A new clinico-pathological classification system for mesial temporal sclerosis

We propose a histopathological classification system for hippocampal cell loss in patients suffering from mesial temporal lobe epilepsies (MTLE). One hundred and seventy-eight surgically resected specimens were microscopically examined with respect to neuronal cell loss in hippocampal subfields CA1–CA4 and dentate gyrus. Five distinct patterns were recognized within a consecutive cohort of anatomically well-preserved surgical specimens. The first group comprised hippocampi with neuronal cell densities not significantly different from age matched autopsy controls [no mesial temporal sclerosis (no MTS); n = 34, 19%]. A classical pattern with severe cell loss in CA1 and moderate neuronal loss in all other subfields excluding CA2 was observed in 33 cases (19%), whereas the vast majority of cases showed extensive neuronal cell loss in all hippocampal subfields (n = 94, 53%). Due to considerable similarities of neuronal cell loss patterns and clinical histories, we designated these two groups as MTS type 1a and 1b, respectively. We further distinguished two atypical variants characterized either by severe neuronal loss restricted to sector CA1 (MTS type 2; n = 10, 6%) or to the hilar region (MTS type 3, n = 7, 4%). Correlation with clinical data pointed to an early age of initial precipitating injury (IPI < 3 years) as important predictor of hippocampal pathology, i.e. MTS type 1a and 1b. In MTS type 2, IPIs were documented at a later age (mean 6 years), whereas in MTS type 3 and normal appearing hippocampus (no MTS) the first event appeared beyond the age of 13 and 16 years, respectively. In addition, postsurgical outcome was significantly worse in atypical MTS, especially MTS type 3 with only 28% of patients having seizure relief after 1-year follow-up period, compared to successful seizure control in MTS types 1a and 1b (72 and 73%). Our classification system appears suitable for stratifying the clinically heterogeneous group of MTLE patients also with respect to postsurgical outcome studies

Contrasting disease patterns in seropositive and seronegative neuromyelitis optica: A multicentre study of 175 patients

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and pathophysiological relevance of antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4-Ab) in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) has been intensively studied. However, little is known so far about the clinical impact of AQP4-Ab seropositivity. OBJECTIVE: To analyse systematically the clinical and paraclinical features associated with NMO spectrum disorders in Caucasians in a stratified fashion according to the patients' AQP4-Ab serostatus. METHODS: Retrospective study of 175 Caucasian patients (AQP4-Ab positive in 78.3%). RESULTS: Seropositive patients were found to be predominantly female (p 1 myelitis attacks in the first year were identified as possible predictors of a worse outcome. CONCLUSION: This study provides an overview of the clinical and paraclinical features of NMOSD in Caucasians and demonstrates a number of distinct disease characteristics in seropositive and seronegative patients

ExpoMate : A Mobile Assistant for Location -Based Services and Indoor Navigation

Companies, that aim to expand their customer base, will find it important to advertisenew products at exhibitions. However, the huge, international exhibitions that arecommon nowadays, are a hassle for visitors, vendors and organisers likewise. Due tothe size, a lot of information needs to be published for the visitors, so that they canfind their way across the exhibition area, locate the stands they are interested in andexchange their business information. In a digital age, where almost every personowns at least one mobile device, all this information is still distributed as printedhandouts and business cards, which wastes a lot of paper and produces unnecessarytrash.This thesis report describes the development of a mobile application, that replacesthe handouts in a digital, non-polluting way, and also succeeds the usefulness of itspaper counterpart. This application allows its users to browse through generalexhibition information and categorised lists of all the stands on the area. The use ofiBeacons enables location-based features that help to locate the user, as well as standsof interest, and can provide an overview of the current surroundings at any time.Additionally, navigational features assist the visitors in finding their way to stands theywant to visit.By using an application like this, a lot of work and money can be saved for organisingsuch an event. The design and priting of exhibition information, including the list ofall companies and their stands, and the obligatory exhibition map, would not benecessary any more. Also, the mobile application offers some features to the visitorsthat allows them to save time, which also increases the throughput of the exhibition

Uncertain non-linear dynamical system submitted to uncertain stochastic loads

International audienceThe problem concerns the identification of a model of the external loads applied to tubes bundles through the knowledge of dynamical responses. The computational model is simplified implying a loss of accuracy and of predictability due to model uncertainties induced by the simplification introduced. A probabilistic model of model uncertainties is implemented in the mean computational model using the nonparametric probabilistic approach for system-parameter uncertainties and model uncertainties. In addition, a probabilistic model for the stochastic loads is constructed to take into account model uncertainties in the probabilistic model of the stochastic loads. The nonlinear stochastic dynamical system, submited to the uncertain stochastic loads, is used to identify the probability model of its uncertainties

4th Conference on Microactuators and Micromechanisms

This book brings together investigations which combine theoretical and experimental results related to such systems as capsule micromechanisms, active micro catheters, nanotube vascular stents, mechanisms for micromilling, different compliant mechanisms including grippers and compliant systems with actuators and sensors, microrobots based on vibrations, tactile sensors, tooth brackets, compliant valves, and space reflectors. This volume contains twenty-two contributions from researchers from ten countries, represented at the 4th Conference on Microactuators and Micromechanisms, which was held in 2016 in Ilmenau, Germany. The aim of the conference was to provide a special opportunity for a know-how exchange and collaboration in various disciplines concerning systems pertaining to micro-technology. This Conference was organized under the patronage of IFToMM (International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science).

Subdural and depth electrodes in the presurgical evaluation of epilepsy

From 1987 to 1992, invasive EEG studies using subdural strips, grids or depth electrodes were performed in a total of 160 patients with medically intractable epilepsy, in whom scalp EEG was insufficient to localize the epileptogenic focus. Dependent on the individual requirements, these different electrode types were used alone or in combination. Multiple strip electrodes with 4 to 16 contacts were implanted in 157 cases through burrholes, grids with up to 64 contacts in 15 cases via boneflaps, and intrahippocampal depth electrodes in 36 cases using stereotactic procedures. In every case, localization of the electrodes with respect to brain structures was controlled by CT scan and MRI. Visual and computerized analysis of extra-operative recordings allowed the localization of a resectable epileptogenic focus in 143 patients (89%), who subsequently were referred for surgery, whereas surgery had to be denied to 17 patients (11%). We did not encounter any permanent morbidity or mortality in our series. In our experience, EEG-monitoring with chronically implanted electrodes is a feasible technique which contributes essentially to the exact localization of the epileptogenic focus, since it allows nearly artefact-free recording of the ictal and interictal activity. Moreover, grid electrodes can be used for extra-operative functional topographic mapping of eloquent brain areas

Fracture toughness variation induced by stress corrosion cracking of prestressing steels

The stress corrosion cracking process developing in metals is at present an unknown mechanism of deterioration. It is a surface process that implies a corrosion and stress synergy, but the most practical consequence is that stress corrosion cracking can modify the mechanical characteristics of the metal. Due to that it leads to brittle failures; it generally involves high level of uncertainty in the prediction. This research deals with steels for prestressed concrete and aims to show that the fracture toughness changes when the steel is susceptible to stress corrosion cracking, questioning the idea that the toughness is an intrinsic characteristic of the material. The reduction in the fracture toughness of prestressing steels when they are in contact with aggressive media, involves that the material, for the same stress level, may reach a fracture having a lower crack size. That means the material becomes less damage tolerant, which implies that it is necessary to develop techniques able to detect defects of smaller size, as for example, small notches, pits or superficial cracks.The authors wish to thank Ministerio de Fomento of Spain for the funding the accomplishment of the project Non-destructive methods and strategies for the control of the corrosion in pretested steels, the INGENIO 2010-CONSOLIDER project on Safety and durability of structures: SEDUREC and, specially, to Professor Gustavo Guinea (UPM).Peer reviewe