Calzatura e morfologia del piede

La calzatura sportiva, in particolare per la corsa, \ue8 stata oggetto negli utimi 20 anni di numerosi lavori di ricerca che hanno permesso di ottenere pi\uf9 comfort e migliori prestazioni sia nel dilettante, sia nell'atleta di alto livello. Nel presente studio viene evidenziato lo sviluppo delle calzature in funzione dell'aumentata importanza della patologia del piede e della valutazione dinamica e biomeccanica correlata allo sviluppo tecnologico delle calzature

Do Demographic and Disease Structures Affect the Recurrence of Epidemics ?

In this paper we present an epidemic model affecting an age-structured population. We show by numerical simulations that this demographic structure can induce persistent oscillations in the epidemic. The model is then extended to encompass a stage-structured disease within an age-dependent population. In this case as well, persistent oscillations are observed in the infected as well as in the whole population

Ligament imbalance in prosthetic correction of severe arthrosis of the varus knee [La problematica legamentosa nella protesizzazione del grave ginocchio varo artrosico]

Aim. We evaluated the efficacy of noncemented implantation of the TACK prosthesis for axial deviation of the lower limb with degenerative arthrosis in which mediolateral ligament imbalance requires rebalancing to restore joint stability and adequate range of function. Methods. At our unit from 1996 to 2002, 103 TACK Link knee prostheses were implanted for varus knee arthrosis with deformities greater than 8\ub0. The case series comprised 18 men and 81 women; mean age 70 years. In 53 cases the right knee, in 40 the left knee, and in 10 both knees were treated. All operations were performed according to the same protocol: no cementation of the components, no prosthetic correction of the patella, the same surgeon, standard rehabilitation program with passive mobilization the first day and deambulation after 7 days. Results. Evaluation based on the HSS score profiles showed results that were excellent in 60 cases, good in 26, satisfactory in 16 and poor in 1. Stability assessment showed grade 0 in 64 cases, grade I in 30 and grade II in 9. No cases of residual grade III laxity were found. The one poor result was due to luxation of a polyethylene component that first required reoperation for thicker positioning and then reimplantation using a semirestraining rotational Endomodel prosthesis. Conclusions. Long-term follow-up results suggest that the TACK system is a valuable device in the treatment of arthrosis of the varus knee with imbalance of the mediolateral capsule ligaments

LA PROBLEMATICA LEGAMENTOSA NELLA PROTESIZZAZIONE DEL GRAVE GINOCCHIO VARO ARTROSICO

Aim. We evaluated the efficacy of noncemented implantation of the TACK prosthesis for axial deviation of the lower limb with degenerative arthrosis in which mediolateral ligament imbalance requires rebalancing to restore joint stability and adequate range of function. Methods. At our unit from 1996 to 2002, 103 TACK Link knee prostheses were implanted for varus knee arthrosis with deformities greater than 8\ub0. The case series comprised 18 men and 81 women; mean age 70 years. In 53 cases the right knee, in 40 the left knee, and in 10 both knees were treated. All operations were performed according to the same protocol: no cementation of the components, no prosthetic correction of the patella, the same surgeon, standard rehabilitation program with passive mobilization the first day and deambulation after 7 days. Results. Evaluation based on the HSS score profiles showed results that were excellent in 60 cases, good in 26, satisfactory in 16 and poor in 1. Stability assessment showed grade 0 in 64 cases, grade I in 30 and grade II in 9. No cases of residual grade III laxity were found. The one poor result was due to luxation of a polyethylene component that first required reoperation for thicker positioning and then reimplantation using a semirestraining rotational Endomodel prosthesis. Conclusions. Long-term follow-up results suggest that the TACK system is a valuable device in the treatment of arthrosis of the varus knee with imbalance of the mediolateral capsule ligaments

Localization of nitric oxide synthase type III in the internal thoracic and radial arteries and the great saphenous vein: a comparative immunohistochemical study

AbstractBackgroundEndothelial nitric oxide synthase type III is the key enzyme of the nitric oxide production in the vessel wall. In this study the localization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase type III within the wall of the human internal thoracic and radial arteries and the great saphenous vein was investigated.MethodsSpecimens were harvested from 23 patients undergoing surgical myocardial revascularization and submitted to light and electron microscope analysis using histochemical stainings and immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies anti-endothelial nitric oxide synthase type III, Factor VIII, and α-smooth muscle actin.ResultsEndothelial nitric oxide synthase type III was evident in the intima of all conduits and, unexpectedly, in the muscle cells of the media of muscular internal thoracic arteries and radial arteries. No endothelial nitric oxide synthase type III expression was found in the media of great saphenous veins. Semiquantitative analysis revealed a higher endothelial nitric oxide synthase type III expression in the wall of internal thoracic artery, particularly at the level of the media.ConclusionEndothelial nitric oxide synthase type III is expressed in the intima of the internal thoracic and radial artery and the great saphenous vein and in the muscle cells of the media of the internal thoracic and radial arteries. However, the internal thoracic artery shows a higher intensity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase type III expression, particularly within the media. The present study provides the first demonstration of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase type III expression at the level of the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media of systemic human arteries and can provide an histologic explanation for the better results of the internal thoracic artery when used for coronary artery bypass grafting

Effect of intra-articular injection of intermediate-weight hyaluronic acid on hip and knee cartilage : in-vivo evaluation using T2 mapping

Objectives: We used T2 mapping to quantify the effect of intra-articular hyaluronic acid administration (IAHAA) on cartilage with correlation to clinical symptoms. Methods: One hundred two patients with clinical and MRI diagnosis of hip or knee grade I-III chondropathy were prospectively included. All patients received a standard MRI examination of the affected hip/knee (one joint/patient) and T2-mapping multiecho sequence for cartilage evaluation. T2 values of all slices were averaged and used for analysis. One month after MR evaluation 72 patients (38 males; mean age 51\ub110 years) underwent IAHAA. As a control group, 30 subjects (15 males; 51 \ub1 9 years) were not treated. MR and WOMAC evaluation was performed at baseline and after 3, 9, and 15 months in all patients. Results: T2 mapping in hyaluronic acid (HA) patients showed a significant increase in T2 relaxation times from baseline to the first time point after therapy in knees (40.7 \ub1 9.8 ms vs. 45.8 \ub1 8.6 ms) and hips (40.9 \ub1 9.7 ms; 45.9 \ub1 9.5 ms) (p < 0.001). At the 9- and 15-month evaluations, T2 relaxation dropped to values similar to the baseline ones (p < 0.001 vs. 3 month). The correlation between T2 increase and pain reduction after IAHAA was statistically significant (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) in patients with grade III chondropathy. Conclusions: T2 mapping can be used to evaluate the effect over time of IAHAA in patients with hip and knee chondropathy. Key points: \u2022 T2 relaxation times change over time after hyaluronic acid intra-articular administration\u2022 T2 relaxation times of the medial femoral condyle correlate with WOMAC variation\u2022 T2 relaxation times are different between Outerbridge I and II-II