bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Book Review: New Directions, Reading, Writing, and Critical Thinking
Authors: Khatri Dipendra Kumar 
Published: April 2018

This article presents the review of the book that is prescribed for the Bachelor level course. The purpose of the particular review of the book is to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the selected book. It is started with the general background of the writer of the book. Then, the objectives, contents are reviewed with other general features. Finally, it was found that maximum contents are selected from the Western World. So, it was concluded to include the texts from the Eastern World and add more pictures to develop critical thinking among the readers.Journal of NELTA Surkhet, Vol. 5 January, 2018, Page: 113-117
Safe maximal resection of primary cavernous sinus meningiomas via a minimal anterior and posterior combined transpetrosal approach
Authors: Morisako Hiroki , Goto Takeo , Ohata Hiroki , Goudihalli Sachin Ranganatha , Shirosaka Keisuke , Ohata Kenji 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVEMeningiomas arising from the cavernous sinus (CS) continue to be a significant technical challenge, and resection continues to carry a relatively higher risk of neurological morbidity in patients with these lesions because of the tumor’s proximity to neurovascular structures. The authors report the surgical outcomes of 9 patients with primary CS meningiomas (CSMs) that were surgically treated using a minimal anterior and posterior combined (MAPC) transpetrosal approach, and they emphasize the usefulness of the approach.METHODSThis retrospective study included 9 patients who underwent surgery for CSM treatment between 2015 and 2016 via the MAPC transpetrosal approach. Two patients were men and 7 were women, with a mean age of 58.5 years (39–72 years). Five patients (55.5%) had undergone previous treatment. The surgical technique consisted of a temporo-occipito-suboccipital craniotomy and exposure of the posterolateral part of the CS via the presigmoidal MAPC approach. After opening Meckel’s cave and identifying the 3rd–5th cranial nerves in the prepontine cistern, Parkinson’s triangle and supratrochlear triangles were opened. Finally, the tumor occupying the posterolateral part of the CS was removed.RESULTSAll lesions were safely and maximally removed, with preservation of external ocular movements and preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale scores. The mean extent of resection was 77.0% (range 58.7%–95.4%). Six patients underwent adjuvant therapy in the form of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) during the follow-up period; none of these patients experienced recurrence.CONCLUSIONThe authors conclude that the MAPC transpetrosal approach could be superior to other approaches for CSMs, as it provides direct visual access to the posterolateral portion of the CS. In their experience, this approach is an alternative and better option for safe maximal resection of CSMs.
Surgical management of giant sphenoid wing meningiomas encasing major cerebral arteries
Authors: Champagne Pierre-Olivier , Lemoine Emile , Bojanowski Michel W. 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVESphenoid wing meningiomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors with variable surgical risks and prognosis. Those that have grown to a very large size, encasing the major cerebral arteries, are associated with a high risk of stroke. In reviewing the authors’ series of giant sphenoid wing meningiomas, the goal was to evaluate how the extent of the tumor’s invasion of surrounding structures affected the ability to safely remove the tumor and restore function.METHODSThe authors conducted a retrospective study of a series of giant sphenoid wing meningiomas operated on between 1996 and 2016. Inclusion criteria were meningiomas with a globoid component ≥ 6 cm, encasing at least 1 major intradural cerebral artery. Extent of resection was measured according to Simpson grade.RESULTSThis series included 12 patients, with a mean age of 59 years. Visual symptoms were the most common clinical presentation. There was complete or partial encasement of all 3 major cerebral arteries except for 3 cases in which only the anterior cerebral artery was not involved. The lateral wall of the cavernous sinus was invaded in 8 cases (67%) and the optic canal in 6 (50%). Complete resection was achieved in 2 cases (Simpson grades 2 and 3). In the remaining 10 cases of partial resection (Simpson grade 4), radical removal (> 90%) was achieved in 7 cases (70%). In the immediate postoperative period, there were no deaths. Four of 9 patients with visual deficits improved, while the 5 others remained unchanged. Two patients experienced transient neurological deficits. Other than an asymptomatic lacuna of the internal capsule, there were no ischemic lesions following surgery. Tumor recurrence occurred in 5 patients, between 24 and 168 months (mean 61 months) following surgery.CONCLUSIONSAlthough these giant lesions encasing major cerebral arteries are particularly treacherous for surgery, this series demonstrates that it is possible to safely achieve radical removal and at times even gross-total resection. However, the risk of recurrence remains high and larger studies are needed to see if and how improvement can be achieved, whether in surgical technique or technological advances, and by determining the timing and modality of adjuvant radiation therapy.
Transbasal versus endoscopic endonasal versus combined approaches for olfactory groove meningiomas: importance of approach selection
Authors: Liu James K. , Silva Nicole A. , Sevak Ilesha A. , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVEThere has been much debate regarding the optimal surgical approach for resecting olfactory groove meningiomas (OGMs). In this paper, the authors analyzed the factors involved in approach selection and reviewed the surgical outcomes in a series of OGMs.METHODSA retrospective review of 28 consecutive OGMs from a prospective database was conducted. Each tumor was treated via one of 3 approaches: transbasal approach (n = 15), pure endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA; n = 5), and combined (endoscope-assisted) transbasal-EEA (n = 8).RESULTSThe mean tumor volume was greatest in the transbasal (92.02 cm3) and combined (101.15 cm3) groups. Both groups had significant lateral dural extension over the orbits (transbasal 73.3%, p < 0.001; combined 100%), while the transbasal group had the most cerebral edema (73.3%, p < 0.001) and vascular involvement (66.7%, p < 0.001), and the least presence of a cortical cuff (33.3%, p = 0.019). All tumors in the combined group were recurrent tumors that invaded into the sinonasal cavity. The purely EEA group had the smallest mean tumor volume (33.33 cm3), all with a cortical cuff and no lateral dural extension. Gross-total resection was achieved in 80% of transbasal, 100% of EEA, and 62.5% of combined cases. Near-total resection (> 95%) was achieved in 20% of transbasal and 37.5% of combined cases, all due to tumor adherence to the critical neurovascular structures. The rate of CSF leakage was 0% in the transbasal and combined groups, and there was 1 leak in the EEA group (20%), resulting in an overall CSF leakage rate of 3.6%. Olfaction was preserved in 66.7% in the transbasal group. There was no significant difference in length of stay or 30-day readmission rate between the 3 groups. The mean modified Rankin Scale score was 0.79 after the transbasal approach, 2.0 after EEA, and 2.4 after the combined approach (p = 0.0604). The mean follow-up was 14.5 months (range 1–76 months).CONCLUSIONSThe transbasal approach provided the best clinical outcomes with the lowest rate of complications for large tumors (> 40 mm) and for smaller tumors (< 40 mm) with intact olfaction. The role of EEA appears to be limited to smaller, appropriately selected tumors in which olfaction is already absent. EEA also plays an important adjunctive role when combined with the transbasal approach for recurrent OGMs invading the sinonasal cavity. Careful patient selection using an individualized, tailored strategy is important to optimize surgical outcomes.
Multivariate risk factor analysis and literature review of postoperative deterioration in Karnofsky Performance Scale score in elderly patients with skull base meningioma
Authors: Kolakshyapati Manish , Ikawa Fusao , Abiko Masaru , Mitsuhara Takafumi , Kinoshita Yasuyuki , Takeda Masaaki , Kurisu Kaoru , _ _ 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVEElderly patients are particularly at risk for severe morbidity following surgery. Among the various risk factors, age and skull base location of meningioma are known to be poor prognostic factors in meningioma surgery. The authors conducted this study to analyze significant preoperative risk factors in elderly patients with skull base meningioma.METHODSA total of 265 elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) with meningioma were surgically treated at the authors’ institute and affiliated hospitals between 2000 and 2016, and these cases were reviewed. Among them, 57 patients with skull base meningioma were evaluated. Among the various risk factors, the authors analyzed age, sex, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and tumor size, location, and pathology. Body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin were investigated as the frailty factors. The authors also reviewed 11 surgical studies of elderly patients ≥ 60 years old with meningioma.RESULTSThe mean age was 72.4 ± 5.7 years, and 42 patients were female (73.6%). The mean size of meningioma was 36.6 ± 14.8 mm at the maximum diameter, and the mean follow-up period was 31.1 ± 31.5 months. (The continuous variables are expressed as the mean ± SD.) Histopathological investigation revealed a higher incidence (71.9%) of WHO Grade I. The rates of deterioration after surgery, at 3 months, and at 1 year were 33.3%, 37.3%, and 39.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed location, preoperative KPS score, BMI level 2, and serum albumin level (p = 0.010, 0.017, 0.0012, and 0.0019, respectively) to be poor prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that location (p = 0.038) and BMI (p = 0.035) were risk factors for KPS score deterioration immediately after surgery. According to the 11 papers reviewed, the median rate (25th–75th percentile) of skull base–related location was 43.5% (39.6–47.75); for asymptomatic status the mean was 24%; and for mortality at 3 months and 1 year the medians were 6.3% (0.7–7.1) and 8% (4.8–9.4), respectively.CONCLUSIONCareful preoperative assessment based on the frailty concept was essential for better outcome in elderly patients with skull base meningioma. The BMI is appropriate as a quantitative factor for measure of frailty, particularly in elderly individuals with skull base meningioma. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are necessary to validate frailty as a preoperative risk factor. Not only patient selection but also surgical timing was an important factor.
Relationship between tumor location, size, and WHO grade in meningioma
Authors: Magill Stephen T. , Young Jacob S. , Chae Ricky , Aghi Manish K. , Theodosopoulos Philip V. , McDermott Michael W. 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVEPrior studies have investigated preoperative risk factors for meningioma; however, no association has been shown between meningioma tumor size and tumor grade. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between tumor size and grade in a large single-center study of patients undergoing meningioma resection.METHODSA retrospective chart review of patients undergoing meningioma resection at the University of California, San Francisco, between 1985 and 2015 was performed. Patients with incomplete information, spinal meningiomas, multiple meningiomas, or WHO grade III meningiomas were excluded. The largest tumor dimension was used as a surrogate for tumor size. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between tumor grade and tumor size. A recursive partitioning analysis was performed to identify groups at higher risk for atypical (WHO grade II) meningioma.RESULTSOf the 1113 patients identified, 905 (81%) had a WHO grade I tumor and in 208 (19%) the tumors were WHO grade II. The median largest tumor dimension was 3.6 cm (range 0.2–13 cm). Tumors were distributed as follows: skull base (n = 573, 51%), convexity/falx/parasagittal (n = 431, 39%), and other (n = 109, 10%). On univariate regression, larger tumor size (p < 0.001), convexity/falx/parasagittal location (p < 0.001), and male sex (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of WHO grade II pathology. After controlling for interactions, multivariate regression found male sex (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.25–2.43), size 3–6 cm (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.08–2.66), size > 6 cm (OR 3.01, 95% CI 1.53–5.94), and convexity/falx/parasagittal location (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.19–2.82) to be significantly associated with WHO grade II. Recursive partitioning analysis identified male patients with tumors > 3 cm as a high-risk group (32%) for WHO grade II meningioma.CONCLUSIONSLarger tumor size is associated with a greater likelihood of a meningioma being WHO grade II, independent of tumor location and male sex, which are known risk factors.
Diagnosis of Phlebotomas Argentipes as a Vector for Visceral Leismaniasis by PCR in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Md Zaforullah , Haq Jalal Uddin Asharful , Huq Farida , Shamsuzzaman SMA , Shamsuzzaman SM 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to diagnose sandfly as a vector of visceral leismaniasis by PCR in Bangladesh. Place and period of study: The study was conducted in Fulbaria Upazilla of Mymensing District during 2001-2004.Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Microbiology, National Institude of Preventive and social medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka. DNA extraction from Sand Fly: All the procedure followed for DNA extraction from Bone marrow is same for sandfly except AL buffer where instead of AL buffer ATL buffer were added. The primers used are constructed from kDNA of L. (L) donovani. DD8 strain to amplify a fragment of 354 bp in length.Results: PCR of extracted DNA from sandfly (P.argentipes) revealed 354 bp bands similar to buffy coat and bone mamow samples containing DNA of L. Donovani. This might be the first demonstration of L.donovani parasite in sand fly vector in Bangladesh.Conclusion: The present study shows that PCR is a good diagnostic tool for the demonstration of L.donovani parasite for the P.argentips sp in Bangladesh.Update Dent. Coll. j: 2017; 7 (2): 15-18
Human Resource Management in Selected District Hospitals of Bangladesh- A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Banik Shovon , Rubby Md Golam , Debnath Kala Chand , Shaon Farzana Tamanna Ummey , Tanaya Farhana Parveen , Tuni Chidananda Banik 
Published: April 2018

Human resource management (HRM) is fundamental of any organization because of its utility. A cross-sectional was conducted from January to December, 2016 in two district hospitals named Gen- eral Hospital, Munshiganj and 100 Bedded District Hospital, Narsingdi with the objective to assess the status of HRM. Purposively 144 hospital staffs were selected and interviewed by using semi-struc- tured questionnaire and record review. The collected data were processed and analyzed meticulously with the help of SPSS (Version 21) software on the basis of different variables. The study revealed that the mean age was 36.6 ± 1.8 years, 71.5 % were clinical and nursing personnel, other category of respondents were support services and other personnel (22.2%), administrative personnel (6.3 %).Most (96.5 %) of the respondents were recruited by Government, after recruitment 52.1% hospital staffs mentioned scope of training facilities either work-based or instruction based exists in workplace, 63.9 % needed to be trained, 80.6% wished further career plan. Working environment found friendly by 39.6 % hospital staffs, where as average found by 50.0%. The recommendations for further improvement of HRM of their workplace was to increase training facilities by 31.9%, other recommen- dations were to increase manpower, improvement of monitoring and supervision. From this study some effort in the training, increase of manpower , performance appraisal can ensure better quality of service at district hospitals.Update Dent. Coll. j: 2017; 7 (2): 28-32
The Properties of Planck Galactic Cold Clumps in the L1495 Dark Cloud
Authors: Tang Mengyao , Liu Tie , Qin Sheng-Li , Kim Kee-Tae , Wu Yuefang , Tatematsu Ken’ichi , Yuan Jinghua , Wang Ke , Parsons Harriet , Koch Patrick M. , Sanhueza Patricio , Ward-Thompson D. , Tóth L. Viktor , Soam Archana , Won Lee Chang , Eden David , Francesco James Di , Rawlings Jonathan , Rawlings Mark G. , Montillaud Julien , Zhang Chuan-Peng , Cunningham M. R. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Planck Galactic Cold Clumps (PGCCs) possibly represent the early stages of star formation. To understand better the properties of PGCCs, we studied 16 PGCCs in the L1495 cloud with molecular lines and continuum data from Herschel, JCMT/SCUBA-2, and the PMO 13.7 m telescope. Thirty dense cores were identified in 16 PGCCs from 2D Gaussian fitting. The dense cores have dust temperatures of T
d = 11–14 K, and H2 column densities of

N

H

2

= (0.36–2.5) × 1022 cm−2. We found that not all PGCCs contain prestellar objects. In general, the dense cores in PGCCs are usually at their earliest evolutionary stages. All the dense cores have non-thermal velocity dispersions larger than the thermal velocity dispersions from molecular line data, suggesting that the dense cores may be turbulence-dominated. We have calculated the virial parameter α and found that 14 of the dense cores have α <2, while 16 of the dense cores have α >2. This suggests that some of the dense cores are not bound in the absence of external pressure and magnetic fields. The column density profiles of dense cores were fitted. The sizes of the flat regions and core radii decrease with the evolution of dense cores. CO depletion was found to occur in all the dense cores, but is more significant in prestellar core candidates than in protostellar or starless cores. The protostellar cores inside the PGCCs are still at a very early evolutionary stage, sharing similar physical and chemical properties with the prestellar core candidates.
Opening a Window on ICME-driven GCR Modulation in the Inner Solar System
Authors: Winslow Reka M. , Schwadron Nathan A. , Lugaz Noé , Guo Jingnan , Joyce Colin J. , Jordan Andrew P. , Wilson Jody K. , Spence Harlan E. , Lawrence David J. , Wimmer-Schweingruber Robert F. , Mays M. Leila 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) often cause Forbush decreases (Fds) in the flux of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). We investigate how a single ICME, launched from the Sun on 2014 February 12, affected GCR fluxes at Mercury, Earth, and Mars. We use GCR observations from MESSENGER at Mercury, ACE/LRO at the Earth/Moon, and MSL at Mars. We find that Fds are steeper and deeper closer to the Sun, and that the magnitude of the magnetic field in the ICME magnetic ejecta as well as the “strength” of the ICME sheath both play a large role in modulating the depth of the Fd. Based on our results, we hypothesize that (1) the Fd size decreases exponentially with heliocentric distance, and (2) that two-step Fds are more common closer to the Sun. Both hypotheses will be directly verifiable by the upcoming Parker Solar Probe and Solar Orbiter missions. This investigation provides the first systematic study of the changes in GCR modulation as a function of distance from the Sun using nearly contemporaneous observations at Mercury, Earth/Moon, and Mars, which will be critical for validating our physical understanding of the modulation process throughout the heliosphere.
Expansion and Brightness Changes in the Pulsar-wind Nebula in the Composite Supernova Remnant Kes 75
Authors: Reynolds Stephen P. , Borkowski Kazimierz J. , Gwynne Peter H. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
We report new Chandra X-ray observations of the shell supernova remnant Kes 75 (G29.7−0.3) containing a pulsar and pulsar-wind nebula (PWN). Expansion of the PWN is apparent across four epochs—2000, 2006, 2009, and 2016. We find an expansion rate between 2000 and 2016 of the northwest edge of the PWN of 0.249% ± 0.023% yr−1, for an expansion age R/(dR/dt) of 400 ± 40 yr and an expansion velocity of about 1000 km s−1. We suggest that the PWN is expanding into an asymmetric nickel bubble in a conventional Type IIP supernova. Some acceleration of the PWN expansion is likely, giving a true age of 480 ± 50 yr. The pulsar’s birth luminosity was larger than the current value by a factor of 3–8, while the initial period was within a factor of 2 of its current value. We confirm directly that Kes 75 contains the youngest known PWN, and hence the youngest known pulsar. The pulsar PSR J1846−0258 has a spindown-inferred magnetic field of 5 × 1013 G; in 2006, it emitted five magnetar-like short X-ray bursts, but its spindown luminosity has not changed significantly. However, the flux of the PWN has decreased by about 10% between 2009 and 2016, almost entirely in the northern half. A bright knot has declined by 30% since 2006. During this time, the photon indices of the power-law models did not change. This flux change is too rapid to be due to normal PWN evolution in one-zone models.
Origins of Discordant Responses among 3 Rheumatoid Arthritis Improvement Criteria
Authors: Ward Michael M. , Guthrie Lori C. , Alba Maria I. , Dasgupta Abhijit 
Published: April 2018

Objective.We examined agreement between the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) response criteria in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and tested whether discordant responses were associated with patients’ baseline characteristics or changes in RA activity encapsulated by the different criteria.Methods.In a prospective longitudinal study, we examined responses of 243 patients with active RA to escalation of antirheumatic treatment. We computed agreement between pairs of response criteria using κ coefficients and identified patient characteristics associated with unique responses to individual criteria.Results.We found that 110 patients (45.3%) had an ACR 20% improvement (ACR20) response, 135 (55.5%) had a EULAR moderate/good response, and 83 (34.1%) had an SDAI50 response. Agreement was moderate to good (ACR20/EULAR κ 0.57; ACR20/SDAI50 κ 0.64; EULAR/SDAI50 κ 0.59). All who had SDAI50 response also had a EULAR response. Patient characteristics at baseline generally did not distinguish those who responded to both, 1, or neither criterion. Discordance was most often because of improvements in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein level among EULAR and SDAI50 responders, which were not as common among ACR20 responders. Based on receiver-operating characteristic curves, SDAI35 response had a better balance of sensitivity and specificity relative to ACR20 and EULAR moderate/good responses than SDAI50.Conclusion.Discordant responses to RA improvement criteria are most often because of differences in responses of acute-phase reactants. SDAI35 response had higher sensitivity for improvement, as reflected by other response criteria, than SDAI50 response.