Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome in an Active-Duty Army Special Operations Aviation Soldier.

Lumbar paraspinal muscle compartment syndrome is an uncommon, rapidly progressive, and potentially devastating injury with fewer than 40 cases reported in the literature. It initially mimics nonemergent causes of low back pain, disproportionately affects young men, and is most often secondary to acute physical exertion. The disease process is commonly associated with rhabdomyolysis.

How Rohingya Language Educational Videos Help Improve Refugee Interprofessional Health Service Delivery in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee has become home to one of the largest US populations of Rohingya refugees, who face barriers to health care, including poor service integration impeded by the absence of a formal written language. Clinicians also face barriers to delivering adequate, culturally attuned health services, so suboptimal outcomes are common. This article describes a community-based intervention using an interprofessional, multi-organizational, and ethnographically focused approach to address Rohingya refugee health needs that incorporates Rohingya participants' making educational videos in their native language.

Modular Bioreactor Design for Directed Tendon/Ligament Tissue Engineering.

Functional tissue-engineered tendons and ligaments remain to be prepared in a reproducible and scalable manner. This study evaluates an acellular 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffold for tendon/ligament tissue engineering and their ability to support strain-induced gene regulation associated with the tenogenesis of cultured mesenchymal stromal cells. Preliminary data demonstrate unique gene regulation patterns compared to other scaffold forms, in particular in Wnt signaling.

Future Directions in Robotic Neurosurgery.

In this paper, we highlight promising technologies in each phase of a robotic neurosurgery operation, and identify key factors affecting how quickly these technologies will mature into products in the operating room. We focus on specific technology trends in image-guided cranial and spinal procedures, including advances in imaging, machine learning, robotics, and novel interfaces. For each technology, we discuss the required effort to overcome safety or implementation challenges, as well as identifying example regulatory approved products in related fields for comparison.

Long-Range Entanglement near a Kondo-Destruction Quantum Critical Point.

The numerical renormalization group is used to study quantum entanglement in the Kondo impurity model with a density of states ρ(ϵ)∝|ϵ|^{r} (0 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Parsortix™ Cell Separation System-A versatile liquid biopsy platform.

Cancer cells from solid tumors can enter the circulatory system and survive to subsequently form distant metastases. The CellSearch® system (Menarini-Silicon Biosystems, Huntingdon Valley, PA) was the first, FDA-cleared system that provided a reliable tool for the investigation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which have been shown to be strongly associated with poor survival and therapy failure. Since that time, a number of new technologies have been introduced to improve CTC detection and/or isolation for further characterization.

Temperature dependence of nonlinear susceptibilities in an infinite range interaction model.

We present a model to probe metamagnetic properties in systems with a variable number of interacting spins. Thermodynamic properties such as the magnetization per particle [Formula: see text], linear susceptibility [Formula: see text], and nonlinear susceptibilities [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were calculated. The model produces a different magnetic response for N particles when comparing to N  -  1 particles for small [Formula: see text].

Efficiency and Power Limits of Electrical and Tendon-Sheath Transmissions for Surgical Robotics.

A popular design choice in current surgical robotics is to use mechanical cables to transmit mechanical energy from actuators located outside of the body, through a minimally invasive port, to instruments on the inside of the body. These cables enable high performance surgical manipulations including high bandwidth control, precision position control, and high force ability. However, cable drives become less efficient for longer distances, for paths that involve continuous curves, and for transmissions involving multiple degrees of freedom.

Development and Initial Validation of the Assessment of Motivational Interviewing Groups - Observer Scales (AMIGOS).

This article documents the development and initial validation of a global observer instrument, the Assessment of Motivational Interviewing Groups - Observer Scales (AMIGOS). The AMIGOS includes three scales composed of 18 items documenting group processes, client-centered style, and motivational interviewing (MI) change focus. Three experienced coders independently rated 18 sessions of various group approaches.

Hemoglobin A1c and C-reactive protein are independently associated with blunted nocturnal blood pressure dipping in obesity-related prediabetes.

Blunted nocturnal dipping in blood pressure (BP) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in middle-aged/older adults. The prevalence of blunted nocturnal BP dipping is higher in persons with obesity and diabetes, conditions that are also associated with elevated aortic stiffness and inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that elevated glycemia, inflammation and aortic stiffness would be inversely associated with the magnitude of nocturnal systolic BP dipping among middle-aged/older adults with obesity at high CVD risk.

Strain gradient development in 3-dimensional extracellular matrix scaffolds during in vitro mechanical stimulation.

This study analyzed strain variations in 3D ECM scaffolds using a membrane-adherent model (MM) and a direct elongation model (DM). Computational models were solved for target strains from 1 to 10% at varied scaffold thicknesses and intra-scaffold slices. DM strain profiles were uniform within the scaffold and independent of thickness.

Budesonide Inhibits Intracellular Infection with Non-Typeable Haemophilus influenzae Despite Its Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Respiratory Cells and Human Lung Tissue: A Role for p38 MAP Kinase.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely used in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases. Recent data suggest a higher pneumonia risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated with ICS.

Objective: Since non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is the most common pathogen associated with acute exacerbations of COPD, we investigated the effects of budesonide (BUD) on NTHi-induced inflammation and invasive infection.

Effect of ACL graft material on anterior knee force during simulated in vivo ovine motion applied to the porcine knee: An in vitro examination of force during 2000 cycles.

This study determined how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction affected the magnitude and temporal patterns of anterior knee force and internal knee moment during 2000 cycles of simulated gait. Porcine knees were tested using a six degree-of-freedom robot, examining three porcine allograft materials compared with the native ACL. Reconstructions were performed using: (1) bone-patellar tendon-bone allograft (BPTB), (2) reconstructive porcine tissue matrix (RTM), or (3) an RTM-polymer hybrid construct (Hybrid).

Lichen communities along a pollution gradient 40 years after decommissioning of a Cu-Ni smelter.

Pollution control initiatives in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, resulted in the decommissioning of the Coniston Smelter in 1972. The last assessment of the effects from the smelter on the surrounding lichen biota was in 1990, which showed an overall improvement in richness following these initiatives, but still few species were present close to the smelter. We examined five sites along this gradient to determine if this pattern is still present on the landscape.

Effect of ACL graft material on joint forces during a simulated in vivo motion in the porcine knee: examining force during the initial cycles.

This study compared three-dimensional forces in knees containing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft materials versus the native porcine ACL. A six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) robot simulated gait while recording the joint forces and moments. Knees were subjected to 10 cycles of simulated gait in intact, ACL-deficient, and ACL-reconstructed knee states to examine time zero biomechanical performance.

Intrinsic embedded sensors for polymeric mechatronics: flexure and force sensing.

While polymeric fabrication processes, including recent advances in additive manufacturing, have revolutionized manufacturing, little work has been done on effective sensing elements compatible with and embedded within polymeric structures. In this paper, we describe the development and evaluation of two important sensing modalities for embedding in polymeric mechatronic and robotic mechanisms: multi-axis flexure joint angle sensing utilizing IR phototransistors, and a small (12 mm), three-axis force sensing via embedded silicon strain gages with similar performance characteristics as an equally sized metal element based sensor.

Porcine incisional hernia model: Evaluation of biologically derived intact extracellular matrix repairs.

We compared fascial wounds repaired with non-cross-linked intact porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix versus primary closure in a large-animal hernia model. Incisional hernias were created in Yucatan pigs and repaired after 3 weeks via open technique with suture-only primary closure or intraperitoneally placed porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix. Progressive changes in mechanical and biological properties of porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix and repair sites were assessed.

Short-term in vivo biological and mechanical remodeling of porcine acellular dermal matrices.

The purpose of this study was to assess the biological revitalization and mechanical integrity of Strattice(™) Reconstructive Tissue Matrix, a porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix, in vivo over time. We expanded the traditional subcutaneous model to incorporate biologic matrix scaffolds large enough to allow evaluation of mechanical properties in addition to the assessment of histological changes. Hematoxylin and eosin histology staining was used to evaluate cellular and tissue changes, and a mechanical testing frame was used to measure the ultimate tensile stress and Young's modulus of the implanted material over time.

Single photon emission computerized tomography and conventional computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) for evaluation of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a novel standardized algorithm combining mechanical and metabolic information.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel standardized algorithm using SPECT/CT, which promises the potential combined assessment of the biology of the joint in particular the bone-graft-fixation complex and the 3D tunnel placement in patients after ACL reconstruction. Its clinical application and inter- and intra-observer reliability should be critically evaluated.

Methods: A novel SPECT/CT localization scheme consisting of 13 tibial, 9 femoral and 4 patellar regions on standardized axial, coronal and sagittal slices is proposed.

Standardized volumetric 3D-analysis of SPECT/CT imaging in orthopaedics: overcoming the limitations of qualitative 2D analysis.

Background: SPECT/CT combines high resolution anatomical 3D computerized tomography (CT) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) as functional imaging, which provides 3D information about biological processes into a single imaging modality. The clinical utility of SPECT/CT imaging has been recognized in a variety of medical fields and most recently in orthopaedics; however, clinical adoption has been limited due to shortcomings of analytical tools available. Specifically, SPECT analyses are mainly qualitative due to variation in overall metabolic uptake among patients.

Investigating the effects of anterior tibial translation on anterior knee force in the porcine model: is the porcine knee ACL dependent?

This study sought to determine anterior force in the porcine knee during simulated 6-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion to establish the role of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Using a 6-DOF robot, a simulated ovine motion was applied to porcine hind limbs while recording the corresponding forces. Since the porcine knee is more lax than the ovine knee, anterior tibial translations were superimposed on the simulated motion in 2 mm increments from 0 mm to 10 mm to find a condition that would load the ACL.

Thrombolytic therapy in the acute management of frostbite injuries.

Frostbite injuries frequently result in devastating ischemic damage to the distal extremities. This ischemia and resultant necrosis have historically been managed expectantly, with amputation of devitalized tissue commonly being the end result after severe injury. Advances in nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, and thrombolytic therapy have contributed to the development of a therapy proving successful in reversing these acute ischemic effects and ameliorating the morbidity of these rare limb-threatening injuries.