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Tailor-made materials used for advanced applications are nowadays of great research interest in various industrial and technological fields, ranging from aerospace and automotive applications to consumer goods and biomedical components. In the present research, Inconel 718 superalloy specimens were fabricated by the selective laser melting (SLM) technique. Structural characterization of the 3D-printed samples showed that they consisted of γ solid solution along with spherical carbide particles. To explore the applicability of these materials in abrasive tribological applications, reciprocating sliding tests were performed under dry conditions versus an Al2O3 counter-body. A 3D representation (triboscopy) of the tangential force during each sliding cycle was carried out in order to obtain better insight on the evolution of friction and to visualize localized tribological phenomena. Quantification of wear was performed with confocal microscopy and the wear mechanisms were analyzed with SEM and EDS techniques. Furthermore, the effect of surface finishing (as-printed and polished) on friction and wear were also investigated, and a comparison with other industrial materials is also included to evaluate the applicability of these alloys. The results indicated that surface finishing had an effect on friction during the run-in stage, whereas in steady-state conditions, no significant differences were observed between the as-printed and polished specimens. In all cases, the main wear mechanisms observed were a mixture of two-body and three-body abrasion, along with oxidative wear (indicated by the formation of an oxide-based tribo-layer). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectus Excavatum (PE) or "funnel chest," the most common deformity of the anterior chest wall characterized by sternal depression, can be repaired via either operative or non-invasive techniques. Vacuum Bell (VB) device is the most widespread of the latter one which can be applied either intraoperatively or as monotherapy. The present narrative review examines the efficacy of that innovative method. A thorough search of the literature resulted in 13 English-written articles concerning VB therapy from its first description to February 2019. The studies included patients with mild to moderate PE, mainly evaluated via Haller-Index and/or sternum depth prior to and following treatment. Concerning depth-improvement, 37-90% showed amelioration while 10-40% of them an excellent correction to normal. In 42%, Haller-Index also improved with a median decrease of 0.3 after VB application. A correlation was attempted to be found between the efficacy of VB and factors such as the frequency and duration of VB application, patient age, gender, PE severity and type, and differential pressure of the suction cup. Complications may be frequent yet mild and temporary. Intraoperatively, VB widows Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum (MIRPE) operation a safer procedure with greater results. VB as conservative treatment is an effective and well-tolerated alternative therapeutic option for selected patients with PE who meet specific criteria. It also constitutes a device of significant efficacy, appropriate for intraoperative use during MIRPE procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear whether bacterial colonization in hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) comprises a primary cause, triggering factor or secondary phenomenon of the disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, the connection between certain bacterial species, the disease severity and its localization is unknown. Bacterial species were isolated from HS lesions to reveal a potential correlation with localization and disease severity. Ninety swab tests were prospectively obtained from 90 HS lesions of 50 consecutive patients. The material was cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The identified species were statistically correlated with Hurley stage and localization of the lesions. The most prevalent isolates were reported. Hurley stage significantly correlated with disease localization. Particular bacterial species were associated with “extended” disease and Hurley III stage with the detection of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and with a higher number of species. The presence of bacterial species is dependent on the local milieu, which correlates with the localization of the disease, its clinical manifestations and its extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adamantiades-Behçet's disease is an immune-mediated vasculitis with relapsing course. It is characterised by the classic clinical trias of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis., History and Findings: A 37-year-old woman suffered from systemic Adamantiades-Behçet disease with recurrent uveitis, oral ulcers, genital ulcers, arthralgia, erythema nodosum and folliculitis., Course and Treatment: Longterm interferon-α-2a (IFNα-2a) led to reduction of the clinical manifestations except for occasional occurrence of oral ulcers. One year after initiation of treatment however, the patient developed symptomatic hyperprolactinemia of unknown etiology., Conclusion: Even in otherwise successful treatment with IFNα-2a possible side effects and complications of treatment can affect the course. Mastodynia and hyperprolactinemia have not yet been described as potential side effects of IFNα-2a., (Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart.)