bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical reconstruction of the musculocutaneous nerve in traumatic brachial plexus injuries
Authors: Samii Madjid , Carvalho Gustavo A. , Nikkhah Guido , Penkert Götz 
Published: June 2009

✓ Over the last 16 years, 345 surgical reconstructions of the brachial plexus were performed using nerve grafting or neurotization techniques in the Neurosurgical Department at the Nordstadt Hospital, Hannover, Germany. Sixty-five patients underwent graft placement between the C-5 and C-6 root and the musculocutaneous nerve to restore the flexion of the arm. A retrospective study was conducted, including statistical evaluation of the following pre- and intraoperative parameters in 54 patients: 1) time interval between injury and surgery; 2) choice of the donor nerve (C-5 or C-6 root); and 3) length of the grafts used for repairs between the C-5 or C-6 root and the musculocutaneous nerve.The postoperative follow-up interval ranged from 9 months to 14.6 years, with a mean ± standard deviation of 4.4 ± 3 years. Reinnervation of the biceps muscle was found in 61% of the patients. Comparison of the different preoperative time intervals (1–6 months, 7–12 months, and > 12 months) showed a significantly better outcome in those patients with a preoperative delay of less than 7 months (p < 0.05). Reinnervation of the musculocutaneous nerve was demonstrated in 76% of the patients who underwent surgery within the first 6 months postinjury, in 60% of the patients with a delay of between 6 and 12 months, and in only 25% of the patients who underwent surgery after 12 months. Comparison of the final outcome according to the root (C-5 or C-6) that was used for grafting the musculocutaneous nerve showed no statistical difference.Furthermore, statistical analysis (regression test) of the length of the grafts between the donor (C-5 or C-6 root) nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve displayed an inverse relationship between the graft length and the postoperative outcome.Together, these results provide additional information to enhance the functional outcome of brachial plexus surgery.
Intravascular stent and endovascular coil placement for a ruptured fusiform aneurysm of the basilar artery
Authors: Higashida Randall T. , Smith Wade , Gress Daryl , Urwin Ross , Dowd Christopher F. , Balousek Peter A. , Halbach Van V. 
Published: June 2009

✓ The authors demonstrate the technical feasibility of using intravascular stents in conjunction with electrolytically detachable coils (Guglielmi detachable coils [GDCs]) for treatment of fusiform, broad-based, acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms and review the literature on endovascular approaches to ruptured aneurysms and cerebral stent placement. A 77-year-old man presented with an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage of the posterior fossa. A fusiform aneurysm with a broad-based neck measuring 12 mm and involving the distal vertebral artery (VA) and proximal third of the basilar artery (BA) was demonstrated on cerebral angiography. The aneurysm was judged to be inoperable. Six days later a repeated hemorrhage occurred. A 15-mm-long intravascular stent was placed across the base of the aneurysm in the BA and expanded to 4 mm to act as a bridging scaffold to create a neck. A microcatheter was then guided through the interstices of the stent into the body and dome of the aneurysm, and GDCs were deposited for occlusion.
The arteriogram obtained after stent placement demonstrated occlusion of the main dome and body of the aneurysm. The coils were stably positioned and held in place by the stent across the distal VA and BA fusiform aneurysm. Excellent blood flow to the distal BA and posterior cerebral artery was maintained through the stent. There were no new brainstem ischemic events attributable to the procedure. No rebleeding from the aneurysm had occurred by the 10.5-month follow-up evaluation, and the patient has experienced significant neurological improvement.
Certain types of intracranial fusiform aneurysms may now be treated by combining intravascular stent and GDC placement for aneurysm occlusion via an endovascular approach. This is the first known clinical application of this novel approach in a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.
The crucial decade: modern neurosurgery's definitive development in Harvey Cushing's early research and practice, 1900 to 1910
Authors: Greenblatt Samuel H. 
Published: June 2009

✓ When Harvey Cushing announced his full-time commitment to neurological surgery in 1904, it was a discouraging and discouraged enterprise. Other surgeons' mortality rates for patients with brain tumors were 30 to 50%. By 1910 Cushing had operated on 180 tumors; he had a thriving practice, with a patient mortality rate of less than 13%. The three essential ingredients of his success were: 1) a new surgical conceptualization of intracranial pressure (ICP); 2) technical innovations for controlling ICP; and 3) establishment of a large referral base.
In the years 1901 through 1905, the implications of his research on the “Cushing reflex” were quickly translated into surgical techniques for controlling ICP. In the period between 1906 and 1910, Cushing built up his referral practice by publishing widely, and especially by lecturing to medical audiences throughout the United States and Canada. His scientific work on ICP was essential to his clinical success, but without his professional and social ability to build a thriving practice, there would have been insufficient material for him to use to improve his approaches.
The Elusive Path to Cartilage Regeneration
Authors: Hunziker Ernst B. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractNumerous attempts have been made to develop an efficacious strategy for the repair of articular cartilage. These endeavors have been undaunted, if not spurred, by the challenge of the task and by the largely disappointing outcomes in animal models. Of the strategies that have been lately applied in a clinical setting, the autologous‐chondrocyte‐transplantation technique is the most notorious example. This methodology, which was prematurely launched on the clinical scene, was greeted with enthusiasm and has been widely adopted. However, a recent prospective and randomized clinical trial has revealed the approach to confer no advantage over conventional microfracturing. Why is the repair of articular cartilage such a seemingly intractable problem? The root of the evil undoubtedly lies in the tissue's poor intrinsic healing capacity. But the failure of investigators to tackle the biological stumbling blocks systematically rather than empirically is hardly a less inauspicious circumstance. Moreover, it is a common misbelief that the formation of hyaline cartilage per se suffices, whereas to be durable and functionally competent, the tissue must be fully mature. An appreciation of this necessity, coupled with a thorough understanding of the postnatal development of articular cartilage, would help to steer investigators clear of biological cul‐de‐sacs.
Preparation and characterization of polysiloxane‐acrylate latexes with MPS‐PDMS oligomer as macromonomer
Authors: Yan Ping , Qiu Liying 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe latexes of polysiloxane and acrylate with methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (MPS)–polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oligomer as macromonomer and Gemini surfactant as coemulsifier were prepared by emulsion copolymerization and characterized by 1H‐nmr, gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC), FTIR, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM).First, the oligomer of MPS‐PDMS (SiOSi chain length = 24) were synthesized by the hydrolysis of MPS and the ring‐opening polymerization of octamethyl tetracyclosiloxane (D4), the 1H‐NMR and FTIR spectra indicated that when the reaction time was prolonged to 2 h, more than 90% of Si (OCH3)3 groups were hydrolyzed; Then, the emulsion polymerization was performed with the oligomer as macromonomer and Gemini Surfactant as coemulsifier, the result of FTIR indicated that almost all the macromonomer had been exhausted because there was no CC characteristic peaks in the spectrum. XPS investigation of the latexes showed that with the increase of siloxane content, more and more polysiloxane occupied the outer layer of the membrane, which agreed well with the conclusion of contact angle and AFM measurements. With Gemini surfactant as coemulsifier in the system, the PDMS content in the system could reach to 50%, which was far higher than the other reported value. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2009
Microarray analysis of gene expression changes in feeding female and male lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (L)
Authors: Aljamali Majd N. , Ramakrishnan Vijay G. , Weng Hua , Tucker James S. , Sauer John R. , Essenberg Richard C. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA collection of EST clones from female tick Amblyomma americanum salivary glands was hybridized to RNA from different feeding stages of female tick salivary glands and from unfed or feeding adult male ticks. In the female ticks, the expression patterns changed dramatically upon starting feeding, then changed again towards the end of feeding. On beginning feeding, genes possibly involved in survival on the host increased in expression as did many housekeeping genes. As feeding progressed, some of the survival genes were downregulated, while others were upregulated. When the tick went into the rapid feeding phase, many of the survival genes were downregulated, while a number of transport‐associated genes and genes possibly involved in organ degeneration increased. In the males, the presence of females during feeding made a small difference, but feeding made a larger difference. Males showed clear differences from females in expression, as well. Protein synthesis genes were expressed more in all male groups than in the partially fed females, while the putative secreted genes involved in avoiding host defenses were expressed less. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zur Statik der Bodenbewehrung
Authors: Kolymbas Dimitrios , Renk Daniel 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn dieser Arbeit werden zwei Ansätze zur Bemessung von Nagelwänden unter Berücksichtigung von Deformationen im Gebrauchszustand vorgestellt. Der erste Ansatz basiert auf einem Vergleich von Dissipationsarbeit des Boden‐Nagel‐Systems infolge einer Scherung im Grenzzustand und Arbeit der äußeren Kräfte. Grundlage des zweiten Ansatzes ist die Homogenisierung des Boden‐Nagel‐Systems. Anhand der Mischungstheorie lässt sich der erforderliche Bewehrungsgrad einer vernagelten Böschung ermitteln.Neben Anmerkungen zu den herkömmlichen Standsicherheitsnachweisen und der Herleitung zweier alternativer Bemessungsansätze dienen Berechnungsbeispiele der näheren Erläuterung der vorgestellten Verfahren.
Zwei Kuppeln in München: Armeemuseum und Anatomie (1903–1905) – Die ersten Betonschalen Europas
Authors: Pogacnik Marco 
Published: June 2009

Abstract1903 wird die Eisenbeton‐Gesellschaft als Zusammenschluss von Wayss & Freytag mit Heilmann & Littmann gegründet, um Eisenbetonarbeiten in München und Umgebung durchzuführen. In zwei Jahren errichtete diese Gesellschaft unter der Leitung von Ludwig Zöllner die fortschrittlichsten Bauten, die mit dem neuen Material Eisenbeton realisiert wurden: die Isarbrücke bei Grünwald und die Kuppeln des Armeemuseums und der anatomischen Anstalt.Der Aufsatz befasst sich mit den beiden letzten Werken, zwei Schalen, wofür der junge Ingenieur Emil Mörsch die statischen Berechnungen unterzeichnete. Die gewagten Konstruktionen, die 7 cm Schalendicke und lichte Weiten von 16 und 22 m aufweisen, sind eine Höchstleistung, zu der noch die Kuppeln des Justizpalastes (1891) und des Verkehrsministeriums (1904) hinzuzurechnen sind, innerhalb einer historischen Entwicklung vom Eisenbau des 19. Jh. zur Kuppel mit Rippengewölbe im 20. Jh.Während bei dem Armeemuseum die hohe technische Leistung noch hinter einer historisierenden Hülle verborgen wurde, benutzte der Architekt Max Littmann bei der Anatomie den Beton als Sichtmaterial, so dass Form, Konstruktion und Material das erste Mal in so überzeugender Weise als organische Einheit inszeniert wurden.
Structure and conformational stability of a tetrameric thermostableN‐succinylamino acid racemase
Authors: Pozo‐Dengra Joaquín , Martínez‐Rodríguez Sergio , Contreras Lellys M. , Prieto Jesús , Andújar‐Sánchez Montserrat , Clemente‐Jiménez Josefa M. , Las Heras‐Vázquez Francisco J. , Rodríguez‐Vico Felipe , Neira José L. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe N‐succinylamino acid racemases (NSAAR) belong to the enolase superfamily and they are large homooctameric/hexameric species that require a divalent metal ion for activity. We describe the structure and stability of NSAAR from Geobacillus kaustophilus (GkNSAAR) in the absence and in the presence of Co2+by using hydrodynamic and spectroscopic techniques. The Co2+, among other assayed divalent ions, provides the maximal enzymatic activity at physiological pH. The protein seems to be a tetramer with a rather elongated shape, as shown by AU experiments; this is further supported by the modeled structure, which keeps intact the largest tetrameric oligomerization interfaces observed in other homooctameric members of the family, but it does not maintain the octameric oligomerization interfaces. The native functional structure is mainly formed by α‐helix, as suggested by FTIR and CD deconvoluted spectra, with similar percentages of structure to those observed in other protomers of the enolase superfamily. At low pH, the protein populates a molten‐globule‐like conformation. The GdmCl denaturation occurs through a monomeric intermediate, and thermal denaturation experiments indicate a high thermostability. The presence of the cofactor Co2+did alter slightly the secondary structure, but it did not modify substantially the stability of the protein. Thus, GkNSAAR is one of the few members of the enolase family whose conformational propensities and stability have been extensively characterized. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 757–772, 2009.This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Rieselbettreaktoren unter künstlichem Schwerkrafteinfluss – Prinzip, Umsetzung, Auswirkung und Anwendung
Authors: Catalin Munteanu M. , Schubert M. , Larachi F. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDie Anwendung von Magnetfeldern hat sich als vielversprechender Ansatz zur Beeinflussung von Gas/Flüssig‐Strömungen erwiesen. Obwohl organische Flüssigkeiten gewöhnlich kein magnetisches Verhalten zeigen, kann durch starke Gradienten‐Magnetfelder mittels supraleitender Magneten auch in katalytischen Mehrphasenreaktoren, wie zum Beispiel Rieselbettreaktoren, der Schwerkraft entgegengewirkt und damit die Strömung einer erdgebundenen Mikrogravitation ausgesetzt werden. Unter diesen Bedingungen können der Flüssigkeitsanteil in der Katalysatorschüttung und der Benetzungsgrad an der Katalysatoroberfläche effektiv beeinflusst und damit Stofftransport und Umsatz einer katalytischen Reaktion deutlich gesteigert werden.
Modeling Monthly Mean Flow in a Poorly Gauged Basin by Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Toprak Zeynel Fuat , Eris Ebru , Agiralioglu Necati , Cigizoglu Hikmet Kerem , Yilmaz Levent , Aksoy Hafzullah , Coskun Hilal Gonca , Andic Gokhan , Alganci Ugur 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe estimation of the monthly mean flow is a critical issue in many water resource development projects. However, in practice the mean flow is not easily determined in ungauged and poorly gauged basins. Therefore, in the literature, various flow estimation methods have been developed recently for mountainous regions which are generally ungauged or poorly gauged basins. In this study a fuzzy logic model based on the Mamdani approach was developed to estimate the flow for poorly gauged mountainous basins. This model was applied to the Solakli Basin which is located in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. Limited rainfall and flow data are available for this basin. In addition to these variables, the stream and time coefficients were introduced and used as variables for modeling. The data was divided into training and testing phases. The model results were compared with the measured data. The comparison depends on seven statistical characteristics, four different error modes and the contour map method. It was observed that the fuzzy model developed in this study yielded reliable results.
Temozolomide concomitant and adjuvant to radiotherapy in elderly patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Brandes Alba A. , Franceschi Enrico , Tosoni Alicia , Benevento Francesca , Scopece Luciano , Mazzocchi Valeria , Bacci Antonella , Agati Raffaele , Calbucci Fabio , Ermani Mario 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:A recent randomized study conducted on newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients demonstrated that concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide added to standard radiotherapy had a survival advantage compared with radiotherapy alone. The overall survival benefit of this aggressive treatment, however, was attenuated in older or poor performance status patients. The aim of the present study was to verify the activity and the toxicity of temozolomide administration concurrent and adjuvant to radiotherapy as first‐line treatment for elderly GBM patients, and to explore correlations between clinical outcome and O6 methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status.METHODS:Newly diagnosed GBM patients ≥65 years were considered eligible. Treatment comprised radiotherapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions over 6 weeks) plus continuous daily temozolomide (75 mg/m2/day), followed by 12 maintenance temozolomide cycles (150 mg/m2 once a day for 5 consecutive days every 28 days) if MRI showed no enhancement suggesting a tumor; otherwise, chemotherapy was delivered until complete response or unequivocal progression.RESULTS:A total of 58 patients (34 males; median age, 68 years; range, 65‐82 years) were enrolled. Sixteen patients (43%) presented MGMT promoter methylated and 21 unmethylated (57%) status. The median progression‐free survival and median survival time (MST) were 9.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6‐10.5) and 13.7 months (95% CI, 10‐17.3 months), respectively. Mental status deterioration grade 3‐4 was detected in 25% of patients. Leukoencephalopathy was diagnosed in 10% of patients.CONCLUSIONS:The overall and progression‐free survival of patients given concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide are greater than in those given radiotherapy alone; however, this regimen incurs a greater deterioration in mental status. Further randomized trials should, therefore, be conducted to investigate the efficacy and against the toxicity of this regimen as first‐line therapy in patients with GBM. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Results and patterns of failure in patients treated with adjuvant combined chemoradiation therapy for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hattangadi Jona A. , Hong Theodore S. , Yeap Beow Y. , Mamon Harvey J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:Although adjuvant chemoradiation is used commonly in the United States for the treatment of resected pancreatic cancer, there is no consensus on the benefit of this therapy, because the results from randomized trials are conflicting. The authors of this report reviewed their experience in a consecutive, unselected series of patients who received adjuvant 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and radiation therapy (RT) for resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma.METHODS:Eighty‐six patients with resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received adjuvant therapy from 1998 to 2005 were identified, and their medical records were reviewed. Ninety‐three percent of patients were treated with external beam RT to ≥50.4 grays, and 91% of patients received concurrent 5‐FU by continuous infusion. Forty‐five percent of patients went on to receive adjuvant gemcitabine.RESULTS:The median follow‐up was 31 months (range, 21‐62 months) among the 20 patients who remained alive. Less than half of patients had positive (33%) or close (<1 mm; 15%) resection margins, 81% of tumors were classified as T3, and 66% of patients had involved lymph nodes. The median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 22 months. Negative lymph node status (P = .016) was a significant prognostic factor for improved OS, whereas treatment with gemcitabine trended toward improved OS (P = .080). The median disease‐free survival (DFS) for all patients was 10 months: Treatment with gemcitabine (P = .044) and the receipt of any chemotherapy (P = .047) were significant predictors of DFS. Seventy‐five patients (87%) had disease recurrence, and the majority recurred with peritoneal metastases (55%) or liver metastases (53%). Patients who had negative lymph nodes trended toward a lower rate of distant failure (P = .060).CONCLUSIONS:The median survival of the current cohort was greater than that of the chemoradiation arms of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer trials and European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer 1 trials and was comparable to the survival observed on the Gastrointestinal Tumor Study Group chemoradiation arm. Lymph node status and treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy were significant predictors of OS and DFS, respectively. Future survival improvements should be directed at reducing peritoneal and liver metastases. Further randomized trials will be required to define the role of adjuvant therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Therapeutic effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on mucositis in patients undergoing radiotherapy, with or without chemotherapy, for head and neck cancer
Authors: Wu Hong Gyun , Song Si Yeol , Kim Yeon Sil , Oh Young Taek , Lee Chang Geol , Keum Ki Chang , Ahn Yong Chan , Lee Sang‐wook 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBACKGROUND:We evaluated the efficacy of topically applied human recombinant epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) for the treatment of oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy (RT), with or without chemotherapy, in patients with head and neck cancer.METHODS:Patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy, definitive RT, or postoperative RT to the oral cavity or oropharynx were recruited from 6 institutions and enrolled in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase 2 trial. Patients were assigned to a placebo group or to 1 of 3 EGF‐treatment groups (10, 50, or 100 μg/mL doses, delivered in a spray, twice daily). The grade of mucositis was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scoring criteria. Responders to EGF were defined as having an RTOG grade of 2 or lower at the fourth‐ or fifth‐week examinations during RT, but an enduring RTOG grade 2 for 2 weeks was an exception.RESULTS:Of the 113 patients included in the study, 28 received placebo and 29 received EGF at 10 μg/mL, 29 at 50 μg/mL, and 27 at 100 μg/mL. EGF significantly reduced the incidence of severe oral mucositis at the primary endpoint (a 64% response was observed with 50 μg/mL EGF vs a 37% response in the control group; P = .0246).CONCLUSIONS:The EGF oral spray may have potential benefit for oral mucositis in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer. Phase 3 studies are ongoing to confirm these results. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.