Various Aetiologies of Non-Traumatic Coccydynia Cause Pain in the Posterior Sacrococcygeal Leg of the Pelvic Tripod: A Burden on the Healthcare Sector

Introduction: Coccydynia, television disease, and coccygodynia are the different names given to this disabling disease, which can become chronic. It was described by Simson in 1859. Coccydynia means pain at the end of the vertebral column. Non-traumatic coccydynia is a diagnosis, which is never straightforward like traumatic coccydynia because the onset is unclear, and both the patient and the unaware clinician face many challenges in treating it on time and with accuracy. Coccyx was likened to a cuckoo bird’s beak as a curved bone of fused 3 to 5 vertebrae with remnant disc material in some rare cases, unfused segments, linear scoliosis or subluxations and deformities. Stress X-rays of the coccyx in the antero-posterior and lateral views in standing and sitting reveal the “Dynamic Instability” due to congenital coccygeal morphological, pathological and mechanical variations. Material and Methods: This is a complex study having retrograde data collected from online publications from various databases, like PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library and also antegrade data collected from 100 patients with their consent from patients in Adam and Eve Specialised Medical Centre-based at Abu Dhabi, UAE and data was processed in the research centre of Krushi Orthopaedic Welfare Society based in India between 2014-2024 following all guidelines of Helsinki and approved by the ethics board of Krushi Orthopaedic Welfare Society. Clinical Presentation: The coccyx is painful, with aches, spasms, and an inability to sit. This affects daily activities without any particular date of onset. The onset remains insidious for the non-traumatic variety of coccydynia. Aetiology and Patho Anatomy: Non-traumatic coccydynia can be caused by a myriad of reasons, like congenital morphological variations, acquired dynamic instabilities, and hidden trauma remaining quiescent to re-surface as a strain-induced pain. Radiological Presentations: Unless clarity is focused on these coccygeal views, the errors of the unevacuated rectum, non-dynamic standing views, improper X-ray exposure and refuge by insurance companies to approve the much needed but multiple views in radiological investigation (Stress X-ray), MRI scan, lack of awareness by the clinician, all lead to missed diagnosis with its repercussions as congenital variations in morphology, acquired changes in structure/mobility, pathologies like tumours like congenital teratoma & adult onset chordoma, Tarlov cysts, pilonidal sinus or infections—even tuberculosis, dural syndrome, stiff coccyx due to ankylosing spondylitis and many others like relation to neurosis have all been documented. Treatment options are outside the scope of this research topic, as only the differential diagnosis is being stressed here, so that the clinician and the patient do not overlook the varying aetiology, which is the first step to timely and appropriate treatment. Conclusion: Level 3 evidence is available pointing towards many aetiologies causing non-traumatic coccydynia, and in this study of 100 patients by Krushi O W S, a non-profit organisation, the results were as follows: 1) Coccydynia is more common in Type II coccyx and bony spicules. 2) Coccydynia is more prevalent when the sacrococcygeal joints are not fused. 3) Coccydynia is more prevalent when there is subluxation at the intercoccygeal joints. 4) Coccydynia is more when the sacral angle is lower. 5) Coccydynia is associated with higher sacrococcygeal curved length. 6) Coccydynia is associated with a lower sacrococcygeal curvature index. 7) Gender variations: The coccygeal curvature index was lower in females with coccydynia;the intercoccygeal angle was lower in males. 8) Both obese and thin individuals can get affected due to different weight-bearing mechanics in play.

Etiology of non-traumatic acute abdomen in pediatric emergency departments

Acute abdominal pain is a common complaint in pediatric emergency departments. A complete evaluation is the key factor approaching the disease and should include the patient's age, any trauma history, the onset and chronicity of the pain, the related symptoms and a detailed physical examination. The aim of this review article is to provide some information for physicians in pediatric emergency departments, with the age factors and several causes of non-traumatic acute abdominal pain. The leading causes of acute abdominal pain are divided into four age groups: infants younger than 2 years old, children 2 to 5, children 5 to 12, and children older than 12 years old. We review the information about acute appendicitis, intussusception, HenochSchnlein purpura, infection, Meckel's diverticulum and mesenteric adenitis. In conclusion, the etiologies of acute abdomen in children admitted to the emergency department vary depending on age. A complete history and detailed physical examination, as well as abdominal imaging examinations, could provide useful information for physicians in the emergency department to narrow the differential diagnosis of abdominal emergencies and give a timely treatment.

Alloy design for laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing:a critical review

Metal additive manufacturing(AM)has been extensively studied in recent decades.Despite the significant progress achieved in manufacturing complex shapes and structures,challenges such as severe cracking when using existing alloys for laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)AM have persisted.These challenges arise because commercial alloys are primarily designed for conventional casting or forging processes,overlooking the fast cooling rates,steep temperature gradients and multiple thermal cycles of L-PBF.To address this,there is an urgent need to develop novel alloys specifically tailored for L-PBF technologies.This review provides a comprehensive summary of the strategies employed in alloy design for L-PBF.It aims to guide future research on designing novel alloys dedicated to L-PBF instead of adapting existing alloys.The review begins by discussing the features of the L-PBF processes,focusing on rapid solidification and intrinsic heat treatment.Next,the printability of the four main existing alloys(Fe-,Ni-,Al-and Ti-based alloys)is critically assessed,with a comparison of their conventional weldability.It was found that the weldability criteria are not always applicable in estimating printability.Furthermore,the review presents recent advances in alloy development and associated strategies,categorizing them into crack mitigation-oriented,microstructure manipulation-oriented and machine learning-assisted approaches.Lastly,an outlook and suggestions are given to highlight the issues that need to be addressed in future work.

Laser‑Induced and MOF‑Derived Metal Oxide/Carbon Composite for Synergistically Improved Ethanol Sensing at Room temperature

Advancements in sensor technology have significantly enhanced atmospheric monitoring.Notably,metal oxide and carbon(MO_(x)/C)hybrids have gained attention for their exceptional sensitivity and room-temperature sensing performance.However,previous methods of synthesizing MO_(x)/C composites suffer from problems,including inhomogeneity,aggregation,and challenges in micropatterning.Herein,we introduce a refined method that employs a metal–organic framework(MOF)as a precursor combined with direct laser writing.The inherent structure of MOFs ensures a uniform distribution of metal ions and organic linkers,yielding homogeneous MO_(x)/C structures.The laser processing facilitates precise micropatterning(<2μm,comparable to typical photolithography)of the MO_(x)/C crystals.The optimized MOF-derived MO_(x)/C sensor rapidly detected ethanol gas even at room temperature(105 and 18 s for response and recovery,respectively),with a broad range of sensing performance from 170 to 3,400 ppm and a high response value of up to 3,500%.Additionally,this sensor exhibited enhanced stability and thermal resilience compared to previous MOF-based counterparts.This research opens up promising avenues for practical applications in MOF-derived sensing devices.

Survey study of the etiology of non-traumatic altered consciousness in the Emergency Department at Suez Canal University Hospital in Egypt

BACKGROUND Disorders of consciousness including coma in non-trauma patients can be caused by a wide variety of pathologies affecting the central nervous system.They represent a frequent challenge in emergency medicine and are combined with a very high in-hospital mortality.Hence,early treatment of these patients is vital and increases the likelihood of a good outcome.AIM To identify the causes of altered consciousness presentation to the Emergency Department at Suez Canal University Hospital.METHODS This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 87 patients with acute non-traumatic disturbed level of consciousness(DLOC)at the Emergency Department.RESULTS The mean age of the studied patients was 60.5±13.6 years.Among them,60%were males and 40%were females.The most common cause of acute non-traumatic DLOC was systemic infection,such as sepsis and septic shock(25.3%),followed by respiratory causes(24.1%)and neurological causes(18.4%).CONCLUSION The most common cause of acute non-traumatic DLOC was systemic infections followed by respiratory and neurological causes.

Backward scattering of laser plasma interactions from hundreds-of-joules broadband laser on thick target

The use of broadband laser technology is a novel approach for inhibiting processes related to laser plasma interactions(LPIs).In this study,several preliminary experiments into broadband-laser-driven LPIs are carried out using a newly established hundreds-of-joules broadband second-harmonic-generation laser facility.Through direct comparison with LPI results for a traditional narrowband laser,the actual LPI-suppression effect of the broadband laser is shown.The broadband laser had a clear suppressive effect on both back-stimulated Raman scattering and back-stimulated Brillouin scattering at laser intensities below 1×10^(15) W cm^(−2).An abnormal hot-electron phenomenon is also investigated,using targets of different thicknesses.

Underwater four-quadrant dual-beam circumferential scanning laser fuze using nonlinear adaptive backscatter filter based on pauseable SAF-LMS algorithm

The phenomenon of a target echo peak overlapping with the backscattered echo peak significantly undermines the detection range and precision of underwater laser fuzes.To overcome this issue,we propose a four-quadrant dual-beam circumferential scanning laser fuze to distinguish various interference signals and provide more real-time data for the backscatter filtering algorithm.This enhances the algorithm loading capability of the fuze.In order to address the problem of insufficient filtering capacity in existing linear backscatter filtering algorithms,we develop a nonlinear backscattering adaptive filter based on the spline adaptive filter least mean square(SAF-LMS)algorithm.We also designed an algorithm pause module to retain the original trend of the target echo peak,improving the time discrimination accuracy and anti-interference capability of the fuze.Finally,experiments are conducted with varying signal-to-noise ratios of the original underwater target echo signals.The experimental results show that the average signal-to-noise ratio before and after filtering can be improved by more than31 d B,with an increase of up to 76%in extreme detection distance.

Characterization, preparation, and reuse of metallic powders for laser powder bed fusion: a review

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF) has attracted significant attention in both the industry and academic fields since its inception, providing unprecedented advantages to fabricate complex-shaped metallic components. The printing quality and performance of L-PBF alloys are infuenced by numerous variables consisting of feedstock powders, manufacturing process,and post-treatment. As the starting materials, metallic powders play a critical role in infuencing the fabrication cost, printing consistency, and properties. Given their deterministic roles, the present review aims to retrospect the recent progress on metallic powders for L-PBF including characterization, preparation, and reuse. The powder characterization mainly serves for printing consistency while powder preparation and reuse are introduced to reduce the fabrication costs.Various powder characterization and preparation methods are presented in the beginning by analyzing the measurement principles, advantages, and limitations. Subsequently, the effect of powder reuse on the powder characteristics and mechanical performance of L-PBF parts is analyzed, focusing on steels, nickel-based superalloys, titanium and titanium alloys, and aluminum alloys. The evolution trends of powders and L-PBF parts vary depending on specific alloy systems, which makes the proposal of a unified reuse protocol infeasible. Finally,perspectives are presented to cater to the increased applications of L-PBF technologies for future investigations. The present state-of-the-art work can pave the way for the broad industrial applications of L-PBF by enhancing printing consistency and reducing the total costs from the perspective of powders.

Epidemiological, Clinical and Etiological Aspects of Non-Traumatic Comas in Children at the Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Bangui

Background: Non-traumatic coma is the most common pediatric medical emergency. Its clinical diagnosis is easy. The difficulty lies in finding the etiology. Objective: To determine the prevalence and clinical profiles of non-traumatic Coma at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pédiatrique de Bangui (CHUPB). Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted between January 1 and June 31, 2021, at CHUPB. Children aged 1 month to 15 years, admitted to the emergency room with a Glasgow score less than or equal to 8 without any traumatism were included. The variables studied were sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. The statistical test used was Pearson’s chi2, any p-value Results: Of 8551 children hospitalized during the study period, 370 were hospitalized for non-traumatic coma: 4.32%. They were divided into 57.5% (n = 213) boys and 42.44% (n = 157) girls, giving a sex ratio of 1.35. Their mean age was 35.95 ± 27.21 months. Children aged 1 to 24 months represented 54.59% (n = 202) of cases. The mean time to the consultation was 2.91 days ± 1.8. Fever 86.48% (n = 320) and convulsions 80% (n = 296) were the main reasons for consultation. Coma stages II - III and IV represented 52.44% (n = 194), 42.97% (n = 159) and 4.59% (n = 17) respectively. Neuromalaria (29.72%;n = 110), meningitis-meningoencephalitis-encephalitis (30%;n = 111), sepsis (19.72%;n = 73) and acidosis Coma (5.40%;n = 20) were the main etiologies. Conclusion: Non-traumatic coma is common at CHUPB. Infections were the main etiology, particularly cerebral malaria. The reduction of its frequency requires, among others, the strengthening of the national monitoring malaria program. The strengthening of the technical platform for a good etiological diagnosis constitutes the other axis of prevention.

Triboelectric‘electrostatic tweezers'for manipulating droplets on lubricated slippery surfaces prepared by femtosecond laser processing

The use of‘Electrostatic tweezers'is a promising tool for droplet manipulation,but it faces many limitations in manipulating droplets on superhydrophobic surfaces.Here,we achieve noncontact and multifunctional droplet manipulation on Nepenthes-inspired lubricated slippery surfaces via triboelectric electrostatic tweezers(TETs).The TET manipulation of droplets on a slippery surface has many advantages over electrostatic droplet manipulation on a superhydrophobic surface.The electrostatic field induces the redistribution of the charges inside the neutral droplet,which causes the triboelectric charged rod to drive the droplet to move forward under the electrostatic force.Positively or negatively charged droplets can also be driven by TET based on electrostatic attraction and repulsion.TET enables us to manipulate droplets under diverse conditions,including anti-gravity climb,suspended droplets,corrosive liquids,low-surface-tension liquids(e.g.ethanol with a surface tension of 22.3 mN·m^(-1)),different droplet volumes(from 100 nl to 0.5 ml),passing through narrow slits,sliding over damaged areas,on various solid substrates,and even droplets in an enclosed system.Various droplet-related applications,such as motion guidance,motion switching,droplet-based microreactions,surface cleaning,surface defogging,liquid sorting,and cell labeling,can be easily achieved with TETs.

Epidemiological and Diagnostic Features of Non-Traumatic Gonalgia in Adults in Bouake (Ivory Coast): About 140 Patients

Background: Non traumatic gonalgia is the second most common reason for rheumatology consultations and accounted for 15.6% of rheumatological disorders in Abidjan. Objective: The aim of this work was to study the epidemiological and diagnostic features of non-traumatic gonalgia (NTG) in a black adult population from sub-Saharan Africa. Patients and Methods: This was a five-year retrospective descriptive study (January 2014 to December 2018) of black sub-Saharan African adult patients with non traumatic gonalgia seen in the rheumatology department of the Bouake University Hospital in Côte d’Ivoire. Results: Of 2198 patients seen for rheumatological conditions, 140 had non traumatic gonalgia (6.4%). The mean age of patients was 56.13 ± 13.3 years (extremes 20 and 87 years), and the sex ratio was 0.43 (42 men and 98 women). Gonalgia without swelling was observed in 33.6% of cases. Symptoms were predominantly progressive (97.1%), chronic (82.1%) and bilateral (50%). The causes of TNM were gonarthrosis (85%), septic arthritis (7.1%), reactive arthritis (2.9%), gout (2.9%), rheumatoid arthritis (1.4%) and chondrocalcinosis (0.7%). Gonarthrosis (119/140) was bilateral in 65 patients, bi- or tri-compartmental in 83, radiographic stage (Kellgren and Lawrence) III in 80 and IV in 15. A germ was isolated in two cases of septic arthritis (methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae). Conclusion: GNT is common in rheumatology practice in Bouake, and mainly affects women in their fifties. It is most often a chronic bilateral gonalgia, with gonarthrosis as the main etiology.

Laser spectroscopy imaging technique coupled withnanomaterials for cancer diagnosis: A review

Laser spectroscopic imaging techniques have received tremendous attention in the-eld of cancer diagnosis due to their high sensitivity,high temporal resolution,and short acquisition time.However,the limited tissue penetration of the laser is still a challenge for the in vivo diagnosis of deep-seated lesions.Nanomaterials have been universally integrated with spectroscopic imaging techniques for deeper cancer diagnosis in vivo.The components,morphology,and sizes of nanomaterials are delicately designed,which could realize cancer diagnosis in vivo or in situ.Considering the enhanced signal emitting from the nanomaterials,we emphasized their combination with spectroscopic imaging techniques for cancer diagnosis,like the surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS),photoacoustic,fluorescence,and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy(LIBS).Applications ofthe above spectroscopic techniques offer new prospectsfor cancer diagnosis.

High-performance liquid metal electromagnetic actuator fabricated by femtosecond laser

Small-scale electromagnetic soft actuators are characterized by a fast response and simplecontrol,holding prospects in the field of soft and miniaturized robotics.The use of liquid metal(LM)to replace a rigid conductor inside soft actuators can reduce the rigidity and enhance the actuation performance and robustness.Despite research efforts,challenges persist in the flexible fabrication of LM soft actuators and in the improvement of actuation performance.To address these challenges,we developed a fast and robust electromagnetic soft microplate actuator based on a laser-induced selective adhesion transfer method.Equipped with unprecedentedly thin LM circuit and customized low Young’s modulus silicone rubber(1.03 kPa),our actuator exhibits an excellent deformation angle(265.25?)and actuation bending angular velocity(284.66 rad·s^(-1)).Furthermore,multiple actuators have been combined to build an artificial gripper with a wide range of functionalities.Our actuator presents new possibilities for designing small-scaleartificial machines and supports advancements in ultrafast soft and miniaturized robotics.

Influence of layer thickness on formation quality,microstructure,mechanical properties,and corrosion resistance of WE43 magnesium alloy fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

Laser powder bed fusion(L-PBF)of Mg alloys has provided tremendous opportunities for customized production of aeronautical and medical parts.Layer thickness(LT)is of great significance to the L-PBF process but has not been studied for Mg alloys.In this study,WE43 Mg alloy bulk cubes,porous scaffolds,and thin walls with layer thicknesses of 10,20,30,and 40μm were fabricated.The required laser energy input increased with increasing layer thickness and was different for the bulk cubes and porous scaffolds.Porosity tended to occur at the connection joints in porous scaffolds for LT40 and could be eliminated by reducing the laser energy input.For thin wall parts,a large overhang angle or a small wall thickness resulted in porosity when a large layer thicknesses was used,and the porosity disappeared by reducing the layer thickness or laser energy input.A deeper keyhole penetration was found in all occasions with porosity,explaining the influence of layer thickness,geometrical structure,and laser energy input on the porosity.All the samples achieved a high fusion quality with a relative density of over 99.5%using the optimized laser energy input.The increased layer thickness resulted to more precipitation phases,finer grain sizes and decreased grain texture.With the similar high fusion quality,the tensile strength and elongation of bulk samples were significantly improved from 257 MPa and 1.41%with the 10μm layer to 287 MPa and 15.12%with the 40μm layer,in accordance with the microstructural change.The effect of layer thickness on the compressive properties of porous scaffolds was limited.However,the corrosion rate of bulk samples accelerated with increasing the layer thickness,mainly attributed to the increased number of precipitation phases.

Diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach by confocal laser endomicroscopy:A case report

BACKGROUND In recent years,confocal laser endomicroscopy(CLE)has become a new endoscopic imaging technology at the microscopic level,which is extensively performed for real-time in vivo histological examination.CLE can be performed to distinguish benign from malignant lesions.In this study,we diagnosed using CLE an asymptomatic patient with poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma.CASE SUMMARY A 63-year-old woman was diagnosed with gastric mucosal lesions,which may be gastric cancer,in the small curvature of the stomach by gastroscopy.She consented to undergo CLE for morphological observation of the gastric mucosa.Through the combination of CLE diagnosis and postoperative pathology,the intraoperative CLE diagnosis was considered to be reliable.According to our experience,CLE can be performed as the first choice for the diagnosis of gastric cancer.CONCLUSION CLE has several advantages over pathological diagnosis.We believe that CLE has great potential in the diagnosis of benign and malignant gastric lesions.

Effect of Tongluo Shenggu Prescription on ARCO Stage Ⅱ non-traumatic femoral head necrosis: A prospective study

Objective:To observe the clinical results and therapeutic characteristics of Tongluo Shenggu Decoction in the treatment of ARCOⅡnon-traumatic femoral head necrosis.Methods:120 patients with ARCOⅡnon-traumatic femoral head necrosis from January 2016 to January 2017 were studied by prospective matched and controlled design.60 cases in the treatment group were treated with Tongluo Shenggu Formula.The control group(60 cases)received high energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy.The imaging stability rate,Harris score and SF-36 score were used as clinical efficacy indicators,followed up for 24 months,and the follow-up results were statistically analyzed.Results:Among the 120 patients,5 fell off and the rest were followed up.The imaging stability rate is heavy.The imaging stability rate of the patients in the treatment group is 78.95%,while that in the control group is 72.41%.The two groups have the same stability rate(P>0.05).In Harris score,the Harris score of the patients in the treatment group was 92.678.45 points,significantly higher than that of the control group(80.3924.65 points),the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05),and the pain degree,joint function and joint deformity score of the treatment group were better than those of the control group(p<0.05).In the SF-36 score,the scores of physiological function,physiological function,physical pain,overall health,social function and emotional function in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05).the incidence of adverse events in the treatment period of the two groups was lower and the patients could relieve themselves in the later stage.Conclusion:Tongluo Shenggu prescription has definite curative effect in treating ARCOⅡnon-traumatic femoral head necrosis,especially in improving hip joint function,relieving hip joint pain and improving quality of life.To observe the clinical results and therapeutic characteristics of Tongluo Shenggu Decoction in the treatment of ARCOⅡnon-traumatic femoral head necrosis.Methods:120 patients with ARCOⅡnon-traumatic femoral head necrosis from January 2016 to January 2017 were studied by prospective matched and controlled design.60 cases in the treatment group were treated with Tongluo Shenggu Formula.The control group(60 cases)received high energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy.The imaging stability rate,Harris score and SF-36 score were used as clinical efficacy indicators,followed up for 24 months,and the follow-up results were statistically analyzed.Results:Among the 120 patients,5 fell off and the rest were followed up.The imaging stability rate is heavy.The imaging stability rate of the patients in the treatment group is 78.95%,while that in the control group is 72.41%.The two groups have the same stability rate(P>0.05).In Harris score,the Harris score of the patients in the treatment group was 92.678.45 points,significantly higher than that of the control group(80.3924.65 points),the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05),and the pain degree,joint function and joint deformity score of the treatment group were better than those of the control group(p<0.05).In the SF-36 score,the scores of physiological function,physiological function,physical pain,overall health,social function and emotional function in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(p<0.05).the incidence of adverse events in the treatment period of the two groups was lower and the patients could relieve themselves in the later stage.Conclusion:Tongluo Shenggu prescription has definite curative effect in treating ARCOⅡnon-traumatic femoral head necrosis,especially in improving hip joint function,relieving hip joint pain and improving quality of life.

Potential impact of early physiotherapy in the emergency department for non-traumatic neck and back pain

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal complaints, especially non-traumatic neck and back pain, are routinely encountered in the emergency department(ED) and lead to ED overcrowding, a burgeoning wait time for physiotherapy and outpatient orthopedic reviews. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of early physiotherapy evaluation and treatment(EPET) vs. standard care(SC) on clinical outcomes for patients presenting to the ED with non-traumatic neck and back pain.METHODS: A retrospective observational study of 125 patients who presented to the ED with non-traumatic neck and back pain with/without peripheral symptoms from July 2010 to February 2011. Neck Disability Index(NDI), Modifi ed Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire(MODI) and 11-point Numeric Pain Rating Scale were used as outcome measures and compared between groups at a mean of 34 days from their initial ED visit.RESULTS: We identifi ed a total of 125 patients. EPET group comprised 62 patients(mean age, 45 years; men, 63%) and SC group comprised 63 patients(mean age, 45 years; men, 43%). The EPET and SC groups received physiotherapy at a median of 4 and 34 days respectively from their fi rst ED visit. EPET patients had signifi cantly lower levels of disability(9.0% vs. 33.4%, Welch t-test, P<0.001) and pain(median value, 1 vs. 4 points, Mann-Whitney U-test, P<0.001) compared with SC patients.CONCLUSION: Early access to physiotherapy in ED was associated with reduced pain and disability levels. EPET protocol can potentially decrease the demand on outpatient orthopedic services, thereby freeing up available resources to treat patients who are more likely to benefi t from it.

Ten Years of Epidemiological and Diagnostic Aspects of Non-Traumatic Anterior Uveitis at Campus Teaching Hospital of Lome-Togo

Background: Uveitis is a serious disease which dangerous complications can jeopardize the visual prognosis. Anterior uveitis (AU) is the inflammation of the anterior uvea which is composed of the iris and the ciliary body. The objective of the study was to identify the epidemiological and etiological determinants of non-traumatic anterior uveitis at the Campus Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Materials and methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of the records of patients diagnosed with anterior uveitis (AU) without a notion of trauma in the ophthalmology department of CHU Campus of Lomé from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 (10 years). Results: 141 cases of uveitis, representing a prevalence of 0.18%. Female predominance, with a sex ratio of 0.76. Mean age was 34.74 ± 13.20 years. Decreased visual acuity was the primary complaint (34.40%), followed by ocular pain (28%). Non-traumatic anterior uveitis was unilateral in 87.2% of cases. Retro-corneal precipitates were present in all patients. 61.60% of patients had Tyndall in the anterior chamber. The etiology of non-traumatic AU was undetermined in 76.80% of cases. Toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis and syphilis were the main etiologies found. Conclusion: Non-traumatic anterior uveitis is relatively rare but serious, often affecting young subjects. It is a pathology that engages eye health professionals, not only because of the difficulties involved in diagnosing the etiology, but also because of its progression which sometimes leads to blindness.

Ten Years of Epidemiological and Diagnostic Aspects of Non-Traumatic Anterior Uveitis at Campus Teaching Hospital of Lome-Togo

Background: Uveitis is a serious disease which dangerous complications can jeopardize the visual prognosis. Anterior uveitis (AU) is the inflammation of the anterior uvea which is composed of the iris and the ciliary body. The objective of the study was to identify the epidemiological and etiological determinants of non-traumatic anterior uveitis at the Campus Teaching Hospital of Lomé. Materials and methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study of the records of patients diagnosed with anterior uveitis (AU) without a notion of trauma in the ophthalmology department of CHU Campus of Lomé from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019 (10 years). Results: 141 cases of uveitis, representing a prevalence of 0.18%. Female predominance, with a sex ratio of 0.76. Mean age was 34.74 ± 13.20 years. Decreased visual acuity was the primary complaint (34.40%), followed by ocular pain (28%). Non-traumatic anterior uveitis was unilateral in 87.2% of cases. Retro-corneal precipitates were present in all patients. 61.60% of patients had Tyndall in the anterior chamber. The etiology of non-traumatic AU was undetermined in 76.80% of cases. Toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis and syphilis were the main etiologies found. Conclusion: Non-traumatic anterior uveitis is relatively rare but serious, often affecting young subjects. It is a pathology that engages eye health professionals, not only because of the difficulties involved in diagnosing the etiology, but also because of its progression which sometimes leads to blindness.

Recent developments in selective laser processes for wearable devices

Recently,the increasing interest in wearable technology for personal healthcare and smart virtual/augmented reality applications has led to the development of facile fabrication methods.Lasers have long been used to develop original solutions to such challenging technological problems due to their remote,sterile,rapid,and site-selective processing of materials.In this review,recent developments in relevant laser processes are summarized under two separate categories.First,transformative approaches,such as for laser-induced graphene,are introduced.In addition to design optimization and the alteration of a native substrate,the latest advances under a transformative approach now enable more complex material compositions and multilayer device configurations through the simultaneous transformation of heterogeneous precursors,or the sequential addition of functional layers coupled with other electronic elements.In addition,the more conventional laser techniques,such as ablation,sintering,and synthesis,can still be used to enhance the functionality of an entire system through the expansion of applicable materials and the adoption of new mechanisms.Later,various wearable device components developed through the corresponding laser processes are discussed,with an emphasis on chemical/physical sensors and energy devices.In addition,special attention is given to applications that use multiple laser sources or processes,which lay the foundation for the all-laser fabrication of wearable devices.