bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lebensqualität und funktionelles Ergebnis nach mikrochirurgischer Dekompression bei lumbaler Spinalkanalstenose – eine Registerstudie
Authors: Zarghooni Kourosh , Beyer Frank , Papadaki Joanna , Boese Christoph , Siewe Jan , Schiffer Gereon , Eysel Peer , Bredow Jan 
Published: April 2017

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung Die lumbale Spinalkanalstenose (SKS) hat sich in den letzten Jahren durch die gestiegene Lebenserwartung und die höheren Ansprüche an die Lebensqualität zu einer der häufigsten degenerativen Wirbelsäulenveränderungen entwickelt. Bei therapierefraktären Patienten der konservativen Therapie ist die mikrochirurgische Dekompression der Goldstandard in der operativen Behandlung der degenerativen lumbalen Spinalkanalstenose. Ziel der vorgelegten Studie ist die Bewertung der Lebensqualität nach mikrochirurgischer Dekompression bei lumbaler Spinalkanalstenose anhand der Instrumente des DWG-Registers (vorher Spine Tango).
Methode 36 Patienten wurden in diese monozentrische prospektive Beobachtungsstudie von Januar 2013 bis Juni 2014 eingeschlossen. Die Datenerhebung erfolgte über das Spine Tango- bzw. DWG-Register. Es wurden der Core Outcome Measure Index (COMI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) und der Lebensqualitätsfragebogen EuroQoL-5D erhoben. Dies erfolgte vor der Operation sowie 6 Wochen, 6 Monate und 12 Monate nach der Operation.
Ergebnisse Im untersuchten Kollektiv fanden sich 13 weibliche und 23 männliche Patienten (36,1 vs. 63,9 %). Für 21 Patienten konnte ein vollständiges Follow-up über den 12-Monats-Zeitraum erhoben werden. Der COMI-Score besserte sich von 8,1 ± 1,5 präoperativ signifikant über das gesamte Follow-up (6 Wochen: 4,5 ± 3,1 (p < 0,001), 6 Monate: 4,8 ± 3,1, 12 Monate: 3,8 ± 3,2). Auch die Beeinträchtigung der Rückenfunktion gemessen im ODI-Score war gegenüber den präoperativen Werten (47,5 ± 17,3) nach 6 Wochen (29,1 ± 22,4; p < 0,005), 6 Monaten (30,0 ± 19,3) und 12 Monaten (23,8 ± 18,2) signifikant besser. Gleichermaßen verhielt es sich mit der Lebensqualität (präoperativ: 0,36 ± 0,38; 6 Wochen: 0,57 ± 0,34 (p < 0,019), 6 Monate: 0,62 ± 0,28, 12 Monate: 0,67 ± 0,31).
Schlussfolgerung Unsere Untersuchung zeigt, dass Patienten ohne Voroperationen und neurologisches Defizit mit lumbaler Spinalkanalstenose eine erhebliche Linderung von Schmerzen und eine Steigerung der Lebensqualität bereits nach 6 Wochen nach stabilitätserhaltender Dekompression erwarten dürfen. Dieser positive postoperative Effekt zeigt sich über 12 Monate weiter progredient. Das DWG-Register bietet eine standardisierte und validierte Möglichkeit, konservative wie operative Behandlungen an der Wirbelsäule langfristig vergleichbar zu machen.
Assessment of Early Cardiovascular Risk in Children and Adolescents with Essential Hypertension
Authors: Stelcar Andreja , Homsak Evgenija , Marcun Varda Natasa 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The aim of our study was to investigate some early markers of hypertensive target organ damage in hypertensive children and adolescents, and to detect those showing most prominent clinical significance.
We included 100 children with essential hypertension (EH) and 50 age-matched healthy control children, and evaluated left ventricular mass (LVM), intima-media thickness in the carotid arteries (IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), microalbuminuria, biochemical parameters and some adipokines.
Statistically significant differences between the 2 groups were observed for HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, uric acid, glucose, apolipoprotein A1, and total adiponectin. The mean values of IMT, PWV and LVM were greater in hypertensive children, but only the differences in IMT and LVM were statistically significant. In addition, hypertensive children showed significantly higher values of AoSP (aortic systolic pressure), AoPP (aortic pulse pressure) and AIx@75 (augmentation index corrected for heart rate of 75 b.p.m.). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 31% of hypertensive children.
A significant number of children with EH have early target organ changes as well as other risk factors, including metabolic syndrome, especially obese ones. However, IMT, LVM and some parameters of arterial stiffness have been found to be early markers in both obese and non-obese hypertensives. In addition, adipokines and coagulation factors seem to be important in obese hypertensives.
Hyperprolactinemia and the Association with All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Mortality
Authors: Krogh Jesper , Selmer Christian , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Gislason Gunnar , Kistorp Caroline 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHyperprolactinemia has been suspected to increase mortality risk, but the available data are conflicting. The objective of this study was to estimate the association between hyperprolactinemia and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among patients referred for assessment of prolactin. For this study, adults with no prio pituitary disease who underwent prolactin assessment at 3 university Hospitals in Denmark between 2001 and 2011 were included in a retrospective cohort study. A total of 3 633 patients with a median follow-up time of 5.3 years (IQR 2.7–5.7) were included. Mean (SD) age 39.7 (15.5) years and 78% female. 373/3 633 (10.3%) had hyperprolactinemia and during follow-up 330/3 633 (9.1%) patients died of any cause, and 113/3 633 (3.1%) patients died of cardiovascular causes. In males, hyperprolactinemia was associated with age-adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.86 for all-cause mortality (95% CI 1.22–2.82) and 2.55 (95% CI 1.43–4.55) for cardiovascular mortality. The IRR for all-cause mortality was reduced to 1.37 (0.90–2.08) when adjusted for the use of antipsychotic medication. The association between hyperprolactinemia and cardiovascular mortality remained after adjusting for confounders, for example, chronic renal failure, diabetes, and antipsychotic medication. In females, hyperprolactinemia was not associated with all-cause mortality (IRR 1.45; CI 0.86–2.47) or cardiovascular mortality (IRR 0.58; CI 0.14–2.39). In conclusion, hyperprolactinemia was associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in male patients. This association was not found in female patients. Focus on increased cardiovascular risk in males with hyperprolactinemia is warranted.
Difructose anhydride III decreases body fat as a low-energy substitute or by decreasing energy intake in non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized female rats
Authors: Fujitani Mina , Kishida Taro , Shimizu Emi , Ishikawa Junji 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
We evaluated the effects of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) on body weights of ovariectomized rats, which are a good model for obesity by estrogen deficiency-induced overeating. Female rats (10 weeks old) were subjected to ovariectomy or sham operation and then fed with or without a diet containing 3% or 6% DFAIII for 33 days or pair-fed control diet during the same period. Rats fed DFAIII showed significantly decreased food intake, energy intake, body weight gain, body energy accumulation, and fat tissue weight than control group, regardless of ovariectomy. DFAIII may decrease body fat dependent of reduced food/energy intake. Compared with the respective pair feeding groups, rats fed DFAIII showed significantly decreased body energy and fat tissue weight, regardless of ovariectomy, suggesting its potential as a low-energy substitute for high-energy sweeteners. The low energy of DFAIII may contribute to decreased body fat, which may not be dependent on obesity.
RNAblueprint: flexible multiple target nucleic acid sequence design
Authors: Hammer Stefan , Tschiatschek Birgit , Flamm Christoph , Hofacker Ivo L , Findeiß Sven 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMotivationRealizing the value of synthetic biology in biotechnology and medicine requires the design of molecules with specialized functions. Due to its close structure to function relationship, and the availability of good structure prediction methods and energy models, RNA is perfectly suited to be synthetically engineered with predefined properties. However, currently available RNA design tools cannot be easily adapted to accommodate new design specifications. Furthermore, complicated sampling and optimization methods are often developed to suit a specific RNA design goal, adding to their inflexibility.ResultsWe developed a C ++  library implementing a graph coloring approach to stochastically sample sequences compatible with structural and sequence constraints from the typically very large solution space. The approach allows to specify and explore the solution space in a well defined way. Our library also guarantees uniform sampling, which makes optimization runs performant by not only avoiding re-evaluation of already found solutions, but also by raising the probability of finding better solutions for long optimization runs. We show that our software can be combined with any other software package to allow diverse RNA design applications. Scripting interfaces allow the easy adaption of existing code to accommodate new scenarios, making the whole design process very flexible. We implemented example design approaches written in Python to demonstrate these advantages.Availability and implementationRNAblueprint, Python implementations and benchmark datasets are available at github: https://github.com/ViennaRNA.Supplementary informationSupplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fracture connectivity can reduce the velocity anisotropy of seismic waves
Authors: Rubino J. Germán , Caspari Eva , Müller Tobias M. , Holliger Klaus 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The degree of connectivity of fracture networks is a key parameter that controls the hydraulic properties of fractured rock formations. The current understanding is that this parameter does not alter the effective elastic properties of the probed medium and, hence, cannot be inferred from seismic data. However, this reasoning is based on static elasticity, which neglects dynamic effects related to wave-induced fluid pressure diffusion (FPD). Using a numerical upscaling procedure based on the theory of quasi-static poroelasticity, we provide the first evidence to suggest that fracture connectivity can reduce significantly velocity anisotropy in the seismic frequency band. Analyses of fluid pressure fields in response to the propagation of seismic waves demonstrate that this reduction of velocity anisotropy is not due to changes of the geometrical characteristics of the probed fracture networks, but rather related to variations of the stiffening effect of the fracture fluid in response to FPD. These results suggest that accounting for FPD effects may not only allow for improving estimations of geometrical and mechanical properties of fracture networks, but may also provide information with regard to the effective hydraulic properties.
High fishing intensity reduces females’ sperm reserve and brood fecundity in a eubrachyuran crab subject to sex- and size-biased harvest
Authors: Pardo Luis M , Riveros Marcela P , Fuentes Juan Pablo , Pinochet Ramona , Cárdenas Carla , Sainte-Marie Bernard 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Size-selective male fisheries may result in sperm limitation whereby the number of sperm is insufficient to fertilize all oöcytes produced by females. In eubrachyuran crabs, females have seminal receptacles for sperm storage which may reduce the risk of sperm limitation over their lifetime. In this study on the commercially exploited eubrachyuran Metacarcinus edwardsii, we evaluate the sperm limitation hypothesis by measuring female reproductive success in five Chilean populations subjected to low or high fishing intensity. The quantity and viability of sperm stored by females was measured in each season and population, and related to resulting brood fecundity. Females’ sperm reserve was larger when fishing intensity was low than when it was high—paralleling previously demonstrated differences in males’ sperm reserve—and especially in the season before oviposition. Sperm viability was in general high (92%) and independent of fishing intensity. Mean brood fecundity adjusted to constant female size was about 60% greater under low compared with high fishing intensity. Thus, in M. edwardsii, population reproductive output could be depressed by male-biased fishing in spite of female sperm storage capability.
A simulation study on the dosimetric benefit of real-time motion compensation in spot-scanning proton therapy for prostate
Authors: Fujii Yusuke , Matsuura Taeko , Takao Seishin , Matsuzaki Yuka , Fujii Takaaki , Miyamoto Naoki , Umegaki Kikuo , Nishioka Kentaro , Shimizu Shinichi , Shirato Hiroki 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
For proton spot scanning, use of a real-time-image gating technique incorporating an implanted marker and dual fluoroscopy facilitates mitigation of the dose distribution deterioration caused by interplay effects. This study explored the advantages of using a real-time-image gating technique, with a focus on prostate cancer. Two patient-positioning methods using fiducial markers were compared: (i) patient positioning only before beam delivery, and (ii) patient positioning both before and during beam delivery using a real-time-gating technique. For each scenario, dose distributions were simulated using the CT images of nine prostate cancer patients. Treatment plans were generated using a single-field proton beam with 3-mm and 6-mm lateral margins. During beam delivery, the prostate was assumed to move by 5 mm in four directions that were perpendicular to the beam direction at one of three separate timings (i.e. after the completion of the first, second and third quartiles of the total delivery of spot irradiation). Using a 3-mm margin and second quartile motion timing, the averaged values for ΔD99, ΔD95, ΔD5 and D5–95 were 5.1%, 3.3%, 3.6% and 9.0%, respectively, for Scenario (i) and 2.1%, 1.5%, 0.5% and 4.1%, respectively, for Scenario (ii). The margin expansion from 3 mm to 6 mm reduced the size of ΔD99, ΔD95, ΔD5 and D5–95 only with Scenario (i). These results indicate that patient positioning during beam delivery is an effective way to obtain better target coverage and uniformity while reducing the target margin when the prostate moves during irradiation.
Exploring the IMF of star clusters: a joint SLUG and LEGUS effort
Authors: Ashworth G. , Fumagalli M. , Krumholz M. R. , Adamo A. , Calzetti D. , Chandar R. , Cignoni M. , Dale D. , Elmegreen B. G. , Gallagher J. S. , Gouliermis D. A. , Grasha K. , Grebel E. K. , Johnson K. E. , Lee J. , Tosi M. , Wofford A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe present the implementation of a Bayesian formalism within the Stochastically Lighting Up Galaxies (slug) stellar population synthesis code, which is designed to investigate variations in the initial mass function (IMF) of star clusters. By comparing observed cluster photometry to large libraries of clusters simulated with a continuously varying IMF, our formalism yields the posterior probability distribution function (PDF) of the cluster mass, age and extinction, jointly with the parameters describing the IMF. We apply this formalism to a sample of star clusters from the nearby galaxy NGC 628, for which broad-band photometry in five filters is available as part of the Legacy ExtraGalactic UV Survey (LEGUS). After allowing the upper-end slope of the IMF (α3) to vary, we recover PDFs for the mass, age and extinction that are broadly consistent with what is found when assuming an invariant Kroupa IMF. However, the posterior PDF for α3 is very broad due to a strong degeneracy with the cluster mass, and it is found to be sensitive to the choice of priors, particularly on the cluster mass. We find only a modest improvement in the constraining power of α3 when adding Hα photometry from the companion Hα-LEGUS survey. Conversely, Hα photometry significantly improves the age determination, reducing the frequency of multi-modal PDFs. With the aid of mock clusters, we quantify the degeneracy between physical parameters, showing how constraints on the cluster mass that are independent of photometry can be used to pin down the IMF properties of star clusters.
The Use of Vancomycin Powder for Surgical Prophylaxis Following Craniotomy
Authors: Ravikumar Vinod , Ho Allen L. , Pendharkar Arjun V. , Sussman Eric S. , Kwong-hon Chow Kevin , Li Gordon 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intrawound vancomycin powder has been studied extensively in spinal fusion surgeries and been found to reduce rates of surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly. Despite its success in spinal surgeries, topical vancomycin has not been extensively studied with respect to cranial neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of intrawound topical vancomycin for prevention of SSIs following open craniotomies.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a large series of 350 patients from 2011 to 2015 in a pre/postintervention study of use of topical vancomycin to reduce postoperative craniotomy infection rates. We had a preintervention control group of 225 patients and a postintervention group of 125 patients that received intrawound topical vancomycin.

RESULTS: Our preintervention incidence of SSI was 2.2% and this was significantly reduced to 0% following introduction of topical vancomycin (P < .5). An ad hoc cost analysis suggested a cost savings of

59 965 with the use of topical vancomycin for craniotomies.

CONCLUSION: Our study found a significant reduction in SSI rates after introduction of topical vancomycin. Thus, this simple intervention should be considered in all open craniotomy patients as both infection prophylaxis and a potential cost saving intervention.
Sodium Fluorescein Facilitates Guided Sampling of Diagnostic Tumor Tissue in Nonenhancing Gliomas
Authors: Bowden Stephen G , Neira Justin A , Gill Brian J A , Ung Timothy H , Englander Zachary K , Zanazzi George , Chang Peter D , Samanamud Jorge , Grinband Jack , Sheth Sameer A , McKhann Guy M , Sisti Michael B , Canoll Peter , D’Amico Randy S , Bruce Jeffrey N 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Accurate tissue sampling in nonenhancing (NE) gliomas is a unique surgical challenge due to their intratumoral histological heterogeneity and absence of contrast enhancement as a guide for intraoperative stereotactic guidance. Instead, T2/fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensity on MRI is commonly used as an imaging surrogate for pathological tissue, but sampling from this region can yield nondiagnostic or underdiagnostic brain tissue. Sodium fluorescein is an intraoperative fluorescent dye that has a high predictive value for tumor identification in areas of contrast enhancement and NE in glioblastomas. However, the underlying histopathological alterations in fluorescent regions of NE gliomas remain undefined.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether fluorescein can identify diagnostic tissue and differentiate regions with higher malignant potential during surgery for NE gliomas, thus improving sampling accuracy.

METHODS
Thirteen patients who presented with NE, T2/FLAIR hyperintense lesions suspicious for glioma received fluorescein (10%, 3 mg/kg intravenously) during surgical resection.

RESULTS
Patchy fluorescence was identified within the T2/FLAIR hyperintense area in 10 of 13 (77%) patients. Samples taken from fluorescent regions were more likely to demonstrate diagnostic glioma tissue and cytologic atypia (P < .05). Fluorescein demonstrated a 95% positive predictive value for the presence of diagnostic tissue. Samples from areas of fluorescence also demonstrated greater total cell density and higher Ki-67 labeling than nonfluorescent biopsies (P < .05).

CONCLUSION
Fluorescence in NE gliomas is highly predictive of diagnostic tumor tissue and regions of higher cell density and proliferative activity.
Cerebral vasculitis and intracranial multiple aneurysms in a child with Lyme neuroborreliosis
Authors: Kortela Elisa , Hytönen Jukka , Numminen Jussi , Overmyer Margit , Saxen Harri , Oksi Jarmo 
Published: April 2017

Introduction. Lyme borreliosis is a multisystem tick-borne disease caused by Borrelia burgdo
rferi. Neurological manifestations are reported in up to 15 % of adult patients with Lyme disease, while the frequency among children is higher. The most common manifestations are painful radiculopathy, facial nerve paresis and lymphocytic meningitis. Epileptic seizures and cerebral vasculitis with stroke or aneurysms are very rare complications.

Case presentation. We describe a paediatric patient with sensorineural auditory dysfunction, headache, fatigue and epileptic seizures as sequelae of meningoencephalitis/Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) caused by B. burgdo
rferi. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed widespread enhancement of the leptomeninges, cranial nerves and artery walls compatible with vasculitis and disturbances in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone for 2 weeks. Two years later, the patient had an ischemic stroke. Brain magnetic resonance angiography revealed multiple aneurysms, which were not present previously. The largest aneurysm was operated rapidly. The patient was treated with another course of intravenous ceftriaxone for 4 weeks and pulse therapy with corticosteroids. He recovered well.

Conclusion
. This unique case demonstrates complications of LNB that can result in serious morbidity or even mortality. Lumbar puncture and analysis should be considered for paediatric patients with epileptic seizures or cerebrovascular events living in a Lyme borreliosis endemic area.
Gender inequality in the work environment: a study of private research organizations in India
Authors: Gupta Namrata 
Published: April 2017

PurposeSince liberalization in the 1990s, India has witnessed a growth in the number of educated middle-class women in professions. However, there are few women in leadership positions and decision-making bodies. While the earlier notion of the ideal woman as homemaker has been replaced by one which idealizes women of substance, a woman’s role in the family continues to be pivotal and is even viewed as central in defining Indian culture. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how and to what extent gender inequalities are reproduced in the organizations employing educated professionals.Design/methodology/approachBased on the perspective that gender is socially constructed, this paper analyzes gender inequality in Indian organizations through semi-structured interviews of men and women scientists in two private pharmaceutical laboratories.FindingsThe findings show reproduction of a gendered normative order through two types of norms and practices: one, norms and practices that favor men and second, socio-cultural norms that devalue women in public spaces which help to maintain masculinity in the workplace. Although these practices might be found elsewhere in the world, the manner in which they are enacted reflects national cultural norms.Originality/valueThe paper highlights how various norms and practices enacted in the specific Indian socio-cultural context construct and maintain masculinity at workplace depriving opportunities to professional women which affect their rise to leadership positions.