bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebellar hemorrhage and subsequent venous infarction followed by incomplete transvenous embolization of dural carotid cavernous fistulas: a rare complication
Authors: Lee Reng-Jye , Chen Chih-Feng , Hsu Shih-Wei , Lui Chun-Chung , Kuo Yeh-Lin 
Published: June 2008

✓ Endovascular therapy for dural carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) is generally accepted to be safe and effective. The authors report a rare complication of hemorrhage and subsequent venous infarcts of the pons and cerebellum after transvenous embolization.
This 41-year-old man presented with a severe left frontal headache, congestion of the left conjunctiva, blurred vision, and photophobia. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a right dural CCF. The patient underwent transvenous embolization of the cavernous sinus but had the initial complication of cerebellar hemorrhage. One month later, he developed progressive dizziness, ataxia, and right-sided weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe cerebellar and pontine edema. The cause was a residual fistula combined with delayed occlusion of the inferior petrosal sinus. The fistula was obliterated after repeated embolizations. The patient's symptoms gradually resolved, and there was no evidence of recurrence during the 4-year follow-up period.
Incomplete transvenous embolization of a dural CCF can result in life-threatening vascular complications due to redistribution of shunt flow. Early recognition of redistributed drainage and preventive placement of coils at the origin of draining veins during the procedure could avert this rare complication.
Clinical and economic consequences of antibiotic-impregnated cerebrospinal fluid shunt catheters
Authors: Eymann Regina , Chehab Somar , Strowitzki Martin , Steudel Wolf-Ingo , Kiefer Michael 
Published: June 2008

Object
The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of antibiotic-impregnated shunt catheters (AISCs) and determined the cost–benefit ratio related to the fact that AISCs increase the implant costs of a shunt procedure by ~ $400 per patient.

Methods
The control group comprised 98 adults with chronic hydrocephalus and 22 children, who were treated without AISCs (non-AISCs). In the treatment group, AISCs (Bactiseal, Codman, Johnson & Johnson) were implanted in 171 adults and 26 children. The minimum follow-up period was 6 months.

Results
Important risk factors for shunt infections (such as age, comorbidity, cause of hydrocephalus, operating time, and duration of external cerebrospinal fluid drainage prior to shunt placement) did not differ between the study and control groups. In the pediatric AISC group, the frequency of premature, shunt-treated infants and the incidence of external ventricular drainage prior to shunt insertion were actually higher than those in the non-AISC group. When using AISCs, the shunt infection rate dropped from 4 to 0.6% and from 13.6 to 3.8% in the adult and the pediatric cohort, respectively. Overall the infection rate decreased from 5.8 to 1%, which was statistically significant (p = 0.0145). The average costs of a single shunt infection were $17,300 and $13,000 in children and adults, respectively. The cost–benefit calculation assumed to have saved shunt infection–related costs of ~ $50,000 in 197 AISC–treated patients due to the reduction in shunt infection rate in this group compared with costs in the control group. Despite the incremental implant costs associated with the use of AISCs, the overall reduction in infection-related costs made the use of AISCs cost beneficial in the authors' department.

Conclusions
From clinical and economic perspectives, AISCs are seemingly a valuable addition in hydrocephalus therapy.
Suboccipital decompression for Chiari malformation–associated scoliosis: risk factors and time course of deformity progression
Authors: Attenello Frank J. , McGirt Matthew J. , Atiba April , Gathinji Muraya , Datoo Ghazala , Weingart Jon , Carson Benjamin , Jallo George I. 
Published: June 2008

Object
Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I) is often associated with scoliosis. It remains unclear which subgroups of patients are most likely to experience progression of spinal deformity after cervicomedullary decompression. The authors' goal was to determine the time frame of curvature progression and assess which patient subgroups are at greatest risk for progression of spinal deformity after surgery.

Methods
The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of all pediatric patients with significant scoliosis in whom suboccipital decompression was performed to treat for CM-I during a 10-year period at a single academic institution. Clinical, radiological, and operative variables were assessed as independent factors for failure (worsening of scoliosis) by using a univariate regression analysis.

Results
Twenty-one children (mean age 9 ± 3 years; 4 male) underwent hindbrain decompression for CM-I–associated scoliosis and were followed for a mean of 39 months. All patients harbored a syrinx. Eight patients (38%) experienced improvement in scoliosis curvature, whereas 10 (48%) suffered a progression. Thoracolumbar junction scoliosis (p = 0.04) and failure of the syrinx to improve (p = 0.05) were associated with 5- and 4-fold respective increases in the likelihood of deformity progression. Each increasing degree of preoperative Cobb angle was associated with an 11% increase in the likelihood of scoliotic curve progression (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Over one third of patients with CM-I–associated scoliosis will improve after cervicomedullary decompression alone. Cervicomedullary decompression is a good first-line option, particularly in children with concordant posterior fossa symptoms. Patients presenting with more severe scoliosis (increasing Cobb angle) or scoliosis that crosses the thoracolumbar junction may benefit from earlier orthopedic involvement and should be monitored regularly for curvature progression after cervicomedullary decompression. In cases in which there is a failure of the syrinx to show improvement after suboccipital decompression, the patients are also more likely to develop curvature progression.
Giant intracranial capillary hemangioma associated with enlarged head circumference in a newborn
Authors: Daenekindt Thomas , Weyns Frank , Kho Kuan Hua , Peuskens Dieter , Engelborghs Koen , Wuyts Jan 
Published: June 2008

✓ The authors describe the case of a patient with an intracranial capillary hemangioma, and they review the recent literature on intracranial capillary hemangiomas with special attention to their differential diagnosis and management.
The only sign in this 7-week-old boy was head enlargement. There were no neurological deficits, and imaging revealed a large intracranial lesion in the right temporal fossa. The results of biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, and, after endovascular embolization, the entire lesion was resected.
The incidence of intracranial capillary hemangioma is very low but may be underestimated. In the present case, the size of the tumor prompted surgical treatment. The natural behavior of extracranial capillary hemangiomas, however, suggests that a conservative approach with follow-up and steroid therapy may also be considered.
A new concept in the electrophysiological evaluation of syringomyelia
Authors: Roser Florian , Ebner Florian H. , Liebsch Marina , Dietz Klaus , Tatagiba Marcos 
Published: June 2008

ObjectThe current neurophysiological assessment of syringomyelia is inadequate. Early-stage syringomyelia is anatomically predisposed to affect decussating spinothalamic fibers that convey pain and sensation primarily. Silent periods have been proven to be a sensitive tool for detecting alterations in this pathway.MethodsThirty-seven patients with syringomyelia were included in this prospective study. Routine electrophysiological measurements were applied including somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and motor evoked potential (MEP) recordings for all extremities. The silent periods were recorded from the pollicis brevis muscle, and electrical stimuli were applied to the ipsilateral digiti II. To establish baseline values, the authors had 28 healthy controls undergo monitoring. Sensitivity and specificity values were statistically evaluated according to the main clinical symptoms (paresis, dissociative syndrome, and pain).ResultsAll control individuals had normal silent periods in voluntarily activated muscle. In syringomyelia patients, the affected limb showed pathological silent periods with all symptoms (sensitivity 30–50%). Pain was the most specific symptom (90%), despite SSEP and MEP values that were within the normal range.ConclusionsSilent period testing is a sensitive neurophysiological technique and an invaluable tool for preoperative assessment of syringomyelia. Silent periods are associated with early dysfunction of thin myelinated spinothalamic tract fibers, even when routine electrophysiological measurements still reveal normal values. Conduction abnormalities that selectively abolish the silent periods can distinguish between hydromyelia (a physiologically dilated central canal) and space-occupying syringomyelia.
Periosteal cells compared with autologous cancellous bone in lumbar segmental fusion
Authors: Putzier Michael , Strube Patrick , Funk Julia , Gross Christian , Perka Carsten 
Published: June 2008

Object
Despite modern stabilization techniques and the use of autologous cancellous bone, bone consolidation does not occur in 10–15% of spinal fusion operations. There is also considerable donor site morbidity. Therefore, there is a definite need for material that has a larger measure of osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, and osteogenic potential.

Methods
In this study, 24 patients with degenerative spinal disease underwent single-level circumferential lumbar fusion. The patients were randomly placed in 2 groups, each with different cage filling (Group 1, autologous iliac crest cancellous bone; Group 2, autologous periosteal cells in a fibrin/polyglactin-poly-p-dioxanone fleece). After 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, the patients underwent clinical (Oswestry Disability Index, patient satisfaction, willingness to undergo the operation again, visual analog scale for pain) and radiological (plain and flexion/extension radiographic and thin-layer computed tomography [CT]) examinations.

Results
The 6-month CT scans and 9-month radiographs obtained in Group 2 patients showed a significantly higher rate of fusion than those in Group 1 patients. Aside from this, there were no further significant differences. After 12 months, radiographic results showed a fusion rate of 80% in Group 1 and 90% in Group 2. No implant- or transplant-related complications were observed.

Conclusions
The use of autologous periosteal cells on carrier material with osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties showed comparable results with autologous cancellous bone and better results with regard to consolidation at 6–9 months postoperatively. The shorter consolidation time, as well as lower donor site morbidity, justifies the clinical use and further development of this tissue-engineering strategy.
Contributions of the fourth spinal nerve to the brachial plexus without prefixation
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Loukas Marios , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Ardalan Mohammad R. , Apaydin Nihal , Myers Candice , Shokouhi Ghaffar , Oakes W. Jerry 
Published: June 2008

Object
The intradural contributions of the C-4 nerve rootlets have not been previously evaluated for their connections to the brachial plexus. The authors undertook a cadaveric study to evaluate the C-4 contributions to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus.

Methods
The posterior cervical triangles from 60 adult cadavers were dissected. All specimens that were found to have extradural C-4 contributions to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus were excluded from further study. In specimens found to have no extradural C-4 contributions to the brachial plexus a C1–T1 laminectomy was performed. Observations were made of any neural communications between adjacent spinal rootlets, specifically between C-4 and C-5.

Results
Nine (15%) of the 60 sides were found to have extradural C-4 contributions to the upper trunk of the brachial plexus. These sides were excluded from further study. No specimen was found to have a postfixed brachial plexus. Of the remaining 51 sides, 11 (21.6%) were found to have intradural neural connections between C-4 and C-5 dorsal rootlets and 1 (1.96%) had a connection between the ventral roots of C-4 and C-5. Communications between these 2 adjacent dorsal cervical cord levels were of 3 types. Type I was a vertical communication between the more horizontally traveling dorsal roots. Type II was a forked communication between adjacent C-4 and C-5 dorsal rootlets. The Type III designation was applied to connections between ventral rootlets. Although communications were slightly more frequent on left sides, this did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions
In ~ 20% of normally composed brachial plexuses (those with extradural contributions from only C5–T1) we found intradural C4–5 neural connections. Such variations may lead to misinterpretation of spinal levels in pathological conditions of the spinal axis and should be considered in surgical procedures of this region, such as rhizotomy.
Adaptive robust control of nonlinear systems with dynamic uncertainties
Authors: Liu Xiangbin , Su Hongye , Yao Bin , Chu Jian 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn this paper, the discontinuous projection‐based adaptive robust control (ARC) approach is extended to a class of nonlinear systems subjected to parametric uncertainties as well as all three types of nonlinear uncertainties—uncertainties could be state‐dependent, time‐dependent, and/or dynamic. Departing from the existing robust adaptive control approach, the proposed approach differentiates between dynamic uncertainties with and without known structural information. Specifically, adaptive robust observers are constructed to eliminate the effect of dynamic uncertainties with known structural information for an improved steady‐state output tracking performance—asymptotic output tracking is achieved when the system is subjected to parametric uncertainties and dynamic uncertainties with known structural information only. In addition, dynamic normalization signals are introduced to construct ARC laws to deal with other uncertainties including dynamic uncertainties without known structural information not only for global stability but also for a guaranteed robust performance in general. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Head‐to‐Head Homo‐Coupling of Arylethynes Catalysed by (Dicarbonyl)ruthenium Chloride Metallacycles: Selective Synthesis of (E)‐1,4‐Diarylbut‐1‐en‐3‐ynes
Authors: Hijazi Akram , Parkhomenko Ksenia , Djukic Jean‐Pierre , Chemmi Atika , Pfeffer Michel 
Published: June 2008

AbstractExposure of various arylethynes to catalytic amounts of dimeric ruthenacycles containing the chloro(dicarbonyl)ruthenium [Ru(CO)2Cl] motif efficiently and selectively leads to the formation of (E)‐1,4‐diaryl‐but‐1‐en‐3‐ynes that result from head‐to‐head CC coupling.
Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Aromatic Ketones Catalyzed by a Mesoporous Silica‐Supported Iridium Catalyst
Authors: Liu Guohua , Yao Mei , Wang Jianyao , Lu Xiaoquan , Liu Mouming , Zhang Fang , Li Hexing 
Published: June 2008

AbstractA mesoporous, silica‐supported, chiral iridium catalyst with a highly ordered dimensional‐hexagonal mesostructure was prepared by postgrafting the organometallic complex (1‐diphenylphosphino‐2‐triethylsilylethane)[(R,R)‐1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine]iridium chloride {IrCl[PPh2(CH2)2Si(OEt)3]2[(R,R)‐DPEN] (DPEN=1,2‐diphenylethylenediamine)} on SBA‐15 silica. During the asymmetric hydrogenation of various aromatic ketones under 40 atm of hydrogen, the mesoporous, silica‐supported, chiral iridium catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity (more than 95% conversions) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to more than 99% ee). The catalyst could be recovered easily and used repetitively seven times without significantly affecting the catalytic activity and the enantioselectivity.
Novel Aqueous Phase Supramolecular Synthesis of 3‐Pyrrolylindolin‐2‐ones and Pyrrolylindeno[1,2‐b]quinoxalines
Authors: Sridhar R. , Srinivas B. , Kumar V. Pavan , Reddy V. Prakash , Kumar A. Vijay , Rao K. Rama 
Published: June 2008

AbstractVarious 3‐pyrrolylindolin‐2‐ones and pyrrolylindeno[1,2‐b]quinoxaline were synthesized for the first time in high yields in water under neutral conditions by supramolecular catalysis involving β‐cyclodextrin. The β‐cyclodextrin can be recovered and reused a number of times without any loss of activity.
Identification of novel dyslexia candidate genes through the analysis of a chromosomal deletion
Authors: Poelmans G. , Engelen J.J.M. , Van Lent‐Albrechts J. , Smeets H.J. , Schoenmakers E. , Franke B. , Buitelaar J.K. , Wuisman‐Frerker M. , Erens W. , Steyaert J. , Schrander‐Stumpel C. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDyslexia is the most common childhood learning disorder and it is a significantly heritable trait. At least nine chromosomal loci have been linked to dyslexia, and additional susceptibility loci on other chromosomes have been suggested. Within two of these loci, DYX1C1 (15q21) and ROBO1 (3p12) have recently been proposed as dyslexia candidate genes through the molecular analysis of translocation breakpoints in dyslexic individuals carrying balanced chromosomal translocations. Moreover, genetic association studies have indicated a cluster of five dyslexia candidate genes in another linkage region on chromosome 6p22, although there is currently no consensus about which of these five genes contributes to the genetic susceptibility for dyslexia. In this article, we report the identification of four new dyslexia candidate genes (PCNT, DIP2A, S100B, and PRMT2) on chromosome region 21q22.3 by FISH and SNP microarray analyses of a very small deletion in this region, which cosegregates with dyslexia in a father and his three sons. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of habitat fragmentation, population size and demographic history on genetic diversity: the cross river gorilla in a comparative context
Authors: Bergl Richard A. , Bradley Brenda J. , Nsubuga Anthony , Vigilant Linda 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn small and fragmented populations, genetic diversity may be reduced owing to increased levels of drift and inbreeding. This reduced diversity is often associated with decreased fitness and a higher threat of extinction. However, it is difficult to determine when a population has low diversity except in a comparative context. We assessed genetic variability in the critically endangered Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli), a small and fragmented population, using 11 autosomal microsatellite loci. We show that levels of diversity in the Cross River population are not evenly distributed across the three genetically identified subpopulations, and that one centrally located subpopulation has higher levels of variability than the others. All measures of genetic variability in the Cross River population were comparable to those of the similarly small mountain gorilla (G. beringei beringei) populations (Bwindi and Virunga). However, for some measures both the Cross River and mountain gorilla populations show lower levels of diversity than a sample from a large, continuous western gorilla population (Mondika, G. gorilla gorilla). Finally, we tested for the genetic signature of a bottleneck in each of the four populations. Only Cross River showed strong evidence of a reduction in population size, suggesting that the reduction in size of this population was more recent or abrupt than in the two mountain gorilla populations. These results emphasize the need for maintaining connectivity in fragmented populations and highlight the importance of allowing small populations to expand. Am. J. Primatol. 70:848–859, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oligoesters based on poly(p‐alkoxycinnamate) and poly(pentaethylene glycol cinnamate) as potential UV filters
Authors: Sasiwilaskorn S. , Klinubol P. , Tachaprutinun A. , Udomsup T. , Wanichwecharungruang S. P. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractFour solid UV‐absorptive oligomers—poly(p‐ethoxycinnamate) (P2), poly(p‐propoxycinnamate) (P3), poly(p‐hexyloxycinnamate) (P6), and poly(p‐undecyloxycinnamate) (P11)—were condensation polymerized from p‐(2‐hydroxy‐ethoxy) cinnamic acid, p‐(3‐hydroxy‐propoxy) cinnamic acid, p‐(6‐hydroxy‐hexyloxy) cinnamic acid, and p‐(11‐hydroxy‐undecyloxy) cinnamic acid, respectively. The liquid UV‐absorptive oligomer, poly(pentaethylene glycol cinnamate) (PPGC), was synthesized through the copolymerization between p‐hydroxycinnamic acid and pentaethylene glycol ditosylate. Molecular weights of all five oligomers were in the range of 1600–5500. Absorption profiles of all synthesized polymers indicated UVB absorption characteristics. Upon UVB exposure, trans to cis photoisomerization of all five oligomers was observed, leading to the decrease in their UVB absorption efficiency. No transdermal penetration across a baby mouse skin (Mus musculus Linn.) was detected for the five synthesized oligomers, while the penetration of the standard UVB filter, 2‐ethylhexyl‐p‐methoxycinnamate, through the same skin could be clearly observed. In addition, PPGC, a yellowish water immiscible liquid, showed good solubility in various organic solvents and silicone fluids. PPGC and P3 could be induced into water dispersible nanoparticles using solvent displacement technique. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Melting behaviors, isothermal crystallization kinetics, and morphology of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/stainless steel fiber composites
Authors: Yao Chenguang , Xie Tingxiu , Yang Guisheng 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThe melting behavior and crystallization kinetics of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/stainless steel fiber (SSF) composites were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry. The morphology was studied with scanning electron microscopy and polarized optical microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed that the crystallization temperature increased by 27°C with the addition of 1 vol % SSF to the matrix. The Avrami exponents, analyzed in isothermal crystallization kinetics, were determined to be 2–3 for both neat PTT and PTT/SSF composites. SSF, as a nucleating agent in the composites, greatly increased the crystallization rate. The activation energies of the composites were obviously lower than that of pure PTT, and this indicated much easier crystallization of the composites. All these samples exhibited banded spherulites, and the spherulite size gradually decreased with the SSF loading increasing. Subsequent melting behaviors revealed that all of these samples, especially of the composites, exhibited triple melting peaks at all crystallization temperatures studied. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008