An alternative treatment method to restore limb-length discrepancy in osteoarthritis with high congenital hip dislocation.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe the rationale and to analyse the results of uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with osteoarthritis and congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) prior to iliofemoral distraction.

Method: Twenty hips were followed-up for 5.8 years (1-12 years).

Effects of above- and belowground partial harvest disturbance on growth and water status of residual sugar maple.

Partial forest harvesting is known to modify both above- and belowground resource availability and may result in direct and indirect stress to the residual trees as a result of machinery traffic and sudden changes in irradiance. We studied sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) trees in stands that had undergone a selection harvest 11 years before sampling to verify whether sudden increases in light availability and soil disturbance caused by machinery influence growth rates and lead to water stress.

2 kW incoherent beam combining of four narrow-linewidth photonic crystal fiber amplifiers.

We report on beam combining of four narrow-linewidth fiber amplifier chains, running at different wavelengths and each delivering 500 W optical output power. The main amplifier stage consists of a large mode area photonic crystal fiber. The four output beams of the amplifier chains are spectrally (incoherent) combined using a polarization-independent dielectric reflective diffraction grating to form an output beam of 2 kW continuous-wave optical power with good beam quality (M(2)x = 2.

Global meta-analysis of wood decomposition rates: a role for trait variation among tree species?

The carbon flux from woody debris, a crucial uncertainty within global carbon-climate models, is simultaneously affected by climate, site environment and species-based variation in wood quality. In the first global analysis attempting to explicitly tease out the wood quality contribution to decomposition, we found support for our hypothesis that, under a common climate, interspecific differences in wood traits affect woody debris decomposition patterns. A meta-analysis of 36 studies from all forested continents revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus, and C : N ratio correlate with decomposition rates of angiosperms.

Numerical investigations of stress shielding in total hip prostheses.

Aseptic loosening of the prosthesis is still a problem in artificial joint implants. The loosening can be caused by, among other factors, resorption of the bone surrounding the prosthesis owing to stress shielding. In order to find out the influence of the prosthesis type on post-operative stress shielding, a static finite element analysis of a femur provided with the conventional uncemented stem BICONTACT and of one with the femoral neck prosthesis SPIRON was carried out.

Acidosis induces multi-drug resistance in rat prostate cancer cells (AT1) in vitro and in vivo by increasing the activity of the p-glycoprotein via activation of p38.

Because solid growing tumors often show hypoxia and pronounced extracellular acidosis, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of an acidotic environment on the activity of the p-glycoprotein (pGP) and on the cellular content and cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic drug daunorubicin in the AT1 R-3327 Dunning prostate carcinoma cell line cultured in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, extracellular acidosis (pH 6.6) activated p38 and ERK1/2 and thereby induced daunorubicin resistance via a pronounced activation of pGP.

[Orthopaedic treatment of extraarticular condylar fractures of the mandible: retrospective study of 39 unilateral cases].

Introduction: Although for an increasing number of authors open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is becoming the standard of care for mandibular subcondylar fractures, functional treatment is still performed worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of functional treatment in isolated mandibular subcondylar fractures.

Material And Methods: Patients presenting with an isolated low subcondylar fracture between 1998 and 2004 were enrolled in a retrospective study.

Direct determination of intracellular daunorubicin in intact confluent monolayers of AT1 prostate carcinoma cells using a multiwell-multilabel counter.

The cytostatic drug daunorubicin exerts its toxic action by intercalating into the DNA. The efficacy of daunorubicin depends on the intracellular amount in the tumor cell. Here we have evaluated the use of a multiwell-multilabel reader for the direct determination of the fluorescent cytostatic drug daunorubicin in a prostate carcinoma cell line (AT1 R-3327 Dunning prostate carcinoma cells) grown on 24-well plates.

The effect of tourniquet release timing on perioperative blood loss in simultaneous bilateral cemented total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study.

Today the use of pneumatic tourniquet is commonly accepted in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to reduce perioperative blood loss. There are a few prospective randomised and nonrandomised studies that compare the effect of tourniquet release timing in cementless or cemented unilateral TKA. However, many of these studies show an inadequate reporting and methodology.

Ledge-flow-controlled catalyst interface dynamics during Si nanowire growth.

Self-assembled nanowires offer the prospect of accurate and scalable device engineering at an atomistic scale for applications in electronics, photonics and biology. However, deterministic nanowire growth and the control of dopant profiles and heterostructures are limited by an incomplete understanding of the role of commonly used catalysts and specifically of their interface dynamics. Although catalytic chemical vapour deposition of nanowires below the eutectic temperature has been demonstrated in many semiconductor-catalyst systems, growth from solid catalysts is still disputed and the overall mechanism is largely unresolved.

The influence of nonanatomical insertion and incongruence of meniscal transplants on the articular cartilage in an ovine model.

Background: Adequate size matching and anatomically correct positioning must be recognized as essential factors influencing the outcome of meniscal transplantation.

Hypothesis: Nonanatomical insertion and incongruence of meniscal transplants has an influence on the development of degenerative changes.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

[Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament by tunnel transfer of the semitendinosus tendon].

Objective: Stabilization of the patella by reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament.

Indications: Chronic recurrent lateral dislocation or subluxation of the patella. Habitual lateral dislocation of the patella.

Effects of reforestation, deforestation, and afforestation on carbon storage in soils.

This study reviews the effects of changes in land use and land management on SOC pools in forest soils. In the 1990s, deforestation remained the most important land-use change in tropical regions (-142 x 10(6) ha per year). In non-tropical regions the forested area increased in developed countries as a result of natural reforestation (+26 x 10(6) ha per year).

The potential for rising CO2 to account for the observed uptake of carbon by tropical, temperate, and boreal forest biomes.

We compiled, measured and simulated estimates of NPP and NBP for Amazonian tropical, European temperate, and Siberian Boreal forests from intensive stand-scale field studies, extensive forest biomass inventories, regional atmospheric inversions, and global ecosystem models. We analysed the random and systematic sources of uncertainties pertaining to each approach when comparing their results, and showed that estimates of NPP from different data streams are robustly comparable within their errors. Although NPP increases by a factor of four between Siberia and the Amazon, NBP is larger in Europe than elsewhere, demonstrating that carbon sequestration does not correlate with NPP.

Twenty-year results of combined meniscal allograft transplantation, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and advancement of the medial collateral ligament.

The purpose of this study was to determine the objective and subjective long-term outcomes of the first free meniscal allograft transplantations in five patients with complete absence or non-repairable lesion of the medial meniscus after 20 years. Between 1984 and 1986 five patients underwent concomitant medial meniscal transplantation with a deep frozen meniscal allograft, ACL reconstruction and femoral advancement or temporary detachment of the MCL. The clinical outcome of the patients was evaluated 20 years postoperatively using clinical assessment, Lysholm-score, KOOS, IKDC-score, radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging.

From the periplasmic signaling domain to the extracellular face of an outer membrane signal transducer of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: crystal structure of the ferric pyoverdine outer membrane receptor.

The pyoverdine outer membrane receptor, FpvA, from Pseudomonas aeruginosa translocates ferric pyoverdine across the outer membrane through an energy consuming mechanism using the proton motive force and the TonB-ExbB-ExbD energy transducing complex from the inner membrane. We solved the crystal structure of the full-length FpvA bound to iron-pyoverdine at 2.7 A resolution.

[Radiologic evaluation of cup placement variation in conventional total hip arthroplasty].

Purpose: Determination of the amount of variation in conventional acetabular cup positioning (radiological inclination and anteversion) in view of different factors that could influence the measured angles.

Materials And Methods: The intended acetabular cup position of 45 degrees inclination and 20 degrees anteversion was checked radiologically in 950 patients who received a cementless total hip replacement. The qualifications of the surgeon, operated side and implant model were recorded and analyzed with respect to a possible correlation with the results.

Dynamic measurement of patellofemoral contact pressure following reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament: an in vitro study.

Background: Surgical reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament used to stabilize the patella against lateral dislocation may concomitantly produce alteration of the patellofemoral contact pressure distribution. Two different tendon transfer techniques of reconstructing the medial patellofemoral ligament, one dynamic and one static, as well as a proximal soft tissue realignment of the patella were investigated.

Methods: Eight human knee specimens were mounted in a kinematic knee simulator and isokinetic extension motion was simulated.

Influence of an infrapatellar fat pad edema on patellofemoral biomechanics and knee kinematics: a possible relation to the anterior knee pain syndrome.

Introduction: An edema of the infrapatellar fat pad following knee arthroscopy or in case of chronic anterior knee pain syndrome is suspected to increase the patellofemoral pressure by a modification of the patellofemoral glide mechanism. The study was performed to evaluate this hypothesis.

Materials And Methods: Isokinetic knee extension from 120 degrees of flexion to full extension was simulated on 10 human knee cadaver specimens (six males, four females, average age at death 42 years) using a knee kinemator.

In vitro measurement of patellar kinematics following reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament.

This study compares the effects of two different techniques of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, and proximal soft tissue realignment on patellar stabilization against lateral dislocation. Eight human cadaver knee specimens with no radiological pathomorpholgy on a straight lateral view, contributing to patellofemoral instability, were mounted in a kinematic knee simulator and isokinetic extension was simulated. Patellar kinematics were measured with an ultrasound positioning system (zebris) while a 100 N laterally directed force was applied to the patella.

Improved implantation technique for resurfacing arthroplasty of the hip.

Objective: Prevention of incorrect positioning of the surface replacement, whereby the center of the femoral head for the implantation of the replacement surface is ascertained by central drilling of the femoral neck under image intensifier control.

Indications: An arthritically damaged, but not too severely deformed femoral head that can be reamed without injuring the femoral neck.

Contraindications: Hip ankylosis.

[Influence of the postoperative activity level on tibial bone tunnel enlargement and functional treatment results following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft].

Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of the postoperative activity level on tibial bone tunnel enlargement following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a mid-third patellar tendon autograft.

Methods: A clinical and radiological assessment was performed on 50 patients (21 male, 29 female, mean age 32 years, range 18 to 57 years) following ACL reconstruction using a patellar tendon autograft. The average follow-up examination was performed 18 (12 to 30) months after the operation.