Search

This article discusses the use of three-dimensional (3D) technology in surgical education and planning for endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEA) to the skull base. The authors created stereoscopic volumetric models (VMs) using 3D scanning technology and cadaveric dissections to depict the relevant anatomy and surgical techniques of EEA. The VMs provide a comprehensive view of the spatial relationships between anatomical landmarks and neurovascular structures encountered during EEA. This new modality of recording neuroanatomical dissections can be a valuable resource for anatomical education and surgical planning. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "Infratentorial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas—Microsurgical Anatomy and Techniques," explores the anatomical foundation and microsurgical techniques necessary to treat dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) in the infratentorial compartment. The study utilizes images and volumetric models obtained from cadaveric dissections to illustrate key anatomical landmarks of the posterior fossa. The article highlights the involvement of multiple supplying systems and the complexity of these cases, emphasizing the need for comprehensive understanding of the anatomy of each dAVF type. The study concludes that precise anatomical knowledge and virtual model tools can enhance surgical outcomes and improve patient care. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the use of photogrammetry concepts and Instant NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields) to create hyperrealistic neuroanatomical volumetric models. The authors used 24 datasets of high-resolution photos of anatomical dissections to generate 3D scenes with NeRF. The resulting reconstructions were able to accurately represent anatomical structures and surgical environments, providing a valuable resource for surgical planning and anatomical education. The authors suggest that further advancements in image acquisition and algorithm optimization are needed to fully harness the potential of this technology. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the use of full-spectrum photography in surgical neuroanatomy to visualize anatomical structures that are not visible to the naked eye. The study used three different full-spectrum modalities: 720-nm infrared, UV reflectance, and UV luminance, to capture images of dissected human cadavers. The results showed that full-spectrum photography revealed a variety of anatomical structures, such as clean neural surfaces, calcified structures, nerve fibers, microvascular components, and melanin, that were not visible in traditional photographs. The authors conclude that full-spectrum photography offers a valuable enhancement to anatomical dissections and education, providing a noninvasive means to visualize anatomical structures with greater clarity. [Extracted from the article]

Vaccine development for Plasmodium vivax, an important human relapsing malaria, is lagging behind. In the case of the most deadly human malaria P. falciparum, unprecedented high levels of protection have been obtained by immunization with live sporozoites under accompanying chemoprophylaxis, which prevents the onset of blood-stage malaria. Such an approach has not been fully evaluated for relapsing malaria. Here, in the P. cynomolgi-rhesus macaque model for relapsing malaria, we employ the parasites' natural relapsing phenotype to self-boost the immune response against liver-stage parasites, following a single-shot high-dose live sporozoite vaccination. This approach resulted in sterile protection against homologous sporozoite challenge in three out of four animals in the group that was also exposed for several days to blood stages during primary infection and relapses. One out of four animals in the group that received continuous chemoprophylaxis to abort blood-stage exposure was also protected from sporozoite challenge. Although obtained in a small number of animals as part of a Proof-of-Concept study, these results suggest that limited blood-stage parasite exposure may augment protection in this model. We anticipate our data are a starting point for further research into correlates of protection and extrapolation of the single-shot approach to develop efficacious malaria vaccines against relapsing human malaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neurocognitive trajectory in bipolar disorder (BD) is variable, with controversial findings, and most evidence come from cross-sectional studies. We aimed to examine the course of neurocognitive functioning in a sample of euthymic BD patients in comparison with a control group during a 5-year follow-up. Methods: Ninety-nine euthymic bipolar patients and 40 healthy controls were assessed using a comprehensive neurocognitive battery (six neurocognitive domains) at baseline (T1) and then at 5-year follow-up (T2) in a longitudinal study. Results: No evidence of a progression in neurocognitive dysfunction was found either in cognitive composite index or in any of the neurocognitive domains for the whole cohort. However, there was a negative correlation between number of manic episodes and hospitalisations due to manic episodes and change in neurocognitive composite index (NCI) during the follow-up. Moreover, patients with higher number of manic and hypomanic episodes have a greater decrease in NCI, working memory and visual memory. History of psychotic symptoms was not related to the trajectory of neurocognitive impairment. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, although the progression of cognitive decline is not a general rule in BD, BD patients who have a greater number of manic or hypomanic episodes may constitute a subgroup characterised by the progression of neurocognitive impairment. Prevention of manic and hypomanic episodes could have a positive impact on the trajectory of cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Web 2.0 phenomenon, REST services and growing mobile service consumption, among other factors, are leading the development of web applications to a new paradigm, named cross-device web application. Those web sites let organizations of all sizes provide a pervasive and contextual access to their information and services, to customers, employees and partners via potentially any kind of device. Most organizations often possess legacy systems that should face an ongoing evolution process to enhance its accessibility and interoperability. Yesterday they had to evolve to provide the user with a Web layer, and now they should evolve again to adapt to the new ways of data and services consumption on the Web. In such scenario, REST services play a key role, defining the interaction layer between the legacy system and all its heterogeneous front ends. This work presents a model-driven approach to derive a REST service layer from a legacy web application within the frame defined by a modernization process. This approach departs from a conceptual model of the legacy application generated by reverse engineering techniques. In this work we detail the generation process and provide a sample implementation instrumenting one of the studied web development frameworks to evaluate the suitability of the approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The identification of chemical activity residues on archaeological surfaces requires the analysis of large numbers of samples, which can be costly and time consuming. Researchers wishing to apply sediment chemistry often are confronted with a dilemma of which technique to use and how to accommodate sediment chemistry into their budget. We propose an approach to the identification of chemical activity residues in which semiquantitative spot tests, which are cheap, quick, and easy to apply, are employed as an initial phase of analysis in order to leverage the results of more time-consuming and costly instrumental techniques. Three examples that pair spot tests with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry analysis show that spot tests successfully identify areas of interest. This approach can save both time and research funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photosynthetic capacity changes and the main enzymatic systems related to carbon metabolism were investigated during the in vitro culture of plantain shoots (Musa AAB cv. CEMSA 3/4) in temporary immersion bioreactors (TIB) and their subsequent acclimatization. The maximal rate of photosynthesis (Pn), transpiration, and the activity of the carbon metabolism enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), acid invertase (AI), pyruvate kinase (PK) and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) were measured every 7 d during the 21 d of elongation in TIB, and the following 42 d of acclimatization. Sucrose content in the liquid medium and in the leaves was also determined. The most significant changes in plant growth were observed during acclimatization. During the in vitro stage photosynthesis was limited (4–6 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1); the photosynthetic rate however increases rapidly and significantly as soon as in vitro culture is over during acclimatization. PEPC activity increased during the whole evaluation period. The highest levels were achieved around days 42 and 56. PK and SPS activities were optimal during the first weeks in acclimatization (28–35 d), while AI increased at the beginning of the elongation phase (7 d), and later at the end of the acclimatization (49–63 d). The relationships between morphological parameters, photosynthetic capacity of the plantlets and the carbon metabolism enzymes during both phases of the culture are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in climatic change has never been greater and it is inevitable that the search for periodicities in the climatic record should be a popular means of attempting to unravel at least some of the complexities of the atmospheric system. This paper reviews aspects of the methodologies of spectral analysis and takes the example of the Barcelona precipitation series (1850–1991) to illustrate how both spectral analysis and other statistical analyses can provide information on climatic evolution as expressed through the medium of this one variable. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]