Demographic Analysis of Lumbar Pedicle Diameters in a Diverse Population.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Purpose: We sought to determine the differences in pedicle diameter (PD) in the lumbar spine between various races: 'Asian,' 'Black,' 'White,' and 'Other.' These data could aid in perioperative planning during instrumented spinal fusion.

[Quality in dialysis].

Background: Several clinical and laboratory dialysis parameters have been suggested by national and international guidelines. Our study aimed to evaluate a series of quality indicators in the dialytic treatment of a group of patients in our two dialytic centers.

Patients And Methods: In a population of 159 patients on renal replacement therapy (RDT) we performed a 1-yr prospective observational study, with common parameters to indicate cardiovascular pathologies (PAS, LVMI), calcium-phosphorous metabolism (Ca, PO 4 , Ca x PO 4 ), dialytic adequacy (Kt/V, URR%), nutritional status (nPCR, Alb, K), and anemia (hemoglobin (Hb)).

In vivo versus simulation training: an interactional analysis of range and type of training exemplars.

We analyzed the role of the range of variation in training exemplars as a contextual variable influencing the effects of in vivo versus simulation training in producing generalized responding. Four mentally retarded adults received single case instruction, followed by general case instruction, on washing machine and dryer use; one task was taught using actual appliances (in vivo) and the other using simulation. In vivo and simulation training were counterbalanced across the two tasks for the 2 subject pairs, using a within-subjects Latin square design.

Human platelet spreading on substrata of known surface chemistry.

Using platelet-rich plasma freshly obtained by plasmapheresis, the spread areas of human platelets settled onto substrata of different surface energies were measured to evaluate the hypothesis that initial platelet spreading response is surface dependent. At 37 degrees C, minimal platelet spread areas were found on substrata with critical surface tension between 20 and 30 mN/m (dynes/cm), and increased spreading and morphologic changes occurred on substrata of both higher and lower critical surface tension. This differential response was absent at 25 degrees C.

Thromboresistance of glass after glow discharge treatment in argon.

Glow discharge treated (GDT) inorganic materials are sterile and free of all organic contaminants. Such materials implanted in the canine inferior vena cava often demonstrate significant thromboresistance. Standard Pyrex glass tubing was GDT in argon to provide a surface free energy above 70 dynes/cm, slight surface negativity, and other surface-physical modifications of its interface.