Limb reconstruction with knee mega-prosthesis in patients with distal femur primary tumours: gait analysis and alignment evaluation

Introduction: The aim of this study was the functional evaluation and lower limb alignment assessment of patients with a modular knee prosthesis after distal femur resection for primary bone tumour. Materials and methods: 15 patients affected by distal femur tumor and treated with a megaprosthesis implant (6 females and 9 males, mean age: 41 years, range: 15-74 years) and 15 controls were recruited for the study. For each subject the function evaluation included an instrumented gait analysis, while only patients underwent a teleradiography and a latero-lateral X-ray projection of the knee. Results: The duration of the stance phase of gait was shortened in the prosthetic limb with respect to the contralateral limb (57.5±3.6 % gait cycle vs. 60.9±4.8 % gait cycle, P = 0.01), with a correspondent increase of the swing phase. The prosthetic limb also showed an altered knee joint kinematic curve during gait, with a flexion deficit at load response with respect to the contralateral limb (4.5±3.6° vs. 13.4±5.0°, P = 0.000003). Abnormal timing in the muscle activation intervals were observed for tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius lateralis and rectus femoris of the prosthetic limb. The prosthetic limb was found to be misaligned with respect to the contralateral limb, both for the femorotibial (P<0.05) and the ankle joints (P<0.05). Conclusions: Gait analysis performed widely in reference centres could lead to a change in the design of megaprostheses to improve the function and prevent degenerative changes in not involved joint. A multicentric expertise is mandator

Determinación rápida de la cal libre: Modificación de los métodos Franke y Schiaepfer-Bukowski

Not availableModificando los métodos de Franke y Schlaepfer-Bukowski, es posible reducir notablemente el tiempo necesario para determinar la cal libre en los clínkeres y en los cementos. Las modificaciones aportadas al método de Franke consisten en el empleo de un catalizador (acetato de mercurio) en el proceso de extracción, y en la sustitución del éter acetacético puro por una solución de éter acetacético en alcohol isobutílico conteniendo una pequeña cantidad de óxido cálcico. Puesto que el método de Schlaepfer-Bukowski tiende a dar valores en exceso, que tienen su mayor justificación en un ataque inicial del etilenglicol sobre los demás componentes del clinker, el reactivo puro se ha sustituido por glicol conteniendo una pequeña cantidad de óxido de calcio. Los dos métodos modificados aseguran resultados que están en perfecto acuerdo con los obtenidos aplicando el método original Franke y presentan la ventaja de reducir los tiempos de extracción a 5 y 10 minutos, respectivamente

Influence of aggregate and supplementary cementitious materials on the properties of hydrated lime (CL90s) mortars

Hydrated lime is a historic material currently used in conservation. It hardens slowly by carbonation slowing construction however, supplementary cementitious materials accelerate hardening enhancing strength. Hydrated-lime mortars with rice husk ash–RHA-; ground granulated blastfurnace slag–GGBS- and increasing amounts of two aggregates were studied. Increasing aggregate lowered strength as interfacial zones proliferate; it lowered hygric properties and raised water demand. Aggregate content/composition didn’t affect the high water retention. For the higher aggregate contents (90 days), limestone mortars are c.20% stronger than silica mortars while the (1:1) silica sand mortars are 56% stronger in flexion. Additions increased strength with little impact on hygric properties. GGBS increased strength c.six times. RHA increased strength with little impact on hygric properties due to its great specific surface and high water-demand increasing porosity. GGBS and RHA properties ruling hydrate production and the kinetics of the pozzolanic reaction are considered partially responsible for the mortar property variation

Characterization of the stimulation output of four devices for focal muscle vibration

Different devices for mechano-acoustic muscle vibration became available on the market in the last ten years. Although the use of these vibrators is increasing in research and clinical settings, the features of their stimulation output were never described in literature. In this study we aimed to quantify and compare the stimulation output of the four most widespread pneumatic devices for focal muscle vibration available on the market. A piezoelectric pressure sensor was used to measure the pressure profile generated by the four selected devices in the following experimental conditions: i) measurement of the output changes associated with variations of the stimulation amplitude for three stimulation frequencies (100 Hz, 200 Hz, and 300 Hz); ii) measurement of the output changes during a 20-min long stimulation at constant frequency (300 Hz) and amplitude; iii) measurement of the output changes associated with the progressive activation of all stimulation channels at constant frequency (200 Hz) for different amplitudes. The maximum peak-to-peak amplitudes of the pressure waves were in the range 102 mbar - 369 mbar (below the maximum values declared by the different manufacturers). The shape of the pressure waves generated by the four devices was quasi-sinusoidal and asymmetric with respect to the atmospheric pressure. All output features had a remarkable intra- and inter-device variability. Further studies are required to support the technological improvement of the currently available devices and to focus the issues of vibration effectiveness, limitations, proper protocols, modalities of its application and assessment in neuromuscular training and rehabilitation

Breakaway oxidation su acciai inossidabili

In questo lavoro sono stati eseguiti trattamenti di ossidazione ad alta temperatura su un acciaio AISI 304L in condizioni controllate per studiare il fenomeno della breakaway oxidation. Esso consiste nella rottura localizzata dello strato di ossido dovuta a shock termici o meccanici, con conseguente esposizione di metallo non ossidato all’atmosfera ossidante. Data la sua natura, si tratta di un fenomeno difficile da prevedere e da monitorare. Sono stati messi a punto metodi per la sua identificazione attraverso tecniche di analisi termica e di microscopia elettronica. E’ stata valutata l’influenza di temperatura, atmosfera ossidante e umidità sulla occorrenza del fenomeno, con riferimento al processo produttivo degli acciai. La possibilità di prevedere nel dettaglio i tempi di trattamento termico ai quali si osserva il fenomeno di breakaway oxidation si conferma limitata

Study of ageing in Al-Mg-Si alloys by positron annihilation spectroscopy

In many common Al-Mg-Si alloys (6000 series) intermediate storage at or near 'room temperature' after solutionising leads to pronounced changes of the precipitation kinetics during the ensuing artificial ageing step at \approx 180{\deg}C. This is not only an annoyance in production, but also a challenge for researchers. We studied the kinetics of natural 'room temperature' ageing (NA) in Al-Mg-Si alloys by means of various different techniques, namely electrical resistivity and hardness measurement, thermoanalysis and positron lifetime and Doppler broadening (DB) spectroscopy to identify the stages in which the negative effect of NA on artificial ageing might appear. Positron lifetime measurements were carried out in a fast mode, allowing us to measure average lifetimes in below 1 minute. DB measurements were carried out with a single detector and a 68Ge positron source by employing high momentum analysis. The various measurements show that NA is much more complex than anticipated and at least four different stages can be distinguished. The nature of these stages cannot be given with certainty, but a possible sequence includes vacancy diffusion to individual solute atoms, nucleation of solute clusters, Mg agglomeration to clusters and coarsening or ordering of such clusters. Positron lifetime measurements after more complex ageing treatments involving storage at 0{\deg}C, 20{\deg}C and 180{\deg}C have also been carried out and help to understand the mechanisms involved