Methods: Two parallel series of patients who underwent volar locked plating of distal radial fractures from 2005 to 2008 and with at least six months of follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. Group 1 included seventy-three distal radial fractures that were treated by three orthopaedic hand surgeons with use of a single plate design at one institution, and Group 2 included ninety-five distal radial fractures that were treated by

four orthopaedic hand surgeons with use of a different plate design at another institution. On the postoperative lateral radiographs, a line was drawn tangential to the most volar extent of the volar rim, parallel to the volar cortical bone of the radial shaft. Plates that did not extend volar to this line were recorded as Grade 0. Plates volar to the line, but proximal PND-1186 nmr to the volar

GSK923295 datasheet rim, were recorded as Grade 1. Plates directly on or distal to the volar rim were recorded as Grade 2.

Results: In Group 1, the average duration of follow-up was thirteen months (range, six to forty-nine months). Three cases of flexor tendon rupture were identified among seventy-three plated radii (prevalence, 4%). Grade-2 plate prominence was found in two of the three cases with rupture and in forty-six cases (63%) overall. In Group 2, the average duration of follow-up was fifteen months (range, six to fifty-six months). There were no cases of flexor tendon rupture and no plates with Grade-2 prominence among ninety-five

plated radii.

Conclusions: Flexor tendon rupture after volar plating of the distal part of the radius is an infrequent but serious complication. The plate used in Group 1 is prominent at the watershed line of the distal part of the radius, which may increase the risk of tendon injury. We found no ruptures in Group 2, perhaps as a result of the lower profile MCC950 clinical trial of the plate. Further studies are needed before recommending one plate over another. Regardless of plate selection, surgeons should avoid implant prominence in this area.”
“High quality GaSb layers were grown on semi-insulating (001) GaAs substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy, using AlSb and GaSb buffer layers. We observed strong photoluminescence even for temperatures higher than 100 K. The photoluminescence intensity was significantly increased when AlSb/GaSb superlattices were grown on the GaSb layer. With increasing the excitation power, the ratio of the acceptor-bound exciton with respect to the donor-acceptor pair transition is increased due to the saturation of the donor-acceptor pair transitions. We also observed an abnormal increase in the intensity with increasing temperatures up to 100 K. This unusual behavior is attributed to the influence of deep centers.

(C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Semin Arthritis Rheum 41:178-186″
“BackgroundHuman rhinoviruses (HRVs) are a common cause of upper respiratory infection

(URI) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients; yet, their role in lower respiratory illness is not well understood.

MethodsWe performed a retrospective chart review of HSCT recipients with HRV infection from the time molecular detection methods were implemented at our institution in 2008. Factors associated with proven or possible HRV pneumonia at the first HRV detection were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. We then characterized all episodes of proven and possible HRV pneumonia from the initial HRV infection through a 1-year follow-up Selleckchem Galunisertib period.

ResultsBetween 2008 and

2011, 63 HSCT recipients had 1 documented HRV infections. At first HRV detection, SBI-0206965 ic50 36 (57%) patients had HRV URI and 27 (43%) had proven or possible HRV pneumonia; in multivariate analysis, hypoalbuminemia (odds ratio [OR] 9.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-71.7; P=0.03) and isolation of respiratory co-pathogen(s) (OR 24.2, 95% CI 2.0-288.4; P=0.01) were independently associated with pneumonia. During the study period, 22 patients had 25 episodes of proven HRV pneumonia. Fever (60%), cough (92%), sputum production (61%), and dyspnea (60%) were common symptoms. Fifteen (60%) episodes demonstrated bacterial (n=7), fungal (n=5), or viral (n=3) co-infection. Among the remaining 10 (40%) cases of HRV monoinfection, patients’ oxygen saturations ranged from 80% to 97% on ambient air, and computed tomography scans showed peribronchiolar, patchy, ground glass infiltrates.

ConclusionsHRV pneumonia is relatively common after HSCT and frequently accompanied by bacterial co-infection. As use of molecular assays for respiratory viral diagnosis becomes widespread, HRV will be increasingly recognized as a significant cause of pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts.”
“The purpose of this study was to investigate gender-associated differences

in quality of life in colorectal cancer click here patients and compare such differences to the general population.

Colorectal cancer patients attending three oncological centres in Austria were consecutively recruited and assessed with the EORTC QLQ-C30. For the purpose of comparison, a gender- and age-matched healthy control group was drawn from a representative sample of the Austrian general population.

About 206 patients (47.1% women; mean age 64.8 years) with colorectal cancer were included and compared with 206 persons from the general population. A two-way analysis of variance showed significant main effects (gender and colorectal cancer vs. healthy) for most EORTC QLQ-C30 scales, but a significant interaction effect was only found for diarrhea. This means that gender-associated differences specific for colorectal cancer patients were only found for diarrhea.

Epidural and spinal analgesia are two types of regional analgesia. With epidural analgesia, an indwelling catheter is directed into the epidural space,

and the patient receives a continuous infusion or multiple injections of local anesthetic. Spinal injections are usually single injections into the intrathecal space. A combination of epidural and spinal analgesia, known as a walking GDC-0994 epidural, also is available. This technique combines the rapid pain relief from the spinal regional block with the constant and consistent effects from the epidural block. It allows sufficient motor function for patients to ambulate. Complications with regional analgesia are uncommon, but may include postdural puncture headache. Rare serious complications include neurologic injury, epidural hematoma, or deep epidural infection. Regional analgesia increases the risk of instrument-assisted vaginal

delivery, and family physicians should understand the contraindications and risks of complications. Continuous labor support (e.g., doula), systemic opioid analgesia, pudendal blocks, water immersion, sterile water injections into the lumbosacral spine, self-taught hypnosis, and acupuncture are other options for pain management during labor. (Am Fam Physician. 2012;85(5):447-454. Copyright (C) 2012 American Academy of Family Physicians.)”
“Purpose: To evaluate differences in the serum concentrations of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) after retroperitoneal GSK1210151A laparoscopic and conventional open radical nephrectomies for localized renal-cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients and Methods: A total of 62 patients with stage T1N0M0 RCC were randomized Epigenetics inhibitor to either a retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy group

(n = 31) or an open group (n = 31). Serum levels of soluble cluster of differentiation 44 splice variant 6 (sCD44v6), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and soluble epithelial cadherin (sE-cadherin) were determined independently by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) preoperatively, and on postoperative days 1 and 5. In addition, follow-up results were compared.

Results: On postoperative day 1, sCD44v6, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 levels increased significantly compared with preoperative levels in both groups (P < 0.05). sE-cadherin levels decreased compared with preoperative levels in both groups without statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). sCD44v6 levels in the retro-laparoscopy group were significantly higher than in the open group (P < 0.05), while sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-cadherin levels showed no statistically significant differences between both groups (P > 0.05). On postoperative day 5, all parameters in both groups were similar to preoperative values (P > 0.05). Follow-up ranged from 7 to 18 months postoperatively in all 62 patients, with a 100% cancer-specific survival rate in each group.

Results: The bipolar depression group showed significantly higher scores or positive findings in five variables of the PKC412 in vivo Rorschach test, ie, WSum6, DR2 > 0, (CF + C) > FC + 2, PureC > 1, and Populars > 7, as assessed using the Comprehensive System, than did the unipolar depression group and healthy controls. These scores did not differ between the unipolar depression and control groups.

Conclusion: The results of this study show thought disorder or

cognitive slippage and marked laxness in modulating emotion in bipolar depression, indicating the psychopathological characteristics of bipolar disorder.”
“Objective: Results from studies examining subjective cognitive dysfunctioning (SCD) in breast cancer (BC) patients are unclear. Therefore, this review examined (i) the prevalence of SCD, (ii) the differences between (treatment) groups in SCD, (iii) the course of SCD, (iv) the relationship of SCD with psychological factors, and (v) the relationship between SCD and objective cognitive dysfunctioning (OCD).

Methods: Through a systematic literature search, we identified 27 studies concerning SCD in BC patients. The methodological quality of these studies was examined according to predefined criteria. The methodological limitations and heterogeneity

across studies were taken into account.

Results: Eight studies were graded of high, 12 of moderate, and seven of low quality. Twenty-one to 90% of the patients reported SCD. The comparison between different

(treatment) groups, at different time points of the cancer trajectory, rendered TPX-0005 inconclusive evidence regarding the relation of SCD to the cancer itself, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. SCD and OCD were unrelated, but SCD was associated with psychological distress, fatigue, and health status.

Conclusions: SCD does exist in BC patients, but it remains unclear if this is more commonly found in BC patients than in the general population. It is inconclusive if SCD is developed post-treatment or already exists pretreatment. Since there is a relationship between SCD and anxiety and depression, SCD may be more indicative of emotional distress instead LY2603618 chemical structure of OCD. Attention toward SCD in future research is warranted in order to draw valid conclusions regarding SCD in BC patients. Copyright (C) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“Effector-triggered immunity provides plants with strong protection from pathogens. However, this response has the potential to be highly deleterious to the host and needs to be tightly controlled. The molecular mechanisms in the plant that regulate the balance between activation and suppression of resistance are not fully understood. Previously, we identified Arabidopsis suppressor of rps4-RLD 1 (srfr1) mutants with enhanced resistance to the bacterial effector AvrRps4.

Furthermore, we argue that this type of behavior is merely a geometric effect stemming from low aspect ratio for the considered structures as a converging type of behavior is found when the aspect ratios fall between 15 and 20. Finally, we have

found that classical Timoshenko beam theory that neglects nanoscale surface effects is able to, simply through utilization of the size dependent Young’s modulus, capture the dynamic properties of the gold nanowires as calculated through MD. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3510584]“
“Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a genetically determined common subtype of idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Linkage of JME to the chromosomal region 6p21.3 has been reported. An association has been previously observed between Sotrastaurin ic50 JME and the positional candidate, 6p21.3 linked, BRD2. Another candidate in this region is the TAP-1 gene encoding the Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing. The aim of the present study is to determine whether these two genes modulate the vulnerability to JME. While no difference was observed in the allele and genotype frequencies of BRD2 between JME and controls, an association was found between a

TAP-1 haplotype and JME, suggesting that this gene may be another 6p21.3 linked vulnerability factor to JME.”
“Continuing with the work published AG-014699 order previously (Escribano et al., J Appl Polym Sci 2004, 93, 2394; Escribano et al., J Appl Polym Sci 2006, 102, 13) this article BMS-345541 price shows the final part of the characterization of the films object of our study, containing hydrogenated poly(butadiene-styrene)

block copolymer, ethylene-propylene terpolymer, and a third component, polypropylene, polystyrene or silica, crosslinked with peroxides and heterogeneously sulfonated. Water uptake and methanol crossover were determined, and the results were compared with those of Nafion prepared by casting. A complete Membrane electrode Assembly was tested in a single cell obtaining the polarization and power curves at different temperatures and pressures, and modeling it by an electrical equivalent circuit in the symmetrical mode configuration using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. This study offers a physical interpretation relating physical parameters to several processes occurring in the system. Methanol crossover is lower than in Nafion, and power density values are in some cases higher than in Nafion. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 2386-2392, 2011″
“We study heat dissipation from a (10,10) carbon nanotube (CNT) to a SiO2 substrate using equilibrium and nonequilibrium classical molecular dynamics. The CNT-substrate thermal boundary conductance is computed both from the relaxation time of the CNT-substrate temperature difference, and from the time autocorrelation function of the interfacial heat flux at equilibrium (Green-Kubo relation).

62 mu mol/l). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that SAA at the doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg significantly decreased sEH protein expression in hippocampus CA1 region of MCAO rats. In conclusion, cerebral protection of SAA is mediated, at least in part, via inhibiting sEH to increase EETs levels.”
“Contents Glucocorticoids (GCs) as mediators of the stress response may affect Leydig cell function by inhibiting Selleck Cilengitide either luteinizing hormone receptor expression or testosterone biosynthesis. The isozymes 11-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11HSD) 1 and 11HSD2 control the intracellular cortisol levels. Little is known about the effects of stress on fertility in the equine. The objective of the present study

was to determine the presence and cellular localization of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) and glucocorticoid-metabolizing enzymes (11HSD1 and 11HSD2) in equine epididymal and testicular tissue with special regard to sexual maturation. Testicular and epididymal tissue was collected from 21 healthy stallions, and four age groups were designed: pre-pubertal, young, mature and older horses. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were

used. Pre-pubertal horses showed higher testicular gene expression LY294002 PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor of 11HSD1, 11HSD2 and GCR than horses of all other groups (p< 0.05). A positive intranuclear immunoreaction for GCR was seen in epithelial cells of caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis and in Leydig cells. Significant differences (p<0.05) between age groups occurred. The number of Leydig cells staining positive for GCR was highest in immature stallions (p<0.05). The enzyme 11HSD1 was localized in epithelial cells of the caput and BEZ235 inhibitor corpus epididymidis and in Leydig cells. As determined by enzyme assay, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependant dehydrogenase (oxidation) activity was not detected in testicular tissue from immature stallions but in all other age groups (n=3 per group). Results of this study suggest a contribution of GCs to maturation of male reproductive

tissue in horses. In mature stallions, expression of 11HSD enzymes and the oxidative 11HSD activity in Leydig cells and epididymal basal and principal cells suggest a protective role on these tissues contributing to physiological intracellular glucocorticoid concentrations.”
“In the present study, we investigated antimicrobial activity of Glycyrrhiza uralensis against various strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (KCCM 11812, 40510, 40512). Glycyrrhiza uralensis was extracted by 80% MeOH and fractionated by organic solutions. The extract and fractions showed antimicrobial activity against standard S. aureus as well as MRSA. In the minimum inhibitory concentration test, G. uralensis showed 0.25 mg mL-1 in hexane fraction and 0.10-0.12 mg mL-1 in chloroform fraction.

No differences in the qualitative composition of the Subunits of Complex I and supercomplex I + III(2) between MSC16 and WT mitochondria were observed. In MSC16 mitochondria Complex I impairment could be compensated to some extent by additional respiratory

chain NADH dehydrogenases. A higher capacity and level of NDB-1 protein of external NADH dehydrogenase was observed in MSC16 leaf and root mitochondria as compared to WT. The level of COX II, mitochondrial-encoded AZD8186 solubility dmso Subunit of Complex IV, was higher in MSC16 leaf and root mitochondria. However, the capacity of Complex IV was slightly higher only in MSC16 leaf mitochondria. The levels of complexes: III(2) and V and Complex V capacity did not differ in mitochondria between genotypes. Air abundance of

the subunits of respiratory complexes is one of the key factors determining not Only their Structure and functional stability but also a formation of the supercomplexes. We discuss here mitochondrial genome rearrangements in MSC16 mutant in a relation to assembly and/or stability (the lower level and capacity) of Complex I and supercomplex I + III(2). (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“Background: Development and deployment of an effective malaria vaccine would complement existing malaria control measures. A blood stage malaria vaccine candidate, Merozoite Surface Protein-3 (MSP3), produced as a long synthetic

peptide, has been shown to be safe in non-immune and semi-immune adults. A phase lb dose-escalating study was conducted to assess the vaccine’s safety and immunogenicity in children Selleckchem GS-9973 aged 12 to 24 months in Korogwe, Tanzania (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00469651).

Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, dose escalation phase lb trial, in which children were given one of two different doses of the MSP3 antigen (15 mu g or 30 mu g) or a control vaccine (Engerix B). Children were randomly allocated either to the MSP3 candidate malaria vaccine or the control vaccine administered at a schedule of 0, 1, and 2 months. Immunization with lower and higher selleck doses was staggered for safety reasons starting with the lower dose. The primary endpoint was safety and reactogenicity within 28 days post-vaccination. Blood samples were obtained at different time points to measure immunological responses. Results are presented up to 84 days post-vaccination.

Results: A total of 45 children were enrolled, 15 in each of the two MSP3 dose groups and 15 in the Engerix B group. There were no important differences in reactogenicity between the two MSP3 groups and Engerix B. Grade 3 adverse events were infrequent; only five were detected throughout the study, all of which were transient and resolved without sequelae. No serious adverse event reported was considered to be related to MSP3 vaccine.

This is a retrospective review of 1,644 LAGBs performed between 2008 and 2010. A total of 756 were performed as SILS bands (46 %) and 888 as standard (non-SILS) (54 click here %). Data points compared include operative time, percent of excess weight loss at 1 and 2 years, complication, and re-operation rates.

Groups were matched by age, initial BMI, and gender: 584 non-SILS and 710 SILS patients. The average operating time was 44.3 +/- 19.6 min for SILS and 51.1 +/- 19.4 min for non-SILS (p < 0.001). The 12-month percent excess weight loss (%EWL) for SILS was 45.0 +/- 19.1; it was 40.7 +/- 17.5 for non-SILS (p = 0.003). The 24 month %EWL for SILS was 54.4 +/-

16.3; it was 46.4 +/- 16.1 for non-SILS (p = 0.10). Complication rates were 5.6 % (40 of 710) for SILS and 4.5 % (26 of 584) for non-SILS (p = 0.34). The 30-day readmission/re-operation rates are 1 % (seven of 710) for SILS and 1.5 % (nine of 584) for non-SILS (p = 0.37). There was one death in the SILS group.

We have been performing more SILS bands over time. Our operative times and weight loss figures show that it is an efficient and effective means of weight loss. Furthermore, the data also show that the SILS approach is safe and does not increase operative time. In conclusion, SILS laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

is a safe and effective means of attaining weight loss in selected patients.”
“Purpose: To explore the feasibility of using 3T high-resolution MR lymphangiography to characterize inguinal lymphatic vessel leakage (LVL).

Materials and methods: Sixteen patients with known GDC-0994 inguinal LVL underwent 3T MR lymphangiography and T-2-weighted imaging. The presence or absence of inguinal LVL and the responsible lymphatic vessels

were determined using the above imaging modalities and confirmed by surgical procedure. Afterwards, fifteen patients with recurring LVL following conservative treatment were referred to surgical intervention.

Results: Specific inguinal LVL enhancement patterns and leaking lymphatic vessels GSK1210151A were detected in 15 of 16 patients. Compared to the SNR of enhanced lymph nodes, that of the enhanced LVL was significantly greater (t = 7.149, p < 0.01), thereby making it possible to differentiate between LVL sites and enhancing inguinal lymph nodes. Furthermore, the steepest contrast enhancement curve slope of enhanced LVL was lower than that of enhanced lymph nodes (t = -2.860, p = 0.02). After MR diagnosis, 15 patients successfully underwent open exploration and ligation of the leaking lymphatic vessel. Clinical follow-up did not demonstrate recurrence of lymphatic fluid in the groin.

Conclusions: High-resolution MR lymphangiography combined with T-2-weighted imaging is a promising approach to identifying specific features of lymphatic vessel leakage in the groin. (C) 2011 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[doi:10.1063/1.3437655]“
“Debates over the status of the tree of life (TOL) often proceed without agreement as to what it is supposed to be: a hierarchical classification scheme, a tracing of genomic and organismal history or a hypothesis about evolutionary processes and the patterns they can generate. I will argue that for Darwin it was a hypothesis, which lateral gene transfer in prokaryotes

now shows to be false. I will propose a more general and relaxed evolutionary theory and point out why anti-evolutionists should take no comfort from disproof of the TOL hypothesis.”
“Biliary complications after liver transplantation remain a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. Direct invasive cholangiographic techniques, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), have procedure-related complications. S63845 cost Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is non-invasive, safe, and accurate. The aim of this study was to evaluate MRCP in detecting biliary complications following liver transplantation and comparing findings with ERCP and PTC. Twenty-seven consecutive liver transplant recipients who presented with clinical and biochemical, ultrasonographic, or histological evidence of biliary complications were evaluated with MRCP. Patients were followed up for a median period of 36 months. The presence of a biliary complication

was confirmed in 18 patients (66.6%): anastomotic biliary stricture in 12 (66.6%); diffuse intrahepatic biliary stricture in selleck kinase inhibitor 5 (27.7%): ischemic (n = 3), recurrence

of primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 2), and choledocholithiasis in one. In nine patients (33.3%), MRCP was normal. Six patients underwent ERCP, and eight PTC. There was a statistically significant correlation between the MRCP and both ERCP and PTC (p = 0.01) findings. The sensitivity and specificity of the MRCP were 94.4% and 88.9%, respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values, 94.4% and 89.9%, respectively. MRCP is an accurate imaging tool for the assessment of biliary complications after liver transplantation. We recommend that MRCP be the diagnostic imaging modality of choice in this selleck setting, reserving direct cholangiography for therapeutic procedures.”
“Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of perceived health problems after cancer on perceived physical and mental functioning among adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer in Korea.

Method: Participants were 225 cancer survivors who were diagnosed before the age of 19, are currently between 15 and 39 years old, and had completed cancer treatment. Each participant completed structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyses, independent sample t-tests, and multivariate linear regression analyses.

Results: A majority (73.1%) of the Korean AYA cancer survivors reported at least one health problem.

A total of 44 % of patients showed translation at the osteotomy indicating acute surgery with instrumentation twice after osteotomy closure, three patients had a revision posterior decompression and instrumented fusion for sequels related to translation.

With the non-instrumented HTC-based technique, average CBVA correction of 25A degrees was achieved and all patients were ambulatory at follow-up. However, regarding translation at the osteotomy, loss of correction, morbidity of the HTC and lack of control

at the osteotomy instrumentation-based correction and instrumented fusion seem to be preferable.”
“This study was designed to find more examine the in vitro antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of Satureja macrosiphonia in pre-flowering and flowering stages. GC and GC-MS analyses of the essential oils resulted in the identification of 35 and 24 compounds, representing the 95.1% and 92.6% of the oils, respectively. Major constituents of the oil of the pre-flowering stage were terpinene-4-ol (20.8%) and -terpineol (14.7%), while in the oil of the flowering stage -terpineol (26.7%) and borneol (16.6%) were found to be the main components. The samples were subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and -carotene-linoleic acid assay. In general, the polar subfraction of methanol extract in the

flowering stage exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity in the DPPH test. In the -carotene-linoleic acid test, the essential oil of the flowering stage had the highest antioxidant activities.”
“The diagnosis of lumbar intraforaminal and extraforaminal stenosis Selleck P005091 (lumbar foraminal stenosis) is sometimes difficult. However, sensory nerve action potential

(SNAP) decreases in amplitude when the lesion is at or distal to the dorsal root ganglion. Therefore, the amplitude of SNAP with lumbar foraminal stenosis should be decreased. In this cohort study, the usefulness of SNAP for the preoperative diagnosis of L5/S foraminal stenosis was assessed.

In 63 patients undergoing unilateral L5 radiculopathy, bilateral SNAPs were recorded for the superficial peroneal nerve (L5 origin). The patients were divided see more into two groups according to the results of imaging examinations. Group A (37 patients) included patients whose lesion was located only at the intraspinal canal. In group B (26 patients), the lesion was located only at the intra- or extraforaminal area. All patients received surgery and the symptoms were diminished. The ratios of the amplitudes of SNAPs on the affected side to that on the unaffected side were compared between groups A and B.

SNAPs could not be elicited bilaterally in four patients. The amplitude ratio for group B (median 0.42, max 1.17, min 0) was significantly lower than that in group A (median 0.85, max 1.43, min 0) (p < 0.001 by Mann-Whitney U test). Using a cut-off value of 0.