To ensure that the definition of “”dropping objects”" was index of abnormality, we evaluated a control group

interviewing 200 subjects. In order to evaluate if “”dropping objects”" was an index of more severe CTS impairment, we compared the severity measures between the patients with and without this condition. Severity of CTS multidimensionally assessed was significantly greater in patients with a history of dropped objects than those without. Moreover, “”dropping objects”" was more frequent in females, older patients, and in those patients Smoothened Agonist manufacturer with more functional impairment. The occurrence of “”dropping objects”" in CTS patients seems to be an index of CTS severity.”
“Background: UV radiation is the major environmental factor related to development of cutaneous melanoma. Besides sun exposure and the influence of latitude,

TPX-0005 mouse some host characteristics such as skin phototype and hair and eye color are also risk factors for melanoma. Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes could be good candidates for susceptibility genes, mainly in geographical regions exposed to high solar radiation.

Objective: Evaluate the role of host characteristic.; and DNA repair polymorphism in melanoma risk in Brazil.

Methods: We carried out a hospital-based case-control study in Brazil to evaluate the contribution of host factors and polymorphisms in DNA repair to melanoma risk. A total of 412 patients (202 with melanoma and 210 controls) were analyzed regarding host characteristics for melanoma risk as well as for 11 polymorphisms

in DNA repair genes.

Results: We found an association of host characteristics with melanoma development, such as eye and hair color, fair skin, history of pigmented HSP signaling pathway lesions removed, sunburns in childhood and adolescence, and also European ancestry. Regarding DNA repair gene polymorphisms, we found protection for the XPG 1104 His/His genotype (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.13-0.75), and increased risk for three polymorphisms in the XPC gene (PAT+; IV-6A and 939Gln), which represent a haplotype for XPC. Melanoma risk was higher in individuals carrying the complete XPC haplotype than each individual polymorphism (OR 3.64; 95% CI 1.77-7.48).

Conclusions: Our data indicate that the host factors European ancestry and XPC polymorphisms contributed to melanoma risk in a region exposed to high sun radiation. (C) 2011 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The analysis of complex structures consisting of fibers, films, birefringent, and magnetic materials is greatly aided by the availability of an analysis structure. Jones calculus is typically utilized in the course of such analyses. However, standard Jones calculus does not account for the effect of reflections.

alpha(E) was decomposed into contributions from (I) broad (9 nm-thick) interfacial regions that were chiefly o-HfTiO4, and (II) regions remote from interfaces that contained material based on a highly defective m-HfO2 lattice. The absorption edge at its onset in all nanolaminates was determined by short-range

atomic order characteristic of o-HfTiO4. An indirect band gap of E-G=3.25 + 0.02 eV was determined for this compound. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3520678]“
“Risk of clinically significant prostate adenocarcinoma AZD6738 clinical trial (CaP) varies worldwide, although there is a uniform prevalence of latent disease. A hormone-responsive tissue, the prostate possesses the metabolizing capacity to biotransform a variety of environmental procarcinogens or endogenous hormones. Whether such metabolizing capacity or estrogen receptor (ER) status underlies these demographic differences in susceptibility to CaP remains unclear. With appropriate ethical permission, verified-benign tissues were obtained following transurethral resection of the prostate from a high-risk region (n = 12 UK-resident

Caucasians) and a typically low-risk region (n = 14 India-resident Asians). Quantitative gene expression analysis was employed for cytochrome P450 (CYP)1B1, N-acetyltransferase (NAT)1, NAT2, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), sulfotransferase Autophagy inhibitor (SULT)1A1, ER alpha, ER beta and aromatase (CYP19A1). To quantify the presence or absence of CYP1B1, ER alpha or ER beta, and to identify their in situ localization, immunohistochemistry was carried out. The two cohorts had reasonably well-matched serum levels of prostate-specific antigen or hormones. Expression levels for the candidate genes investigated were similar. However,

clear differences in protein levels for CYP1B1 and ER beta were noted. Staining for CYP1B1 tended to be nuclear-associated in the basal glandular epithelial cells, and in UK-resident Caucasian tissues was present at a higher selleck products (P = 0.006) level compared with that from India-resident Asians. In contrast, a higher level of positive ER beta staining was noted in prostates from India-resident Asians. These study findings point to differences in metabolizing capacity and ER status in benign prostate tissues that might modulate susceptibility to the emergence of clinically significant CaP in demographically distinct populations.”
“The effects of gas adsorption and high current on the field emission characteristics of ZnO nanoneedles grown directly from metal electrodes have been systematically investigated. Exposure of nanoneedles to H(2), N(2), or O(2) gas degraded the field emission characteristics, with O(2) having the strongest impact. Complete recovery of emission current following H(2) and N(2) treatment was accomplished by vacuum annealing at 450 degrees C. Meanwhile, changes induced by O(2) adsorption were irreversible.

A digoxin-induced AV block usually improved (28 of 39) after withdrawal of the drug. Roughly half of the patients with drug-induced AV block underwent permanent PM implantation. Conclusion: Drug-induced AV block is a serious disease that requires a permanent PM for almost half of the patients. (PACE 2012;XX:17)”
“Coding variants in the apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) are strongly associated with nephropathy in African Americans (AAs). The effect of transplanting kidneys from AA donors with two APOL1 nephropathy risk variants is unknown. APOL1 risk variants were genotyped in 106 AA deceased

organ donors and graft survival learn more assessed in 136 resultant kidney transplants. Cox-proportional hazard models tested for association between time to graft failure and donor APOL1 genotypes. The mean follow-up was 26.4 +/- 21.8 months. Twenty-two of 136 transplanted kidneys (16%) were from donors with two APOL1 nephropathy risk check details variants. Twenty-five grafts failed; eight (32%) had two APOL1 risk variants. A multivariate model accounting for donor APOL1 genotype, overall African ancestry, expanded criteria donation, recipient age and gender, HLA mismatch, CIT and PRA revealed that graft survival was significantly shorter in donor kidneys with two APOL1 risk variants (hazard ratio [HR] 3.84; p = 0.008) and higher HLA mismatch (HR 1.52; p = 0.03),

but not for overall African ancestry excluding APOL1. Kidneys B-Raf assay from AA deceased donors harboring two APOL1 risk variants failed more rapidly after renal transplantation than those with zero or one risk

variants. If replicated, APOL1 genotyping could improve the donor selection process and maximize long-term renal allograft survival.”
“Metastatic disease in the intradural compartment of the spine is a rare manifestation of cancer. We report the case of an 82-year-old patient with an intradural, extramedullary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in the cervical spine. A literature search for intradural spinal metastases of renal cell carcinoma yielded a total of 26 further cases. 18 patients had sporadic renal cell carcinoma, and 9 patients had von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) in which the metastases of the renal cell carcinoma were embedded within spinal haemangioblastomas. Patients presented with paresis, back pain, altered sensation or, less frequently, bladder dysfunction. Intradural spinal metastases were diagnosed at an earlier age in VHL patients than in sporadic cases (mean 43 +/- 5 years vs. 60 +/- 14.5 years). The metastasis was surgically removed in 81% of patients. Pain improved in all patients, paresis in 90%, hypaesthesia in 38% and bladder dysfunction in 50%. Death occured as a result of systemic cancer progression. 93% of patients in the sporadic renal cell cancer group died within 1.5 years, whereas two thirds of the VHL patients were alive after 2 years.

Furthermore, the importance of the facet capsules in DES injuries has not been well-addressed.

Methods. A total of 15 adult cadaveric motion segments of the lower cervical

spine were isolated and tested. Motion segments were mounted, with the cervical spine in extension, such that a distractive load was applied through the cephalad body. Anatomic supporting structures were serially sectioned LY333531 hydrochloride from anterior to posterior to simulate varying degrees of soft-tissue disruption as occurring with the DE mechanism. Specimens were loaded at each stage of injury and measurements of angulation and posterior translation were recorded from fluoroscopic images by 2 independent observers.

Results. A strong correlation was noted between the 2 sets of independent measurements. A statistical significant difference was noted between the degree of soft-tissue injury to the change in angulation and posterior translation (P < 0.001). The mean change in angulation and posterior translation was significantly greatest following sectioning of the anterior aspect of the facet capsules and to a lesser extent following sectioning of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) (P < 0.001). A greater mean percent change between sequential sectioning of soft tissue structures was largely associated with posterior translation rather than

angulation.

Conclusion. Sequentially greater angulation and posterior translation was seen after serial sectioning of the anterior facet

learn more capsule and to a lesser degree the PLL. This suggests GNS-1480 clinical trial that there are in fact 2 main “”tethers”" to angulation and posterior translation in the DE injury model, with the anterior facet capsule being the major stabilizer and to a lesser degree the PLL. Thus, based on our findings, it would appear that an expansion of the DE injury classification may be warranted, based on angulation and posterior translation, and regarded as DES-1, DES-2A, DES-2B, and DES-3. Such categorization based on the degree of angulation and posterior translation may prove advantageous in designing appropriate treatment strategies to address DE injuries of the lower cervical spine; however, further studies are needed to validate the clinical applications of such categorization.”
“Side effects of steroid use have led to efforts to minimize their use in transplantation. Two corticosteroid-free regimens were compared with a triple immunosuppressive therapy. Data from the original intent-to-treat (ITT) population (153 tacrolimus/basiliximab [Tac/Bas], 151 tacrolimus/MMF [Tac/MMF], and 147 tacrolimus/ MMF/steroids [control]) were analyzed in a 12-month follow-up. Percentage of graft survival were 92.8%, 95.4%, and 95.9% ( KM estimates 89.9%, 95.3%, 95.9%), percentage of surviving patients were 98.7%, 98.0%, and 100% ( KM estimates 95.9%, 92.8%, and 100%).

Conclusion: Temperature-related health burden of Salmonella infection in Australia may increase in the future due to change in climate and demography in the absence of effective public health interventions. click here Relevant public health strategies should be developed at an early stage to prevent and reduce the health burden of climate change. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Polar fractions of a sediment extract of the industrial area of Bitterfeld,

Germany, have been subjected for effect-directed identification of mutagens using the Ames fluctuation assay with TA98. Mutagenicity could be well recovered in several secondary and tertiary fractions. Dinitropyrenes and 3-nitrobenzanthrone could be confirmed to contribute great shares of the observed mutagenicity. In addition, a multitude of polar polycyclic aromatic compounds has been

tentatively identified in mutagenic fractions including nitro-PAHs, azaarenes, ketones, quinones, hydroxy-compounds, lactones and carboxylic acids www.selleckchem.com/products/CX-6258.html although their contribution to mutagenicity could not be quantified due to a lack of standards. Diagnostic Salmonella strains YG1024 and YG1041 were applied to confirm the contribution of nitro-aromatic compounds. We suggest the inclusion of dinitropyrenes and 3-nitrobenzanthrone into sediment monitoring in order to minimize the mutagenic risk to aquatic organisms and to human health. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Soil can be a storage place and source of pollutants for interfacial environments. This study looked at a site contaminated with wood preservatives as a source of mutagens, defined routes and extent of the dispersion of these contaminants by particle remobilization and atmospheric deposition, considering an evaluation of risk to human health by quantifying mutagenic risk Soil sampling sites were chosen at gradually increasing distances (150, 500 and 1700 m) from SI (industrial area pool) and indoor dust (pool in an area at risk at 385 m and at 1700 m). Mutagenesis was evaluated in the Salmonella/microsome assay, TA98, TA97a and TA100 strains with and without 59 mix, YGs strains 1041, 1042

and 1024 for nitrocompounds. Acid extracts were analyzed to define the effects of metals and organics for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitroderivates, besides selleck products concentrations of these compounds and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Risk to human health was obtained from the relation between the quantified potential of mutagenic risk and estimated soil ingestion for children according to USEPA. Metal concentrations showed a gradient of responses with As, Cr and Cu (total metal) or Cr and Cu (fraction available) higher for SI. However, mutagenic effects of the mixtures did not show this grading. Site SR1700, without a response, was characterized as a reference. In organic extracts, the mutagenesis responses showed the mobility of these compounds from the source.

“
“Purpose: To assess, by means of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the longitudinal changes in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) in a cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) who were followed

up for 1 year.

Materials and Methods: This see more prospective, HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board. Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants. Changes in GM and WM integrity were respectively investigated by using three-dimensional T1-weighted and diffusion-tensor (DT) imaging sequences and by applying voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analyses. Thirty-four consecutive patients (21 women, 13 men; mean age, 32.8 years +/- 7.7 [standard deviation]) who had CIS were recruited. All the patients underwent a neurologic and an MR examination at baseline Buparlisib order and 12 months later; the MR examination consisted of three-dimensional T1-weighted dual-echo turbo

spin-echo DT imaging. VBM and TBSS were used to analyze GM volume and WM fractional anisotropy, respectively.

Results: Selleck Stem Cell Compound Library After 1 year, multiple sclerosis (MS) was diagnosed in 33 (97%) of 34 patients with CIS. Longitudinal volumetric analysis revealed a significant (P < .001) reduction in global GM volume. The VBM analysis showed the development of regional GM atrophy involving several cortical and subcortical regions in both hemispheres (P < .05). No significant longitudinal change in global or regional WM fractional anisotropy was otherwise observed.

Conclusion: WM damage was detectable early and involved most fiber tracts in patients

with MS, but it did not worsen significantly during the 1st year after clinical onset. In contrast, GM damage was not detectable at the time of clinical onset, but a significant decrease in cortical and deep GM volume was observed at 1 year. (C) RSNA, 2010″
“Purpose: The ureteral stent is now a fundamental part of many urological procedures. To decrease ureteral stent-related symptoms, loop type ureteral stent was developed. However the most important factor to decrease urinary symptoms is choosing the optimal length of a ureteral stent. We investigated the relationship between the actual ureteral length and the loop type ureteral stent position.

In addition to traditional pharmacy services, collaborative practice agreements were developed and clinical pharmacy services expanded over time. Reimbursement challenges for clinical pharmacy services existed in the fee-for-service environment. The acquisition of the clinic and pharmacy by Providence Health and Services created a new financial alignment with additional opportunities for collaboration.

Practice innovation: An internally funded grant established a PCMH pilot that included pharmacist participation. PCMH

pharmacists and the care provider team identified areas to improve physician and clinic efficiencies and to enhance patient care.

Results: Clinical pharmacy services expanded under the PCMH model. Pharmacist activities included value-added refill authorization services, GSK2126458 price coordinated patient visits with the PCMH pharmacist and physicians, medication therapy management, diabetes and anticoagulation services, hospital discharge medication reconciliation, and participation in the shared medical appointment.

Conclusion: Clinical pharmacy services are woven into the PCMH fabric of this clinic. New pharmacists will be challenged and rewarded in this evolving health care model.”
“Objectives: Open abdomen (OA) treatment is sometimes necessary click here after surgery for aortic aneurysm (AA), to prevent or treat abdominal compartment

syndrome (ACS). A multicentre study evaluating vacuum-assisted wound closure (100-150 mmHg) and mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCM) was performed.

Methods: All patients treated with OA after AA repair (2006-2009) were prospectively registered at four centres; those treated <5 days were excluded. All surviving patients underwent a 1-year follow-up, including computed tomography (CT) examination.

Results: Among 1041 patients treated with open or endovascular repair of AA, 28 (2.9%) had OA treatment with VAWCM; another two had VAWCM after hybrid operations for thoraco-abdominal AA. Eighteen (60%) were operated on for rupture and 12 (40%) electively.

Eight had suprarenal or thoraco-abdominal aneurysms. Eight (27%) died within 30 days, none due to OA-related complications. Four died find more before abdominal closure; primary delayed fascia] closure was achieved in all survivors. One-year mortality was 50%. Ten (33%) had bowel ischaemia requiring bowel resection.

Late potential OA-related infectious complications occurred in five (17%), all of whom first developed intestinal ischaemia: entero-atmospheric fistulae (two), graft infections (two), aorto-enteric fistula (one). One year follow-up with clinical evaluation and CT showed no signs of graft infection. Incisional hernias occurred in 9 of 15 patients (60%); only three were symptomatic.

Conclusion: VAWCM provided high fascial closure rate after AA repair and long-term OA treatment. Infectious complications occur after intestinal ischaemia and prolonged OA treatment, and are often fatal.

g. no chemicals use and high solid concentration operation. (c) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry”
“Magnetic and magnetotransport properties measurements of Cu80Fe10Ni10 (at. %) melt spun and annealed ribbons were combined to study the magnetic interactions present in this system. Those ribbons are composed of magnetic FeNi rich precipitates embedded in a nonmagnetic

Cu rich matrix. When the precipitates are small enough, they have a superparamagnetic behavior. Upon annealing the precipitates get larger and progressively turn ferromagnetic. The relatively high magnetoresistive properties are attributed to the presence of those superparamagnetic precipitates. Using Mossbauer spectrometry, Zero Field Cooled/Field Cooled and magnetization curves, the presence of interactions among the precipitates was evidenced, which degrades the magnetoresistance properties. Using Allia model, the magnetic coherence length BMS-345541 mw R-m between the precipitates was calculated and compared with the mean free path of the electrons lambda, with the precipitates

size and the mean distance between them. Three different regimes were observed. At high fields, where R-m < lambda, meaning that the precipitates AZD0530 mouse are not interacting, at smaller fields, where R-m > lambda and the precipitates are in the so called “”interacting superparamagnetic regime,”" and at low fields, and at 5 K, R-m > 10 lambda, the magnetic interactions among the precipitates are strong and give rise to a hysteresis on the magnetization curves. (C) 2009 American Institute of

Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3117217]“
“Background: Exercise performance improvement after training in heart failure (HF) can be due to central or peripheral changes.

Methods and Results: In 70 HF stable patients we measured peak VO(2) and cardiac output (CO, inert gas rebreathing technique) and calculated arteriovenous O(2) differences (a-v O(2)diff) before and after an 8-week training program. Peak VO(2) changed from 1111 +/- 403 mL/minute to 1191 +/- 441 (P < .001), peak workload from C59 wnt 68 +/- 29 watts to 76 +/- 32 (P < .0001), peakCO from 6.6 +/- 2.2 L/minute to 7.3 +/- 2.5 (P < .0001), and peak a-v O(2)diff from 17.5 +/- 5.1 mL/100 mL to 16.6 +/- 4.1 (P = .081). Changes in peak CO and a-v O(2)diff allowed to identify 4 behaviors: group 1: (n = 15) reduction in peak CO and increase in a-v O(2)diff (peak VO(2) unchanged, peak workload +9.5%); group 2: (n = 16) both peak CO and a-v O(2)diff increased as well as peak VO(2) (23%) and workload (18%); group 3: (n = 4) peak CO and a-v O(2)diff reduced as well as peak VO(2) (-18%) and workload (-5%); group 4: (n = 35) peak CO increased with a-v O(2)diff reduced (increase in peak VO(2) by 5.5 and workload by 8.4%).

Conclusions: Exercise training improves peakVO(2) by increasing CO with unchanged a-v O(2)diff.

“
“Two experiments were conducted to assess effects of endophyte treatments (Exp. 1), forage species (Exp. 2), and supplementation (Exp. 2) on urea production, excretion, and recycling in beef steers. Infusion of (15,15)N-urea and enrichment of urea in urine samples were used to calculate urea-N entry and recycling to the gut. Acceptably stable enrichment of (15)N-urea in urine was obtained after 50 h of intrajugular infusion of (15,15)N-urea, indicating that valid data on urea metabolism can

be obtained from steers fed forages twice daily. After adjustment by covariance for differences in N intake among treatments in Exp. 1, steers fed endophyte-infected tall fescue had

less (P < 0.10) urea-N entry, recycling to the gut, and return of recycled urea-N to the ornithine cycle than those fed endophyte-free or novel endophyte-infected tall fescue. However, this website urea-N urinary excretion or return to the gut was similar among endophyte treatments when expressed as a proportion of urea-N entry. Urea-N entry and return to the gut in Exp. 2 was similar in steers fed gamagrass or orchardgrass hay after adjustment by covariance for differences in N intake. Less (P < 0.01) urinary excretion, expressed as grams per day or as a proportion of urea-N entry, with gamagrass than with orchardgrass was associated with faster CDK inhibitor in vitro NDF-N digestion with gamagrass. Supplementation of gamagrass or orchardgrass with 1.76 kg/d of readily fermentable fiber and starch decreased urea entry

(P < 0.06) and urinary excretion of urea (P < 0.01). Interactions between hay source and supplement reflected a greater response to supplementation for steers fed orchardgrass than for those fed gamagrass. After adjustment for differences among treatments in N supply, results of both experiments support the concept of improved N use in response to increased carbohydrate fermentability in the rumen, due either VX-809 concentration to inherent differences in forage fiber or to supplementation with readily fermentable carbohydrate (starch or fiber). Closer coordination of ruminal fermentation of carbohydrate and N sources provided greater and more efficient capture of dietary N as tissue protein in forage-fed steers.”
“Recent data indicate that Tau immunotherapy may be relevant for interfering with neurofibrillary degeneration in Alzheimer disease and related disorders referred to as Tauopathies. The key question for immunotherapy is the choice of the epitope to target. Abnormal phosphorylation is a well-described post-translational modification of Tau proteins and may be a good target. In the present study, we investigated the effects of active immunization against the pathological epitope phospho-Ser422 in the THY-Tau22 transgenic mouse model.

Mal d allergens were quantified during ripening in Golden Delicious apple extract. Mal d 1 and Mal d 2 specific ELISAs were developed to be used for quantification of the immune reactive Mal d allergens. It was found that during the ripening period, the contents of Mal d 1 and Mal d 2 allergens were continuously, but a bit differentially increased. According to the chromatographic results the content of Mal d 1 (0.1 -0.25 mg/100 g apple) increased intensively from 144th until 152th day, then it did not change (152th-164th days), while

the content of Mal d 2 (0.18-0.75 mg/100 g apple) started to increase from GSK1210151A cost 144th until 158th day. ELISA results showed the same tendency. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“BACKGROUND: There is greater awareness of the pathologic features and clinical implications of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after heart transplantation (HT). Yet, compared with adults, the lack of routine surveillance for AMR has limited the growth of evidence in the pediatric population. Herein, we compared outcomes of pediatric HT recipients with and without AMR.

METHODS: All recipients <= 18 years of age with at least 1 endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) between 1988 and 2009 were included in this study. Assessment for AMR was routine. AMR severity was assigned

retrospectively using the proposed 2011 ISHLT grading schema for pathologic AMR (pAMR). Outcome comparisons p38 MAP Kinase pathway were made between patients with histologic and immunopathologic evidence for AMR (pAMR 2), those

with severe AMR (pAMR 3), and those without evidence of AMR (pAMR 0) or without both histologic and immunopathologic findings (pAMR 1).

RESULTS: Among 1,406 EMBs, pAMR 2 or higher was present in 258 (18%), occurring in 45 of 76 (59%) patients. Of the 17 episodes of pAMR 3 in 9 patients, 6 (35%) were sub-clinical. Mortality was not different between groups. Patients with at least 1 pAMR 3 episode had lower freedom from cardiovascular (CV) mortality selleck chemicals llc or cardiac allograft vasculopathy within 5 years of HT than those without pAMR 3 (45% vs 91%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Biopsy findings of AMR (pAMR 2 or higher) are common after pediatric HT. Like cellular rejection, biopsy grading of AMR seems important to delineate those at risk of adverse events. Our results suggest that pAMR 3 is associated with worse CV outcomes. Widespread surveillance for pAMR with a uniform grading system is an important next step to further validate these findings in the pediatric HT population. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012;31:686-93 (C) 2012 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. All rights reserved.”
“Hysterectomy remains the most common major gynecological operation. This is the first study that describes a new technique of TLH without using any kind of uterine manipulator or vaginal tube (TLHwM) and analyzes the intra- and postoperative surgical outcome of the first 67 cases.