BPR (business process redesign) and systems analysis and design: making the case for integration.

The question of what role business process redesign (BPR) should play in information systems development is one that draws strong opinions on either side of the issue. Some argue that BPR is absolutely necessary in forging a synergy between organizational structure, people, technology, and tasks. However, consultation and application development continue today without sufficient workflow analysis, as if BPR was irrelevant altogether.

Systems analysis and design methodologies: practicalities and use in today's information systems development efforts.

Historically, systems analysis and design methodologies have been used as a guide in software development. Such methods provide structure to software engineers in their efforts to create quality solutions in the real world of information systems. This article looks at the elements that constitute a systems analysis methodology and examines the historical development of systems analysis in software development.

Automated percutaneous lumbar discectomy: a review.

The leading cause for low back pain and sciatica is a herniated intervertebral disc, which has often been removed by laminectomy or chemonucleolysis. A less invasive method is percutaneous lumbar discectomy, surgical aspiration of the central nuclear material. With proper patient selection and surgical technique, percutaneous lumbar discectomy achieves results similar to those of chemonucleolysis.

Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord.

Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord is a rare presentation of a disease involving over 200 million people. A patient from an endemic area presenting as a transverse myelitis or a spinal cord tumor, and with eosinophilia, should alert the physician to the possibility of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord. Diagnosis is based on finding the characteristic eggs in the stool or urine, or if necessary, by rectal, bladder or liver biopsies.

Hydrocephalus following translabyrinthine surgery.

Hydrocephalus has been identified and surgically treated with ventricular peritoneal shunts in two of 150 patients following translabyrinthine microsurgical removal of acoustic tumors. This problem has prompted a review of the subject of hydrocephalus in general and "otitic hydrocephalus" in particular in relation to contemporary extended temporal bone surgery.

Ultrastructural characteristics of human neurilemoma cell nuclei.

Nuclei of human neurilemoma cells exhibit deep and extensive invaginations of part of their surface. Such invaginations contain cytoplasmic matter. However, in areas of the nucleoplasm distant from the invaginations, small membrane-bound bodies, some of which contain a "nucleoid," occur either singly or grouped together and enclosed within a large membrane body.