Drug release behavior of electrospun twisted yarns as implantable medical devices.

In this study, twisted drug-loaded poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and hybrid poly(L-lactide)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PLLA/PVA) yarns were produced using an electrospinning technique based on two oppositely charged nozzles. Cefazolin, an antibiotic drug was incorporated in the yarn fibers by addition to the PLLA electrospinning solution. Morphological studies showed that independent of the twist rate, uniform and smooth fibers were formed.

Predictors for trismus in patients receiving radiotherapy.

Background: Trismus, a restricted mouth opening in head and neck cancer patients may be caused by tumor infiltration in masticatory muscles, radiation-induced fibrosis or scarring after surgery. It may impede oral functioning severely. The aims of our study were to determine: (1) the incidence of trismus at various time points; and (2) the patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics that predict the development of trismus after radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients using a large database (n = 641).

Perceived Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity in Recipients of Solid Organ Transplantation, a Qualitative Study.

Background: Sufficient physical activity is important for solid organ transplant recipients (heart, lung, liver, kidney). However, recipients do not meet the recommended amount or required type of physical activity. The perceived barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in this population are largely unknown.

Physical activity in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis compared to controls.

Background: To compare physical activity (PA) in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with controls and to analyse the effect of disease specific factors on PA in children with JIA treated according to current treatment regimes.

Methods: PA was measured with a 7-day activity diary and expressed as physical activity level (PAL). Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (hours/day) and sedentary time (hours/day) was determined.

A systematic review of functional outcome and quality of life following reconstruction of maxillofacial defects using vascularized free fibula flaps and dental rehabilitation reveals poor data quality.

Background: Reconstruction and oral rehabilitation of segmental maxillofacial defects resulting from ablative surgery is commonly achieved by osteocutaneous vascularized free fibula (VFFF) transplantation combined with implant-supported dental prostheses. We systematically reviewed the literature regarding impact of oral rehabilitation with or without dental implants on functional outcome and quality of life (Qol) following reconstruction of such segmental maxillofacial defects with VFFF.

Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Predicting the Responses of Soil Nitrite-Oxidizers to Multi-Factorial Global Change: A Trait-Based Approach.

Soil microbial diversity is huge and a few grams of soil contain more bacterial taxa than there are bird species on Earth. This high diversity often makes predicting the responses of soil bacteria to environmental change intractable and restricts our capacity to predict the responses of soil functions to global change. Here, using a long-term field experiment in a California grassland, we studied the main and interactive effects of three global change factors (increased atmospheric CO2 concentration, precipitation and nitrogen addition, and all their factorial combinations, based on global change scenarios for central California) on the potential activity, abundance and dominant taxa of soil nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB).

What Is the Role of Allogeneic Cortical Strut Grafts in the Treatment of Fibrous Dysplasia of the Proximal Femur?

Background: Fibrous dysplasia of the proximal femur is a progressive, often recurrent condition of bone that can cause skeletal deformity, fractures, and pain [corrected]. Allogeneic cortical strut grafting to minimize the risk of fracture or as part of fracture treatment is a promising treatment option, but evidence is scarce on the intermediate- to long-term results of this procedure and there are no data on factors associated with graft failure.

Questions/purposes: The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate the revision-free survivorship; (2) radiographic findings; (3) factors associated with failure; and (4) complications associated with cortical strut allograft to prevent or treat fractures of the proximal femur in patients with fibrous dysplasia.

LUMiC Endoprosthetic Reconstruction After Periacetabular Tumor Resection: Short-term Results.

Background: Reconstruction of periacetabular defects after pelvic tumor resection ranks among the most challenging procedures in orthopaedic oncology, and reconstructive techniques are generally associated with dissatisfying mechanical and nonmechanical complication rates. In an attempt to reduce the risk of dislocation, aseptic loosening, and infection, we introduced the LUMiC prosthesis (implantcast, Buxtehude, Germany) in 2008. The LUMiC prosthesis is a modular device, built of a separate stem (hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented or cemented) and acetabular cup.

Dynasplint Trismus System exercises for trismus secondary to head and neck cancer: a prospective explorative study.

Purpose: The Dynasplint Trismus System (DTS) can be used to treat trismus secondary to head and neck cancer. We conducted a prospective study with the following aims: (1) to determine the effects of DTS exercises on changes in mouth opening, pain, mandibular function, quality of life (QoL), and symptomatology and (2) to analyze the patients' perception on DTS exercises, including user satisfaction, experiences, comfort, and compliance.

Methods: The patients were instructed to exercise with the DTS for at least 16 weeks.

Phylogenetic organization of bacterial activity.

Phylogeny is an ecologically meaningful way to classify plants and animals, as closely related taxa frequently have similar ecological characteristics, functional traits and effects on ecosystem processes. For bacteria, however, phylogeny has been argued to be an unreliable indicator of an organism's ecology owing to evolutionary processes more common to microbes such as gene loss and lateral gene transfer, as well as convergent evolution. Here we use advanced stable isotope probing with (13)C and (18)O to show that evolutionary history has ecological significance for in situ bacterial activity.

Nurse practitioners' focus on health care in terms of cure and care: analysis of graduate theses using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

Aim: To explore the focus of nurse practitioners on health care in terms of cure and care.

Background: Nurse practitioners are expected to act on the intersection of cure and care. However, in clinical practice and education, a clear model covering this area is lacking; therefore, it is unknown to what extent nurse practitioners are focused on this specific area.

Musculoskeletal Complaints in Transverse Upper Limb Reduction Deficiency and Amputation in The Netherlands: Prevalence, Predictors, and Effect on Health.

Objective: (1) To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) in individuals with upper limb absence in The Netherlands, (2) to assess the health status of individuals with upper limb absence in general and in relation to the presence of MSCs, and (3) to explore the predictors of development of MSCs and MSC-related disability in this population.

Design: Cross-sectional study: national survey.

Setting: Twelve rehabilitation centers and orthopedic workshops.

Exercise therapy for trismus secondary to head and neck cancer: A systematic review.

Background: Effects of exercise therapy for trismus secondary to head and neck cancer have not been reviewed systematically since 2004.

Methods: Four databases were searched. The quality of observational studies and randomized controlled trials was assessed.

Mobbing in Schools and Hospitals in Uruguay: Prevalence and Relation to Loss of Status.

In the present study in secondary schools and hospitals in Uruguay ( N = 187), we examined the relationship between feeling the victim of mobbing and a perceived loss of status. Nearly all forms of mobbing were more prevalent among hospital employees than among school employees. Among hospital employees, 40.

Upper Limb Absence: Predictors of Work Participation and Work Productivity.

Objectives: To analyze work participation, work productivity, contributing factors, and physical work demands of individuals with upper limb absence (ULA).

Design: Cross-sectional study: postal survey (response rate, 45%).

Setting: Twelve rehabilitation centers and orthopedic workshops.

What Are the Long-term Results of MUTARS Modular Endoprostheses for Reconstruction of Tumor Resection of the Distal Femur and Proximal Tibia?

Background: Modular endoprostheses are commonly used to reconstruct defects of the distal femur and proximal tibia after bone tumor resection. Because limb salvage surgery for bone sarcomas is relatively new, becoming more frequently used since the 1980s, studies focusing on the long-term results of such prostheses in treatment of primary tumors are scarce.

Questions/purposes: (1) What proportion of patients experience a mechanical complication with the MUTARS modular endoprosthesis when used for tumor reconstruction around the knee, and what factors may be associated with mechanical failure? (2) What are the nonmechanical complications? (3) What are the implant failure rates at 5, 10, and 15 years? (4) How often is limb salvage achieved using this prosthesis?

Methods: Between 1995 and 2010, endoprostheses were the preferred method of reconstruction after resection of the knee in adolescents and adults in our centers.

What is the current optimal fat grafting processing technique? A systematic review.

Background: With the advents of new processing techniques and new graft survival theories in fat grafting, the question is: Which processing technique is of preference? This study systematically reviewed literature regarding current techniques for processing fat grafts.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, and Cochrane databases were searched until August 2015. Studies comparing different fat grafting processing techniques were included.

Effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles: a systematic review.

Background: People with floppy ankle muscles paresis use ankle foot orthoses to improve their walking ability. Ankle foot orthoses also limit ankle range of motion thereby introducing additional problems. Insight in effects of ankle foot orthoses on body functions and activities in people with floppy paretic ankle muscles aids in clinical decision making and may improve adherence.

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing for predicting sports performance and talent identification: Consensus statement.

The general consensus among sport and exercise genetics researchers is that genetic tests have no role to play in talent identification or the individualised prescription of training to maximise performance. Despite the lack of evidence, recent years have witnessed the rise of an emerging market of direct-to-consumer marketing (DTC) tests that claim to be able to identify children's athletic talents. Targeted consumers include mainly coaches and parents.

Sports participation after rehabilitation: Barriers and facilitators.

Objective: To analyse barriers to, and facilitators of, sports participation among people with physical disabilities after rehabilitation and to compare differences between inactive and active participants regarding these experienced barriers and facilitators.

Methods: Participants were 1,223 adults (mean age 51.6 years, standard deviation 15.

[Alarm symptoms of spinal metastases in patients with cancer].

Recently, the evidence-based guideline 'Spinal metastasis' produced by the Dutch National Working Group on Neuro-Oncology appeared. This guideline applies to patients with spinal metastases and spinal localizations of haematological malignancies, with or without epidural extension. Timely diagnosis and treatment of spinal metastases is essential in order to reduce pain and neurological deficit in particular.

Surgery for extra-articular trismus: a systematic review.

The aim of this systematic review was to identify operations that are used to improve mouth opening in patients with extra-articular trismus (caused by cancer and its treatment, oral submucous fibrosis, or noma) and to find out if they work. We searched the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Cinahl, and the Cochrane collaboration, and then systematically selected papers before we assessed their quality, extracted the data, and did a meta-analysis. We analysed 32 studies that included 651 patients, the median (IQR) size of which was 11 (7-26).