bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lumbar intervertebral disc replacement using bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide full-threaded screws, or cylindrical implants of polylactide polymers, bioactive glass and Polyactive™
Authors: Ylinen P. , Tulamo R.-M. , Kellomäki M. , Türmälä P. , Rokkanen P. , Palmgren T. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIntervertebral disc surgery leads to changes in the segmental anatomy and mobility, and subsequently to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. Artificial intervertebral disc implants sufficient to replace the human lumbar intervertebral disc have been developed and the requirements for these defined. This is to our knowledge the first study on bioabsorbable intervertebral disc replacement implants. SR-PLLA screws, previously used in orthopaedic internal fixations, and cylindrical implants, specifially developed for this experimental preliminary study, were used to replace lumbar intervertebral discs of growing pigs. After a 15-week follow-up period, the radiological and histological changes in the intervertebral spaces were analyzed. The cylindrical implants were able to prevent narrowing of discectomied spaces, and tissue regeneration in the intervertebral space was induced and occured simultaneously with degradation of the implant.
Nuklearmedizinische Diagnostik in der Neuroonkologie
Authors: Weckesser M.s , Pauleit D. , Steiger H.-J. , Langen K.-J. 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungDie Beurteilung der Ausdehnung von Hirntumoren, die Abschätzung der Prognose und die Rezidivdiagnostik stellen auch im Zeitalter der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) noch wichtige Herausforderungen in der neuroonkologischen Diagnostik dar. Nuklearmedizinische Verfahren unter Verwendung der Positronen-Emissions-Tomographie (PET) und Single Photonen Emissions Tomographie (SPECT) können hier einen wesentli-chen Beitrag leisten. So ermöglichen die PET und SPECT mit radioaktiv markierten Amino-säuren eine optimierte Darstellung der Ausdehnung von zerebralen Gliomen, was bei der Probeentnahme, der Planung einer Operation und einer Bestrahlung hilfreich sein kann. Außerdem können mit verschiedenen Tracern Tumorrezidive von posttherapeutischen Veränderungen besser differenziert werden sowie Hinweise auf den Malignitäts-grad und die Prognose von Hirntumoren gewonnen werden.
Mechanical effects of high density polyethylene Dynamic Compression Plate hole inserts on bone-plate constructs
Authors: Nunamaker D. M. , Richardson D. W. , Sullivan E. K. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThis study was conducted in order to investigate the mechanical effects of high density polyethylene screw hole inserts in 4.5 mm Dynamic Compression Plate (DCP) – synthetic bone constructs. A mid-shaft ‘osteotomy’ was created in synthetic bone cylinders. The bisecting ‘osteotomy’ was reduced using six-hole broad DCPs and 4.5 mm cortical bone screws. The screws adjacent to the ‘osteotomy’ were placed using a loadguide. The remaining screws were placed in neutral position. High density polyethylene DCP screw hole inserts were incorporated with each screw in neutral position, in the experimental group. The bone plate constructs were tested in four point cyclical bending with the plates loaded at 2,000 Newtons, for a total of 6,000 cycles. Osteotomy gap was measured at 3,000 and 6,000 cycles. Screw head deflection adjacent to the osteotomy was measured. Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric testing was used for statistical comparisons. There was significantly less gapping at the osteotomy site in the treatment group after 3,000 cycles (0.49 +/- 0.18 mm [control] vs. 0.06 +/- 0.14 mm [treated], P=0.02) and 6,000 cycles (0.6 +/- 0.18 mm [control] vs. 0.1 +/- 0.22 mm [treated], P=0.02). The screws adjacent to the gap were significantly more deformed in the control group than those in the treated constructs (3.63 +/- 1.81 [control] vs. 1.06 +/- 1.55 [treated], P=0.0002). The polyethylene inserts improved the interface between bone plate and screw head, resulting in decreased relative movement of the implant and bone. The polyethylene inserts also resulted in less bending of the loaded screws.
Intraoperative skeletal traction in the dog
Authors: Margini A. , Cappellari F. , Peirone B. , Rovesti G. L. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA standard skeletal traction technique was applied to each major segment of the appendicular skeleton of ten fresh dog cadavers. Opposition points and anchorage points for the application of traction were determined for each skeletal segment. Traction was exerted by means of a micrometric traction stand, connected to the limb by bands or a stirrup. Traction was applied to the antebrachium and the tibia through nylon traction bands anchored to the metacarpus and metatarsus, respectively. A traction stirrup applied to the condylar region was used as the anchorage point to load the humerus and femur. Once a peak force of 25 kg weight was achieved, the load was monitored for half an hour to check for any variation. After that, each skeletal segment was osteotomized in the mid-diaphyseal region, and evaluated for any angular malalignment due to a mismatch between the axis of the bone and the applied loading. Any ensuing angular malalignment was successfully corrected by manoeuvres using the traction stand. The technique used in this study to perform intraoperative skeletal traction proved to be reliable and consistent for each segment of the appendicular skeleton.
A Retrospective Long-Term Evaluation of Ununited Anconeal Process Excision on the Canine Elbow
Authors: Wallace L.J. , Johnston G.R. , Roy R.G. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA retrospective study was done to evaluate the long-term clinical radio-graphic effects of ununited anconeal process excision performed in dogs 5 to 12 months of age. Six dogs (seven surgically treated elbows) were evaluated at a mean of 65 months postoperatively for front limb lameness, elbow range of motion, and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Limb use was considered good to excellent in 6 of 7 dogs. Osteo-arthritis, which progressed in all surgically treated elbows, was considered severe in three, moderate in one and mild to moderate in three. Early excision of an ununited anconeal process results in progressive osteoarthritis and a mild decrease in range of motion but good long-term function of the canine elbow joint.Long-term evaluation of dogs with excision of an ununited anconeal process was performed. Long-term limb use was considered good to excellent in six of seven dogs. Early excision of an ununited anconeal process results in progressive osteoarthritis and a mild decrease in range of motion but good long-term function of the canine elbow joint.
Ischio-ilial Pinning for Stabilization of Coxo-femoral Luxations: An Anatomical Study
Authors: Beale B. S. , Dean P. W. , Kearney M. T. , Lewis D. D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBilateral cranio-dorsal coxo-femoral luxations were created in 20 canine cadavers. After reduction, ischio-ilial pins were placed bilaterally, at one of three insertion sites ventral or ventro-lateral to the ischiatic tuberosity. Stability of the reduction was assessed before and after pin placement. All (20) pins placed in the central position prevented the femoral head from luxating to the cranio-dorsal position, while cranio-dorsal luxations occurred in two of 10 cadavers after medial pin placement and two of 10 cadavers after lateral pin placement. The pelvic region was dissected to assess the relationship of the pin to the regional anatomy. Pins placed at the central position were often in contact with the ischiatic nerve, while pins placed in the medial and lateral positions were not. Pins placed in the central position afford the greatest stability; however, they also have the greatest potential of ischiatic nerve trauma.The stability, resulting from ischio-ilial pinning, to prevent coxo-femoral luxation was studied in canine cadavers
Kirschner-Ehmer Device Alone to Stabilize Caudal Lumbar Fractures in Small Dogs
Authors: Blackmore Julia , Phillips Lesley 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA Kirschner-Ehmer device was used to stabilize caudal lumbar fractures/luxations in three dogs weighing 12 kg or less. A through and through Kirschner-Ehmer device maintained alignment during the healing process using the appropriate sized rods and clamps. Postoperative management included strict cage confinement and oral broad spectrum systemic antibiotics for up to two weeks after removal of the Kirschner-Ehmer device. In all three cases, the fractures/luxations were healed within six to eight weeks. The Kirschner-Ehmer device could then be removed with sedation or general anaesthesia.
Mechanical Analysis of the Veterinary Cuttable Plate
Authors: Holmberg D. L. , Fruchter A. M. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA laboratory model was chosen to compare the stiffness of various small bone plates during the application of a bending force. Forces were applied to and measured from the plate surface directly. Other compressible materials were not in contact with the supporting or measuring devices. Although we cannot recommend from this experimental model that the stiffest plate would be the best treatment option, we can conclude that: (1) the stiffness of two stacked veterinary cuttable plates was approximately equal to the sum of the stiffness for each plate, (2) screw size did not have an effect on the stiffness of the veterinary cuttable plate in three out of four comparisons, and (3) single and stacked veterinary cuttable plates were stiffer than mini bone plates accepting 1.5 mm and 2.0 mm cortical screws and less stiff than the 2.7 mm dynamic compression plate.
Eye Laceration in a Horse
Authors: Angell J. A. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryA case study is presented of a Hanoverian filly with a corneo-scleral laceration. The lesion was the result of self-inflicted trauma. Medical treatment was instituted for the first twenty-four hours after the injury. Aggressive surgical treatment was necessary to attempt to save the eye and for the future use of a cosmetic scleral shell.The owner of the filly decided upon surgical repair of the corneo-scleral laceration and the eventual use of a cosmetic scleral shell. As the filly matures, the shell will need to be enlarged in order to fill the enlarging orbit.
“Wenn ich nur wüsste, wer mir helfen kann”
Authors: Christoph V. , Hille K. 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungMehr als andere Berufsgruppen in Deutschland leiden Lehrkräfte unter berufsbedingten psychischen Belastungen. Daher stellt sich die Frage, welche Unterstützungssysteme von den Lehrkräften gesehen, genutzt und gewünscht werden. In dieser Studie wurden 153 Lehrer befragt, welche Art der Unterstützung sie bei Problemen, z. B. mit Schülern oder bei fachlichen Fragen, in Anspruch nehmen, in welchen Bereichen und durch welche Instanzen sie sich mehr Unterstützung wünschen, und wie zufrieden sie mit der erhaltenen Unterstützung für ihre Arbeit sind.Nur jeder Fünfte der befragten Lehrer ist zufrieden mit der Unterstützung, die er erhält. Die meisten Lehrer fühlen sich allein gelassen. Am ehesten werden Kollegen und Literatur zu Rate gezogen. Als wünschenswert wurden z. B. mehr Coaching und Supervision, die Unterstützung durch Fachkräfte anderer Berufszweige, z. B. Schulpsychologen oder-sozialarbeiter, sowie relevante und qualitativ hochwertige Fortbildungen genannt, die in Form einer systematischen Unterstützung psychischen Belastungen entgegenwirken können.
S3-Leitlinien Demenzen
Authors: Hausner L. , Frölich L. 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungDie Therapie der Demenzen umfasst eine pharmakologische Behandlung und psychosoziale Interventionen für Patienten und Angehörige im Kontext eines symptom- und schweregradabhängigen Gesamtbehandlungsplans. Primäres Ziel ist die Behandlung der Kernsymptomatik kognitive Störungen, ADL-Defizite und, falls notwendig, Therapie der psychischen und Verhaltenssymptome. Evidenzbasiert ist die stadiumabhängige Behandlung der AD mit AChE-I und Memantin. Die höchste verträgliche Dosis sollte angestrebt werden sowie eine kontinuierliche Langzeittherapie. Es ist gerechtfertigt, eine gemischte Demenz wie eine AD zu behandeln. Die Behandlung der VD mit einem AChE-I oder Memantin ist eine Off-label-Behandlung ohne vollständig überzeugenden Wirksamkeitsbeleg. Es gibt keine Evidenz zur Behandlung kognitiver Symptome oder Verhaltenssymptome bei Patienten mit FTD oder LKD. Für die antidementive Behandlung der PD ist Rivastigmin wirksam und zugelassen.
Rationale Epilepsiebehandlung bei tuberöser Sklerose
Authors: Wiemer-Kruel A. , Bast T. 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungDie tuberöse Sklerose (tuberous sclerosis complex, TSC) ist eine Systemerkrankung aufgrund eines Defekts der Tumorsuppressorgene TSC1 (Hamartin) und TSC2 (Tuberin) und der damit verbundenen reduzierten Hemmung des mTOR-Stoffwechsel (mammilian target of rapamycin). Etwa 85% der Patienten leiden an einer Epilepsie, die meist im ersten Lebensjahr und nicht selten als WestSyndrom beginnt und häufig pharmakorefraktär verläuft. Mindestens 60% der Patienten entwickeln kognitive Defizite, Verhaltensstörungen und/oder einen Autismus. Ein früher Epilepsiebeginn korreliert mit diesen Entwicklungsstörungen. Vigabatrin ist bei Säuglingen die Therapie der ersten Wahl. Bei älteren Patienten gibt es keine sicheren Hinweise auf eine höhere Wirksamkeit gegenüber anderen Standardantiepileptika. Die Therapie erfolgt syndromspezifisch nach den Leitlinien. Nach Versagen von zwei Standardtherapien sollte eine prächirurgische Epilepsiediagnostik an einem erfahrenen Zentrum erfolgen, auch bei multiplen Läsionen oder (scheinbar) generalisierten Anfällen. Patienten mit TSC sprechen sehr gut auf ketogene Diäten an. Auch die Vagusnervstimulation zeigt bemerkenswerte Effekte. Erste Berichte legen einen antiepileptischen Effekt von mTOR-Inhibitoren bei TSC nahe.
A Theoretical Appraisal of the Dependence of Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia on Gradual Vagal Blockade
Authors: Pyetan E. , Akselrod S. 
Published: March 2018

Summary

Motivation:
The high frequency (HF) indices of heart rate variability (HRV), which reflect the magnitude of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), have been repeatedly used as measures of cardiac vagal tone. Recent studies, however, have shown experimentally that variations in these indices do not necessarily reflect proportional changes in cardiac parasympathetic outflow.

Objective:
The goal of this study was to obtain a physiological-based theoretical evaluation of the relationship between RSA and cardiac vagal tone, which will help explain conflicting experimental results previously published.

Methods:
We derived a theoretical model for heart rate (HR) response to gradual vagal blockade. The model implements the integral-pulse-frequency-modulation (IPFM) approach to sinoatrial (SA) node physiology. The level of vagal blockade was simulated by the addition of a cardio-selective muscarinic antagonist.

Results and Conclusion:
The derivations of the model lead to a closed set of equations, from which the dependence of the HF indices on the level of vagal blockade is deduced. It is shown that several aspects of the physiological condition may have a substantial effect on this relationship: the level of baseline vagal activity, the relationship between vagal tone and the fluctuations in its traffic, the level of sympathetic activity, etc… Hence, changes in the HF indices of HRV provide a plausible assessment of the changes in cardiac vagal tone only under a specific range of physiological conditions.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Respiratory Patterns during Maturation
Authors: Sekine M. , Moodie K. L. , Akay M. 
Published: March 2018

Summary

Objectives:
In this paper, we quantify the fractal scaling characteristics of phrenic neurograms during eupnea in piglets, the output of the respiratory neural network that accompany maturation We also attempt to investigate whether the fractal properties are altered with maturation.

Methods:
The phrenic neurogram in piglets was recorded from the C5 phrenic nerve during eupnea at four postnatal ages; the 3-6 days, the 7-14 days, 15-21 days and the 26-31 days age groups and analyzed using the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE).

Results:
Our results suggest that the mean fractal measures over a recording of five consecutive breaths during eupnea for each piglet in each group were higher during the first 6 days and slightly decreased for the 7-14 days and significantly decreased for the 15-21 days and significantly increased for subsequent maturation (the 26-31 days old group).

Conclusions:
We suggest that there is a significant alteration in the fractal organization in piglet respiratory patterns during maturation and a decrease in the fractal value is unique to the15-21 days old group.
Integration of Web-based and PC-based Clinical Research Databases
Authors: Sun K. , Charpentier P. , Nadkarni P. M. , Brandt C. A. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryWe have created a Web-based repository or data library of information about measurement instruments used in studies of multi-factorial geriatric health conditions (the Geriatrics Research Instrument Library – GRIL) based upon existing features of two separate clinical study data management systems. GRIL allows browsing, searching, and selecting measurement instruments based upon criteria such as keywords and areas of applicability. Measurement instruments selected can be printed and/or included in an automatically generated standalone microcomputer database application, which can be downloaded by investigators for use in data collection and data management.

Methods:
Integration of database applications requires the creation of a common semantic model, and mapping from each system to this model. Various database schema conflicts at the table and attribute level must be identified and resolved prior to integration. Using a conflict taxonomy and a mapping schema facilitates this process.

Results:
Critical conflicts at the table level that required resolution included name and relationship differences.

Conclusions:
A major benefit of integration efforts is the sharing of features and cross-fertilization of applications created for similar purposes in different operating environments. Integration of applications mandates some degree of metadata model unification.
Privacy Protection for HealthGrid Applications
Authors: Claerhout B. , De Moor G. J. E. 
Published: March 2018

Summary

Objectives:
This contribution aims at introducing the problem of privacy protection in e-Health and at describing a number of existing privacy enhancing techniques (PETs). The recognition that privacy constitutes a fundamental right is gradually entering public awareness. Because healthcare-related data are susceptible to being abused for many obvious reasons, public apprehension about privacy has focused on medical data. Public authorities have become convinced of the need to enforce privacy protection and make considerable efforts for promoting through privacy protection legislation the deployment of PETs.

Methods:
Based on the study of the specific features of Grid technology, ways in which PET services could be integrated in the HealthGrid are being analyzed. Grid technology aims at removing barriers between local and remote resources. The privacy and legal issues raised by the HealthGrid are caused by the transparent interchange and processing of sensitive medical information. PET technology has already proven its usefulness for privacy protection in health-related marketing and research data collection.

Results:
While this paper does not describe market-ready solutions for privacy protection in the HealthGrid, it puts forward several cases in which the Grid may benefit from PETs.

Conclusion:
Early integration of privacy protection services into the HealthGrid can lead to a synergy that is beneficial for the development of the HealthGrid itself.
The Grid as a Healthcare Provision Tool
Authors: Blanquer I. , Hernández V. 
Published: March 2018

Summary

Objectives:
This paper presents a survey on HealthGrid technologies, describing the current status of Grid and eHealth and analyzing them in the medium-term future. The objective is to analyze the key points, barriers and driving forces for the take-up of HealthGrids.

Methods:
The article considers the procedures from other Grid disciplines such as high energy physics or biomolecular engineering and discusses the differences with respect to healthcare. It analyzes the status of the basic technology, the needs of the eHealth environment and the successes of current projects in health and other relevant disciplines.

Results:
Information and communication technology (ICT) in healthcare is a promising area for the use of the Grid. There are many driving forces that are fostering the application of the secure, pervasive, ubiquitous and transparent access to information and computing resources that Grid technologies can provide. However, there are many barriers that must be solved. Many technical problems that arise in eHealth (standardization of data, federation of databases, content-based knowledge extraction, and management of personal data …) can be solved with Grid technologies.

Conclusions:
The article presents the development of successful and demonstrative applications as the key for the take-up of HealthGrids, where short-term future medical applications will surely be biocomputing-oriented, and the future of Grid technologies on medical imaging seems promising. Finally, exploitation of HealthGrid is analyzed considering the curve of the adoption of ICT solutions and the definition of business models, which are far more complex than in other e-business technologies such ASP.
Large Medical Datasets on the Grid
Authors: de Alfonso C. , Hernández V. , Blanquer I. 
Published: March 2018

Summary

Objective:
This paper shows the use of the emerging Grid technology for gathering underused resources that are distributed among a corporate network. The work of these resources is coordinated for facing tasks which are not affordable by the individual usage of each of them.

Methods:
This paper shows an application for the projection, using Volume Rendering techniques, of huge medical volumes obtained from CTs and RMIs, adapted to Grid computing.

Results:
As a result the article shows the feasibility of the creation of an application based up on Grid technology, which solves problems that cannot be addressed by using common techniques. As an example, the article describes the projection of a huge medical dataset, which exceeds the resources of most common PCs, carried out by taking profit of idle CPU cycles from the computers of an organization.

Conclusions:
Grid technology is emerging as a new framework which allows gathering and coordinating resources distributed among a network (LAN or WAN), for addressing problems which cannot be solved through the single use of any of these resources. Medical Imaging is a clear application area for this technology.