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This article discusses a retrospective case-control study that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of valacyclovir in preventing congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy. The study included 80 pregnant women with primary CMV infection, divided into two groups: one group received valacyclovir during pregnancy, while the other did not. The results showed that the presence of CMV DNA in the amniotic fluid was significantly lower in the group that received valacyclovir. Additionally, ultrasound anomalies and anomalies on fetal echocardiography were also lower in the valacyclovir group. The study concludes that valacyclovir is effective and safe in preventing congenital CMV infection. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents a new artificial intelligence (AI) method for analyzing ultrasound videos of the fetal heart. The method automatically segments the three-vessel view (3VV) and characterizes its structures by analyzing morphological features. The researchers manually segmented the pulmonary artery (PA), aorta (Ao), and superior vena cava (SVC) in a set of frames to support the understanding of morphology. The results show that the method achieves accurate segmentations and performs at a high frame rate, making it suitable for real-time implementation. This technology could be used to detect congenital heart defects in ultrasound videos of the fetal heart. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "OP16.07: Outcomes of twin pregnancies complicated by prelabour rupture of membranes before 26 weeks of gestation: systematic review and meta-analysis," examines the obstetric and perinatal outcomes of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) in twin pregnancies occurring before 26 weeks. The study analyzed eight studies with a total of 227 twin pregnancies. The findings showed that the rate of termination of pregnancy (TOP) was 4.6%, while the rate of selective TOP (sTOP) was 24.5%. The overall rate of spontaneous miscarriage or fetal demise was 20.9%, and the live birth rate of at least one twin was 71.6%. Neonatal mortality was 26.4%, but pregnancies undergoing sTOP had a higher live birth rate of 87.7%. The study concludes that PROM in twins before 26 weeks is associated with high rates of adverse outcomes and calls for larger prospective studies with unified protocols for antenatal surveillance and management. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "OC20.01: Twin versus singleton growth charts in the diagnosis of small for gestational age in twin pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analysis," examines the use of singleton and twin growth charts in diagnosing small for gestational age (SGA) in twin pregnancies. The study found that using twin charts to diagnose SGA in twins resulted in a lower rate of SGA compared to using singleton charts. Additionally, SGA twins diagnosed with twin charts had a higher risk of adverse neonatal outcomes compared to those diagnosed with singleton charts. The authors suggest that twin charts may be more specific in identifying SGA twins at higher risk of adverse outcomes, but further research is needed to determine the most accurate method for growth assessment and prediction of adverse outcomes in twins. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "OC06.02: Impact of an early detailed ultrasound following a high‐risk cell‐free DNA: a systematic review and meta‐analysis," examines the performance of a detailed ultrasound (US) performed within 14 weeks after a high-risk cell-free DNA (cfDNA) test for trisomy 21 (T21), 18 (T18), and 13 (T13). The study included six studies reporting on 691 early thorough scans after high-risk cfDNA for T21, T18, and T13. The results showed that an early detailed US had higher sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio in fetuses at high risk for T13/T18, supporting the use of chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis (AC) in case of abnormal and normal scans, respectively. However, the performance of the US was suboptimal in detecting false positive T21 cases within 14 weeks. The authors suggest that future studies with unblinded clinicians to cfDNA results are needed. [Extracted from the article]

Strongylida are gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of greatest importance in small ruminants throughout the world. Differences in resistance and resilience to GIN among goat breeds were reported. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the breed-associated differences using a cosmopolitan (Alpine, AB) and an autochthonous (Nera di Verzasca, NV) goat breed. At first, fifteen goats from the same herd (NV = 7, AB = 8) at day 0 were infected with infective larvae (L3) of mixed GIN. From the 15th day post-infection (DPI), individual parasite egg excretion (faecal egg counts, FEC) was performed on all goats, once per week, until the 63rd DPI. Afterwards, in goats under field conditions (30 AB and 30 NV reared on the same farm), individual faecal and blood samples were collected; FEC-specific antibody and PCV levels were explored. In goats with experimental GIN infection, mean eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) values were consistently lower in NV goats. In goats with natural GIN infection, EPG and prevalence values showed high variability in both breeds; among individual variables, breed had a significant influence on EPG. Further, PCV and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by the breed. Lower PCV values were also associated with higher strongyle EPG in AB goats, and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by both strongyle EPG and breed, with IgA levels being higher in AB vs. NV goats and positively associated with EPG. Neither EPG nor breed had any influence on IgE levels. Both studies on experimental and natural infection confirmed that goats of NV are more resistant to infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing is a process used to fabricate and repair parts that have a complex geometry or need to be functionally graded. The technique involves depositing multiple layers to produce the component. The success of the procedure depends on the deposition technique used, the parameters selected, and the alloy deposited. The deposition conditions, such as temperature and protective atmosphere, determine whether cracking and oxidation of the deposited layers occur. In the present study, the potential of plasma transferred arc to produce thin walls by additive manufacturing was evaluated. Two nickel-based alloys were used on an Ni-based substrate: a γ′ precipitation-hardened alloy and a solid-solution-hardened alloy. During the study, the processing parameters required to produce a thin wall with each alloy were determined and the use of preheating at 300 °C was analyzed. The results showed that the chemical composition of the alloy being processed and preheating influence the geometry of the wall. A fine dendritic solidification structure exhibiting epitaxial growth between layers was observed. The precipitation-hardened alloy showed banding of a γ′ precipitate-rich region that caused oscillations in the hardness. Dilution with the substrate was the main factor affecting the hardness profile of the wall processed with the Ni-based solid-solution alloy, which did not change following post-deposition heat treatment. This study has shown that sound thin walls can be successfully processed by additive manufacturing using plasma transferred arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of and risk associated with chorionic villus sampling for genetic investigations in multiple pregnancies, and to evaluate the accuracy of the ultrasonographic detection of chorionicity during the first trimester. Patients and Methods A total of 198 sets of twins and nine sets of triplets from 10 087 consecutive first-trimester pregnancies undergoing chorionic villus sampling were considered. Gestational age ranged from 7 to 12.6 weeks. Assessment and confirmation of chorionicity was based on a multiplicity of features. Dichorionicity was established in 169 sets of twins (85.3%) and trichorionicity in all triplet cases, while 29 twins were considered monochorionic. Chorionic villus sampling was performed transabdominally in all but one case, and identification of the placental insertion of the umbilical cord was the main benchmark for sampling. Sampling risks were evaluated by comparing clinical outcome with that of a control population of 63 dichorionic twin pregnancies which underwent no invasive procedure. Results Determination of the presence or absence of the lambda sign led to a correct assignment of chorionicity in all cases, while the presence of a membrane thickness of 2 mm or more reflected a 100% specificity with a 22% false negative rate. Sampling was successfully performed in all cases and in only four cases (1.0%) were two needle insertions needed. At follow-up no evidence of incorrect sampling was reported. Karyotyping was provided to all patients, and in 94.1% of cases both short and long-term culture methods were carried out. No difference in fetal and perinatal losses between the study and control populations was found, but a higher rate of deliveries before 37 weeks and of low birth weight babies was noted amongst controls. Conclusions Chorionicity in twin pregnancy can be determined with certainty between 7 and 12 weeks of gestation; in cases of confluent placentas reliability is provided by determining the presence or absence of the lambda sign. This study indicates that first-trimester transabdominal chorionic villus sampling is a highly efficient, reliable, and relatively safe approach for genetic diagnosis in twin pregnancies. Although a precise evaluation of the relative risks of chorionic villus sampling and mid-trimester amniocentesis in twins must await randomized control studies, the advantages of a first-trimester diagnosis to enable early decision-making about selective fetal reduction are obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Neurology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Neurochirurgica is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In anaesthetized artificially ventilated dogs, the effect of graded arterial hypoxaemia on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and on the oxidative carbohydrate metabolism of the brain was tested. It is shown that the hypoxic vasodilatory influence on cerebral vessels is present even at moderate systemic hypoxaemia, provided that PaCO is kept within normal limits. At PaO of about 50 Torr, CBF increased from 56.6 to 89.7 ml/100 g/min. With increasing cerebral hyperaemia (CBF increased to 110.9 ml/100 g/min, at PaO of 30 Torr), CMRO (4.2 ml/100 g/min) was not significantly raised above its normal level (4.7 ml/100 g/min) even with profound arterial hypoxaemia. This shows that CMRO levels are poor indices of hypoxic hypoxia. A disproportionately high increase in cerebral glucose uptake (CMR glucose levels rose from 4.4 to 10.4 mg/100 g/min) and enhanced cerebral glycolysis (CMR lactate changed from 0.2 to 1.6 mg/100 g/min) at moderately reduced PaO (50 Torr) indicated early metabolic changes which became more marked with further falls in arterial oxygen tension. However, 60 minutes after restoration of a normal PaO level, CBF and brain metabolism were found to have completely recovered. It is concluded that a short period of profound systemic hypoxaemia does not produce long lasting metabolic and circulatory disorders of the brain provided the cerebral perfusion pressure does not vary, and is kept at normal levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 20 anaesthetised, artificially ventilated dogs the influence of arterial hypoxaemia, hypercapnia, and decreased systemic arterial blood pressure on mean cerebrospinal fluid pressure and on the pressure in the superior sagittal sinus was studied. Below a PaO of 40 Torr and above a PaCO of 70 Torr, CSFP was significantly increased. The pressure rise in the torcular, however, was only moderate. Simultaneous CBF measurements showed marked cerebral hyperaemia to be the essential cause of the increase in CSFP. In deep normovolaemic arterial hypotension (MABP below 50 mm Hg), CSFP and SSP were significantly decreased. CBF fell sharply by about 50% compared to the resting values. In arterial normotension and under normocapnic-normoxic conditions, a pressure difference of about 3 mm Hg existed between CSFP and SSP. This pressure difference increased in hypoxia and hypercapnia and fell in arterial hypotension below the 'opening-pressure' of the arachnoid villi. An artificially induced rise of CSFP in another 5 experimental animals was reflected to a minor degree in the torcular pressure. However, during rapid reduction of raised intracranial pressure, a transient, but marked pressure rise occurred in the torcular, persisting as long as systemic arterial blood pressure was increased (Cushing response). This is explained by post-compression cerebral hyperaemia and by the undamped transmission of the hypertensive arterial pressure to the dilated cerebral vessels. The origin of the rapid CSF pulse waves was studied in simultaneous recordings of intracranial CSF, cerebral venous, systemic arterial and central venous pressure, and it was shown that the height of CSFP is dependent on MABP, whereas the contour of the CSF pulse waves is shaped by rapid changes of cerebral blood volume in the post-capillary cerebral vascular bed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a volcanic eruption is described as a unidimensional flow of a fluid with variable density. This fluid is a mixture of water-saturated magma and vapour in a separated gaseous phase. The equation of motion is based on simple physical hypotheses and is numerically solved for the corresponding significant values of the parameters which are taken into account. Furthermore the motion of entrained particles and blocks is studied. The accuracy of the model is then verified by comparison with a particular eruption: a good agreement between calculated and observed values of the ejection velocity is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the Kety-Schmidt-technique in ten dogs anaesthetized with 0.5% halothane, blood flow and oxidative metabolism of the brain were studied during stepwise lowering of CPP due to arterial hypotension at 71 and 41 torr. CBF remained constant (65.6 and 64.1 ml/100 g min) when CPP dropped from 98 to 71 torr, but at a CPP of 41 torr CBF fell to 32.2 ml/100 g min, i. e. to about 50% of the resting value. The CMR-oxygen did not change (4.20 and 4.38 ml/100 g min) when CPP was reduced from about 100 to about 70 torr, but decreased to 2.90 ml/100 g min, i. e. about 70% of the resting value in deep arterial hypotension. The uptake of glucose changed from 4.62 to 6.19 mg/100 g min as well as the output of CO and lactate (from 4.64 to 6.57 ml/100 g min and from 0.33 to 1.62 mg/100 g min) when CPP was decreased to 71 torr. It could be demonstrated that at this CPP range the oxidative metabolism was unchanged. It was assumed that the increased uptake of glucose was only to form lactate, and that this non-hypoxic lactate production was responsible for the elevated CO release. At a CPP range of 41 torr the metabolic rates of glucose and CO decreased to 3.33 mg/100 g min and to 3.37 ml/100 g min, respectively, while the output of lactate remained relatively high (1.14 mg/100 g min). These findings support the assumption that at a CPP range of 41 torr the oxidative metabolism of the brain becomes insufficient. All findings demonstrate close interactions between cerebral flow blood and oxidative brain metabolism in arterial hypotension. In deep arterial hypotension respiratory acidosis has an effect on CBF. The increase of CBF is accompanied by an improvement of CMR-oxygen but not of CMR-glucose. Although CMR-lactate is reduced, the lactate/glucose index remains high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous monitoring of the cerebrospinal fluid pressure and observation of the pressure during intrathecal infusion of normal saline at two rates were performed in patients with communicating hydrocephalus and cerebral atrophy of other causes. Constant or temporarily increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure was observed only in communicating hydrocephalus. Reduction of intracranial pressure by a ventriculoatrial shunt was associated with clinical improvement. The intrathecal infusion test was capable of detecting reduced absorption of cerebrospinal fluid if more than one infusion rate was employed. Using both tests it is easier to determine which patients with communicating hydrocephalus should be treated with a shunt operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of Klippel-Trénaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) with intracranial vascular malformations is documented by angiography in a 25 year old man with the classical features of KTWS: systematized naevi, hypertrophy of the right side, and varicosis. In addition, the syndrome was associated with "cuts laxa", a coincidence of somar rarity. The patient suffered from an ischaemic infarct of the brain stem with several neurological deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Archiv für Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The results of the medical treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension are usually very poor. A case of severe primary pulmonary hypertension in chronic heart failure was treated with the calcium antagonist nifedipine, a powerful vasodilator which acts directly on vascular smooth muscle. Nifedipine, administered in a dose of 20 mg sublingually, caused a pronounced fall in pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (54 and 49%, respectively) and a rise in cardiac output (90.3%). Improvement was maintained over a three-month period. These data suggest that nifedipine can be used in the treatment of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In order to investigate the anatomic substrate of ‘idiopathic’ ventricular tachycardia (VT) 10 patients with chronic recurrent VT and no apparent sign of heart disease underwent an echocardiographic, haemodynamic and histologic study (5 males, 5 females: mean age=40±11 years). In the patients with a left bundle branch block morphology of VT (7 cases), four showed findings compatible with an arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia or a right ventricular cardiomyopathy. In the other three all examinations were normal with the exception of endomyocardial biopsy, which showed slight non specific changes in two. Of the remaining 3 cases (characterized by a right bundle branch block morphology of VT or by the presence of polymorphic VT) one had histologic evidence of myocarditis while another developed dilated cardiomyopathy. Macroscopic and/or microscopic ventricular abnormalities are frequently found in patients with VT which appears idiopathic. In these cases myocardial disease is frequently progressive, despite optimal control of VT. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effects of a stepwise acute increase of intracranial cerebrospinal fluid pressure on cerebral blood flow, cerebral arteriovenous differences of oxygen and glucose and on the output of lactate were studied in anaesthetized normoventilated normoxic dogs. Intracranial hypertension was produced by infusing mock-CSF into the cisterna magna. Mean arterial blood pressure was kept at a constant level throughout the experimental investigations. At a cerebral perfusion pressure of about 70 mm Hg, CBF and the cerebral metabolic rates of oxygen and glucose were not significantly changed. However, further reduction in the cerebral perfusion pressure to below 40 mm Hg, was accompanied by a statistically significant decrease of CBF and a deterioration of the oxidative metabolism. Glucose uptake was particularly disturbed by raised intracranial pressure. Increased cerebral output of lactate and low CMRO indicated raised glycolysis. But (V-A)lactate was also increased at a relatively moderate reduction of the cerebral perfusion pressure, when autoregulation was still effective and CMRO unchanged. The data are discussed in context with similar experimental results recently published by other investigators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archiv für Elektrotechnik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archiv für Elektrotechnik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)