bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introduction: Endovascular Neurosurgery video supplement
Authors: Hoh Brian , Lanzino Giuseppe 
Published: July 2014

It is with great pride that we present this Neurosurgical Focus video supplement on endovascular neurosurgery. We were privileged to view a multitude of outstanding quality videos demonstrating the current state-of-the-art in endovascular neurosurgery. Careful and critical review was required to narrow down the videos to a workable volume for this supplement, though there were many more that we would have liked to have included.This issue consists of several videos that represent modern neuroendovascular techniques for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease. The videos demonstrate the cutting-edge as well as standard endovascular therapies, which will be valuable to both the novice and the expert endovascular neurosurgeons. We are greatly honored to be involved with this project, and are very proud of its content and expert authors. We confidently believe you will enjoy the video content of this supplement.
Family Visitation in Greek Intensive Care Units: Nurses’ Perspective
Authors: Athanasiou Archonto , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth D.E. , Patiraki Elisabeth , McCarthy Mary S. , Giannakopoulou Margarita 
Published: July 2014

Background
Policies of flexible and open visiting in intensive care units benefit both patients and patients’ families. In Greek intensive care units, gaps exist between evidence and practice for family visitation, resulting in restricted visiting policies.

Objectives
To explore the beliefs of nurses in Greek intensive care units about the effects of visiting on patients, patients’ families, and unit staff and nurses’ attitudes toward visiting policies.

Methods
A descriptive correlational survey was conducted in 6 public hospitals in Athens, Greece, with a sample of 143 critical care nurses. Data were collected via an anonymous questionnaire consisting of 3 validated scales to assess the nurses’ beliefs about and attitudes toward visitation.

Results
Generally, nurses were resistant to family visiting and open visiting, and most (94.4%) did not want an open policy in their unit. Nurses think that open visiting policies are supportive for patients and patients families, but the overall effects of visiting depend on both the nurse and the patient (91.6%). Nurses reported that open visiting created increased physical and psychological burdens for them (87.5%) and hampered nursing care (75.5%). Years of work experience, staffing level, and number of night shifts worked by nurses per 15 days were factors predictive of nurses’ attitudes toward and beliefs about family visitation.

Conclusions
Nurses’ beliefs about and attitudes toward visitation are important factors in the implementation of more flexible visiting policies in Greek intensive care units. Well-staffed units with experienced nurses and fewer shifts per week may affect nurses’ negative attitude toward open visitation.
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 2 Modulates αβTCR Processing and Surface Expression during Thymocyte Development
Authors: Chou Po-Chien , Oh Won Jun , Wu Chang-Chih , Moloughney Joseph , Rüegg Markus A. , Hall Michael N. , Jacinto Estela , Werlen Guy 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
An efficient immune response relies on the presence of T cells expressing a functional TCR. Whereas the mechanisms generating TCR diversity for antigenic recognition are well defined, what controls its surface expression is less known. In this study, we found that deletion of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) 2 component rictor at early stages of T cell development led to aberrant maturation and increased proteasomal degradation of nascent TCRs. Although CD127 expression became elevated, the levels of TCRs as well as CD4, CD8, CD69, Notch, and CD147 were significantly attenuated on the surface of rictor-deficient thymocytes. Diminished expression of these receptors led to suboptimal signaling, partial CD4−CD8− double-negative 4 (CD25−CD44−) proliferation, and CD4+CD8+ double-positive activation as well as developmental blocks at the CD4−CD8− double-negative 3 (CD25+CD44−) and CD8–immature CD8+ single-positive stages. Because CD147 glycosylation was also defective in SIN1-deficient fibroblasts, our findings suggest that mTORC2 is involved in the co/posttranslational processing of membrane receptors. Thus, mTORC2 impacts development via regulation of the quantity and quality of receptors important for cell differentiation.
Global Holomorphic Functions in Several Noncommuting Variables
Authors: Agler Jim , McCarthy John E. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractWe define a free holomorphic function to be a function that is locally, with respect to the free topology, a bounded nc-function. We prove that free holomorphic functions are the functions that are locally uniformly approximable by free polynomials. We prove a realization formula and an Oka-Weil theorem for free analytic functions.
Switching Intravitreal anti-VEGF Treatment in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Küçükerdönmez Cem , Gelisken Faik , Yoeruek Efdal , Bartz-Schmidt Karl Ulrich , Leitritz Martin Alexander 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To compare the outcomes after switching between bevacizumab and ranibizumab therapy due to poor treatment effect in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods This is a retrospective review of patients with neovascular AMD with first treatment using intravitreal bevacizumab (group 1) or ranibizumab (group 2) who switched to the other drug due to poor treatment effect. Primary outcome measures were change in mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and mean central retinal thickness (CRT) at 1 year and last visit. Results Eighty-seven eyes met the inclusion criteria. In group 1 (43 eyes), the mean BCVA decreased from 20/94 to 20/100 at 1 year after being switched (p = 0.573) and to 20/150 (p = 0.015) at final visit (mean 29.2 months, range 12-53). In group 2 (44 eyes), mean BCVA decreased from 20/72 to 20/90 (p = 0.401) and 20/100 (p = 0.081) at 1 year after switch and at final visit (mean 20.1 months, range 10-40), respectively. The mean CRT at switch, 1 year after switch, and at final visit were 344.4 ± 140 µm (mean ± SD), 286.26 ± 155 µm (p = 0.019), and 290.58 ± 196 µm (p = 0.009) in group 1 and 329.36 ± 144 µm, 302.0 ± 179 µm (p = 0.215), and 309.5 ± 220 µm (p = 0.154) in group 2, respectively. Conclusions The mean BCVA decreased over time in both groups; however, nearly 30% of the eyes in each group showed vision improvement after switching. Mean CRT decreased in both groups, which was more pronounced after being switched from bevacizumab to ranibizumab. In neovascular AMD, a switch between ranibizumab and bevacizumab can be considered as a further therapy option if poor treatment effect is seen with the initial therapy.
Preliminary Investigation of Corneal Wavefront Aberration following Femtosecond Laser Clear Corneal Incision for Cataract Surgery
Authors: Serrao Sebastiano , Lombardo Giuseppe , Schiano-Lomoriello Domenico , Rosati Marianna , Lombardo Marco 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To investigate the early changes of the anterior corneal wavefront aberration (WA) following femtosecond laser clear corneal incision (FS-CCI) for cataract surgery. Methods Twenty consecutive patients (20 eyes) with cataract underwent phacoemulsification and were divided into 2 groups: the study group received a 2.75-mm FS-CCI using an iFS Intralase; the control group received a 2.75-mm manual CCI using disposable knives. High-order corneal WA was analyzed over 3.5- and 6.0-mm pupils and corneal astigmatism was evaluated using vector analysis pre-operatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. Results At 1 month postoperatively, the mean surgically induced astigmatism (D) of the anterior cornea was 1.22 ± 0.60 at 144° and 1.04 D ± 0.64 at 90° in the study and control groups (p<0.05), respectively. Over 3.5-mm pupil, there were no changes of corneal high-order aberrations (p>0.05) following FS-CCI. Trefoil increased significantly (p<0.01) following manual CCI at 1 week postoperatively. Over 6.0-mm pupil, FS-CCI did not induce any statistically significant change in corneal WA during follow-up. One week after manual CCI, total root mean square–high order aberrations (p<0.01), spherical aberration (p<0.05), and trefoil (p<0.001) were statistically significantly higher than pre-operatively. Conclusions The CCI method was shown to influence changes in corneal WA during the first month postoperatively. The different changes of corneal high-order WA between the study and control groups may depend on the different CCI geometry. These preliminary data are valuable to improve understanding of FS-CCI design.
Bevacizumab Treatment for Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Adult-Onset Foveomacular Vitelliform Dystrophy
Authors: Tiosano Liran , Jaouni Tareq , Averbukh Edward , Grunin Michelle , Banin Eyal , Chowers Itay 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To evaluate choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD) and its response to bevacizumab therapy. Methods Demographics, clinical characteristics, response to bevacizumab therapy, and central foveal thickness (CFT) were retrospectively assessed in 11 eyes with CNV associated with AOFVD. Sixty consecutive patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were compared to the patients with AOFVD for all clinical characteristics and responses evaluated. Results The mean (±SD) initial logMAR visual acuity (0.7 ± 0.8 vs. 1 ± 0.75), age at onset, number of bevacizumab injections (12.4 ± 10.4 vs 9 ± 6.7), and final logMAR visual acuity (0.87 ± 0.7 vs 1 ± 0.85) were similar between AOFVD and AMD. The mean CFT in AOFVD was reduced from 418 ± 144 μm to 330 ± 64 μm following treatment (p = 0.03). At the final examination, visual acuity had improved in 3 eyes, stabilized in 1 eye, and was reduced in 7 of the AOFVD eyes examined. Conclusions Bevacizumab therapy for AOFVD-associated CNV resulted in reduced foveal thickness, but a guarded visual outcome was still found, due to progression of the vitelliform lesions.
Evaluation of Cytologic Specimens Obtained during Experimental Vitreous Biopsy Using B-Cell Lymphoma Line
Authors: Jiang Tingting , Zhao Zhenyang , Chang Qing 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To investigate the role of vitrectomy in the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma by evaluating the effects of aspiration pressure and cut rate on cell viability and diagnostic yield. Methods Cells of the human Burkitt lymphoma cell line Namalwa were processed by 20-G vitrectomy under 2 different aspiration pressures and at different cut rates. Some samples were divided into high and low aspiration pressure groups and were then divided into 6 subtypes according to the different cut rates (0, 300, 600, 800, 1500, or 2500 cuts per minute [cpm]). Other samples were treated with dexamethasone sodium phosphate for 48 hours with or without further culturing in cell culture media afterward. The cell viability in each subtype group was determined using trypan blue staining and the Cell Counting Kit–8. Results The number of viable cells was reduced with increasing cut speed under high aspiration pressure. Cell viability began to decrease at 600 cpm and was lowest at 2500 cpm. Exposure to dexamethasone sodium phosphate induced destruction of cellular structure and a significant reduction in cell viability. However, cell viability could be recovered with further culture in cell culture media for 1 week. Conclusions A cut rate of 600 cpm or less is recommended during diagnostic vitrectomy to confirm a clinical suspicion of primary intraocular lymphoma. Corticosteroid treatment can lower the diagnostic yield due to reduced cell viability and damaged cellular structure.
Full-Thickness Macular Hole after Lamellar Macular Hole Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Dutra Medeiros Marco , Alkabes Micol , Nucci Paolo , Branco João 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To describe a case of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) after vitrectomy for lamellar hole (LH). Methods Case report. Results The authors report a patient with progressive visual loss secondary to LH who developed FTMH following a vitrectomy repair. The postoperative findings as well as the clinical course after the second surgical approach are described. Conclusions Surgeons should be aware of this complication following LH surgical approach.
Correlation of Intraocular Pressure with Central Corneal Thickness in Premature and Full-Term Newborns
Authors: Karahan Eyyup , Zengin Mehmet Ozgur , Tuncer Ibrahim , Zengin Neslihan 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To evaluate the relation of central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) in preterm and full-term newborns. Methods The study included preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. A group of consecutive full-term newborns served as control group. Linear and multiple regression analysis were carried out to assess the association of IOP with sex, gestational/postconceptional age, birthweight, mean oxygenation time, stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and CCT. Linear and multiple regression analysis were also carried out to assess the association of CCT with sex, gestational/postconceptional age, birthweight, mean oxygenation time, and stages of ROP. Results Mean IOP was 17.5 ± 2.1 mm Hg in premature newborns and 16.3 ± 1.9 mm Hg in full-term newborns (p = 0.001). Mean CCT was 576.5 ± 16.8 µm in premature newborns and 562.7 ± 18.5 mm in full-term newborns (p = 0.000). Intraocular pressure was not correlated with CCT in preterm infants. Intraocular pressure was moderately correlated with CCT in full-term infants. Sex, postconceptional age at birth and at measurement, age after birth at measurement, birthweight, mean oxygenation time, and stage of ROP were not related to IOP. Central corneal thickness was not correlated with any parameter. Conclusions Our results showed that the CCT does not affect IOP significantly in preterm infants. More prospective studies are needed for determining the effect of CCT and other ocular and systemic factors on IOP in preterm infants.
Evaluation of Octopus Polar Trend Analysis for Detection of Glaucomatous Progression
Authors: Holló Gábor , Naghizadeh Farzaneh 
Published: July 2014

Purpose To investigate the clinical usefulness of Polar Trend Analysis (PTA) of the Octopus Field Analysis software for detection of glaucoma progression in medically treated glaucoma. Methods One eye each of 52 participants underwent Octopus Normal G2 perimetry and imaging with the RTVue-100 optical coherence tomograph at 6-month intervals (median follow-up 5 years). The eyes were classified as progressors or nonprogressors with PTA, which graphically presents pointwise linear regression analysis of focal defect at the corresponding nerve fiber angle at the disc margin. Polar Trend Analysis progression was defined as more than 1 significantly progressing test point location per sector. Progression of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness parameters were evaluated with linear regression analysis. Results Seventeen eyes were classified as PTA progressors (all in the inferotemporal or superotemporal areas or in both), and 35 eyes as nonprogressors. Frequencies of statistically significant RNFLT and GCC progressions did not differ significantly between the groups for any peripapillary area (p>0.05 for all comparisons). Significant inferior average RNFLT progression occurred in 50% of the PTA progressor eyes. Long-term measurement variability during the follow-up period was significantly higher in the PTA progressor group for inferior and superior GCC thickness and inferior average RNFLT (p<0.001 for all comparisons). Conclusions In glaucoma, PTA may indicate glaucomatous progression earlier than linear regression analysis of the RNFLT and GCC parameters. It may already draw attention to glaucomatous progression when the alteration of the corresponding structural parameters is represented only by increased long-term variability.
Comparison of two Endovascular Treatments of a Stenosed Arteriovenous Fistula: Balloon-Angioplasty with and without Stenting
Authors: Decorato Iolanda , Kharboutly Zaher , Legallais Cécile , Salsac Anne-Virginie 
Published: July 2014

Purpose Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are created in patients to enable a permanent vascular access for hemodialysis. The AVF causes changes in the hemodynamic conditions leading to possible complications, stenoses being the most common one. Our objective was to compare the effect of treating the stenosed AVF by balloon-angioplasty, whether followed or not with stenting. Methods We considered an AVF presenting an 60% arterial stenosis and simulated the two endovascular treatments using an implicit approach. We then simulated the fluid-structure interactions (FSI) within (i) the patient-specific stenosed AVF, (ii) the AVF after angioplasty, and (iii) the AVF after angioplasty plus stenting with ANSYS Workbench. Results We show that a self-expandable stent does not modify the curvature of the vessel after angioplasty; it only increases the local Young modulus of the stented wall by an order of magnitude. The results of the FSI simulations indicate that the two treatments induce the same hemodynamic conditions: they both reduce the pressure difference across the stenosis, while maintaining the flow distribution downstream of the stenosis. The venous flow rate that has to be guaranteed for hemodialysis is unaltered. Thanks to its large axial flexibility, the self-expandable stent causes at maximum a three-fold increase in the internal wall stresses at peak systole as compared to angioplasty alone. Conclusions By maintaining the vessel lumen shape over time, the stent is likely to reduce the risk of restenosis that can otherwise occur after balloon-angioplasty because of the viscoelastic recoil of the vessel.
Improving Arterial Pulsatility by Feedback Control of a Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device via in Silico Modeling
Authors: Bozkurt Selim , van de Vosse Frans N. , Rutten Marcel C.M. 
Published: July 2014

Purpose Continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) generally operate at a constant speed, which causes a decrease in pulse pressure and pulsatility in the arteries and allegedly may lead to late complications such as aortic insufficiency and gastrointestinal bleeding. The purpose of this study is to increase the arterial pulse pressure and pulsatility while obtaining more physiological hemodynamic signals, by controlling the CF-LVAD flow rate. Methods A lumped parameter model was used to simulate the cardiovascular system including the heart chambers, heart valves, systemic and pulmonary arteries and veins. A baroreflex model was used to regulate the heart rate and a model of the Micromed DeBakey CF-LVAD (Micromed Technology, Houston, TX, USA) to simulate the pump dynamics at different operating speeds. A model simulating the flow rate through the aortic valve served as reference model. CF-LVAD operating speed was regulated by applying proportional-integral (PI) control to the pump flow rate. For comparison, the CF-LVAD was also operated at a constant speed, equaling the mean CF-LVAD speed as applied in pulsatile mode. Results In different operating modes, at the same mean operating speeds, mean pump output, mean arterial pressure, end-systolic and end-diastolic volume and heart rate were the same over the cardiac cycle. However, the arterial pulse pressure and index of pulsatility increased by 50% in the pulsatile CF-LVAD support mode with respect to constant speed pump support. Conclusions This study shows the possibility of obtaining more physiological pulsatile hemodynamics in the arteries by applying output-driven varying speed control to a CF-LVAD.
Validation and Calibration of an Electrical Analog Model of Human Liver Perfusion Based on Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Experiments
Authors: Debbaut Charlotte , Monbaliu Diethard R.L. , Segers Patrick 
Published: July 2014

Purpose Hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) is reviving as a better preservation method for donor livers than the golden standard of cold storage, but still faces challenges such as the risk for endothelial damage and flow competition between the arterial and portal venous inflow. Therefore, we previously developed an electrical analog model to investigate the effect of HMP settings on the human liver hemodynamics. While the model provided plausible results, it is based on a number of assumptions and its performance was never subjected to experimental validation. To this end, we present a new methodology to validate and calibrate this model to a specific liver. Methods and Results HMP experiments were performed to capture the perfusion behavior of a human liver during varying perfusion settings. Simultaneous pressure and flow signals were acquired at the hepatic artery, portal vein, and vena cava inferior. The calculation of hydraulic input impedances enabled reduced Windkessel models to be fitted to the global hepatic perfusion properties as an intermediate step. Based on these Windkessel models, the extended electrical analog model was calibrated to the specific available liver. Results revealed that literature values of one of the critical model parameters (wall viscoelasticity) are a few orders of magnitude off, having important consequences for simulated (pulsatile) hemodynamic variables. Conclusions A novel methodology, based on HMP experiments, signal processing and unconstrained nonlinear optimization was developed to validate and calibrate the liver-specific extended electrical model. Future research may focus on extending this approach to other applications (e.g. liver pathologies such as cirrhosis).
Peripheral and Endometrial Dendritic Cell Populations during the Normal Cycle and in the Presence of Endometriosis
Authors: Maridas David E. , Hey-Cunningham Alison J. , Ng Cecilia H.M. , Markham Robert , Fraser Ian S. , Berbic Marina 
Published: July 2014

Background Dysfunctional immune response may be implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis, and dendritic cells (DC) may play greater roles in this response than previously recognized. This study set out to evaluate peripheral blood and endometrial DC population changes in the presence and absence of endometriosis pathology. Methods Endometrial (n = 83) and peripheral blood samples (n = 30) were subjected to immunohistochemical techniques and flow cytometry, respectively, to assess DC populations in women with and without endometriosis. Three circulating DC subsets (MDC1, MDC2 and PDC, expressing CD1c, CD303 and CD141), and late-stage mature endometrial DCs (using DC-LAMP antibody) were investigated. Results A highly significant reduction in CD1c intensity on MDC1 populations in peripheral blood was observed between normal cycle proliferative and menstrual phases (p = 0.025), but not in women with endometriosis, in whom CD1c intensity was markedly increased at the time of menstruation (p = 0.05). A significant reduction in peripheral blood MDC2 (p = 0.016) and apparent reduction in endometrial DC-LAMP+ DC (trend, p = 0.062) were observed in women with endometriosis compared with controls, consistent with our preliminary DC data. Conclusions Cyclical variation in endometrial and circulating DC populations appears to be crucial during normal menstrual cycles and in the establishment of pregnancy. In endometriosis, circulating and endometrial DC populations are significantly dysregulated at a number of levels, and are likely to contribute to inefficient immunological targeting of endometrial fragments shed at menstruation, facilitating their survival and establishment of endometriosis.