Showing papers by "Aon published in 2012"
Aon1
TL;DR: This study confirms the low soft tissue damage resulting from minimally invasive surgery techniques, which is an important factor in elderly and obese patients, and helps to minimize infections and wound healing disorders.
Abstract: Background: Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) is associated with less blood loss, faster recovery, and less perioperative morbidity while yielding similar results as those achieved with open procedures. The risk of periand postoperative complications in the elderly and obese patients is a much debated issue. MIS has been poorly investigated in aged and obese patients.
Objective: The aim of the present study is to establish whether MIS techniques are a safe and adequate tool in these patients.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 33 patients aged 65 years or older, undergoing minimally invasive spinal fusion techniques, in order to identify the risk of peri- and postoperative morbidity in the obese. Obesity was classified according to the body mass index (BMI).
Results: Any harmful event was noted and included in the statistical analysis. The median blood loss and drainage in the postoperative monitoring period was 200 ml. significant differences in blood loss were observed in relation to preoperative administration of NSAIDs. Patients using NSAIDs preoperatively had more frequent (p=0.055) and greater (p= 0.014) blood loss. No difference in blood loss was noted with reference to age or BMI groups. No severe wound healing disorder was observed. We encountered 5 major complications, which consisted of one patient with a neurogenic deficit, one with a transient ischemic attack, one with cardiac ischemia, one with a malpositioned rod, and one with an epidural hematoma. Minor complications included one patient with urinary tract infection, one with respiratory tract infection, and one with fever. No association was observed between complications and obesity.
Conclusion: This study confirms the low soft tissue damage resulting from minimally invasive surgery techniques, which is an important factor in elderly and obese patients. The smaller approach helps to minimize infections and wound healing disorders. Moreover, deeper regions of wounds are clearly visualized with the aid of tubular retractors.
5 citations
Aon1
TL;DR: From an inclusion in Cretaceous Burmese amber a new genus of flat bugs, Kachinocoris n.gen.
Abstract: From an inclusion in Cretaceous Burmese amber a new genus of flat bugs, Kachinocoris n.gen., is described; its type species K. brevipennis n.sp. is illustrated.
4 citations
1 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this paper, the downy birch that grows in cold cirques in the eastern Julian Alps (Pod Spikom, Za Akom, Beli potok and Smrajka) can be classified into the taxon Betula pubescens subsp. carpatica, which is new to the flora of Slovenia.
Abstract: UDC 582.632.1(234.323.6:497.4) Betula pubescens Ehrh. subsp. carpatica (Willd.) Ascherson & Graebner, a new taxon in the flora of the Julian Alps and Slovenia and its new association Rhododendro hirsuti-Betuletum carpaticae ass. nov. Based on most of its morphological characters the downy birch that grows in cold cirques in the altimontane-subalpine belt of the eastern Julian Alps (Pod Spikom, Za Akom, Beli potok and Smrajka) can be classified into the taxon Betula pubescens subsp. carpatica , which is new to the flora of Slovenia. The stands with Pinus mugo, Rhododendron hirsutum and Alnus viridis where it dominates in the tree layer were de scribed as a new association Rhododendro hirsuti-Betuletum carpaticae ass. nov. (alliance Pinion mugo , class Vaccinio-Pi ceetea ), which is a novelty among Alpine dwarf pine commu nities. Although they occupy small areas its stands have a sig nificant protective and biotope role, also as the site of rare and protected species such as Cypripedium calceolus and Listera cordata .
Aon1
TL;DR: At first, it is required to describe the current situation in Ghana, and the identification of stakeholders as well as corresponding and influencing factors, which have to be taken in consideration when planning a holistic m-Learning-model for Ghana.
Abstract: Education has become one of the biggest public enterprises in Ghana, taking about 11 percent of the GDP, enrolling about a quarter of the population in schools and other educational services (EDU 2011). The need for content, the demands of young people, requesting material for self-conducted learning, the lack of teachers, the small proportion of trained teachers and the lack of equipment in schools in rural areas are a huge challenge. The advancement of technology and high mobile penetration rates in developing countries has broadened the horizon of education. One possibility to overcome the problems is the application of the concept of mobile learning (called m-Learning). At first, it is required to describe the current situation in Ghana; this includes the identification of stakeholders as well as corresponding and influencing factors, which have to be taken in consideration when planning a holistic m-Learning-model for Ghana. MLearning implies inherently a chance in the didactical approach. In the next step, together with a group of teachers in Ghana, research will be done, aiming at the implementation of a sustainable m-Learning concept for secondary education. Integrating teachers in the first phase is a necessity, since it supports the development of a pedagogical concept, which is necessary for a change in pedagogical practice to integrate m-Learning in daily practice.