Evaluation of the use of an antigravity device in leveling functional inequalities of the lower limbs and inhibiting the progression of idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: The conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) may be enhanced through a combination of specialized physiotherapy, bracing, and the utilization of assistive devices.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the GraviSpine device in supporting the conservative treatment of IS in children.

Material And Methods: A cohort of 142 patients, aged 10-17 years with an average age of 12.

An Innovative Method for the Conservative Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using the GraviSpine Device According to the Concept of Spinal Reflex Balance.

Conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis is more effective as a result of early diagnosis in conjunction with the use of specific physiotherapy and bracing techniques. Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of specific physiotherapy developed according to the concept of spinal reflex balance using the GraviSpine device. This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Machine Learning Methods for the Analysis of the Patch-Clamp Signals.

Patch-clamp technique provides a unique possibility to record the ion channels' activity. This method enables tracking the changes in their functional states at controlled conditions on a real-time scale. Kinetic parameters evaluated for the patch-clamp signals form the fundamentals of electrophysiological characteristics of the channel functioning.

The Effectiveness of Early Rehabilitation in Limiting the Progression of Idiopathic Scoliosis.

The purpose of this study was to assess specific rehabilitation methods' effectiveness in early idiopathic scoliosis (IS) development, focusing on lower limb functional inequality's role in scoliosis progression. : This study comprised 812 patients aged 6-16 years at risk of developing idiopathic scoliosis (IS). The mean (SD) age was 10.

Learning by confusion approach to identification of discontinuous phase transitions.

Recently, the learning by confusion (LbC) approach has been proposed as a machine learning tool to determine the critical temperature T_{c} of phase transitions without any prior knowledge of its even approximate value. The method has been proven effective, but it has been used only for continuous phase transitions, where the confusion results only from deliberate incorrect labeling of the data. However, in the case of a discontinuous phase transition, additional confusion can result from the coexistence of different phases.

Radiologists' Rating for Comparative Qualitative Assessment of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Using Novel Analysis Methods.

Objective: The objective was to assess qualitative interpretability and quantitative precision and reproducibility of intravoxel incoherent motion ( IVIM) parametric images evaluated using novel IVIM analysis methods for diagnostic accuracy.

Methods: Intravoxel incoherent motion datasets of 55 patients (male/female = 41:14; age = 17.8 ± 5.

Potassium Channels, Glucose Metabolism and Glycosylation in Cancer Cells.

Potassium channels emerge as one of the crucial groups of proteins that shape the biology of cancer cells. Their involvement in processes like cell growth, migration, or electric signaling, seems obvious. However, the relationship between the function of K+ channels, glucose metabolism, and cancer glycome appears much more intriguing.

Non-Monotonic Complexity of Stochastic Model of the Channel Gating Dynamics.

The simple model of an ionic current flowing through a single channel in a biological membrane is used to depict the complexity of the corresponding empirical data underlying different internal constraints and thermal fluctuations. The residence times of the channel in the open and closed states are drawn from the exponential distributions to mimic the characteristics of the real channel system. In the selected state, the dynamics are modeled by the overdamped Brownian particle moving in the quadratic potential.

A New Method of Identifying Characteristic Points in the Impedance Cardiography Signal Based on Empirical Mode Decomposition.

The accurate detection of fiducial points in the impedance cardiography signal (ICG) has a decisive impact on the proper estimation of diagnostic parameters such as stroke volume or cardiac output. It is, therefore, necessary to find an algorithm that is able to assess their positions with great precision. The solution to this problem is, however, quite challenging with regard to the high sensitivity of the ICG technique to the noise and varying morphology of the acquired signals.

Flavonoids as Modulators of Potassium Channels.

Potassium channels are widely distributed integral proteins responsible for the effective and selective transport of K+ ions through the biological membranes. According to the existing structural and mechanistic differences, they are divided into several groups. All of them are considered important molecular drug targets due to their physiological roles, including the regulation of membrane potential or cell signaling.

Computer simulation of syringomyelia in dogs.

Background: Syringomyelia is a pathological condition in which fluid-filled cavities (syringes) form and expand in the spinal cord. Syringomyelia is often linked with obstruction of the craniocervical junction and a Chiari malformation, which is similar in both humans and animals. Some brachycephalic toy breed dogs such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) are particularly predisposed.

Cadaveric experiments to evaluate pressure wave generated by radial shockwave treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Background: Shockwave treatment is increasingly used for plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy. To be effective it is believed that high pressure must be achieved in the tissues. We report on the first human cadaveric experiments to characterize pressure from radial shockwave therapy (rSWT) for plantar fasciitis.

Finite element modelling of radial shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis.

Therapeutic use of high-amplitude pressure waves, or shock wave therapy (SWT), is emerging as a popular method for treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, the mechanism(s) through which this technique promotes healing are unclear. Finite element models of a shock wave source and the foot were constructed to gain a better understanding of the mechanical stimuli that SWT produces in the context of plantar fasciitis treatment.

A FEM-based method using harmonic overtones to determine the effective elastic, dielectric, and piezoelectric parameters of freely vibrating thick piezoelectric disks.

To gain an understanding of the electroelastic properties of tactile piezoelectric sensors used in the characterization of soft tissue, the frequency-dependent electric impedance response of thick piezoelectric disks has been calculated using finite element modeling. To fit the calculated to the measured response, a new method was developed using harmonic overtones for tuning of the calculated effective elastic, piezoelectric, and dielectric parameters. To validate the results, the impedance responses of 10 piezoelectric disks with diameter-to-thickness ratios of 20, 6, and 2 have been measured from 10 kHz to 5 MHz.

A one-dimensional model of the spinal cerebrospinal-fluid compartment.

Modeling of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) system in the spine is strongly motivated by the need to understand the origins of pathological conditions such as the emergence and growth of fluid-filled cysts in the spinal cord. In this study, a one-dimensional (1D) approximation for the flow in elastic conduits was used to formulate a model of the spinal CSF compartment. The modeling was based around a coaxial geometry in which the inner elastic cylinder represented the spinal cord, middle elastic tube represented the dura, and the outermost tube represented the vertebral column.

The development of fibronectin-functionalised hydroxyapatite coatings to improve dermal fibroblast attachment in vitro.

The success of long-term transcutaneous implants depends on dermal attachment to prevent downgrowth of the epithelium and infection. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings and fibronectin (Fn) have independently been shown to regulate fibroblast activity and improve attachment. In an attempt to enhance this phenomenon we adsorbed Fn onto HA-coated substrates.

Modification of titanium alloy surfaces for percutaneous implants by covalently attaching laminin.

Percutaneous implants require a seal at the skin interface. Laminin (L-332) is a component of the basement membrane, integral to epidermal attachment. To enhance the attachment of keratinocytes onto the surface of titanium alloy (Ti(6)Al(4)V), we attached L-332 onto the surface using silanization (L-332==Ti(6)Al(4)V).

Measuring the strength of dermal fibroblast attachment to functionalized titanium alloys in vitro.

The success of intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prostheses (ITAP) relies on soft tissue attachment to prevent infection which leads to implant failure. Fibronectin (Fn) has been shown to enhance dermal fibroblast attachment in vitro, however measurement of cell attachment strength has been indirect; using cell area and immunolocalization of focal adhesion components. In this study, we have developed a flow apparatus to assess the biophysical strength of cell attachment to biomaterials used in ITAP.

A coaxial tube model of the cerebrospinal fluid pulse propagation in the spinal column.

The dynamics of the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may play an important role in the genesis of pathological neurological conditions such as syringomyelia, which is characterized by the presence of a cyst (syrinx) in the spinal cord. In order to provide sound theoretical grounds for the hypotheses that attribute the formation and growth of the syrinx to impediments to the normal movement of the CSF, it is necessary to understand various modes through which CSF pulse in the spinal column propagates. Analytical models of small-amplitude wave propagation in fluid-filled coaxial tubes, where the outer tube represents dura, the inner tube represents the spinal cord, and the fluid is the CSF, have been used to that end.

A comparison of augmentation techniques for reconstruction of the extensor mechanism following proximal tibial replacement in an experimental animal model.

We used an in vivo model to assess the use of an autogenous cancellous bone block and marrow graft for augmenting tendon reattachment to metallic implants. We hypothesised that augmentation of the tendon-implant interface with a bone block would enable retention of the graft on the implant surface, enhance biological integration, and result in more consistent functional outcomes compared with previously reported morcellised graft augmentation techniques. A significant improvement in functional weight-bearing was observed between six and 12 weeks.

Implementation of an elaborated neuromorphic model of a biological photoreceptor.

We describe here an elaborated neuromorphic model based on the photoreceptors of flies and realised in both software simulation and hardware using discrete circuit components. The design of the model is based on optimisations and further elaborations to the mathematical model initially developed by van Hateren and Snippe that has been shown to accurately simulate biological responses in simulations under both steady-state and limited dynamic conditions. The model includes an adaptive time constant, nonlinear adaptive gain control, logarithmic saturation and a nonlinear adaptive frequency response mechanism.

Fibronectin silanized titanium alloy: a bioinductive and durable coating to enhance fibroblast attachment in vitro.

Long term success of percutaneous implants is dependent on soft tissue attachment to prevent infection and epithelial downgrowth, which leads to failure of the implant. Fibronectin coatings are known to enhance fibroblast attachment in vitro, but are subject to desorption from serum protein competition in vivo. This paper quantifies the binding of fibronectin to titanium alloy by silanization and the durability of this attachment when soaked in protein-rich fluid compared with adsorbed fibronectin.

The novel use of resorbable Vicryl mesh for in vivo tendon reconstruction to a metal prosthesis.

We examined the mechanical properties of Vicryl (polyglactin 910) mesh in vitro and assessed its use in vivo as a novel biomaterial to attach tendon to a hydroxyapatite-coated metal implant, the interface of which was augmented with autogenous bone and marrow graft. This was compared with tendon re-attachment using a compressive clamp device in an identical animal model. Two- and four-ply sleeves of Vicryl mesh tested to failure under tension reached 5.

Do autologous mesenchymal stem cells augment bone growth and contact to massive bone tumor implants?

This study investigated the hypothesis that spraying autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) onto grooved hydroxyapatite (HA) coated collars of segmental bone tumor implants would increase bone growth and contact to the implant surface in an ovine model. Autologous MSCs were isolated from bone marrow, grown in culture and during surgery implants in group 1 were sprayed with MSCs, suspended within fibrin glue. Implants in group 2 received no MSC therapy and acted as control.

Nature's answer to breaching the skin barrier: an innovative development for amputees.

The human body has evolved to maintain homeostasis through the covering of skin and mucous membranes, which separate the internal environment from the harsh and variable external milieu. Few structures naturally penetrate these coverings, and teeth are the only exception in human beings. Attempts to breach these barriers, to develop skin- penetrating, bone-anchored amputation prostheses, can lead to opportunist invasion by microorganisms and subsequent infection, which can jeopardize the life of the individual.