New TiAg composite coating for bone prosthesis engineering shows promising microvascular compatibility in the murine dorsal skinfold chamber model.

The incorporation of antimicrobial substances like silver into implant surface coatings is one promising concept against primary infections of endoprosthesis, especially for immunocompromised patients as well as against reinfection after revision operations. However, besides good antimicrobial and mechanical properties it is equally important that the implant material does not disturb the local microvascular perfusion of muscle tissue to enable microbial host defense and tissue repair processes. In this study the biocompatibility of a newly developed TiAg-composite coating applied on conventional titanium via physical vapor deposition was analysed.

A review of systems for continued education and training in the substance abuse field.

Continued education of professionals is a major factor for service improvement and evidence-based good practice. This project explores the strategies used for this purpose across countries (CET = continued education and training in the substance abuse field). A structured questionnaire was circulated internationally by an expert committee of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health.