Forces required to dynamize sliding screws in gamma nail and selfdynamizable internal fixator.

BACKGROUND: Single limb support phase of the gait-cycle in patients who are treated for a pertrochanteric fracture is characterized by transversal loads acting on the lag screw, tending to block its dynamization. If the simultaneous axial force overcomes transversal loads of the sliding screw, the dynamization can still occur. METHODS: Biomechanical investigation was performed for three types of dynamic implants: Gamma Nail, and two types of Selfdynamizable Internal Fixators (SIF) - SIF-7 (containing two 7 mm non-cannulated sliding screws), and SIF-10 (containing one 10 mm cannulated sliding screw). Contact surface between the stem and the sliding screws is larger in SIF implants than in Gamma Nail, as the stem of Gamma Nail is hollow. A special testing device was designed for this study to provide simultaneous application of a controlled sliding screws bending moment and a controlled transversal load on sliding screws (Qt) without using of weights. Using each of the implants, axial forces required to initiate sliding screws dynamization (Qa) were applied and measured using a tensile testing machine, for several values of sliding screws bending moment. Standard least-squares method was used to present the results through the linear regression model. RESULTS: Positive correlation between Qt and Qa was confirmed (p < 0.05). While performing higher bending moments in all the tested implants, Qa was higher than it could be provided by the body weight. It was the highest in Gamma Nail, and the lowest in SIF-10. CONCLUSIONS: A larger contact surface between a sliding screw and stem results in lower forces required to initiate dynamization of a sliding screw. Patients treated for a pertrochanteric fracture by a sliding screw internal fixation who have longer femoral neck or higher body weight could have different programme of early postoperative rehabilitation than lighter patients or patients with shorter femoral neck.

Review of the Gasteruptiidae (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea) from the territory of the former Yugoslavia, with three newly reported species.

The results of more than 120 years of investigation of the fauna of Gasteruptiidae for the territory of former Yugoslavia (including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia) are summarized. Results from recently collected material and from unidentified specimens in collections are combined with those of published records. The total number of valid species of the genus Gasteruption Latreille for the area of former Yugoslavia is 22, which is more than in any country represented in Fauna Europaea database. One species is firstly recorded for the mainland Europe (G. syriacum Szépligeti), two more species are newly recorded for the investigated area and there are 23 first country-records for the involved countries (based on 17 species).

Effect of α-cypermethrin and pirimiphos-methyl on wing morphology of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and T. confusum Jacquelin du Val: a comparative study.

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are widespread and serious pests of stored products. Various insecticides are applied aiming to effectively manage both species. Here, two insecticides are tested, the pyrethroid α-cypermethrin and the organophosphate pirimiphos-methyl, hypothesizing that they can lead to morphological changes in the certain body parts of the adult offspring of treated T. castaneum and T. confusum parental female adults. For this purpose, the geometric morphometric method to the elytra and hindwings was applied. Both males and females were included in the analysis. The results showed that adult individuals of T. confusum showed higher tolerance to both insecticides compared to T. castaneum adults. This finding is reflected in analyses of both pairs of wings in T. confusum where changes in shape were negligible. The hindwings of T. castaneum experienced deformations to both insecticides. More significant changes in wing shape were observed in the α-cypermethrin treatment compared to pirimiphos-methyl. In the case of T. castaneum, even the shortest exposure to insecticides (5 min) is enough to provoke shape changes in the hindwings. Deformities in offspring, caused after treatment of their parents with insecticides, could moderate the frequency of insecticidal applications in storages.

Four New Species of Pseudephedrus (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae) from Chile with a Key to Species Identification.

The following work consists of the description of four new species of the genus Pseudephedrus Starý (Aphidiinae), endemic to South America, associated with endemic callaphidid aphid hosts. The descriptions of the new species are based on new samples from Chile and Argentina. The new species described here are as follows: Pseudephedrus staryi sp.n., which is morphologically very close to the already described P. chilensis Starý, with clear apomorphies; P. pubescens sp.n., which presents a setose scutellum, P. flava sp.n. and P. patagonicus sp.n. which have distinct, very elongated, and crenulated petioles representing synapomorphies and probably form separate phylogenetic lineages within Pseudephedrus. All hosts are aphids from the genus Neuquenaphis Blanchard, with varying degrees of diet specialization. From our field and laboratory observations, we hypothesize that, since attempts to sample parasitoids using sweep nets were much more successful than sampling from collected aphids, and since we found mummified aphids only on the ground among the fallen leaves under the trees, Neuquenaphis aphids fall to the ground showing a dropping behaviour as a defence against natural enemies after being stung by parasitoids. This makes rearing from live aphids very unsuccessful and could help explain why it has been difficult to collect and describe species. We supplement the distribution of Pseudephedrus from South America and present a key for the identification of all species based on their morphology.

The influence of different sub-bandage pressure values in the prevention of recurrence of venous ulceration-A ten year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy of three different strengths of compression systems in the prevention of venous leg ulcer (VLU) recurrences during a 10-year follow up period. METHODS: An open, prospective, randomized, single-center study included 477 patients (240 men, 237 women; mean age 59 years). Patients were randomized into three groups: Group A) 149 patients (allocated to wear elastic stocking 18-25 mmHg). Group B) 167 patients (wearing compression device exerting 25-35 mmHg), and Group C) 161 patients (treated with multilayer compression system exerting 35-50 mmHg). RESULTS: Overall, 65% (234/360) of patients had recurrent VLU within 10 years. Recurrence occurred in 120 (96%) of 125 in group A, in 89 (66.9%) of 133 patients in group B and in 25 (24.5%) of 102 patients in group C (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compression systems with the higher compression class provide lower recurrence rate.

Sub-Lethal Effects of Pirimiphos-Methyl Are Expressed to Different Levels in Wings of Three Stored-Product Coleopterans: A Geometric Morphometrics Investigation.

Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Prostephanus truncatus (Horn), and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) are noxious insect pests of grains in storages. Pirimiphos-methyl is widely used to protect grains at the post-harvest stage. However, the sub-lethal impact of this active ingredient on the offspring of all three coleopterans remains unknown. Thus, mated females of each species were exposed separately to pirimiphos-methyl at short exposures (30 min, 3, 5, 8, 16, 24, and 36 h), where the elytra and hindwings of the adult progeny were analyzed with the geometric morphometrics method. Males and females of all species were incorporated into the analysis. The results revealed variability among species. Tenebrio molitor was the most sensitive among three species, displaying significant deformations in the elytra and hindwings. Males had more conspicuous morphological changes than females. Prostephanus truncatus hindwings exhibited deformities after 36 h of exposure to pirimiphos-methyl. In contrast, R. dominica offspring were not affected by pirimiphos-methyl. In light of our findings, organophosphorus insecticides may cause variable sub-lethal effects to stored-product insects. This issue may lead to different insecticidal treatments according to the targeted stored-product species.

Prognostic significance of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis in patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism regarding the European Society of Cardiology mortality risk model.

BACKGROUND: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be symptomatic or asymptomatic in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). The prognostic value of the symptomatic DVT at the presentation regarding the prognosis of PE is unknown. METHODS: Data were extracted from the REgional Pulmonary Embolism Registry (REPER) which enrolled 1604 hospitalized patients after multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) diagnosed symptomatic acute PE. According to the ESC risk model, patients were classified into four subgroups. Patients who had leg edema with or without pain, and patients with leg pain and DVT confirmed by compression ultrasound were considered to have symptomatic DVT. This study aimed to compare all-cause hospital mortality between patients with symptomatic DVT and patients without symptoms or signs of DVT across the PE risk stratums. RESULTS: All-cause mortality in patients with symptomatic DVT compared to those who had no symptoms or signs of DVT were 2/196 (1.0%) vs. 11/316 (3.5%), P=0.145, 4/129 (3.1%) vs. 17/228 (7.5%), P=0.106, 14/196 (7.1%) vs. 54/290 (18.6%), P<0.001 and 16/55 (29.1%) vs. 51/139 (36.7%), P=0.402 in patients with low, intermediate-low, intermediate-high and high-risk PE, respectively. In multivariate analysis symptomatic DVT was associated with decreased in-hospital mortality only in patients with intermediate-high PE (OR 0.320, 95%CI 0.164-0.627; P=0.001). Intermediate-high risk PE patients with symptomatic DVT who were treated with thrombolysis had significantly lower hospital mortality than patients without symptoms or signs of DVT (2.2% vs. 11.4%, P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate-high risk PE patients with symptomatic DVT at presentation may benefit from thrombolysis and have lower hospital all-cause mortality in such circumstances.

Protocol dependence of mechanical properties in granular systems.

We study the protocol dependence of the mechanical properties of granular media by means of computer simulations. We control a protocol of realizing disk packings in a systematic manner. In 2D, by keeping material properties of the constituents identical, we carry out compaction with various strain rates. The disk packings exhibit the strain rate dependence of the critical packing fraction above which the pressure becomes non-zero. The observed behavior contrasts with the well-studied jamming transitions for frictionless disk packings. We also observe that the elastic moduli of the disk packings depend on the strain rate logarithmically. Our results suggest that there exists a time-dependent state variable to describe macroscopic material properties of disk packings, which depend on its protocol.

A Retrospective Comparative Study of Serbian Underground Coalmining Injuries.

BACKGROUND: During 2011, a study was undertaken to assess safety conditions in Serbian underground coalmines by analysis of injury data. The study covered all Serbian coalmines, identified week spots from the aspect of safety, and recommended possible courses of action. Since then, Serbia has made changes to safety and health legislation; all coalmines introduced new preventive measures, adopted international standards, and made procedures for risk management. After 10 years a new study has been performed to analyze the impact of these changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the injuries that have occurred in the Serbian underground coal mines over the last 20 years were analyzed. Statistical data analysis was performed by IBM SPSS Statistics v23. The injuries that occurred in the last ten years were compared with the results of the previous study (2000-2009). The average values of injury rates for both periods were compared for each of the categories (severity, age, body part, qualification), and the results were presented as absolute difference or percentile difference. RESULTS: The results showed reduction in the number of injuries in the category of 20-30 years old workers, where the new training procedures for workers, which were set by mandatory legal regulations, certainly contributed. They also showed an increase in the number of injuries in the category of old workers, which indicates that the law did not have a positive effect on this category. CONCLUSION: The total number of injuries is still high; therefore, it is necessary to introduce mechanization and automation in mines and have a better policy for older workers who retire later nowadays.

The influence of different sub-bandage pressure values on venous leg ulcers healing when treated with compression therapy.

BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers (VLU) have a huge social and economic impact. An estimated 1.5% of European adults will suffer a venous ulcer at some point in their lives. Despite the widespread use of bandaging with high pressure in the treatment of this condition, recurrence rates range between 25% to 70%. Numerous studies have suggested that the compression system should provide sub-bandage pressure values in the range from 35 mm Hg to 45 mm Hg in order to achieve the best possible healing results. METHODS: An open, randomized, prospective, single-center study was performed in order to determine the healing rates of VLU when treated with different compression systems and different sub-bandage pressure values. One hundred thirty-one patients (72 women, 59 men; mean age, 59-years-old) with VLU (ulcer surface >3 cm(2); duration >3 months) were randomized into three groups: group A - 42 patients who were treated using an open-toed, elastic, class III compression device knitted in tubular form (Tubulcus, Laboratoires Innothera, Arcueil, France); group B - 46 patients treated with the multi-component bandaging system comprised of Tubulcus and one elastic bandage (15 cm wide and 5 cm long with 200% stretch, Niva, Novi Sad, Serbia); and group C - forty-three patients treated with the multi-component bandaging system comprised of Tubulcus and two elastic bandages. Pressure measurements were taken with the Kikuhime device (TT MediTrade, Soro, Denmark) at the B1 measuring point in the supine, sitting, and standing positions under the three different compression systems. RESULTS: The median resting values in the supine and standing positions in examined study groups were as follows: group A - 36.2 mm Hg and 43.9 mm Hg; group B - 53.9 mm Hg and 68.2 mm Hg; group C - 74.0 mm Hg and 87.4 mm Hg. The healing rate during the 26-week treatment period was 25% (13/42) in group A, 67.4% (31/46) in group B, and 74.4% (32/43) in group C. The success of compression treatment in group A was strongly associated with the small ulcer surface (<5 cm(2)) and smaller calf circumference (CC; <38 cm). On the other hand, compliance in group A was good. In groups B and C, compliance was poor in patients with small CC, but the healing rate was high, especially in patients with large ulcers and a large CC (>43 cm). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate that better healing results are achieved with two or multi-component compression systems than with single-component compression systems and that a compression system should be individually determined for each patient according to individual characteristics of the leg and CC. Target sub-bandage pressure value (B1 measuring point in the sitting position) of the compression system needed for the ulcer healing could be determined according to a simple formula, CC + CC/2.

Risk factors related to the failure of venous leg ulcers to heal with compression treatment.

BACKGROUND: Compression therapy is the most widely used treatment for venous leg ulcers and it was used in different forms for more than 400 years. Published healing rates of venous ulcers obtained with compression therapy vary widely from 40-95%. According to numerous studies, it has been suggested that the application of external pressure to the calf muscle raises the interstitial pressure resulting in improved venous return and reduction in the venous hypertension. Several risk factors have been identified to be correlated with the failure of venous leg ulcers to heal with compression therapy (longer ulcer duration; large surface area; fibrinous deposition present on >50% of the wound surface and an Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) of <0.85. METHODS: An open prospective single-center study was performed in order to determine possible risk factors associated with the failure of venous ulcers to heal when treated with multi-layer high compression bandaging system for 52 weeks. In the study, 189 patients (101 women, 88 men; mean age 61 years) with venous leg ulcers (ulcer surface >5 cm(2); duration >3 months) were included. The study excluded patients with arterial disease (ABPI <0.8), heart insufficiency with ejection fraction (EF) <35, pregnancy, cancer disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Based on clinical opinion and available literature, the following were considered as potential risk factors: sex, age, ulceration surface, time since ulcer onset, previous operations, history of deep vein thrombosis, body mass index (BMI), reduction in calf circumference >3 cm during the first 50 days of treatment, walking distance during the day <200 meters, calf:ankle circumference ratio <1.3, fixed ankle joint, history of surgical wound debridement, >50% of wound covered with fibrin, depth of the wound >2 cm. RESULTS: Within 52 weeks of limb-compression therapy, 24 (12.7%) venous ulcers had failed to heal. A small ulceration surface (<20 cm(2)), the duration of the venous ulcer <12 months, a decrease in calf circumference of more than 3 cm, and emergence of new skin islets on >10% of wound surface during the first 50 days of treatment were favorable prognostic factors for ulcer healing. A large BMI (>33 kg/m(2)), short walking distance during the day (<200 m), a history of wound debridement, and ulcers with deepest presentation (>2 cm) were indicators of slow healing. Calf:ankle circumference ratio <1.3, fixed ankle joint, and reduced ankle range of motion were the only independent parameters associated with non-healing (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study suggest that non-healing venous ulcers are related to the impairment of the calf muscle pump.

[Aortic root replacement for aortic dissection and aortic regurgitation due to aortitis syndrome].

Aortic aneurysms and aortic regurgitation (AR) with aortitis syndrome are occasionally reported in young women. We report a case of aortic dissection with severe AR in an 8-year-old girl. The patient underwent aortic root replacement with a composite graft. Pathological report revealed aortitis syndrome and steroid therapy was continued to suppress further inflammatory vascular reaction.

A survey of parasitoids from Greece with new associations.

We report 22 parasitoid species from Greece that have emerged from their hosts belonging to Blattodea, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera, including 12 Braconidae, one Eulophidae, one Evaniidae, seven Ichneumonidae, and one Tachinidae. Nine parasitoids are reported for the first time in Greece, i.e., three Ichneumonidae: Campoplexdifformis (Gmelin, 1790), Gelisalbipalpus (Thomson, 1884), and Lysibiatenax Townes, 1983; five Braconidae: Charmoncruentatus Haliday, 1833, Dendrosoterprotuberans (Nees, 1834), Dolichogenidealongipalpis (Reinhard, 1880), Ecphylussilesiacus (Ratzeburg, 1848), and Spathiuscurvicaudis Ratzeburg, 1844; and one Eulophidae: Melittobiaacasta (Walker, 1839). Nine of the 23 recorded parasitoid-host associations are new. These findings are discussed in relation to the overall related parasitoid-host associations in the target area, as well as the potential of parasitoid use in the biological control of pests.

Parasitic wasps related to Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera, Praydidae) in olive orchards in Greece.

The olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae) is categorised among the most devastating insect pests of olives, whose anthophagous and carpophagous generations can cause yield loss up to 581 and 846 kg of fruit per ha, respectively. In this study, results of the captured parasitoids in olive tree (Olea europaea Linnaeus, 1753) orchards, or infested olive plant material in Crete, Greece, is presented. Five of the six identified species captured in trap devices are related to P. oleae, i.e., Chelonus elaeaphilus Silvestri, 1908, Chelonus pellucens (Nees, 1816), Apanteles xanthostigma (Haliday, 1834), Diadegma armillatum (Gravenhorst, 1829), and Exochus lentipes Gravenhorst, 1829. The species Eupelmus urozonus Dalman, 1820 and Pnigalio mediterraneus Ferrière & Delucchi, 1957 were reared from infested P. oleae leaves. Chelonus pellucens is reported for the first time from Greece. According to the international literature, 59 hymenopterous and dipterous parasitoid species are associated with P. oleae in Europe.

A randomized trial of class 2 and class 3 elastic compression in the prevention of recurrence of venous ulceration.

BACKGROUND: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a major health problem because of their high prevalence and associated high cost of care. Despite the widespread use of compression, treatment recurrence rates remain high. Numerous studies have suggested that regular use of compression stockings reduces VLU recurrences. However, there are limited data concerning how long compression hosiery should be worn after ulcer healing and which class of compression hosiery achieves better results in the prevention of VLU recurrences. METHODS: An open, prospective, randomized, single-center study with a 5-year follow-up was performed to establish the efficacy of two different strengths of knee-high compression hosiery (class 2 and class 3) in the prevention of VLU recurrences. The study included patients with recently healed venous ulcers and no significant arterial disease, rheumatoid disease, diabetes mellitus, and restriction in range of ankle movement. Overall, 361 patients were randomized, and 308 patients (170 men, 138 women; mean age, 59 years) completed the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: group A, 186 patients who wore a heel-less open-toed elastic class 3 compression device knitted in tubular form (Tubulcus; Laboratoires Innothera, Arcueil, France); and group B, 175 patients who wore a class 2 elastic stocking (Rudo, Nis, Serbia). All patients were instructed to wear compression stockings continuously for the first 2 years of follow-up (both during the day and at night). In the third, fourth, and fifth years of follow-up, patients were instructed to wear elastic stockings during the day only. The main outcome measures were recurrence of leg ulceration and compliance with the treatment. RESULTS: Rates of ulcer recurrence after the 5 years of follow-up were 28.98% for the compression class 3 group and 60% for the compression class 2 group (P < .001, log-rank test). Patients in the compression class 3 group experienced significantly longer absolute (46 vs 40 months; P < .001, Mann-Whitney U test) and proportional (77% vs 67%; P < .001, Mann-Whitney U test) ulcer-free time after 5 years than those in the compression class 2 group. Rates of noncompliance after 5 years were 10.23% for the compression class 3 group and 6.25% for the compression class 2 group (P = .188, χ2 test). CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study suggest that class 3 compression stockings provide a statistically significant lower recurrence rate compared with the class 2 compression stockings.

Morphological variation of Aphidius ervi Haliday (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) associated with different aphid hosts.

BACKGROUND: Parasitoids are frequently used in biological control due to the fact that they are considered host specific and highly efficient at attacking their hosts. As they spend a significant part of their life cycle within their hosts, feeding habits and life history of their host can promote specialization via host-race formation (sequential radiation). The specialized host races from different hosts can vary morphologically, behaviorally and genetically. However, these variations are sometimes inconspicuous and require more powerful tools in order to detect variation such as geometric morphometrics analysis. METHODS: We examined Aphidius ervi, an important introduced biological control agent in Chile associated with a great number of aphid species, which are exploiting different plant hosts and habitats. Several combinations (biotypes) of parasitoids with various aphid/host plant combinations were analyzed in order to obtain measures of forewing shape and size. To show the differences among defined biotypes, we chose 13 specific landmarks on each individual parasitoid wing. The analysis of allometric variation calculated in wing shape and size over centroid size (CS), revealed the allometric changes among biotypes collected from different hosts. To show all differences in shape of forewings, we made seven biotype pairs using an outline-based geometric morphometrics comparison. RESULTS: The biotype A. pis_pea (Acyrthosiphon pisum on pea) was the extreme wing size in this study compared to the other analyzed biotypes. Aphid hosts have a significant influence in the morphological differentiation of the parasitoid forewing, splitting biotypes in two groups. The first group consisted of biotypes connected with Acyrthosiphon pisum on legumes, while the second group is composed of biotypes connected with aphids attacking cereals, with the exception of the R. pad_wheat (Rhopalosiphum padi on wheat) biotype. There was no significant effect of plant species on parasitoid wing size and shape. DISCUSSION: Although previous studies have suggested that the genotype of parasitoids is of greater significance for the morphological variations of size and shape of wings, this study indicates that the aphid host on which A. ervi develops is the main factor to alter the structure of parasitoid forewings. Bigger aphid hosts implied longer and broader forewings of A. ervi.

The Association Between Periodontal Inflammation and Labor Triggers (Elevated Cytokine Levels) in Preterm Birth: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is considered to be a risk factor for preterm birth. Mechanisms have been proposed for this pathologic relation, but the exact pathologic pattern remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to evaluate levels of four major labor triggers, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples between women with preterm birth (PTB) and full-term birth (FTB) and correlate them with periodontal parameters. METHODS: PGE2, IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in GCF and serum samples collected 24 to 48 hours after labor from 120 women (60 FTB, 60 PTB). RESULTS: Women with PTB exhibited significantly more periodontitis, worse periodontal parameters, and increased GCF levels of IL-6 and PGE2 compared with the FTB group; there were no significant differences in serum levels of measured markers. GCF levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and PGE2 and serum levels of TNF-α and PGE2 were significantly higher in women with periodontitis compared with periodontally healthy women. Serum levels of PGE2 were positively correlated with probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) as well as with GCF levels of TNF-α in women with PTB. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PTB demonstrated worse periodontal parameters and significantly increased GCF levels of IL-6 and PGE2 compared with those with FTB. Based on significant correlations among serum PGE2 and PD, CAL, and GCF TNF-α in PTB, periodontitis may cause an overall increase of labor triggers and hence contribute to preterm labor onset.

Adaptive PID control based on orthogonal endocrine neural networks.

A new intelligent hybrid structure used for online tuning of a PID controller is proposed in this paper. The structure is based on two adaptive neural networks, both with built-in Chebyshev orthogonal polynomials. First substructure network is a regular orthogonal neural network with implemented artificial endocrine factor (OENN), in the form of environmental stimuli, to its weights. It is used for approximation of control signals and for processing system deviation/disturbance signals which are introduced in the form of environmental stimuli. The output values of OENN are used to calculate artificial environmental stimuli (AES), which represent required adaptation measure of a second network-orthogonal endocrine adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (OEANFIS). OEANFIS is used to process control, output and error signals of a system and to generate adjustable values of proportional, derivative, and integral parameters, used for online tuning of a PID controller. The developed structure is experimentally tested on a laboratory model of the 3D crane system in terms of analysing tracking performances and deviation signals (error signals) of a payload. OENN-OEANFIS performances are compared with traditional PID and 6 intelligent PID type controllers. Tracking performance comparisons (in transient and steady-state period) showed that the proposed adaptive controller possesses performances within the range of other tested controllers. The main contribution of OENN-OEANFIS structure is significant minimization of deviation signals (17%-79%) compared to other controllers. It is recommended to exploit it when dealing with a highly nonlinear system which operates in the presence of undesirable disturbances.

Single centre experience of the upper limb replantation and revascularisation.

Replantation is defined as reattachment of the amputated limb using the neurovascular and musculoskeletal structures in order to obtain the recovery of the limb. Fortunately, injuries causing limb amputation are rare. Adequate treatment within the optimal time scale can provide successful rehabilitation of the shape and function of the replanted part. We report the experience of our Clinical Centre (regional replantation centre) in the replantation of five forearms/hands and revascularisation of six hands between 1997 and 2001. The most frequent site of injury was the distal part of the forearm, while the major cause of injuries was a wood processing machine. The surgical procedures were performed under general anaesthesia within 2-6 hours after injury. Vascular anastomoses, nerve repair and muscle repair were performed following the external bone fixation. All patients were given anticoagulation treatment postoperatively. Thrombosis in the anastomotic site developed as an early complication in two patients who underwent thrombectomy; one of these patients developed gangrene and underwent amputation. Late postoperative results were good in 10 patients. One patient developed acral epidermolysis. Postoperative results after revascularisation were good in all patients.