Exploring complications following cranioplasty after decompressive hemicraniectomy: A retrospective bicenter assessment of autologous, PMMA and CAD implants.

Cranioplasty (CP) after decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) is a common neurosurgical procedure with a high complication rate. The best material for the repair of large cranial defects is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate different implant materials regarding surgery related complications after CP. Type of materials include the autologous bone flap (ABF), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), calcium phosphate reinforced with titanium mesh (CaP-Ti), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and hydroxyapatite (HA). A retrospective, descriptive, observational bicenter study was performed, medical data of all patients who underwent CP after DHC between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2022 were analyzed. Follow-up was until December 31st, 2023. 139 consecutive patients with a median age of 54 years who received either PMMA (56/139; 40.3%), PEEK (35/139; 25.2%), CaP-Ti (21/139; 15.1%), ABF (25/139; 18.0%) or HA (2/139; 1.4%) cranial implant after DHC were included in the study. Median time from DHC to CP was 117 days and median follow-up period was 43 months. Surgical site infection was the most frequent surgery-related complication (13.7%; 19/139). PEEK implants were mostly affected (28.6%; 10/35), followed by ABF (20%; 5/25), CaP-Ti implants (9.5%; 2/21) and PMMA implants (1.7%, 1/56). Explantation was necessary for 9 PEEK implants (25.7%; 9/35), 6 ABFs (24.0%; 6/25), 3 CaP-Ti implants (14.3%; 3/21) and 4 PMMA implants (7.1%; 4/56). Besides infection, a postoperative hematoma was the most common cause. Median surgical time was 106 min, neither longer surgical time nor use of anticoagulation were significantly related to higher infection rates (p = 0.547; p = 0.152 respectively). Ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation prior to CP was noted in 33.8% (47/139) and not significantly associated with surgical related complications. Perioperative lumbar drainage, due to bulging brain, inserted in 38 patients (27.3%; 38/139) before surgery was protective when it comes to explantation of the implant (p = 0.035). Based on our results, CP is still related to a relatively high number of infections and further complications. Implant material seems to have a high effect on postoperative infections, since surgical time, anticoagulation therapy and hydrocephalus did not show a statistically significant effect on postoperative complications in this study. PEEK implants and ABFs seem to possess higher risk of postoperative infection. More biocompatible implants such as CaP-Ti might be beneficial. Further, prospective studies are necessary to answer this question.

SEIS: Insight's Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure of Mars.

By the end of 2018, 42 years after the landing of the two Viking seismometers on Mars, InSight will deploy onto Mars' surface the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure) instrument; a six-axes seismometer equipped with both a long-period three-axes Very Broad Band (VBB) instrument and a three-axes short-period (SP) instrument. These six sensors will cover a broad range of the seismic bandwidth, from 0.01 Hz to 50 Hz, with possible extension to longer periods. Data will be transmitted in the form of three continuous VBB components at 2 sample per second (sps), an estimation of the short period energy content from the SP at 1 sps and a continuous compound VBB/SP vertical axis at 10 sps. The continuous streams will be augmented by requested event data with sample rates from 20 to 100 sps. SEIS will improve upon the existing resolution of Viking's Mars seismic monitoring by a factor of ∼ 2500 at 1 Hz and ∼ 200 000 at 0.1 Hz. An additional major improvement is that, contrary to Viking, the seismometers will be deployed via a robotic arm directly onto Mars' surface and will be protected against temperature and wind by highly efficient thermal and wind shielding. Based on existing knowledge of Mars, it is reasonable to infer a moment magnitude detection threshold of M w ∼ 3 at 40 ∘ epicentral distance and a potential to detect several tens of quakes and about five impacts per year. In this paper, we first describe the science goals of the experiment and the rationale used to define its requirements. We then provide a detailed description of the hardware, from the sensors to the deployment system and associated performance, including transfer functions of the seismic sensors and temperature sensors. We conclude by describing the experiment ground segment, including data processing services, outreach and education networks and provide a description of the format to be used for future data distribution. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s11214-018-0574-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In situ cleaning of instruments for the sensitive detection of organics on Mars.

A method is presented for in situ cleaning of spacecraft instruments that analyze planetary soil and rock. We have found that vibrating hardware, used to facilitate powder transport, was also effective at removing contamination. Surfaces can be cleaned below monolayer levels using vibrating surfaces in the presence of mineral powder. Both organic and particulate contamination is efficiently removed. Fine grained regolith from the planetary surface or an organic free reference material may serve as the powder used for cleaning. We present both analytical and experimental results for the contamination transfer fraction and the conditions required to clean the hardware prior to sensitive chemical analysis.

Can a participatory approach contribute to food chain risk analysis?

We consider food chain risks and specifically address stakeholder participation in the risk analysis process. We combine social and natural science perspectives to explore the participation process in relation to food risks and, in particular, to consider how some specific participation processes might be scientifically evaluated and how stakeholder participation in general might be incorporated into food risk decision making. We have built considerations based on three large integrative case studies that examine aspects of participatory processes. Here we use the case studies collectively to illustrate observations and beliefs concerning the nature of the interaction of stakeholders with established quantitative risk methodologies. This account is not supported by any large volume of analysis. The views in the report are expressed in relation to an accepted risk analysis framework and also with respect to probabilistic modeling of risks and are illustrated where possible with anecdotal reports of actual case study events.

[Frontotemporal dementia in association with a family history of dementia and ApoE polymorphism]. / Frontotemporale Demenz im Zusammenhang mit Familienanamnese Demenz und ApoE-Genotyp.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and a family history of dementia in 1st- and 2nd-degree relatives of patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with a dementia onset by age 70. METHODS: The study included 494 dementia patients (73 FTD patients) and 82 cognitively normal spousal control subjects. Neuropsychiatric examination, Consortium To Establish a Registry on Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) testing, the clock-drawing test, and ApoE genotyping were performed in patients and controls. All patients were examined by magnetic resonance imaging. FTD patients fulfilled the Lund-Manchester criteria. RESULTS: All controls had normal Mini Mental State exam (MMSE > or =27). 28 of the 82 spousal controls were excluded because CERAD test results were consistent with the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or the CERAD was incomplete. The remaining 54 spousal controls had CERAD test results with z-scores >/= -1.5. The number of dementia patients with FTD was 73. Apo epsilon4 homozygosity was found in 13.6% of the FTD patients. None of the spousal controls was homozygous for the Apo epsilon4 genotype (p=0.005). A positive family history of dementia was lowest among cognitively normal spousal controls (9.3%). It rose to 35.6% for FTD patients and was highest among Apo epsilon4 homozygous FTD patients (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Apo epsilon4 homozygosity is associated with a family history of dementia and FTD in our cohort if the current clinical criteria are employed. It is likely that autopsy might reveal amyloid beta deposits typical for Alzheimer's disease among the Apo epsilon4 homozygous patients with frontotemporal clinical presentation and neuroimaging consistent with FTD. Apo epsilon4 homozygosity has not yet been defined as an exclusion criterion for the diagnosis of FTD. In the future, a revision of the clinical criteria should consider the ApoE genotype.

[Adsorption of antigens K88 and K99 on aluminum hydroxide gel]. / Adsorbtsiia na antigeni K 88 i K 99 vurkhu aluminiev khidrookis-gel.

Studied was the effect of the pH value of the medium, of the concentration of the antigen and the adsorbent on the adsorption of K 88 and K 99 on aluminium hydroxide-gel. Use was made of strains O 45:K 88 and O 14:K 99. The optimal parameters of pH and the concentration of aluminium oxide as well as of aluminium hydroxide-gel as an adjuvant, substantiating the maximum adsorption capacity of the latter with regard to the two Escherichia coli antigens used. Established was the maximum amount of the antigens which could be adsorbed by as much as 1 cm3 of aluminium hydroxide-gel. According to the authors such amount could serve to indicate the way how to produce effective preparations to be deposited with the two-antigen adjuvant.

[Isolation of Escherichia coli O 157 from pigs with diarrhea]. / Izolirane na Escherchia coli O 157 ot praseta s diariia.

Biochemical and serologic studies were carried out with Escherichia coli strains isolated from pigs affected with diarrhea. A total of 161 were investigated, 13 (8.01 per cent) of which were found to belong to serogroup O 157. Almost all strains proved beta-hemolytic, enterotoxigenic, and K 88-positive. The strains of this serogroup were found for the first time in this country in swine colibacteriosis.

Attempts for replacement of asparagine in Sauton's medium by some organic acids in the production of PPD-tuberculins.

In the process of obtaining PPD-tuberculins we studied some carbonic acids thus replacing asparagine with them in the original medium of Sauton. The following carbonic acids were used: dibasic saturated carbonic acids--oxalic, malonic and succinic; dibasic non-satured carbonic acids--maleic and fumaric; the dibasic oxycarbonic acid--tartaric. Each of the above mentioned acids was in a concentration equivalent to that of the asparagine in the original Sauton's medium. The tuberculins were obtained through the precipitation of the filtrate of killed liquid cultures by trichloracetic acid. The bovine and avian PPD-tuberculins so obtained with the different carbonic acids were assayed on sensitized guinea pigs and hens together with standard tuberculins. The results obtained from the application of the PPD-tuberculins of carbonic acids are almost identical with the ones of the standard PPD-tuberculins. The experimental and standard bovine PPD-tuberculins used contain 50,000 ISU in 1 ml and the avian experimental and standard PPD-tuberculins contain 25,000 ISU in 1 ml. The results obtained give us reason to consider that some of the above mentioned carbonic acids could be used for the production of PPD-tuberculins.

[Experiments to replace asparagine in Sauton's medium with organic acids in producing PPD tuberculins]. / Opiti za zamiana na asparagina v sredata na Soton s niakoi organichni kiselini pri poluchavane na PPD-tuberkulini.

Studied were some carbonic acids to replace asparagine in Soton's original medium in the production of PPD-tuberculins. Used were the following carbonic acids: (a) dicarboxylic saturated--oxalic, malonic, and amber acid; (b) dicarboxylic unsaturated--maleic and fumaric; and (c) dibasic oxicarbonic acids--malic and tartaric. Each of these acids participated in an equal amount as that of asparagine in replacing it in Soton's medium. Two strains were used in the experiments--AN5 and D4. Tuberculins were obtained through precipitating a filtrated material of cultures killed with trichloracetic acid. The tuberculins produced (bovine and avian PPD types) with the use of the various carbonic acids were tested on sensibilized guinea pigs and chickens parallel to the testing of standard tuberculins. The results obtained with the use of carbonic PPD-tuberculins were almost identical to those obtained with the use of standard PPD-tuberculins. The positive results make it reasonable to believe that some of the carbonic acids mentioned above may well be used in the production of PPD-tuberculins.

[Immunochemical studies of antigen K 88 from E. coli strains isolated from pigs]. / Imunokhimichni prouchvaniia na antigen K 88 ot shtamove E. coli, izolirani ot praseta.

Experiments were carried out to isolate, purify, and concentrate the K 88 antigen of Escherichia coli organisms. Employed were two purification methods --isoelectric precipitation, and immunoadsorption. The content of protein and carbohydrates was determined. The amino acid analysis revealed that the antigen contained 17 amino acids, mostly represented being asparagic acid, glutamic acid, and alanine. It was found that antigen K 88 obtained by the two methods was purified up to the state of homogeneity: in electrophoresis a band strip was produced, and in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis the antigen produced a precipitation arc against the homologous complete antiserum. In the elimination of K 88 in DEAE-Sefadex A-50 one peak only was present. The purified K 88 antigen was shown to possess good immunogenic properties. Sera obtained after hyperimmunization were with titres ranging from 1:640 to 1:1280, and they produced agglutination only with strains containing antigen K 88.

[Serological response and resistance to Newcastle disease in vaccinated poultry]. / Prouchvane serologichniia otgovor i ustoichivostta sreshtu psevdochuma na vaksinirani ptitsi.

Studies was the titer of antihemagglutinins of a total of 3263 serum samples taken from birds routinely vaccinated against Newcastle disease, originating from various poultry farms of the country. Chosen were 139 birds in which a weak serologic response was established through spray, aerosol, and injectable live vaccines (strain La Sota, Komarov). These birds were challenged by intramuscular application of 10(6) ELD50/bird of a velogenic viscerotropic virus of ND. High specific resistance was established in the various groups of birds regardless of the low level of serum antihemagglutinins. In all such cases individual birds of the flock responded after vaccination with a high titer of serum antibodies, so the application of an active vaccine was indicated.

[Isolation of an agglutinating anti-E. coli K 88+ serum]. / Poluchavane na aglutinirasht anti E. coli K 88+ serum.

An agglutinating anti-K 88+ serum was obtained through immunizing rabbits with geometrically rising amounts of cell-free K 88 antigenic extraction. Use was made of bacterial suspensions cultured in Minka agar and homogenized at 8000 r. p. m. to remove the K 88 pili. The cell depot was removed by centrifugation at 15 000 r. p. m., and the protein in the supernatant was determined by the method of Kingsey. The titer of the K88 serum was within the 1:320-1:640 range. The specificity and activity of the serum was evaluated by the hemagglutination test, immunoelectrophoresis, and immunodiffusion. The serum is highly specific and yields positive agglutination results with all K 88+ Escherichia coli strains. It does not react with antigen - K 88-negative E. coli organisms as well as with the O antigen of the investigated strains.

[Demonstration of enteropathogenic E. coli isolated from calves by a test with juvenile mice]. / Dokazvane na enteropatogenni E. coli, izolirani ot teleta chrez testa s infantilni mishki.

The test with infantile mice was used to determine the enteropathogenicity of 272 Escherichia coli strains isolated from coli-bacteriosis-affected and dead calves. Forty-three (15.8 per cent) of the strains were found to be enteropathogenic. The results were confirmed through the study of the strains with the use of ligated intestinal segments. The results obtained with the two methods were positively correlated. The test with infantile mice was rapid and readily applicable in the routinely used technique for the demonstration of enteropathogenic E. coli organisms producing a thermostable enterotoxin. It was also established that heating at 80 degrees C for 30 min did not destroy the enterotoxic activity in 33.3 per cent of the strains. The full elimination of the enterotoxic activity produced by E. coli could be achieved through autoclaving at 120 degrees C for 30 minutes. The results from the heat experiments made it reasonable to believe that the thermostable enterotoxin, produced by bovid E. coli organisms, presents molecular heterogeneity.

[Enteropathogenicity of E. coli strains isolated from calves]. / Enteropatogennost na shtamove E. coli, izolirani ot teleta.

By applying the technique of ligated intestinal segments, comparative studies were carried out on the enteropathogenic character of E. coli eliminated from calves. In was proved that the anatomic-topographic position of ligated intestinal segments, as well as the quantity of the innoculated bacterial suspension, exercise an influence on the intensity of intestinal reaction. The first 2.5 m and the last 4 m of the thin intestines are inappropriate for the investigation because of the spurious reactions that take place in them. In was proved that the intestinal reaction was more pronounced in the front ofa the thin intestines in comparison with that in the pack part. Canamicin and hyperimmune K 99 antiserum, applied intramuscularly and subcutaneously, did not exercise any special influence on the enteropathogenic activity of E. coli strains. It is recommended that the antibiotics and the serum should be applied orally for the neutralization of EEC in the digestive tract.

[Characteristics of the E. coli strains isolated from calves]. / Kharakteristika na shtamove E. coli, izolirani ot teleta.

A study was carried out on E. coli strains eliminated in the Pleven District. It was proved that 19.4% of the strains were enteropathogenic. The enteropathogenic E. coli provoked dilatation of the ligated intestinal segments. All enteropathogenic E. coli proved positive for K 99 antigen. For the non-enteropathogenic E. coli K 99 antigen was not proved. The enteropathogenic E. coli strains referred to the serotypes O 101, O 8, O 9 and O 11, whereas the non-enteropathogenic ones referred to the serotypes O 78, O 35, O 117, O 26, O 111 and O 86. The strains under consideration were not haemolytic. The prevailing part were sensitive to kanamycin, ampicillin, spectam, medium sensitive to streptomycin and slightly sensitive to furazolin and erythran. No differences were proved with regard to sensitivity both of enteropathogenic and nonenteropathogenic E. coli strains to antibiotics.

[Demonstration of enteropathogenic E. coli by the ligated intestinal segment technic]. / Dokazvane na enteropatogenni E. coli posredstvom tekhnikata na ligirani chrevni segmenti.

Through the implementation of the technique of ligated intestinal segments with established the enteropathogenic character of strains E. coli, isolated from calves by means of enteritis. The enteropathogenic E. coli provoked dilatation of the ligated intestinal segments on the basis of the enterotoxin produced by them, whereas in the case of the non-enteropathogenic ones such a reaction was not observed. The dilated intestinal segments were filled with an exudate of watery consistency under pressure and an edema of the mucosis and mesentery was observed. The strain investigated is determined as enteropathogenic or not if it causes dilatation of the ligated intestinal segment in two of the calves tested. Out of the 272 E. coli strains only 43/15.8% proved to be enteropathogenic. The enteropathogenic E. coli refer most frequently to serotypes 08,0101 and 09.

[Isolation of a specific agglutinating serum K 99]. / Prouchvane na spetsifichen aglutinirasht serum K 99.

A specific agglutinative and absorbed K 99 antiserum was produced and also the presence of the antigen K 99 was proved in strains E. coli, isolated from calves. It was proved that out of 272 strains E. coli 46/16.9% are positive for antigen K 99. It was also found out that 95.3% of the enteropathogenic and 2.1% of the non-enteropathogenic E. coli contain the antigen K 99. The antigen K 99 is produced at a temperature of 37 degrees C and not at 18 degrees C and is unstable as regards temperature.

[Experiments to establish the most suitable method for the production and control of conjugated sera]. / Opiti za ustanoviavane na nai-podkhodiasht metod za proizvodstvo i kontrol na koniugirani serumi.

Studies aiming to establish the most suitable method for conjugated serum production and control were carried out. Results obtained indicate that purest globulin fractions are obtained in case the serum is precipitated by 50% saturation with (NH4)2.SO4, then the sediment is washed with 50% (NH4)2SO4, dissolved in water and precipitated again by 50% saturation with (NH4)2SO4. Conjugated titer is highest when conjugation is performed at a 4:100 FITC (fluorescin-iso-thio-cyanate):protein ratio. The produced conjugated serums are specific and are release with a working titer not lower that 1:4.

[Sporulation of anthrax bacilli]. / Prouchvaniia vurkhu sporuliraneto pri antraksniia batsil.

Studies on Bac. antharcis sporulation were carried out. By modifying the medium of Kim et al., it was proven that 10 out of the 13 Bac. antharcis strains studied sporulated until the 72d h more than 99%. The remaining 3 strains sporulated more slowly. It was established that the nutrient medium could not ensure optimal sporulation conditions for all strains. The fact that the capsuleless vaccine "Ihtiman" sporulates 100% at the 24th to the 48th h is of considerable importance. The cultivation of this strain on synthetic medium does not change its immunogenic properties. No reversion to its primary state of virulence was observed.

[Hemagglutinating activity and morphology of antigen K 99 in enterotoxic strains of E. coli isolated from calves]. / Prouchvaniia vurkhu khemaglutinatsionnata aktivnost i morfologiia na antigen K 99 u enterotoksichni shtamove E. coli, izolirani ot teleta.

The hemagglutination activity and morphology of antigen K 99 in enterotoxic E. coli strains isolated from calves was studied. It was proven that antigen K 99 is produced not at 18 degrees C, but at 37 degrees C. All K 99+ E. coli strains react with absorbed anti K 99 serum, showing various anti-agglutination titers. The hemagglutination activity of K 99+ E. coli strains is inhibited by absorbed K 99 antiserum. In immunodiffuse tests all K 99+ E. coli strains react by producing a single precipitation line. It is proven electronmicroscopically that on the surface of the bacterial cell of K 99+ E. coli strains is observed a filamentous structure, consisting of numerous fine fibers which give it a fibriform outlook. No such morphological structures are observed in K 99- E. coli strains.