Resonant frequency measurements as an alternative to phase-selective A.C. polarography in tensammetry and pseudocapacitance determinations

A new method is proposed for the determination of the double-layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance of electrochemical cells. The method is based on the measurement of the resonant frequency of the circuit consisting of the electrochemical cell connected in series with a standard inductor. The performance of the method is demonstrated with double-layer capacitance measurements at the dropping mercury electrode in 1 M KCl and butanol-1/1 M KCl mixtures and with the determination of heterogeneous charge-transfer rate constants ranging from 10−2 to 10−5 m s−1

The Prediction Accuracy of Digital Orthodontic Setups for the Orthodontic Phase before Orthognathic Surgery.

The purpose of this study was to verify whether pre-treatment digital setups can accurately predict the tooth positions after presurgical orthodontic treatment has been performed in a 3-dimensional way. Twenty-six patients who underwent a combined orthodontic-orthognathic surgical treatment were included. Pre-treatment digital dental models were merged with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. One operator fabricated virtual setups to simulate the tooth movements of the presurgical orthodontic treatment. Prior to surgery, digital dental models were merged with the CBCT scans. Differences between de virtual setups and the presurgical dental models were calculated using linear mixed model analyses. Differences in tooth displacements exceeding the boundaries of clinical acceptance (>2 degrees for rotations and >0.6 mm for translations) were found in 75% of the rotational and 52% of translational mean differences in the maxilla and in 74% of the rotational mean differences and 44% of the translational mean differences in the mandible. Significant differences were found for all tooth types and in all tooth displacement directions with significant effects of extractions and surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) procedures. The accuracy of the digital setup is still too limited to correctly simulate the presurgical orthodontic treatment

The Dutch National TissueArchive Portal enables efficient, consistent, and transparent procurement of diagnostic tissue samples for scientific use

Biobanks play a crucial role in enabling biomedical research by facilitating scientific use of valuable human biomaterials. The PALGA foundation-a nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands-was established to promote the provision of data within and between pathology departments, and to make the resulting knowledge available for healthcare. Apart from the pathology data, we aimed to utilize PALGA's nationwide network to find and access the rich wealth of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissue samples for scientific use. We implemented the Dutch National TissueArchive Portal (DNTP) to utilize PALGA's nationwide network for requesting FFPE tissue samples. The DNTP consists of (1) a centrally organized internet portal to improve the assessing, processing, harmonization, and monitoring of the procurement process, while (2) dedicated HUB-employees provide practical support at peripheral pathology departments. Since incorporation of the DNTP, both the number of filed requests for FFPE tissue samples and the amount of HUB-mediated support increased 55 and 29% respectively. In line, the sample procurement duration time decreased significantly (- 47%). These findings indicate that implementation of the DNTP improved the frequency, efficiency, and transparency of FFPE tissue sample procurement for research in the Netherlands. To conclude, the need for biological resources is growing persistently to enable precision medicine. Here, we access PALGA's national, pathology network by implementation of the DNTP to allow for efficient, consistent, and transparent exchange of FFPE tissue samples for research across the Netherlands

Necrotizing Enterocolitis Associated with Congenital Heart Disease:a Different Entity?

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) predominantly occurs in preterm infants (PT-NEC). In term neonates, NEC occurs more frequently when a congenital heart disease is present (CHDNEC). Our aim was to evaluate differences and similarities in disease characteristics of PT-NEC versus CHD-NEC.Methods: In this retrospective case-control study we identified all CHD infants who developed NEC Bell's stage &gt;= 2 in our center from 2004 to 2014. We randomly selected (1:2 ratio) PT-NEC infants from the same period. Biochemical and clinical variables were retrieved from patient files.Results: We found 18 CHD-NEC infants and selected 36 PT-NEC infants (gestational age 28.3 [25-35.6] weeks vs. 38.6 [31.7-40.7] weeks). Postnatal age at onset was significantly lower in CHD-NEC patients (4 [2-24] vs. 11 [4-41] days, p &lt;0.001). Lowest pH levels were lower (7.21 [7.01-7.47] vs. 7.27 [6.68-7.39], p = 0.02), and highest CRP levels were higher (112.5 mg/L [5.0-425.0] vs. 66.0 [52-189.0], p = 0.05) in PT-NEC vs. CHD-NEC. Anatomic localisation of the disease differed: the colon was significantly more often involved in CHD-NEC versus PT-NEC (86% vs. 33%, p = 0.03). Mortality caused by NEC was not different (22% vs. 11%, p = 0.47).Conclusion: While outcome of NEC in both groups is similar, the predominant NEC localisation differed between CHD-NEC and PT-NEC patients. This suggests that both variants of the disease have a different underlying pathophysiological mechanism that predisposes different intestinal regions to develop NEC.Type of Study: Retrospective Case-Control Study. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.</p

The effect of lip closure on palatal growth in patients with unilateral clefts

Objectives The objective of this study was to compare maxillary dimensions and growth in newborns with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP) to healthy newborns before and after cheiloplasty. Additionally, a palatal growth curve is constructed to give more information about the natural growth before surgical intervention. Methods Twenty-eight newborns with complete UCLP were enrolled in this study. Multiple plaster-casts of each child during their first year were collected and grouped in before and after cheiloplasty. A previous developed semi-automatic segmentation tool was used to assess the maxillary dimensions and were compared to a healthy control group. Z-scores were calculated to indicate differences between the two populations and if cheiloplasty had influence on maxillary growth. Furthermore, the prediction model created in a previous study was used to indicate differences between predictions and the outcome in UCLP measurements. The analysis was tested for inter- and intra-observer variability. Results Results show differences in alveolar and palatal shape in UCLP patients in comparison with healthy controls. Prior to cheiloplasty an increased width and alveolar length was observed while the palatal depth was decreased. After cheiloplasty the widths moved towards normal but were still significantly larger

Controversies in Choledochal Malformation in Children:An International Survey among Pediatric Hepatobiliary Surgeons and Gastroenterologists

Background: While congenital choledochal malformation (CCM) is relatively well known within the pediatric surgical and pediatric gastroenterological communities, many controversies and questions remain. Methods: In this paper, we will discuss the results of an international Delphi survey among members of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER and of the faculty of the Biliary Atresia and Related Diseases (BARD) network to identify the most common practices as well as controversies regarding diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of this still enigmatic disease. Results: Twenty-two individual respondents completed the survey. While there seems to be agreement on the definitions of CCM, preoperative workup, surgical approach and follow-up still vary considerably. The mainstay of treatment remains the removal of the entire extrahepatic biliary tract, clearance of debris both proximally and distally, followed by reconstruction with (according to 86% of respondents) a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Nonetheless, both laparoscopic and robotic-assisted resections are gaining ground with the suggestion that this might be facilitated by concentration of care and resources in specialized centers. However, long-term outcomes are still lacking. Conclusions: As even post-surgical CCM has to be considered as having premalignant potential, follow-up should be well-organized and continued into adulthood. This seems to be lacking in many centers. International cooperation for both benchmarking and research is paramount to improving care for this rare disease

A semi-automatic three-dimensional technique using a regionalized facial template enables facial growth assessment in healthy children from 1.5 to 5.0 years of age.

Objectives To develop a semi-automatic technique to evaluate normative facial growth in healthy children between the age of 1.5 and 5.0 years using three-dimensional stereophotogrammetric images. Materials and Methods Three-dimensional facial images of healthy children at 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 years of age were collected and positioned based on a reference frame. A general face template was used to extract the face and its separate regions from the full stereophotogrammetric image. Furthermore, this template was used to create a uniform distributed mesh, which could be directly compared to other meshes. Average faces were created for each age group and mean growth was determined between consecutive groups for the full face and its separate regions. Finally, the results were tested for intra- and inter-operator performance. Results The highest growth velocity was present in the first period between 1.5 and 2.0 years of age with an average of 1.50 mm (±0.54 mm) per six months. After 2.0 years, facial growth velocity declined to only a third at the age of 5.0 years. Intra- and inter-operator variability was small and not significant. Conclusions The results show that this technique can be used for objective clinical evaluation of facial growth. Example normative facial averages and the corresponding facial growth between the age 1.5 and 5.0 years are shown. Clinical Relevance This technique can be used to collect and process facial data for objective clinical evaluation of facial growth in the individual patient. Furthermore, these data can be used as normative data in future comparative studies