Accuracy of a magnetic resonance imaging‐based 3D printed stereotactic brain biopsy device in dogs

Background: Brain biopsy of intracranial lesions is often necessary to determine specific therapy. The cost of the currently used stereotactic rigid frame and optical tracking systems for brain biopsy in dogs is often prohibitive or accuracy is not sufficient for all types of lesion. Objectives: To evaluate the application accuracy of an inexpensive magnetic resonance imaging‐based personalized, 3D printed brain biopsy device. Animals: Twenty‐two dog heads from cadavers were separated into 2 groups according to body weight (20 kg). Methods: Experimental study. Two target points in each cadaver head were used (target point 1: caudate nucleus, target point 2: piriform lobe). Comparison between groups was performed using the independent Student's t test or the nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U Test. Results: The total median target point deviation was 0.83 mm (range 0.09‐2.76 mm). The separate median target point deviations for target points 1 and 2 in all dogs were 0.57 mm (range: 0.09‐1.25 mm) and 0.85 mm (range: 0.14‐2.76 mm), respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: This magnetic resonance imaging‐based 3D printed stereotactic brain biopsy device achieved an application accuracy that was better than the accuracy of most brain biopsy systems that are currently used in veterinary medicine. The device can be applied to every size and shape of skull and allows precise positioning of brain biopsy needles in dogs

The frequency of anti-infliximab antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in routine care and the associations with adverse drug reactions and treatment failure

Objectives. To investigate the frequency of anti-infliximab antibodies in patients with RA and the associations with adverse drug reactions and treatment failure. Methods. Based on the DANBIO registry, patients with RA who initiated treatment with infliximab at Hvidovre Hospital between 2000 and 2008 and had available serum samples were identified. The patients were followed for 52 weeks. Anti-infliximab antibodies were determined prior to infusion at baseline and during follow-up (weeks 2, 6, 14 and 52 or at withdrawal) using the IMPACT indirect assay (Roche Diagnostics) and merged with clinical data prospectively registered in the DANBIO registry. Results. A total of 218 patients with RA were included (80% females, median age 56 years, disease duration 10 years, 65% RF positive, median DAS28 = 5.0). During the 52-week follow-up, 28 patients (13%) withdrew due to adverse events and 50 (23%) due to treatment failure. Antibodies were detected in 118 patients (54%) during follow-up. Patients with detectable anti-infliximab antibodies after 6 weeks had an increased risk of adverse drug reactions [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.06, 95% CI 2.36, 10.84; P < 0.0001] compared with patients without anti-infliximab antibodies. Similar results were observed in patients with anti-infliximab antibodies after 14 weeks (HR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.56, 6.99; P = 0.0009). Patients with detectable anti-infliximab antibodies during the 52-week follow-up were less likely to achieve sustained minimal disease activity and remission. Conclusion. Early anti-infliximab antibody formation increased the risk of adverse drug reactions, including infusion reactions. Anti-infliximab antibody formation during the 52-week follow-up decreased the likelihood of minimal disease activity and remission in patients with RA treated in routine car

Die wirtschaftliche Lage Rußlands: Monetäre Orientierungslosigkeit und realwirtschaftlicher Aktionismus. Dritter Bericht

Die beteiligten Institute legen hiermit ihren dritten Bericht über die Wirtschaft Rußlands vor. Der Bericht ist in zwei Teile gegliedert. Im ersten Teil wird der aktuelle Stand der Wirtschaftsentwicklung und der Reformpolitik dargestellt. Seit der Fertigstellung des zweiten Berichts hat sich die politische und wirtschaftliche Lage in der Russischen Föderation nicht grundlegend geändert. Die politische Blockade zwischen Legislative und Exekutive lähmt weiterhin den Reformprozeß; eine Wende zum Besseren ist nicht zu erkennen. Der zweite Teil des Berichts beschäftigt sich schwerpunktmäßig mit der sozialen Lage der Bevölkerung. Gegenstand der Analyse sind die Entwicklung von Einkommen und Verbrauch, das System der sozialen Sicherung sowie das Angebotspotential für die Versorgung der Bevölkerung mit Gütern und Dienstleistungen. Nach wie vor werden die Analysen durch die unsichere politische Lage, den institutionellen Umbruch und das unzuverlässige Berichtssystem erheblich erschwert. Die statistische Berichterstattung hat sich im Zeitablauf sogar noch verschlechtert. Vor allem die Aktivitäten des sich neu entwickelnden privaten Sektors werden kaum erfaßt. Informationslücken konnten nur zu einem geringen Teil durch Befragung staatlicher Stellen und russischer Wissenschaftler vor Ort geschlossen werden, so daß erhebliche Unsicherheiten über den tatsächlichen Ablauf des Transformationsprozesses verbleiben

Die wirtschaftliche Lage Rußlands: Monetäre Orientierungslosigkeit und realwirtschaftlicher Aktionismus. Dritter Bericht

Die beteiligten Institute legen hiermit ihren dritten Bericht über die Wirtschaft Rußlands vor. Der Bericht ist in zwei Teile gegliedert. Im ersten Teil wird der aktuelle Stand der Wirtschaftsentwicklung und der Reformpolitik dargestellt. Seit der Fertigstellung des zweiten Berichts hat sich die politische und wirtschaftliche Lage in der Russischen Föderation nicht grundlegend geändert. Die politische Blockade zwischen Legislative und Exekutive lähmt weiterhin den Reformprozeß; eine Wende zum Besseren ist nicht zu erkennen. Der zweite Teil des Berichts beschäftigt sich schwerpunktmäßig mit der sozialen Lage der Bevölkerung. Gegenstand der Analyse sind die Entwicklung von Einkommen und Verbrauch, das System der sozialen Sicherung sowie das Angebotspotential für die Versorgung der Bevölkerung mit Gütern und Dienstleistungen. Nach wie vor werden die Analysen durch die unsichere politische Lage, den institutionellen Umbruch und das unzuverlässige Berichtssystem erheblich erschwert. Die statistische Berichterstattung hat sich im Zeitablauf sogar noch verschlechtert. Vor allem die Aktivitäten des sich neu entwickelnden privaten Sektors werden kaum erfaßt. Informationslücken konnten nur zu einem geringen Teil durch Befragung staatlicher Stellen und russischer Wissenschaftler vor Ort geschlossen werden, so daß erhebliche Unsicherheiten über den tatsächlichen Ablauf des Transformationsprozesses verbleiben. --

Structural and optical properties of gold nanosponges revealed via 3D nanoreconstruction and phase-field models

Nanosponges are subject of intensive research due to their unique morphology, which leads among other effects to electrodynamic field localization generating a strongly nonlinear optical response at hot spots and thus enable a variety of applications. Accurate predictions of physical properties require detailed knowledge of the sponges’ chaotic nanometer-sized structure, posing a metrological challenge. A major goal is to obtain computer models with equivalent structural and optical properties. Here, to understand the sponges’ morphology, we present a procedure for their accurate 3D reconstruction using focused ion beam tomography. Additionally, we introduce a simulation method to create nanoporous sponge models with adjustable geometric properties. It is shown that if certain morphological parameters are similar for computer-generated and experimental sponges, their optical response, including magnitudes and hot spot locations, are also similar. Finally, we analyze the anisotropy of experimental sponges and present an easy-to-use method to reproduce arbitrary anisotropies in computer-generated sponges

Functional improvement of patients with Parkinson syndromes using a rehabilitation training software

IntroductionIndividuals with Parkinsonian disorders often face limited access to specialized physiotherapy and movement training due to staff shortages and increasing disease incidence, resulting in a rapid decline in mobility and feelings of despair. Addressing these challenges requires allocating adequate resources and implementing specialized training programs to ensure comprehensive care and support. Regarding these problems, a computer software was invented that might serve as an additional home-based extension to conventional physiotherapy.MethodsThe trial took place in a rehabilitation center where every patient received equivalent treatment apart from the training program that was set up to be investigated over 3 weeks. Seventy four Patients were included and randomized between two intervention and one control group. Intervention group 1 (IG1) trained with the computer-based system two times a week while Intervention group 2 (IG2) received five training sessions a week. Using the markerless Microsoft Kinect® camera, participants controlled a digital avatar with their own body movements. UPDRS-III and Clinical measurements were performed before and after the three-week period.ResultsPatients in all groups improved in UPDRS-III pre and post intervention whereas reduction rates were higher for IG1 (−10.89%) and IG2 (−14.04%) than for CG (−7.74%). Differences between the groups were not significant (value of ps CG/IG1 0.225, CG/IG2 0.347). Growth rates for the arm abduction angle were significantly higher in IG1 (11.6%) and IG2 (9.97%) than in CG (1.87%) (value of ps CG/IG1 0.006 and CG/IG2 0.018), as was the 5-steps-distance (CG 10.86% vs. IG1 24.5% vs. UG2 26.22%, value of ps CG/IG1 0.011 and CG/IG2 0.031).DiscussionThe study shows the beneficial effects of computer-based training and substantiates the assumption of a similar impact in a home-based setting. The utilized software is feasible for such interventions and meets with the patient’s approval. Group dynamics seem to have an additional supporting effect for the aspired objective of improving mobility and should be seen as an essential aspect of video games in therapy

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Business Complaint Management Expectations

This paper is in closed access until 9th Dec 2016.Copyright © Taylor and Francis Group, LLC. This study explores the complaint management expectations of 72 British and 74 German organizational buyers using automated online means-end laddering and a Hierarchical Value Map presentation. It conceptualizes the links between expected complaint resolution attributes by the buyer (i.e., means) and the buyer's value perceptions (i.e., ends). Unlike previous research, we highlight similarities and differences in the drivers behind and attributes of complaint management expectations across two countries (Germany and the United Kingdom). Even in countries appearing to be similar economically and culturally, we find differences in the desired attributes. British buyers, for example, emphasize softer complaint resolution attributes compared to Germans. Our study is the first to present a model of complaint management expectations incorporating the role of culture, and it provides managerial directions on standardization and adaption of complaint resolution attributes. Furthermore, it evaluates justice dimensions (especially interactional justice) and their impact on perceptions of complaint management