Early postnatal development of the lumbar vertebrae in male Wistar rats: double staining and digital radiological studies

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological developmental changes of male rats’ lumbar vertebrae during the first 22 days after birth. Morphology and mineralisation of lumbar vertebrae were evaluated using double-staining and digital radiography system, which allowed vertebral width and optical density to be determined. Pup weight, crown-rump length, body mass index and vertebral width increased during postnatal period and significantly correlated with their age. Bone mineralisation, as measured by optical density, did not show any significant differences. The complete fusion of the primary ossification centres had a cranio- -caudal direction and started on day 19 after parturition but was incomplete by day 22. It could be concluded that, unlike significant age-related increase of vertebral size, mineralisation was only slightly elevated during evaluated postnatal period. The method described is supplementary to alizarin red S staining as it provides both qualitative and quantitative data on mineralisation in a similar manner to micro computed tomography but does not allow 3 dimensional and microarchitecture examination

A Benchmarking Measurement Campaign to Support Ubiquitous Localization in GNSS Denied and Indoor Environments

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6th International Workshop on Application of Lasers in Atomic Nuclei Research

6th International Workshop on Application of Lasers in Atomic Nuclei Research, LASER 2004, held in Poznan, Poland, 24-27 May, 2004 Researchers and graduate students interested in the Mössbauer Effect and its applications will find this volume indispensable. The volume presents the most recent developments in the methodology of Mössbauer spectroscopy. Reprinted from Hyperfine Interactions (HYPE) Volume 162, 1-

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of the short - living radicals generated thermally in phosphorylated maize starch with different amounts of amylose

Quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used for the determination of a number and properties of short-living radicals generated thermally in maize starch with various amounts of amylose. The EPR spectra of radical adducts with N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN) spin trap reveal the presence of three types of radicals of mobility related with their localization in the zones of various degree of crystallinity. Hylon VII, which represents a matrix with a high content of amylose, offers better conditions for free rotation of radical species, whereas waxy maize, containing almost exclusively amylopectin, exhibits more restricted dynamics

Kinematic gait parameters changes in patients after total knee arthroplasty : Comparison between cruciate-retaining and posterior-substituting design

Purpose: The patients expect optimal knee function after Total Knee Arthroplasty. It is necessary to apply appropriate surgical technique and supervised physical therapy. The optimal management of posterior cruciate ligament remains controversial. Both implant designs, i.e., cruciate retaining and posterior substituting, allow the orthopedic surgeon to achieve excellent clinical outcomes, as measured by commonly used questionnaires. Such methods of assessment may poorly reflect the functional status of patients. Therefore, three-dimensional gait analysis is recommended to evaluate the outcomes of surgical intervention. This study sought to determine differences in kinematic gait parameters and Knee Society Score between cruciate-retaining and posterior-substituting patients. Methods:23 individuals after cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty and 19 individuals after posterior-substituting total knee arthroplasty were subjected to gait analysis using three-dimensional motion capture system BTS Smart DX 7000. In addition, gait was assessed in 21 patients with knee osteoarthritis and in 30 healthy individuals. Results: The study did not reveal differences between cruciate-retaining and posterior-substituting groups, both in terms of Knee Society Score and kinematic gait parameters. There were also no differences in kinematic gait parameters between patients from the knee osteoarthritis group and total knee arthroplasty groups. The analyzed parameters in all of the groups differed significantly from those found in healthy individuals. Conclusions: Surgical technique and implant design do not affect values of kinematic gait parameters evaluated under natural walking speed. Several months after surgery the patients still demonstrated alterations in gait pattern, similar to those recorded in patients with knee osteoarthritis