Material decomposition approaches for monosodium urate (MSU) quantification in gouty arthritis: a (bio)phantom study.

Background: Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is a noninvasive diagnostic tool for gouty arthritis. This study aimed to compare two postprocessing techniques for monosodium urate (MSU) detection: conventional two-material decomposition and material map-based decomposition.

Methods: A raster phantom and an ex vivo biophantom, embedded with four different MSU concentrations, were scanned in two high-end CT scanners.

Temporal trends of mercury levels in fish (dab, Limanda limanda) and sediment from the German Bight (North Sea) in the period 1995-2020.

As a toxic and harmful global pollutant, mercury (Hg) enters the marine environment through natural sources, and human activities. It bioaccumulates through the food chain and therefore, Hg is of great importance for environmental monitoring. This study aims to answer the question if Hg contamination in fish and sediment from the German Bight follows temporal trends.

Angiotensin-II receptor type Ia does not contribute to cardiac atrophy following high-thoracic spinal cord injury in mice.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? What is the role of the renin-angiotensin system with angiotensin II acting via its receptor AT1a in spinal cord injury-induced cardiac atrophy? What is the main finding and its importance? Knockout of AT1a did not protect mice that had undergone thoracic level 4 transection from cardiac atrophy. There were no histopathological signs but there was reduced load-dependent left ventricular function (lower stroke volume and cardiac output) with preserved ejection fraction.

Abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to cardiac atrophy often accompanied by functional deficits.

Angiotensin-(1-7) Receptor Mas Deficiency Does Not Exacerbate Cardiac Atrophy Following High-Level Spinal Cord Injury in Mice.

Experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) causes a morphological and functional deterioration of the heart, in which the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) might play a role. The recently discovered non-canonical axis of RAS with angiotensin-(1-7) and its receptor Mas, which is associated with cardioprotection could be essential to prevent damage to the heart following SCI. We investigated the cardiac consequences of SCI and the role of Mas in female wild-type (WT, = 22) and mice deficient of Mas ( , = 25) which underwent spinal cord transection at thoracic level T4 (T4-Tx) or sham-operation by echocardiography (0, 7, 21, and 28 days post-SCI), histology and gene expression analysis at 1 or 2 months post-SCI.

Integrating Culture-based Antibiotic Resistance Profiles with Whole-genome Sequencing Data for 11,087 Clinical Isolates.

Emerging antibiotic resistance is a major global health threat. The analysis of nucleic acid sequences linked to susceptibility phenotypes facilitates the study of genetic antibiotic resistance determinants to inform molecular diagnostics and drug development. We collected genetic data (11,087 newly-sequenced whole genomes) and culture-based resistance profiles (10,991 out of the 11,087 isolates comprehensively tested against 22 antibiotics in total) of clinical isolates including 18 main species spanning a time period of 30 years.

Comparing genome versus proteome-based identification of clinical bacterial isolates.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is gaining importance in the analysis of bacterial cultures derived from patients with infectious diseases. Existing computational tools for WGS-based identification have, however, been evaluated on previously defined data relying thereby unwarily on the available taxonomic information.Here, we newly sequenced 846 clinical gram-negative bacterial isolates representing multiple distinct genera and compared the performance of five tools (CLARK, Kaiju, Kraken, DIAMOND/MEGAN and TUIT).

A rapid, highly sensitive and culture-free detection of pathogens from blood by positive enrichment.

Molecular diagnostics is a promising alternative to culture based methods for the detection of bloodstream infections, notably due to its overall lower turnaround time when starting directly from patient samples. Whole blood is usually the starting diagnostic sample in suspected bloodstream infections. The detection of low concentrations of pathogens in blood using a molecular assay necessitates a fairly high starting volume of blood sample in the range of 5-10mL.

Quantification of change in vocal fold tissue stiffness relative to depth of artificial damage.

Objectives: To quantify changes in the biomechanical properties of human excised vocal folds with defined artificial damage.

Methods: The linear skin rheometer (LSR) was used to obtain a series of rheological measurements of shear modulus from the surface of 30 human cadaver vocal folds. The tissue samples were initially measured in a native condition and then following varying intensities of thermal damage.

[A special instrument: the halo fixator].

Objective: Installation of an external fixator in combination with a body cast for temporary or definitive immobilization and retention of unstable fractures of the craniocervical junction and upper part of the cervical spine. Further established applications include presurgical extension treatment of paralytic scoliosis and temporary retention within complex spine deformity operations after ventral release or mobilized osteotomies.

Indications: Closed reposition and temporary retention of unstable injuries of the cervical spine up to operation.

[Significance of 3D-ultrasonic examinations of the musculoskeletal system].

Unlabelled: 3D-ultrasonic is gaining more and more significance in many medical disciplines, e. g., in angiology and prenatal diagnostics.

[Evaluation of potential risks of abrasive water jet osteotomy in-vivo].

Since the 80's the water jet scalpel is an established tool in some surgical fields. It is used in particular in visceral surgery for preparation of parenchymatous organs. By the addition of biocompatible abrasives, this technique is able to effectively machine hard biological tissues.

Distribution of substance-P nerves inside the infrapatellar fat pad and the adjacent synovial tissue: a neurohistological approach to anterior knee pain syndrome.

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to determine the distribution and number of nerves inside the infrapatellar fat pad and the adjacent synovium, in particular with regards to nociceptive substance-P nerves.

Materials And Methods: The infrapatellar fat pad of the knee was resected from 21 patients (4 male, 17 female, mean age 69 years) during the course of standard total knee arthroplasty operations performed in our clinic. The fat pad was dissected into five standardized segments, fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin.

Trapezius transfer in brachial plexus palsy. Correlation of the outcome with muscle power and operative technique.

Between March 1994 and June 2003, 80 patients with brachial plexus palsy underwent a trapezius transfer. There were 11 women and 69 men with a mean age of 31 years (18 to 69). Before operation a full evaluation of muscle function in the affected arm was carried out.

Shoulder arthrodesis: indications, technique, results, and complications.

Complications after shoulder arthrodesis are frequent. Through results and comparisons with the literature, the presented article analyzes the correlation of complications with the specific operative techniques, indications, and postoperative treatment. Between 1964 and 2001, a total of 43 cases of shoulder arthrodesis (13 screw and 30 plate arthrodeses) were performed and then analyzed after a mean of 6.

Risk evaluation of thermal injury to the cervical spine during intradiscal laser application in vitro.

Objective: We aimed to investigate temperature distribution during laser and its possible thermal damage to the neurovascular structures.

Background Data: Percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) is now being performed as a minimally invasive intradiscal technique for the operative therapy of non-sequestered herniated cervical discs. As yet, no experimental basic research has been reported with regard to temperature rise and distribution in the cervical region during laser radiation.

Reconstructive operations for the upper limb after brachial plexus palsy.

Limited function due to paralysis following brachial plexus lesions can be improved by secondary operations of the bony and soft tissue. Between April 1994 and December 2000, 109 patients suffering from arm-plexus lesions underwent a total of 144 reconstructive operations guided by our concept of integrated therapy. The average age at the time of surgery was 32 years (range: 15-59).

[Shoulder arthrodesis. Indications, techniques, results, complications].

Besides the paralysis of shoulder muscles, large rotator cuff tears beyond repair, persistent shoulder instability with repeat dislocations and resection cases are recent indications for shoulder arthrodesis. The fusion of the shoulder is particularly useful since, despite immobilization of the glenohumeral and acromiohumeral joints, no loss of function is experienced; on the contrary, in many cases an increase of active total mobility may occur. According to the functional outcome, the majority of reports vary between 30 degrees and 90 degrees of active abduction and forward flexion with a mean value of about 60 degrees The most generally accepted arthrodesis position is 20 degrees -40 degrees abduction, forward flexion and internal rotation in relation to the trunk.

[Temperature measurements during abrasive water jet osteotomy].

Working on bone is a major aspect of orthopaedic surgery. Despite its well-known appreciable thermal effects on the edges of the bone cut, the oscillating bone saw blade the oscillating saw remains the standard instrument both for cutting long bones and creating a bed for an endoprosthesis. The application of abrasive water jets offers the possibility of achieving an extremely precise curved cut in bone with no accompanying thermal effect.

[The brachial plexus lesion. Management, consequences of palsy and reconstructive operations].

The treatment of traumatic brachial plexus lesions follows sequential steps. After acute therapy (phase I), neurological diagnostics (phase II), neurosurgery and postoperative treatment (phase III/IV), reconstructive operations (phase V) can be indicated and performed. In most cases an insufficient grade of muscle power remains.

Clinical results of arthroscopic meniscal repair using biodegradable screws.

This study was performed to assess the clinical results of meniscus refixation using biodegradable Clearfix meniscal screws. Between July 1999 and June 2001 this technique was performed on 65 patients, of whom 60 (27 women, 33 men; 92%) were followed up by clinical examination after an average of 18 months (range 8-34). The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was 30 years (15-58).

[Open versus arthroscopic shoulder stabilization. An analysis of the treatment costs].

In this study the total costs of clinical open and arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization were evaluated, analyzed and compared. From 1988 to 1998 147 patients underwent open (Bankart) or arthroscopic (ASK) anterior shoulder stabilization. We randomized two groups of 30 patients for each method (Bankart: 25 male, 5 female, 29 years of age; ASK: 25 male, 5 female, 26 years of age) and evaluated the costs of their clinical treatment.

The influence of limited postoperative weight-bearing on the outcome of drilling in osteochondritis dissecans tali.

Introduction: This prospective study was performed to assess the influence of limited weight-bearing on the outcome of osteochondral drilling in the treatment of an osteochondritis dissecans tali.

Materials And Methods: Of a total of 85 patients, 68 (80%; 37 male, 31 female, average age 28 years) were followed up after open or arthroscopic drilling between July 1990 and March 2000. The total outcome of 6 weeks limited postoperative weight-bearing (n=26) was compared with the outcome of 12 weeks limited weight-bearing (n=42).

Effect of group size on performance of growing-finishing pigs.

Six hundred forty growing-finishing pigs (initial BW = 23.2 +/- 4.8 kg) were used in a 12-wk study (final BW = 95.

[Arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization combined with laser-assisted capsular shrinkage (LACS) compared to other procedures].

Introduction: Does additional laser assisted capsular shrinkage (LACS) help to reduce the recurrence rate in arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization?

Methods: In a prospective study from 7/97 to 4/99 at 22 nonselected patients a combined Caspari + LACS-technique was performed. We could follow-up 152 (80%) of a total 191 anterior shoulder stabilizations between 4/88 and 4/99 (124 male, 28 female, average age 33 years) (80(52%) Bankart, 30(20%) Du Toit/Roux, 20(13%) Caspari, 22(15%) Caspari + -LACS.

Results: The rate of dislocation was 7% (11/152) for all patients (Bankart 5% 4/80), Du Toit/Roux 4% (1/30), Caspari 25%(5/20), Caspari + LACS 5%(1/22)).