[Rehabilitation therapy for aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders].

Forty-five cases with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) who underwent convalescent rehabilitation were studied. After excluding three cases with recurrence during rehabilitation treatment, the Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke improved a median of 1 point. Corticosteroids were the most used disease-modifying drugs (DMDs).

The effects of polyethylene cup thickness on wear of total hip prostheses.

The wear rate of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene cups in combination with a 28 mm alumina femoral head was measured on the radiographs of patients without any complications, and on cups retrieved due to slight loosening of the prosthesis or due to late infection between bone and components. The wear rate on the radiographs did not include the initial wear, but the wear rate on the retrieved cups did include the initial wear. The wear rate on the retrieved cups was higher, by 50%, than that measured on the radiographs.

Comparative bone growth behavior in granules of bioceramic materials of various sizes.

Various bioceramic materials were implanted into 6-mm-diameter holes made in the femoral condyles of mature Japanese white rabbits using different-sized granules to find an optimal material and granule diameter for use as a bone graft. Bioceramics include a bioinert ceramic (Alumina), surface-bioactive ceramics [hydroxyapatite (HAp) and Bioglass(R)], and resorbable bioactive ceramics [alphatricalcium phosphate (alpha-TCP), beta-TCP, tetracalcium phosphate (TeCP), Te. DCPD, Te.

Hydroxyapatite in revision of total hip replacements with massive acetabular defects: 4- to 10-year clinical results.

Hydroxyapatite (HA) granules of 100 to 300 microm, 0.9 to 1.2 mm and 3.

Particulate bioglass compared with hydroxyapatite as a bone graft substitute.

Bioactive ceramics, notably hydroxyapatite, have been used clinically in various situations in which bone augmentation and restoration are required. Particulate material has been used either alone or in conjunction with freeze dried or autologous bone, with variable clinical success. In this study a bioactive glass, 45S5 Bioglass, has been compared with hydroxyapatite in an animal model to discover whether the 2 major disadvantages of hydroxyapatite may be overcome.