Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurologic disorder with predictable challenges regarding disease progression and end-of-life care. These include need for respiratory and nutritional support. Little is known about how such choices impact end-of-life health service utilization for these patients. Using OptumLabs Data Warehouse, a large administrative claims database w...

Previous studies have indicated that at least 5 mm of bone is needed above the canal when performing transposing of the inferior alveolar nerve (TIAN). In this clinical report, TIAN was performed in a situation where minimal (< 2 mm) bone height was present above the canal of the IAN. Preoperative examination with computerized tomography scan revealed 2 mm of bone above the canal at the area of...

The design of retaining walls depends on the magnitude of active pressure exerted from the backfill. Therefore, estimating the scale of this pressure is a fundamental factor in the design. In this study, to assess the active earth pressure, a rigid retaining wall was built capable of translating and/or rotating with adjustable speed. Further, several physical tests were conducte...

As neurons die, cholesterol is released in the central nervous system (CNS); hence, this sterol and its metabolites may represent a biomarker of neurodegeneration, including in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in which altered cholesterol levels have been linked to prognosis. More than 40 different sterols were quantified in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from ALS patients and healthy ...

Managing tumors of the proximal fibula may require en bloc resection of the fibular head with the attachment site for the lateral collateral ligament. These resections of the proximal fibula cause unavoidable knee instability. We describe a reconstructive technique intended to minimize that instability. We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients who had proximal fibular resections from 1987 to 200...

Double-balloon endoscopy facilitates endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with a Roux-en-Y anastomosis [1]. However, it is difficult to identify the afferent limb during double-balloon ERCP [2]. According to retrospective data from February 2007 to January 2009, the rate of accurate identification was 50% (14/28). We report a useful technique to identify the afferen...

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Barrett's esophagus (BE) - associated neoplasia can be treated endoscopically, but accurate assessment before intervention is challenging. This study aimed to investigate the role of confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) as an adjunct in the endoscopic treatment of BE-associated neoplasia by assessing lateral tumor and subsquamous tumor (SST) extension. PATIENTS AND ME...

BACKGROUND Epiphora is a common complaint of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) in adults. The precise pathogenesis of NLDO is still unknown, but inflammatory processes are believed to be predisposing factors. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR) is an effective surgical technique for treating symptomatic NLDO. The purpose of the procedure is to relieve the patient's symptoms by creating...

     In this study, hydroxyapatite was coated on titanium substrates by plasma spraying process. A well-known porous and lamellar microstructure was found in the lateral a...