Evaluation of the impact of Exomite Pro™ on Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) populations and honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies: efficacy,side effects and residues

In this research, we examined the application of thymol-based powder, directly over the top of the brood frames in colonies with different population in a 2-year study. The efficacy against mites, the side effects on bees and the contamination of honey were studied comparably to thymol-based gel treatment. In one-store colonies, thymol-based powder treatment gave average efficacy 64.5 % and did not differ significantly from thymol-based gel treatment (65.4 %). The natural mortality in control colonies was 41.4 % and the corrected efficacy (E _T) during 2 years was 39.4 and 40.9 %, respectively. In two-store bee colonies, the application of thymol-based powder on top of each hive body gave higher E _T (45,4 %) than on top of the double body hive (40.4 %), without statistically significant differences. The average concentration of thymol residues in honey 24 days after the application was 368 and 1,119 μg kg^?1 for the honey of colonies treated with thymol-based powder and thymol-base gel, respectively.     

Decompression of the anterior thoracic spinal canal using a novel full‐endoscopic uniportal transthoracic retropleural technique—an anatomical feasibility study in human cadavers

Surgery for thoracic disc herniation and spinal stenosis is comparatively rare and often demanding. The goal is to achieve sufficient decompression without manipulating the spinal cord. Individual planning and various surgical techniques and approaches are required. This anatomical study examines the feasibility of a novel full‐endoscopic uniportal technique with a transthoracic retropleural approach for decompression of the anterior thoracic spinal canal. Operations were performed on three fresh adult cadavers. The endoscope used, from RIWOspine, Germany, has a shaft cross‐section of 6.9 × 5.9 mm and a 25° view angle. It contains an eccentric intraendoscopic working channel with a diameter of 4.1 mm. A transthoracic retropleural approach was used. The anatomical structures were dissected and the anterior thoracic epidural space was decompressed. The planned steps of the operation were performed on all cadavers. The transthoracic retropleural approach allowed the target region to be accessed easily. The anatomical structures could be identified and dissected. The anterior thoracic epidural space could be decompressed sufficiently. Using the uniportal full‐endoscopic operation technique with a transthoracic retropleural approach, the anterior thoracic epidural space can be adequately reached. This is a minimally invasive method with the known advantages of an endoscopic technique under continuous irrigation. The retropleural approach allows direct access. The instruments are available for clinical use and have been established for years in other operations on the entire spine. Clin. Anat. 31:716–723, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Does first-trimester nuchal cord affect the blood flow in the ductus venosus? A prospective observational study

Introduction: Main objective of the present study was to investigate the association between the presence of nuchal cord (NC) and the measurement of the ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (ductus venosus (DV) PIV).

Methods: This was a prospective study of 1974 singleton pregnancies that underwent first-trimester screening at 11–13⁺⁶ gestational weeks. Color Doppler was used to demonstrate the presence of a NC in all cases and the DV PIV was calculated routinely, as part of the standard scan. The association between the presence of a NC and the DV PIV was then examined overall and at each gestational week.

Results: A NC was demonstrated in 17.1% of cases. The incidence of nuchal cord was significantly higher at 13–13⁺⁶ weeks (24.7%, n?=?119) compared to the one at 12–12⁺⁶ (16.5%, n?=?192) and 11–11⁺⁶ weeks (7.9%, n?=?26) (p?p?=?.344). The DV PIV was 0.99 (± 0.15) for patients without NC versus 0.99 (± 0.15) for patients with NC (p?=?.34).

Conclusions: There was no association between the presence of a NC at 11–13⁺⁶ gestational weeks and the DV PIV.     

Ulnar nerve entrapment in Guyon’s canal caused by a ganglion cyst: two case reports and review of the literature

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology - In this article, two cases of ulnar nerve neuropathy in Guyon’s canal caused by a ganglion cyst are reported. A review of the...