bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Bilateral Oophorectomy and Natural Menopause on Bone Mineral Density
Authors: Nida H. Ali  , Mayyadah H. Al-Shahlanee  , Abbas M. Jasim  
Published: December 2016

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of bilateral oophorectomy on bone mineral density in comparison with natural menopause. Bone mineral density (BMD) is measured with dual energy X-ray DXA of lumber spine and femoral neck in 133 women, aged ranged (45 -70 years). Two surgical groups consist of 100 women either after or before, surgical after menopause SAM women with mean age (66.55 ± 1.11 years), menopause duration mean (15.88 ± 1.19 years) and body mass index BMI mean (32.09 ± 1.37 Kg /m2). Women who underwent surgery before menopause SBM the mean age (57.18 ± 0.84 years), (13.31 ± 0.83 years) the mean of menopause duration and (32.26 ± 0.7 Kg /m2) the mean of body mass index BMI. The natural menopause NM include 33 women mean age (56.45 ± 0.93 years) with (6.24 ± 0.81 years) duration of menopause and (33.49 ± 1.08 Kg /m2) BMI. The mean of BMD and T-score in lumber spine L1-L4 in SAM group was (0.84 ± 0.03 gr/cm2 and -2.32 ± 0.25) respectively, in the SBM group (BMD = 0.82 ± 0.01 gr/cm2 and T-score -2.46 ± 0.12) comparing to natural menopause group NM (BMD = 1.16 ± 0.03 gr /cm2 and T-score 0.31 ± 0.23). The mean of BMD measured for femoral neck in SAM (0.72± 0.03 gr /cm2 and T-score = - 1.54 ± 0.2), in SBM (BMD = 0.81 ± 0.81 gr/cm2 and T-score = - 0.86 ± 0.12), in NM (BMD = 0.93 ± 0.03 gr/cm2 and T-score = 0.3 6 ± 0.03). Bilateral oophorectomy associated with decrease in BMD, in addition age and duration of menopause are important factors affected on BMD.
Long-Term Outcomes and Discard Rate of Kidneys by Decade of Extended Criteria Donor Age
Authors: Messina Maria , Diena Davide , Dellepiane Sergio , Guzzo Gabriella , Lo Sardo Luca , Fop Fabrizio , Segoloni Giuseppe P. , Amoroso Antonio , Magistroni Paola , Biancone Luigi 
Published: December 2016

Background and objectives
Extended criteria donors represent nowadays a main resource for kidney transplantation, and recovery criteria are becoming increasingly inclusive. However, the limits of this approach are not clear as well as the effects of extreme donor ages on long-term kidney transplantation outcomes. To address these issues, we performed a retrospective study on extended criteria donor kidney transplantation.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
In total, 647 consecutive extended criteria donor kidney transplantations performed over 11 years (2003–2013) were included. Donor, recipient, and procedural variables were classified according to donor age decades (group A, 50–59 years old [n=91]; group B, 60–69 years old [n=264]; group C, 70–79 years old [n=265]; and group D, ≥80 years old [n=27]). Organs were allocated in single- or dual-kidney transplantation after a multistep evaluation including clinical and histologic criteria. Long-term outcomes and main adverse events were analyzed among age groups and in either single- or dual-kidney transplantation. Kidney discard rate incidence and causes were evaluated.

Results
Median follow-up was 4.9 years (25th; 75th percentiles: 2.7; 7.6 years); patient and graft survival were comparable among age groups (5-year patient survival: group A, 87.8%; group B, 88.1%; group C, 88.0%; and group D, 90.1%; P=0.77; graft survival: group A, 74.0%; group B, 74.2%; group C, 75.2%; and group D, 65.9%; P=0.62) and between dual-kidney transplantation and single-kidney transplantation except for group D, with a better survival for dual-kidney transplantation (P=0.04). No difference was found analyzing complications incidence or graft function over time. Kidney discard rate was similar in groups A, B, and C (15.4%, 17.7%, and 20.1%, respectively) and increased in group D (48.2%; odds ratio, 5.1 with A as the reference group; 95% confidence interval, 2.96 to 8.79).

Conclusions
Discard rate and long-term outcomes are similar among extended criteria donor kidney transplantation from donors ages 50–79 years old. Conversely, discard rate was strikingly higher among kidneys from octogenarian donors, but appropriate selection provides comparable long-term outcomes, with better graft survival for dual-kidney transplantation.
Wittgenstein’s transcendental deduction and Kant’s private language argument
Authors: Leslie Stevenson  
Published: December 2016

Translated by Vyacheslav Tsyba from: Stevenson, L. Wittgenstein’s Transcendental Deduction and Kant’s Private Language Argument. Kant-Studien, 73(3), 1982, 321-337. https://doi.org/10.1515/kant.1982.73.1-4.321.Scientific editing and translation of quotations from the German realized by Ivan Ivashchenko.Text translated and published with the personal consent of the author.
A Controladoria como ferramenta de gestão no custeio de uma empresa de construção civil
Authors: Santos Osmildo Sobral , Arantes Maria Aparecida 
Published: December 2016

Nesse artigo procurou-se demonstrar que a utilização da controladoria eficiente pode ser primordial para a manutenção de uma empresa no mercado atual além de, assegurar a fidedignidade e integridade dos registros contábeis, onde se torna indispensável para a segurança da empresa e também para resguardar o administrador na sua tomada de decisões. Com isso os processos se tornamágeis e de fácil entendimento para todos os usuários, tanto internos quanto externos que fazem uso dessas informações. O presente artigo visa apresentar a controladoria como ferramenta de gestão no custeio de uma empresa de construção civil. Atualmente as empresas, sejam nacionais e ou multinacionais, privadas e públicas, possuem algumas falhas em seus controles internos. Aimportância em desenvolver esta pesquisa busca as informações que ajude a empresa a manter seu equilíbrio mais adequado nas áreas envolvidas na operação. Conseqüentemente com a concorrência de oferta, a situação que antes já era exigido um acompanhamento sistemático, introduziu-se, a partirde então, sistemas de gestão integrados de forma que a expressão controladoria passasse a envolver e apresentar-se como elo que agrega e confronta os aspectos positivos e negativos das organizações, convergindo-as para a busca de uma maior produtividade. As empresas que participaram do questionário foram analisadas com o objetivo de identificar quais os tipos ferramentas são utilizadas por elas para fazer o controle interno.
Gestão do Conhecimento Explícito nas Organizações que não possuem base de dados eletrônica
Authors: Massi Maria Lúcia Gili 
Published: December 2016

Na sociedade da informação, o conhecimento é o principal fator de produção. Para se manter competitivas, as organizações são impelidas pelo mercado global a fazerem a gestão do conhecimento. A tecnologia da informação tem se mostrado grande aliada no processo de estruturar, armazenar e disseminar o conhecimento para toda a empresa. No entanto, há organizações que não dispõem de base de dados eletrônica e outras instituições que não podem utilizar as ferramentas eletrônicas pela impossibilidade de correrem riscos de divulgação de informações de segurança nacional. Tal dificuldade estimulou a realização deste estudo que objetiva verificar se a gestão do conhecimento explícito nas organizações que não possuem base de dados eletrônica pode ser feita pelo treinamento. A pesquisa bibliográfica revelou que o treinamento tem sido utilizado como ferramenta para a disseminação do conhecimento explícito.
Las competencias y la evaluación del desempeño del recurso humano en el sector turístico. El caso de Ambato-Ecuador
Authors: Cruz Lascano Mary Elizabeth , Martínez Mesías Juan Pablo , Santamaría Joselito Ricardo Naranjo 
Published: December 2016

La evaluación del personal es una herramienta y no un fin en sí mismo. Es un medio para obtener datos e información que puedan registrarse, procesarse y canalizarse para mejorar el desempeño humano en las organizaciones. Existen varios métodos de gestión que responden a las necesidades de la época y la estructura predominante de las organizaciones, sin embargo, el cambio es la única constante en lo que al comportamiento del ser humano se refiere, debido a esto, todo el tiempo se están analizando e investigando nuevas formas de evaluar el desempeño del personal en el ámbito empresarial, con el único fin de crear espacios de motivación que aseguren el involucramiento del personal en la consecución de las metas empresariales. En su momento, se han logrado resultados, pero aún hay camino que recorrer, el análisis de la información obtenida a través de una encuesta realizada al personal de varios establecimientos turísticos de la ciudad es la base para la determinación de la metodología de evaluación con miras a potenciar las competencias de quienes son el motor al interior de la empresa, los colaboradores.
Estrategia organizacional y la rentabilidad en empresas del sector automotriz de la Zona Central del Ecuador
Authors: Valle Alvarez Alexandra Tatiana , Carrasco Lilián Victoria Morales , Córdova Zonnia Alexandra Fonseca 
Published: December 2016

El objetivo de esta investigación es aproximarnos al estudio de la estrategia organizacional y la rentabilidad en las empresas representativas del sector automotriz de la Zona Central del Ecuador durante los años 2013 al 2015. En base a la tipología genérica propuesta por Miles y Snow en torno a la estrategia y el estudio de la rentabilidad, medida a través del ROI y el EBITDA, se evaluaron cualitativa y cuantitativamente a siete empresas del sector, identificándose inicialmente características en torno a cinco factores: mercado, eficiencia, innovación y estructura, en base a los cuales se diferenciaron arquetipos estratégicos en las empresas que las identifican como: Prospectiva, Analizadora o Defensiva. No se hicieron evidentes casos de empresas Reactivas en la población estudiada. Los principales resultados de la investigación muestran a través del análisis descriptivo que la caracterización de las empresa Prospectiva y Analizadora identificada en la mayoría de empresas estudiadas está ligada a mayores niveles de rentabilidad, incluso cercanos a los reportados por la industria, que aquella que habría aplicado una estrategia de carácter Defensiva, con desempeño comparativamente menor en ROI y EBITDA.
Effect of laser alloying on heat-treated light alloys
Authors: Labisz Krzysztof , Tański Tomasz , Kremzer Marek , Janicki Damian 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
This paper presents the results of a microstructure and hardness investigation into the surface layer of cast aluminium–silicon alloys, after being alloyed by heat treatment and/or remelted with ceramic powders, using a high power diode laser (HPDL). The purpose of this work was to determine the appropriate laser treatment conditions for laser surface treatment of the investigated aluminium and magnesium alloys. For investigation of the obtained structure, optical and scanning electron microscopy was used with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy microanalysis. After the laser surface treatment was carried out on the heat-treated aluminium and magnesium cast alloys, there were visible structural changes concerning the microstructure, as well as distribution and morphology of the phases occurring in the alloy, influencing the hardness of the achieved layer. In the structure, three zones were discovered with different structures and properties. Concerning the laser treatment conditions for laser-surface hardening, the laser power and ceramic powder feed rate were also studied. The structure of the surface laser track changed so that two areas of the dispersing zone were detected, where the ceramic powder particles were present. This investigation, with the application of an HPDL for Al and Mg alloys, makes it possible to obtain or develop an interesting technology that is very attractive for the automobile and aviation industries, as a next step after laser surface treatment used for steels.
The semisitting position: analysis of the risks and surgical outcomes in a contemporary series of 425 adult patients undergoing cranial surgery
Authors: Saladino Andrea , Lamperti Massimo , Mangraviti Antonella , Legnani Federico G. , Prada Francesco U. , Casali Cecilia , Caputi Luigi , Borrelli Paola , DiMeco Francesco 
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study was to analyze the incidence of the primary complications related to positioning or surgery and their impact on neurological outcome in a consecutive series of patients undergoing elective surgery in the semisitting position.METHODSThe authors prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed data from adult patients undergoing elective surgery in the semisitting position for a cranial disease. Patients were managed perioperatively according to a standard institutional protocol, a standardized stepwise positioning, and surgical maneuvers to decrease the risk of venous air embolism (VAE) and other complications. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Neurointensive care unit (NICU) length of stay (LOS) and hospital LOS were the intermediate endpoints. Neurological outcome was the primary endpoint as determined by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 6 months after surgery.RESULTSFour hundred twenty-five patients were included in the analysis. VAE occurred in 90 cases (21%) and it made no significant statistical difference in NICU LOS, hospital LOS, and neurological outcome. No complication was directly related to the semisitting position, although 46 patients (11%) experienced at least 1 surgery-related complication and NICU LOS and hospital LOS were significantly prolonged in this group. Neurological outcome was significantly worse for patients with complications (p < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONSEven in the presence of intraoperative VAE, the semisitting position was not related to an increased risk of postoperative deficits and can represent a safe additional option for the benefit of specific surgical and patient needs.
Octreotide therapy in meningiomas: in vitro study, clinical correlation, and literature review
Authors: Graillon Thomas , Romano David , Defilles Céline , Saveanu Alexandru , Mohamed Amira , Figarella-Branger Dominique , Roche Pierre-Hugues , Fuentes Stéphane , Chinot Olivier , Dufour Henry , Barlier Anne 
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVEMeningiomas express somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (SST2), which is targeted by the somatostatin analog octreotide. However, to date, using somatostatin analog therapy for the treatment of these tumors in clinical practice has been debated. This study aims to clarify the in vitro effects of octreotide on meningiomas for precise clinical applications.METHODSThe effects of octreotide were analyzed in a large series of 80 meningiomas, including 31 World Health Organization (WHO) Grade II and 4 WHO Grade III tumors, using fresh primary cell cultures to study the impact on cell viability, apoptosis, and signal transduction pathways.RESULTSSST2 mRNA was detected in 100% of the tested meningiomas at levels similar to those observed in other SST2-expressing tumors, neuroendocrine tumors, or pituitary adenomas. Octreotide significantly decreased cell proliferation in 88% of meningiomas but did not induce cell death. On average, cell proliferation was more inhibited in the meningioma group expressing a high level of SST2 than in the low-SST2 group. Moreover, octreotide response was positively correlated to the level of merlin protein and inversely correlated to the level of phosphorylated p70-S6 kinase, a downstream effector of the PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Octreotide inhibited Akt phosphorylation and activated tyrosine phosphatase without impacting the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway.CONCLUSIONSOctreotide acts exclusively as an antiproliferative agent and does not promote apoptosis in meningioma in vitro. Therefore, in vivo, octreotide is likely to limit tumor growth rather than induce tumor shrinkage. A meta-analysis of the literature reveals an interest in octreotide for the treatment of WHO Grade I tumors, particularly those in the skull base for which the 6-month progression-free survival level reached 92%. Moreover, somatostatin analogs, which are well-tolerated drugs, could be of interest for use as co-targeting therapies for aggressive meningiomas.
Effects of intradiscal vacuum phenomenon on surgical outcome of lateral interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disease
Authors: Yen Chun-Po , Beckman Joshua M. , Vivas Andrew C. , Bach Konrad , Uribe Juan S. 
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE
The authors investigated whether the presence of intradiscal vacuum phenomenon (IVP) results in greater correction of disc height and restoration of segmental lordosis (SL).

METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed on every patient at the University of South Florida's Department of Neurosurgery treated with lateral lumbar interbody fusion between 2011 and 2015. From these charts, preoperative plain radiographs and CT images were reviewed for the presence of IVP. Preoperative and postoperative posterior disc height (PDH), anterior disc height (ADH), and SL were measured at disc levels with IVP and compared with those at disc levels without IVP using the t-test. Linear regression was used to evaluate the factors that predict changes in PDH, ADH, and SL.

RESULTS
One hundred forty patients with 247 disc levels between L-1 and L-5 were treated with lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Among all disc levels treated, the mean PDH increased from 3.69 to 6.66 mm (p = 0.011), the mean ADH increased from 5.45 to 11.53 mm (p < 0.001), and the mean SL increased from 9.59° to 14.55° (p < 0.001). Significantly increased PDH was associated with the presence of IVP, addition of pedicle screws, and lack of cage subsidence; significantly increased ADH was associated with the presence of IVP, anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) release, addition of pedicle screws, and lack of subsidence; and significantly increased SL was associated with the presence of IVP and ALL release.

CONCLUSIONS
IVP in patients with degenerative spinal disease remains grossly underreported. The data from the present study suggest that the presence of IVP results in increased restoration of disc height and SL.
The response of spinal cord ependymomas to bevacizumab in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2
Authors: Morris Katrina A. , Afridi Shazia K. , Evans D. Gareth , Hensiek Anke E. , McCabe Martin G. , Kellett Mark , Halliday Dorothy , Pretorius Pieter M. , Parry Allyson 
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE
People with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) have a genetic predisposition to nervous system tumors. NF2-associated schwannomas stabilize or decrease in size in over half of the patients while they are receiving bevacizumab. NF2 patients treated with bevacizumab for rapidly growing schwannoma were retrospectively reviewed with regard to ependymoma prevalence and response to treatment.

METHODS
The records of 95 NF2 patients receiving bevacizumab were retrospectively reviewed with regard to spinal ependymoma prevalence and behavior. The maximum longitudinal extent (MLE) of the ependymoma and associated intratumoral or juxtatumoral cysts were measured on serial images. Neurological changes and patient function were reviewed and correlated with radiological changes.

RESULTS
Forty-one of 95 patients were found to have ependymomas (median age 26 years; range 11–53 years). Thirty-two patients with a total of 71 ependymomas had scans appropriate for serial assessment with a mean follow-up of 24 months (range 3–57 months). Ependymomas without cystic components showed minimal change in MLE. Twelve patients had ependymomas with cystic components or syringes. In these patients, reductions in MLE were observed, particularly due to decreases in the cystic components of the ependymoma. Clinical improvement was seen in 7 patients, who all had cystic ependymomas.

CONCLUSIONS
Bevacizumab treatment in NF2 patients with spinal cord ependymomas results in a decrease in the size of intratumoral and juxtatumoral cysts as well as adjacent-cord syringes and a decrease in cord edema. This may provide clinical benefit in some patients, although the changes do not meet the current criteria for radiological tumor response.
The epidemiology of spinal tuberculosis in the United States: an analysis of 2002–2011 data
Authors: De la Garza Ramos Rafael , Goodwin C. Rory , Abu-Bonsrah Nancy , Bydon Ali , Witham Timothy F. , Wolinsky Jean-Paul , Sciubba Daniel M. 
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of spinal tuberculosis (TB) in the US between 2002 and 2011.

METHODS
The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2002 to 2011 was used to identify patients with a discharge diagnosis of TB and spinal TB. Demographic and hospital data were obtained for all admissions, and included age, sex, race, comorbid conditions, insurance status, hospital location, hospital teaching status, and hospital region. The incidence rate of spinal TB adjusted for population growth was calculated after application of discharge weights.

RESULTS
A total of 75,858 patients with a diagnosis of TB were identified, of whom 2789 had a diagnosis of spinal TB (3.7%); this represents an average of 278.9 cases per year between 2002 and 2011. The incidence of spinal TB decreased significantly—from 0.07 cases per 100,000 persons in 2002 to 0.05 cases per 100,000 in 2011 (p < 0.001), corresponding to 1 case per 2 million persons in the latter year. The median age for patients with spinal TB was 51 years, and 61% were male; 11.6% were patients with diabetes, 11.4% reported recent weight loss, and 8.1% presented with paralysis. There were 619 patients who underwent spinal surgery for TB, with the most common location being the thoracolumbar spine (61.9% of cases); 50% of patients had instrumentation of 3 or more spinal segments.

CONCLUSIONS
During the examined 10-year period, the incidence of spinal TB was found to significantly decrease over time in the US, reaching a rate of 1 case per 2 million persons in 2011. However, the absolute reduction was relatively small, suggesting that although it is uncommon, spinal TB remains a public health concern and most commonly affects male patients approximately 50 years of age. Approximately 20% of patients with spinal TB underwent surgery, most commonly in the thoracolumbar spine.
Use of sonic tomography to detect and quantify wood decay in living trees
Authors: Gilbert Gregory S. , Ballesteros Javier O. , Barrios‐Rodriguez Cesar A. , Bonadies Ernesto F. , Cedeño‐Sánchez Marjorie L. , Fossatti‐Caballero Nohely J. , Trejos‐Rodríguez Mariam M. , Pérez‐Suñiga José Moises , Holub‐Young Katharine S. , Henn Laura A. W. , Thompson Jennifer B. , García‐López Cesar G. , Romo Amanda C. , Johnston Daniel C. , Barrick Pablo P. , Jordan Fulvia A. , Hershcovich Shiran , Russo Natalie , Sánchez Juan David , Fábrega Juan Pablo , Lumpkin Raleigh , McWilliams Hunter A. , Chester Kathleen N. , Burgos Alana C. , Wong E. Beatriz , Diab Jonathan H. , Renteria Sonia A. , Harrower Jennifer T. , Hooton Douglas A. , Glenn Travis C. , Faircloth Brant C. , Hubbell Stephen P. 
Published: December 2016

Premise of the study:Field methodology and image analysis protocols using acoustic tomography were developed and evaluated as a tool to estimate the amount of internal decay and damage of living trees, with special attention to tropical rainforest trees with irregular trunk shapes.Methods and Results:Living trunks of a diversity of tree species in tropical rainforests in the Republic of Panama were scanned using an Argus Electronic PiCUS 3 Sonic Tomograph and evaluated for the amount and patterns of internal decay. A protocol using ImageJ analysis software was used to quantify the proportions of intact and compromised wood. The protocols provide replicable estimates of internal decay and cavities for trees of varying shapes, wood density, and bark thickness.Conclusions:Sonic tomography, coupled with image analysis, provides an efficient, noninvasive approach to evaluate decay patterns and structural integrity of even irregularly shaped living trees.