A Multidisciplinary Skull Base Board for Tumour and Non-Tumour Diseases: Initial Experiences.

The skull base is the area where various cancerous and non-cancerous diseases occur and represents the intersection of several medical fields. The key is an integrated treatment by specialists of multiple disciplines. We prospectively analysed patients with a skull base disease between August 2022 and 2023 and presented to the Multidisciplinary Skull Base Board (MDT-SB), which takes place once a month hybridly (in-person and remotely).

Fly-Ash Evaluation as Potential EOL Material Replacement of Cement in Pastes: Morpho-Structural and Physico-Chemical Properties Assessment.

The main objective of the study was to produce alternative binder materials, obtained with low cost, low energy consumption, and low CO production, by regenerating end-of-life (EOL) materials from mineral deposits, to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The materials analyzed were ash and slag from the Turceni thermal power plant deposit, Romania. These were initially examined for morphology, mineralogical composition, elemental composition, degree of crystallinity, and heating behavior, to determine their ability to be used as a potential source of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and to establish the activation and transformation temperature in the SCM.

End-of-Life Materials Used as Supplementary Cementitious Materials in the Concrete Industry.

A sustainable solution for the global construction industry can be partial substitution of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) by use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) sourced from industrial end-of-life (EOL) products that contain calcareous, siliceous and aluminous materials. Candidate EOL materials include fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), natural pozzolanic materials like sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), palm oil fuel ash (POFA), rice husk ash (RHA), mine tailings, marble dust, construction and demolition debris (CDD). Studies have revealed these materials to be cementitious and/or pozzolanic in nature.

Patient perception of anticoagulant treatment for stroke prevention (RE-SONANCE study).

Objective: We evaluated atrial fibrillation (AF) patients' perceptions of anticoagulation treatment with dabigatran or a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for stroke prevention, according to accepted indications.

Methods: The RE-SONANCE observational, prospective, multicentre, international study used the validated Perception on Anticoagulant Treatment Questionnaire (PACT-Q) to assess patients with AF already taking a VKA who were switched to dabigatran (cohort A), and newly diagnosed patients initiated on either dabigatran or a VKA (cohort B). Visit 1 (V1) was at baseline, and visit 2 (V2) and visit 3 (V3) were at 30-45 and 150-210 days after baseline, respectively.

Re-evaluation of von Frauenfeld, 1862 and Gittenberger, 1980, including the description of two new Iberian species using Computer Tomography (CT) (Eupulmonata, Ellobioidea, Carychiidae).

The present study aims to clarify the confused taxonomy of von Frauenfeld, 1862 and Gittenberger, 1980. Revision of Iberian micro snails is severely hindered by uncertainties regarding the identity of the oldest Iberian species, von Frauenfeld, 1862. In this paper, we clarify its taxonomic status by designating a lectotype from the original syntype series and by describing its internal and external shell morphology.

Efficacy of Photon-induced Photoacoustic Streaming in the Reduction of Enterococcus faecalis within the Root Canal: Different Settings and Different Sodium Hypochlorite Concentrations.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of laser-activated irrigation by photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) in the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in root canal disinfection, varying laser energy output, and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) concentration. For effective removal of the smear layer, the sequence and resting time of the final irrigation steps were modified compared with the standard PIPS protocol.

Methods: Eighty-six extracted single-rooted teeth were mechanically prepared, sterilized, and inoculated with E.

Beyond aphasia: Altered EEG connectivity in Broca's patients during working memory task.

Broca's region and adjacent cortex presumably take part in working memory (WM) processes. Electrophysiologically, these processes are reflected in synchronized oscillations. We present the first study exploring the effects of a stroke causing Broca's aphasia on these processes and specifically on synchronized functional WM networks.

Central nervous system granulomastous phlebitis with limited extracranial involvement of the heart and lungs: An autopsy case.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system is a rare condition, usually with an insidious onset. There is a wide variety of histological types (granulomatous, lymphocytic or necrotizing vasculitis) and types of vessel involved (arteries, veins or both). Most cases are idiopathic.

Two new species of the genus Armascirus (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from India and Vietnam, with a description of the preimaginal stage of Armascirus fendai.

Two new mite species from India and Vietnam, viz. Armascirus denheyeri sp. nov.

Two new species of Armascirus (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from Slovakia.

Two new mite species from Central Europe, viz. Armascirus fendai sp. nov.

Persistent Trigeminal Artery Variant: MR Angiographic Demonstration. A Report of Two Cases.

A variant (PTAV) is the persistence after birth of the fetal carotid-basilar anastomosis between the internal carotid artery and a cerebellar artery. We describe two cases of a PTAV demonstrated on MR angiography. A comparison with a persistant trigeminal artery is made and an explanation of the extended Saltzman classification is given.

MR perfusion and diffusion imaging in the follow-up of recurrent glioblastoma treated with dendritic cell immunotherapy: a pilot study.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the potential value of MR-PWI and MR-DWI to differentiate immune therapy-induced inflammatory response from recurrent glioblastoma tumour growth. Both can present as contrast-enhancing lesions on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Patients with recurrent glioblastoma who could obtain a total or near-total resection were treated with dendritic cell immune therapy according to the HGG-IMMUNO-2003 trial.

Postoperative epidural fibrosis.

Background: Epidural fibrosis (EF) is defined as nonphysiologic scar formation, usually at the site of neurosurgical access into the spinal canal, in intimate vicinity to and around the origin of the radicular sheath. From the very onset, EF behaves as a reparative inflammation causing, as a rule, clinical problems of characteristic nature and dynamism (pain). Treatment for EF, the role and mode of application of corticosteroids for EF management are, to this day, a moot point in algesiologic literature.

Wavelet analysis of voluntary cough sound in patients with respiratory diseases.

Changes in the characteristics of the cough sound may refer to some specific pathological processes and their evolution. In this pilot study we analyzed voluntary cough sound properties in subjects with asthma bronchiale (AB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and discriminated them from the control cough sound in healthy subjects. The wavelet transform was used due to a nonstationarity of cough sound recordings.

Comparison between degree of carotid stenosis observed at angiography and in histological examination.

Background: The generally accepted indications for carotid endarterectomy are the clinical picture and degree of per cent stenosis of the carotid artery. Despite the fact that stenosis measurement is defined, the methods vary considerably. The correlation of particular methods, especially angiography and duplex sonography, has been repeatedly demonstrated.

Analysis of the cough sound frequency in adults and children with bronchial asthma.

It is well known that the frequency distribution of cough sound varies in different pathological conditions. Its identification could have diagnostic value. In this study the cough sound frequency in adults (n=20, 51.

The effect of the pulsatile electromagnetic field in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

Pulsatile electromagnetotherapy (PETh) stimulates biological tissues and processes; it modulates ion exchange across cell membranes and thus regulates the tone of smooth muscles. On the basis of these effects we hypothetized that PETh might treat COPD and bronchial asthma. We examined 117 (61 females, 56 males) adult patients who were decided in 4 groups.

The sensitivity of tussiphonography for assessing the effectiveness of treatment.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that tussiphonogram is suitable not only for the detection of pathological condition in the respiratory tract but also for treatment effectiveness assessment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibilities of tussiphonography in detection of already little pathological changes in the airways and lungs. Therefore the changes of voluntary cough sound indexes were compared with pulmonary function tests in selected group of asthmatics before and after a pulsatile electromagnetic therapy in which the effect of therapy on pulmonary function tests was minimal.

[Use of recording methods and sound analysis of cough in the study of sound phenomena associated with respiration].

The objective registration of the human body functions is one of the main tasks of the modern and prospective medicine. The registration of the heart, brain, muscles etc. activity have a long tradition.

Analysis of the cough sound: an overview.

Coughing is presented by a sudden air expulsion from the airways which is characterized by a typical sound. This sound is so characteristic that it allows identification of the cough and its distinction from other vocal manifestations. The cough sound is a very important symptom of well over 100 diseases and other conditions of medical significance.

A new scleral suction trephine for retrieval of corneoscleral donor tissue.

Background: Removal of donor corneo-scleral shell from a cadaver, leaving the remainder of the eye in place, has become a popular technique. Manual removal can result in excessive trauma to the corneal endothelium or an uneven scleral rim.

Methods: We describe a new technique for corneal retrieval using a sceral suction trephine.

Human excimer laser keratectomy. Immunohistochemical analysis of healing.

Objective: To analyze human corneal responses to excimer laser by immunohistochemistry.

Methods: Corneas cultured for 3 weeks after laser ablation or taken from patients 5 to 16 months after laser treatment were exposed to antibodies to beta, integrin; types VII, IV, and III collagen; fibronectin; type I procollagen; and prolyl 4-hydroxylase. Antibody distributions were compared with those of normal corneas and unablated regions of treated corneas.

Lamellar keratoplasty performed with a corneal scleral button.

Tissue for lamellar corneal surgical procedures is usually harvested from whole eyes. We describe a surgical technique for the rehabilitation of corneoscleral defects with lamellar keratoplasty in which the donor tissue is obtained from a preserved corneoscleral button instead of a whole globe. This technique is illustrated with a case involving the treatment of a limbal dermoid in a 26-month-old boy.