Freeze casting of hydroxyapatite-titania composites for bone substitutes.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is commonly used as a bone substitute material, but it lacks mechanical strength when compared to native bone tissues. To improve the efficacy of HA as a bone substitute by improving the mechanical strength and cell growth attributes, porous composite scaffolds of HA and titania (HA-TiO ) were fabricated through a freeze-casting process. Three different compositions by weight percent, 25-75 HA-TiO , 50-50 HA-TiO , and 75-25 HA-TiO , were custom-made for testing.

Highly targeted electrochemical disruption of microbes with minimal disruption to pulp cells.

Introduction: Pulpitis results from the infiltration of mixed populations of bacteria which trigger inflammation in the dental pulp, causing significant disruption to these tissues. Clinically, pulpitis frequently leads to devitalization or extraction, as disinfection of the dental pulp while maintaining its vitality is extremely difficult. Here we describe the use of an electrocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO)-based apparatus adapted from water purification technology, which can efficiently deliver anti-microbial oxidants (e.

Synthesis and characterization of novel calcium phosphate glass-derived cements for vital pulp therapy.

Evaluation of the physicochemical behavior and setting reactions of a novel inorganic pulp capping cement which makes use of the unique corrosion properties of sodium metasilicate (NaSi) glass. NaSi and calcium phosphate (CaP) glass powders were synthesized through a melt-quench method. Cements were created by mixing various amounts of the glasses with deionized water at a powder-to-liquid ratio of 2.

Preinjury warfarin worsens outcome in elderly patients who fall from standing.

Introduction: Fall from standing (FFS) has become one of the most common mechanisms of injury for admission to the trauma center in the elderly population. Many of these patients present anticoagulated with warfarin. This two-center study was designed to examine the effects of preinjury warfarin use on outcome in the elderly.

Outcome after decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of severe traumatic brain injury.

Background: Using decompressive craniectomy as part of the treatment regimen for severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) has become more common at our Level I trauma center. This study was designed to examine this practice with particular attention to long-term functional outcome.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed for patients with STBI admitted from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005.