Impaction grafting and cemented acetabular revision

No abstract

Cognitive effects of stereotactic radiosurgery in adult patients with brain metastases:A systematic review

Purpose:  Stereotactic radiation surgery (SRS) is increasingly applied in patients with brain metastases (BM) and is expected to have fewer adverse effects on cognitive functioning than whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT). Patients with BM are often confronted with a relatively short life expectancy, and the prevention or delay of cognitive decline to maintain quality of life is a clinically and highly relevant treatment goal. This review systematically and specifically evaluates the current literature on the cognitive effects of SRS in patients with BM. Methods and materials:  Published trials on SRS alone or in combination with WBRT, including objective assessment of cognitive functioning, were identified through a systematic search of the PubMed database up to March 2018. Results:  Of the 241 records screened, 14 studies matched the selection criteria: 2 pilot studies, 7 single-group/observational trials (1 study update), and 5 randomized trials (1 secondary analysis). Conclusions:  In general, the results show little to no objective cognitive decline up to 4 months after SRS compared with WBRT. However, most trials suffered from methodologic limitations that hindered reliable conclusions. Most importantly, few studies investigated the specific cognitive effects of SRS alone or versus WBRT. Furthermore, disentangling the cognitive effects of SRS from the effects of the disease itself and from the effects of other treatments remains very difficult. By presenting this comprehensive review, we aim to encourage researchers to probe deeper into this area and to do so in a standardized and methodologically optimal manner. The ultimate objective of this line of research is to inform both doctors and patients more precisely about the cognitive effects they can expect from treatment. This study is expected to improve the quality of decision-making and maximize clinical outcomes for each individual patient

Group and individual change in cognitive functioning in patients with 1 to 10 brain metastases following Gamma Knife radiosurgery

Aims:  Stereotactic radiosurgery is increasingly used to treat multiple (four or more) brain metastases. Preserving cognitive functions is a highly relevant treatment goal because cognitive deteriorations may negatively affect a patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess cognitive change, at the group and individual level, in patients with 1 to 10 brain metastases up to 9 months after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Materials and methods:  Ninety-two patients with 1 to 10 newly diagnosed brain metastases, expected survival >3 months and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥70 and 104 non-cancer controls were included. A neuropsychological test battery was administered before GKRS (n = 92) and at 3 (n = 66), 6 (n = 52) and 9 (n = 41) months after GKRS. The course of test performances, while taking into account practice effects, was analysed using linear mixed models. Pre-GKRS predictors of cognitive trajectories were analysed. To determine proportions of individuals with cognitive changes, reliable change indices, with correction for practice effects, were calculated. Results:  At the group level, immediate memory, working memory and information processing speed significantly improved over 9 months after GKRS. There were no cognitive declines. Neither number nor volume of brain metastases influenced cognitive change over time. At the individual level, proportions of patients with stable, improved or declined performances were comparable with controls, except for information processing speed (more individuals with improvements in patients) and motor dexterity (more improvements and declines in patients). Conclusions:  Cognitive functioning in patients with 1 to 10 brain metastases was preserved, or improved, up to 9 months after GKRS. Neither number nor volume of brain metastases influenced cognitive performance

The certification of anti-myeloperoxidase immunoglobulin G in human serum ERM® - DA476/IFCC

This report describes the production and certification of ERM-DA476/IFCC, a new serum protein reference material intended for the standardisation of measurements of anti-myeloperoxidase immunoglobulin G (anti-MPO IgG) antibodies. The material was produced according to ISO Guide 34:2009. The raw material used to prepare ERM-DA476/IFCC was a plasmapheresis material containing a high concentration of anti-MPO IgG. After a thorough commutability study lyophilised serum was selected as the format for the candidate reference material. Serum processing was performed based on the procedure used for the reference material ERM-DA470k/IFCC. The plasma was converted into serum which was then delipidated. After the addition of preservatives the processed serum was diluted with plasmapheresis solution containing albumin, prior to the transfer of 1 mL aliquots to glass vials. The serum was then lyophilised and the vials closed with rubber stoppers and screw caps under nitrogen atmosphere prior to storage at -70 °C. The between unit-homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The material was characterised by an inter-laboratory comparison exercise performed by laboratories of demonstrated competence and with adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 , using a purified anti-MPO IgG preparation as calibrant. This was achieved using a value transfer protocol previously used in the characterisation of ERM-DA470k/IFCC. Technically invalid results were removed. However no other outliers were eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in accordance to the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties relating to possible lack of homogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for the calibration of methods and quality control. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies. The CRM is available in glass vials containing the lyophilised residue of 1 g serum. The minimum amount of reconstituted sample to be used is 10 μL. The CRM was accepted as European Reference Material (ERM®) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium

Coherent combining of two high-brightness laser diodes phase-locked by a Michelson-type external cavity (Orale)

International audienceWe describe a new coherent beam combin- ing architecture based on the passive phase- locking of two laser diodes in a Michelson external cavity on their rear side, and their coherent combination on their front side

Inherited crustal deformation along the East Gondwana margin revealed by seismic anisotropy tomography

Acknowledgments We thank Mallory Young for providing phase velocity measurements in mainland Australia and Tasmania. Robert Musgrave is thanked for making available his tilt-filtered magnetic intensity map. In the short term, data may be made available by contacting the authors (S.P. or N.R.). A new database of passive seismic data recorded in Australia is planned as part of a national geophysics data facility for easy access download. Details on the status of this database may be obtained from the authors (S.P., N.R., or A.M.R.). There are no restrictions on access for noncommercial use. Commercial users should seek written permission from the authors (S.P. or N.R.). Ross Cayley publishes with the permission of the Director of the Geological Survey of Victoria.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Chemical bath deposition of textured and compact zinc oxide thin films on vinyl-terminated polystyrene brushes

In this study we investigated the influence of an organic polystyrene brush on the deposition of ZnO thin films under moderate conditions. On a non-modified SiOx surface, island growth is observed, whereas the polymer brush induces homogeneous film growth. A chemical modification of the polystyrene brushes during the mineralization process occurs, which enables stronger interaction between the then polar template and polar ZnO crystallites in solution. This may lead to oriented attachment of the crystallites so that the observed (002) texture arises. Characterization of the templates and the resulting ZnO films were performed with ζ-potential and contact angle measurements as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Infrared spectroscopy (IR) measurements were used to investigate the polystyrene brushes before and after modification

Separate phase-locking and coherent combining of two laser diodes in a Michelson cavity

We describe a new coherent beam combining architecture based on passive phase-locking of two laser diodes in a Michelson external cavity on their rear facet, and their coherent combination on the front facet. As a proof-of-principle, two ridge lasers have been coherently combined with >90 % efficiency. The phase-locking range, and the resistance of the external cavity to perturbations have been thoroughly investigated. The combined power has been stabilized over more than 15 min with an optical feedback as well as with an automatic adjustment of the driving currents. Furthermore, two high-brightness high-power tapered laser diodes have been coherently combined in a similar arrangement; the combining efficiency is 70% and results in an output power of 4 W. We believe that this new configuration combines the simplicity of passive self-organizing architectures with the optical efficiency of master-oscillator power-amplifier ones