Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence in patients with previous partial spinal injury including disc prolapse

BACKGROUND: This study examined the use of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) to treat faecal incontinence in patients with partial spinal injury. METHODS: Patients selected for SNS had experienced more than one episode of faecal incontinence per week to liquid or solid stool for more than 1 year and had failed maximal conservative treatment. All patients had an intact external anal sphincter. RESULTS: Temporary SNS was performed in 13 patients (median age 58.5 (range 39-73) years). The spinal insults were disc prolapse (six), trauma (four), spinal stenosis (one) or occurred during neurosurgery (two). Twelve patients (eight women and four men) had successful temporary stimulation and proceeded to permanent implantation. The median follow-up time was 12 (range 6-24) months. The mean(s.d.) number of episodes of incontinence decreased from 9.33(7.64) per week at baseline to 2.39(3.69) at last follow-up (P = 0.012). The number of days per week with incontinence and staining decreased significantly (both P < 0.001). Ability to defer defaecation improved from a median of not being able to defer (range 0-1 min) to being able to defer for 5-15 (range 0 to over 15) min (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: SNS can benefit patients with faecal incontinence following partial spinal injury. Copyright (c) 2005 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Manufacturing of tetrahedral metal effect pigment particles and analysis of their orientation in polymer melts

In this study, novel micro particles in the shape of irregular tetrahedrons in a two to three digit micrometer size range are presented. The particle manufacturing feasibility was investigated in three different ways shaping, casting and rolling. Rolling showed the potential for mass production. The suitability of tetrahedral particles for the use as metal effect pigment was assessed by comparison with conventional platelet shaped metal effect pigments. Optical inspection showed a strongly reduced luminance inhomogeneity in weld line regions in the case of the tetrahedral particles. It was found by synchrotron X ray tomography examination of particles in solidified polymethylmethacrylate PMMA that particle depletion is not the main reason for visible flow lines. The orientation of platelet shaped pigment particles was identified to cause such flow lines. PMMA filled with tetrahedral particles, in contrast, shows homogenous optical properties independent from the particle orientation. Thus, flow lines in weld line regions can be omitte

Success and Risk Factors in the Pre-Startup Phase

Why does one person actually succeed in starting a business, while a second person gives up? In order to answer this question, a sample of 517 nascent entrepreneurs (people in the process of setting up a business) was followed over a 3-year period. After this period, it was established that 195 efforts were successful and that 115 start up efforts were abandoned. Our research focuses on estimating the relative importance of a variety of approaches and variables in explaining pre-start-up success. These influences are organized in terms of Gartner’s (1985) framework of new venture creation. This framework suggests that start-up efforts differ in terms of the characteristics of the individual(s) who start the venture, the organization that they create, the environment surrounding the new venture, and the process by which the new venture is started. Logistic regression analyses are run for the sample as a whole as well as for subgroups within the sample, namely for those with high ambition versus low ambition and for those with substantial versus limited experience. The results point to the importance of perceived risk of the market as a predictor of getting started versus abandoning the start up effort. Copyright Springer 2006performance, survival, nascent entrepreneurs, start-ups, M13,