Posterolateral plate fixation with Talarlock® is more stable than screw fixation in ankle arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies report on limitations of the screw arthrodesis in severe malalignment of the hindfoot, neuropathic deformity, poor bone quality and osteoporosis. METHODS: Fourteen anatomically correct polyurethane foam models of the right leg (Sawbones Europe, Malmö, Sweden) and eighteen fresh-frozen human lower leg specimens (9 pairs) were used for the comparative biomechanical testing. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of the stiffness of the fixation developed a significant difference in favor of the plate in all test directions. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent biomechanical results are very promising and we hope for a reduction of the pseudarthrosis rate and shorten the postoperative treatment phase.

Extrarenal Manifestations in Shigatoxin-associated Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Shigatoxin-associated haemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is the most frequent cause of acute kidney injury in children worldwide. Extrarenal manifestations are the main determinants for both, short- and long-term prognosis of patients with STEC-HUS. PATIENTS: 46 patients treated over the last 10 years for STEC-HUS in a single center. METHODS: This retrospective study analysed the incidence and outcome of extrarenal manifestations in our cohort of children with STEC-HUS. Risk factors for extrarenal involvement and adverse outcome were assessed by detailed chart review. RESULTS: Eleven extrarenal manifestations occurred in 9/46 patients comprising 8 neurological, 2 gastro-intestinal, and 1 cardiovascular complication. One patient died from cerebral bleeding. Liver transplantation was required in a girl 18 months after HUS due to secondary sclerosing cholangitis. PATIENTS with extrarenal manifestations were significantly younger and presented with higher leucocyte counts and higher alanine aminotransferase levels at admission. Renal replacement therapy was necessary for a longer period than in patients without extrarenal complications. CONCLUSION: Extrarenal manifestations occurred in about 20% of our patients with STEC-HUS. The identification of risk-factors will help to provide a better management of these patients which might also include novel treatment strategies like complement inhibition.

The rabies virus glycoprotein determines the distribution of different rabies virus strains in the brain.

The contribution of rabies virus (RV) glycoprotein (G) in viral distribution in the brain was examined by immunohistochemistry following stereotaxic inoculation into the rat hippocampus. Viruses used in this study include the highly neuroinvasive challenge virus standard strains (CVS-N2C and CVS-B2C) and the nonneuroinvasive attenuated SN-10 strain, as well as SN-10-derived recombinant viruses expressing the G gene from CVS-N2C (RN2C) or CVS-B2C (RB2C). The distribution of recombinant viruses in the brain was similar to those of the parental viruses from which the G was derived. For example, while CVS-B2C- and RB2C-infected neurons were seen preferentially in the hippocampus, cortex, and hypothalamus, CVS-N2C- and RN2C-infected neurons were preferentially found in the hippocampus, cortex, and thalamus. SN-10 infected efficiently almost all the brain regions. To further study the role of the RV G in virus spreading, we examined the distribution of RV antigen in brains infected with a recombinant RV in which the SN-10 G was replaced with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) G (SN-10-VG) was examined. The spreading of SN-10-VG to the cortex and the thalamus was drastically reduced, but the number of infected neurons in hippocampus and hypothalamus, particularly the paraventricular nucleus, was similar to the SN-10 virus. This pattern of spreading resembles that of VSV. Together, our data demonstrate that it is the G protein that determines the distribution pattern of RV in the brain.

[Fertility of workers exposed to herbicides and pesticides]. / Fertilität bei Exponierten gegenüber Pflanzenschutz- und Schädlingsbekämpfungsmitteln.

Twenty-one workmen exposed to herbicide as organic mercury compounds and to pesticide as halogenic hydrocarbon has been investigated concerning their fertility. If the concentrations of organic mercury compounds increase in the air of the place of employment then the levels of this heavy metal are also higher in the urine and in the ejaculate, and the fertility is reduced. It could also be established that a correlation exists between the concentration of pesticide in the place of employment and the male fertility, especially in cases with an excess of maximum permitted concentrations.

[Effect of heavy metal ions on male fertility]. / Einfluss von Schwermetallionen auf die männliche Fertilität.

In this study 67 workmen exposed to ions of heavy metals have been investigated because of their fertility. Concentrations of the noxious substances and their metabolites in blood and urine have been estimated and spermiograms were performed. The investigations demonstrated that a correlation exists between the concentrations of noxious substances in the place of employment, in the blood, and in the ejaculate, besides of zinc. An increased number of pathological spermiograms could be established especially in cases with an exceed of maximum permitted concentrations in the place of employment.

[Prevention of occupational and community health problems using Falisan Universal liquid caustic]. / Zur Klärung arbeits- und kommunalhygienischer Probleme beim Einsatz von Falisan-Universal-Flüssigbeize.

Based on tests with Falisan-Universal fluid caustic the authors report on measuring results of laboratory tests and analyses of utilization. The air pollution caused by the active agent phenyl mercury acetate and the formulation remedy dimethylformamide is assessed. Conclusions are made for the caustic's application and for its tests.