Pulsed radiofrequency ablation of dorsal root ganglions in the treatment of postsurgical radicular pain

Introduction The incidence of radicular pain that arises without a surgically significant cause of compression is 4.8–10.2 % in the structure of the "failed back surgery syndrome". Pulsed radiofrequency treatment (PRF) is successfully used for several neuropathic pain syndromes, but its effectiveness for postoperative radicular pain has not been studied sufficiently. Materials and methods Prospective non-randomized open study was performed. A group of 56 patients with postoperative radicular pain syndrome was included. Twenty-two patients of the index group underwent PRF treatment of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in combination with transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFES) while 34 patients of the control group received only TFES. Outcome of a successful response was defined as a 50 % reduction in numeric rating scale (NRS-11) or 4-points pain reduction and/or a 20 % decrease in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and/or an 8-point decrease in the sciatica bothersomeness index (SBI) from the baseline and the effect duration for six or more months. Dynamics of the decrease in the parameters studied was assessed and compared; a search for significant prognostic factors was carried out. Results Positive results of interventions, based on specified criteria, were obtained in 18 patients (81.82 %) in the index group and in 19 patients (55.88 %) in the control group (significant difference, p = 0.045). There was a significant decrease in all indices after the intervention, a decrease in SBI in the main group was significantly lower than in the control one, p = 0.021. There were no major complications and side effects. The presence of allodynia/hyperpathy was the main negative prognostic factor in the index and in control groups with OR 0.79 at 95 % CI (0.735–0.897) and OR 0.82 at 95 % CI (0.780–0.929), respectively. Conclusion The use of the PRF in combination with TFES is an effective method in comparison with TFES alone for treatment of postsurgical radicular pain syndrome

On the Prospects of Using Metallic Glasses for In-vessel Mirrors for Plasma Diagnostics in ITER

This chapter reviews main results obtained on mirror-like samples made of several grades of bulk metallic glasses (BMG). Experiments were carried out under simulated conditions typical for the operation of plasma facing in-vessel mirrors of optical plasma diagnostics in fusion reactor ITER. Bombardment with D0 and T0 atoms radiated from burning plasma was predicted to be the main reason for the degradation of optical properties of such mirrors. Therefore, to simulate the behavior of mirrors in ITER, mirror-like samples were subjected to bombardment by ions of deuterium plasma with fixed or wide energy distribution. The effects of ion bombardment on optical properties, development of roughness, uptake of deuterium, appearance of blisters, and manifestation of some chemical processes are presented and discussed

ICAR: endoscopic skull‐base surgery

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Cu-Doped TiNxOy Thin Film Resistors DC/RF Performance and Reliability

We fabricated Cu-doped TiNxOy thin film resistors by using atomic layer deposition, optical lithography, dry etching, Ti/Cu/Ti/Au e-beam evaporation and lift-off processes. The results of the measurements of the resistance temperature dependence, non-linearity, S-parameters at 0.01–26 GHz and details of the breakdown mechanism under high-voltage stress are reported. The devices’ sheet resistance is 220 ± 8 Ω/□ (480 ± 20 µΩ*cm); intrinsic resistance temperature coefficient (TCR) is ~400 ppm/°C in the T-range of 10–300 K; and S-parameters versus frequency are flat up to 2 GHz with maximum variation of 10% at 26 GHz. The resistors can sustain power and current densities up to ~5 kW*cm−2 and ~2 MA*cm−2, above which they switch to high-resistance state with the sheet resistance equal to ~200 kΩ/□ (~0.4 Ω*cm) caused by nitrogen and copper desorption from TiNxOy film. The Cu/Ti/TiNxOy contact is prone to ageing due to gradual titanium oxidation while the TiNxOy resistor body is stable. The resistors have strong potential for applications in high-frequency integrated and hybrid circuits that require small-footprint, medium-range resistors of 0.05–10 kΩ, with small TCR and high-power handling capability

Analysis of the use of original metal structures for anterior pelvic ring fixation

need for repeated operations. Therefore, it has become necessary to use special tactical approaches in surgical treatment of chronic injuries for fixing traumatic foci and searching for adapted implant designs for such cases. Thus, an original plate has been developed. Purpose To study the features of fixation of chronic injuries of the pelvic ring using an original plate in comparison with the standard approach. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the surgical treatment performed using the developed plate (Group 2) and a group of patients who underwent fixation of the anterior pelvic ring with two reconstruction plates (Group 1). Results In group 1, four patients (16.7 %) had failed osteosynthesis within two weeks to two months after the operation. In group 2, thirty patients underwent surgical treatment using the developed design, and destabilization of the metal construct was detected only in 2 patients (6.6 %). In one case, migration of plate screws was detected after 3 years during routine X-ray study while the patient was not bothered by pain and did not feel any instability. Discussion Analyzing the positive and negative aspects of the methods used, we made a choice in favor of internal plating. Due to cases of destabilization of fixation using one or two plates, an original metal structure was developed and applied to strengthen fixation. Conclusion Changing the standard approaches to the treatment of chronic injuries (after 3 weeks since injury) of the anterior pelvic ring enables to create conditions for stable fixation, using the original monolithic plate, despite the rigidity of the pelvic ring in chronic injuries

Regionally Adapted Model of an Ideal <i>Malus×domestica</i> Borkh Apple Variety for Industrial-Scale Cultivation in European Russia

Apple is one of the most common fruit crops in the Russian fruit-growing industry, with huge varietal diversity and a vast cultivation area. The key regions for industrial-scale apple cultivation are the Central, Central Chernozem, and North Caucasian Districts. The main disadvantage of the relevant apple cultivars, especially the ones intended for intensified horticultural practices, is their low resistance against abiotic stresses and the fruit’s low quality and poor marketable condition. In Russia, apple is a crop of strategic importance that is consistently included in the household food basket, so fruit producers hold new varieties to higher standards and expect them to outperform their predecessors in terms of yield per plant, resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses, and quality, as well as show strong competitiveness and a more rapid return on investment, while satisfying stricter requirements. The objective of the present study was to summarize the data on the phenotypic manifestations of economically valuable traits of the apple cultivars approved for use in the Russian Federation depending on the region of cultivation; to determine the parametric characteristics of the most valuable traits in the form of a model of an “ideal” regionally adapted industrial cultivar, and to identify the sources of the traits in the regions suitable for their production. A regionally adapted model of commercial apple cultivars, characterized by 28 features and properties divided into three groups and defining the cultivar’s resistance against abiotic and biotic stresses, yield per plant, product quality, and suitability for mechanized harvesting, is presented in this paper. In the European part of Russia, the optimal parameters of a commercial apple tree cultivar are as follows: plant height on a medium-sized rootstock under 3 m; potential yield per plant of at least 25–50 kg; high fruit uniformity above 80%; winter and late-winter harvest maturity period; high storability of over 210 days and good transportability; average fruit mass from 120 g to 220 g; juicy and shattering crisp pulp; small seed cavity; fragrant fruits with taste rating of at least 4.5 points; appearance rating of 5 points and attractive, mostly red, glossy color with natural wax bloom; regular, symmetric, but diverse shapes; content of sugar above 10%, ascorbic acid above 15 mg/100 g, organic acids up to 1% (for dessert varieties); content of soluble dry solids of at least 20%. The cultivars that come closest to the regionally adapted model of an ideal variety based on the set of features discussed are as follows: Feya, Soyuz, Orfej, Margo, Sirius, Noktyurn, Vasilisa Karmen, Florina, Dayton, Early Mac, Gala and Gala Schniga in the North Caucasian District; Svezhest’, Orlovskoe Poles’e, Aprel’skoe, Ven’yaminovskoe, Bolotovskoe, Vympel, Uspenskoe, Fregat, Bylina, Flagman, and Akademik Kazakov in the North Caucasian District; and varieties Imrus, Mayak Zagor’ya, and Bolotovskoe in the Central District. These cultivars are characterized by high resistance against weather anomalies, scab immunity, high yields, marketable quality, and storability. In addition, in southern regions, a prolonged bloom period acts as a protective adaptive response to low-temperature stress

Peculiarities of dynamic evaluation of globular formation outlines of the lungs with multislice computed tomography

Background. Visualization of infiltration in lung tissue surrounding the globular formation of the lungs (GFL) determined by X-ray is one of the important points in the differential diagnosis of primary lung cancer, specific and non-specific inflammatory processes. At CT gauge body phantoms test facilities are widely used for evaluating the performance of scanners that allow the evaluation of scanner characteristics : noise, contrast sensitivity, positioning accuracy, stiffness of the radiation beam, the layer thickness, spatial resolution, etc.Aim. To develop a methodology for assessing the GFL outlines of the dynamics of multislice computed tomography (MSCT) by selecting the optimal image processing algorithms.Materials and methods. The visual analysis of two- component physical model images of the electronic window level (WL) and electronic window width (WW) was installed on the basis of the best conditions for studying a specific group of tissues. In the case of indistinct, poorly defined outlines of globular formations, visual assessment is operator-dependent and requires development and application of quantitative methods of analysis. For a quantitative description of the outlines of the image of the GFL model, a vector in a polar coordinate system coming from the center of the figure mass bounded by the outline was used. The following outline complexity measures were adopted: modified Shannon information entropy H(S(k)) for k harmonics of the normalized spectral power density S(k) of the length of oscillation of loop radius vector R(n); the number of local maxima L of signature radius vector R(n); the maximum value of the normalized power spectral density S(k); product (multiplicity) of the entropy H(S) and the number of local maxima L.Results. “Multiplicity”, “the number of local maxima” of the outline depend on the GFL geometric dimensions and cannot be used for diagnosis without first normalizing for GFL outline length. The parameters, such as “entropy” and “maximum value of the normalized power spectral density” are invariant under GFL geometric sizes and can be used for differential diagnosis at any phase of the disease