Short rotation plantations policy history in Europe: lessons from the past and recommendations for the future.

Short rotation plantations (SRPs) are fast-growing trees (such as willow ( spp.), poplar ( spp.) and ) grown closely together and harvested in periods of 2-20 years.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting and ventriculocisternostomy (ETV) in 400 pediatric patients. Shifts in understanding, diagnostics, case-mix, and surgical management during half a century.

Objective: To characterize shifts from the 1960s to the first decade in the 21st century as to diagnostics, case-mix, and surgical management of pediatric patients undergoing permanent CSF diversion procedures.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-four patients below 15 years of age were the first time treated with CSF shunt or ETV for hydrocephalus or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in 2009-2013. This represents our current practice.

Pediatric hydrocephalus: 40-year outcomes in 128 hydrocephalic patients treated with shunts during childhood. Assessment of surgical outcome, work participation, and health-related quality of life.

Object: Treatment for hydrocephalus has not advanced appreciably since the advent of CSF shunts more than 50 years ago. The outcome for pediatric patients with hydrocephalus has been the object for several studies; however, much uncertainty remains regarding the very long term outcome for these patients. Shunting became the standard treatment for hydrocephalus in Norway during the 1960s, and the first cohorts from this era have now reached middle age.

Effects of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on fasting and postprandial inflammation-related parameters in obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance and in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Obesity is characterized by low grade inflammation and an altered secretion of inflammatory cytokines from the adipose tissue. Weight loss has shown to reduce inflammation; however, changes in cytokine profiles during massive weight loss are not well described. The present study explored the hypothesis that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) reduces circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and in obese normal glucose tolerant (NGT) subjects.

Long-term outcome and quality of life after craniectomy in speech-dominant swollen middle cerebral artery infarction.

Background: Decompressive craniectomy in malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMCAI) reduces mortality. Whether speech-dominant side infarction results in less favorable outcome is unclear. This study compared functional outcome, quality of life, and mental health among patients with speech-dominant and non-dominant side infarction.

Cranioplasty with autologous cryopreserved bone after decompressive craniectomy: complications and risk factors for developing surgical site infection.

Background: Renewed interest has developed in decompressive craniectomy, and improved survival is shown when this treatment is used after malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and possible risk factors for developing surgical site infection (SSI) after delayed cranioplasty using autologous, cryopreserved bone.

Methods: This retrospective study included 74 consecutive patients treated with decompressive craniectomy during the time period May 1998 to October 2010 for various non-traumatic conditions causing increased intracranial pressure due to brain swelling.

Volume and densities of chronic subdural haematoma obtained from CT imaging as predictors of postoperative recurrence: a prospective study of 107 operated patients.

Background: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common entity in neurosurgery with a considerable postoperative recurrence rate. Computerised tomography (CT) scanning remains the most important diagnostic test for this disorder. The aim of this study was to characterise the relationship between the recurrence of CSDH after treatment with burr-hole irrigation and closed-system drainage technique and CT scan features of these lesions to assess whether CT findings can be used to predict recurrence.

Local and systemic pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine patterns in patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective study.

Objective And Design: Innate immune pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) were investigated by measuring and comparing the systemic and subdural fluid levels of cytokines.

Materials And Method: Cytokine values were analyzed in samples obtained during surgery of 56 adult patients who were operated on for unilateral CSDHs using a Multiplex antibody bead kit.

Results: There were significantly higher levels of the pro-inflammatory IL-2R (p = 0.

Chemokines as markers of local inflammation and angiogenesis in patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a prospective study.

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the chemokines CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL9 and CXCL10 as markers of the inflammatory responses in chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH).

Methods: Samples of peripheral venous blood and CSDH fluid (obtained during surgery) in 76 adult patients were prospectively analyzed. Chemokine values were assessed by a Multiplex antibody bead kit.

Twenty-year outcome in young adults with childhood hydrocephalus: assessment of surgical outcome, work participation, and health-related quality of life.

Object: Shunting of CSF is one of the most commonly performed operations in the pediatric neurosurgeon's repertoire. The 1st decade after initial shunt insertion has been addressed in several previous reports. The goals of the authors' study, therefore, were to determine 20-year outcomes in young adults with childhood hydrocephalus and to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life 1 year after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in preoperative comatose patients (Hunt and Hess Grade V patients).

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life 1 year after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in preoperative comatose patients (Hunt and Hess Grade V patients).

Methods: Patients who were comatose at hospital arrival and thereafter were investigated for 1 year using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and 2 HRQOL questionnaires.

Results: Thirty-five of 70 patients survived the bleed, and 26 underwent neuropsychological testing.

Cognitive functioning and health related quality of life after rupture of an aneurysm on the anterior communicating artery versus middle cerebral artery.

The neuropsychological outcome and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) after SAH have been largely believed to be unrelated to the location of the ruptured aneurysm. This notion needs verification due to the contemporary availability of more sensitive neuropsychological test batteries and more recent clinical observations of deviant behaviour after SAH. To this end, we compared patients with ruptured aneurysms on respectively the anterior communicating artery (ACoA) (n = 24) or middle cerebral artery (MCA) (n = 22).

Surgical repair of unruptured and ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms: impact on cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life.

Objective: To assess the impact of surgical treatment of unruptured and ruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms on cognitive functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: This was a prospective study enrolling 15 patients with unruptured MCA aneurysms and 22 patients with ruptured MCA aneurysms in good clinical condition postictally. Patients with unruptured aneurysms underwent preoperative neuropsychological testing and answered 2 HRQOL questionnaires.

[Hemicraniectomy in acute brain infarction].

Background: Massive hemispheric brain infarctions are associated with high mortality, due to cerebral oedema, increased intracranial pressure, distortion of the brain stem and herniation. Decompressive craniectomy involves opening of the dura mater to give more space for the brain. This review describes hemicraniectomy and discusses its usefulness, especially in massive cerebral infarctions.

[Subarachnoid haemorrhage--diagnosis and management].

Introduction: Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) causes 3% of all strokes and is caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm in four of five cases. This review article presents an update of knowledge on symptoms, diagnosis and management of SAH.

Material And Methods: This article is based on selected literature and the authors' clinical experience.

Cognitive outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: time course of recovery and relationship to clinical, radiological, and management parameters.

Objective: Although many patients show a satisfactory physical outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), disabling cognitive dysfunction may still be present. This study focuses on the time course of cognitive recovery during the first year after aneurysmal SAH, and relates the neuropsychological test results to clinical, radiological, and management parameters.

Methods: Thirty-two patients were followed prospectively with neuropsychological examinations at 3, 6, and 12 months after SAH.

[Life following acute subarachnoid haemorrhage].

Background: We studied the outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage from a patient perspective. We compared outcomes of microsurgical and endovascular aneurysm repair and assessed the impact of gender and age on quality of life.

Material And Methods: 60 patients undergoing repair of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm from January to July 2001 were included consecutively (35 women).

Seed cryopreservation and longevity of two Salix hybrids.

The effects of desiccation and storage temperature on the viability and longevity of willow seeds was investigated using two hybrids, Salix rehderiana x (Salix x capreola) [cross 458] and Salix x sericans x Salix viminalis [cross 512]. Freshly harvested seed of both crosses survived silica gel drying down to c. 3 to 5% moisture content.

[Resection of malignant tumors involving the anterior cranial fossa].

Background: The craniofacial approach has greatly facilitated resections of tumours involving the base of the anterior cranial fossa when compared to either the transcranial or transfacial approach alone.

Material And Methods: This approach was used in 11 patients with malignant tumours localized to the ethmoid sinus, orbit and bone or soft tissue of the base of the anterior part of the skull. By combining a low frontal or frontolateral craniotomy with resection of the facial skull, en bloc resections were accomplished.

CTA in patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. A comparative study with selective, digital angiography and blinded, independent review.

Purpose: Minimal- or non-invasive methods replacing intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IA-DSA) would be of great importance in patients suffering from acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The aims of this study were to compare CTA with IA-DSA in patients with acute SAH, to compare CTA interpretations with those of blinded, independent reviewers and to evaluate improvement in CTA diagnostics after 1 year of experience with CTA.

Material And Method: During 2 years 162 patients with SAH underwent CTA as well as IA-DSA.

[Life-saving hemicraniectomy in acute massive brain infarction].

Acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery is an important cause of ischemic stroke. The resulting brain infarction is often very large, leading to massive brain oedema and intracranial hypertension. Despite intensive medical treatment, the mortality rate due to herniation and cerebral circulatory arrest remains very high.

Cerebral artery blood velocity in normal subjects during acute decreases in barometric pressure.

To investigate the effect of acute changes in barometric pressure on regional cerebral perfusion we studied the middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood velocity in five healthy male volunteers by means of a low-pressure chamber. The MCA blood velocity, arterial blood and respiratory gases were measured at the barometric pressures of 1, 0.8, 0.