Robotic- arm assisted versus manual total hip arthroplasty: a propensity score matched cohort study

AimsThe primary aim of this study was to compare the hip-specific functional outcome of robotic assisted total hip arthroplasty (rTHA) with manual total hip arthroplasty (mTHA) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Secondary aims were to compare general health improvement, patient satisfaction, and radiological component position and restoration of leg length between rTHA and mTHA.MethodsA total of 40 patients undergoing rTHA were propensity score matched to 80 patients undergoing mTHA for OA. Patients were matched for age, sex, and preoperative function. The Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), and EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) were collected pre- and postoperatively (mean 10 months (SD 2.2) in rTHA group and 12 months (SD 0.3) in mTHA group). In addition, patient satisfaction was collected postoperatively. Component accuracy was assessed using Lewinnek and Callanan safe zones, and restoration of leg length were assessed radiologically.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the preoperative demographics (p ? 0.781) or function (p ? 0.383) between the groups. The postoperative OHS (difference 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1 to 4.8; p = 0.038) and FJS (difference 21.1, 95% CI 10.7 to 31.5; p < 0.001) were significantly greater in the rTHA group when compared with the mTHA group. However, only the FJS was clinically significantly greater. There was no difference in the postoperative EQ-5D (difference 0.017, 95% CI -0.042 to 0.077; p = 0.562) between the two groups. No patients were dissatisfied in the rTHA group whereas six were dissatisfied in the mTHA group, but this was not significant (p = 0.176). rTHA was associated with an overall greater rate of component positioning in a safe zone (p ? 0.003) and restoration of leg length (p < 0.001).ConclusionPatients undergoing rTHA had a greater hip-specific functional outcome when compared to mTHA, which may be related to improved component positioning and restoration of leg length. However, there was no difference in their postoperative generic health or rate of satisfaction

Activation of MEK1 or MEK2 isoform is sufficient to fully transform intestinal epithelial cells and induce the formation of metastatic tumors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Ras-dependent ERK1/2 MAP kinase signaling pathway plays a central role in cell proliferation control and is frequently activated in human colorectal cancer. Small-molecule inhibitors of MEK1/MEK2 are therefore viewed as attractive drug candidates for the targeted therapy of this malignancy. However, the exact contribution of MEK1 and MEK2 to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer remains to be established.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Wild type and constitutively active forms of MEK1 and MEK2 were ectopically expressed by retroviral gene transfer in the normal intestinal epithelial cell line IEC-6. We studied the impact of MEK1 and MEK2 activation on cellular morphology, cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasiveness, and tumorigenesis in mice. RNA interference was used to test the requirement for MEK1 and MEK2 function in maintaining the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that expression of activated MEK1 or MEK2 is sufficient to morphologically transform intestinal epithelial cells, dysregulate cell proliferation and induce the formation of high-grade adenocarcinomas after orthotopic transplantation in mice. A large proportion of these intestinal tumors metastasize to the liver and lung. Mechanistically, activation of MEK1 or MEK2 up-regulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, promotes invasiveness and protects cells from undergoing anoikis. Importantly, we show that silencing of MEK2 expression completely suppresses the proliferation of human colon carcinoma cell lines, whereas inactivation of MEK1 has a much weaker effect.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MEK1 and MEK2 isoforms have similar transforming properties and are able to induce the formation of metastatic intestinal tumors in mice. Our results suggest that MEK2 plays a more important role than MEK1 in sustaining the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells.</p

Development of a specific-use power converter to efficiently supply a MEMS-type actuator with the energy produced from a glucose fuel cell : a preliminary investigation into future development of an artificial muscle cell

Advisors: Donald S. Zinger.Committee members: Michael J. Haji-Sheikh; Martin Kocanda; Lichuan Liu.The objective of this thesis is to develop a theoretical power converter that is capable of powering a MEMS type electrostatic microactuator from the power provided by a glucose fuel cell. The proposed converter is to serve as an investigation into the possibility of developing an artificial muscle cell that is able to draw energy directly from the sugar in human blood and convert it into linear motion. The ultimate intent is to develop an actuation approach envisioned to drive active prosthetics that are permanently attached to the human body in the effort to eliminate the need for external power sources.;The final configuration of the power converter is based on a switched capacitor high-ratio step-up converter that is capable of providing a minimum 7.0 volt output while being supplied with 0.75 volts input. The 7.0 volt output limit is determined by a review of literature related to the selected electrostatic microactuator and the 0.75 volt input limit is dictated by reviewed research on glucose fuel cell technologies. The final configuration performs as designed and shows that the concept of using the energy stored in the blood to drive mechanical actuators is achievable and the development of an artificial muscle cell is possible. Furthering this technology could lead to advancements in both active prosthetics and robotics.M.S. (Master of Science

Compression of cooked freeze-dried carrots

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