[Growth modulation through hemiepiphysiodesis : Novel surgical techniques: risks and progress]. / Kniegelenksnahe Wachstumsmodulation durch Hemiepiphysiodese : Neue Operationstechniken: Fortschritte und Risiken.

The correction of angular deformities of the lower limb is a key task in paediatric orthopaedic surgery. The growth potential of the physis can be employed for the correction of these malalignments in childhood and adolescence. Hemiepiphysiodesis (HED) is a surgical technique used for growth modulation by permanent or temporary asymmetrical arrest of the growth plate. In permanent HED, exact timing of the procedure is mandatory to achieve optimal correction. Temporary HED through tension band devices such as two-hole-plates or flexible staples has been established as the treatment of choice for growth guidance with excellent results. Implant-associated complications have been significantly reduced through implant modifications. Several experimental procedures have the potential to achieve growth modulation even without the requirement of surgical intervention.

Fibula-Assisted Segment Transport (FAST) for Defect Reconstruction after Resection of Tibial Adamantinoma: Report of Two Treatments.

Intramedullary limb lengthening via lengthening nails has been performed for more than three decades to overcome leg length inequalities. Plate-assisted bone segment transport (PABST) has recently been described for the reconstruction of segmental bone defects. We modified this procedure by using the ipsilateral fibula as a "biological plate" and report on its technical particularities and application in the reconstructive treatment of adamantinomas of the tibia in two patients. Both patients were successfully treated by wide resection and reconstruction of the tibial bone via bone segment transport through an expandable intramedullary nail using the remaining ipsilateral fibula to provide stabilization and guidance. This procedure was titled "fibula-assisted segment transport" (FAST). This is a new and promising technique that allows an entirely biological reconstruction of large bone defects of the tibia.

[Application of motorized intramedullary lengthening nails in skeletally immature patients : Indications and limitations]. / Anwendung motorisierter Verlängerungsmarknägel am wachsenden Skelett : Indikationsspektrum und Limitationen.

BACKGROUND: Limb lengthening and deformity correction with motorized intramedullary lengthening nails is a more comfortable and equally safe procedure than the use of external fixators. While this treatment is a well-established method in adults, intramedullary nailing for skeletally immature patients remains a challenge and is the focus of current clinical investigations. OBJECTIVE: Elucidation of the indications for the application of femoral and tibial lengthening nails in skeletally immature patients, presentation of essential characteristics and limitations of the treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Treatment of skeletally immature patients up to 16 years old who had a lengthening nail inserted was retrospectively clinically and radiologically evaluated (2016-2018). RESULTS: A total of 60 procedures were performed on 54 patients. Mean age at the time of surgery was 13.6 years and the mean follow-up time was 10 months. Different nailing approaches were used: antegrade femoral (n = 42), retrograde femoral (n = 10) and antegrade tibial (n = 8). The average amount of lengthening was 45 mm. In 58 of the 60 cases (96.7%) the desired amount of lengthening was achieved, while 2 patients experienced complications that required interruption of the treatment. None of the patients developed growth disorders associated with the nailing approach. CONCLUSION: Different approaches for intramedullary lengthening nails can be used in children and adolescents to correct leg length discrepancy with or without concomitant deformities. The treatment is limited by the size of the available nails, the residual growth and extent of the deformity. Larger trials will be needed to further validate the application of lengthening nails in skeletally immature patients.

Terahertz emission from electric field singularities in biased semiconductors.

We use electric field singularities in biased metal semiconductor microstructures to enhance the generation of terahertz (THz) radiation from semiconductors. We find that, regardless of the mechanism that is responsible for enhanced THz emission near the anode, singular electric fields near sharp anode features will enhance this emission by as much as an order of magnitude. We show scanning THz measurements of several of these structures and discuss the physical mechanism responsible for this enhanced emission. A new family of more efficient terahertz emitters based on these effects can be designed that will improve the dynamic range of THz imaging and spectroscopy systems.

Experimental vaccination of young chickens with a live, non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli.

A non-pathogenic, piliated strain of Escherichia coli (BT-7; Frommer et al., 1990), isolated from a meat-type chicken flock, was studied as a candidate for a live vaccine to protect chickens from E. coli infection. Active immunization provided substantial protection of chicks vaccinated at 14 or 21 days of age, resulting in better resistance to challenge than in those vaccinated at 1 or 7 days. Chicks vaccinated at 21 days of age and challenged 1 week later with pathogenic E. coli strains 01-.K1, 02:K1 or 078:K80, exhibited good protection for at least 2 weeks against all strains. Three vaccination routes were found to give the highest resistance to challenge with pathogenic E. coli strain 078:K80. Intramuscular (i.m.) at 7 and 21 days of age, i.m. at 21 days of age and spray at 7, followed by per os at 21 days of age. Vaccination per os once at 7 or twice at 7 and 21 days resulted in good protection. Chicks exhibiting high antibody titres by ELISA were well-protected against challenge.

An American's perspective of Hungarian health care.

As U.S. health care affordability becomes a major issue, the author looks at the national health care system in Hungary. The statistics of Hungary's health care system are daunting: it is free, but not without cost to the patient. The system is being expanded and improved.

Adherence-associated characteristics and pathogenicity of Escherichia coli from avian colibacillosis.

Escherichia coli isolates from avian colibacillosis were examined for adherence-associated characteristics and post-colonisation pathogenicity. The adherence-associated characteristics studied included expression of pili, ability to partition with a hydrophobic phase, and ability to bind to Biosilon plastic polar-surfaced microcarriers. None of the adherence-associated characteristics correlated absolutely with post-colonisation pathogenicity, and thus in vitro tests for these adherence-associated characteristics cannot be used to predict whether any given E. coli avian colibacillosis isolate will exhibit post-colonisation pathogenicity. The isolation of strain BT7 from avian colibacillosis, a piliated E. coli strain which binds to Biosilon polar-surfaced plastic microcarriers, but is not pathogenic, is reported.

Muscovy ducks as a source of Pasteurella anatipestifer infection in turkey flocks.

An outbreak of disease, characterised by neurological signs and increased mortality, occurred in 17 out of 50 turkey farms in a village. Virological tests were negative as were routine bacteriological tests of the organs. However, Pasteurella anatipestifer was repeatedly isolated from the brain. The source of the infection was probably a group of Muscovy ducks.