Influence of analyzed lubricant volumes on the amount and characteristics of generated wear particles from three different types of polyethylene liner materials.

The articulating components of artificial joints consist mainly of metals, ceramics, or polymers. Resulting abrasive wear particles can promote osteolysis and aseptic loosening of the endo-prosthetic implants. Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene is the material used most for bearing couples in total hip replacement.

Wear testing and particle characterisation of sequentially crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liners using different femoral head sizes.

Larger femoral heads lead to a decreased risk of total hip dislocation and an improved range of motion. However, the larger diameter is associated with increased wear rates. The low wear rates of crosslinked polyethylene opens up the possibility of using larger heads.

Rapid and reliable detection of bacterial endospores in environmental samples by diagnostic electron microscopy combined with X-ray microanalysis.

Diagnostic negative staining electron microscopy is a front-line method for the rapid investigation of environmental and clinical samples in emergency situations caused by bioterrorism or outbreaks of an infectious disease. Spores of anthrax are one of the diagnostic targets in case of bioterrorism, because they have been used as a bio-weapon in the past and their production and transmission are rather simple. With negative staining electron microscopy bacterial spores can be identified based on their morphology at the single cell level.

Ossification of the frontal sinus in juvenile minipigs following water jet application.

Background: Obliteration of the frontal sinus is a generally accepted management for patients with severe craniofacial trauma in whom the sinus cannot be repaired or adequately drained. Effective obliteration requires complete removal of mucosa, sufficient filling of the sinus cavity as well as effective occlusion of the nasofrontal duct. The use of various filling materials for sinus obliteration has been described and include autologous fat, bone, muscle and lyophilized cartilage.

Detection of gold particles in the neck skin after lightning stroke with evaporation of an ornamental chain.

A German couple was struck by lightning. Both patients survived this event. Whereas the husband was unconscious for only a few minutes, his wife fell into coma for 24 h.

Electron microscopic detection of tin accumulation in biliopancreatic concrements after induction of chronic pancreatitis in rats by di-n-butyltin dichloride.

The organotin compound di-n-butyltin dichloride (DBTC) is able to induce an acute and later a chronic pancreatitis in rats. In previous papers the authors demonstrated this DBTC pancreatitis as a rat model for an interstitial pancreatitis with tendency to transduction to the chronic form. DBTC is excreted according to its lipophilic nature by liver and bile.

Hereditary hemochromatosis of a young girl: detection of early iron deposition in liver cell lysosomes using transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy.

A 14-year-old girl demonstrated increased iron concentration and transferrin saturation, suggesting iron overload of unknown origin. Liver biopsy showed no fibrosis or hepatocytic atrophia. Nevertheless, Prussian blue reaction for histochemical detection of iron demonstrated very weak positive granules in a few hepatocytes on the periphery of hepatic lobules in close connection to bile capillaries.