Effects on gait kinematics, pedobarography, functional and subjective results after isolated chopart injury.

Background: This study analysed changes in gait and pedobarography and subjective and functional outcomes after isolated Chopart joint injury.

Methods: The results of 14 patients were reviewed. Kinematic 3D gait analysis, comparative bilateral electromyography (EMG) and pedobarography were performed.

Comment on 'Limitations in evaluating COVID-19 protective face masks using open circuit spirometry systems: respiratory measurement mask introduces bias in breathing pressure and perceived respiratory effort'.

We comment on the paper by Seibt and coworkers (Seibt2023) which investigates whether wearing an additional respiratory measurement mask during open-circuit spirometry assessments (respirometry mask) shows any effect on breathing pressure and perceived respiratory effort when wearing protective face masks commonly worn during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of knee arthrodesis on gait kinematics, muscle activity and patient-reported outcome.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze gait kinematicsandoutcome parameters after knee arthrodesis.

Methods: Fifteenpatients with a mean follow-up of 5.9 (range0.

Effects of wearing different face masks on cardiopulmonary performance at rest and exercise in a partially double-blinded randomized cross-over study.

The use of face masks became mandatory during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Wearing masks may lead to complaints about laboured breathing and stress. The influence of different masks on cardiopulmonary performance was investigated in a partially double-blinded randomized cross-over design.

Mortality rates of severe COVID-19-related respiratory failure with and without extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the Middle Ruhr Region of Germany.

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is discussed to improve patients' outcome in severe COVID-19 with respiratory failure, but data on ECMO remains controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of patients under invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with or without veno-venous ECMO support and to evaluate outcome parameters. Ventilated patients with COVID-19 with and without additional ECMO support were analyzed in a retrospective multicenter study regarding clinical characteristics, respiratory and laboratory parameters in day-to-day follow-up.

Influence of articular step-off on contact mechanics in fractures of the posterolateral-central tibial plateau - a biomechanical study.

Background: The posterior quadrants of the tibial plateau are frequently involved in OTA type C tibial plateau fractures. The biomechanical influence of a residual articular step-off of the posterolateral-central (PLC) segment, which is difficult to visualize intraoperatively, remains unclear. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the contact area and stress of the tibial plateau in cases of different articular step-offs of the PLC segment.

Locking the Taylor Spatial Frame - The effect of three additional longitudinal rods on osteotomy site movements.

Background: In clinical practice, even when the fixator is locked, a noticeable laxity of the construct can be observed. This study was designed to measure the stiffness of the fixator and to analyze the movements of the osteotomy site. Furthermore, the effect of three additional longitudinal rods on the locking of the construct was analyzed.

No inflammatory effects after acute inhalation of barium sulfate particles in human volunteers.

Background: Most threshold limit values are based on animal experiments. Often, the question remains whether these data reflect the situation in humans. As part of a series of investigations in our exposure lab, this study investigates whether the results on the inflammatory effects of particles that have been demonstrated in animal models can be confirmed in acute inhalation studies in humans.

Maggot Extract Interrupts Bacterial Biofilm Formation and Maturation in Combination with Antibiotics by Reducing the Expression of Virulence Genes.

Biofilms are aggregates of bacteria encased in an extracellular polymer matrix that acts as a diffusion barrier protecting the microbial community. Bacterial communication occurs by small signaling molecules called quorum sensing (QS) factors, which are involved in the activation of virulence genes and formation of biofilms. Larvae of the green bottle blowfly remove necrotic tissue by mechanical action (debridement) and proteolytic digestion.

Improved Physiological Gait in Acute and Chronic SCI Patients After Training With Wearable Cyborg Hybrid Assistive Limb.

In recent years robotic devices became part of rehabilitation offers for patients suffering from Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and other diseases. Most scientific publications about such devices focus on functional outcome. The aim of this study was to verify whether an improvement in physiological gait can be demonstrated in addition to the functional parameters after treatment with neurological controlled HAL® Robot Suit.

Hierarchical Ceramic Coating Reduces Adherence of Cells, Blood, Bacteria, and Tissue on Titanium Microsurgical Instruments.

Background:  Progress in the field of microsurgery allows more detailed reconstructions of the smallest tissue structures. The applied instruments are left with biological residues after coming into contact with body fluids or tissue, leading to compromised surgical precision. Designing of residue-free innovative instruments would reduce the necessity of subsidiary practices and would improve the surgical precision.

A novel titanium implant surface modification by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) preventing tendon adhesion.

Titanium is one of the most commonly used materials for implants in trauma applications due to its low density, high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, there is still a need for improved surface modifications of Titanium, in order to change surface properties such as wettability, antibacterial properties or tissue attachment. In this study, different novel plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) modifications have been investigated for tendon adhesion to implants commonly used in hand surgery.

Anatomical repair and ligament bracing of Schenck III and IV knee joint dislocations leads to acceptable subjective and kinematic outcomes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of anatomical repair and ligament bracing for Schenck III and IV knee dislocation (KD).

Methods: The results of 27 patients (15 and 12 cases of Schenck III and IV KD, respectively) after a mean follow-up of 18.1 ± 12.

Long-term follow up of extensor tendon ruptures of the knee using electromyography and three-dimensional gait analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term outcomes of extensor tendon ruptures of the knee using exact measuring tools.

Methods: The results of patients treated for extensor tendon rupture with a minimum follow up of 10 years were reviewed. Electromyography (EMG) and three-dimensional (3D) gait analyses were performed and compared with the healthy side of each patient and with the gait patterns of 20 healthy controls.

Health effects after inhalation of micro- and nano-sized zinc oxide particles in human volunteers.

Inhalation of ZnO particles can cause inflammation of the airways and metal fume fever. It is unclear if different sizes of the particles alter these effects. However, various studies report higher biological activity of other nano-sized particles compared to microparticles.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Lower Limb Fractures in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study.

Objectives: To analyze the clinical and radiological outcomes of lower limb fractures following surgical treatment in patients with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2015, 102 chronic SCI patients with a lower limb fracture were surgically treated at our hospital.

Pullout strength and failure mode of industrially manufactured and self-made all-suture anchors: a biomechanical analysis.

Background: This study presents a new technique for assembling an all-suture anchor from existing medical products. The biomechanical characteristics of this self-made anchor (SMA) are compared with those of an industrially manufactured all-suture anchor.

Methods: The SMAs were made from established medical products (FiberWire #2 and 2-mm FiberTape; Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA).

Heart rate variability and cardiac repolarization after exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles in healthy adults.

Background: Exposure to airborne zinc oxide (ZnO) particles occurs in many industrial processes, especially in galvanizing and welding. Systemic inflammation after experimental inhalation of ZnO particles has been demonstrated previously, but little is known about the impact on the cardiovascular system, particularly on the autonomic cardiac system and the risk of arrhythmias. In this study we investigated the short-term effects of ZnO nanoparticles on heart rate variability (HRV) and repolarization in healthy adults in a concentration-dependent manner at rest and during exercise in a controlled experimental set-up.

Airway inflammation after inhalation of nano-sized zinc oxide particles in human volunteers.

Background: Workers in the zinc production and processing of galvanized sheet steel are exposed to a complex mixture of particles and gases, including zinc oxide (ZnO) that can affect human health. We aimed to study the effects of short-term controlled exposure to nano-sized ZnO on airway inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Sixteen subjects (8 females, 8 men; age 19-42, non-smokers) were exposed to filtered air and ZnO nanoparticles (0.