bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and feasibility of the NanoKnife system for irreversible electroporation ablative treatment of canine spontaneous intracranial gliomas
Authors: Rossmeisl John H. , Garcia Paulo A. , Pancotto Theresa E. , Robertson John L. , Henao-Guerrero Natalia , Neal Robert E. , Ellis Thomas L. , Davalos Rafael V. 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a novel nonthermal ablation technique that has been used for the treatment of solid cancers. However, it has not been evaluated for use in brain tumors. Here, the authors report on the safety and feasibility of using the NanoKnife IRE system for the treatment of spontaneous intracranial gliomas in dogs.

METHODS
Client-owned dogs with a telencephalic glioma shown on MRI were eligible. Dog-specific treatment plans were generated by using MRI-based tissue segmentation, volumetric meshing, and finite element modeling. After biopsy confirmation of glioma, IRE treatment was delivered stereotactically with the NanoKnife system using pulse parameters and electrode configurations derived from therapeutic plans. The primary end point was an evaluation of safety over the 14 days immediately after treatment. Follow-up was continued for 12 months or until death with serial physical, neurological, laboratory, and MRI examinations.

RESULTS
Seven dogs with glioma were treated. The mean age of the dogs was 9.3 ± 1.6 years, and the mean pretreatment tumor volume was 1.9 ± 1.4 cm3. The median preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score was 70 (range 30–75). Severe posttreatment toxicity was observed in 2 of the 7 dogs; one developed fatal (Grade 5) aspiration pneumonia, and the other developed treatment-associated cerebral edema, which resulted in transient neurological deterioration. Results of posttreatment diagnostic imaging, tumor biopsies, and neurological examinations indicated that tumor ablation was achieved without significant direct neurotoxicity in 6 of the 7 dogs. The median 14-day post-IRE Karnofsky Performance Scale score of the 6 dogs that survived to discharge was 80 (range 60–90), and this score was improved over the pretreatment value in every case. Objective tumor responses were seen in 4 (80%) of 5 dogs with quantifiable target lesions. The median survival was 119 days (range 1 to > 940 days).

CONCLUSION
With the incorporation of additional therapeutic planning procedures, the NanoKnife system is a novel technology capable of controlled IRE ablation of telencephalic gliomas.
Long-term outcome of patients with WHO Grade III and IV gliomas treated by fractionated intracavitary radioimmunotherapy
Authors: Reulen Hans-Juergen , Poepperl Gabriele , Goetz Claudia , Gildehaus Franz Joseph , Schmidt Michael , Tatsch Klaus , Pietsch Torsten , Kraus Theo , Rachinger Walter 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
The aim in this study was to present long-term results regarding overall survival (OS), adverse effects, and toxicity following fractionated intracavitary radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with iodine-131− or yttrium-90−labeled anti-tenascin monoclonal antibody (131I-mAB or 90Y-mAB) for the treatment of patients with malignant glioma.

METHODS
In 55 patients (15 patients with WHO Grade III anaplastic astrocytoma [AA] and 40 patients with WHO Grade IV glioblastoma multiforme [GBM]) following tumor resection and conventional radiotherapy, radioimmunoconjugate was introduced into the postoperative resection cavity. Patients received 5 cycles of 90Y-mAB (Group A, average dose 18 mCi/cycle), 5 cycles of 131I-mAB (Group B, average dose 30 mCi/cycle), or 3 cycles of 131I-mAB (Group C, 50, 40, and 30 mCi).

RESULTS
Median OS of patients with AA was 77.2 months (95% CI 30.8 to > 120). Five AA patients (33%) are currently alive, with a median observation time of 162.2 months. Median OS of all 40 patients with GBM was 18.9 months (95% CI 15.8–25.3), and median OS was 25.3 months (95% CI18–30) forthose patients treated with the 131I-mAB. Three GBM patients are currently alive. One-, 2-, and 3-year survival probabilities were 100%, 93.3%, and 66.7%, respectively, for AA patients and 82.5%, 42.5%, and 15.9%, respectively, for GBM patients. Restratification of GBM patients by recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) Classes III, IV, and V produced median OSs of 31.1, 18.9, and 14.5 months, respectively (p = 0.004), which was higher than expected. Multivariate analysis confirmed the role of RPA class, age, and treatment in predicting survival. No Grade 3 or 4 hematological, nephrologic, or hepatic toxic effects were observed; 4 patients developed Grade 3 neurological deficits. Radiological signs of radionecrosis were observed in 6 patients, who were all responding well to steroids.

CONCLUSIONS
Median OS of GBM and AA patients treated with 131I-mABs reached 25.3 and 77.2 months, respectively, thus markedly exceeding that of historical controls. Adverse events remained well controllable with the fractionated dosage regimen.
Spontaneous retroclival hematoma in pituitary apoplexy: case series
Authors: Azizyan Avetis , Miller Joseph M. , Azzam Ramzi I. , Maya Marcel M. , Famini Pouyan , Pressman Barry D. , Moser Franklin G. 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
Pituitary apoplexy is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder that is most commonly characterized by a combination of sudden headache, visual disturbance, and hypothalamic/hormonal dysfunction. In many cases, there is hemorrhagic infarction of an underlying pituitary adenoma. The resulting clinical symptoms are due to compression of the remaining pituitary, cavernous sinuses, or cranial nerves. However, there are only 2 case reports in the literature describing spontaneous retroclival expansion of hemorrhage secondary to pituitary apoplexy. Ten cases of this entity with a review of the literature are presented here.

METHODS
This is a single-institution retrospective review of 2598 patients with sellar and parasellar masses during the 10-year period between 1999 and 2009. The pituitary and brain MRI and MRI studies were reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists for evidence of apoplexy, with particular attention given to retroclival extension.

RESULTS
Eighteen patients (13 men and 5 women; mean age 54 years) were identified with presenting symptoms of sudden onset of headache and ophthalmoplegia, and laboratory findings consistent with pituitary apoplexy. Ten of these patients (8 men and 2 women; mean age 55 years) had imaging findings consistent with retroclival hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS
Retroclival hemorrhage was seen in the majority of cases of pituitary apoplexy (56%), suggesting that it is more common than previously thought.
Clinical and radiological outcomes of modified posterior closing wedge osteotomy for the treatment of posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis
Authors: Jo Dae-Jean , Kim Yong-Sang , Kim Sung-Min , Kim Ki-Tack , Seo Eun-Min 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
Most thoracolumbar fractures have a good healing outcome with adequate treatment. However, posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis can occur in a proportion of thoracolumbar fractures after inappropriate treatment, osteoporosis, or osteonecrosis of the vertebral body. There are several surgical options to correct posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis, including anterior, posterior, and combined approaches, which are associated with varying degrees of success. The aim of this study was to assess the use of a modified closing wedge osteotomy for the treatment of posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis and to evaluate the radiographic findings and clinical outcomes of patients treated using this technique.

METHODS
Thirteen consecutive patients with symptomatic posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis were treated using a modified closing wedge osteotomy. The mean patient age was 62 years. The kyphosis apex ranged from T-10 to L-2. The sagittal alignment, kyphotic angle, neurological function, visual analog scale for back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index were evaluated before surgery and at follow-up.

RESULTS
The mean preoperative regional angle was 27. 4°, and the mean correction angle was 29. 6°. Sagittal alignment improved with a mean correction rate of 58. 3%. The mean surgical time was 275 minutes, and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 1585 ml. The intraoperative complications included 2 dural tears, 1 nerve root injury, and 1 superficial wound infection. The mean visual analog scale score for back pain improved from 6. 6 to 2, and the Oswestry Disability Index score decreased from 55. 4 to 22. 6 at the last follow-up. All patients achieved bony anterior fusion based on the presence of trabecular bone bridging at the osteotomy site.

CONCLUTIONS
The modified posterior closing wedge osteotomy technique achieves satisfactory kyphosis correction with direct visualization of the circumferentially decompressed spinal cord, as well as good fusion with less blood loss and fewer complications. It is an alternative method for treating patients with posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis.
Predictive value of 3-month lumbar discectomy outcomes in the NeuroPoint-SD Registry
Authors: Whitmore Robert G. , Curran Jill N. , Ali Zarina S. , Mummaneni Praveen V. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Heary Robert F. , Kaiser Michael G. , Asher Anthony L. , Malhotra Neil R. , Cheng Joseph S. , Hurlbert John , Smith Justin S. , Magge Subu N. , Steinmetz Michael P. , Resnick Daniel K. , Ghogawala Zoher 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
The authors have established a multicenter registry to assess the efficacy and costs of common lumbar spinal procedures using prospectively collected outcomes. Collection of these data requires an extensive commitment of resources from each site. The aim of this study was to determine whether outcomes data from shorter-interval follow-up could be used to accurately estimate long-term outcome following lumbar discectomy.

METHODS
An observational prospective cohort study was completed at 13 academic and community sites. Patients undergoing single-level lumbar discectomy for treatment of disc herniation were included. SF-36 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) data were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Quality-adjusted life year (QALY) data were calculated using SF-6D utility scores. Correlations among outcomes at each follow-up time point were tested using the Spearman rank correlation test.

RESULTS
One hundred forty-eight patients were enrolled over 1 year. Their mean age was 46 years (49% female). Eleven patients (7.4%) required a reoperation by 1 year postoperatively. The overall 1-year follow-up rate was 80.4%. Lumbar discectomy was associated with significant improvements in ODI and SF-36 scores (p < 0.0001) and with a gain of 0.246 QALYs over the 1-year study period. The greatest gain occurred between baseline and 3-month follow-up and was significantly greater than improvements obtained between 3 and 6 months or 6 months and 1 year(p < 0.001). Correlations between 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year outcomes were similar, suggesting that 3-month data may be used to accurately estimate 1-year outcomes for patients who do not require a reoperation. Patients who underwent reoperation had worse outcomes scores and nonsignificant correlations at all time points.

CONCLUSIONS
This national spine registry demonstrated successful collection of high-quality outcomes data for spinal procedures in actual practice. Three-month outcome data may be used to accurately estimate outcome at future time points and may lower costs associated with registry data collection. This registry effort provides a practical foundation for the acquisition of outcome data following lumbar discectomy.
Clinical analysis of spinal stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of neurogenic tumors
Authors: Shin Dong-Won , Sohn Moon-Jun , Kim Han-Seong , Lee Dong-Joon , Jeon Sang Ryong , Hwang Yoon Joon , Jho Eek-Hoon 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
In this study the authors sought to evaluate clinical outcomes after using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to treat benign and malignant spinal neurogenic tumors.

METHODS
The authors reviewed a total of 66 procedures of spinal SRS performed between 2001 and 2013 for 110 tumors in 58 patients with spinal neurogenic tumors, which included schwannomas, neurofibromas, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). The clinical and radiological findings were evaluated in patients with benign neurogenic tumors. For the 4 patients with MPNSTs, the authors reported overall survival and results of additional immunohistochemical staining to predict the survival difference among the patients.

RESULTS
Of the 92 benign neurogenic tumors, 65 tumors that were serially followed up using MRI after SRS showed significant change in mean tumor volume, from a mean of 12.0 ± 2.6 cm3 pre-SRS to 10.8 ± 2.5 cm3 post-SRS (p = 0.027), over an average of 44 months. The local control rate of benign neurogenic tumors was 95.4%. The 34 patients who presented with clinical symptoms of pain showed a significant symptomatic improvement. The initial mean visual analog scale (VAS) score was 6.0 and decreased dramatically to 1.0 after SRS during an average follow-up period of 10.9 months (median of 8.1 months). Although the proportions of transient swelling and loss of intramural enhancement were significantly different among the groups, there was no statistically significant correlation between those 2 factors and local tumor control (p = 0.253 and 0.067, respectively; Fisher’s exact text). Cross-table analysis also indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between groups with loss of intramural enhancement and transient swelling. The median survival of neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)-related and sporadic MPNSTs was 1.13 and 5.8 years, respectively. Immunohistochemical results showed that S100 was expressed in a sporadic MPNST or neurofibroma, whereas topoisomerase-IIa was expressed in NF1-related MPNSTs.

CONCLUSIONS
SRS is an effective treatment modality for benign neurogenic tumors, while MPNSTs showed heterogeneity in their responses to SRS.
Forced Solidarity: Maintenance of Coastal Defences Along the North Sea Coast in the Early Modern Period
Authors: van Tielhof Milja 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
For people living on soft soils near or below sea level in the pre-modern period, flood protection increasingly became a major challenge. This article analyses the organisation of flood protection along the southern shores of the North Sea, from the late Middle Ages to the eighteenth century. One of the main problems was that usually only those communities directly on the coast were charged with maintaining sea defences, while flooding increasingly affected a much wider hinterland. Attempts to spread the costs to include communities situated further from the shore came up against significant political and economic barriers. Nevertheless, in several places the responsibility for flood protection was successfully and permanently transferred to areas that included the hinterland. Very large water districts sometimes emerged, dramatically increasing the number of land users liable to pay for dike maintenance. The article identifies four conditions that were necessary to achieve these radical institutional changes.
Verifying layered security protocols
Authors: Gibson-Robinson Thomas , Kamil Allaa , Lowe Gavin 
Published: July 2015

Abstract Many security protocols are built as the composition of an application-layer protocol and a secure transport protocol, such as TLS. There are several approaches to proving the correctness of such protocols. One popular approach is verification by abstraction, in which the correctness of the application-layer protocol is proven under the assumption that the transport layer satisfies certain properties, such as confidentiality. Following this approach, we adapt the strand spaces model in order to analyse application-layer protocols that depend on secure transport protocols; we consider both bilaterally and unilaterally authenticating secure transport protocols, such as bilateral and unilateral TLS. The paper’s main contribution is a proof of the model’s soundness. In particular, we prove that, subject to a suitable independence assumption, if there is an attack against the application-layer protocol when layered on top of a particular secure transport protocol, then there is an attack against the abstracted model of the application-layer protocol. In contrast to existing work in this area, the independence assumption consists of eight statically checkable conditions, meaning that it is not necessary to consider all possible runs of the protocol.
Acacia karroo in Southern Africa
Authors: Dyer R. A. 
Published: July 2015

Reasons for adopting the name Acacia karroo Hayne are considered and the nomen­clature and synonymy are dealt with. A broad description of the species is provided. The relationship of A. karroo to the closely related A. seyal Del., A. hockii De Wilid. and the glandular podded Acacia species is mentioned. Acacia karroo Hayne, which is the most widespread Acacia in southern Africa, is an extremely variable species which occupies a diverse range of habitats. The range of variation within A. karroo, and in particular in Natal, is considered. At least six entities are recognizable within A. karroo in Natal. The nature and range of variation within these entities is considered. No infraspecific categories are recognized within A. karroo.
A Variant of Acacia karroo from Sekukuniland
Authors: Ross J. H. 
Published: July 2015

The relationship of some densely pubescent specimens from Sekukuniland in the eastern Transvaal to Acacia gerrardii Benth. and to A. karroo Hayne is discussed. The specimens were found to represent part of the range of variation of A. karroo. A map showing the known distribution of the densely pubescent plants is provided.
The Genus Pithomyces in South Africa
Authors: Marasas W. F. O. , Schumann Ingrid H. 
Published: July 2015

Descriptions are given of South African isolates of Pithomyces sacchari (Speg.) M. B. Ellis, Pithomyces chartarum (Berk. Curt.) M. B. Ellis and Pithomyces karoo Marasas Schumann, sp. nov. P. sacchari and P. chartarum were isolated from Medicago sativa L. seed. P. chartarum was also isolated from dead leaves of Lolium perenne L. and Sporobolus capensis (Willd.) Kunth. plants from artificial pastures in the eastern Cape Province. P. karoo was isolated from stems of Gnidia polycephala (C.A. Mey.) Gilg and Rhigozum trichotomum Burch, from the Karoo, Cape Province and from Avena sativa L. stubble collected in the Orange Free State.
<i>Plectranthus</i> (Labiatae) and allied genera in Southern Africa
Authors: Codd L. E. 
Published: July 2015

A revision is presented of the 40 species of Plectranthus, 1 species of Rabdosia and 3 species of Solenostemon which are indigenous, semi-naturalized or widely cultivated in Southern Africa. Descriptions, illustrations, keys and distribution data are provided. The following new names are published: P. mutabilis Codd, P. psammophilus Codd, P. rubropunctatus Codd, P. unguentarius Codd, P. ornatus Codd (nom. nov. for Coleus comosus Hochst. ex Guerke), P. zatarhendi (Forsk.) E. A. Bruce var. tomentosus (Benth.) Codd, —var. woodii (Guerke) Codd, P. madagascariensis (Pers.) Benth. var. aliciae Codd, Solenostemon scutellarioides (L.) Codd and S. shirensis (Guerke) Codd.
Notes on African Acacia species
Authors: Ross J. H. 
Published: July 2015

Information concerning miscellaneous African Acacia species is presented. A. dekindtiana A. Chev and A. hirtella E. Mey. var. inermis Walp. are relegated to synonymy under A. karroo Hayne, the misapplication of the name A. giraffae Willd. is discussed, reasons for rejecting the names Mimosa reticulata L. and Mimosa capensis Burm. f. are elaborated, and the identity of Mimosa senegalensis Forsk. is disclosed.
The typification of <i>Mimosa senegal</i>
Authors: Ross J. H. 
Published: July 2015

Analysis of the protologue of Mimosa senegal L. in Species Plantarum ed. I: 521 (1753) indicated that it embraced two different elements. I he absence ol a type specimen or the existence of an illustration from which Linnaeus could have drawn up his diagnostic phrase-name necessitated the selection of a neotype to preserve the application of the name M. senegal.
<i>Euphorbia gummifera</i>. A. <i>gregaria</i> and a new species from Damaraland
Authors: Leach L. C. 
Published: July 2015

The identity of Euphorbia gummifera Boiss. and E. gregaria Marl, is discussed and a new species, E. damarana Leach, is described. A key to the species including E. carunculifera Leach from southern Angola and a map showing their distribution are provided. The possible significance of these species in the phylogeny of the genus is also discussed.
Notes on Euphorbia mauritanica, E. gossypina and some related species with an amplified description of E. berotica
Authors: Leach L. C. 
Published: July 2015

Some aspects of the possible evolutionary development in the Euphorbia mauritanica—lateriflora—gossypina complex are discussed, and the seed morphology is considered probably to be of considerable significance in the taxonomy of the group. The relevance of the recently discovered relic population of E. gossypina is also considered, and a detailed description of this species, based on the Rhodesian material, is provided. The identity of the little known E. berotica N.E. Br. from Angola is established and an amplified description drawn up. Attention is also given to the confusion concerning the type locality and distribution of E. mauritanica L. var. lignosa White, Dyer Sloane.
The South African species of <i>Teucrium</i> (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Codd L. E. 
Published: July 2015

While writing up the three South African species of Teucrium for the Flora o f Southern Africa it became necessary to replace two well-known names as follows: T. trifidum Retz. (1779) ( = T. capense Thunb., 1800) and T. kraussii Codd {=T. riparium Hochst., 1845, non Rafin., 1838).
Leaf anatomy of the South African Danthonieae (Poaceae). I. The genus <i>Dregeochloa</i>
Authors: Ellis R. 
Published: July 2015

The anatomical structure, of the leaf blade as seen in transverse section, and the abaxial epidermis, of Dregeochloa pumila and D. calviniensis is described and illustrated. A generic description is included and the relationships of the genus are briefly discussed.
Broad-spectrum pollination of <i>Plectranthus neochilus</i>
Authors: Stirton C. H. 
Published: July 2015

The pollination ecology of Plectranthus neochilus Schltr. is discussed and compared with that of another garden plant, Plectranthus barbatus Andr.. Pollinators and flower visitors of P. neochilus include members of the Megachilidae, Anthophoridae, Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, Sphingidae, Apidae.
Freshwater algae of Southern Africa. II. <i>Triplastrum spinulosum</i> from the Transvaal
Authors: Claassen M. Isabella 
Published: July 2015

The presence of Triplastrum spinulosum (Kisselev) Gauthier-Lievre (Desmidiaceae) in South Africa is reported for the first time. The characters of T. spinulosum varieties spinulosum, indicum (Iyengar Ramanathan) Gauthier-Lievre and africanum Gauthier-Lievre were found to be exhibited by specimens collected at Ottosdal in the south-western Transvaal. The differences among specimens of the populations studied are ascribed to variation within one variable species and therefore the varieties indicum and africanum are relegated to synonymy.
<i>Silene dewinteri</i>, a new species of the Caryopliyllaceae from the south-western Cape
Authors: Bocquet Gilbert 
Published: July 2015

A new species of Silene, S. dewinteri Bocquet, is described from the sand-dunes of the coastal region of the south-western Cape. The species is closely related to S. crassifolia L. and S. clandestina Jacq.