New Anatomical Concepts regarding Pubic-Related Groin Pain: A Dissection Study.

Objective: Pubis-related groin pain remains a difficult topic in orthopedic and sports medicine. A better understanding of the anatomy of the adductors and the pubic ligaments is necessary. The aim of this study is to map all the musculotendinous attachments to the pubic ligaments and to investigate in detail all the possible inter-adductor fusions.

Effects of three commercial vaccines against porcine parvovirus 1 in pregnant gilts.

Porcine parvovirosis is a common and important cause of reproductive failure in naïve dams. Even though vaccination is generally effective at preventing disease occurrence, the homology between the vaccine and challenge strains has been recently suggested to play a role in protection. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of three currently available commercial vaccines against porcine parvovirus genotype 1 (PPV1) in an experimental model using pregnant gilts.

Evaluation of Pre-harvest Microbiological Safety of Blueberry Production With or Without Manure-Derived Fertilizer.

Blueberry is an important commodity in Washington State, which was one of the leading blueberry producers in the United States. As a ready-to-eat fruit, blueberry has no or limited post-harvest processing, highlighting an imperative need to evaluate its microbial safety during pre-harvest practice. This study accessed the microbiological safety of blueberry produced in a commercial blueberry field applied with or without manure-derived ammonium sulfate (AS) fertilizer in a 2-year study.

Microbial Safety of Dairy Manure Fertilizer Application in Raspberry Production.

Dairy manure, a by-product in the dairy industry, is also a potential source of nutrients for crops. However, improper application of biological soil amendments of animal origin can be a source of contamination with enteric foodborne pathogens. A 2-year field study was conducted to evaluate impacts of dairy manure fertilizer application on the microbial safety of red raspberry ( L) production.

[Effect of educational level on the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction].

Background: Socioeconomic status is associated with cardiovascular mortality.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of educational level, on the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction in Chile.

Material And Methods: Cohort study of 3,636 patients aged 63.

Immunocompatibility evaluation of hydrogel-coated polyimide implants for applications in regenerative medicine.

Immunocompatibility of gelatin-based hydrogels to be applied as implant coatings for local regenerative treatment has been studied. First, the bio- and immuno-acceptability of the methacrylamide-modified gelatin hydrogels per se was screened. The results indicated that the hydrogels support cell growth.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica Strain from Germany Causing Lethal Infection in Common Marmosets.

Here, we describe the genome sequence of the Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain F92, belonging to the Franco-Iberian subgroup. This strain represents the first-time isolate of this subgroup in Germany and was obtained from naturally infected marmosets.

Presence of an emerging subclone of Francisella tularensis holarctica in Ixodes ricinus ticks from south-western Germany.

The zoonotic disease tularaemia is caused by the bacterial pathogen Francisella tularensis. Although the causative agent is known for 100 years, knowledge of its enzootic cycles is still rudimentary. Apart from tabanids and mosquitoes, hard ticks have been described as important vectors and potential reservoirs for F.

Standardized broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strains from Europe and rare Francisella species.

Objectives: Tularaemia is a widespread zoonosis in Europe caused by Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica. Because of a lack of standardized CLSI-approved antibiotic susceptibility data from European Francisella strains, the antibiotic susceptibilities of a selection of F.

Alfacalcidol in men with osteoporosis: a prospective, observational, 2-year trial on 214 patients.

Due to pleiotropic-synergistic actions on bone, muscle, gut, brain and different other non-skeletal tissues, alfacalcidol is an interesting drug for treating osteoporosis. In studies on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, men have always been treated with calcitriol or this active D-hormone prodrug, but there is no study of male patients only in the literature. The AIM-Trial (Alfacalcidol In Men) is an extension of the control group (n = 158) of our former risedronate study in male osteoporosis (Ringe et al.

Biocompatibility properties of surface-modified poly(dimethylsiloxane) for urinary applications.

An electronic sensor system for urinary bladder pressure monitoring requires an imbedding into a biocompatible, flexible, and liquid-impermeable material. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was selected in the present set-up as packaging material because it fulfills the abovementioned requirements. However, the surface of PDMS is hydrophobic and causes undesired interactions with salts, proteins, and cells present in urine.

Cell survival and proliferation after encapsulation in a chemically modified Pluronic(R) F127 hydrogel.

Pluronic® F127 is a biocompatible, injectable, and thermoresponsive polymer with promising biomedical applications. In this study, a chemically modified form, i.e.

From polyesters to polyamides via O-N acyl migration: an original multi-transfer reaction.

A new strategy for the synthesis of polyamides from polyesters of hydroxyl-containing amino acids using a multi O-N acyl transfer reaction was developed. This original approach allowed the synthesis of three generations of polymers from the same starting monomer. The polymerization of N-benzyloxycarbonyl-serine and its γ-homologated derivative provided the Z-protected polyesters; then the water-soluble polycationic polyesters were obtained by removal of the Z-protecting group; and finally the polyamides were obtained by a base-induced multi O-N acyl transfer, both in aqueous or organic medium.

Potency of a combined alfacalcidol-alendronate therapy to reduce the risk of falls and fractures in elderly patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

This is a preplanned subgroup analysis on 318 patients with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) from an open, prospective, multi-centered, uncontrolled study on a large cohort of elderly patients with a high risk of falls and fractures. The entire group of 2579 patients was recruited by 818 practicing physicians and treated for three months with a new combination package containing 4 or 12 self-explanatory one-week blisters, each with one tablet of 70 mg alendronate (CAS 260055-05-8) and 7 capsules of 1 pg alfacalcidol (CAS 41294-56-8) (Tevabone"). The average age of the GIOP patients was 71 years and the mean body mass index 26.

Implantation of ultrathin, biofunctionalized polyimide membranes into the subretinal space of rats.

Subretinal implants aim to replace the photoreceptor function in patients suffering from degenerative retinal disease by topically applying electrical stimuli in the subretinal space. Critical obstacles in the design of high-resolution subretinal implants include the proximity of stimulating electrodes to the target cells and enabling nutrient flow between the retina and the choroid. The present work evaluates the adhesion, migration and survival of retinal cells on an ultrathin (5 μm), highly porous (Ø 1 μm spaced 3 μm), gelatin-coated polyimide (PI) membrane.

Biopolymer-based hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications: a review.

Hydrogels are physically or chemically cross-linked polymer networks that are able to absorb large amounts of water. They can be classified into different categories depending on various parameters including the preparation method, the charge, and the mechanical and structural characteristics. The present review aims to give an overview of hydrogels based on natural polymers and their various applications in the field of tissue engineering.

Additive impact of alfacalcidol on bone mineral density and bone strength in alendronate treated postmenopausal women with reduced bone mass.

Objectives: Assessment of additive impact of alfacalcidol 1 μg daily (Alfa) on bone mineral density (BMD) and on bone strength in postmenopausal women treated with alendronate 70 mg weekly + 500 mg calcium daily.

Subjects And Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, 279 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia participated (intention to treat analysis [ITT]; aged 73.6∓4.

Risk reduction of falls and fractures, reduction of back pain and safety in elderly high risk patients receiving combined therapy with alfacalcidol and alendronate: a prospective study.

Efficacy and safety of a new combination package containing 4 or 12 self-explanatory one-week blisters, each with one tablet of 70 mg alendronate (CAS 260055-05-8) and 7 capsules of 1 microg alfacalcidol (CAS 41294-56-8) (Tevabone) on muscle power, muscle function, balance and back pain was investigated in an open, multi-centered, uncontrolled, prospective study on a cohort of elderly patients with a high risk of falls and fractures. 818 practicing physicians all over Germany recruited 2579 patients for a 3-month observational trial being treated with the above combination package. 92.

Chip-based impedance measurement on single cells for monitoring sub-toxic effects on cell membranes.

There is a lack of methods suitable for generation of data about the dynamics of effects on cell membranes with a high sensitivity. Such methods are urgently needed to support the optimisation of interaction of substances, particles or materials with cell. The goal of this article is to use an improved microhole chip system to monitor the alterations of cells due to the interactions of polymer-DNA complexes.

Design of an imprinted clean-up method for mycophenolic acid in maize.

In the present work, the development of imprinted polymers selective towards mycophenolic acid and their application in food analysis are reported for the first time. To synthesize the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) 4-vinylpyridine and ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate were applied as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Besides the toxin itself, the implementation of structural analogues as templates was evaluated.

Plasma-induced surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane aimed at reducing salt and protein deposition.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is an elastomer that is widely used in construction and for biological and biomedical applications. The biocompatibility of PDMS was improved by different surface treatment methods, i.e.

Static secondary ion mass spectrometry for the surface characterisation of individual nanofibres of polycaprolactone functionalised with an antibacterial additive.

Electrospinning (ES) of polymer solutions generates non-woven webs of nanofibres. The fibre diameter ranges between 10 nm and 1 μm depending on the operating conditions. Surface functionalisation can be performed by the use of suitable additives.

Effect of a six-month therapy with alfacalcidol on muscle power and balance and the number of fallers and falls.

Purpose: In an open observational prospective multicentered study on a cohort of patients with a creatinine clearance of < or = 65 ml/min and diagnosed with the "Esslinger Fall Risk Assessment" to be at an increased risk for falls the effect of daily treatment with 1 microg alfacalcidol (CAS 41294-56-8; Alpha-D3) on muscle power, balance and number of fallers and falls was investigated.

Methods: In this open prospective study on 237 participants recruited in Germany, 16.9% men and 83.

Post-plasma grafting of AEMA as a versatile tool to biofunctionalise polyesters for tissue engineering.

In the last decade, substantial research in the field of post-plasma grafting surface modification has focussed on the introduction of carboxylic acids on surfaces by grafting acrylic acid (AAc). In the present work, we report on an alternative approach for biomaterial surface functionalisation. Thin poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) films were subjected to a dielectric barrier discharge Ar-plasma followed by the grafting of 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (AEMA) under UV-irradiation.

Surface modification of polyimide sheets for regenerative medicine applications.

In the present work, two strategies were elaborated to surface-functionalize implantable polyimide sheets. In the first methodology, cross-linkable vinyl groups were introduced on the polyimide surface using aminopropylmethacrylamide. In the second approach, a reactive succinimidyl ester was introduced on the surface of PI.