A new device used in the restoration of kinematics after total facet arthroplasty

Facet degeneration can lead to spinal stenosis and instability, and often requires stabilization. Interbody fusion is commonly performed, but it can lead to adjacent-segment disease. Dynamic posterior stabilization was performed using a total facet arthroplasty system. The total facet arthroplasty system was originally intended to restore the natural motion of the posterior stabilizers, but follow-up studies are lacking due to limited clinical use. We studied the first 14 cases (long-term follow-up) treated with this new device in our clinic. All patients were diagnosed with lumbar stenosis due to hypertrophy of the articular facets on one to three levels (maximum). Disk space was of normal height. The design of this implant allows its use only at levels L3-L4 and L4-L5. We implanted nine patients at the L4-L5 level and four patients at level L3-L4. Postoperative follow-up of the patients was obtained for an average of 3.7 years. All patients reported persistent improvement of symptoms, visual analog scale score, and Oswestry Disability Index score. Functional scores and dynamic radiographic imaging demonstrated the functional efficacy of this new implant, which represents an alternative technique and a new approach to dynamic stabilization of the vertebral column after interventions for spine decompression. The total facet arthroplasty system represents a viable option for dynamic posterior stabilization after spinal decompression. For the observed follow-up, it preserved motion without significant complications or apparent intradisk or adjacent-disk degeneration. © 2014 Vermesan et al

IoTNetSim:A Modelling and Simulation Platform for End-to-End IoT Services and Networking

Internet-of-Things (IoT) systems are becoming increasingly complex, heterogeneous and pervasive, integrating a variety of physical devices and virtual services that are spread across architecture layers (cloud, fog, edge) using different connection types. As such, research and design of such systems have proven to be challenging. Despite the influx in IoT research and the significant benefits of simulation-based approaches in supporting research, there is a general lack of appropriate modelling and simulation platforms to create a detailed representation of end-to-end IoT services, i.e. from the underlying IoT nodes to the application layer in the cloud along with the underlying networking infrastructure. To aid researchers and practitioners in overcoming these challenges, we propose IoTNetSim, a novel self-contained extendable platform for modelling and simulation of end-to-end IoT services. The platform supports modelling heterogeneous IoT nodes (sensors, actuators, gateways, etc.) with their fine-grained details (mobility, energy profile, etc.), as well as different models of application logic and network connectivity. The proposed work is distinct from the current literature, being an all-in-one tool for end-to-end IoT services with a multi-layered architecture that allows modelling IoT systems with different structures. We experimentally validate and evaluate our IoTNetSim implementation using two very large-scale real-world cases from the natural environment and disaster monitoring IoT domains

Thromboembolic risk after knee endoprosthesis

Thromboembolic complications are the most frequent associated pathologies after knee replacement. The secondary deep vein thrombosis in the knee arthroplasty is often low symptomatic or asymptomatic and, sometime, it could lead to fatal pulmonary embolism. This is the main purpose recommending an antithrombotic prophylaxis. In this study 214 patients operated for knee arthroplasty and receiving low molecular heparin therapy were enrolled. They were clinically and echo/radiologically monitored for thromboembolic and/or hemorrhagic complications on the 2nd, 7 th, 14th and 45th day from surgery. Results showed that only 45% of the cases developed DVT (deep vein thrombosis) out of which 17% could be objectively verified by ultrasonography and phlebography. In only one case massive pulmonary embolism with fatal evolution was discovered. It was not found any major bleeding except in four cases in which local haematomas were discovered (most probably related to anticoagulant treatment). This study concluded that the administration of low molecular weight heparin after knee arthroplasty significantly reduces the risks of thromboembolism in conditions where the increase of hemorrhagic complications doesn't result statistically significant

Effects on rat sexual behaviour of acute MDMA (ecstasy) alone or in combination with loud music

The effects on sexual behaviour of acute low doses of methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (0.3, 1, 3 mg/kg/i.p.), alone or in combination with exposure to loud music (1 h stimulation), were investigated in Wistar rats. Results indicate that acute MDMA, at dose of 3 mg/kg, notably impaired copulatory behavior of sexually experienced male rats. In particular, MDMA-exposed animals exhibited a significant increase in intromission and ejaculation latencies as well as a significant decrease in percentage of rats displaying copulatory activity (one intromission at least). Surprisingly, one hour exposure to loud music, which per se resulted ineffective, antagonized the suppressive effect of MDMA by increasing the percent of animals displaying sexual activity. However, combined treatment of MDMA and music stimulation did not fully restore normal sexual behavior as the animals reaching ejaculation still showed a marked reduction of copulatory efficiency. These findings demonstrate that the systemic administration of a single low dose of MDMA, alone or in combination with loud music, which is commonly present in certain environments such as rave parties, notably impairs copulatory activity of male rats

Our experience in Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric MALTomas

OBJECTIVE: A number of recent studies have expanded our understanding of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection and of the pathogenesis of MALT lymphoma. The purpose of this paper is to perform a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics of gastric MALT lymphoma and its relationship with H. pylori infection in authors' experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report nineteen patients observed during 10 years, presenting with gastric MALTomas at any stage. The staging classification and the presence of H. pylori infection have been assessed, and the chosen therapy also. RESULTS: The most part of our patients underwent surgery, still now resulting the most effective therapy. None of the patients had eradicating therapy due to their poor compliance and because the most part of cases were observed before the time of clinical validation of such treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, surgery was effective for treatment of gastric MALT lymphomas. Surgery and chemotherapy remain, in accord with literature data, the best treatment for gastric MALTomas. Hence, because Hp may play a role in the development of such pathology in certain patients, antibiotic treatment for Hp eradication should not be discouraged in these patients, especially in them with low grade gastric MALT lymphomas. In fact, the failure of this therapy will not modify either survival or later recourse to surgical and/or radio- and chemotherapy

Secondary pathologic fractures in osteosarcoma: prognosis and evolution

Secondary or pathologic fractures, associated with osteosarcoma, have been considered for a long time to be a negative prognosis regarding its evolution in the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic importance of such pathologic fractures in osteosarcoma patients receiving new therapies as well as the best conditions for surgery aiming at "limbs salvage". On a total of 22 patients affected by osteosarcoma, we performed a retrospective study with 12 patients showing pathologic fractures caused by osteosarcoma and 10 patients without any pathologic fracture. The patients enrolled into Timisoara University Hospital have been followed up along 5 years or until a reappearance of either the disease or metastases, distant or loca