Metal Cage Research Articles

Protrusio acetabuli in tubercular hip: Outcome of femoral head as autologous bone graft used during total hip replacement

PurposeHere we present a study of a tuberculosis hip protrusion with a large acetabular defect treated by total hip replacement using a novel technique without the use of any protrusio ring, wire mesh, or cage. To our knowledge, such a technique has not been described in the literature previously. Methodology25 patients with a past treatment history of hip tuberculosis came to our medical college with complaints of worsening pain in the hip joint and limping. The hip pain and limping were progressive in nature and became more severe, and his affected lower limb shortened. ResultsThe average AK distance (horizontal distance between Kohlar line and the medial acetabular border) before surgery was 8 mm (range: 1–16). For the acetabular implant, the mean abduction angle was 45° (range: 41–48), and the mean anteversion angle was 18° (range: 13–24). The average preoperative shortening for limb length inequality was 4 mm (range: 0–11). The average HHS (Harris Hip Score) during follow-up was 87.6 points. ConclusionIn TB hip protrusio, an autograft of the femur head is used to fill the acetabular defect and provide a good approach for these patients without any extra economic burden or complications as seen in a metallic ring or cage.

Locating Interstitial Hydrides in MH2@Cu14 (M = Cu, Ag) Clusters by Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction.

Two structures, [Cu15H2(S2CNnBu2)6(C≡CPh)6][CuCl2] (1) and [AgH2Cu14{S2P(OiPr)2}6(C≡CPh)6][PF6] (2), are characterized by X-ray crystallography with high-quality single crystals. The position of interstitial hydrides can be accurately located. In addition, the refinement of the hydrides with anisotropic displacement parameters (ADPs) was successful. The distances between the central atom and copper atoms, as well as the distances within the metal cages surrounding the hydrides, are analyzed and compared with similar MH2@Cu14 (M = Cu, Ag, Pd) compounds. This work provides a thoughtful and accurate assessment of the considerations and challenges associated with anisotropic refinement for H atoms, particularly in X-ray data collection.

Trends and status of rabbit production and research in Zambia

Rabbit production has the potential to help alleviate poverty levels through job creation, income from the sales of rabbits and their products, and a supply of nutritional food, given its urban and peri-urban functionality. However, not much is known about rabbit production and productivity in Zambia. This study is a rapid survey to document rabbit production systems, management practices and provide estimates of rabbit productivity in Lusaka, Zambia. Three production systems (extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive) were determined given the following criteria: breeds and number reared, housing provided, feed supplied, management practices and marketing of rabbits and by-products. Most producers practiced extensive production system, rearing few local and crossbred rabbits fed mostly vegetables, and housing was made of locally available wood materials and or on deep litter. The intensive production system, however, involved purebreds such as New Zealand White (NZW), Chinchilla (CH), California White (CA), Dutch (DU) and Flemish Giant (FG) and their crosses, with numbers ranging between 50 and 100 breeding animals raised in individual metal cages fed hay and pelleted concentrate feed. Mortality was lower given the conducive environment and high management practices that reduced contact with faecal droppings and allowed urine to be collected for sale. The semi intensive production system lies in the middle and is pivotal to improving productivity in the rabbit industry. Mean performances reported were litter size at birth (3.3, 5.2, 6.4), litter weight at birth (105g, 225g, 410g), litter size at weaning (1.9, 4.1, 5.7), litter weaning weight (650g, 1955g, 3256g) and average mature weight (1510g, 2120g, 2825g) for the extensive, semi intensive and intensive productions systems accordingly. The two major challenges were the limited source of breeding animals, which predisposes the sector to a high level of inbreeding and inadequate veterinary care, leading to a high mortality of over 30%. The government is encouraged to develop a national rabbit development programme that will address the above-mentioned challenges.

Lu-Lu Bond in Lu2@C60 Metallofullerenes

This study on Lu2@C60 isomers provides insights into the metal–metal bond through the confinement effect of fullerene cages. Density functional theory calculations were used to study the nature of the Lu-Lu bond in two stable endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs), Lu2@C2v_C60 and Lu2@Ih_C60, both with negative endohedral energy. These two isomers are geometrically connected through a simple Stone–Wales (SW) transformation. The electronic configuration of (Lu2)4+@C604− was also confirmed, leading to the formation of a two-center two-electron (2c–2e) Lu-Lu σ single bond. By comparing the Lu-Lu bonds in Lu2@C60 with those in acknowledged Lu2@C2n, the smaller C60 fullerene compressed the geometry of Lu2 resulting in a much shorter Lu-Lu bond length. However, the Lu-Lu bond strength is slightly weaker in Lu2@C60 than that in large fullerenes, as the Lu-Lu bond in C60 is likely a p-p σ bond with an above the 40% contribution of p orbital and a strong metal–cage interaction. Additionally, the vis-NIR spectra of Lu2@C2v_C60 and Lu2@Ih_C60 were simulated, which could provide valuable information for future experimental studies on Lu-based EMFs.

APPLICATION OF A MODULAR FIXING DEVICE FOR ARTHRODESIS FOLLOWING PERIPROSTHETIC FEMORAL FRACTURE WITH COMORBID PATHOLOGY: A CLINICAL CASE

This clinical case presents the management of a 68-year-old female patient diagnosed with a periprosthetic fracture of the lower third of the left femur, aseptic instability of the femoral component of the knee endoprosthesis, and defects of the left femoral condyles. The patient had a history of right knee joint arthrodesis, and severe comorbid conditions including neurogenic bladder dysfunction and class III obesity (body weight - 160 kg, height - 160 cm).
 Knee arthrodesis, namely the elimination of a joint, has a restricted field of application, especially with the collateral joint immobilized. Due to the patient's excessive body weight, knee arthrodesis was considered as a suitable option to preserve weight-bearing capacity and facilitate early rehabilitation. Various treatment options, including plate fixation, intramedullary (IM) nailing, and revision arthroplasty, were evaluated but deemed unsuitable considering the instability of the endoprosthesis and femoral condylar defects, as well as the patient's comorbidities. The patient declined amputation as a treatment option. Ultimately, a specialized modular IM nail for arthrodesis (FN) (made in Poland) was selected for surgical intervention. This implant facilitated the osteosynthesis of the femoral bone, restoration of limb length using metal cages, and removal of impaired condyles during the procedure. The modular IM nail enabled early verticalization of the patient, consolidation of the femoral fracture, and overall patient satisfaction, despite daily routine limitations.

A lab unearthed: Plotting the grounds for future fields

A lab unearthed: Plotting the grounds for future fields

Community-managed coral reef restoration in southern Kenya initiates reef recovery using various artificial reef designs

Monitoring of reef restoration efforts and artificial reefs (ARs) has typically been limited to coral fragment survival, hampering evaluation of broader objectives such as ecosystem recovery. This study aimed to determine to what extent AR design influences the ecological recovery of restored reefs by monitoring outplanted coral fragments, benthic cover, coral recruitment and fish and invertebrate communities for two years. Four AR designs (16 m2), unrestored controls and natural reef patches as reference (n = 10) were established in Mkwiro, Kenya. ARs consisted either of concrete disks with bottles, layered concrete disks, metal cages or a combination thereof. A mixture of 18 branching coral species (mainly Acropora spp.) was outplanted on ARs at a density of 7 corals m-2. After two years, 60% of all outplanted fragments had survived, already resulting in coral cover on most ARs comparable (though Acropora-dominated) to reference patches. Coral survival differed between ARs, with highest survival on cages due to the absence of crown-of-thorns sea star predation on this design. In total, 32 coral genera recruited on ARs and recruit densities were highest on reference patches, moderate on concrete ARs and low on cages. ARs and reference patches featured nearly twice the fish species richness and around an order of magnitude higher fish abundance and biomass compared to control patches. Fish abundance and biomass strongly correlated with coral cover on ARs. AR, reference and control patches all had distinct fish species compositions, but AR and reference patches were similar in terms of trophic structure of their fish communities. Motile invertebrates including gastropods, sea urchins, sea cucumbers and sea stars were present at ARs, but generally more abundant and diverse at natural reference patches. Taken together, all studied ecological parameters progressed towards reef ecosystem recovery, with varying influences of AR design and material. We recommend a combination of metal cages and layered concrete ARs to promote high fragment survival as well as natural coral recruitment. Ultimately, a longer period of monitoring is needed to fully determine the effectiveness reef restoration as conservation tool to support coral reef ecosystem recovery.

Influence of the Aromatic Ligand Nature and Synthesis Conditions on the Structures of the Copper Pentafluorobenzoate Complexes

New pentafluorobenzoate (Рfb) copper complexes with 2,3- and 3,5-lutidine (2,3- and 3,5-Lut, respectively), quinoline (Quin), and 1,10-phenanthroline (Рhen) ([Cu2(MeCN)2(Рfb)4] (I), [Cu(2,3-Lut)2(Pfb)2] (II), [Cu(3,5-Lut)4(Pfb)2] (III), [Cu(Quin)2(Pfb)2] (IV), and [Cu2(Phen)2(Pfb)4] (V)) are synthesized by the newly developed methods and characterized. The unusual heteroanionic pentafluorobenzoate benzoate (Вnz) ionic compound [Cu2(Рhen)2(Рfb)3]+(Рnz)– (VI) is synthesized. It is shown that the four-bridge binuclear metal cage of complex I is not retained in the reactions with various pyridine derivatives. In the case of such α-substituted pyridines as 2,3-lutidine and quinoline, the compositions and structures of the final products of the reactions with copper pentafluorobenzoate are independent of the initial ratio of the reagents and crystallization conditions. It is revealed by the Hirshfeld surface analysis that π···π, C–F···π, C–H···F, and F···F interactions make the major contribution to the stabilization of crystal packings of the synthesized complexes.

The effect of amylase supplementation on individual variation, growth performance, and starch digestibility in broiler chickens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the variance of starch digestibility in broilers individually fed diets without or with supplemental exogenous amylase. A total of 120 d-of-hatch male chicks were individually reared from 5 to 42 d in metallic cages and fed maize-based basal diets or diets containing 80 kilo-novo-α-amylase units/kg (60 birds or replicates per treatment). Beginning on d 7, feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded; partial excreta collection was conducted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until 42 d, when all birds were sacrificed for individual collection of duodenal and ileal digesta. Lower feed intake (4,675 vs. 4,815 g) and feed conversion ratio (1.470 vs. 1.508) were observed in amylase-fed broilers during the overall period (7-43 d; P < 0.01), whereas body weight gain was not affected. Amylase supplementation improved total tract starch (TTS) digestibility (P < 0.05) on each day of excreta collection (except for d 28, where no difference was found), averaging 0.982 vs. 0.973 compared to basal-fed broilers from d 7 to 42. Both apparent ileal starch (AIS) digestibility and apparent metabolizable energy (AMEN) were increased (P <0.05) from 0.968 to 0.976 and from 3,119 to 3,198 kcal/kg, respectively, with enzyme supplementation. Activity of amylase in the duodenum was higher (18.6 vs. 50.1 IU/g of digesta) in supplemented birds. Amylase supplementation led to a reduced coefficient of variation for both TTS (averaged 2.41 vs. 0.92% from 7 to 42 d) and AIS digestibilities (1.96 vs. 1.03%), as well as AMEN (0.49 vs. 0.35%), when compared to the nonsupplemented group, indicating lower individual heterogenity. An age effect was detected for TTS digestibility, as both groups saw an increase during the first weeks (slightly more pronounced in the supplemented group); older birds (d 30 onwards) presented a lower TTS digestibility compared to ages between 7 and 25 d. In conclusion, amylase supplementation in maize diets for broilers can attenuate individual bird variation for starch and energy utilization by increasing amylase activity and enhancing starch digestibility.

Entropy analysis and thermal energy storage performance of PCM in honeycomb structure: Effects of materials and dimensions

This manuscript focuses on comprehensive investigation of entropy analysis and improve energy storage of phase change material (PCM) using a honeycomb material. In the last decade, the honeycomb structure has quickly emerged as a major tool for improving heat transfer rate, particularly for the back of solar radiation PV panels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of honeycomb cell wall thickness (0.2 - 2 mm), cell diameter (2 - 16 mm), and honeycomb material types (cellulose, graphite, polyethylene, stainless steel, magnesium alloy, aluminum, and copper) on heat transfer rate of paraffin. These parameters have significant impact on paraffin's energy storage. The variables were optimized numerically using the CFD techniques according to phase change behavior, kinetic energy storage, and total energy storage of composite/paraffin. The results showed that the embedded metal cage had no effect on the total heat storage capacity of paraffin (27.89 W) for 0.33 mm wall thickness of honeycomb. The other optimal geometrical specifications of a honeycomb were determined to be 10mm cell diameter, and stainless-steel material. The ideal honeycomb cell has a uniform distribution of temperature and phase change in all cells at the same time. The entropy study confirmed that the phase transition of PCM with stainless steel honeycomb fins happened homogeneously and promptly. Furthermore, the heat transfer can be improved with changing the geometry of honeycomb structure, and addition fins inside cell.

Could convulsive body shuddering of a white shark near a shark cage be an element of a threat display?

Abstract In this short note, we describe the convulsive body shuddering of a white shark as it approached two large metallic shark cages, each with multiple divers standing within them. When animals feel threatened, they experience conflicting instincts — one is to escape and another is to fight. In this situation, they do not always fight but often perform an agonistic, or aggressive display. Having arrived at the source of an olfactory corridor, this white shark was confronted with highly visible cages made with aluminium bars. The divers use hookah air hoses to breathe, and were therefore releasing bubbles, which reflect light and generate sounds as they oscillate toward the surface. The photographers may also have been taking pictures of the shark with their flash-bulb equipped cameras, which produce a sudden disruptive flash of irradiance. The shark’s behaviour is illustrated with a series of video frames as he approaches the cage. The body of the shark shutters convulsively and he opens his mouth, keeping it open for a prolonged period of 2.8 s as he passes close to the cage, while (1) depressing his pectoral fins, (2) hunching his back, (3) keeping his caudal fin held at right angle to the axis of view to increase his apparent size, and (4) shaking his body with spasmodic oscillations. The shark appears frightened, and hence may perform the display to discourage any aggression directed at him by the cage with humans emitting a panoply of frightening stimuli. Alternative explanations of the motivation behind this behaviour are also discussed. We hope that it will lead other scientists to look for this behaviour when observing the behaviour of white sharks from a cage, so they can provide further evidence shedding light upon the shark’s motivation for performing this conspicuous behaviour.

From M6 to M12, M19 and M38 molecular alloy Pt-Ni carbonyl nanoclusters: selective growth of atomically precise heterometallic nanoclusters.

Heterometallic Chini-type clusters [Pt6-xNix(CO)12]2- (x = 0-6) were obtained by reactions of [Pt6(CO)12]2- with Ni-clusters such as [Ni6(CO)12]2-, [Ni9(CO)18]2- and [H2Ni12(CO)21]2-, or from [Pt9(CO)18]2- and [Ni6(CO)12]2-. The Pt/Ni composition of [Pt6-xNix(CO)12]2- (x = 0-6) depended on the nature of the reagents employed and their stoichiometry. Reactions of [Pt9(CO)18]2- with [Ni9(CO)18]2- and [H2Ni12(CO)21]2-, as well as reactions of [Pt12(CO)24]2- with [Ni6(CO)12]2-, [Ni9(CO)18]2- and [H2Ni12(CO)21]2-, afforded [Pt9-xNix(CO)18]2- (x = 0-9) species. [Pt6-xNix(CO)12]2- (x = 1-5) were converted into [Pt12-xNix(CO)21]4- (x = 2-10) upon heating in CH3CN at 80 °C, with almost complete retention of the Pt/Ni composition. Reaction of [Pt12-xNix(CO)21]4- (x ≈ 8) with HBF4·Et2O afforded the [HPt14+xNi24-x(CO)44]5- (x ≈ 0.7) nanocluster. Finally, [Pt19-xNix(CO)22]4- (x = 2-6) could be obtained by heating [Pt9-xNix(CO)18]2- (x = 1-3) in CH3CN at 80 °C, or [Pt6-xNix(CO)12]2- (2-4) in DMSO at 130 °C. The molecular structures of these new alloy nanoclusters have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The site preference of Pt and Ni within their metal cages has been computationally investigated. The electrochemical and IR spectroelectrochemical behavior of [Pt19-xNix(CO)22]4- (x = 3.11) has been studied and compared to the isostructural homometallic nanocluster [Pt19(CO)22]4-.

Influence of natural aging on the chemical composition of hemp mortars

In recent years, bio-based building materials have become increasingly popular in the field of low-carbon construction. Different bio-based solutions are being adopted because of their advantageous hygrothermal properties and low economic and environmental costs. One such bio-based solution is hemp mortar, which is used in France and other countries for various construction purposes, such as thermal or acoustic insulation for interior and exterior walls. However, the use of hemp mortars is hampered by insufficient data on their durability and risk of degradation due to natural environmental conditions. Indeed, hemp mortar is hygroscopic, heterogeneous and anisotropic, which makes it difficult to study its behaviour. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to investigate the effect of natural aging on the chemical composition of hemp mortar exposed outside in specially designed metal cage for two years. Experimentally, XRD and thermogravimetric analyses of hemp mortar samples were performed. All experimental results were compared with the results of reference samples treated under laboratory conditions. The effects of two different compositions and sample depths were also investigated. In general, the results showed a higher degree of degradation of the mineral matrix of hemp mortar during natural aging due to carbonation and hygrothermal stresses.

Jan Sawka: Theatre of Image and Metaphor

Jan Sawka: Theatre of Image and Metaphor

Killing Method Influences Decomposition, Entomofauna and Successional Pattern of Exposed Juvenile Pig Carcasses in Wukari, Nigeria

Homicide-related crimes (especially juveniles) are serious problems in Africa and particularly, in Nigeria, with little success in apprehension of culprits recorded due to a lack of substantial forensic data to aid investigation processes. To aid the mitigation of this challenge, two juvenile pigs were killed (one by slaughtering and the other by strangulation) at the Research Garden of the Biological Sciences Department, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria. Both carcasses were left exposed to sunlight 25 m apart, while being protected from vertebrate scavengers using meshed metal cages. Observable postmortem changes on both carcasses were recorded while adult insect sampling using a combination of aerial net, pitfall traps and manual searching continued from the fresh to dry stages of decomposition for both carcasses. Data from sampled insects obtained were used to compute abundance, frequency of occurrence and dominance at each decomposition stage. Appropriate diversity indices were obtained using the Paleontological Statistical Tool-Past3, while similarity in entomofauna between both carcasses was determined using Jaccard’s index. Although both carcasses completed decomposition in 14 days, the strangulated carcass had faster active and advanced stages with prolonged dry stage vis-à-vis the slaughtered carcass. Also, the slaughtered carcass had higher insect abundance (895) than the strangulated carcass (781), with peak diversity and richness at the advanced stages. The slaughtered carcass was also observed to have higher diversity and richness values (1.942, 2.517) than the strangulated carcass (1.801, 1.597). Five (5) dominant insects (Hister monitor, Dermestes maculatus, Zophosis sp., Chrysomya chloropyga, and Pheidole sp.) invaded the strangulated carcass while Crematogaster sp. invaded the slaughtered carcass in addition to these. Overall, over 60% total species similarity and 80% dominant species similarity existed between the carcasses. Hence the killing methods used in this study largely influenced variations in the duration of the five decomposition stages, observable postmortem changes as well as insect abundance but the succession of invading insects was largely similar.

The Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Justicia Secunda on Kidney Function in Female Wistar Rats

Purpose: The kidneys serve as the excretory organ of the body. The assessment of serum creatinine, urea, and electrolytes (Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-) are crucial and sensitive biochemical markers that are usually involved in the diagnosis of renal impairments (Agbasi et al. 2010; Tietz, 2008; Yakubu et al. 2003).&#x0D; Methodology: Thirty-six animals were grouped into 6, with 6 rats in each group. The animals were housed at room temperature in metal cages. Animals in each group had access to clean water and commercial standard rodent pellets. Group 1 (control group) received distilled water, Groups 2-6 were treated orally with low, middle, and high doses of ethanolic extract of Justicia secunda leaves daily for 42 days.&#x0D; Findings: A significant increase in the level of urea concentration was observed compared to the control. From the present study, Na+, K+, Cl-, and HCO3 increased significantly in the moderate and high dose groups.&#x0D; Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: In conclusion, this study indicates that ethanolic extract of Justicia secunda increased the serum level of urea, creatinine, and electrolytes.

Endplate volumetric bone mineral density biomechanically matched interbody cage.

Disc degenerative problems affect the aging population, globally, and interbody fusion is a crucial surgical treatment. The interbody cage is the critical implant in interbody fusion surgery; however, its subsidence risk becomes a remarkable clinical complication. Cage subsidence is caused due to a mismatch of material properties between the bone and implant, specifically, the higher elastic modulus of the cage relative to that of the spinal segments, inducing subsidence. Our recent observation has demonstrated that endplate volumetric bone mineral density (EP-vBMD) measured through the greatest cortex-occupied 1.25-mm height region of interest, using automatic phantomless quantitative computed tomography scanning, could be an independent cage subsidence predictor and a tool for cage selection instruction. Porous design on the metallic cage is a trend in interbody fusion devices as it provides a solution to the subsidence problem. Moreover, the superior osseointegration effect of the metallic cage, like the titanium alloy cage, is retained. Patient-specific customization of porous metallic cages based on the greatest subsidence-related EP-vBMD may be a good modification for the cage design as it can achieve biomechanical matching with the contacting bone tissue. We proposed a novel perspective on porous metallic cages by customizing the elastic modulus of porous metallic cages by modifying its porosity according to endplate elastic modulus calculated from EP-vBMD. A three-grade porosity customization strategy was introduced, and direct porosity-modulus customization was also available depending on the patient's or doctor's discretion.

Entomofauna cadavérica asociada a los restos incinerados de Sus scrofa domestica L., en el centro poblado de Chuyugual, La Libertad, Perú

La determinación del intervalo post mortem a través de la evidencia entomológica es un método muy utilizado para el esclarecimiento de crímenes en entomología forense. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la entomofauna cadavérica y la biodiversidad ecológica asociadas a los restos de Sus scrofa domestica L. El trabajo se realizó en el centro poblado de Chuyugual, La Libertad, se utilizó un ejemplar de “cerdo” de 15 kg, fue incinerado con petróleo diésel y protegido con una jaula de malla metálica. La colecta de los insectos se hizo con las técnicas entomológicas convencionales, determinando las especies con claves taxonómicas especializadas; para la determinación del valor ecológico de entomofauna cadavérica y familias más representativas se usaron los índices de Margalef, Simpson, Shanon y Pielou. La entomofauna encontrada se distribuyó en 2 ordenes, 7 familias, 12 especies y 4 morfotipos. El 35% de abundancia relativa corresponde a la familia Calliphoridae, el 23% pertenecen a los Sarcophagidae, el 18% a los Staphilinidae y el 6% a las familias Musidae, Fannidae, Dermestidae y Silphidae. La biodiversidad es alta en índices de dominancia e índice de Pielou; sin embargo, es baja en índices de riqueza específica y equidad de Shanon. La familia Calliphoridae, tiene índices de diversidad alto; en tanto que, los Sarcophagidae y Staphilinidae muestran índice moderado y bajo, respectivamente. Se concluyó que la entomofauna encontrada en la descomposición de Sus scrofa domestica pertenecen al orden díptera (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae y Fannidae) y coleóptera (Staphilinidae, Silphidae y Dermestidae).

Spinal Giant Cell Tumor in Neurospine Surgery: A Narrative Study

Background and Aim: Spinal Giant Cell Tumor (GCT) is a primary low-grade malignant aggressive tumor of the spine and is more prevalent in the third and fourth decades of life. Spinal GCT frequently occurs in the sacrum. The most common presentation of spinal GCT is pain. Spinal GCT is seldom observed as an asymptomatic, incidental radiological occurrence. Based on the clinic-radiological findings, differential diagnoses of spinal GCT are Aneurismal Bone Cyst (ABC), plasmacytoma, symptomatic hemangioma, and Tuberculosis (TB). A biopsy is crucial for a definitive diagnosis. Because of the rich vascular supply about 24 hours prior to operation, Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) with tumor embolization is recommended. The treatment of choice for these tumors is complete, extralesional surgical resection which is not usually possible. General treatment is resorted as incomplete partial resection following local radiotherapy. The method of choice for reconstruction is cement or metallic cages and because of the high recurrence rate, bone graft is avoided. The local recurrence rate in the spinal column is lower than in other areas. Methods and Materials/Patients: The spinal GCT incidence, manifestations, diagnosis, and management were concisely reviewed. Using the keywords of GCT, GCT manifestations, GCT complications, GCT management, and GCT incidence, all the relevant articles were retrieved from Google Scholar, Medline, and PubMed, reviewed critically, and analyzed. Results: Spinal GCT rarely presents as an incidental finding in radiologic studies. Because of the high vascular supply of GCTs, preoperative embolization must be performed. The ideal treatment of spinal GCT is complete surgical tumor excision and when not possible, intralesional resection is an alternative treatment. The prognosis of spinal GCT is not good as other primary spinal tumors because of incomplete excision of the tumor and following high recurrence rate. Conclusion: Spinal GCTs are complex clinical entities. Operation is obligatory, and postoperative close follow-up is mandatory to stop recurrences early

Mechanical and Wetting Properties of Ta2O5 and ZnO Coatings on Alloy Substrate of Cardiovascular Stents Manufactured by Casting and DMLS.

In the last years, additive manufacturing technologies have been developed, especially direct metal laser sintering, and used in the dental and medical implant domains. Cardiovascular stents have evolved from bioinert, bare metal cages to biomimetic devices that promote tissue regeneration or healing. In this paper, comparisons concerning mechanical properties between Co–Cr alloy and cast 304L stainless steel were realized using FEM analysis, necessary for manufacturing cardiovascular stents by DMLS technology using Co–Cr alloy. The purpose of this paper consists of the evaluation of the contact angle at the interface of the Co–Cr alloy manufactured by DMLS, respectively, cast stainless steel 304L, and thin film deposition realized by the e-gun method (Ta2O5 and ZnO). Scanning electronic microscopy SEM and EDX techniques were employed for morphological investigation of the sintered samples manufactured by the DMLS process. They were also used for semi-quantitative and qualitative chemical and metallographic analyses. The e-gun coating was used to obtain thin films with the nanometer order of Ta2O5 and ZnO with a protective role to improve the corrosion resistance, roughness, and antiseptic role.