bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New chorological data for flora of the Pannonian region of Serbia
Authors: Savić Dragiša , Anačkov Goran , Boža Pal 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The northern part of Serbia, known as Pannonian Serbia, is a lowland region. The autochthonous (indigenous) flora is classified as either steppe, forest-steppe, sand dune or salt flat. Most of the area has been developed agriculturally, thereby reducing the amount of land containing preserved habitats. The flora of this region was collected over a period of several years, supplying new data on the distribution of numerous plant species. The first data on the distribution of flora in Pannonian Serbia for Humulus scandens and Ophris scolopax subsp. Cornuta is presented in this study. The local regions cited were the first time precisely recorded regions were made after a period of over 100 years, for Cardamine impatiens, Monotropa hypopitys subsp. hypopitys, Ononis pusilla, Globularia punctata, Gymnadenia odoratissima and Carex brevicollis. The groups, Peucedanum carvifola and Galium tenuissimum, quite rare in the northern part of Serbia, were found at new localities. In order to present the data, the authors used the method of indirect mapping on UTM grid, with 10 × 10 km as the basic unit. This method is compatible with the edition Atlas Florae Europaeae.
Seedling establishment of two shrubby plants native to the Sierra Nevada mountain range
Authors: Serrano-Bernardo Francisco , Rosúa-Campos José 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
The Sierra Nevada mountain range near the Mediterranean Sea is an unique environment known for the variety of endemic species. Nevertheless, an alpine ski station situated on the mountain has dramatically affected the landscape, leaving some areas barren. In an effort to restore the vegetation cover, laboratory experiments were conducted with seeds of Genista versicolor Boiss and Reseda complicata Bory, two shrubby plants native to Sierra Nevada. Using different concentrations of two plant growth regulators, Ethrel and N6-benzyladenine, seeds from both species were planted in soil sampled from the alpine ski resort. Surprisingly, both Ethrel and N6-benzyladenine significantly improved seedling establishment. Consequently, seedling pre-treatment with definite plant growth regulators could be a useful approach to revegetation of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Destructive procedures for the treatment of nonmalignant pain: a structured literature review
Authors: Cetas Justin S. , Saedi Targol , Burchiel Kim J. 
Published: August 2008

Object
Nonmalignant pain has been treated in the past century with ablative, or more appropriately, destructive procedures. Although individual outcomes for these procedures have previously been described in the literature, to the authors' knowledge this is the first comprehensive and systematic review on this topic.

Methods
A US National Library of Medicine PubMed search was conducted for the following ablative procedures: cingulotomy, cordotomy, DREZ (also input as dorsal root entry zone), ganglionectomy, mesencephalotomy, myelotomy, neurotomy, rhizotomy, sympathectomy, thalamotomy, and tractotomy. Articles related to pain resulting from malignancy and those not in peer-reviewed journals were excluded. In reviewing pertinent articles, focus was placed on patient number, outcome, and follow-up.

Results
A total of 146 articles was included in the review. The large majority of studies (131) constituted Class III evidence. Eleven Class I and 4 Class II studies were found, of which nearly all (13 of 15) evaluated radiofrequency rhizotomies for different pain origins, including lumbar facet syndrome, cervical facet pain, and Type I or typical trigeminal neuralgia. Overall, support for ablative procedures for nonmalignant pain is derived almost entirely from Class III evidence; despite a long history of use in neurosurgery, the evidence supporting destructive procedures for benign pain conditions remains limited.

Conclusions
Newly designed prospective standardized studies are required to define surgical indications and outcomes for these procedures, to provide more systematic review, and to advance the field.
Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm: long-term results from 114 operations performed without neurophysiological monitoring
Authors: Dannenbaum Mark , Lega Bradley C. , Suki Dima , Harper Richard L. , Yoshor Daniel 
Published: August 2008

Object
Microvascular decompression (MVD) of the facial nerve is an effective treatment for hemifacial spasm (HFS), but the procedure is associated with a significant risk of complications such as hearing loss and facial weakness. Many surgeons advocate the use of intraoperative brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) monitoring in an attempt to improve surgical outcomes. The authors critically assessed a large series of patients with HFS who underwent MVD without neurophysiological monitoring.

Methods
The authors retrospectively identified 114 consecutive patients, with a history of HFS and without a history of HFS surgery, in whom MVD was performed by a single surgeon without the use of neurophysiological monitoring. Postoperative outcomes were determined by reviewing records and through telephone interviews. At least 1 year of postoperative follow-up data were available for 91 of the 114 patients, and the median follow-up duration in all cases was 8 years (range 3 months–23 years). A Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that 86% of the patients were spasm free at 10 years postoperatively.

Results
There were no surgical deaths or major deficits, and complications included 1 case of postoperative deafness, 1 of permanent subtotal hearing loss, and 10 of delayed facial palsy, 2 of which did not completely resolve at last follow-up. The outcomes, rates of hearing loss, and other complications compared well with those reported in studies in which investigators used intraoperative monitoring.

Conclusions
The results suggest that MVD without neurophysiological monitoring is a safe and effective treatment option in patients with HFS. Although BAER monitoring may be a valuable adjunct to surgery at centers experienced with the modality, the absence of intraoperative monitoring should not prevent neurosurgeons from performing MVD in patients with HFS.
Neurovascular compression findings in hemifacial spasm
Authors: Campos-Benitez Mauricio , Kaufmann Anthony M. 
Published: August 2008

Object
It is generally accepted that hemifacial spasm (HFS) is caused by pulsatile vascular compression upon the facial nerve root exit zone. This 2–3 mm area, considered synonymous with the Obersteiner–Redlich zone, is a transition zone (TZ) between central and peripheral axonal myelination that is situated at the nerve's detachment from the pons. Further proximally, however, the facial nerve is exposed on the pontine surface and emerges from the pontomedullary sulcus. The incidence and significance of neurovascular compression upon these different segments of the facial nerve in patients with HFS has not been previously reported.

Methods
The nature of neurovascular compression was determined in 115 consecutive patients undergoing their first microvascular decompression (MVD) for HFS. The location of neurovascular compression was categorized to 1 of 4 anatomical portions of the facial nerve: RExP = root exit point; AS = attached segment; RDP = root detachment point that corresponds to the TZ; and CP = distal cisternal portion. The severity of compression was defined as follows: mild = contact without indentation of nerve; moderate = indentation; and severe = deviation of the nerve course. Success in alleviating HFS was documented by telephone interview conducted at least 24 months following MVD surgery.

Results
Neurovascular compression was found in all patients, and the main culprit was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (in 43%), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (in 31%), vertebral artery (in 23%), or a large vein (in 3%). Multiple compressing vessels were found in 38% of cases. The primary culprit location was at RExP in 10%, AS in 64%, RDP in 22%, and CP in 3%. The severity of compression was mild in 27%, moderate in 61%, and severe in 12%. Failure to alleviate HFS occurred in 9 cases, and was not related to compression location, severity, or vessel type.

Conclusions
The authors observed that culprit neurovascular compression was present in all cases of HFS, but situated at the RDP or Obersteiner–Redlich zone in only one-quarter of cases and rarely on the more distal facial nerve root. Since the majority of culprit compression was found more proximally on the pontine surface or even pontomedullary sulcus origin of the facial nerve, these areas must be effectively visualized to achieve consistent success in performing MVD for HFS.
Increase in cerebral aerobic metabolism by normobaric hyperoxia after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Tisdall Martin M. , Tachtsidis Ilias , Leung Terence S. , Elwell Clare E. , Smith Martin 
Published: August 2008

Object
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with depressed aerobic metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction. Normobaric hyperoxia (NBH) has been suggested as a treatment for TBI, but studies in humans have produced equivocal results. In this study the authors used brain tissue O2 tension measurement, cerebral microdialysis, and near-infrared spectroscopy to study the effects of NBH after TBI. They investigated the effects on cellular and mitochondrial redox states measured by the brain tissue lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR) and the change in oxidized cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) concentration, respectively.

Methods
The authors studied 8 adults with TBI within the first 48 hours postinjury. Inspired oxygen percentage at normobaric pressure was increased from baseline to 60% for 60 minutes and then to 100% for 60 minutes before being returned to baseline for 30 minutes.

Results
The results are presented as the median with the interquartile range in parentheses. During the 100% inspired oxygen percentage phase, brain tissue O2 tension increased by 7.2 kPa (range 4.5–9.6 kPa) (p < 0.0001), microdialysate lactate concentration decreased by 0.26 mmol/L (range 0.0–0.45 mmol/L) (p = 0.01), microdialysate LPR decreased by 1.6 (range 1.0–2.3) (p = 0.02), and change in oxidized CCO concentration increased by 0.21 μmol/L (0.13–0.38 μmol/L) (p = 0.0003). There were no significant changes in intracranial pressure or arterial or microdialysate glucose concentration. The change in oxidized CCO concentration correlated with changes in brain tissue O2 tension (rs= 0.57, p = 0.005) and in LPR (rs= −0.53, p = 0.006).

Conclusions
The authors have demonstrated oxidation in cerebral cellular and mitochondrial redox states during NBH in adults with TBI. These findings are consistent with increased aerobic metabolism and suggest that NBH has the potential to improve outcome after TBI. Further studies are warranted.
Examination of the management of traumatic brain injury in the developing and developed world: focus on resource utilization, protocols, and practices that alter outcome
Authors: Harris Odette A. , Bruce Carl A. , Reid Marvin , Cheeks Randolph , Easley Kirk , Surles Monique C. , Pan Yi , Rhoden-Salmon Donnahae , Webster Dwight , Crandon Ivor 
Published: August 2008

Object
We evaluated management and outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a developed country (US) and a developing country (Jamaica).

Methods
Data were collected prospectively at Grady Memorial Hospital (GMH) in the US and at University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) in Jamaica between September 1, 2003, and September 30, 2004.

Results
Complete data were available for 1607 patients. Grady Memorial Hospital had a higher proportion of females (p = 0.003), and patients were older at GMH (p = 0.0009) compared with patients at KPH and UHWI. The most common mode of injury was a motor vehicle accident at KPH and GMH (42 and 66%, respectively) and assaults at UHWI (37%). Grady Memorial Hospital admitted more patients with severe head injuries (25.5%) than KPH (18.5%) and UHWI (14.4%). More CT scans were performed (p < 0.0001) and a higher proportion of patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (p < 0.0001) at GMH. There were no statistically significant differences in median days in the intensive care unit among the 3 hospitals. Patients experienced statistically significant differences in days undergoing ventilation between GMH, KPH, and UHWI (p = 0.004). Intracranial pressure monitoring was performed in 1 patient at KPH, in 6 at UHWI, and in 91 at GMH. There were 174 total deaths, but no statistically significant differences in mortality rates between the 3 sites (p = 0.3). Hospital location and TBI severity were associated with a decreased risk of mortality; patients with severe TBI at GMH had a 53% decrease in the risk of mortality (odds ratio = 0.47, p = 0.04). Patients at GMH had lower mean Glasgow Outcome Scale scores (p < 0.0001) and lower Functional Independence Measure self-feed (p = 0.0003), locomotion (p = 0.04), and verbal scores (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions
Despite the availability of advanced technology and more aggressive neurological support at GMH, the overall mortality rate for TBI was similar at all locations. Patients identified with severe TBI had a significantly decreased risk of mortality if they were treated at GMH compared with those patients treated at hospitals in the developing world.
Terson hemorrhage in patients suffering aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: predisposing factors and prognostic significance
Authors: Fountas Kostas N. , Kapsalaki Eftychia Z. , Lee Gregory P. , Machinis Theofilos G. , Grigorian Arthur A. , Robinson Joe S. , Vergados Ioannis , Theodosiadis Panagiotis G. 
Published: August 2008

Object
The association of vitreous and/or subhyaloid hemorrhage with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been frequently identified since the original description by Terson in 1900. In this prospective clinical study the authors examined the actual incidence of Terson hemorrhage in patients suffering aneurysmal SAH, they attempted to identify those parameters that could predispose its development, and they evaluated its prognostic significance in the overall patients' outcome.

Methods
A total of 174 patients suffering aneurysmal SAH were included in this study. The admitting Glasgow Coma Scale scores (GCS), World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) scale scores, Hunt and Hess grades, and Fisher grades were recorded. A careful ophthalmological evaluation was performed in all participants. The exact anatomical locations and the largest diameter of the dome of the ruptured aneurysms were also recorded. Surgical clipping or endovascular coiling was used in 165 patients. Clinical outcome was evaluated at discharge from the hospital by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the modified Rankin Scale. Periodic ophthalmological evaluations were performed for 2 years.

Results
In this series, the observed incidence of Terson hemorrhage was 12.1%. Statistical analysis of our data demonstrated that patients with low GCS scores and high WFNS scores, Hunt and Hess grades, and Fisher grades had an increased incidence of Terson hemorrhage. The mortality rate for patients with Terson hemorrhage was 28.6%, whereas that for patients without Terson hemorrhage was 2.0%. Moreover, patients with Terson hemorrhage who survived had significantly worse outcomes than those in patients without Terson hemorrhage.

Conclusions
Terson hemorrhage constitutes a common SAH-associated complication. Its incidence is increased in patients with low GCS and high WFNS scores, and high Hunt and Hess and Fisher grades. Its presence is associated with increased mortality and morbidity rates.
Cerebral vascular responsiveness after experimental traumatic brain injury: the beneficial effects of delayed hypothermia combined with superoxide dismutase administration
Authors: Baranova Anna I. , Wei Enoch P. , Ueda Yuji , Sholley Milton M. , Kontos Hermes A. , Povlishock John T. 
Published: August 2008

Object
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) induces cerebral vascular dysfunction reflected in altered responses to vasodilators such as acetylcholine and hypercapnia. It has been demonstrated that the use of either posttraumatic hypothermia or free radical scavengers offered vascular protection when those treatments were delivered early after the injury, losing efficacy when the initiation of either treatment was delayed. Because immediate posttraumatic treatment is not realistic in the clinical setting, the authors undertook this study to investigate whether the combination of delayed hypothermia and the delayed administration of the free radical scavenger superoxide dismutase (SOD) could result in improved vascular protection.

Methods
Male Sprague–Dawley rats were anesthetized and subjected to either an impact-acceleration or sham injury. Animals were treated either with hypothermia (32°C) initiated 60 minutes after TBI, delayed SOD (60 U/ml) applied 90 minutes after TBI, or a combination of delayed hypothermia (32°C) and delayed SOD (60 U/ml) applied 15 minutes prior to the cessation of hypothermia. In this investigation, the diameter of cerebral pial arterioles was measured at rest and then challenged with vasodilator acetylcholine and hypercapnia. Four vessels were assessed per animal prior to injury and then again up to 6 hours after injury.

Results
Delayed SOD treatment did not enhance vascular function, while delayed hypothermia treatment only partially preserved pial vascular function. However, the combination of delayed hypothermia and delayed SOD significantly preserved vascular function after the injury.

Conclusions
The results of these studies demonstrate that delayed hypothermia partially preserves vascular function after TBI, while expanding the therapeutic window over which agents such as SOD can now provide enhanced protection.
Minimally invasive superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery bypass through an enlarged bur hole: the use of computed tomography angiography neuronavigation in surgical planning
Authors: Coppens Jeroen R. , Cantando John D. , Abdulrauf Saleem I. 
Published: August 2008

The authors describe their minimally invasive technique for performing a superficial temporal artery (STA) to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass, which relies on an enlarged bur hole (2–2.5 cm) rather than the standard craniotomy. They perform this procedure in a minimally invasive fashion, using CT angiography for intraoperative neuronavigation as well as for preoperative identification of the donor and recipient vessels and planning of bur hole location. They present 2 cases in which this procedure was used, including one involving a patient with multivessel occlusive disease and significant cerebrovascular hemodynamic compromise in whom they performed the procedure using only local anesthetic and propofol sedation in order to minimize the risk of hypotension associated with the use of general anesthetic agents. A comprehensive literature search revealed no previously published case of an extracranial–intracranial arterial bypass procedure performed in an awake patient.
The authors have adopted the described minimally invasive method for all STA–MCA bypass procedures. The awake setting, however, is reserved for specific indications, primarily patients with severe moyamoya disease, in whom ventilator-related hypocarbia can result in intraoperative ischemia, or patients with multivessel occlusive disease and significant cerebral hemodynamic compromise, in whom general anesthesia–related hypotension can lead to intraoperative ischemia.
The natural history of the Chiari Type I anomaly
Authors: Novegno Federica , Caldarelli Massimo , Massa Antonio , Chieffo Daniela , Massimi Luca , Pettorini Benedetta , Tamburrini Gianpiero , Di Rocco Concezio 
Published: August 2008

Object
Since the advent of MR imaging, an increasing number of asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic patients have been diagnosed with Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I). The decision of whether or not to operate is more difficult in these patients than in those with clear symptoms because of the lack of information about the natural course of this disease.

Methods
The authors report on their experience in a series of 22 patients with CM-I who were evaluated at the authors' institution, and for whom a conservative approach to treatment was adopted. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 16 years (mean 6.3 years) at diagnosis. Neuroradiological and complete clinical examinations were performed in all patients 6 months after the first observation and every year thereafter. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 19 years (mean 5.9 years).

Results
Chiari malformation Type I was incidentally detected on MR images in 11 of 22 patients. The remaining 11 patients had minimal clinical signs at presentation that were not regarded as necessitating immediate surgical treatment. Seventeen patients (77.3%) showed progressive improvement in their symptoms or remained asymptomatic at the last follow-up whereas 5 patients (22.7%) experienced worsening, which was mild in 2 cases and required surgical correction in the remaining 3 cases. On MR imaging a mild reduction in tonsillar herniation was appreciated in 4 patients (18.18%), with complete spontaneous resolution in 1 of these. In 16 patients, tonsillar herniation remained stable during follow-up.

Conclusions
The authors' data confirm the common impression that in both asymptomatic and slightly symptomatic patients with CM-I, a conservative approach to treatment should be adopted with periodic clinical and radiological examinations.