Using Engineering Methods (Kaizen and Micromovements Science) to Improve and Provide Evidence Regarding Microsurgical Hand Skills.

Objective: Microsurgical interventions involve the interaction of numerous variables, making objective analysis of skill proficiency challenging. This difficulty is even more pronounced in low-resource contexts. Continuous improvement methodologies such as Kaizen-planning, doing, checking, acting (PDCA) and micromovements science (MMS) can address this issue.

Microneurosurgical anatomy of the basal cisterns: A brief review for cisternostomy.

Background: Cisternostomy is a surgical technique thought of and developed as an option for severe brain trauma treatment. It demands a particular knowledge and skill to microsurgically approach basal cisterns and effectively manipulate their contents. To perform this procedure safely, the anatomy and pathophysiology must be clearly understood.

Description of the First Four Species of the Genus From Antarctica.

The genus represents a diverse group of fungi widely distributed in different cold regions on Earth. Our current knowledge of the species of is still very limited. Currently, there are only 15 accepted species of that have been isolated from different environments in the Northern Hemisphere.

A new imaging technology based on Compton X-ray scattering.

A feasible implementation of a novel X-ray detector for highly energetic X-ray photons with a large solid angle coverage, optimal for the detection of Compton X-ray scattered photons, is described. The device consists of a 20 cm-thick sensitive volume filled with xenon at atmospheric pressure. When the Compton-scattered photons interact with the xenon, the released photoelectrons create clouds of secondary ionization, which are imaged using the electroluminescence produced in a custom-made multi-hole acrylic structure.

3D simulation of aneurysm clipping: Data analysis.

Aneurysm clipping requires the proficiency of several skills, yet the traditional way of practicing them has been recently challenged. The use of simulators could be an alternative educational tool. The aim of this data analysis is to provide further evaluation of a reusable low-cost 3D printed training model we developed for aneurysm clipping [1].

Reusable Low-Cost 3D Training Model for Aneurysm Clipping.

Background: Aneurysm clipping requires the proficiency of several skills, yet the traditional way of practicing them has been recently challenged, especially by the growth of endovascular techniques. The use of simulators could be an alternative educational tool, but some of them are cumbersome, expensive to implement, or lacking in realism. The aim of this study is to evaluate a reusable low-cost 3-dimensional printed training model we developed for aneurysm clipping.

[Prognostic value of granular pattern of growth hormone secreting tumors].

Background: Classification of growth hormone (GH) - secreting tumors by the granular pattern might predict their clinical behavior in acromegalic patients. There are several other prognostic factors.

Aim: To compare the features at presentation and cure rates of patients with GH secreting tumors according to the granular pattern, and to define independent prognostic factors for surgical treatment in these patients.

Genetic Transformation of the Filamentous Fungus of Antarctic Origin.

Cold-adapted fungi isolated from Antarctica, in particular those belonging to the genus , are producers of secondary metabolites with interesting bioactive properties as well as enzymes with potential biotechnological applications. However, at genetic level, the study of these fungi has been hindered by the lack of suitable genetic tools such as transformation systems. In fungi, the availability of transformation systems is a key to address the functional analysis of genes related with the production of a particular metabolite or enzyme.

Microsurgical Endoscope-Assisted Gravity-Aided Transfalcine Approach for Contralateral Metastatic Deep Medial Cortical Tumors.

Background: Traditional approaches to deep medial cortical tumors utilize transcortical or ipislateral interhemispheric approaches, which can result in cortical damage or retraction injury. To reduce these risks, the microscopic transfalcine approach has been previously described.

Objective: To describe this approach performed with endoscopic assistance for metastatic tumor resection, demonstrating appropriate and safe tumor resection without injury to the contralateral hemisphere.

History of the Neurosurgery Department of Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Santiago, Chile.

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile's medical school was founded in 1929. An interest in neurosurgical development arose in the minds of the Dean, Dr. Cristobal Espíldora, and the Chief of Surgery, Dr.

Endoscopic and Gravity-Assisted Resection of Medial Temporo-occipital Lesions Through a Supracerebellar Transtentorial Approach: Technical Notes With Case Illustrations.

Background: Traditional approaches to medial temporo-occipital intra-axial brain tumors carry the risk of visual or language deficits related to brain retraction or transgression of deep fiber tracts. To reduce these risks, the microscopic supracerebellar transtentorial approach with the patient in the sitting position has been previously described for lesions in relative proximity to the tentorium.

Objective: We describe this approach performed with endoscopic tumor resection to allow better visualization and a more ergonomic operating position.

Structural mouthpart interaction evolved already in the earliest lineages of insects.

In butterflies, bees, flies and true bugs specific mouthparts are in close contact or even fused to enable piercing, sucking or sponging of particular food sources. The common phenomenon behind these mouthpart types is a complex composed of several consecutive mouthparts which structurally interact during food uptake. The single mouthparts are thus only functional in conjunction with other adjacent mouthparts, which is fundamentally different to biting-chewing.

The rotational spectra, potential function, Born-Oppenheimer breakdown, and hyperfine structure of GeSe and GeTe.

The pure rotational spectra of 18 and 21 isotopic species of GeSe and GeTe have been measured in the frequency range 5-24 GHz using a Fabry-Pérot-type resonator pulsed-jet Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. Gaseous samples of both chalcogenides were prepared by a combined dc discharge/laser ablation technique and stabilized in supersonic jets of Ne. Global multi-isotopologue analyses of the derived rotational data, together with literature high-resolution infrared data, produced very precise Dunham parameters, as well as rotational constant Born-Oppenheimer breakdown (BOB) coefficients (δ(01)) for Ge, Se, and Te.

Surgery for high-grade gliomas in a developing country: survival estimation using a simple stratification system.

Background: In spite of great technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic tools, survival in patients with HGG has not changed significantly in the last years. Judicious management in each case needs survival estimation after surgery. We used a simple stratification system evaluating the histology, patient's age, and the KPS.

Aluminium blunts the proliferative response and increases apoptosis of cultured human cells: putative relationship to Alzheimer's disease.

Aluminium (Al) has been investigated as a neurotoxic substance. Al ranks among the potential environmental risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies tested the relationship between Al in drinking water and AD, showing a significant correlation between elevated levels of monomeric Al in water and AD, although data to date remain inconclusive with respect to total Al.

[Survival of patients with brain metastases].

Background: Brain metastases are the most common cerebral tumors, have a poor prognosis and their incidence is five times higher than primary brain tumors.

Aim: To analyze the survival of patients with the diagnosis of brain metastases, operated in our institution.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients operated from January 1989 to December 2001, whose pathological diagnosis confirmed the presence of cerebral metastases.

[Epidemiology of severe acute renal failure in Metropolitan Santiago].

Background: There is a paucity of information about the epidemiology of acute renal failure in Chile.

Aim: To perform a prospective multicentric survey of severe acute renal failure in Chile.

Material And Methods: All patients admitted to ten hospitals in Metropolitan Santiago, during a period of six months with severe acute renal failure, were studied.

Intracranial metastasis or meningioma? An uncommon clinical diagnostic dilemma.

Background: Cerebral metastases are the most frequent brain tumors in adults and they may occasionally present as an isolated meningeal mass, suggesting a meningioma. Because of the prognostic relevance in discriminating both tumors, we review the literature and analyze four patients in whom the diagnosis of meningioma was initially made.

Case Description: Four cases of isolated meningeal metastases are presented and in all of them a meningioma was considered as the main preoperative diagnosis.