bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of ‘Visual prostate symptom score’ in men with benign enlargement of prostate in a tertiary care center in midwestern Nepal
Authors: Gupta Dipesh Kumar 
Published: July 2017

<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Quantification of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in patients with benign enlargement of prostate (BEP) is required to initiate and regulate treatment. Among many, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is standard though it is time consuming and difficult to understand by many patients. A recent Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) which is presumed to be simpler and well understood by patients with lower educational status has been in use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a prospective observational study conducted in Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepalgunj. In a total of 79 patients, 25 patients of LUTS because of other causes were excluded and 54 patients clinically diagnosed with BEP were enrolled for the study over a period of one year. Symptom evaluation was done in all with both IPSS and VPSS and uroflowmetry parameters were also recorded. The IPSS and VPSS were compared with each other and also with uroflowmetry parameters.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mean age of the patients was 67 years and mean prostate volume was 48 gm. The patients who mostly were farmers had median eighth grade of education. Fourteen were illiterates and 40 were literate patients. Significant number of patients required assistance of a medical personnel to complete IPSS (p= &lt;0.001) including those in literate group as well (p= &lt;0.001). Time taken to complete VPSS was significantly less (p= 0.019). Total IPSS correlated with total VPSS ((r= +0.36; p=0.007). There was negative and significant correlation of VPSS with uroflowmeter parameters while IPSS failed to do so.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>VPSS is an easy and reliable tool to assess symptom severity in cases of BEP presenting with LUTS. It has the added advantage of utility in assessment of LUTS in patients with lower educational status. Moreover, the patients take shorter time to complete the questionnaire. </p>
Method for temporal keyhole lobectomies in resection of low- and high-grade gliomas
Authors: Conner Andrew K. , Burks Joshua D. , Baker Cordell M. , Smitherman Adam D. , Pryor Dillon P. , Glenn Chad A. , Briggs Robert G. , Bonney Phillip A. , Sughrue Michael E. 
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to describe a method of resecting temporal gliomas through a keyhole lobectomy and to share the results of using this technique.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of data obtained in all patients in whom the senior author performed resection of temporal gliomas between 2012 and 2015. The authors describe their technique for resecting dominant and nondominant gliomas, using both awake and asleep keyhole craniotomy techniques.RESULTSFifty-two patients were included in the study. Twenty-six patients (50%) had not received prior surgery. Seventeen patients (33%) were diagnosed with WHO Grade II/III tumors, and 35 patients (67%) were diagnosed with a glioblastoma. Thirty tumors were left sided (58%). Thirty procedures (58%) were performed while the patient was awake. The median extent of resection was 95%, and at least 90% of the tumor was resected in 35 cases (67%). Five of 49 patients (10%) with clinical follow-up experienced permanent deficits, including 3 patients (6%) with hydrocephalus requiring placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and 2 patients (4%) with weakness. Three patients experienced early postoperative anomia, but no patients had a new speech deficit at clinical follow-up.CONCLUSIONSThe authors provide their experience using a keyhole lobectomy for resecting temporal gliomas. Their data demonstrate the feasibility of using less invasive techniques to safely and aggressively treat these tumors.
Synovial cysts of the spine: long-term follow-up after surgical treatment of 141 cases in a single-center series and comprehensive literature review of 2900 degenerative spinal cysts
Authors: Bruder Markus , Cattani Adriano , Gessler Florian , Droste Christian , Setzer Matthias , Seifert Volker , Marquardt Gerhard 
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVESynovial cysts of the spine are rare lesions, predominantly arising in the lumbar region. Despite their generally benign behavior, they can cause severe symptoms due to compression of neural structures in the spinal canal. Treatment strategies are still a matter of discussion. The authors performed a single-center survey and literature search focusing on long-term results after minimally invasive surgery.METHODSA total of 141 consecutive patients treated for synovial cysts of the lumbar spine between 1997 and 2014 in the authors’ department were analyzed. Medical reports with regard to signs and symptoms, operative findings, complications, and short-term outcome were reviewed. Assessment of long-term outcome was performed with a standardized telephone questionnaire based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Furthermore, patients were questioned about persisting pain, symptoms, and further operative procedures, if any. Subjective satisfaction was classified as excellent, good, fair, or poor based on the Macnab classification.RESULTSThe approach most often used for synovial cyst treatment was partial hemilaminectomy in 70%; hemilaminectomy was necessary in 27%. At short-term follow-up, the presence of severe and moderate leg pain had decreased from 93% to 5%. The presence of low-back pain decreased from 90% to 5%. Rates of motor and sensory deficits were reduced from 40% to 14% and from 45% to 6%, respectively. The follow-up rate was 58%, and the mean follow-up period was 9.3 years. Both leg pain and low-back pain were still absent in 78%. Outcome based on the Macnab classification was excellent in 80%, good in 14%, fair in 1%, and poor in 5%. According to the ODI, 78% of patients had no or only minimal disability, 16% had moderate disability, and 6% had severe disability at the time of follow-up. In this cohort, 7% needed surgery due to cyst recurrence, and 9% required a delayed stabilization procedure after the initial operation.CONCLUSIONSSurgical treatment with resection of the cyst provides favorable results in outcome. Excellent or good outcome persisting for a long-term follow-up period can be achieved in the vast majority of cases. Complication rates are low despite an increased risk of dural injury. With facet-sparing techniques, the stability of the segment can be preserved, and resection of spinal synovial cysts does not necessarily require segmental fusion.
Impact of magnetic resonance imaging and urodynamic studies on the management of sacrococcygeal dimples
Authors: Tamura Goichiro , Morota Nobuhito , Ihara Satoshi 
Published: July 2017

OBJECTIVESacrococcygeal dimples in neonates and infants are of uncertain pathological import. Previously they were believed to be rarely associated with intraspinal anomalies. Recent studies using MRI, however, revealed that 6%–7% of pediatric cases of sacrococcygeal dimples were associated with anatomical tethered spinal cord (TSC). Because the prevalence of tethered cord syndrome is still unclear, there is no consensus among pediatric neurosurgeons on the management of children with sacrococcygeal dimples. The authors performed an analysis of MRI and urodynamic studies to validate their management strategy for pediatric cases of sacrococcygeal dimples.METHODSA total of 103 Japanese children (49 male and 54 female, median age 4 months, range 8 days–83 months) with sacrococcygeal dimples who were referred to the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery between 2013 and 2015 were included in this study. The lumbosacral region of all the patients was investigated using MRI. Anatomical TSC was defined as a condition in which the caudal end of the conus medullaris is lower than the inferior border of the L2–3 intervertebral disc. Patients with minor spinal anomalies (e.g., anatomical TSC, filum lipoma, thickened filum, or filar cyst) underwent further urodynamic studies to ascertain the presence of neurogenic bladder (NGB). In this study, the presence of NGB without anatomical TSC but with other minor spinal anomalies was defined as “functional TSC.” The prevalence of anatomical and functional TSC was investigated. The association of the following cutaneous findings with spinal anomalies was also assessed: 1) depth of the dimple, 2) deviation of the gluteal fold, and 3) other skin abnormalities (e.g., discoloration, angioma, or abnormal hair).RESULTSThe children were classified into 4 groups: Group 1, patients with anatomical TSC; Group 2, patients with functional TSC; Group 3, patients without anatomical or functional TSC but with other minor spinal anomalies; and Group 4, patients with no spinal anomaly. There were 6 patients (5.8%) in Group 1, 8 patients (7.8%) in Group 2, 10 patients (9.7%) in Group 3, and 79 patients (76.7%) in Group 4. Twenty-four patients (23.3%; Groups 1, 2, and 3) showed MRI abnormalities, including filum lipoma (14 cases), filar cysts (5 cases), thickened filum (2 cases), and anatomical TSC without other spinal anomalies (3 cases). Untethering of the spinal cord was indicated for 14 patients (13.6%; Groups 1 and 2) with anatomical and functional TSCs. Preoperative NGB was found in 12 patients and improved postoperatively in 7 (58.3%). None of the associated lumbosacral skin findings predicted the presence of underlying spinal anomalies.CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of tethered cord syndrome among children with sacrococcygeal dimples was, for the first time, revealed to be higher than previously thought. MRI and supplemental urodynamic studies may be indicated for children with sacrococcygeal dimples to identify patients with symptomatic TSC.
Expander-based Atmospheric Water Harvesting in the Tropics
Authors: Subiantoro Alison 
Published: July 2017

A novel concept of using an expander to harvest atmospheric water is explored. The main advantages of this concept are its compactness and simplicity. Mathematical models were developed in this project to study the concept. The benchmark system had a crank and piston radii of 5 cm, rod length of 20 cm, operational speed of 60 rev/min, atmospheric temperature of 30°C and relative humidity of 80%. The expander was designed to expand the air to 0.7 bar and 0°C at the end of the expansion process. Because of the expansion, around 11.5 g of water was condensed for every 1 kg of air expanded. Most of the expander power was consumed during expansion to overcome the pressure difference across the two sides of the piston. The average power per cycle was 3.374 W. Therefore, the ratio of energy consumed and condensed water volume produced is 117 kWh/m3. The parametric study found that the ratio of energy and water volume was unaffected by the operational speed, increased linearly as the ambient air was hotter, decreased with ambient relative humidity and was unaffected by the expander size.
Data correlation based noise level estimation for cone beam projection data
Authors: Bai Ti , Yan Hao , Ouyang Luo , Staub David , Wang Jing , Jia Xun , Jiang Steve B. , Mou Xuanqin 
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND: In regularized iterative reconstruction algorithms, the selection of regularization parameter depends on the noise level of cone beam projection data. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to propose an algorithm to estimate the noise level of cone beam projection data. METHODS: We first derived the data correlation of cone beam projection data in the Fourier domain, based on which, the signal and the noise were decoupled. Then the noise was extracted and averaged for estimation. An adaptive regularization parameter selection strategy was introduced based on the estimated noise level. Simulation and real data studies were conducted for performance validation. RESULTS: There exists an approximately zero-energy double-wedge area in the 3D Fourier domain of cone beam projection data. As for the noise level estimation results, the averaged relative errors of the proposed algorithm in the analytical/MC/spotlight-mode simulation experiments were 0.8%, 0.14% and 0.24%, respectively, and outperformed the homogeneous area based as well as the transformation based algorithms. Real studies indicated that the estimated noise levels were inversely proportional to the exposure levels, i.e., the slopes in the log-log plot were -1.0197 and -1.049 with respect to the short-scan and half-fan modes. The introduced regularization parameter selection strategy could deliver promising reconstructed image qualities. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data correlation of cone beam projection data in Fourier domain, the proposed algorithm could estimate the noise level of cone beam projection data accurately and robustly. The estimated noise level could be used to adaptively select the regularization parameter.
Can low-dose CT perfusion imaging accurately assess response of advanced gastric cancer with neoadjuvant chemotherapy?
Authors: Sun Zong-Qiong , Yan Gen , Ge Yu-Xi , Li Jie , Jin Lin-Fang , Xie Zhi-Hui , Zhao Peng 
Published: July 2017

PURPOSE: To explore the value of low-dose CT perfusion imaging (LDCTPI) technology and its perfusion parameters in assessing response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). METHODS: Thirty patients with AGC were studied prospectively by LDCTPI to measure two parameters including blood flow (BF) and blood volume (BV) of tumor area before and after chemotherapy, respectively. All of the patients received two courses of NAC and surgical resection of gastric tumor within one week after chemotherapy, and then obtained the result of postoperative pathology response for chemotherapy. The comparisons of BF and BV values of AGC before and after chemotherapy were analyzed by paired-samples t-test, respectively; and the correlations between BF as well as BV decrease rates after NAC and the pathology response grade were analyzed by Spearman statistical test. Thirty patients were divided into effective and ineffective groups according to different pathology response grade. Comparisons of BF as well as BV decrease rates between effective and ineffective groups were analyzed by independent-samples t-test, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the cutoff values of BF and BV decrease rates as evaluation indicators of AGC after NAC and calculate area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: There were significant differences in BF and BV values of AGC between before and after NAC ( p < 0.001), respectively, and there were obvious correlations between BF as well as BV decrease rates and pathology response grade ( r = 0.660, p < 0.001; r = 0.706, p < 0.001), respectively. There were also significant differences in BF and BV decrease rates of AGC between effective and ineffective groups ( P = 0.001), respectively. If BF decrease rate of 12.1% (AUC was 0.816, P = 0.005) was used as the cutoff value for chemotherapy effectiveness of AGC, the sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 84% were achieved, and if BV decrease rate of 32.8% (AUC was 0.844, P = 0.002) was used as the cutoff value for chemotherapy effectiveness of AGC, the sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 89% were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: BF and BV decrease rates have potential to be used as effective indicators to assess chemotherapy efficacy of AGC from the hemodynamics.
A Rare Case Of Graves’ Disease With Splenomegaly And Pancytopenia
Authors: Marcelino e Silva Elayne Christinne , Vieira Settings Ricardo Parente Garcia , Bessa Maria Misrelma Moura , Lima Joao Kennedy Teixeira , Marques Thyciara Fontenele 
Published: July 2017

Introduction: Splenomegaly and pancytopenia are rare complications of Graves' disease with few reports in the literature about this association. The pathogenesis is unknown and immunological mechanisms seem to be involved. The possibility of hyperthyroidsm should always considered in patients with pancytopenia.
Objective: Describe clinical case of association between Grave's disease, splenomegaly and pancytopenia.
Method: This is a case report, obtained through data from medical records of a reference hospital located in the city of Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara, Brazil. Case report: Patient, 46 years old, female, sought treatment at a reference hospital with abdominal pain that started two days earlier, prevalent in mesogastric region and left hypochondrium very intense and recurrent, associated with significant consuptive syndrome ( loss of 10 Kg in 4 months), asthenia, dyspnea on minimum exertion, irritability and fine tremor in extremitie. SHe denied fever, palpitations, heat intolerance, skin ou eye changes. A diffuse thyroid enlargement with the presence of thrill and murmur, digital clubbing, fixed and bright look, light exophthalmos and splenomegaly about 6 cm below the left costal margin were abserved after physical examination. Ultrasound examination (USG) of the abdomen and CT scan showed moderate splenomegaly. Laboratory tests showed normocytic and normochromic anemia, leukocytosis and mild thrombocytopenia. Thyroid USG showed characteristic features of Graves' disease, a bone marrow biopsy revealed maturation preserved in all strains and lack of fibrosis and megakaryocytes present in normal number without atypia. treatment was set with propylthiouracil 300 mg a day and after the first revaluation after hospital discharge three weeks later a regression of splenomegaly has been observed.
Conclusion: This case ilustrates the rare association between hyperthyroidism and splenomegaly with pancytopenia.
A Catalog of Automatically Detected Ring Galaxy Candidates in PanSTARSS
Authors: Timmis Ian , Shamir Lior 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
We developed and applied a computer analysis method to detect ring galaxy candidates in the first data release of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (PanSTARRS). The method works by applying a low-pass filter, followed by dynamic global thresholding, to search for closed regions in the binary mask of each galaxy image. Applying the method to ∼3 × 106 PanSTARRS galaxy images produced a catalog of 185 ring galaxy candidates based on their visual appearance.
The scientific project and editorial practices of the Revue d’Anthropologie des Connaissances
Authors: Board The Editorial 
Published: July 2017

This article retraces the scientific and editorial project behind the Revue d’Anthropologie des Connaissances (RAC), launched in 2007, and in particular the convergence of multiple disciplines that promoted the founding of the journal. It then presents the editorial policy, practices and choices having fashioned it and whose procedures are no less important than its content and epistemic focus. These procedures concern reviewing work but also choice of media (online electronic access), article format, publication language, dissemination (open access to readers) and business model.
Análisis retrospectivo de la producción de la Revue d’Anthropologie des Connaissances
Authors: Editorial El Comité 
Published: July 2017

A partir del corpus de artículos publicados durante los diez años de la Revue d’Anthropologie des Connaissances, este artículo brinda un análisis retrospectivo tanto de los autores, como del tipo de artículos y del contenido de las citas presentes en los artículos. Este análisis permite comprender lo que el proyecto editorial ha generado en 10 años de publicación de la revista con respecto a su proyecto editorial inicial y su deseo de nutrir una ciencia abierta. Este análisis retrospectivo conduce a un balance sintético sobre la forma en que la Revue d’Anthropologie des Connaissances contribuye actualmente al panorama de la publicación científica.
La réalité des groupes agents
Authors: Urfalino Philippe 
Published: July 2017

Nos énoncés sur les affaires de notre monde comprennent souvent des termes collectifs, tels que l’État, le Club, l’Entreprise ou l’Association. Cet article porte sur les conditions requises pour accorder une réalité aux entités censées être les référents de ces termes collectifs. Il présente un examen critique de la théorie des groupes agents proposée par List et Pettit et une conception alternative des entités collectives. Il compare ensuite les réponses de ces approches opposées à deux des questions que toute théorie prêtant une réalité aux entités collectives doit traiter : la question de l’incorporation, c’est-à-dire la manière de concevoir la constitution de l’entité à partir de la pluralité de ses membres ; et la question de son mode d’existence.
Les familles dans la philosophie normative, entre groupes et individus
Authors: Calder Gideon , Bessone Magali 
Published: July 2017

Les définitions de la famille incluent généralement le terme de « groupe » – et pour la plupart des individus, la famille représente une affiliation première. La famille occupe une place déterminante dans les analyses sociales et politiques ; pourtant, elle apparaît très peu dans les débats de théorie politique normative sur les groupes. Cet article se demande si les familles sont bien des groupes, au sens où les théoriciens politiques abordent les questions de groupe. L’argument se déploie en trois temps. Premièrement, je compare quatre perspectives générales : l’individualisme de la « Nouvelle Droite », l’égalitarisme libéral, le communautarisme et l’éthique du care. Dans les deux premières, la famille est traitée comme une sorte de «macroindividu » ; dans les deux secondes, elle est prise comme un «micro-groupe ». Deuxièmement, j’identifie trois menaces que la famille pose à la justice sociale – mais j’ajoute que n’importe quel groupe potentiel est susceptible de les poser. Enfin, je distingue deux manières différentes d’identifier des types de groupes, selon qu’ils sont, ou non, fondés sur des croyances partagées ou sur une culture commune. À partir de cette analyse, je suggère qu’il faut traiter la famille comme un micro-groupe ; les rôles particuliers qu’elle joue dans la vie des individus devraient être au coeur des débats plus larges qui portent sur les groupes et leurs implications politiques.
La déstabilisation épistémique des entités collectives : le cas des partis politiques
Authors: Ouzilou Olivier 
Published: July 2017

Cet article analyse la déstabilisation épistémique dont peuvent être victimes un certain genre d’entités collectives. Ce phénomène désigne un type spécifique de limitation que peut subir un groupe dans sa capacité à élaborer et/ou à incarner une position collective d’une manière rationnelle et unifiée, limitation qui a pour effet la remise en cause de son aptitude à constituer un sujet épistémique crédible. Pour ce faire, je distingue tout d’abord différents genres de groupes. Puis, j’explicite la nature de la vie mentale dont sont capables les sujets pluriels finalisés. Je me focalise, ensuite, sur un certain type de sujets pluriels finalisés : les organisations politiques. Après avoir souligné l’intrication de leur identité épistémique et de leur identité sociale, j’introduis le concept de « déstabilisation épistémique ». J’analyse enfin, à travers une illustration, l’un des facteurs possibles d’une telle déstabilisation, à savoir la diffusion de thèmes transversaux dans le débat public, ainsi que ses effets sur l’entité déstabilisée.