Autonomic failure in Parkinson’s disease is associated with striatal dopamine deficiencies

Journal of Neurology - Autonomic dysfunction is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Dopamine and serotonin are known to play a role in autonomic regulation, and,...     

Atraumatic Pulsatile Leukocyte Circulation for Long‐Term In Vitro Dynamic Culture and Adhesion Assays

Low flow rate pumping of cell suspensions finds current applications in bioreactors for short‐term dynamic cell culture and adhesion assays. The aim of this study was to develop an atraumatic pump and hemodynamically adapted test circuit to allow operating periods of at least several hours. A computer‐controlled mini‐pump (MP) was constructed based on non‐occlusive local compression of an elastic tube with commercial bi‐leaflet valves directing the pulsatile flow into a compliant circuit. Cell damage and activation in the system were tested with whole blood in comparison with a set with a conventional peristaltic pump (PP). Activation of circulating THP‐1 monocytes was tested by measuring the expression of CD54 (ICAM‐1). Additionally, monocyte‐endothelial interactions were monitored using a parallel‐plate flow chamber with an artificial stenosis. The system required a priming volume of only 20 mL, delivering a peak pulsatile flow of up to 35 mL/min. After 8 h, blood hemolysis was significantly lower for MP with 11 ± 3 mg/dL compared with PP with 100 ± 16 mg/dL. CD142 (tissue factor) expression on blood monocytes was 50% lower for MP. With MP, THP‐1 cells could be pumped for extended periods (17 h), with no enhanced expression of CD54 permitting the long‐term co‐culture of THP‐1 with endothelial cells and the analysis of flow pattern effects on cell adhesion. A low‐damage assay setup was developed, which allows the pulsatile flow of THP‐1 cells and investigation of their interaction with other cells or surfaces for extended periods of time.     

The sinus lift with phycogenic bone substitute. A histomorphometric study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this histomorphometric prospective study was to ascertain the efficacy of phycogenic bone substitute in an augmented sinus. The process of graft healing, bone remodeling, and biomaterial replacement was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The phycogenic material (fluorohydroxyapatite) made from calcium-encrusted sea algae was used for the sinus lifts. Twenty-four procedures were carried out (one-stage and two-stage equally) and 45 titanium stepped-screw implants were placed. The patients were followed for 12-23 months. In intervals of 6, 9, 12, or 15 months after the sinus lift, 24 graft specimens were taken with a trephine bur. These specimens were examined histomorphometrically. RESULTS: The grafting material was gradually resorbed and replaced by newly formed bone. Between the sixth and 15th month after the sinus lift, the percentage of newly formed bone grew linearly (from 15.5+/-9.6% to 40.8+/-15.3%) and the percentage of bone substitute decreased linearly (from 34.5+/-8.6% to 13+/-9.6%). After 15 months, the density of trabeculae in grafted bone corresponded to cancellous bone of good quality; however, the bone substitute was not completely resorbed during this period. No significant difference between the quality of the newly formed bone in the cases of the one- and two-stage sinus lifts was found. CONCLUSION: Sinus lift carried out with phycogenic bone substitute was shown to be an effective method with limited invasiveness and a high survival rate of implants (97.8%).     

The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on contaminated titanium surfaces: a systematic review

Objective: To systematically collect and evaluate the existing evidence for the abilities of different chemotherapeutic agents to decontaminate biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces. Material and methods: PubMed‐MEDLINE and the Cochrane‐CENTRAL databases were searched, covering research published on or before June 2010, to identify appropriate studies. The eligible studies were controlled studies on the effects of chemical treatments on biofilm‐contaminated titanium surfaces. Results: In total, 2425 unique papers were identified. Independent screening of the titles and abstracts resulted in only four publications that met all of the eligibility criteria. None of the in vivo studies assessed titanium surface decontamination in a controlled fashion. Three studies provided in vitro data, and one used an ex vivo protocol. Citric acid was found to be the most effective treatment in lipopolysaccharide removal as compared with an untreated control, although its effectiveness was equivalent to those of water and saline. In addition, citric acid demonstrated the greatest efficacy in cleaning the contaminated titanium surface, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusion: The data reported for the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in cleaning contaminated titanium surfaces are scarce, which precludes the generation of firm conclusions. Based on the lack of robust data, we cautiously conclude that citric acid is the chemotherapeutic agent with the highest potential for the removal of biofilms from contaminated titanium surfaces in vitro, although it does not achieve complete removal. To date, the killing effect of citric acid against biofilms has not been investigated on titanium surfaces. To cite this article:
Ntrouka VI, Slot DE, Louropoulou A, Van der Weijden F. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on contaminated titanium surfaces: a systematic review.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 681–690
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02037.x     

25 Jahre Notfall+Rettungsmedizin – reine Männersache?

Notfall + Rettungsmedizin -     

Three-dimensional printing in paediatric orthopaedic surgery

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a rapidly evolving and promising field to improve outcomes of orthopaedic surgery. The use of patient-specific 3D-printed models is specifically interesting in paediatric orthopaedic surgery, as limb deformity corrections often require an individual 3D treatment. In this editorial, various operative applications of 3D printing in paediatric orthopaedic surgery are discussed. The technical aspects and the imaging acquisition with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are outlined. Next, there is a focus on the intraoperative applications of 3D printing during paediatric orthopaedic surgical procedures. An overview of various upper and lower limb deformities in paediatrics is given, in which 3D printing is already implemented, including post-traumatic forearm corrections and proximal femoral osteotomies. The use of patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) or guiding templates during the surgical procedure shows to be promising in reducing operation time, intraoperative haemorrhage and radiation exposure. Moreover, 3D-printed models for the use of PSI or patient-specific navigation templates are promising in improving the accuracy of complex limb deformity surgery in children. Lastly, the future of 3D printing in paediatric orthopaedics extends beyond the intraoperative applications; various other medical applications include 3D casting and prosthetic limb replacement. In conclusion, 3D printing opportunities are numerous, and the fast developments are exciting, but more evidence is required to prove its superiority over conventional paediatric orthopaedic surgery.