improved after the operation from 7.4 to 2.3. The Nuric grades decreased from 2.7 to 1.6 after surgery.
Conclusions The microsurgical PSTA is a safe and feasible technique with a significantly shorter surgeon's learning curve. The approach offers a wide surgical window; moreover, it can by increased by tilting the surgical table allowing satisfactory decompression of TDH. After PSTA, segmental instrumentation is not required.
Placement of External Ventricular Drain: Comparison of Two Methods
Authors: Schwarm Frank , Stein Marco , Uhl Eberhard , Reinges Marcus , Bender Michael 
Published: February 2019

Background Insertion of a frontal external ventricular drain (EVD) is a common emergency procedure in neurosurgery. Malpositioning of the EVD and/or triggering a new intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhage (nICVH) are typical complications. The standard procedure (SP) uses a tape measure to identify the Kocher's point for placement of a frontal burr hole. A faster alternative to determine the correct position is the freehand technique (FHT). This study compared both techniques with regard to the correct positioning of the EVD tip and the induction catheter-induced nICVH.
Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who required an EVD for acute or chronic hydrocephalus between January 2013 and March 2014. The study consisted of two groups. In the first group, EVDs were placed with the FHT. In the second group the SP was used. Postoperative computed tomography scans were analyzed regarding correct positioning of the ventricular catheter, malpositioning of the tip of the EVD using a 4-point-scale, and evidence for catheter-induced nICVH.
Results A total of 95 patients could be included. The FHT was performed in 43 cases and the SP in 52 cases. No significant differences between the two groups were found regarding the correct position of the EVD tip (p = 0.38) and nICVH (p = 0.12). There was no significant difference in malpositioning of the EVD tip between the groups (p = 0.34).
Conclusion Our results show no significant differences between the two methods with regard to correct position, malpositioning, and nICVH. Thus we conclude that the FHT is a fast, safe, and effective alternative to the SP.
Endoscopic Transnasal Resection of Suprasellar Teratoma
Authors: Ajlan Abdulrazag M. , Albakr Abdulrahman , Alsaleh Saad , Alkhalidi Hisham 
Published: February 2019

Background Intracranial teratomas are rare tumors that usually present during the second decade of life. Among intracranial teratomas, suprasellar germ cell tumors in particular are extremely rare. We present the case of an 18-year-old girl who underwent a successful endoscopic transnasal resection of a suprasellar teratoma with a mixed germ cell component.
Case Description An 18-year-old girl presented with progressive visual disturbance, headache, weight loss, and fatigue for 2 weeks. She had decreased vision in her right eye and double vision when looking to the right side. On examination, she had right-side complete abducens nerve palsy and partial oculomotor nerve palsy bilaterally. Brain imaging revealed a large suprasellar lesion consistent with a germ cell tumor. The patient underwent a transnasal endoscopic resection of the lesion. Pathology showed a mixed germ cell tumor (80% mature cystic teratoma, 18% yolk sac tumor, and 2% germinoma). The mature teratomatous elements identified included skin with sebaceous material, hair, cartilage, acini, colonic mucosa, muscle, nerve bundles, and adipose tissue. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed residual tumor in the left cavernous sinus and anterior clinoid process superiorly. At a 1-year follow-up, the double vision had resolved, and her vision showed progressive improvement. The patient was maintained on treatment for diabetes insipidus, hypothyroidism, and adrenal insufficiency. Her last MRI showed no signs of tumor progression.
Conclusions The present case demonstrates a safe endoscopic transnasal surgical resection of a rare suprasellar tumor, mixed teratoma, with intra-axial extension. The endoscopic transnasal approach can be considered a valid option for a suprasellar lesion.
Transsphenoidal Removal of Retroclival Chondroma with Pituitary Transposition Manifesting as Repeated Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Case Report
Authors: Ogawa Yoshikazu , Niizuma Kuniyasu , Tominaga Teiji 
Published: February 2019

Background Intracranial chondromas are extremely rare and represent only 0.2% of all intracranial primary neoplasms. The histologic appearance lacks nuclear atypism and mitoses, and it usually shows low growth potential, although these benign features do not necessarily imply a good prognosis.
Case Description A 44-year-old man was referred to our institution with a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). He had a history of SAH 5 years previously that was diagnosed as unknown etiology at another hospital. Head magnetic resonance imaging showed a large tumor located in the prepontine cistern and extending up to the interpeduncular cistern, and the tumor was irregularly enhanced with contrast medium. Retrospective analysis of the original computed tomography of 5 years earlier identified a small contrast enhancing defect behind the dorsum sellae. Tumor removal was planned to prevent repeated SAH and control the apparently growing tumor. An extended transsphenoidal approach was performed. The pituitary gland was dissected from the bottom of the sellar floor and transposed forward to the prechiasmatic cistern with preservation of the pituitary stalk and its blood supply, and subtotal removal of the tumor was achieved. Postoperative diabetes insipidus disappeared within a few days, and the patient was discharged without neurologic or endocrinologic deficits. Histologic examination established the diagnosis as chondroma without a sarcomatous component. Follow-up examination 3 months after surgery showed a re-enlargement of the residual tumor, and gamma knife surgery was performed.
Conclusions Intracranial chondroma sometimes manifests as intracranial hemorrhage and grows comparatively rapidly in a short period despite the benign histologic features. A long and careful follow-up period is essential.
Management of Pulse Generators in a Breast Cancer Patient with in Situ Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Son Byung-chul , Kim Joong-Seok , Park Woo-Chan , Ko Hak-cheol 
Published: February 2019

Although deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for > 25 years in the treatment of movement disorders, no report has been published on the management of DBS pulse generators implanted in the anterior chest in patients with breast cancer who require mastectomy, radiotherapy, and future imaging studies.We describe a 62-year-old female patient with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) who was dependent on bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS. She was diagnosed with cancer in her left breast. To avoid difficulties in imaging studies, surgery, and radiotherapy related to the breast cancer, bilateral pulse generators for STN DBS previously implanted in the anterior chest wall were repositioned to the anterior abdominal wall with replacement of long extension cables. During mastectomy and the relocation of the pulse generators, we were not aware of the risks of an open circuit and neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome due to our limited knowledge about how to manage DBS hardware.Coincident breast cancer and the need for STN DBS is underreported. Considering the uncertainties in the management of pulse generators and the incidence of breast cancer, guidelines for handling DBS hardware in the setting of cancer are needed. More careful attention should be paid to performing magnetic resonance imaging in DBS-dependent patients with chronic PD.
Body Mass Index Classification Is Independently Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Institutional Registry-Based Study
Authors: Steinhaus Michael E. , Buller Leonard T. , Romero Jose A. , Lee Yuo-Yu , Figgie Mark P. , McLawhorn Alexander S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after successful total knee arthroplasty (TKA) across World Health Organization (WHO) body mass index (BMI) classifications. Through an institutional registry, patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis who received elective primary unilateral TKA were identified and categorized based on WHO BMI classification. Age, gender, laterality, year of surgery, and Charlson–Deyo comorbidity index were recorded. The primary outcome was the EQ-5D-3L index and visual analog scale (VAS) at 2 years postoperatively. Inferential statistics and regression analyses were performed to determine associations between BMI classification and HRQoL. EQ-5D-3L index and VAS scores were significantly different across BMI classes, with higher scores in patients with lower BMI at baseline and at 2 years. There was no difference observed for the 2-year change in EQ-VAS scores between groups, but there was a statistically greater increase in index scores for more obese patients. In the regression analyses, there were statistically significant negative effect estimates for EQ-VAS and index scores associated with increasing BMI class, particularly for class III obesity. Higher BMI classification is independently associated with lower HRQoL scores 2 years after uncomplicated primary TKA, although obese patients experienced greater benefits in EQ-5D index scores following TKA. These results detail the relationship between BMI and HRQoL following TKA and suggest that preoperative weight loss may lead to improved outcomes following TKA, but also that obesity, alone, should not be a contraindication to TKA.
Is Milrinone Effective for Infants with Mild-to-Moderate Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia?
Authors: Mears Michelle , Yang Michelle , Yoder Bradley A. 
Published: February 2019

Objective Pulmonary hypertension with left ventricular dysfunction commonly occurs in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Milrinone, a phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor with lusitropic and vasodilator effects, is used in up to 30% of CDH infants across the United States. No randomized trials have tested the efficacy or safety of milrinone in CDH neonates.
Study Design We performed a paired retrospective analysis of CDH infants to assess the efficacy of milrinone treatment (N = 24 pairs). Efficacy was assessed by change in oxygenation index (OI) and calculated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). We evaluated safety on the basis of risks factors such as nonoperative bleeding, dysrhythmia, hypokalemia, and thrombocytopenia.
Results The median age of milrinone initiation was 18 hours (interquartile range [IQR]: 9–38) and the median duration was 127 hours (IQR: 95–194). PAP did not change from the baseline of 49 ± 11 mm Hg (milrinone) and 53 ± 11 mm Hg (no milrinone; p = 0.327). Baseline OI was 9.6 ± 6.5. There was a similar decrease in OI (median [IQR]; milrinone: 58% [16–74]; vs. no milrinone: 65% [50–71]; p = 0.221 between groups; p < 0.005 within groups). Baseline left ventricle measurements were similar. Both groups showed significant improvement over time. No adverse events were noted.
Conclusion In OI-matched untreated neonates with mild-to-moderate CDH, milrinone use was associated with neither improved OI, PAP, or left ventricular measurements, nor adverse events. Study limitations warrant prospective randomized controlled trials.
Austenite stabilisation by two step partitioning of manganese and carbon in a Mn-TRIP steel
Authors: Du P. J. , Yang D. P. , Bai M. K. , Xiong X. C. , Wu D. , Wang G. D. , Yi H. L. 
Published: February 2019

In addition to manganese, carbon partitioning has been proposed in a new medium Mn-TRIP steel by two-step partitioning during the first batching annealing and the final continuous annealing. In the second-step partitioning, the cementite dissolves and blocky austenite forms with carbon enrichment, while the partition of manganese is negligible from prior lath austenite back into ferrite due to short duration. The combined partition of carbon and manganese improves both fraction and stability of retained austenite. The alloy has exhibited the product of strength and elongation of approximately 50 GPa%. It is highlighted that there is no Lüder strain in tensile curves. The microstructure evolution and relationship of microstructure and properties have been investigated and characterised carefully in this research. This paper is part of a Thematic Issue on Medium Manganese Steels.
Metabolic regulatory mechanisms and physiological roles of functional amino acids and their applications in yeast
Authors: Takagi Hiroshi 
Published: February 2019

ABSTRACT
In yeast, amino acid metabolism and its regulatory mechanisms vary under different growth environments by regulating anabolic and catabolic processes, including uptake and export, and the metabolic styles form a complicated but robust network. There is also crosstalk with various metabolic pathways, products and signal molecules. The elucidation of metabolic regulatory mechanisms and physiological roles is important fundamental research for understanding life phenomenon. In terms of industrial application, the control of amino acid composition and content is expected to contribute to an improvement in productivity, and to add to the value of fermented foods, alcoholic beverages, bioethanol, and other valuable compounds (proteins and amino acids, etc.). This review article mainly describes our research in constructing yeast strains with high functionality, focused on the metabolic regulatory mechanisms and physiological roles of “functional amino acids”, such as l-proline, l-arginine, l-leucine, l-valine, l-cysteine, and l-methionine, found in yeast.
Hopeless practical deliberation – reply to Bobier
Authors: Mueller Andy 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Bobier (2017) argued that hope is necessary for practical deliberation. I will demonstrate that Bobier’s argument for this thesis fails. The problem is that one of its main premisses rests on a sufficient condition for hoping that is subject to counterexamples. I consider two ways to save the argument, but show that they are unsuccessful in doing so.
Top-Down Garbage Collector: a tool for selecting high-quality top-down proteomics mass spectra
Authors: Lima Diogo B , Silva André R F , Dupré Mathieu , Santos Marlon D M , Clasen Milan A , Kurt Louise U , Aquino Priscila F , Barbosa Valmir C , Carvalho Paulo C , Chamot-Rooke Julia 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Motivation
We present the first tool for unbiased quality control of top-down proteomics datasets. Our tool can select high-quality top-down proteomics spectra, serve as a gateway for building top-down spectral libraries and, ultimately, improve identification rates.

Results
We demonstrate that a twofold rate increase for two E. coli top-down proteomics datasets may be achievable.

Availability and implementation
http://patternlabforproteomics.org/tdgc, freely available for academic use.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Distinct dormancy progression depending on embryonic regions during mouse embryonic diapause†
Authors: Kamemizu Chizuru , Fujimori Toshihiko 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMany mammalian species undergo embryonic diapause and suspend development at the blastocyst stage before implantation, which is also known as delayed implantation. We studied the process of how mouse embryos enter a dormancy status at a cellular level. Immunofluorescent analysis of differentiation markers for epiblast, primitive endoderm, and trophectoderm suggested that cell differentiation status was maintained during 7 days in diapause. To understand the progression of cellular dormancy during diapause, we examined the expression of a transgenic cell cycle marker Fucci2 and Ki67 by antibody staining, in addition to direct counting of nuclei in embryos. From these analyses, embryos during diapause were categorized into four stages by cell number and cell cycle. Cell cycle arrest occurred from the ab-embryonic region and from the trophectoderm to the ICM in the embryonic side. We also observed cell cycle transition by live imaging of Fucci2 embryos during the reactivation in culture from dormant status. Cell cycle was initially recovered from the embryonic side of embryos and eventually spread throughout the whole embryo. We also found that embryos in later stages of diapause required a longer period of time for reactivation. From these observations, it was shown that entrance into and exit from dormant status varied depending on cell types and location of cells in an embryo. These results suggest that embryonic diapause includes multiple steps and the mechanisms involved in cellular dormancy may be distinct between embryonic regions.
Waimānalo Pono Research Hui: Establishing Protocols and Rules of Engagement to Promote Community-Driven and Culturally-Grounded Research with a Native Hawaiian Community
Authors: Keaulana Samantha , Chung-Do Jane J , Ho-Lastimosa Ilima , Hwang Phoebe W , Ho Kenneth , Radovich Theodore , Spencer Michael , Albinio Luana , Rogerson Ikaika , Keli‘iholokai LeShay , Deitschman Kirk 
Published: February 2019

AbstractResearch processes that are centered on western models and rooted in colonisation and racism can have deleterious effects upon disenfranchised groups, such as people of colour and indigenous communities. Community-centred and culturally-grounded processes are necessary to achieve meaningful participation and engagement in research by creating equitable protocols and ensuring beneficial outcomes. Such processes are particularly needed in indigenous populations, including the Hawaiian community. This article describes the participatory development of the community engagement protocols and rules of engagement created by a community and academic partnership called the Waimānalo Pono Research Hui (WPRH). Through monthly gatherings, academic and community partners engaged in discussions of constructing community programmes and developing research protocols that are rooted in Hawaiian wholistic values of health and well-being with indigenous methodologies. A final set of protocols and rules of engagement was developed through an iterative feedback process that was rooted not only in community-based participatory (CBPR) principles but also Hawaiian values, beliefs and way of life. Challenges and future directions are also presented.
The Rebel Economy in Civil War: Informality, Civil Networks, and Regulation Strategies
Authors: Kubota Yuichi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn civil war, rebel groups play a central role as a regulator in the management of civilian economic activities in their territory of control. While previous studies have intensively researched the impact of economic conditions on the war process and dynamics, little attention has been paid to the variation in economic policies adopted by the rebels. This paper conceptualizes the types of regulation policies imposed by the rebels against civilian economic activities and theorizes patterns and particular measures of (non)regulation taken by the rebel groups: formal regulation, deliberate connivance, and laissez-faire. The degree of economic intervention by the rebels is contingent on the extent of economic informalization within the territory and the relative capability of the economic sector. When the sector involves a large portion of the population and is densely networked, its economic potential comes to be perceived by the rebels as a threat to their incumbency. Such a threat compels them to undertake measures of regulation. In contrast, if the level of informalization is low or civilian activities are poorly backed by their network, the threat perceived by the rebels is less, in addition to which, formal regulation against such a loosely organized sector to effectively control civilian activities would be too costly. This paper proposes a number of research agendas on wartime rebel economies and their broader relevance to international relations and political science: mechanisms of rebel economies, rent and the resource curse, the process of civil-rebel relations, and rebel governance. It concludes by advancing implications for policy development; policymakers need to be scrupulous about the effectiveness of (neo)liberal economic policies in conflict-affected societies and to design postwar reconstruction by taking into consideration the legacy of rebel economies.
Outcomes of the Use of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Wound Dressings for the Treatment of Partial-Thickness Facial Burns
Authors: Yildirim Reyyan , Guner Ali , Cekic Arif Burak , Usta Mehmet Arif , Ulusahin Mehmet , Turkyilmaz Serdar 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess clinical, functional and cosmetic outcomes of the use of hyaluronic acid-based wound dressings for partial-thickness facial burns. Patients with partial-thickness facial burns hospitalized at the Burn Center between April 2014 and April 2017 were evaluated. Data pertaining to demographic characteristics, etiology, and degree of burn and percentage of burn to TBSA were collected. Pain, infection rates, reapplication rates, length of hospital stay, duration of healing, and presence of scar formation were analyzed. Median percentage of burn to TBSA was 15% (interquartile range [IQR]: 9–20). Fifteen patients had only facial burns, while 39 patients had burns on other parts of the body in addition to the face. Nine patients had deep partial-thickness burns, while 45 had superficial partial-thickness burns. Median length of hospital stay was 7 days (IQR: 3–15) for the entire study population and 4 days (IQR: 2–7.5) for patients who had only facial burns. Median healing time was 9 days (IQR: 7–12). Fifty-one (94%) patients had a Vancouver Scar Scale score of zero at 6 months. Use of hyaluronic acid-based wound dressings for facial burns is an effective and safe option.