bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meningioma Resection in the Elderly: Nationwide Inpatient Sample, 1998–2002
Authors: Bateman Brian T. , Pile-Spellman John , Gutin Philip H. , Berman Mitchell F. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Morbidity and mortality rates reported for meningioma resection in the elderly vary widely. Thus, it is difficult for neurosurgeons to compare the risks and benefits of operating on elderly patients against opting for radiosurgery or watchful waiting. To address this issue, we studied the effect of advanced age on outcome after meningioma resection using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

METHODS:
We identified all patients over the age of 20 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database who underwent surgical resection of a meningioma between 1998 and 2002 and were admitted from home. Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, adverse outcome (defined as death or discharge to a facility other than home), and length of hospitalization. Multivariate models were constructed to assess the effect of elderly age on the primary outcomes, adjusting for patient demographics, comorbid medical conditions, and hospital surgical volume.

RESULTS:
There were 8861 patients in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database who underwent resection of meningioma during the study period; 26.0% were age 70 or older. Each of the primary outcomes demonstrated a marked effect of advancing age. The in-hospital mortality rate was higher in the elderly than in the nonelderly (4.0% versus 1.1%, P &lt; 0.001), as was the rate of discharge to a facility other than home (53.2% versus 16.6%, P &lt; 0.001). Elderly patients also had a longer mean length of stay (7.2 versus 5.1 d P &lt; 0.001).

CONCLUSION:
The association between elderly age and adverse outcome after meningioma resection suggests a note of caution before proceeding to surgery with these patients.
Intracranial Epidural Hematoma in Newborn Infants: Clinical Study of 15 Cases
Authors: Heyman Rachel , Heckly Anne , Magagi Joseph , Pladys Patrick , Hamlat Abderrahmane 
Published: November 2005

AbstractOBJECTIVE:Epidural hematoma (EDH) in newborn infants is rare. We have described the history of 15 newborns with EDH to provide a better understanding of this pathology.METHODS:This is a descriptive case series study using a retrospective review of the medical records of newborns who were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Neurosurgery Department with the diagnosis of birth EDH over a 24-year period (1979–2002).RESULTS:There was no sex predominance, and most of the mothers were young, nulliparous women. The time latency from birth to the first signs varied from 0 to 24 hours. Clinical presentation was nonspecific: seizures and hypotonia were the main symptoms. The parietal area was the most frequent location. Surgical drainage was required in nine patients, and no deaths were reported.CONCLUSION:This report highlights the clinicoradiological characteristics of newborn EDH, which occurs more frequently in newborns that experienced difficult delivery from a nulliparous mother. Surgery is not a rule; some patients can be managed with conservative treatment. The outcome is generally good.
Incidence and Characteristics of Spinal Decompression Surgery after the Onset of Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Yoshor Daniel , Klugh Arnett , Appel Stanley H. , Haverkamp Lanny J. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
The high incidence of spondylosis in patients at the mean age of onset (55.7 yr) of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can make recognition of ALS as a cause of weakness difficult.

METHODS:
To assess the impact of this diagnostic dilemma on neurosurgical practice, we performed a retrospective analysis of a database of more than 1500 patients with motor neuron disease.

RESULTS:
Of 1131 patients with typical, sporadic ALS, 47 (4.2%) underwent decompressive spinal surgery after the onset of retrospectively recognized symptoms of ALS. Among 55 operations in 47 ALS patients, 86% yielded no improvement, 9% produced minor improvement, and only 5% provided significant benefit. Cervical decompression was performed in 56%, lumbar in 42%, and thoracic in 2%. Foot drop was a symptom prompting surgery in 11 patients, and in 10, this finding was subsequently attributed solely to ALS. No differences between ALS patients who underwent spinal decompression and other ALS patients were noted regarding age at symptom onset, severity of impairment at time of diagnosis, or rate of disease progression. Not surprisingly, patients who had spinal surgery tended to have a longer interval between retrospectively recognized symptom onset and diagnosis of ALS.

CONCLUSION:
A small but significant number of patients with unrecognized ALS undergo spinal surgery that in retrospect may be inappropriate. The possibility of ALS must be considered in the evaluation of patients with weakness even in the presence of radiographic evidence of spondylosis and nerve root or spinal cord impingement.
Mutations in Apoptosis-related Gene, PDCD10, Cause Cerebral Cavernous Malformation 3
Authors: Guclu Bulent , Ozturk Ali K. , Pricola Katie L. , Bilguvar Kaya , Shin Dana , O'Roak Brian J. , Gunel Murat 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
To identify the CCM3 gene in a population of 61 families with a positive family history of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM), 8 of which had suggestive linkage to the CCM3 locus.

METHODS:
We searched for mutations within the CCM3 interval using a high-throughput screening technique, temperature-gradient capillary electrophoresis. Mutations detected by this device were subsequently sequenced, and the results were analyzed.

RESULTS:
A recent study by Bergametti et al. established Programmed Cell Death 10 (PDCD10) as the gene responsible for CCM3. We hereby confirm PDCD10 as the CCM3 gene by reporting four novel mutations in 61 CCM families. Two of these mutations were identical and produced a stop codon in exon 7. Another two resulted in frameshift mutations in exon 6, although the mutations occurred at different points along the exon. The last mutation caused a frameshift in exon 9. Of note, mutations in these families completely cosegregated with the trait. Three of the five families had prior linkage data suggestive of the CCM3 locus, whereas the remaining two were identified in index patients with a positive family history but no linkage data.

CONCLUSION:
Our data establish PDCD10 as the gene responsible for CCM in families linking to the CCM3 locus. The discovery of the third gene involved in inherited forms of CCM, after KRIT1 and Malcavernin, is an important step toward dissecting the molecular pathophysiology of this disease.
Safety of Heparinization for Cerebral Aneurysm Coiling Soon after External Ventriculostomy Drain Placement
Authors: Hoh Brian L. , Nogueira Raul G. , Ledezma Carlos J. , Pryor Johnny C. , Ogilvy Christopher S. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Our practice has been to heparinize patients for cerebral aneurysm coiling even after recent external ventriculostomy drain (EVD) placement. The current medical literature cites a 12.5% symptomatic hemorrhage rate with heparinization after recent EVD placement. We reviewed our experience to determine our level of safety with this practice.

METHODS:
A search of our prospectively collected computerized aneurysm database revealed that from February 1998 to February 2004, 356 aneurysms were coiled, of which 119 patients had had recent EVD placement before coiling. During the same time period, 251 subarachnoid hemorrhage patients underwent EVD placement without coiling or heparinization. We reviewed the head computed tomographic scan reports and medical records to determine the incidence of EVD-related hemorrhage in heparinized patients compared with nonheparinized patients.

RESULTS:
There was only 1 patient in the heparinized group who had a symptomatic EVD-related hemorrhage attributable to heparinization (0.8%) and 11 patients with asymptomatic EVD-related hemorrhage (9.2%). Among the nonheparinized patients, there were 3 patients who had symptomatic EVD-related hemorrhages (1.2%) and 22 patients with asymptomatic EVD-related hemorrhages (8.8%) (P = not significant for both symptomatic and asymptomatic EVD-related hemorrhages). The time interval between EVD placement and heparinization in the heparinized patient with symptomatic EVD-related hemorrhage was 0.5 day; the mean time interval in the heparinized patients with asymptomatic EVD-related hemorrhage was 0.8 day; and in the heparinized patients with no hemorrhage, it was 0.8 day. The peak activated prothrombin time of the heparinized patient with symptomatic EVD-related hemorrhage was &gt;150 seconds, the mean peak activated prothrombin time of the heparinized patients with asymptomatic EVD-related hemorrhage was 73.1 seconds, and that of the heparinized patients with no hemorrhage was 90.3 seconds.

CONCLUSION:
Heparinization for cerebral aneurysm coiling can be safely performed even after EVD placement within 24 hours, particularly if the activated prothrombin time is kept strictly controlled.
Rapid Administration of Antifibrinolytics and Strict Blood Pressure Control for Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Sorimachi Takatoshi , Fujii Yukihiko , Morita Kenichi , Tanaka Ryuichi 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
Hematoma growth is a major cause of poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. We evaluated the efficacy of a combination of rapid antifibrinolytic therapy and strict blood pressure control for prevention of hematoma growth in this retrospective study.

METHODS:
Systolic blood pressure was strictly controlled below 150 mm Hg by use of intravenously administered nicardipine (BPC). Prolonged infusion of antifibrinolytic therapy was given by intravenous administration of 1 g tranexamic acid over a period of 6 hours (PAF). Rapid administration of antifibrinolytic therapy was given by intravenous administration of 2 g tranexamic acid over a period of 10 minutes (RAF). Immediately after diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage on computed tomographic scan, 156 patients who were admitted within 24 hours of onset were treated with either a combination of PAF and BPC (PAF group) or a combination of RAF and BPC (RAF group). The incidence of hematoma growth determined by a second computed tomographic scan the day after admission was compared between the PAF and the RAF groups.

RESULTS:
Hematoma growth was observed in 11 (17.5%) of 63 patients in the PAF group and 4 (4.3%) of 93 patients in the RAF group using a 20% cutoff value for hematoma enlargement. The RAF group showed a significantly low incidence of hematoma growth compared with the PAF group (P &lt; 0.05). Between the two groups, there was no significant difference in any of the other factors reported to affect hematoma growth.

CONCLUSION:
The combination of rapid administration of antifibrinolytics and strict blood pressure control may prevent hematoma growth in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.
Effects of CO2and dust on present‐day solar radiation and climate on Mars
Authors: Savijärvi Hannu , Crisp David , Harri Ari‐Matti 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA comprehensive spectrum‐resolving radiative transfer model (SRM) was used to simulate the average, present‐day, solar radiation field on Mars. A CO2‐only 6 hPa Martian atmosphere absorbs about 1% of zenith solar radiation, producing a modest heating rate of 4–5 K day−1in the lowest 10 km. The trace gases have an insignificant effect but airborne dust reduces the downwelling solar flux effectively, and the reflected flux somewhat less. This produces an anti‐greenhouse trend (cooling at the surface, warming within the atmosphere, reflection at the top), which increases strongly with the dust load. For instance, with dust visible optical depth of unity and sun in zenith, the surface solar irradiation is attenuated by 26% and the solar heating rate increases to about 70 K day−1in the lowest 25 km. The numbers are however strongly dependent on the optical properties of the dust, which are not known very well.Several fast two‐stream methods for dust were compared with the SRM results. Their common systematic errors were reduced by a simple, physically‐based correction. The global albedo of Mars was then studied as a function of dust load, dust optics and surface albedo. The crossover from added airborne dust tending to make the whole planet look whiter or darker occurred at surface albedo of about 35%, nearly independently of the dust load. We demonstrate, however, that this value is sensitive to the optical properties of the assumed dust. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
A general‐purpose extension of the Malkmus band‐model average equivalent width to the case of the Voigt line profile
Authors: Geleyn J.‐F. , Bénard P. , Fournier R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBypassing the definition of an approximate function with a primitive one for the convoluted Voigt line shape, one may get an accurate and economical analytical approximation of the average equivalent width for an absorption band having the Malkmus‐type statistical distribution of line intensities and a random positioning of those lines. The trick is to start from the well‐known analytical solution of the same problem for the Lorentzian line shape and to identify which term to add to the latter in order to keep the correct asymptotic behaviours. One can then numerically evaluate this unknown term for various values of its two relevant parameters, representative of atmospheric conditions, and make an analytical fit of the resulting table of values. The recombined function, albeit without any inferred line profile, can best be interpreted in terms of a modified amount of absorber, which may lead to the application of the advocated method in many other conditions than in pure band‐model computations. Additionally, one can adapt the classical Curtis–Godson approximation to the resulting new framework in a quite natural way. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.
A simple prediction model of hurricane intensity
Authors: Shen Weixing 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA simple model to predict hurricane intensity based on energetics is described and tested. It is assumed that future hurricane intensity is solely determined by the large‐scale environmental conditions and the present state of the hurricane, implying that subscale processes, if important, are strongly conditioned by the environment. It is also assumed that the hurricane track and the large‐scale environmental conditions that are used as inputs to the intensity model can be reasonably predicted by comprehensive numerical models. A series of runs starting from different times are performed. The results by the model are fairly consistent with observations. The intensity sensitivity to various factors and parameters used in the model is also discussed. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Mesoscale analysis and impact on simulation of IOP14 of the MAP experiment
Authors: Nuret M. , Lafore J. P. , Gouget V. , Ducrocq V. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThis paper examines the benefit on quantitative precipitation forecasts of assimilating a mesoscale network of surface observations. The analysis is performed with an optimal interpolation system tuned for meso‐β scale (10 km resolution). The case‐study is chosen in the framework of the Mesoscale Alpine Program (MAP). It corresponds to a frontal system crossing France on 2 November 1999 followed by moderate to strong convective activity which developed over the Alps and Italy on 3 November (MAP Intensive Observation Period (IOP) 14).Model sensitivity to the various initial conditions (European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts analysis, mesoscale analyses with dense surface observations) and to the resolution (meso‐β versus meso‐γ (2.5 km scale)) is investigated. A comprehensive network of rain‐gauges is used for validation. Conventional objective scores (correlation and equitable threat) are produced for precipitation accumulated over short durations (6 and 1 h) for consistency with the target horizontal scales (meso‐β, meso‐γ). The positive contribution of the surface network to precipitation forecasts is confirmed by a novel and powerful validation method based on the comparison of METEOSAT synthetic radiances (infrared and water vapour channels) computed from the simulations to the corresponding satellite observations. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Improvement of high‐resolution weather forecasts through humidity adjustment based on satellite data
Authors: Lagouvardos K. , Kotroni V. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractHumidity is recognized as the least well analysed parameter in the current operational assimilation systems applied in operational weather forecasting. In this work a humidity adjustment technique is applied in order to modify the initial fields used by a limited‐area model. For the adjustment of humidity, near real‐time precipitation estimates distributed by the National Aeronautic and Space Administration Goddard Space Flight Center are used. Based on these data, the humidity field of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Global Forecasting System global model is adjusted and the modified initial conditions are used by the BOLAM limited‐area model. The method is evaluated for 16 cases with heavy and widespread precipitation over Greece. It is shown that the humidity adjustment technique provides improved precipitation forecasts mainly for medium and high precipitation amounts. Moreover, as this technique is simple to implement and it is not computer power demanding, it is a good candidate for application in regional weather forecasting centres. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.
The effects of wind shear on cirrus: A large‐eddy model and radar case‐study
Authors: Marsham J. H. , Dobbie S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWind shear is an almost ubiquitous feature of the troposphere at cirrus altitudes, but there have been few studies focused on investigating its effects on cirrus clouds. In this study we consider a case of strongly sheared frontal ice cloud, which was observed by the Chilbolton radar. This was simulated using the Met Office large‐eddy model (LEM), which included a fully integrated radiation code. It is well known that there can be significant variations between results from different cirrus models, which makes a comparison of the simulations with observations important. So, radar observations of ice water content (IWC) were simulated directly within the framework of the LEM, and true and simulated IWC observations were compared, as well as their Fourier transforms and probability density functions (p.d.f.s). This showed that the LEM was capturing reasonably well the horizontally averaged IWC profile, and also at upper levels the variability in the IWC field, at scales of less than approximately 14 km. At lower levels the IWC field was too homogeneous.Varying the shear within the LEM simulations showed that shear had little effect on the mean IWC profile, but it increased the mixing and so the homogeneity of the IWC field. P.d.f.s of IWC derived from the simulated radar data compared well with observed p.d.f.s, except that the largest IWCs were not captured and there was too little variance at lower levels. Comparing p.d.f.s of IWC and total water for runs with and without shear clearly showed the effects of shear‐induced mixing. LEM results also showed that the variation of the correlation of IWC with vertical separation is shear dependent and initially linear, with or without shear. In this case, shear had little effect on the top‐of‐atmosphere and surface fluxes, or the within‐cloud heating rate profile, but this would be significantly different for a more patchy cloud.A modified case‐study, which allowed Kelvin–Helmholtz wave breaking, showed that wave breaking can significantly affect the microphysical processes, by increasing nucleation, deposition and sublimation rates. Wave breaking can occur in thin layers of limited horizontal extent, which would not be resolved by a global model. These effects were most significant when there was no large‐scale uplift and the vertical velocities from the wave breaking formed a cirrus cloud which did not otherwise occur. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
The African easterly jet in the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System: 4D‐Var analysis
Authors: Tompkins A. M. , Diongue‐Niang A. , Parker D. J. , Thorncroft C. D. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractIn August 2000, the Met Office C‐130 research flight aircraft conducted four sorties over the western Sahel region, making dropsonde measurements at an unprecedented resolution. These were used as an independent validation source to assess the quality of the analysis of the African easterly jet (AEJ) in the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System (IFS). The model was found to produce a reasonably accurate representation of the AEJ location and structure. Peak zonal winds were within 5 m s−1 of the observed values for the two flights that performed transects across the jet. Temperature errors were less than 1 K above the boundary layer, and the gross features of the humidity distribution were reproduced. The analysis was also able to capture the weak African easterly wave activity present during the campaign, but was not capable of reproducing the observed daily variability in boundary‐layer height, with a too deep mixed layer on two days resulting in a significant dipole error structure in temperature and relative humidity.Analysis experiments were conducted in which various observations were excluded from the system to determine which were important for the diagnosis of the jet. Satellite data had a minor influence on the jet structure. Conventional platforms such as radiosondes and pilot balloons were more important. The thermodynamical information from radiosondes had a greater impact on the jet winds than the direct assimilation of the wind observations, made possible by the 4D variational assimilation system where thermodynamic information can impact on the dynamics. In contrast, the jet structure improved when surface observations (SYNOPs) were removed from the system, possibly due to the disparity between the radiosonde and SYNOP station humidity information over these regions. The investigation implied that all observational information is incorporated into the analysis in a well‐balanced manner, rather than being dominated by a single source. The system was able to assimilate the dropsonde data, which led to an improved dynamical and thermodynamical structure of the jet. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
On the scattering phase‐function of non‐symmetric ice‐crystals
Authors: Baran Anthony. J. , Shcherbakov V. N. , Baker B. A. , Gayet J. F. , Lawson R. P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractTheoretical phase‐functions representing randomly oriented fractal ice‐crystals, bullet‐rosettes, ice aggregates, and an ensemble of ice crystals are compared to measured phase‐functions using a Polar Nephelometer located in the Antarctic. The Polar Nephelometer operated at a wavelength of 0.80 µm and measured the scattering phase‐functions of individual ice‐crystals between the scattering angles of 5.86° and 167°. The Polar Nephelometer was operated in tandem with a Cloud Particle Imager (supplied by SPEC Inc.) both were situated at the South Pole Amundsen–Scott base station during January 2002. In this paper we report on a sample of Polar Nephelometer data obtained over a time interval of 2000 seconds consisting of 3256 phase‐functions measured from individual ice‐crystals. The 3256 measured phase‐functions were averaged to produce an ensemble‐averaged phase‐function. The theoretical phase‐functions have been compared to the measured ensemble‐averaged phase‐function. The paper demonstrates that phase functions representing single ice‐crystal geometries do not reproduce the measured data well. However, the theoretical phase‐function representing scattering from an ensemble of ice crystals is found to be the best description of the measured phase‐function over all scattering angles. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society.