Fast calculation of scattering patterns using hypergeometric function algorithms.

The scattering of light, X-rays, electrons or neutrons by matter is used widespread for structural characterization from atomic to macroscopic length scales. With the advent of high-brilliance beam sources and the development fast, large area pixelated detectors, scattering patterns are now acquired at unprecedented frame rates and frame sizes. The slow analysis of these scattering patterns has evolved into a severe bottleneck retarding scientific insight.

The high-intensity reflectometer of the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science: MARIA.

MARIA (magnetism reflectometer with high incident angle) is a world class vertical sample reflectometer dedicated to the investigation of thin films in the fields of magnetism, soft matter and biology. The elliptical vertically focusing guide allows one to measure small samples with a typical size of 1 × 1 cm very efficiently. The double-bounce polarizer and the pumped He SEOP (spin-exchange optical pumping) neutron spin filter cell for analysing the polarization of the reflected neutron beam can be moved into the beam in seconds.

Ag/SiO(x)C(y) plasma polymer coating for antimicrobial protection of fracture fixation devices.

Implant-related infections are often devastating situations in orthopaedic trauma surgery particularly if multiresistant bacteria are involved. Protection of the implant surface by an antimicrobial coating exhibiting activity against multiresistant bacterial strains is of high interest. Aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of an Ag/SiO(x)C(y) plasma polymer coating for fracture fixation devices, such as nails, plates, and external fixators, including tests against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and its biocompatibility.

Establishing a reference interval for bone turnover markers in 637 healthy, young, premenopausal women from the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and the United States.

Robust reference intervals are needed for the interpretation of bone turnover markers in large phase III fracture trials. The objectives of the study were to (1) estimate reference intervals for serum bone alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP), serum procollagen type I N propeptide (PINP), serum beta cross-linked C-telopeptides of type I collagen (S-betaCTX), and urinary cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (U-NTX) in healthy young premenopausal women; (2) examine geographical differences on bone turnover markers; and (3) assess factors known to influence bone turnover and test whether these explain any regional differences. We studied 637 eligible women from four countries that participated in the Horizon-PFT study (United Kingdom, France, Belgium, United States).

Clinical evaluation of medicinal products for acceleration of fracture healing in patients with osteoporosis.

Pre-clinical studies indicate that pharmacologic agents can augment fracture union. If these pharmacologic approaches could be translated into clinical benefit and offered to patients with osteoporosis or patients with other risks for impaired fracture union (e.g.

In vitro testing of antimicrobial activity of bone cement.

The purpose of this study was to establish a reliable and cost-effective microplate proliferation assay for in vitro antimicrobial testing of bone cement samples. Cement samples devoid of antimicrobial agents, loaded with 2% gentamicin or with different concentrations of high-porosity silver, were incubated in a 96-well microplate with several staphylococcal, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecium isolates exhibiting different susceptibilities to gentamicin. After being rinsed, the samples were brought into a soy medium in which adherent cells on the cement surface either were killed by the antimicrobial surface or started to release clonal counterparts.

An in vitro assessment of the antibacterial properties and cytotoxicity of nanoparticulate silver bone cement.

Infections with multiresistant bacteria have become a serious problem in joint arthroplasty. This study reports about in vitro antibacterial activity against multiresistant bacteria and in vitro cytotoxicity of polymethylmetacrylate bone cement loaded with metallic silver particles with a size of 5-50 nm called NanoSilver. In vitro antibacterial activity against S.