bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pediatric cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal tumors
Authors: Holman Michelle A. , Schmitt William R. , Carlson Matthew L. , Driscoll Colin L. W. , Beatty Charles W. , Link Michael J. 
Published: August 2013

Object
The aim in this study was to describe the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and risk for neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) in pediatric patients presenting with cerebellopontine angle (CPA) and internal auditory canal (IAC) tumors.

Methods
The authors conducted a retrospective study at a tertiary care academic referral center. All patients with an age ≤ 18 years who had presented with an extraaxial CPA or IAC tumor between 1987 and 2012 were included in the study cohort. Data regarding symptoms, diagnosis, tumor characteristics, and NF2 status were collected and analyzed.

Results
Sixty patients (55% female, 45% male) harboring 87 tumors were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 12.8 years (median 14.0 years, range 0.9–18.9 years). Schwannomas were the most commonly identified lesions (57 of 87 tumors, including 52 vestibular, 3 facial, and 2 trigeminal schwannomas), followed by meningiomas (5 of 87) and epidermoid cysts (4 of 87). Six malignant tumors were diagnosed, including small-cell sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant meningioma, atypical rhabdoid-teratoid tumor, endolymphatic sac tumor, and malignant ganglioglioma. Headache, followed by hearing loss and imbalance, was the most common presenting symptom, whereas dysphagia, otalgia, and facial pain were uncommon.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 was diagnosed in 20 (61%) of 33 patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS), while the other 13 patients (39%) had sporadic tumors. Nineteen of the 20 patients with NF2 met the diagnostic criteria for that disorder on initial presentation, and 15 of them presented with bilateral VS. At the last follow-up, 19 of the 20 patients subsequently diagnosed with NF2 demonstrated bilateral VSs, whereas 1 patient with a unilateral VS and multiple other NF2-associated tumors has yet to demonstrate a contralateral VS to date. Only 1 patient presenting with an isolated unilateral VS and no family history of NF2 demonstrated a contralateral VS on subsequent radiological screening.

Conclusions
Cerebellopontine angle and IAC tumors in the pediatric population are rare. There are several noteworthy differences between the adult and pediatric populations harboring these lesions. While VS is the most common pathology in both age groups, the lesion was found in only 60% of the pediatric patients in the present study. Unlike in adults, VSs in the pediatric population were associated with NF2 in over one-half of all cases. The majority of pediatric patients with NF2 fulfilled the diagnostic criteria at initial presentation; however, approximately 7% of patients presenting with a seemingly sporadic (no family history of NF2) unilateral VS will meet the criteria for NF2 later in life. Finally, malignancies account for a significantly higher percentage (10%) of cases among pediatric patients. These findings underscore the importance of early screening and close radiological follow-up and may be helpful in patient counseling.
Decreased risk of acute kidney injury with intracranial pressure monitoring in patients with moderate or severe brain injury
Authors: Zeng Jingsong , Tong Wusong , Zheng Ping 
Published: August 2013

Object
The authors undertook this study to evaluate the effects of continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring–directed mannitol treatment on kidney function in patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods
One hundred sixty-eight patients with TBI were prospectively assigned to an ICP monitoring group or a conventional treatment control group based on the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines. Clinical data included the dynamic changes of patients' blood concentrations of cystatin C, creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN); mannitol use; and 6-month Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores.

Results
There were no statistically significant differences with respect to hospitalized injury, age, or sex distribution between the 2 groups. The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) was higher in the control group than in the ICP monitoring group (p < 0.05). The mean mannitol dosage in the ICP monitoring group (443 ± 133 g) was significantly lower than in the control group (820 ± 412 g) (p < 0.01), and the period of mannitol use in the ICP monitoring group (3 ± 3.8 days) was significantly shorter than in the control group (7 ± 2.3 days) (p < 0.01). The 6-month GOS scores in the ICP monitoring group were significantly better than in the control group (p < 0.05). On the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after injury, the plasma cystatin C and Cr concentrations in the ICP-monitoring group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
In patients with moderate and severe TBI, ICP-directed mannitol treatment demonstrated a beneficial effect on reducing the incidence of AKI compared with treatment directed by neurological signs and physiological indicators.
Outcomes of CSF shunting in children: comparison of Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network cohort with historical controls
Authors: Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Riva-Cambrin Jay , Butler Jerry , Browd Samuel R. , Drake James M. , Holubkov Richard , Kestle John R. W. , Limbrick David D. , Simon Tamara D. , Tamber Mandeep S. , Wellons John C. , Whitehead William E. , _ _ 
Published: August 2013

Object
The Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network (HCRN), which comprises 7 pediatric neurosurgical centers in North America, provides a unique multicenter assessment of the current outcomes of CSF shunting in nonselected patients. The authors present the initial results for this cohort and compare them with results from prospective multicenter trials performed in the 1990s.

Methods
Analysis was restricted to patients with newly diagnosed hydrocephalus undergoing shunting for the first time. Detailed perioperative data from 2008 through 2012 for all HCRN centers were prospectively collected and centrally stored by trained research coordinators. Historical control data were obtained from the Shunt Design Trial (1993–1995) and the Endoscopic Shunt Insertion Trial (1996–1999). The primary outcome was time to first shunt failure, which was determined by using Cox regression survival analysis.

Results
Mean age of the 1184 patients in the HCRN cohort was older than mean age of the 720 patients in the historical cohort (2.51 years vs 1.60 years, p < 0.0001). The distribution of etiologies differed (p < 0.0001, chi-square test); more tumors and fewer myelomeningoceles caused the hydrocephalus in the HCRN cohort patients. The hazard ratio for first shunt failure significantly favored the HCRN cohort, even after the model was adjusted for the prognostic effects of age and etiology (adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.96).

Conclusions
Current outcomes of shunting in general pediatric neurosurgery practice have improved over those from the 1990s, although the reasons remain unclear.
The USE IT-adoption-model to Predict and Evaluate Adoption of Information and Communication Technology in Healthcare
Authors: Spil T. A. M. , Michel-Verkerke M. B. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryBackground and Objective: The USE IT-model integrates theories about adoption and diffusion of innovations and is suitable to predict and evaluate the success of an information system from a user’s perspective. The USE IT-model consists of four determinants: relevance, requirements, resources and resistance, which are measured at the macro-level (organizational), and at the micro-level (individual). After applying the USE IT approach in several researches we evaluated and updated the USE IT-model.Methods: We used the USE IT-model in ten case studies in healthcare and compared the results of the studies with the determinants and dimensions of the USE IT-model.Results: The quality of the implementation process is part of the innovation process- dimension and therefore relocated as a dimension of macro-resistance. The improvements and value in the relevance determinant are made more concrete by quality, efficiency, effectiveness, and task support. The dimensions of micro-resistance are reduced, and the dimension negative consequences is added. Also the dimensions of macro- and micro-requirements are made more specific to express the importance of information quality, availability and accessibility.Discussion and Conclusion: The research resulted in the updated USE IT-adoption-model to predict and evaluate the adoption of information systems in healthcare. The structure and determinants of the original USE IT-model with a distinction between the macro- and micro-level remained unchanged.
Distance Measures for Surgical Process Models
Authors: Bühligen U. , Neumuth T. , Schumann S. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryBackground: The development of new resources, such as surgical techniques and approaches, results in continuous modification of surgery. To assess these modifications, it is necessary to use measures that quantify the impact of resources on surgical processes.Objectives: The objective of this work is to introduce and evaluate distance measurements that are able to represent differences in the courses of surgical interventions as processes.Methods: Hence, we present four different distance measures for surgical processes: the Jaccard distance, Levenshtein distance, Adjacency distance, and Graph matching distance. These measures are formally introduced and evaluated by applying them to clinical data sets from laparoscopic training in pediatric surgery.Results: We analyzed the distances of 450 surgical processes using these four measures with a focus on the difference in surgical processes performed by novices and by experienced surgeons. The Levenshtein and Adjacency distances were best suited to measure distances between surgical processes.Conclusion: The measurement of distances between surgical processes is necessary to estimate the benefit of new surgical techniques and strategies.
Minor Salivary Gland Inflammatory Lesions in Sjögren Syndrome: Do They Evolve?
Authors: Kapsogeorgou Efstathia K. , Christodoulou Maria I. , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Paikos Spyros , Tassidou Anna , Tzioufas Athanasios G. , Moutsopoulos Haralampos M. 
Published: August 2013

Objective.The lymphocytic infiltrates of minor salivary gland (MSG) lesions of Sjögren syndrome (SS) vary in grade and composition and are generally thought to develop in stepwise manner. Their progression over time is not well defined.Methods.We studied repetitive MSG biopsy specimens from 28 patients with primary SS.Results.The infiltration grade and prevalence of the major infiltrating cell types (T and B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells) remained largely unchanged during a median 55 month biopsy time interval followup (quartiles 42–81).Conclusion.We found significant disease progression involving the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in patients expressing adverse serologic prognostic factors, such as low serum C4 complement levels and cryoglobulinemia.
Adhérents, militants et dirigeants : les conflits internes
Authors: Boudic Goulven , Haegel Florence , Lecœur Erwan , Béja Alice , Padis Marc-Olivier 
Published: August 2013

Ces dernières années, les partis politiques se sont ouverts sur la société, à travers la mise en place de primaires ouvertes et le recours à des structures externes, par exemple pour la production d’idées (think tanks) . Quel est alors le rôle des militants ? Les partis ne risquent-ils pas de devenir des coquilles vides ayant pour seule fonction la désignation du candidat à l’élection présidentielle et la réélection d’élus installés ?
Faut-il attendre une refondation de la social-démocratie ?
Authors: Sente Christophe 
Published: August 2013

La gauche européenne, loin de faire figure de modèle, semble aujourd’hui à bout de souffle. Pourtant, la social-démocratie a plus d’une fois traversé des crises majeures, et a toujours réussi à rebondir. Quelles peuvent être aujourd’hui les pistes d’une nouvelle alliance progressiste ?
Beppe Grillo : quand les étoiles s’éteignent
Authors: Béja Alice 
Published: August 2013

Le Mouvement 5 étoiles du comique Beppe Grillo a créé la surprise aux élections législatives italiennes de février 2013, et le désordre dans la formation du gouvernement. Mais ce « recours » contre les partis traditionnels, leur corruption et leur incompétence, a lui aussi déçu les électeurs. Cette expérimentation offre-t-elle des perspectives pour un renouvellement de l’action collective ?
Quels espaces pour la démocratie ?
Authors: Monod Jean-Claude 
Published: August 2013

La démocratie est toujours associée à l’idée de l’agora, de l’espace clos de la cité dans lequel le peuple délibère, en particulier en période de crise de la représentation, lorsque celle-ci apparaît comme une usurpation. Ce retour à l’agora, cependant, peut se faire aussi bien sur le mode d’une démocratie fermée et xénophobe que sur celui d’une réappropriation concrète de l’espace public : c’est à ces deux mouvements que l’on assiste aujourd’hui.
Pourquoi la crise économique s’éternise-t-elle en Europe ?
Authors: Pisani-Ferry Jean , Mongin Olivier , Padis Marc-Olivier , Zurita Victoria 
Published: August 2013

Alors que les États-Unis voient leur taux de chômage baisser et leur croissance repartir, l’Europe semble enlisée dans la crise. Est-ce parce que les dirigeants européens n’en ont pas perçu l’ampleur ? Parce qu’ils ont favorisé la réduction des déficits sans voir les conséquences qu’elle pourrait avoir sur des économies déjà affaiblies ? Quel avenir peut-on dessiner pour la solidarité européenne, à l’heure où l’Europe semble irrémédiablement divisée entre pays du Nord et pays du Sud ?
Politique des prix, vie chère et contestation sociale à Niamey : quels répertoires locaux de la colère ?
Authors: Bonnecase Vincent 
Published: August 2013

Cet article porte sur le mécontentement social face à l’augmentation des prix des denrées alimentaires dans la ville de Niamey. Alors que ce mécontentement a marqué bon nombre de villes du Sahel et du reste du monde depuis le milieu des années 2000, il interroge ses expressions proprement locales, non seulement dans le cadre de mobilisations collectives face à « la vie chère », mais aussi dans des situations plus ordinaires, en dehors des espaces les plus visibles de la contestation. Il s’attache à montrer que la colère face à l’augmentation des prix, loin de constituer une simple réaction induite par la dégradation des conditions de vie, charrie des imaginaires politiques locaux, eux-mêmes liés à la mémoire des politiques de contrôle des prix et d’approvisionnement des marchés qui ont précédé le tournant libéral de la fin des années 1980. Il s’attache aussi à montrer que les modèles de légitimité bâtis par les autorités nigériennes de l’époque, entretenus par celles qui leur ont succédé, ont alimenté des discours et des pratiques de contestation dès lors que les obligations régulatrices prêtées à l’État n’étaient plus honorées.
“O Governo Está Aqui” : Post-war State-Making in the Angolan Periphery
Authors: Soares de Oliveira Ricardo , Taponier Susan 
Published: August 2013

« O Governo Está Aqui » : la formation de l’État en sa périphérie dans l’Angola de l’après-guerre Pendant les 27 années que dura la guerre civile angolaise, jusqu’à 80 % du territoire nominal angolais resta hors du contrôle de l’État central. Cependant, après 2002 et la victoire remportée sur les rebelles de l’Unita, le régime MPLA, riche de son pétrole, s’engagea avec enthousiasme à bâtir un prétendu « État moderne » sur l’ensemble du territoire angolais. L’effort consacré à sortir des enclaves qu’il avait longtemps contrôlées pour occuper un vaste territoire faiblement peuplé, étendre l’administration civile et reconstruire ses infrastructures représente une dynamique politique majeure de l’Angola d’aujourd’hui. Cet article tente d’analyser ce développement à travers le prisme des ambitions de l’État, de sa trajectoire historique et de ses relations centre-périphérie.
Kinematics and Mechanical Properties Analyses on Vibration Converter of Intelligent Damper for Drill Strings
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Lai Chunlin 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTaking vibration converter of intelligent damper for drill strings as the study object, this paper analyzes the influential factors of motion state of the ball and conducts an explicit dynamics simulation by establishing a mechanics model of vibration converter. The study basis is Newton’s laws of motion, d’alembert’s principle and hertz contact theory. and we use world coordinate system, rotating coordinate system and Frenet coordinate system to deduce kinematics equations of vibration converter. The ultimate result demonstrates that the axial velocity and maximum contact stress change with the increment of ball diameter and helix angle.It also proves the validity of our derived kinematics and mechanical models and provides a good consultant value for the design and theoretical arithmetic of vibration converter for intelligent damper of drill strings.
Cell Conservative Flux Recovery and A Posteriori Error Estimate of Vertex-Centered Finite Volume Methods
Authors: Chen Long , Wang Ming 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA cell conservative flux recovery technique is developed here for vertex-centered finite volume methods of second order elliptic equations. It is based on solving a local Neumann problem on each control volume using mixed finite element methods. The recovered flux is used to construct a constant freea posteriorierror estimator which is proven to be reliable and efficient. Some numerical tests are presented to confirm the theoretical results. Our method works for general order finite volume methods and the recovery-based and residual-baseda posteriorierror estimators is the first result ona posteriorierror estimators for high order finite volume methods.
A Priori Error Estimates of Crank-Nicolson Finite Volume Element Method for Parabolic Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Luo Xianbing , Chen Yanping , Huang Yunqing 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn this paper, the Crank-Nicolson linear finite volume element method is applied to solve the distributed optimal control problems governed by a parabolic equation. The optimal convergent orderO(h2+k2) is obtained for the numerical solution in a discreteL2-norm. A numerical experiment is presented to test the theoretical result.
Efficacy of Timolol 0.1% Gel and a Prostaglandin Analog in an Unfixed Combination Compared to the Corresponding Fixed Combinations
Authors: Nucci Carlo , Varesi Chiara , Martucci Alessio , Cesareo Massimo , Cedrone Claudio , Mancino Raffaele , Cerulli Luciano 
Published: August 2013

Purpose To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction with prostaglandin analogs (PGAs)–timolol fixed combinations versus the unfixed combination of the same PGAs and timolol 0.1% in gel-forming carbomer. Methods Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) receiving for at least 4 weeks the fixed combinations of PGA-timolol, administered once a day in the evening (0.005% latanoprost with 0.5% timolol, 0.004% travoprost with 0.5% timolol, 0.03% bimatoprost with 0.5% timolol) were switched to an unfixed combination of the same PGA (once a day in the evening) with timolol 0.1% in gel-forming carbomer (once a day in the morning) for at least 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was to compare efficacy of fixed vs unfixed combinations in lowering IOP. The effects of both regimens on short-term IOP fluctuations were also assessed. Results A total of 32 patients (64 eyes) fulfilled inclusion criteria: 17 patients received latanoprost-timolol fixed combination, 9 travoprost-timolol fixed combination, 6 bimatoprost-timolol fixed combination. For all considered time periods each unfixed combination induced an IOP reduction significantly higher than the corresponding fixed combination (paired t test: p<0.05 in all measurements). The diurnal IOP reduction was significantly higher during the unfixed combinations (p<0.001). Unfixed combinations significantly decreased IOP diurnal fluctuations and increased the percentage of patients with daily IOP fluctuation ≤ 2 mm Hg. Conclusions In this pilot study, PGA and timolol seems to be more effective in POAG treatment when administered as unfixed combinations, reducing both IOP and daily fluctuations. The once a day timolol 0.1% gel-forming carbomer may be a valuable option in PGA-timolol unfixed combination regimen.
Persistent plus Disease after Laser in Retinopathy of Prematurity with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Paulus Yannis M. , Moshfeghi Darius M. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose We present a patient with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who received panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), but in whom plus disease developed, likely secondary to a complicated cardiovascular history, including DiGeorge syndrome and tetralogy of Fallot. Methods Interventional case report with clinical and angiographic correlation. Results Our patient had been born at 29 weeks and 2 days gestational age with a birthweight of 940 grams, tetralogy of Fallot, DiGeorge syndrome, and major aortopulmonary collaterals. Type 1 Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity ROP (zone 2, stage 2 with plus) developed, requiring PRP. Worsening plus disease developed and mild further PRP was performed. Despite this, plus disease persisted. Conclusions We report plus disease even after appropriate PRP therapy for ROP. In this case, it is likely the patient's cardiovascular diseases that caused the persistent plus disease. Vascular tortuosity can be due to a number of different systemic disorders, so it is important to consider an infant's systemic conditions in the evaluation of ROP.
Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant for Idiopathic Retinal Vasculitis, Aneurysms, and Neuroretinitis
Authors: Empeslidis Theodoros , Banerjee Somnath , Vardarinos Athanasios , Konstas Anastasios G.P. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose To present the short-term favorable clinical results with the dexamethasone intravitreal implant in a patient with florid idiopathic retinal vasculitis, aneurysms, and neuroretinitis syndrome (IRVAN). Methods A 26-year-old man presented with significant bilateral deterioration of vision due to vitreous hemorrhage and neuroretinitis with a background of vasculitis and neovascularization. The patient was initially treated with high doses of oral steroids (80 mg prednisolone), which were gradually tapered, and also received extensive argon laser photocoagulation in ischemic areas in both eyes. Despite vigorous treatment and an initial positive response to treatment, pars plana vitrectomy was eventually needed to address the recurrent vitreous hemorrhages in the left eye. Consequently, visual acuity improved from 0.1 to 0.2 (Snellen) and there was no relapse of vitreous hemorrhage. Persistent macular edema was noted, however, and it was decided to treat with a dexamethasone 0.7 mg intravitreal implant. Results Following the dexamethasone implant OS, visual acuity improved significantly from 0.2 to 0.5 (Snellen), the patient reported much less distortion, and there was marked reduction in central retinal thickness from 467 to 234 microns. The patient remains in remission without any exudation in the macula at 4 months follow-up. Conclusions Dexamethasone 0.7 mg intravitreal implant appears to be a safe and effective solution in the treatment of macular edema in patients with IRVAN syndrome and could possibly be a treatment option for other cases of inflammatory induced macular edema.