Endoscopic repair of anterior or middle skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks after tumour resection

SummaryObjectivesThis study analysed the factors influencing the risk of recurrence following endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the anterior and middle skull base after endonasal skull base tumour resection.Patients and methodsA retrospective review was conducted on 17 patients operated between May 2007 and December 2010 by endonasal endoscopic resection of anterior or middle skull base tumour who presented an intraoperative CSF leak. Epidemiological data (body mass index [BMI], age, gender) and type of leak (site, size) were studied.ResultsCSF leaks involved the roof of the ethmoid sinus (one patient), cribriform plate (three), posterolateral wall of the sphenoid sinus (six) or the sella turcica (seven). The CSF leak recurrence rate after the first endoscopic procedure was 29.4% (5/17). Failures were not influenced by gender, age, BMI or size of the leak. All recurrences involved the sella turcica or the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus. The success rate after a second endoscopic procedure was 88.2%.ConclusionEndonasal endoscopic repair of anterior and middle skull base meningeal injuries after tumour resection is a minimally invasive and effective technique. The main challenge of this method consists of ensuring effective control of the postoperative defect after tumour resection in the sphenoidal region, as this region was the only potential risk factor for recurrence identified in this study

One step electrodeposition of Ag-decorated ZnO nanowires

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10008-016-3476-0.A new route for synthesizing Ag-decorated ZnO nanowires (NWs) on conductive glass substrates using a one-step electrodeposition technique is described here. The structural, optical, and photoelectrochemical properties of Ag-decorated ZnO nanowires were studied in detail using techniques such X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and photoelectrochemical measurements. Both pure and Ag-decorated ZnO nanowires were found to crystallize in the wurtzite structure, irrespective of their Ag contents. Increasing the Ag content from pure ZnO NWs to 3% Ag ZnO NWs decreases the photoluminescence intensity, shifts the optical band gap to the red, and increases the photocurrent up to threefold. This behavior was attributed to the surface plasmon resonance effect induced by the Ag nanoparticles, which inhibits charge recombination and improves charge transport on the ZnO surface.B.S. acknowledges the Nanomaterials and Systems Laboratory for Renewable Energies, Research and Technology Centre of Energy Technoparc Borj Cedria for financial support. This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (ENE2013-46624-C4-4-R) and the Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeus 2014/044).Slimi, B.; Ben Assaker, I.; Kriaa, A.; Marí, B.; Chtourou, R. (2017). One step electrodeposition of Ag-decorated ZnO nanowires. 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Synthesis and characterization of perovskite FAPbBr(3-x) I (x) thin films for solar cells

[EN] FAPbI3, FAPbBr3, and FAPbBr3-xIx perovskite thin films were produced in a single step from a solution containing a mixture of FAI, PbI2, FABr, and PbBr2 (FA = formamidinium). FAPbBr3-xIx perovskite thin films were deposited onto ITO-coated glass substrates by spin coating. X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed that these thin-film perovskites crystallize in the cubic phase (Pm-3 m) for all composition range 0 B x B 3. Mixed lead perovskites showed a high absorbance in the UV¿Vis range. The optical band gap was estimated from spectral absorbance measurements. It was found that the onset of the absorption edge for FAPbBr3¿xIx thin films ranges between 1.47 and 2.20 eV for x = 0 and x = 3, respectively. Photoluminescence emission energies for mixed halide perovskites were also dependent on their composition and presented intermediate values from 810.4 nm for FAPbI3 to 547.3 nm for FAPbBr3.This work was supported by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (ENE2016-77798-C4-2-R) and Generalitat valenciana (Prometeus 2014/044).Slimi, B.; Mollar García, MA.; Ben Assaker, I.; Kriaa, A.; Chtourou, R.; Marí, B. (2017). Synthesis and characterization of perovskite FAPbBr(3-x) I (x) thin films for solar cells. Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly. 148(5):835-844. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00706-017-1958-0S835844148

Regulatory CD8 T cells that recognize Qa-1 expressed by CD4 T-helper cells inhibit rejection of heart allografts

Induction of longstanding immunologic tolerance is essential for survival of transplanted organs and tissues. Despite recent advances in immunosuppression protocols, allograft damage inflicted by antibody specific for donor organs continues to represent a major obstacle to graft survival. Here we report that activation of regulatory CD8 T cells (CD8 Treg) that recognize the Qa-1 class Ib major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a mouse homolog of human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E), inhibits antibody-mediated immune rejection of heart allografts. We analyzed this response using a mouse model that harbors a point mutation in the class Ib MHC molecule Qa-1, which disrupts Qa-1 binding to the T cell receptor (TCR)-CD8 complex and impairs the CD8 Treg response. Despite administration of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) immunoglobulin (Ig), Qa-1 mutant mice developed robust donor-specific antibody responses and accelerated heart graft rejection. We show that these allo-antibody responses reflect diminished Qa-1-restricted CD8 Treg-mediated suppression of host follicular helper T cell-dependent antibody production. These findings underscore the critical contribution of this Qa-1/HLA-E-dependent regulatory pathway to maintenance of transplanted organs and suggest therapeutic approaches to ameliorate allograft rejection

Event satisfaction and behavioural intentions: examining the impact of the London 2012 Olympic Games on participation in sport

peerreview_statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope. aims_and_scope_url: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=resm2

The behaviour of repeat visitors to museums: Review and empirical findings

This study presents a theoretical and operational framework for analysing repeat visit to museums. Starting from the literature on repeat visit in tourism, the specificities of these cultural attractions are made explicit through a review of theoretical and applied works. Consistently with previous contributors, the paper suggests that the analysis of actual past behaviours has to be preferred to the one of attitudes. The application of proper econometric models is also remarked in order to put into account individual profiles. Information coming from three techniques is then used in an integrated way in order to provide a more comprehensive view of the phenomenon. Evidence from an ad hoc survey suggests the necessity to give a greater attention to perceived cultural value during the visit, promoting cultural events during the week and addressed to children, and taking care of those visitors that come from far places also through an integrated tourist supply. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

The appropriate management of persisting pain after spine surgery: a European panel study with recommendations based on the RAND/UCLA method

Purpose: Management of patients with persisting pain after spine surgery (PPSS) shows significant variability, and there is limited evidence from clinical studies to support treatment choice in daily practice. This study aimed to develop patient-specific recommendations on the management of PPSS. Methods: Using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method (RUAM), an international panel of 6 neurosurgeons, 6 pain specialists, and 6 orthopaedic surgeons assessed the appropriateness of 4 treatment options (conservative, minimally invasive, neurostimulation, and re-operation) for 210 clinical scenarios. These scenarios were unique combinations of patient characteristics considered relevant to treatment choice. Appropriateness had to be expressed on a 9-point scale (1 = extremely inappropriate, 9 = extremely appropriate). A treatment was considered appropriate if the median score was ≥ 7 in the absence of disagreement (≥ 1/3 of ratings in each of the opposite sections 1–3 and 7–9). Results: Appropriateness outcomes showed clear and specific patterns. In 48% of the scenarios, exclusively one of the 4 treatments was appropriate. Conservative treatment was usually considered appropriate for patients without clear anatomic abnormalities and for those with new pain differing from the original symptoms. Neurostimulation was considered appropriate in the case of (predominant) neuropathic leg pain in the absence of conditions that may require surgical intervention. Re-operation could be considered for patients with recurrent disc, spinal/foraminal stenosis, or spinal instability. Conclusions: Using the RUAM, an international multidisciplinary panel established criteria for appropriate treatment choice in patients with PPSS. These may be helpful to educate physicians and to improve consistency and quality of care. Graphical abstract: These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Time-dependent simulation of the growth of large silicon crystals by the Czochralski technique using a turbulent model for melt convection

A numerical model is developed to perform the dynamic and global simulation of Czochralski growth. The effect of melt convection is taken into account by means of an eddy viscosity flow model, which can represent the mixing effect of flow oscillations on the heat transfer. Our method is used to investigate the dynamics of the growth of a 40 cm silicon crystal