A New Method for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta).

Late effects of total- or partial-body irradiation include chronic kidney injury (CKI), which increases morbidity and mortality. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the gold standard measure of kidney function. Renal function markers, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr), may not be higher than reference ranges until 50% or more of nephrons are affected.

Imaging Photon-Induced Near-Field Distributions of a Plasmonic, Self-Assembled Vesicle by a Laser-Integrated Electron Microscope.

Plasmonic polymeric nanoassemblies offer valuable opportunities in photoconversion applications. Localized surface plasmon mechanisms behind such nanoassemblies govern their functionalities under light illumination. However, an in-depth investigation at the single nanoparticle (NP) level is still challenging, especially when the buried interface is involved, due to the availability of suitable techniques.

Single-shot ultrafast terahertz photography.

Multidimensional imaging of transient events has proven pivotal in unveiling many fundamental mechanisms in physics, chemistry, and biology. In particular, real-time imaging modalities with ultrahigh temporal resolutions are required for capturing ultrashort events on picosecond timescales. Despite recent approaches witnessing a dramatic boost in high-speed photography, current single-shot ultrafast imaging schemes operate only at conventional optical wavelengths, being suitable solely within an optically-transparent framework.

Robot-assisted versus navigated transpedicular spine fusion: A comparative study.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between a robot-assisted versus a navigated transpedicular fusion technique.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent transpedicular posterior fusion of the spine due to trauma, pyogenic spondylodiscitis and osteoporosis. Surgery was done either with a robot-assisted or a percutaneous navigated transpedicular fusion technique.

Solid-state biased coherent detection of ultra-broadband terahertz pulses generated in a spintronic emitter for high repetition rate, low pulse energy lasers.

We report the coherent generation and detection of terahertz (THz) pulses featuring a spectral bandwidth in the range of 0.1-9 THz achieved via the use of a high repetition rate (250 kHz), low pulse energy (6.2 µJ) laser system.

Controlling axonal regeneration with acellular nerve allograft limits neuroma formation in peripheral nerve transection: An experimental study in a swine model.

Background: Symptomatic neuromata are a common indication for revision surgery following amputation. Previously described treatments, including traction neurectomy, nerve transposition, targeted muscle re-innervation, and nerve capping, have provided inconsistent results or are technically challenging. Prior research using acellular nerve allografts (ANA) has shown controlled termination of axonal regrowth in long grafts.

Versatile metal-wire waveguides for broadband terahertz signal processing and multiplexing.

Waveguides play a pivotal role in the full deployment of terahertz communication systems. Besides signal transporting, innovative terahertz waveguides are required to provide versatile signal-processing functionalities. Despite fundamental components, such as Bragg gratings, have been recently realized, they typically rely on complex hybridization, in turn making it extremely challenging to go beyond the most elementary functions.

Health Profile of Precarious Migrants Attending the Médecins Du Monde's Health and Social Care Centres in France: a Cross-Sectional Study.

The present study aimed to compare the precarious migrants' health problems managed in Médecins du Monde's health and social care centres (CASO) with those of patients attending general practice in France. We compared the most frequent health problems managed in the 19 CASO in metropolitan France with those of a national sample of usual general practice consultations, after standardisation for age and sex. Precarious migrants had fewer health problems managed per consultation than other patients (mean: 1.

Homodyne Solid-State Biased Coherent Detection of Ultra-Broadband Terahertz Pulses with Static Electric Fields.

We present an innovative implementation of the solid-state-biased coherent detection (SSBCD) technique, which we have recently introduced for the reconstruction of both amplitude and phase of ultra-broadband terahertz pulses. In our previous works, the SSBCD method has been operated via a heterodyne scheme, which involves demanding square-wave voltage amplifiers, phase-locked to the THz pulse train, as well as an electronic circuit for the demodulation of the readout signal. Here, we demonstrate that the SSBCD technique can be operated via a very simple homodyne scheme, exploiting plain static bias voltages.

Inhibition of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling with Rapamycin Prevents Trauma-Induced Heterotopic Ossification.

A pressing clinical need exists for 63% to 65% of combat-wounded service members and 11% to 20% of civilians who develop heterotopic ossification (HO) after blast-related extremity injury and traumatic injuries, respectively. The mammalian target of rapamycin pathway is a central cellular sensor of injury. We evaluated the prophylactic effects of rapamycin, a selective inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling, on HO formation in a rat model of blast-related, polytraumatic extremity injury.

Early local delivery of vancomycin suppresses ectopic bone formation in a rat model of trauma-induced heterotopic ossification.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating sequela of high-energy injuries. It frequently requires surgical excision once symptomatic and there is no practical prophylaxis for combat-injured patients. In this study, we examined the effect of local vancomycin powder on HO formation in a small animal model of blast-related, post-traumatic HO.

Knowledge of HIV and hepatitis B and C status among people living in extreme poverty in France, in 2012.

Objective: "Médecins du Monde" healthcare centers receive individuals living in extremely precarious conditions for primary health care; 94% of these are foreigners. These medical consultations are an opportunity to discuss their serological status and to offer them screening tests.

Patients And Method: Two standardized questionnaires were implemented in all healthcare centers in 2000.

Backward frequency doubling of near infrared picosecond pulses.

We report on backward second-harmonic generation using ps laser pulses in congruent lithium niobate with 3.2 µm periodic poling. Three resonant peaks were measured between 1530 and 1730 nm, corresponding to 16th, 17th and 18th quasi-phase-matching orders in the backward configuration, with a conversion efficiency of 4.

Wideband THz time domain spectroscopy based on optical rectification and electro-optic sampling.

We present an analytical model describing the full electromagnetic propagation in a THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) system, from the THz pulses via Optical Rectification to the detection via Electro Optic-Sampling. While several investigations deal singularly with the many elements that constitute a THz-TDS, in our work we pay particular attention to the modelling of the time-frequency behaviour of all the stages which compose the experimental set-up. Therefore, our model considers the following main aspects: (i) pump beam focusing into the generation crystal; (ii) phase-matching inside both the generation and detection crystals; (iii) chromatic dispersion and absorption inside the crystals; (iv) Fabry-Perot effect; (v) diffraction outside, i.

Cervical spine trauma in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: injury characteristics and outcome with surgical treatment.

Study Design: Retrospective study of a consecutive series of operatively managed patients with cervical fractures with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) presenting to 3 institutions over an 8 year period.

Objective: Assess demographics, fracture characteristics, outcome and complications in patients managed surgically.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical spine injuries related to DISH represent a difficult subgroup of trauma patients to treat.

Meningioma surgery in the elderly: outcome and validation of 2 proposed grading score systems.

Background: Although population age increases, published evidence on meningioma treatment in the elderly is scarce.

Objective: In order to improve selection for surgery, we investigated our patients' collective, using 2 proposed risk assessment systems, the Clinical-Radiological Grading System (CRGS) and the SKALE score (sex, Karnofsky, American Society of Anesthesiology [ASA] score, location, edema).

Methods: We retrospectively assessed morbidity and mortality in 164 patients aged ≥ 65, operated on for an intracranial meningioma.

Modern management of rare brain metastases in adults.

Brain metastases (BM) represent the main cause of intracranial neoplasms in adults, while being relatively less common in children. Today, better treatment options of the primary malignancy lead to higher remission rates as well as prolonged stable clinical conditions. This may in part explain the increased incidence of BM.

Image-based tissue engineering of a total intervertebral disc implant for restoration of function to the rat lumbar spine.

Nonbiological total disc replacement is currently being used for the treatment of intervertebral disc (IVD) disease and injury, but these implants are prone to mechanical wear, tear and possible dislodgement. Recently, tissue-engineered total disc replacement (TE-TDR) has been investigated as a possible alternative to more fully replicate the native IVD properties. However, the performance of TE-TDRs has not been studied in the native disc space.

The vertebral artery and the cervical pedicle: morphometric analysis of a critical neighborhood.

OBJECT The purpose of this retrospective study was to quantify the anatomical relationship between the vertebral artery (VA), the cervical pedicle, and its surrounding structures, including the incidence of irregularities. Additionally, data delineating a "safe zone," and these data's application during instrumentation with transpedicular cervical screw fixation were considered. The anatomical proximity of the VA to the cervical pedicle prevents spine surgeons from preferring cervical pedicle screws (CPSs) over lateral mass screws at levels C3-6.

Bioabsorbable instrumentation for single-level cervical degenerative disc disease: a radiological and clinical outcome study.

Object: The authors present the radiological and clinical outcome data obtained in patients who underwent single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical spondylosis and/or disc herniation; bioabsorbable plates were used for instrumentation. The use of metallic plates in ACDF has gained acceptance as a stabilizing part of the procedure to increase fusion rates, but when complications occur with these devices, the overall effectiveness of the procedure is compromised. As a possible solution, bioabsorbable implants for ACDF have been developed.

Neuronavigation in the minimally invasive presacral approach for lumbosacral fusion.

Introduction: Intraoperative 3D navigation (3D NAV) is gaining importance in spinal surgery, especially with the advancement of minimally invasive techniques in this field. We hypothesized that 3D NAV may be of benefit in the recently described minimally invasive presacral approach for L4-S1 fusion (AxiaLIF).

Methods: Five patients with refractory low back pain and L5-S1 degenerative disease underwent 3D NAV-assisted placement of a presacral L5-S1 screw.

Tubular microsurgery for lumbar discectomies and laminectomies in obese patients: operative results and outcome.

Study Design: This is a retrospective single-center case study involving 115 obese and nonobese patients who underwent minimally invasive lumbar surgery between 2004 and 2007.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of minimally invasive spinal surgery in obese and nonobese patients by operative results and patient outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: Spinal surgery in obese patients is associated with increased complications, blood loss, and operative times.