bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Akbar the Great (1542–1605) and Christianity. Between religion and politics
Authors: Kuczkiewicz-Fraś Agnieszka 
Published: August 2015

The second half of the 16th century, during the reign of India’s third, and widely regarded as the greatest, ruler of the Mughal dynasty, Jalāl ud-Dīn Muḥammad Akbar, was also the time when the Europeans were becoming increasingly present on the Indian Subcontinent. Especially active among them were the Portuguese – both in the political and economic sense as well as in the cultural and the religious dimension.
Działalność misjonarska europejskich kościołów protestanckich na terenach wschodnich prowincji osmańskich w pierwszej połowie XIX wieku
Authors: Kościelniak Krzysztof 
Published: August 2015

From the beginning of the 19ᵗʰ century a significant restoration of the idea of the Christian mission among Protestant Churches can be observed. The visible result of such a revival being the missionary activity undertaken in different countries, also Turkey. The most active organizations included: Church Missionary Society launched on 14ᵗʰ April 1799. Missioners of the C. M. S. mostly worked in the regions under British rule (including the Near East). London Jews Society (the common name for the London Society for Promoting Christianity among the Jews) established in 1809, which originally played a significant role in the evangelization of the Jews in Palestine. The development of the Protestant mission in the Near East was based on the following factors: increasing the role of British colonialism and the collapse of the Ottoman Turkey regime, strengthening relations with Muslim civilization and the continuation of the European idea of a “Focus on the Orient”. Furthermore, the development of Protestant missions was connected with the name Cleardo Naudi (1780–1837) of British Malta. He encouraged the representatives of CMS to begin their work in the Near East. The coordinator of such an activity became William Jowett, whose main idea was to support the Christian minority in the Near East mostly by delivering religious publications to the territory. Apart from this, the evangelization among Jewish and Muslim communities had been planned. There were also ideas of the evangelization of the region by using the Christian minority from the Near East. This task was implemented by Baselermissionsgesellschaft (A Protestant Missionary Society from Basel). Knowing the culture and the language, the Christian minority from the Near East was the best candidate for developing Christianity in the Muslim world. In one of his first reports, Christian Researches in the Mediterranean from 1815 to 1820, W. Jowett emphasized the need to build educational centers and charity societies. As the result of such Protestant missions in the Near East, Christianity in this region became more active, but on the other hand new conflicts and divisions emerged – e.g. after 1850, when the Protestant churches fell under the influence of millets.
Olfaction Improvement after Nasal Septal Perforation Repair with the “cross-stealing” Technique
Authors: Altun Hüseyin , Hanci Deniz 
Published: August 2015

Background The surgical treatment of nasal septal perforation is known to improve nasal respiratory airflow and, thereby, should be beneficial to the patient's olfactory abilities. However, there are only limited data on the effect of nasal septal perforation repair (NSPR) on olfaction, and most studies reported contradictory results. Objective The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the change in the olfactory abilities of 42 patients with a primary concern of nasal septal perforation. Methods NSPR was performed with the “cross-stealing” technique. The inferior-based mucoperichondrial flap in one side and the superior-based mucoperichondrial flap from the other side of the nasal septum were passed to the opposite sides through the perforation. Surgery was completed by placing an interpositional graft between the flaps before suturing. The interpositional grafts were residual cartilage. The olfactory performance of the patients before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the closure of the nasal septal perforation was measured by using an olfaction test kit. Results The success rate with complete closure of nasal septal perforation with the “cross-stealing” technique was 92.8%. Analysis of the data indicated statistically significant improvement in olfactory function scored as odor threshold (T), odor discrimination (D), odor identification (I) and TDI at 1, 3, and 6 months after NSPR (p < 0.001 for all). The mean TDI score evaluated 6 months after NSPR was improved by 64%. Analyses of variance indicated statistically significant improvement in olfactory scores within time factors were calculated as preoperative versus 1, 3, and 6 months; 1 versus 3 and 6 months; and 3 versus 6 months (p < 0.001 for all). Analysis of the present data indicates a beneficial effect of NSPR on olfactory abilities of patients with perforation. Conclusion Our data on the short- and long-term olfactory abilities of 42 patients with nasal septal perforation after NSPR when using an olfaction test kit indicated statistically significant improvement in olfactory function.
Comparison of open and minimally invasive surgery for intradural-extramedullary spine tumors
Authors: Wong Albert P. , Lall Rishi R. , Dahdaleh Nader S. , Lawton Cort D. , Smith Zachary A. , Wong Ricky H. , Harvey Michael J. , Lam Sandi , Koski Tyler R. , Fessler Richard G. 
Published: August 2015

OBJECT
Patients with symptomatic intradural-extramedullary (ID-EM) tumors may be successfully treated with resection of the lesion and decompression of associated neural structures. Studies of patients undergoing open resection of these tumors have reported high rates of gross-total resection (GTR) with minimal long-term neurological deficit. Case reports and small case series have suggested that these patients may be successfully treated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). These studies have been limited by small patient populations. Moreover, there are no studies directly comparing perioperative outcomes between patients treated with open resection and MIS. The objective of this study was to compare perioperative outcomes in patients with ID-EM tumors treated using open resection or MIS.

METHODS
A retrospective review was performed using data collected from 45 consecutive patients treated by open resection or MIS for ID-EM spine tumors. These patients were treated over a 9-year period between April 2003 and October 2012 at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. Statistical analysis was performed to compare perioperative outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTS
Of the 45 patients in the study, 27 were treated with the MIS approach and 18 were treated with the open approach. Operative time was similar between the two groups: 256.3 minutes in the MIS group versus 241.1 minutes in the open group (p = 0.55). Estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the MIS group (133.7 ml) compared with the open group (558.8 ml) (p < 0.01). A GTR was achieved in 94.4% of the open cases and 92.6% of the MIS cases (p = 0.81).
The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the MIS group (3.9 days) compared with the open group (6.1 days) (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the complication rates (p = 0.32) and reoperation rates (p = 0.33) between the two groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an increased rate of complications in cervical spine tumors (OR 15, p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
Thoracolumbar ID-EM tumors may be safely and effectively treated with either the open approach or an MIS approach, with an equivalent rate of GTR, perioperative complication rate, and operative time. Patients treated with an MIS approach may benefit from a decrease in operative blood loss and shorter hospital stays.
Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: an increasingly common diagnosis
Authors: Payer Sebastian , Mende Klaus Christian , Pract Med , Westphal Manfred , Eicker Sven O. 
Published: August 2015

OBJECT
Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) represent a small proportion of intramedullary tumors. However, with the lifespans of patients with malignant tumors increasing, incidents of ISCM are on the rise. Due to threateningly severe disabilities in patients, accompanied by limited life expectancy, every attempt should be made to treat these tumors the same way as metastases elsewhere in the CNS, with the goal of complete removal of the ISCM and preservation of neurological functions. The object of this study is to retrospectively analyze the experiences of 22 patients who were surgically treated for ISCM over a 22-year period.

METHODS
Hospital charts of 22 patients, who were surgically treated for ISCM between 1992 and 2014, were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, histopathological diagnoses of primary cancer, chronological sequence of the disease, and neurological status using the simplified McCormick functional classification were collected and reanalyzed.

RESULTS
The most frequent histology was metastasis of lung cancer, followed by brain and breast cancers. The time span from primary cancer diagnosis to the development of symptomatic spinal metastases ranged from 0 to 285 months, with a mean interval of 38 months. The leading presenting sign was dysesthesia (77% of the population), followed by paresis (68%). Only 5 patients (23%) showed urinary retention. Initial performance status represented by the McCormick Scale was on average 2.47. Total or near-total removal was achieved in 87% of cases. Compared with the clinical status 1−2 days after surgery, there was an improvement in the McCormick Scale grade at the last follow-up from 2.47 to 2.12 (p = 0.009). Likewise, an improvement was detected when comparing the preoperative status with the last follow-up (from 2.45 to 2.12; p = 0.029). The mean survival time after surgery was 11.6 months.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that surgery for intramedullary metastases—with all of the challenges of a rare and potentially risky procedure—can be beneficial to patients with advanced stages of cancer. Surgery can be performed with minimal new morbidity and results in maintaining neurological performance status.
Association of risk factors with unfavorable outcomes after resection of adult benign intradural spine tumors and the effect of hospital volume on outcomes: an analysis of 18, 297 patients across 774 US hospitals using the National Inpatient Sample (2002−2011)
Authors: Kalakoti Piyush , Missios Symeon , Menger Richard , Kukreja Sunil , Konar Subhas , Nanda Anil 
Published: August 2015

OBJECT
Because of the limited data available regarding the associations between risk factors and the effect of hospital case volume on outcomes after resection of intradural spine tumors, the authors attempted to identify these associations by using a large population-based database.

METHODS
Using the National Inpatient Sample database, the authors performed a retrospective cohort study that involved patients who underwent surgery for an intradural spinal tumor between 2002 and 2011. Using national estimates, they identified associations of patient demographics, medical comorbidities, and hospital characteristics with inpatient postoperative outcomes. In addition, the effect of hospital volume on unfavorable outcomes was investigated. Hospitals that performed fewer than 14 resections in adult patients with an intradural spine tumor between 2002 and 2011 were labeled as low-volume centers, whereas those that performed 14 or more operations in that period were classified as high-volume centers (HVCs). These cutoffs were based on the median number of resections performed by hospitals registered in the National Inpatient Sample during the study period.

RESULTS
Overall, 18,297 patients across 774 hospitals in the United States underwent surgery for an intradural spine tumor. The mean age of the cohort was 56.53 ± 16.28 years, and 63% were female. The inpatient postoperative risks included mortality (0.3%), discharge to rehabilitation (28.8%), prolonged length of stay (> 75th percentile) (20.0%), high-end hospital charges (> 75th percentile) (24.9%), wound complications (1.2%), cardiac complications (0.6%), deep vein thrombosis (1.4%), pulmonary embolism (2.1%), and neurological complications, including durai tears (2.4%). Undergoing surgery at an HVC was significantly associated with a decreased chance of inpatient mortality (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.16−0.98), unfavorable discharge (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.76−0.98), prolonged length of stay (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.62−0.77), high-end hospital charges (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.60−0.74), neurological complications (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.26−0.44), deep vein thrombosis (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.45−0.94), wound complications (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.41−0.86), and gastrointestinal complications (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.46−0.92).

CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provide individualized estimates of the risks of postoperative complications based on patient demographics and comorbidities and hospital characteristics and shows a decreased risk for most unfavorable outcomes for those who underwent surgery at an HVC. These findings could be used as a tool for risk stratification, directing presurgical evaluation, assisting with surgical decision making, and strengthening referral systems for complex cases.
Spinal ependymomas. Part 1: Intramedullary ependymomas
Authors: Klekamp Jörg 
Published: August 2015

OBJECT
Ependymomas represent the most common intramedullary tumor in adults. Despite their usually well-defined dissection plane, surgical morbidity has been documented to be considerably higher compared with other intramedullary entities. This study presents an analysis of risk factors for surgical morbidity and data on long-term results for intramedullary ependymomas.

METHODS
Among 1447 patients with tumors of the spinal canal treated between 1980 and 2014, 309 patients presented with intramedullary tumors. One hundred patients with intramedullary ependymomas underwent 102 operations. Mean age was 44 ± 15 years (range 8–74 years). Patients were followed by outpatient visits and questionnaires, with a mean follow-up of 77 ± 91 months. Short-term results were determined for individual symptoms and the McCormick Scale, whereas tumor recurrence rates were calculated with Kaplan-Meier statistics.

RESULTS
Compared with cervical ependymomas, those of the thoracic spine were associated with more severe motor deficits and gait problems at presentation. A total of 86.3% of patients with intramedullary ependymomas underwent gross-total resection (GTR). A low preoperative McCormick grade and first surgery were the strongest predictors for a GTR. Postoperatively, 67.6% of patients demonstrated a worse neurological state at discharge from the hospital. This deterioration was transient for 40.1% of the patients and permanent for 27.5%. In the long term, the McCormick grade remained unchanged from the preoperative grade in 74.5% of patients, while it was improved in 5.9% of patients and increased after surgery in 19.6% of patients. According to a multivariate analysis, the risk of permanent morbidity increased with a thoracic level of the ependymoma, advanced age, a long clinical history, presence of a tumor hemorrhage, and surgery on a recurrent tumor. In the long term, tumor recurrence rates correlated significantly with the amount of resection (4.2% and 18.5% in 20 years after GTR and partial resections, respectively). Postoperative neuropathic pain syndromes affected 37.0% of patients, whereas 4% demonstrated a postoperative myelopathy related to cord tethering at the level of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS
Intramedullary ependymomas are tumors best treated surgically. A complete resection indicates cure for the overwhelming majority of these patients. Surgery should be performed early by neurosurgeons who deal with these lesions on a regular basis to achieve high GTR rates. Permanent surgical morbidity varies most according to tumor location and patient age.
Discrete or diffuse intramedullary tumor? Contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound in a case of intramedullary cervicothoracic hemangioblastomas mimicking a diffuse infiltrative glioma: technical note and case report
Authors: Vetrano Ignazio G. , Prada Francesco , Nataloni Ilaria F. , Bene Massimiliano Del , Dimeco Francesco , Valentini Laura G. 
Published: August 2015

Hemangioblastomas are benign, highly vascularized intramedullary lesions that may also extend into the intradural space. Surgery represents the standard therapy, with the goal of obtaining complete resection even at the risk of neurological morbidity. MRI is the gold standard for diagnosis and assessment of intramedullary tumors. Nevertheless, sometimes MRI may not accurately differentiate between different types of intramedullary tumors, in particular if they are associated with syringes or intra- and peritumoral cysts. This could subsequently affect surgical strategies. Intraoperative ultrasound (ioUS) has become in the last few years a very useful tool for use during neurosurgical procedures. Various ioUS modalities such as B-mode and Doppler have been applied during neurosurgical procedures. On the other hand, the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is not yet well defined and standardized in this field. We report a case of a young patient harboring a cervicothoracic intramedullary tumor, for which the preoperative neuroradiologi-cal diagnosis was in favor of a diffuse astrocytoma with nodular components whereas ioUS demonstrated 3 distinct intramedullary nodules. CEUS showed highly vascularized lesions, compatible with hemangioblastomas. These findings, particularly those obtained with CEUS, allowed better definition of the lesions for diagnosis, enhanced understanding of the physiopathological aspects, and permitted the localization of all 3 nodules, thus limiting spinal cord manipulation and allowing complete resection of the lesions, with an uneventful postoperative neurological course.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of intraoperative CEUS in a case of intramedullary hemangioblastoma.
Assessment of outcome in patients undergoing surgery for intradural spinal tumor using the multidimensional patient-rated Core Outcome Measures Index and the modified McCormick Scale
Authors: Bellut David , Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Mannion Anne F. , Porchet François 
Published: August 2015

OBJECT
The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome in patients undergoing surgical treatment for intradural spinal tumor using a patient-oriented, self-rated, outcome instrument and a physician-based disease-specific instrument.

METHODS
Prospectively collected data from 63 patients with intradural spinal tumor were analyzed in relation to scores on the multidimensional patient-rated Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) and the physician-rated modified McCormick Scale, before and at 3 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between the scores on the modified McCormick Scale preoperatively and at the 3-month follow-up, though there was a trend for improvement (p = 0.073); however, comparisons between the scores determined preoperatively and at the 12-month follow-up, as well as 3- versus 12-month follow-ups, showed a statistically significant improvement in each case (p < 0.004). The COMI scores for axial pain, peripheral pain, and back-related function showed a significant reduction (p < 0.001) from before surgery to 3 months after surgery, and thereafter showed no further change (p > 0.05) up to 12 months postoperatively. In contrast, the overall COMI score, “worst pain,” quality of life, and social disability not only showed a significant reduction from before surgery to 3 months after surgery (p < 0.001), but also a further significant reduction up to 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). The scores for work disability showed no significant improvement from before surgery to the 3-month follow-up (p > 0.05), but did show a significant improvement (p = 0.011) from 3 months to 12 months after surgery. At the 3- and 12-month follow-ups, 85.2% and 83.9% of patients, respectively, declared that the surgical procedure had helped/helped a lot; 95.1% and 95.2%, respectively, declared that they were satisfied/very satisfied with their care.

CONCLUSIONS
COMI is a feasible tool to use in the evaluation of baseline symptoms and outcome in patients undergoing surgery for intradural spinal tumor. COMI was able to detect changes in outcome at 3 months after surgery (before changes were apparent on the modified McCormick Scale) and on later postoperative follow-up. The COMI subdomains are valuable for monitoring the patient’s reintegration into society and the work environment. The addition of an item that specifically covers neurological deficits may further increase the value of COMI in patients with spinal tumors.
Outcomes following myxopapillary ependymoma resection: the importance of capsule integrity
Authors: Abdulaziz Mohammed , Mallory Grant W. , Bydon Mohamad , De la Garza Ramos Rafael , Ellis Jason A. , Laack Nadia N. , Marsh W. Richard , Krauss William E. , Jallo George , Gokaslan Ziya L. , Clarke Michelle J. 
Published: August 2015

OBJECT
While extent of resection has been shown to correlate with outcomes after myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) resection, the effect of capsular violation has not been well studied. The role of adjuvant radiation also remains controversial. In this paper the authors' goals were to evaluate outcomes following resection of MPE based on intraoperative capsular violation and to explore the role of adjuvant radiotherapy in cases of capsular violation.

METHODS
A retrospective review of patients undergoing resection of MPE at 2 academic institutions between 1990 and 2013 was performed. Cases with dissemination at presentation, less than 12 months of follow-up, or incomplete records were excluded. Extent of resection was defined as en bloc if all visible tumor was removed without capsular violation, gross-total resection (GTR) if all visible tumor was removed, but with capsular violation, and subtotal resection (STR) if a known residual was left at the time of surgery. Postoperative MR images were reviewed to confirm the extent of resection. Primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall recurrence rates. The effects of extent of resection, capsular violation, and adjuvant radiotherapy on recurrence rates and PFS were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier statistics. Associations between recurrence and preoperative variables were evaluated using Fisher exact methods and t-tests where appropriate.

RESULTS
Of the 107 patients reviewed, 58 patients (53% were male) met inclusion criteria. The mean age at surgery was 40.8 years (range 7–68 years). The median follow-up was 51.5 months (range 12–243 months). Extent of resection was defined as en bloc in 46.5% (n = 27), GTR in 34.5% (n = 20), and STR in 18.9% (n = 11). No recurrences were noted in the en bloc group, compared with 15% (n = 3) and 45% (n = 5) in the GTR and STR groups. En bloc resection was achieved most frequently in tumors involving the conus. Twelve patients (20%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy following either STR or GTR. The overall recurrence rate was 13.8% (n = 8), and the 5-year PFS was 81%. Capsular violation was associated with a higher recurrence rate (p = 0.005). Adjuvant radiotherapy showed a nonsignificant trend of lower recurrence rates (16.7% vs 31.6%, p = 0.43) and longer PFS at 5 years (83.3% vs 49.9%, p = 0.16) in cases of capsular violation.

CONCLUSIONS
A strong correlation between capsular violation and recurrence was found following removal of MPE and should be assessed when defining extent of resection in future studies. Although the use of adjuvant radiotherapy in cases of capsular violation showed a trend toward improved PFS, further investigation is needed to establish its role as salvage therapy also appears to be effective at halting disease progression.