Analysis of the autologous chondrocyte quality of matrix-based autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee joint.

Purpose: Matrix based autologous chondrocyte implantation is an established method for treatment of full cartilage defects in the knee joint, but little is known about the influence of the implanted autologous chondrocyte quality and its clinical value. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the gene expression of the implanted autologous chondrocytes on the clinical outcomes in the follow-up period of three years.

Methods: Biological parameters of the implanted chondrocytes were analysed histologically and immunohistologically.

Graft maturation of autologous chondrocyte implantation: magnetic resonance investigation with T2 mapping.

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) using tissue-engineered cartilage is a successful therapy for full-thickness cartilage lesions in the knee joint. However, in vivo graft maturation is still unclear.

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze graft maturation after ACI in the knee using objective T2 mapping in correlation with the clinical outcomes within a 3-year postoperative course.

Detection of low-grade prosthetic joint infections using 99mTc-antigranulocyte SPECT/CT: initial clinical results.

Purpose: Low-grade joint infections are characterized by infiltration of granulocytes, which mediate aspects of inflammatory changes. We evaluated retrospectively the contribution of SPECT/CT as an addition to planar scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-labelled antigranulocyte antibodies for diagnosing and localizing low-grade joint infections.

Methods: Planar scintigraphy using (99m)Tc-labelled antigranulocyte BW 250/183 antibodies was performed in 31 patients with suspected joint infections at 5 min, 5 h and 24 h after injection, with additional SPECT/CT performed 6 h after injection.

Investigation of the nonlinear effects during the sedimentation process of a charged colloidal particle by direct numerical simulation.

In this article we study the settling process of a colloidal particle under the influence of a gravitational or centrifugal field in an unbounded electrolyte solution. Since particles in aqueous solutions normally carry a non-zero surface charge, a microscopic electric field develops which alters the sedimentation process compared to an uncharged particle. This process can be mathematically modelled via the Stokes-Poisson-Nernst-Planck system, a system of coupled partial differential equations that have to be solved in an exterior domain.