Thomas Fincke und die <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geometria rotundi</Emphasis>

Thomas Fincke (January 6^th, 1561–April 24^th, 1656), born in Flensburg (Germany), was one of the very most important and significant scientists in Denmark during the seventeenth century, a mathematician and astrologer and physician in the beginning of modern science, a representative of humanism and an influentual academic organizer. He studied in Strasbourg (since 1577) and Padua (since 1583) and received his M.D. in Basel (1587), he practised as a physician throughout his life (since 1587 or 1590) and became a professor at Copenhagen (1591). But he was best known because of his Geometriae rotundi libri XIIII (1583), a famous book on plane and spherical trigonometry, based not on Euclid but on Petrus Ramus. In this influentual work, in which Fincke introduced the terms tangent and secant and probable first noticed the Law of Tangents and the so-called Newton-Oppel-Mauduit-Simpson-Mollweide-Gauss-formula, he showed himself to be „abreast of the mathematics of his time“.      

Rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the management of bladder exstrophies: late clinical outcome and urodynamic findings

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of the rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) technique for the closure and augmentation of small, non-compliant bladder exstrophies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The RAMF technique was used in two girls and two boys (mean age at operation, 31.7 months, range 3-72) with bladder exstrophy. The clinical outcome and urodynamics were assessed during a follow-up of 29 months to 6 years (mean 49.2 months) and included imaging, cystoscopy, biochemical and microbiological studies. RESULTS: There were no urinary tract infections, metabolic problems or electrolyte disturbances and kidney function remained normal in all patients. Radiography confirmed intact function and anatomy of the urinary tract and cystoscopy showed complete coverage of the inner peritoneal layer of RAMF with uroepithelium. No stone formation or mucus production were detected. Currently, three patients void using clean intermittent catheterization through the native urethra and the fourth through an appendiceal Mitrofanoff valve. However, the bladder volume was insufficient at the late follow-up and three patients required bladder augmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The RAMF technique is a good alternative for closing bladder exstrophies and achieves an increase in bladder capacity; however, although there is a mild improvement in bladder capacity and compliance. RAMF should not be used as a bladder augmentation procedure. The technique is indicated in the closure of large bladder defects, bladder exstrophies with small, inelastic, non-compliant bladder remnants and failed primary closures.     

Pruning Algorithms for Rule Learning

Pre-pruning and Post-pruning are two standard techniques for handling noise in decision tree learning. Pre-pruning deals with noise during learning, while post-pruning addresses this problem after an overfitting theory has been learned. We first review several adaptations of pre- and post-pruning techniques for separate-and-conquer rule learning algorithms and discuss some fundamental problems. The primary goal of this paper is to show how to solve these problems with two new algorithms that combine and integrate pre- and post-pruning.     

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome and secondary cataract

AIM/BACKGROUND: The pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is frequently associated with impairment of the blood-aqueous barrier. This study analysed if this might stimulate secondary cataract following cataract extraction. METHODS: This historical cohort study included 197 eyes of 197 patients (99 with and 98 without PEX) that underwent extracapsular cataract extraction with posterior chamber lens implantation (PMMA optic) between 1985 and 1991. Secondary cataract was defined as opacification of the axial posterior capsule and decrease of visual acuity by two or more lines. Mean follow up was 23.8 months. For statistical analysis, the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Secondary cataract was observed within 24 months in 35% (SD 7%) of all eyes, and was significantly more frequent in eyes with PEX (45 (11)%) than in eyes without PEX (24 (9)%, p < 0.03). Eyes with diabetes mellitus (n = 32) showed a significantly lower frequency of secondary cataract (11 (11)%) than eyes without diabetes mellitus (39 (8)%, p < 0.01). The influences of sex, open angle glaucoma, type of cataract, surgeon, positioning of IOL, and phacoemulsification versus nuclear expression on secondary cataract did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The higher frequency of secondary cataract could be considered as another potential complication of cataract surgery in eyes with PEX.     

The relationship between umbilical artery Doppler findings, fetal biophysical score and placental inflammation in cases of premature rupture of membranes

BACKGROUND: To assess the relationship between placental inflammation, umbilical artery Doppler waveforms and fetal biophysical profile score, umbilical artery Doppler studies and fetal biophysical evaluations were performed in 24 preterm pregnants with premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). SUBJECTS: After delivery, the placentas were microscopically examined and two subgroups were formed including noninflamed or inflamed placentas. RESULTS: In the first group, which includes 14 cases with no histological signs of placental inflammation, we found increased systolic/diastolic ratio only in one patient, whereas in the second group including ten cases with microscopically proven inflammation, nine were found to have increased systolic/diastolic ratios (p < 0.05). Mean systolic/diastolic ratio in the first and the second groups were 2.74 +/- 0.18 and 4.64 +/- 0.93 respectively (p < 0.001). Mean biophysical profile score was 9 +/- 1.04 in the first group and 7 +/- 1.05 in the second group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Abnormal biophysical profile scores along with increased arterial systolic/diastolic ratios have been shown to be the markers of impending clinical infection.