Detection and assessment of near-zero delays in neuronal spiking activity

Cross-correlation histograms (CCHs) have been widely used to study the temporal relationship between pairwise recordings of neuronal signals. One interesting parameter of a CCH is the time position of the central peak which indicates delays between signals. In order to study the potential relevance of these delays which can be as small as 1 ms, it is necessary to measure them with high precision. We present a method for the estimation of the central peak's position that is based on fitting a cosine function to the CCH and show that the precision of this estimate can be tracked analytically. We validate the resulting formula by simulations and by the analysis of a sample dataset obtained from cat visual cortex. The results indicate that the time position of the center peak can be estimated with submillisecond precision. The formula allows one also to develop a test of statistical significance for differences between two sets of measurements.

Surgical methods for the treatment of breast phylodes tumors - a report of 319 cases

Breast phyllodes tumors (FT) belong the fibroapitelial group of breast tumors arising in terminal ductulo-lobular unit (TDLU). Their incidence do not exceed 1% of all breast tumors. Biologicaly they can be divided into benign, borderline and malignant group. Incomplete tumor excision can be the reason for local reccurence. Malignant form of FT metastazise hematogenous most often in the lung. There is no uniform surgical opinion about the treatment FT. Methods: We analyzed histopathology features of 319 FT of the breast surgically removed on Department of surgery Institut of oncology and radiology of Serbia between 1.1.1985.- 31.12.1994 . Retrospective study of surgical treatment 84 patients with FT of the breast (69 benign ,4 borderline and 11 malignant ) and 5 year follow up after surgery we analyzed. Results: local recurrence after surgery was found in 17 (20,2 %) patients(14 benign , 2 borderline and 1 malignant FT ), pulmonary metastases in 6 (7,1%) patients with malignant FT. DFI was 21,3 months for local recurrences and 25,1 months for pulmonary metastases . DFS for al forms of FT was 71 % ( p =0,7104 ) in 5- year follow up . Conclusion: According to biological behavior we propose wide excision for benign and borderline forms and simple mastectomy for malignant FT, and voluminous benign and borderline forms. Axillary disection is not necessary because lymphatic spread of malignant FT is unfrequent.

Asymmetry of Hbeta Stark profiles in T-tube hydrogen plasma

The whole Balmer H(beta) line profiles are studied in detail experimentally in the T-tube discharge for the wide range of plasma parameters. Besides the common one, two additional parameters are introduced to characterize the asymmetry behavior of the experimental Stark profiles with the reference point chosen in the center of the line. The experimental data are analyzed and benchmarked versus the simple theoretical model based on the effects of microfield nonuniformity and electron impact shifts.

Comment on "Atomic spectral line-free parameter deconvolution procedure"

Recently Milosavljević and Poparić [Phys. Rev. E 63, 036404 (2001)] proposed a method for the deconvolution of isolated asymmetric plasma broadened atomic (neutral) spectral lines. The authors claim that their method enables a complete plasma diagnostics by applying this deconvolution on a single experimental line profile. In the present Comment the proposed deconvolution procedure and its application are reexamined.

[Initial diagnosis of intra-abdominal hemorrhage caused by isolated splenic injury in blunt abdominal trauma]

Diagnosis of intraabdominal bleeding caused by spleen injury must be performed in the shortest possible period of time, with little risk for the patient, and with high preciseness. By its simple performance, high preciseness and little risk for the patient, DPL imposes as the predominant method in initial diagnostic of intraabdominal bleeding. Control and monitoring of lavage may duly signalize degree of bleeding. Preciseness of this diagnostic in our series ranges up to 93.3%. DPL method is especially important in a combined neurotrauma. Ultrasonography is a sovereign method in diagnostic of bleeding source as well as in monitoring of bleeding that from the very beginning does not require urgent surgical intervention. Its importance is in monitoring both intrasplenic and subcapsulary hematomas. It is not appliable in disturbed and haemodynamically unstable patients. It is in particular important in children where a maximum conservative attitude with respect to operative treatment has been assumed. CT takes the leading place with respect to preciseness of bleeding area, and the combined thoracoabdominal trauma. Preciseness of CT in our series comes up to 96.6%, but can be applied only in haemodynamically stable patients. Same as US of abdomen so the CT of abdomen represents a prominent method in monitoring of both intrasplenic and subcapsular hematomas, which do not require urgent surgical intervention.

A simple method for bremsstrahlung spectra reconstruction from transmission measurements

A new method for evaluation of bremsstrahlung spectra from transmission measurements has been developed. In this method some very well known facts relating to thick target bremsstrahlung spectra are a priori included in the calculation procedure. Some characteristics of the method are preliminarily illustrated on a 6 MV therapy linear accelerator.

[Dislocation of the knee joint]

Dislocations are the rarest but the most severe injuries of the knee joint. Six patients with traumatic knee joint dislocation were treated at the Clinic for Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Military Medical Academy in the period January 1989-November 1998. Popliteal artery was injured in 3 patients. The injuries required reconstruction and the treatment in 1 patient ended with upper leg amputation. In one case the diagnosis was irreducible lateral dislocation. Surgical reparation--reconstruction of ligamentary apparatus was performed in 4 patients. Concerning the knee joint stability satisfactory results were achieved. Knee joint dislocations are very severe injuries requiring thorough diagnosis of the possible injury of neurovascular bundle and surgical treatment.

[Development of highly specialized clinical drug trial units within health care institutions]

The purpose of the most of clinical trials conducted under the auspices of pharmaceutical industries is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of drugs, and they are conducted at university health care institutions or appropriate clinical centres. Close collaboration among the investigators, potential investigators and other academic citizens is essential for an effective and efficient conduct of these studies. Clinical studies usually test a drug which is to be instituted for the first time; therefore more attention is being dedicated to its administration, with monitoring of a greater number of valid parameters in accordance with the Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) standards. These are very strict standards, which have been internationally adopted and are valid worldwide. They define the documentation required, the setting method, the necessary equipment and the facilities within which the clinical trials are to be conducted, as well as human resources indispensable for carrying out the clinical trials. The objective of this paper was to determine whether our medical instructions fulfil the necessary conditions for establishing the clinical trials units. Creation of a symbiosis of this kind (between the pharmaceutical industry and the appropriate health care institutions), reflected in the clinical trials unit, should enable the drug research and development to remain within our country.

Missile injuries of the knee joint

The results of the treatment of missile injuries of 170 knees in 162 patients are analyzed. The injuries were caused by infantry weapon missiles in 52(32.1%) and by fragments of mine or explosive devices in 110(67.9%) patients. The most frequent were penetrating injuries of the joint with multifragment fractures which in 15.8% cases were associated with injuries of the neurovascular bundle. Stabilization of bone fragments was required in 111(65.3%) knees. Stabilization was done by external fixation in 42(37.8%) and by plaster of Paris in 69(62.2%) knees. Additional mini osteosynthesis was required in 13(30.9%) knees stabilized by external fixation and in 3(4.3%) knees stabilized by plaster of Paris. Amputations were performed in 13(7. 6%) injured knees. During the postoperative period local and general complications occurred in 27(16.6%) patients. The most frequent local complications were suppurative articular infections requiring repeated surgery. Soft tissue defect covering was necessary in 53(33. 1%) patients. The poor late results were present in missile fractures of the knee. The most frequent were degenerative changes with bone defects. The possible surgical solutions in such cases are arthrodesis or total endoprosthesis implantation.

[Myositis ossificans in recurrent synovial hemangioma of the knee]

A case of myositis ossificans in 15-year old boy that occurred as a complication of the recurrent synovia hemangioma of the left knee was presented. The alteration was diagnosed as: osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and chondromyxoid fibroma by the pathologists from other institutions. The diagnosis of myositis ossificans was established using numerous histochemical and immunochemical methods (PAS, PAS diastasis, Alcian blue, Masson trichrom, von Kossa, Azur A, Toluidin blue, Goldner, method by Peris, Citokeratin, S-100, NSE and Vimentin). The presence of zonal phenomenon, as the one observed in the presented case, is one of the most significant criteria for differentiation of myositis ossificans from osteosarcoma.

Primary surgical treatment of war injuries of major joints of the limbs

We present the results of primary surgical treatment of war injuries of major joints in 339 patients, wounded in the territory of the former Yugoslavia in the period June 1991-October 1995. The total number of surgically treated joints was 358. The injuries were inflicted by the fragments of explosive devices in 176 (51.9%) patients and by bullets in 125 (36.9%) patients. A single wound was present in 160 (47.2%) and several wounds in 176 (51.9%) patients; 276 (77.1%) patients had injuries of articular bone. The most frequently injured joints were knee joint 167 (46.6%) and elbow joint 72 (20.1%). Associated neurovascular injuries were present in 68 (18.9%) patients. Postoperative bone fragment stabilization was required in 254 (70.9%) joints. Stabilization was by plaster of Paris in 148 (58.2%) and external fixation in 85 (33.4%) patients. Postoperative course was uneventful in 262 (77.3%) while postoperative complications occurred in 77 (22.7%) patients. Amputations were performed in 15 (4.4%) patients. After the primary surgical treatment 254 (74.9%) patients were discharged and directed to rehabilitation or home care and 81 (23.9%) patients required additional reconstructive surgery for bone and soft tissue defects.

Subtrochanteric missile fractures of the femur

The treatment results of subtrochanteric missile fractures of the femur in 41 casualties are analyzed. The wounds were inflicted by infantry weapon missiles in 29 (70.7%) and by fragments of mine or explosive devices in 12 (29.3%) casualties. The associated neurovascular bundle injuries were present in 11 (26.8%) patients. Fracture stabilization was done by external fixation in 25 (62.5%): group A; and by plaster of Paris in 15 (37.5%) patients: group B. The postoperative period was uneventful in 14 (35.0%) and early or late complications occurred in 26 (65.0%) patients. Bone infection developed in six (15.0%) and fractures did not heal in four (10.0%) patients. Complications were present in 13 (52.0%) patients from group A and in 13 (86.7%) patients from group B. Delayed fracture healing and fracture nonunion were present in group A and contractures of large joints in group B. Subtrochanteric missile fractures of the femur present very severe injuries where the treatment is followed by a very high percentage of complications. External fracture fixation in this region facilitates the care, stability, early covering of soft tissue defects and early physical therapy.

[Rigid osteosynthesis with the AO plate and Phemister's spongioplasty in secondary treatment of diaphyseal gunshot fractures]

In prospective study, in 160 injured with diaphyseal gunshot fractures (DGF), in secondary treatment phase, there were applied rigid osteosynthesis by AO plate and spongioplasty with iliac graft by Phemister assuming that this method would provide good functional results. The average age of injured was 32.25 years, and average postsurgical follow-up period was 32.5 months. The fracture healing was achieved in 93.7% injured while pseudoarthrosis developed in 6.25%. Osteomyelitis, as the second significant complication, appeared in 8.12% cases. Good functional results were achieved in 55.62%, satisfying in 36.25% while the poor result was noticed only in 8.12% cases. The applied method in DGF treatment proved to be very successful, it led to faster fracture healing, shortening of hospitalization time of the injured with better functional results and less complications compared to the other treatment methods in the secondary phase.

[Pigmented villonodular synovitis--analysis of 50 patients]

Fifty patients with pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) were examined and treated in the Military Medical Academy in twenty-year period (1977-1996). Among them, 32 were male and 18 female (2:1), of average age from 6 to 72 years. Articular disease localization was 2.5 times more frequent compared to the non-articular. The rate of circumscribed in relation to diffuse form was 1.5:1. The ankle joint was most frequently involved (94%). In one patient, PVNS was proved in both ankle joints. The disease was clinically expressed as chronic, and 4 times more frequently as chronic recurrent synovitis. The data of previous injury were known in 14 patients. Associated rheumatic disease or injury was found in more than a half patients (53%). For the disease diagnosis there were used: physical examination, standard laboratory tests, radiography, ultrasonographic and magnet resonance examination and histopathologic examination of synovia obtained by open or arthroscopic biopsy. Surgical methods, such as total or partial synovectomy were applied in the therapy. Chemical synovectomy was performed in one patient, 6 months after the diagnostic arthroscopy due to disease recurrence. Therapeutic effect was estimated in 22 patients, from 3 months to 11 years after the surgery on the basis of disease recurrence. Except for the cited one patient, none other had the disease recurrence. It was concluded that timely diagnosis of PVNS offered more adequate treatment and conditions for complete recovery. In the disease limited just in the ankle joint, arthroscopic synovectomy would be the therapy of choice. In advanced diffuse form, total synovectomy should be performed for all the disease localizations.

Arthroscopy of the knee in war injuries

The results of arthroscopic removal of bullets and explosive ordnance fragments from the knee joint are presented. The operations were performed on 18 patients injured in battle operations in the former Yugoslavian territory in the period September 1991-October 1994. The indications for arthroscopic operations were positive radiographic findings, a locked knee, pain, effusion, instability and painful movement. In 13 patients, bullets and explosive ordnance fragments were removed arthroscopically, while in five patients, the clinic findings were found to be misleading. There were no complications from the arthroscopic surgery.

[Chronic knee instability--arthroscopic analysis]

Knees in 150 patients with the old disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a certain degree of anterolateral rotational instability have been arthroscopically analyzed. The complete old disruption of ACL has been found in 130 (86.6%) patients, and a partial one in 20 (13.4%) patients. The degenerative changes of the inner femoral condylus have been present in 79 (52.6%) and of lateral femoral condylus in 14 (9.3%) patients. In 35 (23.3%) patients there has been the simultaneous disruption of both menisci. The isolated disruption of medial meniscus has been found in 44 (29.3%), and of the lateral one in 43 (28%) patients. The knee with disruption of meniscus has been found in 122 (81.3%) patients.

Effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (cisplatin) on the splenic tissue of rats: a histoquantitative study

Histoquantitative methods were applied to study the changes of splenic structure and proportions of splenic tissue compartments in cisplatin-treated (6 mg/kg body wt) male Wistar rats. Six days after treatment the significant reduction of volume density of white pulp was observed, which was due to the very prominent decrease of volume density of follicles. The volume density of periarteriolar lymphatic sheaths did not change substantially. Volume density of the marginal zone was also significantly reduced. A significant increase of volume density of connective tissue was observed. Morphometrical parameters of the follicles were also markedly altered: the number of follicles per mm2 of spleen section area, the numerical density of the follicles in the spleen, and the total number of the follicles were significantly reduced.

[Influence of steroid receptors content in primary breast cancer on early relapse pattern]

The early relapse pattern was followed in 165 operable breast cancer pts: 81 pts in stage I of the disease being without any adjuvant treatment, and 84 pts in stage II receiving systemic adjuvant chemo-, hormono-, or chemohormonal treatment, according to nodal status, histological grade of tumours and positivity of progesterone receptors (PR > 20 fmol/mg), as the functional parameter of primary tumour hormonodependency. The analyses of early relapses, occurring within the first 24 months, were based on quantitative oestrogen and progesterone receptor values, known as the prognostic and predictive factors for the early relapse pattern, and for the responce to adjuvant treatment. In stage I pts ER distribution showed lower values in pts with relapse, as compared to the group without relapse (0-115 vs. 0-464), and a tendency for relapse occurrence below the ER levels of 33 fmol/mg. Such a trend was not found for PR. In stage II pts a remarkable trend towards lower values of both receptors was observed in relapsed pts. A trend towards lower receptor values existed in both stages in pts with visceral metastases (ER = 0-50 fmol/mg, PR = 0-64 fmol/mg), while in those with bone metastases the receptor levels tended to be higher (ER = 0-1 15 fmol/mg, PR = 0-278 fmol/mg). Our results indicate the importance of steroid receptor status as a prognostic factor as well as its role in prediction of the localization of early relaps in operable breast cancer.

[Diagnostic arthroscopy of the knee and its use in meniscus surgery]

The results of 1000 diagnostic knee arthroscopies are presented. The clinical diagnosis of meniscus tear was established in 740 (74%) patients. This diagnosis was arthroscopically confirmed in 431 (58.2%) patients only. Other pathologic states of the knee were clinically diagnosed in 260 (26%) patients. In this group of patients the meniscus tear was found by arthroscopy in 41 (15.7%) patients. Complications developed in 11 (1.1T%) of all operated patients.

[Early results of arthroscopic meniscectomy of the knee]

The results of 218 arthroscopic meniscectomies of the knee in 200 patients are reported. There were 188 men and 12 women. There have been performed 141 medial, 41 lateral and 18 bilateral meniscectomies. The tear in the form of "bucket handle" was dominated and it was found in 140 cases of which 76 were incarcerated. The postoperative hospitalization lasted 1 to 3 days. No infections of arthroscopic operative wounds were found. Three synovitis with effusions were found.

[Clinico-arthroscopic analysis of the synovial plica of the knee]

In order to evaluate frequency of synovial plica and diagnosis of synovial plica syndrome 200 knees were analysed clinically and arthroscopically. In 79 (39%) knees synovial plica was the only finding or together with damages of other structures of the knee. As the isolated finding and the cause of plica syndrome, the mediopatellar plica was diagnosed in 16 (8%) patients. The crossed mediopatellar plica was found in 6 patients and in 1 patient it was the cause of plica syndrome. In four patients the infrapatellar plica was in the form of the complete septum.