bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal variations in frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele births in Cambodia
Authors: Roux Franck-Emmanuel , Oucheng Ngiep , Lauwers-Cances Valérie , Draper Louisa , Cristini Christelle , Collogly Jim , Lauwers Frédéric 
Published: December 2009

Object
Frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele (fMEC) is relatively common in many Southeast Asian countries, with devastating aesthetic and social consequences for affected children. No cause has been detected to date. Among other factors, the authors of this paper attempt to identify a statistically significant difference in the spread of fMEC births throughout the year compared with other births. This seasonal variation in the incidence of fMEC births may provide clues to the causes of this condition.

Methods
From a group of 175 children with fMEC who underwent surgery at the authors' humanitarian institution (Children's Surgical Centre) in Phnom Penh between 2004 and 2008, 86 children were studied. These children were born at full term and had an accurately recorded date of birth. The birth dates of this fMEC group were compared with a group of > 15,000 other live births at one of the main maternity units in Phnom Penh in 2005 and 2006.

Results
Seasonal variation in incidence of fMEC by month of birth was highly statistically significant (p < 0.001), with the peak of births occurring in the dry season (between March and May). This is in contrast to the control group, in which there was an equal distribution of births throughout the year. More than 85% of the parents of children with fMEC who the authors treated were farmers, but this figure reflects the composition of the Cambodian population.

Conclusions
Uneven spread in the incidence of fMEC births throughout the year suggests that a seasonal factor during the wet season may be suspected in the pathogenesis of fMEC in Cambodia.
Neurocognitive outcome and ventricular volume in children with myelomeningocele treated for hydrocephalus in Uganda
Authors: Warf Benjamin , Ondoma Solomon , Kulkarni Abhaya , Donnelly Ruth , Ampeire Miriam , Akona Joan , Kabachelor Collin R. , Mulondo Ronald , Nsubuga Brian Kaaya 
Published: December 2009

Object
Despite lower failure and infection rates compared with shunt placement, it has not been known whether endoscopic third ventriculostomy/choroid plexus cauterization (ETV/CPC) might be inferior in regard to neurocognitive development. This study is the first to describe neurocognitive outcome and ventricle volume in infants with hydrocephalus due to myelomeningocele that was treated primarily by ETV/CPC.

Methods
The modified Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) test was administered to 93 children with spina bifida who were 5–52 months of age. Fifty-five of these children had been treated by ETV/CPC, 19 received ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts, and 19 had required no treatment for hydrocephalus. Raw scores were converted to scaled scores for comparison with age-corrected norms. Ventricular volume was assessed by frontal/occipital horn ratio (FOR) calculated from late postoperative CT scans. The mean values between and among groups of patients were compared using independent samples t-test and ANOVA. The comparison of mean values to population normal means was performed using the single-sample t-test. Linear regression analyses were performed using BSID scores as the dependent variables, with treatment group and ventricular size (FOR) as the independent variables. Probability values < 0.05 were considered significant.

Results
. There was no significant difference in mean age at assessment among groups (p = 0.8). The mean scale scores for untreated patients were no different from normal (all p > 0.27) in all portions of the BSID (excluding gross motor), and were generally significantly better than those for both VP shunt–treated and ETV/CPC groups. The ETV/ CPC-treated patients had nonsignificantly better mean scores than patients treated with VP shunts in all portions of the BSID (all p > 0.06), except receptive communication, which was significantly better for the ETV/CPC group (p = 0.02). The mean FOR was similar among groups, with no significant difference between the untreated group and either the VP shunt or ETV/CPC groups. The FOR did not correlate with performance.

Conclusions
The ETV/CPC and VP shunt groups had similar neurocognitive outcomes. Neurocognitive outcomes for infants not requiring treatment for hydrocephalus were normal and significantly better than in those requiring treatment. The mean ventricular volume was similar among all 3 groups, and significantly larger than normal. There was no association between FOR and performance. Stable mild-to-moderate ventriculomegaly alone should not trigger intervention in asymptomatic infants with spina bifida.
Complete percutaneous treatment of vertebral body tumors causing spinal canal compromise using a transpedicular cavitation, cement augmentation, and radiosurgical technique
Authors: Gerszten Peter C. , Monaco Edward A. 
Published: December 2009

Object
Patients with symptomatic pathological compression fractures require spinal stabilization surgery for mechanical back pain control and radiation therapy for the underlying malignant process. Spinal radiosurgery provides excellent long-term radiographic control for vertebral metastases. Percutaneous cement augmentation using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) may be contraindicated in lesions with spinal canal compromise due to the risk of displacement of tumor resulting in spinal cord or cauda equina injury. However, there is also significant morbidity associated with open corpectomy procedures in patients with metastatic cancer, especially in those who subsequently require adjuvant radiotherapy. This study evaluated a treatment paradigm for malignant vertebral compression fractures consisting of transpedicular coblation corpectomy combined with closed fracture reduction and fixation, followed by spinal radiosurgery.

Methods
Eleven patients (6 men and 5 women, mean age 58 years) with symptomatic vertebral body metastatic tumors associated with moderate spinal canal compromise were included in this study (8 thoracic levels, 3 lumbar levels). Primary histologies included 4 lung, 2 breast, 2 renal, and 1 each of thyroid, bladder, and hepatocellular carcinomas. All patients underwent percutaneous transpedicular coblation corpectomy immediately followed by balloon kyphoplasty through the same 8-gauge cannula under fluoroscopic guidance. Patients subsequently underwent radiosurgery to the affected vertebral body (mean time to treatment 14 days). Postoperatively, patients were assessed for pain reduction and neurological morbidity.

Results
There were no complications associated with any part of the procedure. Adequate cement augmentation within the vertebral body was achieved in all cases. The mean radiosurgical tumor dose was 19 Gy covering the entire vertebral body. The procedure provided long-term pain improvement and radiographic tumor control in all patients (follow-up range 7–44 months). No patient later required open surgery. No radiation-induced toxicity or new neurological deficit occurred during the follow-up period.

Conclusions
This treatment paradigm for pathological fractures of percutaneous transpedicular corpectomy combined with cement augmentation followed by radiosurgery was found to be safe and clinically effective. This technique combines minimally invasive procedures that avoid the morbidity associated with open surgery while providing spinal canal decompression and immediate fracture stabilization, and then administering a single-fraction tumoricidal radiation dose.
Stereotactic spine radiosurgery for intradural and intramedullary metastasis
Authors: Shin Dong Ah , Huh Ryoong , Chung Sang Sup , Rock Jack , Ryu Samuel 
Published: December 2009

Object
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become an important treatment alternative to surgery for a variety of spinal lesions. However, the use of SRS in the management of intradural intramedullary (IDIM) metastasis remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of SRS for treatment of IDIM metastasis.

Methods
Nine patients with 11 IDIM metastases treated with SRS at Henry Ford Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The mean age at presentation was 50 years, with a range of 14–71 years. There were 4 intradural extramedullary and 7 intramedullary lesions. The radiosurgery procedure used techniques of image-guided and intensitymodulated radiation. The mean treatment dose was 13.8 Gy, with a range of 10–16 Gy. All patients had clinical follow-up (except in 1 lesion), with an emphasis on initial symptoms and ambulatory status, and 8 patients (9 lesions) had imaging studies. The median follow-up duration was 10 months.

Results
The presenting symptoms were improved in 8 (80%) of 10 evaluable lesions, unchanged in 1 case, and worsened in 1 case. Radiographic responses were seen as follows: complete response in 2 (22%) of 9; partial response in 3 (33%) of 9; stable disease in 3 (33%) of 9; and progressive disease in 1 (11%) of 9. After radiosurgery, 7 patients (78%) remained ambulatory until the last follow-up visit. The overall median survival time after SRS was 8 months, with a range of 2–19 months. No radiation toxicity was detected clinically during the follow-up period.

Conclusions
Despite the fact that this was a small series of patients with IDIM metastasis who had limited treatment options, SRS appears to be an effective and safe method of treating patients with these lesions.
Evaluation of hearing function after Gamma Knife surgery of vestibular schwannomas
Authors: Franzin Alberto , Spatola Giorgio , Serra Carlo , Picozzi Piero , Medone Marzia , Milani Davide , Castellazzi Paola , Mortini Pietro 
Published: December 2009

Object
Due to technological advances in neuroradiology in recent years, incidental diagnoses of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) have increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing function after treatment with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for VSs in patients adequately selected with “good” or “useful” hearing before treatment and to assess the possible predictive factors for hearing function preservation.

Methods
Of all patients treated in the authors' hospital between 2001 and 2007, they retrospectively studied 50 patients with a unilateral VS in whom there was serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson [GR] Class I or II). Additional inclusion criteria were: no Type 2 neurofibromatosis, no previous treatment, and at least 6 months' follow-up of neuroradiological and audiological data. The median patient age was 54 years (range 24–78 years). The median tumor volume was 0.73 ml (range 0.03–6.6 ml), and the median radiation dose to the tumor margin was 13 Gy (range 12–16 Gy) with an isodose of 50%.

Results
Patient age, tumor volume, and presenting symptoms were found to correlate with hearing function. At a median of 36 months after radiosurgery, tumor growth control was 96% and no patient required any other additional treatment. Serviceable hearing was preserved in 34 patients (68%): 21 (62%) with GR Class I hearing and 13 (38%) with GR Class II hearing. The remaining 16 patients had poor hearing function:15 with GR Class III and 1 with GR Class IV hearing function. In 19 (58%) of 33 patients with GR Class I function before GKS the same class was maintained posttreatment; 29 (88%) maintained functional hearing (GR Class I or II). In all patients with an intracanalicular lesion, functional hearing was maintained. Significant prognostic factors for maintaining serviceable hearing were GR Class I function before treatment, symptoms at presentation, patient age younger than 54 years, and Koos Stage T1 disease.

Conclusions
The results of the study show that the probability of preserving functional hearing in patients undergoing GKS treatment for unilateral VSs is very high. Patients with GR Class I, age younger than 54 years, with presenting symptoms other than hearing loss, and a Koos Stage T1 tumor have better prognosis. The prescribed dose of 13 Gy appears to represent an excellent compromise between controlling the disease and preserving auditory function.
Telangiectases in Scleroderma: A Potential Clinical Marker of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: SHAH AMI A. , WIGLEY FREDRICK M. , HUMMERS LAURA K. 
Published: December 2009

Objective.Clinical markers are needed to identify scleroderma patients at risk for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) since early therapy may improve survival. We investigated whether increased numbers of telangiectases in scleroderma associate with measures of pulmonary vascular disease.Methods.One hundred forty-seven consecutive adult patients with scleroderma were enrolled in this cross-sectional study and scored for the presence of matted telangiectases on 11 body areas. Per body area, telangiectases were scored as 0 if none were present, 1 if there were fewer than 10 telangiectases, and 2 if 10 or more telangiectases were counted. Linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and telangiectasia score, adjusted for age, race, smoking status, scleroderma subtype, disease duration, and autoantibody status. Logistic regression analysis was performed with PAH by right-heart catheterization (RHC) as the dependent variable.Results.The mean telangiectasia score was 6.0 (SD 4.5, range 0–20). RVSP and telangiectasia score were positively correlated (r = 0.271, p = 0.001). The mean RVSP increased by 10.9 mm Hg for every 10-point increase in telangiectasia score (95% CI 3.6–18.3 mm Hg, p = 0.004), adjusted for potential confounders. The adjusted relative odds of PAH by RHC were 12.4 for patients with a 10-point increase in telangiectasia score (95% CI 1.78–85.9, p = 0.01).Conclusion.Increased numbers of telangiectases strongly associate with the presence of pulmonary vascular disease. Telangiectases may be a clinical marker of more widespread aberrant microvascular disease in scleroderma.
INVESTIGATIONS ON FLIGHT HABITS OF THE PECAN WEEVIL, CURCULIO CARYAE (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE)
Authors: Raney Harley G. , Eikenbary R. D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractResearch over a 2-year period indicated that female pecan weevils, Curculio caryae Horn, tended to fly higher than males. Male pecan weevils were observed to be clumsy flyers and crawled to the pecan tree more often than females. Significant differences were noted among replicates, height flown by sexes, and distances from the tree where weevils were released. Pecan weevils do have definite habits in reaching the tree and this study seems to indicate that further investigations might be conducted to establish a method of control for the less mobile male weevils as well as for the higher flying females.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF DYSCHIRIUS FROM THE UNITED STATES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE: SCARITINI)
Authors: Larson D. J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractDyschirius cerberus n. sp. from Kansas and D. colossus n. sp. from Texas are described and compared with other North American species of Dyschirius. Lindroth’s (1961) key to North American species is modified to include the two new species. The politus group is redefined and a new group, the criddlei group, is described.
SWARMING OF LONCHAEID FLIES AND OTHER INSECTS, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR NEW SPECIES OF LONCHAEIDAE (DIPTERA)
Authors: McAlpine J. F. , Munroe D. D. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractSwarming of 16 species (three genera) of Lonchaeidae is reported for the first time, and is related to the occurrence, nature, and evolutionary significance of insect swarming in general. The theory that aerial swarming is basic to the two-winged condition in Diptera is proposed. Evidence is presented to show that various swarming habits and associated morphological adaptations are primitive features of not only the Lonchaeidae, but of all Diptera. Four new species ofLonchaeafrom Ontario are described.
SOME ANATOMICAL DIFFERENCES OF POSSIBLE TAXONOMIC VALUE IN THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF SITOPHILUS (CURCULIONIDAE: COLEOPTERA)
Authors: Khan N. R. , Musgrave A. J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe length of the spermathecal duct differs in species of Sitophilus. It is suggested that this criterion may be of value as an additional means of separating the two very similar species S. oryzae and S. zea-mais.
A STUDY OF THE GENUS CHROTOGONUS AUDINET-SERVILLE, 1838 (ORTHOPTERA; ACRIDOIDEA; PYRGOMORPHIDAE): X. RECENTLY DESCRIBED SPECIES FROM CHINA AND CENTRAL ASIA
Authors: Kevan D. Keith McE. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractTwo species of Chrotogonus have recently been described by Steinmann (1965) from northeastern China, and two from Kazakhstan. Only one of these, Ch. armatus, from Peking district, is valid. Ch. changi is synonymous with it; Ch. skopini and Ch. russicus are synonyms of Ch. turanicus.
ECOLOGY OF SPECIES OF BOMBUS (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE) IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA: VII. SUBGENUS BOMBUS
Authors: Hobbs G. A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractTwo of the five Nearctic species of the subgenus Bombus Latr. occur in southern Alberta. Both are bush-inhabiting species. One, B. occidentalis Greene, is confined to the treed areas of southern Alberta whereas the other, B. terricola Kby., although found throughout the treed areas of the province, is much more prevalent in the central and northern regions. Both species emerge and establish nests early, and nest almost exclusively in hives reached by means of downward-sloping tunnels. Many queens of B. occidentalis camouflage or restrict tunnel entrances by dragging grass in and around them. B. occidentalis produced 8.6±0.5 eggs in the first broods, 4.2±1.1 eggs per cell in the second and third broods, and 6.6±0.9 eggs per cell in the fourth brood. This species is intermediate in rank among southern Alberta species of Bombus Latr. in its ability to produce wax. As are other early emerging species, it is heavily depredated by Psithyrus spp.
INSEMINATION WITHOUT SPERMATOPHORES IN THE ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH, GRAPHOLITHA MOLESTA (LEPIDOPTERA: TORTRICIDAE)
Authors: George J. A. , Howard M. G. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe first matings of males resulted in the transfer of large spermatophores, while subsequent matings resulted in smaller and eventually no spermatophore. The transfer of a spermatophore was not required to produce a normal number of fertile eggs. Some young males inseminated two females within 24 hours and regardless of whether or not a spermatophore was formed the number of resulting progeny was normal. Thus males were found to be capable of inseminating more females than the yield of spermatophores obtained by dissecting females indicated.Virgin females increased in attractiveness with age at least until their fifth day.
THE EGGS AND OVIPOSITION SITES OF HYALIODES VITRIPENNIS ON APPLE TREES (MIRIDAE: HEMIPTERA)
Authors: Horsburgh R. L. , Asquith Dean 
Published: December 2009

AbstractDuring 1967 Hyaliodes vitripennis (Say) proved to be an important predator of Panonychus ulmi Koch and Tetranychus urticae Koch in an experimental orchard. The eggs of this predator, described herein, are destinctive for the species. Observations on oviposition sites for the overwintering eggs are also included.
THE BIOLOGY OF THE FIR TREE BORER, SEMANOTUS LITIGIOSUS (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE), IN CALIFORNIA
Authors: Wickman Boyd E. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe fir tree borer is found in the coniferous forest belt of North America. The insect can cause serious degrade in lumber manufactured from windthrown white fir. Adults attack host trees in early spring, laying eggs in bark crevices. The incubation period is 10–30 days, depending on temperatures. The larvae excavate winding galleries in the phloem, deeply etching the sapwood, until midsummer when they enter the sapwood. Damage is caused by the larvae boring up to 3 in. into the wood to construct pupal chambers. Pupation lasts 2–4 weeks in fall; callow adults are formed by September and overwinter in the pupal chambers. Emergence occurs the following March or April.Three principal natural enemies were found: two predators, woodpeckers and an ostomid beetle, and a braconid parasite. Population fluctuations hinged on availability of host material and pressure from natural enemies.
ON THE LOCATION OF TYPES OF FIVE SPECIES OF BRUCHIDAE WITH NOTES ON EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE OFACANTHOSCELIDES OBTECTUS
Authors: Bottimer L. J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe location of types ofBruchus limbatusHorn,B.pruininusHorn,B.sordidusHorn,B.pauperculusLeConte, andB.distinguendusHorn is discussed, and lectotypes designated where needed. The confusion in American literature involving the namesBruchus obtectusSay,B.obsoletusSay, andB.distinguendusHorn is reviewed.Bruchus erythrocerus, inadvertently validated by Riley (1871), is synonymized withMeibomeus musculus(Say).
SCREENING OF PHYTOPHAGOUS INSECTS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF WEEDS
Authors: Harris P. , Zwölfer H. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractIt is necessary to demonstrate the host specificity of an exotic phytophagous insect before introducing it for the biological control of a weed. The widely-used "starvation test" made on economic plants is considered inadequate for this purpose and we propose that studies should be broadened to include the following: (1) study of the insect’s biology, including host–plant records, with particular attention to adaptations likely to restrict the host range, (2) review of the plants attacked by related insects, (3) determination of the laboratory host range of the insect, (4) investigation of the chemical or physical basis of host–plant recognition, (5) starvation tests on economic plants to confirm the limits of the previously established host range, (6) establishment of the insects’ potential effectiveness for weed control. A limited amount of feeding on economic plants in the laboratory is not reason for rejection, if other criteria show the insect has a high degree of specificity.
INFLUENCE OF THE PROPORTION OF FRUITING TO NON-FRUITING CLUSTERS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF INSECT PREDATORS ON APPLE TREES
Authors: Lord F. T. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe proportion of fruiting to non-fruiting clusters on apple trees influences the distribution of predators within and between trees. The mirids Atractotomus mali (Meyer), Campylomma verbasci (Meyer), Hyaliodes harti Knight, Diaphnocoris pellucida (Uhler), Pilophorus perplexus Douglas and Scott, and the anthocorid Anthocoris musculus (Say) all showed greater preference for limbs (or trees) bearing a high proportion (or percentage) of fruiting clusters. The predacious mite Anystis agilis Banks exhibited no preference.
CONTROL OF THE BIRCH LEAF MINER WITH DISULFOTON
Authors: Cheng H. H. , LeRoux E. J. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractOne ounce of ten per cent granular disulfoton, per tree, applied to 3- and 4-year old blue birch in mid-May, was found to take approximately 2 weeks before reaching significantly toxic levels in the leaves. Thereafter, these levels gave excellent control of Fenusa pusilla (Lepeletier) for the 1-year-and-4-month period of the experiment (May 1964 – September 1965). At this dosage, it would appear, the chemical can indefinitely suppress populations of the birch leaf miner if applied once every 2 years.
DESCRIPTION AND SEASONAL HISTORY OF A LEAF MINER ON POPLAR MESSA POPULIFOLIELLA (HYMENOPTERA: TENTHREDINIDAE)
Authors: Underwood G. R. , Titus F. A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractMessa populifoliella (Townsend), long known in the United States but new in Canada, is univoltine and overwinters as a prepupa in the soil beneath the host tree. In New Brunswick the larvae mine the leaves of Populus eugenei Simon-Louis creating blotch mines. The various stages of the sawfly are described and pictured and six parasite species are named.