Biomechanical analysis of different osteosyntheses and the combination with bone substitute in tibial head depression fractures.

Background: Tibial head depression fractures demand a high level of fracture stabilization to prevent a secondary loss of reduction after surgery. Elderly individuals are at an increased risk of developing these fractures, and biomechanical investigations of the fractures are rare. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically analyze different types of osteosyntheses in combination with two commonly used bone substitutes.

Long-lasting visual integration of form, motion, and color as revealed by visual masking.

When two similar visual stimuli are presented in rapid succession at the same location, they fuse. For example, a red and a green disk are perceived as one single yellow disk. Likewise, verniers with opposite offset directions are perceived as one vernier with an almost aligned vernier offset.

Role of interleukin 6-174G>C polymorphism in primary open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: In addition to its proinflammatory effects, interleukin (IL)-6 also possesses antiapoptotic properties. Recently, IL-6 has been reported to protect retinal ganglion cells from pressure-induced apoptosis, indicating a possible role in the pathogenesis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). A common polymorphism in the promoter region of IL-6 gene at position -174 characterized by a substitution from G to C has been found to decrease transcription rate of IL-6.

Role of cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase gene polymorphism (rs754203) in primary open angle glaucoma.

Purpose: The enzyme cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase (Cyp46A1) is responsible for the conversion of cholesterol to its more polar metabolite 24S-hydroxycholesterol, thereby enabling the intracerebral elimination of cholesterol. An intronic single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene CYP46A1 (IVS2 -150 T>C; rs754203) has recently been associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). This association, however, lacks confirmation in other studies.

Biochemical markers of particle induced osteolysis in C57BL/6 mice.

Background: Micro-structural changes associated with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene particle (UHMWPE) induced osteolysis, the most frequent cause of aseptic loosening, have been intensively investigated in the mammalian calvarian model by histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography. However, little is known regarding the serological changes that occur during this process.

Methods: Serological parameters for bone metabolism [calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin (OCN), deoxypyridinoline (DPD)/creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB] were analyzed in this animal model for particle induced osteolysis.

TNF-alpha -308 G>A and -238 G>A polymorphisms are not major risk factors in Caucasian patients with exfoliation glaucoma.

Purpose: TNF-alpha has been suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). The purpose of the present study was to investigate a hypothesized association between two common functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene (TNF-alpha -308 G>A, rs1800629, and TNF-alpha -238 G>A, rs361525) and the presence of XFG in a Caucasian population.

Methods: The present case-control study comprised 408 participants (204 patients with XFG and 204 control subjects).

A high dietary iodine increases thyroid iodine stores and iodine concentration in blood serum but has little effect on muscle iodine content in pigs.

There is still iodine deficiency in many populations, which justifies efforts to increase this trace element in food such as milk, eggs and meat by fortifying compound animal feeds with extra iodine. The iodine requirement of growing pigs is in the order of 100-200μg/kg feed (as a supplement) and the effects of this dosage range or higher on pork iodine concentration should be determined including the action of relevant iodine antagonists in feed, e.g.