bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alternating and semicontinuous chemical reduction method for high production of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Pedroza‐Toscano Miguel A. , Lopez‐Cuenca Susana , Moreno‐Medrano Edgar D. , Rabelero‐Velasco Martin , Salazar‐Peña Rodolfo 
Published: March 2018

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was carried out in aqueous solutions. Silver nitrate was used as precursor, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as stabilising agent, and sodium borohydride as reducing agent. The reaction was semicontinuous by feeding both the precursor and reducing agent into the stabilising agent aqueous solution in an alternated fashion. Weight ratios of 1:1 AgNO3 :CMC were used in the reduction reactions. AgNPs were characterised by UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by the presence of an absorption peak about 400 nm using UV–vis spectrophotometry. Spheroidal nanoparticles with an average diameter between 5 and 90 nm were observed by TEM. High productivity of AgNPs was obtained at lower reaction times and at low temperature compared with others previously reported in the literature.
Hahnemann's Organon Alive in Practice
Authors: Shukla Chetna 
Published: March 2018

Abstract‘When the student is ready the teacher will appear’. This saying is attributed to Buddha Siddhartha Gautama Shakyamuni and the Theosophists. This case is a proof for me for a quote I would like to formulate ‘When the sick is ready to heal the remedy will appear’. The all-wise preserver of human life works its miracles unconditionally to assist the sick to restore health. Uniqueness surrounds this case. When I treated this boy with alopecia I only had the 30th CK potency that I had potentised. This was the potency that also completed the cure. The emphasis of this article is to elicit §14 and 138 in my practice during the proving of Hippocampus kuda that I conducted in 1996. Since then during some of my provings I witnessed them come alive. The most recently was during the proving of the blood of Indian grey mongoose in July 2016.
PROTEUS VULGARIS: Proving and Clinical Use in Paediatrics
Authors: Dominici Gustavo 
Published: March 2018

Introduction The Homeopathic School of Verona in Italy organises Hahnemannian provings for experimental and educational purposes. In 2013 Proteus vulgaris was tested. The results of the proving and the data in the literature allowed the clinical use of the remedy.
Methods Participants: 15 experienced provers, 10 expert supervisors, 1 coordinator, 1 director. Potency tested: 200K; 3 placebos or blank (20%). It was a triple-blind proving. Observation time: 30 days; periodical checks up to 1 year.
Findings The mental symptoms of the proving of Proteus vulgaris are characterised by extreme violence in any event. There is restlessness, uncontrollable mobility; it is polemic, hard and aggressive; there is destructive criticism. It breaks consolidated relationships. There is insomnia. The most affected systems are gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Finger joints are affected. Headaches also occur. The symptoms in the literature complete the pathogenesis–clinical picture and allow the prescription.Differential diagnosis: Iodum, Hyoscyamus, Medorrhinum, Mercurius solubilis and corrosivus, Staphisagria, Syphilinum, Tarentula. The author shows two clinical cases of children: the first with many behavioural problems and mild autism; the second with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) syndrome.
Conclusions The proving is the best method for defining the pathogenesis of a new substance. The results must be completed with the literature data. Proteus is a homeopathic remedy with very intense and characteristic symptoms and can be used successfully in clinical practice, particularly in children with behavioural disorders including ADHD syndrome.
Analyse This: The Eight-Box Method of Case Analysis
Authors: Sankaran Rajan 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe main problem which students face is to synthesise the data received in case-taking and arrive at a remedy. Classifying the data of the chief complaint, the physical and mental generals, and the particulars into eight boxes has been developed as a tool in establishing the simillimum. This tool also proves extremely useful in the evaluation of symptoms when a case is re-taken and also in evaluating the progress of the patient during a follow-up.
Symptomatischer Clusterkopfschmerz
Authors: Holle-Lee D. , Gaul C. 
Published: March 2018

ZusammenfassungDie Erstdiagnose eines Clusterkopfschmerzes macht immer eine weitere Diagnostik zum Ausschluss einer sekundären Ursache notwendig. Eine ungewöhnliche Anamnese oder ein auffälliger neurologischer Untersuchungsbefund können auf eine symptomatische Kopfschmerzursache hinweisen, eine typische Anamnese und ein unauffälliger Untersuchungsbefund schließen jedoch einen sekundären Clusterkopfschmerz keinesfalls aus. Eine Zusatzuntersuchung mittels cMRT sollte bei Erstdiagnose immer durchgeführt werden. Hypophysäre Raumforderungen und Dissektionen der Hirnversorgenden Gefäße sind häufige Grunderkrankungen, die phänomenologisch als Clusterkopfschmerz erscheinen können. Die Therapie richtet sich nach der Ursache der Clusterkopfschmerzen.
Insight from the maximal activation of the signal transduction excitable network in
Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Edwards Marc , Cai Huaqing , Abubaker-Sharif Bedri , Long Yu , Lampert Thomas J. , Devreotes Peter N. 
Published: March 2018

Significance
Directed cell migration is at the center of the pathophysiology of many diseases such as cancer. It requires the coordination of a signal transduction network and an underlying cytoskeleton. Understanding the composition of these networks and the mechanism by which they are coupled is critical to furthering our understanding of how cells move. Here, we have developed a cell-based tool which maximizes the activation of the signal transduction system. This has provided us with insight into its composition and the mechanism by which it controls the activity of the actin cytoskeletal activity, which drives migration. Most striking, the persistent activation of the signal transduction apparatus was discovered to have severe consequences for cell viability.
Iconicity in the lexicon
Authors: Mattes Veronika 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a study on the form-meaning relationship within a subpart of the lexicon, namely lexical reduplication. It compares the semantic classification of lexical reduplication in diverse languages, focusing on three quantitative studies on the distributions of semantic categories in three typologically and genetically unrelated languages, Bikol, Tibetan and Arabic. On this basis, it is argued that the common view that lexical reduplications are a “semantically arbitrary class” and as such irrelevant for studies on reduplication is not justified. It is in contrast claimed that the mapping of certain meanings on this specific phonological pattern is highly iconic, and that these word forms can be classified as a specific subgroup ofexpressives.This group even shows remarkable parallels with the prototypical meanings of morphological reduplication. An explanation for this – certainly controversially discussed – observation could be provided by the cognitive semiotic concept of “cross-modal iconicity” (Ahlner & Zlatev 2010).
A synchronic and diachronic typology of Hittite reciprocal constructions
Authors: Inglese Guglielmo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper discusses reciprocal constructions in Hittite, framed within the typology of reciprocals laid out by Nedjalkov (2007),König & Gast (2008), andEvans et al. (2011). Hittite attests to at least three reciprocal markers, that is, the middle voice, the particle =za, and three different polyptotic constructions, based on the iteration of the numeralšia- ‘one’, the demonstrativeka- ‘this’, and the nounara- ‘fellow, comrade’ respectively. Synchronically, these three strategies cover different sub-domains of reciprocity, as they encode different kinds of reciprocal situations and display different syntactic properties. These differences can be accounted for by taking into account the processes out of which these constructions developed, which can be described in terms of grammaticalization (Heine & Miyashita 2008). In this respect, beside enriching our knowledge of reciprocals in Indo-European languages, this paper also contributes to our general understanding of the diachronic typology of reciprocal constructions.
Gene silencing of heparanase results in suppression of invasion and migration of gallbladder carcinoma cells
Authors: Jin Hao , Cui Min 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of transcriptional gene silencing of the heparanase gene on standard gallbladder carcinoma cells (GBC-SD). The miRNAs targeting the promoter region and coding region of the heparanase gene were designed and synthesized. We transfected four recombinant miRNA vectors into GBC-SD. We performed the wound healing assays and invasion assays. The result shows that the heparanase expression was significantly decreased by recombinant vectors in transfected GBC-SD cells (p &lt; 0.01), of which pmiR-Hpa-2 showed best interference effect (p &lt; 0.05). The penetrated and migrating cells numbers and adherence rate of GBC-SD cells were significantly decreased by pmiR-Hpa-2 (p &lt; 0.05).
Spermatogonial stem cells†
Authors: Kubota Hiroshi , Brinster Ralph L 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSpermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the most primitive spermatogonia in the testis and have an essential role to maintain highly productive spermatogenesis by self-renewal and continuous generation of daughter spermatogonia that differentiate into spermatozoa, transmitting genetic information to the next generation. Since the 1950s, many experimental methods, including histology, immunostaining, whole-mount analyses, and pulse-chase labeling, had been used in attempts to identify SSCs, but without success. In 1994, a spermatogonial transplantation method was reported that established a quantitative functional assay to identify SSCs by evaluating their ability to both self-renew and differentiate to spermatozoa. The system was originally developed using mice and subsequently extended to nonrodents, including domestic animals and humans. Availability of the functional assay for SSCs has made it possible to develop culture systems for their ex vivo expansion, which dramatically advanced germ cell biology and allowed medical and agricultural applications. In coming years, SSCs will be increasingly used to understand their regulation, as well as in germline modification, including gene correction, enhancement of male fertility, and conversion of somatic cells to biologically competent male germline cells.
A Comparison of Different Minimally Invasive and Open Posterior Spinal Procedures Using Volumetric Measurements of the Surgical Exposures
Authors: Regev Gilad J. , Kim Choll W. , Salame Khalil , Behrbalk Eyal , Keynan Ory , Lador Ran , Mangel Laurence , Lidar Zvi 
Published: March 2018

Study Design:
A Prospective observational study.

Summary of the Background Data:
Minimally invasive (MI) spine surgery techniques strive to minimize the damage to paraspinal soft tissues. Previous studies used only the length of the surgical incision to quantify the invasiveness of certain MI procedures. However, this method does not take into account the volume of muscle tissue that is dissected and retracted from the spine to achieve sufficient exposure. To date, no simple method has been reported to measure the volume of the surgical exposure and to quantify the degree of surgery invasiveness.

Study Objectives:
To obtain and compare volumetric measures of various MI and open posterior-approached spinal surgical exposures.

Methods:
The length, the depth, and the volume of the surgical exposure were obtained from 57 patients who underwent either open or MI posterior lumbar surgery. MI procedures included the following: tubular discectomy, laminotomy, and transforaminal interbody fusion. Open procedures included the following: discectomy, laminectomy, transforaminal interbody fusion, or posterior-lateral instrumented fusion. Four attending spine surgeons at our unit performed the surgeries. To reduce variability, only single-level procedures performed between L4 and S1 vertebrae were used. The volume of exposure was obtained by measuring the amount of saline needed to fill the surgical wound completely once the surgical retractors were deployed and opened.

Results:
The average volumes in mililiters of exposure for a single-level MI procedure ranged from 9.8±2.8 to 75±11.7 mL and were significantly smaller than the average volumes of exposure for a single level open procedures that ranged from 44± 21 to 277±47.9 P<0.001. The average skin-incision lengths for single-level MI procedures ranged from 1.7±0.2 to 7.7±1.6 cm and were significantly smaller than the average skin-incision lengths for open procedures [5.2±1.4 (Table 3) to 11.3±2 cm, P<0.001]. The measured surgical depths were similar in MI and open groups (P=0.138). MI decompression and posterior fusion procedures yielded 92% and 73% reductions in the volumes of exposure, respectively. However, absolute differences in exposure volumes were larger for fusion (202 mL) compared with decompression alone (110.7 mL).

Conclusions:
Direct volumetric measurement of the surgical exposure is obtained easily by measuring the amount of saline needed to fill the exposed cavity. Using this method, the needed surgical exposure of different spinal procedures can be quantified and compared. This volumetric measurement combined with the measure of retraction force, the duration of retraction, and the impact on soft tissue vascularity can help build a model that assesses the relative invasiveness of different spinal procedures.
Predicting Postoperative Morbidity and Readmission for Revision Posterior Lumbar Fusion
Authors: Basques Bryce A. , Ibe Izuchukwu , Samuel Andre M. , Lukasiewicz Adam M. , Webb Matthew L. , Bohl Daniel D. , Grauer Jonathan N. 
Published: March 2018

Study Design:
Retrospective cohort study.

Objective:
The primary aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for 30-day adverse events after revision posterior lumbar fusion. The secondary aim was to determine the incidence and risk factors for 30-day readmission after revision posterior lumbar fusion.

Summary of Background Data:
The need for revision of a lumbar fusion is an unfortunate occurrence, and there is little known about specific risk factors for morbidity and readmission after this procedure. The purpose of this study is to use a large, national sample to identify patient and operative factors that may contribute to the development of these adverse outcomes.

Methods:
The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was used to identify patients undergoing revision posterior lumbar fusion from 2005 to 2013. Patient characteristics were tested for association with any adverse event (AAE), severe adverse events (SAEs), minor adverse events (MAEs), and readmission within 30 days postoperatively using multivariate analysis.

Results:
Of the 1287 patients identified, 8.2% had an AAE, 5.6% had an SAE, and 3.2% had an MAE. AAE was independently associated with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification ≥3 and operative time ≥310 minutes (P<0.05 for each). SAEs were associated with only ASA classification ≥3 (P=0.047). MAEs were associated with insulin-dependent diabetes, operative time ≥310 minutes, and 3 or more levels of fusion (P<0.05 for all).
Sixty-five patients (5.6%) were readmitted. On multivariate analysis, body mass index (BMI) 25–30, BMI 30–35, BMI≥35, ASA classification ≥3, insulin-dependent diabetes, a 2-level fusion, and 3 or more levels of fusion were associated with readmission (P<0.05 for all).

Conclusions:
In general, longer, more extensive procedures on sicker patients were associated with increased risk of postoperative complications and readmission.
Patterns of Neurological Recovery After Anterior Decompression With Fusion and Posterior Decompression With Laminoplasty for the Treatment of Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Ren Hu , Liu Fajing , Yu Dahai , Cao Jianhui , Shen Yong , Li Ximing , Pan Shuo 
Published: March 2018

Study Design:
The pattern of neurological recovery in the overall modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, upper limb function score, and lower limb function score after surgical decompression for patients suffering from multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were analyzed in this independent retrospective study.

Objective:
The primary objective of this retrospective study was to compare the upper and lower limb function changes after anterior decompression with fusion versus posterior decompression with laminoplasty for patients suffering from multilevel CSM. An additional objective was to describe the neural recovery speed.

Summary of Background Data:
Few comparative studies have been conducted to evaluate the outcome of anterior versus posterior surgery in multilevel CSM. However, these assessments tend to be of a more global perspective, looking at a composite score for upper limb, lower limb, and bladder function. No reports have separately analyzed the upper and lower limb function changes after anterior and posterior decompression for multilevel CSM.

Materials and Methods:
A total of 132 patients were classified into anterior and posterior decompression groups based on the different surgical approach they underwent. The pattern of neurological recovery in the overall modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores, upper limb function score, and lower limb function score after surgical decompression were documented and analyzed.

Results:
There was no significant difference in the overall neurological recovery between anterior and posterior decompression groups. But in terms of the upper or lower limb function changes after operation, it appeared that the upper limbs recovered better with anterior decompression. The surgical approach did not significantly alter lower extremity recovery potential. In addition, most of the neurological recovery occurred in the first 9 months after surgical decompression.

Conclusions:
We recommend a individualized approach when it is difficult to determine an anterior or posterior surgery for multilevel CSM. Rehabilitation training should be carried out as early as possible.
Comparisons of Safety and Clinical Outcomes Between Multiple-level and Single-level Cervical Disk Replacement for Cervical Spondylosis
Authors: Jiang Lianghai , Tan Mingsheng , Yang Feng , Yi Ping , Tang Xiangsheng , Hao Qingying 
Published: March 2018

Study Design:
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple-level cervical disk replacement (CDR) over single-level CDR for the treatment of cervical spondylosis.

Summary of Background Data:
Some authors advocate for the multiple-level CDR instead of anterior decompression and fusion in cervical multiple-level spondylosis. However, whether the efficacy and safety of multi-level CDR are as favorable as that of single-level CDR remains controversial.

Methods:
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases were searched up to November 2015 for controlled studies that compared the clinical outcomes of single-level and multiple-level CDR for the treatment of cervical spondylosis. The following outcomes were extracted and analyzed: prevalence of heterotopic ossification and reoperation, preoperative and postoperative Neck Disability Index scores, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analog Scale scores, and success rate using the Odom grading system.

Results:
Ten studies involving 1402 patients were included: including 3 randomized controlled trials, 5 prospective studies, and 3 retrospective studies. No significant differences between single-level and multiple-level groups were found in terms of the prevalence of heterotopic ossification and reoperation rate, Neck Disability Index score, Visual Analog Scale score, and success rate using the Odom grading system.

Conclusions:
On the basis of this meta-analysis, clinical outcomes of multiple-level CDR are similar to those of single-level CDR for cervical spondylosis, which suggests the multiple-level CDR is as effective and safe as the single-level CDR. Nonetheless, more well-designed studies are needed for further evaluation.
Propensity-matched Analysis of Outcomes and Hospital Charges for Anterior Versus Posterior Cervical Fusion for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Tanenbaum Joseph E. , Lubelski Daniel , Rosenbaum Benjamin P. , Benzel Edward C. , Mroz Thomas E. 
Published: March 2018

Study Design:Retrospective analysis of data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative, all-payer database of inpatient diagnoses and procedures in the United States.Objective:The objective of this study is to compare anterior cervical fusion (ACF) to posterior cervical fusion (PCF) in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).Summary of Background Data:Previous studies used retrospective single-institution level data to quantify outcomes for CSM patients fusion. It is unclear whether ACF or PCF is superior with regards to charges or outcomes for the treatment of CSM.Materials and Methods:We used Nationwide Inpatient Sample data to compare ACF to PCF in the management of CSM. All patients 18 years or older with a diagnosis of CSM between 1998 and 2011 were included. ACF patients were matched to PCF patients using propensity scores based on patient characteristics (number of levels fused, spine alignment, comorbidities), hospital characteristics, and patient demographics. Multivariable regression was used to measure the effect of treatment assignment on in-hospital charges, length of hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, discharge disposition, and dysphagia diagnosis.Results:From 1998 to 2011, we identified 109,728 hospitalizations with a CSM diagnosis. Of these patients, 45,629 (41.6%) underwent ACF and 14,439 (13.2%) underwent PCF. The PCF cohort incurred an average of $41,683 more in-hospital charges (P<0.001, inflation adjusted to 2011 dollars) and remained in hospital an average of 2.4 days longer (P<0.001) than the ACF cohort. The ACF cohort was just as likely to die in the hospital [odds ratio 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68–1.2], 3.0 times more likely to be discharged to home or self-care (95% CI, 2.9–3.2), and 2.5 times more likely to experience dysphagia (95% CI, 2.0–3.1) than the PCF cohort.Conclusions:In treating CSM, ACF led to lower hospital charges, shorter hospital stays, and an increased likelihood of being discharged to home relative to PCF.