bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Timing in the surgical evacuation of spinal epidural abscesses
Authors: Ghobrial George M. , Beygi Sara , Viereck Matthew J. , Maulucci Christopher M. , Sharan Ashwini , Heller Joshua , Jallo Jack , Prasad Srinivas , Harrop James S. 
Published: August 2014

Object
One often overlooked aspect of spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs) is the timing of surgical management. Limited evidence is available correlating earlier intervention with outcomes. Spinal epidural abscesses, once a rare diagnosis carrying a poor prognosis, are steadily becoming more common, with one recent inpatient meta-analysis citing an approximate incidence of 1 in 10,000 admissions with a mortality approaching 16%. One key issue of contention is the benefit of rapid surgical management of SEA to maximize outcomes. Timing of surgical management is definitely one overlooked aspect of care in spinal infections. Therefore, the authors performed a retrospective analysis in which they evaluated patients who underwent early (evacuation within 24 hours) versus delayed surgical intervention (> 24 hours) from the point of diagnosis, in an attempt to test the hypothesis that earlier surgery results in improved outcomes.

Methods
A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained adult neurosurgical database from 2009 to 2011 was conducted for patients with the diagnostic heading: epidural abscess, infection, osteomyelitis, osteodiscitis, spondylodiscitis, and abscess. The primary end point for each patient was neurological grade, measured as an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade using hospital inpatient records on admission and discharge. Patients were divided into early surgical (< 24 hours) and delayed surgical cohorts.

Results
Eighty-seven consecutive patients were identified (25 females; mean age 55.5 years, age range 18–87 years). Fifty-four patients received surgery within 24 hours of admission (mean time from admission to incision, 11.2 hours), and 33 underwent surgery longer than 24 hours (mean 59 hours) after admission. Of the 54 patients undergoing early surgery 45 (85%) had a neurological deficit, whereas in the delayed surgical group 21 (64%) of 33 patients presented with a neurological deficit (p = 0.09). Patients in the delayed surgery cohort were significantly older by 10 years (59.6 vs 51.8 years, p = 0.01). With regard to history of prior revision, body mass index, intravenous drug abuse, tobacco use, prior radiation therapy, diabetes, chronic systemic infection, and prior osteomyelitis, there were no significant differences. There was no significant difference between early and delayed surgery groups in neurological grade on presentation, discharge, or location of epidural abscess. The most common organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (n = 51, 59.3%). The incidence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus was 21% (18 of 87).

Conclusions
Evacuation within 24 hours appeared to have a relative advantage over delayed surgery with regard to discharge neurological grade. However, due to a limited, variable sample size, a significant benefit could not be shown. Further subgroup analyses with larger populations are required.
Medical and surgical management of spinal epidural abscess: a systematic review
Authors: Arko Leopold , Quach Eric , Nguyen Vincent , Chang Daniel , Sukul Vishad , Kim Bong-Soo 
Published: August 2014

Object
Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare condition that has previously been treated with urgent surgical decompression and antibiotics. Recent availability of MRI makes early diagnosis possible and allows for the nonoperative treatment of SEA in select patients. The first retrospective review of medically and surgically managed SEA was published in 1999, and since that time several other retrospective institutional reports have been published. This study reviews these published reports and compares pooled data with historical treatment data.

Methods
A PubMed keyword and Boolean search using (“spinal epidural abscess” OR “spinal epidural abscesses” AND [management OR treatment]) returned 429 results. Filters for the English language and publications after 1999 were applied, as the first study comparing operative and nonoperative management was published that year. Articles comparing operative to nonoperative treatment strategies for SEA were identified, and the references were further reviewed for additional articles. Studies involving at least 10 adult patients (older than 18 years) were included. Case reports, studies reporting either medical or surgical management only, studies not reporting indications for conservative management, or studies examining SEA as a result of a specific pathogen were excluded.

Results
Twelve articles directly comparing surgical to nonsurgical management of SEA were obtained. These articles reported on a total of 1099 patients. The average age of treated patients was 57.24 years, and 62.5% of treated patients were male. The most common pathogens found in blood and wound cultures were Staphylococcus aureus (63.6%) and Streptococcus species (6.8%). The initial treatment was surgery in 59.7% of cases and medical therapy in 40.3%. This represented a significant increase in the proportion of medically managed patients in comparison with the historical control prior to 1999 (p < 0.05). Patients with no neurological deficits were significantly more likely to be treated medically than surgically (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference overall between surgical and nonsurgical management, although several risk factors may predict failure of medical management.

Conclusions
. Since the first reports of nonoperative treatment of SEA, there has been a substantial trend toward treating neurologically intact patients with medical management. Nevertheless, medical therapy fails in a fair number of cases involving patients with specific risk factors, and patients with these risk factors should be closely observed in consideration for surgery. Further research may help identify patients at greater risk for failure of medical therapy.
An institutional series and contemporary review of bacterial spinal epidural abscess: current status and future directions
Authors: Shweikeh Faris , Saeed Kashif , Bukavina Laura , Zyck Stephanie , Drazin Doniel , Steinmetz Michael P. 
Published: August 2014

Object
Over the past decade, the incidence of bacterial spinal epidural abscess (SEA) has been increasing. In recent years, studies on this condition have been rampant in the literature. The authors present an 11-year institutional experience with SEA patients. Additionally, through an analysis of the contemporary literature, they provide an update on the challenging and controversial nature of this increasingly encountered condition.

Methods
An electronic medical record database was used to retrospectively analyze patients admitted with SEA from January 2001 through February 2012. Presenting symptoms, concurrent conditions, microorganisms, diagnostic modalities, treatments, and outcomes were examined. For the literature search, PubMed was used as the search engine. Studies published from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2013, were critically reviewed. Data from articles on methodology, demographics, treatments, and outcomes were recorded.

Results
A total of 106 patients with bacterial SEA were identified. The mean ± SD age of patients was 63.3 ± 13.7 years, and 65.1% of patients were male. Common presenting signs and symptoms were back pain (47.1%) and focal neurological deficits (47.1%). Over 75% of SEAs were in the thoracolumbar spine, and over 50% were ventral. Approximately 34% had an infectious origin. Concurrent conditions included diabetes mellitus (35.8%), vascular conditions (31.3%), and renal insufficiency/dialysis (30.2%). The most commonly isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (70.7%), followed by Streptococcus spp. (6.6%). Surgery along with antibiotics was the treatment for 63 (59.4%) patients. Surgery involved spinal fusion for 19 (30.2%), discectomy for 14 (22.2%), and corpectomy for 9 (14.3%). Outcomes were reported objectively; at a mean ± SD follow-up time of 8.4 ± 26 weeks (range 0–192 weeks), outcome was good for 60.7% of patients and poor for 39.3%. The literature search yielded 40 articles, and the authors discuss the result of these studies.

Conclusions
Bacterial SEA is an ominous condition that calls for early recognition. Neurological status at the time of presentation is a key factor in decision making and patient outcome. In recent years, surgical treatment has been advocated for patients with neurological deficits and failed response to medical therapy. Surgery should be performed immediately and before 36–72 hours from onset of neurological sequelae. However, the decision between medical or surgical intervention entails individual patient considerations including age, concurrent conditions, and objective findings. An evidence-based algorithm for diagnosis and treatment is suggested.
Mechanical yield of the lumbar annulus: a possible contributor to instability
Authors: Stemper Brian D. , Baisden Jamie L. , Yoganandan Narayan , Shender Barry S. , Maiman Dennis J. 
Published: August 2014

Object
Segmental instability in the lumbar spine can result from a number of mechanisms including intervertebral disc degeneration and facet joint degradation. Under traumatic circumstances, elevated loading may lead to mechanical yield of the annular fibers, which can decrease load-carrying capacity and contribute to instability. The purpose of this study was to quantify the biomechanics of intervertebral annular yield during tensile loading with respect to spinal level and anatomical region within the intervertebral disc.

Methods
This laboratory-based study incorporated isolated lumbar spine annular specimens from younger and normal or mildly degenerated intervertebral discs. Specimens were quasi-statically distracted to failure in an environmentally controlled chamber. Stress and strain associated with yield and ultimate failure were quantified, as was stiffness in the elastic and postyield regions. Analysis of variance was used to determine statistically significant differences based on lumbar spine level, radial position, and anatomical region of the disc.

Results
Annular specimens demonstrated a nonlinear response consisting of the following: toe region, linear elastic region, yield point, postyield region, and ultimate failure point. Regional dependency was identified between deep and superficial fibers. Mechanical yield was evident prior to ultimate failure in 98% of the specimens and occurred at approximately 80% and 74% of the stress and strain, respectively, to ultimate failure. Fiber modulus decreased by 34% following yield.

Conclusions
Data in this study demonstrated that yielding of intervertebral disc fibers occurs relatively early in the mechanical response of the tissues and that stiffness is considerably decreased following yield. Therefore, yielding of annular fibers may result in decreased segmental stability, contributing to accelerated degeneration of bony components and possible idiopathic pain.
Pelvic reconstruction after subtotal sacrectomy for sacral chondrosarcoma using cadaveric and vascularized fibula autograft
Authors: Gillis Christopher C. , Street John T. , Boyd Michael C. , Fisher Charles G. 
Published: August 2014

A novel method of spinopelvic ring reconstruction after partial sacrectomy for a chondrosarcoma is described. Chondrosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors, and en bloc resection is the mainstay of treatment. Involvement of the pelvis as well as the sacrum and lumbar spine can result in a technically difficult challenge for en bloc resection and for achievement of appropriate load-bearing reconstruction.
After en bloc resection in their patient, the authors achieved reconstruction with a rod and screw construct including vascularized fibula graft as the main strut from the lumbar spine to the pelvis. Additionally, a cadaveric allograft strut was used as an adjunct for the pelvic ring. This is similar to a modified Galveston technique with vascularized fibula in place of the Galveston rods. The vascularized fibula provided appropriate biomechanical support, allowing the patient to return to independent ambulation. There was no tumor recurrence; neurological status remained stable; and the allograft construct integrated well and even increased in size on CT scans and radiographs in the course of a follow-up longer than 7 years.
Interference of Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids with Cell Cycle Mechanisms
Authors: Büchel Janine , Bartosova Maria , Eich Gwendolyn , Wittenberger Timo , Klein-Hitpass Ludger , Steppan Sonja , Hackert Thilo , Schaefer Franz , Passlick-Deetjen Jutta , Schmitt Claus P. 
Published: August 2014

Introduction Peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDF) differ with respect to osmotic and buffer compound, and pH and glucose degradation products (GDP) content. The impact on peritoneal membrane integrity is still insufficiently described. We assessed global genomic effects of PDF in primary human peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMC) by whole genome analyses, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and functional measurements. Methods PMC isolated from omentum of non-uremic patients were incubated with conventional single chamber PDF (CPDF), lactate- (LPDF), bicarbonate- (BPDF) and bicarbonate/lactate-buffered double-chamber PDF (BLPDF), icodextrin (IPDF) and amino acid PDF (APDF), diluted 1:1 with medium. Affymetrix GeneChip U133Plus2.0 (Affymetrix, CA, USA) and quantitative RT-PCR were applied; cell viability was assessed by proliferation assays. Results The number of differentially expressed genes compared to medium was 464 with APDF, 208 with CPDF, 169 with IPDF, 71 with LPDF, 45 with BPDF and 42 with BLPDF. Out of these genes 74%, 73%, 79%, 72%, 47% and 57% were downregulated. Gene Ontology (GO) term annotations mainly revealed associations with cell cycle ( p = 10 −35), cell division, mitosis, and DNA replication. One hundred and eighteen out of 249 probe sets detecting genes involved in cell cycle/division were suppressed, with APDF-treated PMC being affected the most regarding absolute number and degree, followed by CPDF and IPDF. Bicarbonate-containing PDF and BLPDF-treated PMC were affected the least. Quantitative RT-PCR measurements confirmed microarray findings for key cell cycle genes (CDK1/CCNB1/CCNE2/AURKA/KIF11/ KIF14). Suppression was lowest for BPDF and BLPDF, they upregulated CCNE2 and SMC4. All PDF upregulated 3 out of 4 assessed cell cycle repressors (p53/BAX/p21). Cell viability scores confirmed gene expression results, being 79% of medium for LPDF, 101% for BLPDF, 51% for CPDF and 23% for IPDF. Amino acid-containing PDF (84%) incubated cells were as viable as BPDF (86%). Conclusion In conclusion, PD solutions substantially differ with regard to their gene regulating profile and impact on vital functions of PMC, i.e. on cells known to be essential for peritoneal membrane homeostasis.
Lacquer Cracks Developing After Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Chen Simon , Hodge Chris , Sutton Gerard , Versace Patrick 
Published: August 2014

PURPOSE:
To describe a case of lacquer cracks developing after phakic intraocular lens implantation.

METHODS:
Case report.

RESULTS:
A 46-year-old woman diagnosed as having extreme myopia and corrected distance visual acuity of 20/40 presented with decreased vision and a central scotoma less than 24 hours following phakic intraocular lens implantation. Dilated examination revealed the presence of a macular hemorrhage and possible lacquer crack formation. Documented preoperative imaging showed an absence of lacquer cracks in the eye that was operated on. The patient was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. At 4 weeks postoperatively, imaging confirmed an almost complete resolution of the hemorrhagic pigment epithelial detachment with evidence of lacquer cracks. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/50 and the patient was asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS:
This is the first reported case of macular crack formation immediately following phakic intraocular lens implantation. Possible contributing factors are discussed.

[
J Refract Surg.
2014;30(9):646–648.]
Vers de nouveaux outils pour les Digital Studies
Authors: Puig Vincent , L’Hour Yves-Marie 
Published: August 2014

L’anthropologie, la sociologie et toutes les sciences humaines et sociales se trouvent aujourd’hui confrontées au défi du numérique. Une approche très répandue aux Etats-Unis et dénommée sous le terme générique des Digital Humanities, se réduit souvent à étudier comment les SHS font usage du numérique. Notre approche dans cet article propose dans le cadre général posé par B. Stiegler, non pas seulement d’observer mais aussi de concevoir des outils qui peuvent ultimement permettre de reconsidérer les fondements épistémologiques des différentes disciplines académiques (et pas seulement SHS). Nous prendrons appui dans cet article sur une plateforme d’annotation collaborative de vidéo utilisée dans le cadre du projet ANR Tic Tac (2009-2011) sur l’analyse de la créativité en tentant d’isoler les fonctions techniques de cet outil qui questionnent précisément: la méthodologie d’analyse sociologique ou anthropologique globalement, le processus de création dans un contexte d’innovation technologique (projet Garage du CEA), le prolongement de la créativité dans l’outil d’annotation voir dans des outils d’éditorialisation collaborative expérimentés par l’Iri dans d’autres contextes tels que l’analyse filmique.Nous faisons référence à l’ouvrage de Bernard Stiegler Etats de choc, Bêtise et savoir au XXIème siècle, Mille et une nuits, jan 2012
La force des médias pendant le « cyclone postélectoral » ivoirien
Authors: Duchesne Véronique 
Published: August 2014

La bataille médiatique qui a accompagné le conflit postélectoral ivoirien durant l’année 2011 n’a guère retenu l’attention des politologues et des spécialistes des média, encore moins celle des anthropologues. Pourtant on sait la force des médias comme vecteur de l’idéologie dans les batailles de pouvoir, et plus particulièrement dans les pays d’Afrique subsaharienne. Cinq « vignettes » sonores et audiovisuelles qui ont été diffusées par les médias ivoiriens et internationaux entre le 8 mars et le 17 juillet 2011 sont présentées et sont le support de réflexions quant à l’instrumentalisation des média à des fins politiques et idéologiques en Côte d’Ivoire, et plus largement en Afrique subsaharienne. Elles visent également à montrer comment la radio, la télévision et Internet interagissent dans la transmission idéologique.
Broadscale postseismic gravity change following the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake and implication for deformation by viscoelastic relaxation and afterslip
Authors: Han Shin‐Chan , Sauber Jeanne , Pollitz Fred 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe analysis of GRACE gravity data revealed postseismic gravity increase by 6 μGal over a 500 km scale within a couple of years after the 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake, which is nearly 40–50% of the coseismic gravity change. It originates mostly from changes in the isotropic component corresponding to the Mrr moment tensor element. The exponential decay with rapid change in a year and gradual change afterward is a characteristic temporal pattern. Both viscoelastic relaxation and afterslip models produce reasonable agreement with the GRACE free‐air gravity observation, while their Bouguer gravity patterns and seafloor vertical deformations are distinctly different. The postseismic gravity variation is best modeled by the biviscous relaxation with a transient and steady state viscosity of 1018 and 1019 Pa s, respectively, for the asthenosphere. Our calculated higher‐resolution viscoelastic relaxation model, underlying the partially ruptured elastic lithosphere, yields the localized postseismic subsidence above the hypocenter reported from the GPS‐acoustic seafloor surveying.
Avian Bornaviruses: Diagnosis, Isolation, and Genotyping
Authors: Guo Jianhua , Payne Susan , Zhang Shuping , Turner Debra , Tizard Ian , Suchodolski Paulette 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThese protocols apply to all currently known genotypes of avian bornavirus (ABV). First, they include four basic protocols for molecular techniques that should enable an investigator to detect ABV infection in a live or dead bird. These include both reverse transcriptase and real‐time PCR assays. Second, they include three protocols enabling ABV infections to be diagnosed by serologic techniques including indirect immunofluorescence assays, western blotting, and enzyme‐linked immunoassays. Third, they also include methods by which ABV can be isolated from infected bird tissues by culture in primary duck embryo fibroblasts, as well as in other avian cell lines. Finally, as part of a diagnostic workup, any virus detected should be genotyped by sequencing, and a protocol for this is also provided. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 34:15I.1.1‐15I.1.33. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Spinal cord gray matter atrophy correlates with multiple sclerosis disability
Authors: Schlaeger Regina , Papinutto Nico , Panara Valentina , Bevan Carolyn , Lobach Iryna V. , Bucci Monica , Caverzasi Eduardo , Gelfand Jeffrey M. , Green Ari J. , Jordan Kesshi M. , Stern William A. , von Büdingen H.‐Christian , Waubant Emmanuelle , Zhu Alyssa H. , Goodin Douglas S. , Cree Bruce A. C. , Hauser Stephen L. , Henry Roland G. 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveIn multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral gray matter (GM) atrophy correlates more strongly than white matter (WM) atrophy with disability. The corresponding relationships in the spinal cord (SC) are unknown due to technical limitations in assessing SC GM atrophy. Using phase‐sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) magnetic resonance imaging, we determined the association of the SC GM and SC WM areas with MS disability and disease type.MethodsA total of 113 MS patients and 20 healthy controls were examined at 3T with a PSIR sequence acquired at the C2/C3 disk level. Two independent, clinically masked readers measured the cord WM and GM areas. Correlations between cord areas and Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) were determined. Differences in areas between groups were assessed with age and sex as covariates.ResultsRelapsing MS (RMS) patients showed smaller SC GM areas than age‐ and sex‐matched controls (p = 0.008) without significant differences in SC WM areas. Progressive MS patients showed smaller SC GM and SC WM areas compared to RMS patients (all p ≤ 0.004). SC GM, SC WM, and whole cord areas inversely correlated with EDSS (rho: −0.60, −0.32, −0.42, respectively; all p ≤ 0.001). The SC GM area was the strongest correlate of disability in multivariate models including brain GM and WM volumes, fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery lesion load, T1 lesion load, SC WM area, number of SC T2 lesions, age, sex, and disease duration. Brain and spinal GM independently contributed to EDSS.InterpretationSC GM atrophy is detectable in vivo in the absence of WM atrophy in RMS. It is more pronounced in progressive MS than RMS and contributes more to patient disability than SC WM or brain GM atrophy. Ann Neurol 2014;76:568–580
Highly Enantioselective [3+2] Coupling of Indoles with Quinone Monoimines Promoted by a Chiral Phosphoric Acid
Authors: Liao Lihua , Shu Chang , Zhang Minmin , Liao Yijun , Hu Xiaoyan , Zhang Yonghong , Wu Zhijun , Yuan Weicheng , Zhang Xiaomei 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHighly enantioselective [3+2] coupling of 3‐substituted indoles with quinone monoimines promoted by a chiral phosphoric acid has been reported. A large variety of benzofuroindolines were prepared in moderate to good yields (up to 98 %) with generally excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99 % ee).