bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aerosol Performance and Long-Term Stability of Surfactant-Associated Liposomal Ciprofloxacin Formulations with Modified Encapsulation and Release Properties
Authors: Cipolla David , Wu Huiying , Gonda Igor , Chan Hak-Kim 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Previously, we showed that the encapsulation and release properties of a liposomal ciprofloxacin formulation could be modified post manufacture, by addition of surfactant in concert with osmotic swelling of the liposomes. This strategy may provide more flexibility and convenience than the alternative of manufacturing multiple batches of liposomes differing in composition to cover a wide range of release profiles. The goal of this study was to develop a surfactant-associated liposomal ciprofloxacin (CFI) formulation possessing good long-term stability which could be delivered as an inhaled aerosol. Preparations of 12.5 mg/ml CFI containing 0.4% polysorbate 20 were formulated between pH 4.7 and 5.5. These formulations, before and after mesh nebulization, and after refrigerated storage for up to 2 years, were characterized in terms of liposome structure by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) imaging, vesicle size by dynamic light scattering, pH, drug encapsulation by centrifugation-filtration, and in vitro release (IVR) performance. Within the narrower pH range of 4.9 to 5.2, these formulations retained their physicochemical stability after 2-year refrigerated storage, were robust to mesh nebulization, and formed respirable aerosols with a volume mean diameter (VMD) of 3.7 μm and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 1.7. This study demonstrates that it may be possible to provide a range of release profiles by simple addition of surfactant to a liposomal formulation post manufacture, and that these formulations may retain their physicochemical properties after long-term refrigerated storage and following aerosolization by mesh nebulizer.
Russian Regions’ Economy Research: Econometric Approach
Authors: Басовский  , Basovskiy Leonid , Басовская  , Basovskaya Elena 
Published: June 2014

It is proposed a research program related to studying of economic development
of regions and country as a whole. It is suggested to build econometric models
of influence of factors which are able to affect indicators characterizing the
economic development. For this purpose it is proposed to use cross-sectional
data of the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia by region .On the basis of
obtained models it is possible to get partial regression equations. From these
equations it has been obtained equations for partial coefficients of influence of
studied factors by region. A use of described techniques has allowed estimate
an influence of capital-labor ratio, human capital, new technologies and private
property institution on labor efficiency in Russia. A higher education expansion
influence on salary level in Russia has been estimated. Estimates of private
property expansion influence on labor efficiency in the regions of Russia have
been obtained. Using these estimates it is possible to accomplish a costeffectiveness
analysis related to management of factors affecting the economic
development of country regions.
The treatment of intramedullary osteomyelitis of the femur and tibia using the Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator system and antibiotic cement rods
Authors: Kanakaris N. , Gudipati S. , Tosounidis T. , Harwood P. , Britten S. , Giannoudis P. V. 
Published: June 2014

Intramedullary infection in long bones represents a complex clinical challenge, with an increasing incidence due to the increasing use of intramedullary fixation. We report a prospective case series using an intramedullary reaming device, the Reamer–Irrigator–Aspirator (RIA) system, in association with antibiotic cement rods for the treatment of lower limb long bone infections. A total of 24 such patients, 16 men and eight women, with a mean age of 44.5 years (17 to 75), 14 with femoral and 10 with tibial infection, were treated in a staged manner over a period of 2.5 years in a single referral centre. Of these, 21 patients had had previous surgery, usually for fixation of a fracture (seven had sustained an open fracture originally and one had undergone fasciotomies). According to the Cierny–Mader classification system, 18 patients were classified as type 1A, four as 3A (discharging sinus tract), one as type 4A and one as type 1B. Staphylococcus species were isolated in 20 patients (83.3%). Local antibiotic delivery was used in the form of impregnated cement rods in 23 patients. These were removed at a mean of 2.6 months (1 to 5). Pathogen-specific antibiotics were administered systemically for a mean of six weeks (3 to 18). At a mean follow-up of 21 months (8 to 36), 23 patients (96%) had no evidence of recurrent infection. One underwent a planned trans-tibial amputation two weeks post-operatively due to peripheral vascular disease and chronic recalcitrant osteomyelitis of the tibia and foot. The combination of RIA reaming, the administration of systemic pathogen-specific antibiotics and local delivery using impregnated cement rods proved to be a safe and efficient form of treatment in these patients.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:783–8.
Fragility fractures of the ankle in the frail elderly patient
Authors: Al-Nammari S. S. , Dawson-Bowling S. , Amin A. , Nielsen D. 
Published: June 2014

Conventional methods of treating ankle fractures in the elderly are associated with high rates of complication. We describe the results of treating these injuries in 48 frail elderly patients with a long calcaneotalotibial nail. The mean age of the group was 82 years (61 to 96) and 41 (85%) were women. All were frail, with multiple medical comorbidities and their mean American Society of Anaesthesiologists score was 3 (3 to 4). None could walk independently before their operation. All the fractures were displaced and unstable; the majority (94%, 45 of 48) were low-energy injuries and 40% (19 of 48) were open. The overall mortality at six months was 35%. Of the surviving patients, 90% returned to their pre-injury level of function. The mean pre- and post-operative Olerud and Molander questionnaire scores were 62 and 57 respectively. Complications included superficial infection (4%, two of 48); deep infection (2%, one of 48); a broken or loose distal locking screw (6%, three of 48); valgus malunion (4%, two of 48); and one below-knee amputation following an unsuccessful vascular operation. There were no cases of nonunion, nail breakage or peri-prosthetic fracture. A calcaneotalotibial nail is an excellent device for treating an unstable fracture of the ankle in the frail elderly patient. It allows the patient to mobilise immediately and minimises the risk of bone or wound problems. A long nail which crosses the isthmus of the tibia avoids the risk of peri-prosthetic fracture associated with shorter devices. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:817–22.
The surgical treatment of lordoscoliosis and hyperlordosis in patients with quadriplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Karampalis C. , Tsirikos A. I. 
Published: June 2014

We describe 13 patients with cerebral palsy and lordoscoliosis/hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine who underwent a posterior spinal fusion at a mean age of 14.5 years (10.8 to 17.4) to improve sitting posture and relieve pain. The mean follow-up was 3.3 years (2.2 to 6.2). The mean pre-operative lumbar lordosis was 108° (80 to 150°) and was corrected to 62° (43° to 85°); the mean thoracic kyphosis from 17° (-23° to 35°) to 47° (25° to 65°); the mean scoliosis from 82° (0° to 125°) to 22° (0° to 40°); the mean pelvic obliquity from 21° (0° to 38°) to 3° (0° to 15°); the mean sacral slope from 79° (54° to 90°) to 50° (31° to 66°). The mean pre-operative coronal imbalance was 5 cm (0 cm to 8.9 cm) and was corrected to 0.6 cm (0 to 3.2). The mean sagittal imbalance of -8 cm (-16 cm to 7.8 cm) was corrected to -1.6 cm (-4 cm to 2.5 cm). The mean operating time was 250 minutes (180 to 360 minutes) and intra-operative blood loss 0.8 of estimated blood volume (0.3 to 2 estimated blood volume). The mean intensive care and hospital stay were 3.5 days (2 to 8) and 14.5 days (10 to 27), respectively. Three patients lost a significant amount of blood intra-operatively and subsequently developed chest or urinary infections and superior mesenteric artery syndrome. An increased pre-operative lumbar lordosis and sacral slope were associated with increased peri-operative morbidity: scoliosis and pelvic obliquity were not. A reduced lumbar lordosis and increased thoracic kyphosis correlated with better global sagittal balance at follow-up. All patients and their parents reported excellent surgical outcomes. Lordoscoliosis and hyperlordosis are associated with significant morbidity in quadriplegic patients. They are rare deformities and their treatment is challenging. Sagittal imbalance is the major component: it can be corrected by posterior fusion of the spine with excellent functional results. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:800–6.
The presentation, treatment and outcome of periosteal chondrosarcoma in the Netherlands
Authors: Goedhart L. M. , Ploegmakers J. J. W. , Kroon H. M. , Zwartkruis E. C. H. , Jutte P. C. 
Published: June 2014

In this case study, we describe the clinical presentation and treatment of 36 patients with periosteal chondrosarcoma collected over a 59-year period by the archive of the Netherlands Committee on Bone Tumours. The demographics, clinical presentation, radiological features, treatment and follow-up are presented with the size, location, the histological grading of the tumour and the survival.We found a slight predominance of men (61%), and a predilection for the distal femur (33%) and proximal humerus (33%). The metaphysis was the most common site (47%) and the most common presentation was with pain (44%). Half the tumours were classified histologically as grade 1. Pulmonary metastases were reported in one patient after an intra-lesional resection. A second patient died from local recurrence and possible pulmonary and skin metastases after an incomplete resection.It is clearly important to make the diagnosis appropriately because an incomplete resection may result in local recurrence and metastatic spread. Staging for metastatic disease is recommended in grade II or III lesions.These patients should be managed with a contrast-enhanced MRI of the tumour and histological confirmation by biopsy, followed by en-bloc excision.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:823–8.
Back pain in children and adolescents
Authors: Altaf F. , Heran M. K. S. , Wilson L. F. 
Published: June 2014

Back pain is a common symptom in children and adolescents. Here we review the important causes, of which defects and stress reactions of the pars interarticularis are the most common identifiable problems. More serious pathology, including malignancy and infection, needs to be excluded when there is associated systemic illness. Clinical evaluation and management may be difficult and always requires a thorough history and physical examination. Diagnostic imaging is obtained when symptoms are persistent or severe. Imaging is used to reassure the patient, relatives and carers, and to guide management. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:717–23.
The S-ROM hydroxyapatite proximally-coated modular femoral stem in revision hip replacement
Authors: Imbuldeniya A. M. , Walter W. K. , Zicat B. A. , Walter W. L. 
Published: June 2014

We report on 397 consecutive revision total hip replacements in 371 patients with a mean clinical and radiological follow-up of 12.9 years (10 to 17.7). The mean age at surgery was 69 years (37 to 93). A total of 28 patients (8%) underwent further revision, including 16 (4%) femoral components. In all 223 patients (56%, 233 hips) died without further revision and 20 patients (5%, 20 hips) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining patients, 209 (221 hips) were available for clinical assessment and 194 (205 hips) for radiological review at mean follow-up of 12.9 years (10 to 17.7). The mean Harris Hip Score improved from 58.7 (11 to 92) points to 80.7 (21 to 100) (p < 0.001) and the mean Merle d’Aubigné and Postel hip scores at final follow-up were 4.9 (2 to 6), 4.5 (2 to 6) and 4.3 (2 to 6), respectively for pain, mobility and function. Radiographs showed no lucencies around 186 (90.7%) femoral stems with stable bony ingrowth seen in 199 stems (97%). The survival of the S-ROM femoral stem at 15 years with revision for any reason as the endpoint was 90.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 85.7 to 93.8) and with revision for aseptic loosening as the endpoint 99.3% (95% CI 97.2 to 99.8). We have shown excellent long-term survivorship and good clinical outcome of a cementless hydroxyapatite proximally-coated modular femoral stem in revision hip surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:730–6.
Gastrocsoleus recession techniques
Authors: Tinney A. , Khot A. , Eizenberg N. , Wolfe R. , Graham H. K. 
Published: June 2014

Lengthening of the conjoined tendon of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis and soleus fascia is frequently used in the treatment of equinus deformities in children and adults. The Vulpius procedure as described in most orthopaedic texts is a division of the conjoined tendon in the shape of an inverted V. However, transverse division was also described by Vulpius and Stoffel, and has been reported in some clinical studies. We studied the anatomy and biomechanics of transverse division of the conjoined tendon in 12 human cadavers (24 legs). Transverse division of the conjoined tendon resulted in predictable, controlled lengthening of the gastrocsoleus muscle-tendon unit. The lengthening achieved was dependent both on the level of the cut in the conjoined tendon and division of the midline raphé. Division at a proximal level resulted in a mean lengthening of 15.2 mm (sd 2.0, (12 to 19), which increased to 17.1 mm (sd 1.8, (14 to 20) after division of the midline raphé. Division at a distal level resulted in a mean lengthening of 21.0 mm (sd 2.0, (18 to 25), which increased to 26.4 mm (sd 1.4, (24 to 29) after division of the raphé. These differences were significant (p < 0.001). Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:778–82.
Transventricular Mitral Valve Repair in Patients with Acute Forms of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Cagli Kerim , Gedik Hikmet Selcuk , Korkmaz Kemal , Budak Baran , Yener Umit , Lafci Gokhan 
Published: June 2014

Transventricular mitral valve surgery combined with left ventricular restoration avoids atriotomy and provides a larger operative field. We describe a series of 5 patients in whom we performed transventricular mitral valve repair by various techniques, such as band annuloplasty, papillary muscle reattachment, chordal cutting, and edge-to-edge repair.
The more acute forms of ischemic mitral regurgitation, as found in our patients, can coexist with post-myocardial infarction contained rupture or post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture. Because these patients already have an indication for ventriculotomy, concomitant transventricular repair of the mitral valve can render a separate atriotomy unnecessary and thereby shorten the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass. Moreover, in patients with acute presentations, the absence of atrial dilation (this last associated with chronic cases) might make transventricular repair a better choice than the more difficult atrial approach.
Aortic Perforation by Active-Fixation Atrial Pacing Lead: An Unusual but Serious Complication
Authors: Di Marco Andrea , Nuñez Elaine , Osorio Karina , Dallaglio Paolo , Anguera Ignasi , Toscano Jacobo , Sabaté Xavier , Cequier Angel 
Published: June 2014

Perforation of a cardiac chamber is an infrequent but serious sequela of pacemaker lead implantation. An even rarer event is the perforation of the aorta by a protruding right atrial wire. We present here the first case in the medical literature of aortic perforation as a sequela to the implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator.
The patient was a 54-year-old man with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy who underwent the implantation of a defibrillator, with no apparent sequelae. Six hours after the procedure, he experienced cardiac tamponade and required urgent open-chest surgery. The pericardial effusion was found to be caused by mechanical friction of a protruding right atrial wire on the aortic root. The aortic root and the atrial wall were both repaired with Prolene suture, which achieved complete control of the bleeding. There was no need to reposition the atrial wire. The patient had a good postoperative recovery.
Role of Isoproterenol in Predicting the Success of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Reproducibly Inducible Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrant Tachycardia
Authors: Heydari Alireza , Tayyebi Mohammad , Jami Rahmatolah Damanpak , Amiri Asgar 
Published: June 2014

Noninducibility of the arrhythmia is the widely accepted endpoint of successful ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). However, to rely upon that as the only endpoint, the arrhythmia must also be inducible before ablation. Despite the fact that AVNRT is not reproducibly inducible in a significant number of cases, the role of reproducible arrhythmia induction and its relationship with the infusion of isoproterenol after successful ablation of AVNRT has not been well defined.
We studied 175 consecutive patients who all underwent successful radiofrequency ablation after showing that they had reproducibly inducible AVNRT without use of isoproterenol. In Group 1 (n=90), isoproterenol was used for arrhythmia reinduction after ablation, whereas in Group 2 (n=85) it was not. The procedural and follow-up data of both groups were recorded, and the results of appropriate statistical tests were analyzed.
During a mean follow-up time of 18.7 ± 4.5 months, 4 patients in Group 1 and 3 patients in Group 2 experienced recurrences. Regardless of elimination or modification of slow-pathway conduction, no significant difference was seen in the recurrence rates of AVNRT between the 2 groups (P=0.72).
We conclude that, when the original arrhythmia in patients with AVNRT is reproducibly inducible in the basal state, the use of isoproterenol after ablation in order to confirm the noninducibility of AVNRT does not appear to alter the recurrence rates and can be omitted.
Comparing two theories of grammatical knowledge assessment: a bifactor-MIRT analysis
Authors: Cai Yuyang 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis study compares two approaches to grammatical knowledge in language assessment: the structural view that regards grammatical knowledge as vocabulary and syntax (Bachman 1990), and the communicative view that perceives it as the binary combination of grammatical form and meaning (Purpura 2004). 1,491 second-year nursing students from eight medical colleges in China took a fifteen-item English grammar test (GT) that used retired items from the Language and Use section of the Public English Test System, Level Two. Data analysis comprised a series of dimensionality assessments (DAs) based on bifactor- multidimensional item response theory (bifactor-MIRT). This involved assessing the model fit achieved by structuring the GT tasks using a single grammatical factor, the structural approach and the communicative approach, and then comparing the relative performance of the three approaches. The results indicated that 1) despite its operational attraction, a unidimensional structure was insufficient to structure the GT tasks; 2) both the structural and the communicative approaches could sufficiently explain the underlying structure of the GT tasks; but 3) the communicative approach seemed to outperform the structural approach in uncovering the factual structure of the GT tasks. The study shows how bifactor-MIRT can be used to compare grammatical knowledge theories.
Sprachenübergreifende Vergleichbarkeit herstellen – aber wie? Ein qualitatives Projekt zur Harmonisierung der Niveaustufe UNIcert® I (B1)
Authors: Reich Astrid , Mainzer Mirka 
Published: June 2014

AbstractOne of the central challenges faced by UNIcert®, a system of certification for university language courses, is the establishment of comparability across languages and institutions at each proficiency level. But how is this to be achieved in practice? One possible approach is the one adopted by the project “Qualitative calibration of UNIcert®
Taking decisions: Assessment for university entry
Authors: Plassmann Sibylle , Zeidler Beate 
Published: June 2014

AbstractLanguage testing means taking decisions: about the test taker's results, but also about the test construct and the measures taken in order to ensure quality. This article takes the German test telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule as an example to illustrate this decision-making process in an academic context. The test is used for university entry; therefore, the main stakeholders are academic and administrative staff as well as international students about to take up their studies in Germany. The test provider had to take the stakeholders' expectations and teaching traditions into account and at the same time identify disagreements and conflicting expectations. In the end, the almost unlimited possible ways of testing in this context had to be narrowed down. While not all decisions which lead to a valid form of assessment can be presented here, we provide an illustration of the key phases: the definition of the test construct, the construction of the test format and the actual examining. There is a special focus on the definition of academic German, especially in view of a very heterogeneous target-group. In addition, concrete examples from the initial test development phase are presented, from defining the format for the writing task to choosing texts for reading and testing grammar. Ongoing work on the test is illustrated by insights into the commissioning of new tasks and the rating of open-ended questions.
New estimates for the minimal L2
solution of ∂¯$\bar{\partial }$ and applications to geometric function theory in weighted Bergman spaces
Authors: Schuster Alexander P. , Varolin Dror 
Published: June 2014

Abstract.

We introduce new twisting techniques to establish new estimates for the minimal L2
solution of

∂
¯

$\bar{\partial }$

on weighted Bergman spaces in the unit ball. The estimate is used to obtain off-diagonal decay bounds for the associated Bergman kernel, and also improve sup-norm estimates obtained some time ago by Berndtsson.
Varieties with vanishing holomorphic Euler characteristic
Authors: Chen Jungkai Alfred , Debarre Olivier , Jiang Zhi 
Published: June 2014

Abstract.
We study smooth complex projective varieties X of maximal Albanese dimension and of general type satisfying

χ
(
X
,

𝒪
X

)
=
0

$\chi (X, \mathcal {O}_X)=0$

. We prove that the Albanese variety of X has at least three simple factors. Examples were constructed by Ein and Lazarsfeld, and we prove that in dimension 3, these examples are (up to abelian étale covers) the only ones. By results of Ueno, another source of examples is provided by varieties X of maximal Albanese dimension and of general type satisfying

h
0

(
X
,

ω
X

)

=
1

$h^0(X, \omega _X)=1$

. Examples were constructed by Chen and Hacon, and again, we prove that in dimension 3, these examples are (up to abelian étale covers) the only ones. We also formulate a conjecture on the general structure of these varieties in all dimensions.