Photocatalytic methods for preparing metallized powders

Photocatalytic methods are disclosed for the preparation of metallized powders. Specifically, such methods include the photodeposition of platinum, copper and other metals on TiO.sub.2 powder and other semiconductor powders. The powders thus prepared are particularly useful as catalysts.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft versus allograft in young patients

Objectives: Traditionally, bone-patella tendon-bone (BTB) autograft has been the gold standard graft choice for younger, athletic patients requiring ACL reconstruction. However, donor site morbidity, post-operative patella fracture, and increased operative time have led many surgeons to choose BTB allograft for their reconstructions. Opponents of allografts feel that slower healing time, higher rate of graft failure, and potential for disease transmission makes them undesirable graft choices in athletic patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes, both subjective and objective, of young patients that who have undergone either BTB autograft or allograft reconstructions with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Methods: One hundred and twenty patients (60 autograft, 60 allograft), age 25 and below at time of surgery, were contacted after being retrospectively identified as patients having an ACL reconstruction with either a BTB allograft or autograft by one senior surgeon. Patients were administered the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and IKDC Subjective Knee Evaluation questionnaires. Fifty (25 BTB autograft and 25 BTB allograft) of the 120 returned for physical examination as well as completion of a single leg hop test and laxity evaluation using a KT-1000 arthrometer evaluation. Of the 120 patients contacted, there were a total of 7 failures (5.8%) requiring revision, 6 in the allograft group (86%) and 1 in the autograft group (14%). Results: The average Lysholm scores were 89.0 and 89.56 and the average IKDC scores were 90.8 and 92.1 in the autograft and allograft groups respectively. The differences in the Lysholm scores and the IKDC scores were not significant. The single leg hop and KT-1000 scores were also not significantly different. One autograft patient had a minor motion deficit. Three allograft patients had a grade 1 Lachman and pivot glide. One autograft patient and two allograft patients had mild patellafemoral crepitus. There was no significant difference in anterior knee pain between the two groups Conclusion: There is no significant difference in patient-rated outcome between ACL reconstructions using BTB autografts versus allografts. However, the overall study group did reveal an increased failure rate requiring revision in the allograft group. © The Author(s) 2015

Clinical measurement of patellar tendon: accuracy and relationship to surgical tendon dimensions.

Patellar tendon width and length are commonly used for preoperative planning for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In the study reported here, we assessed the accuracy of preoperative measurements made by palpation through the skin, and correlated these measurements with the actual dimensions of the tendons at surgery. Before making incisions in 53 patients undergoing ACLR with patellar tendon autograft, we measured patellar tendon length with the knee in full extension and in 90° of flexion, and tendon width with the knee in 90° of flexion. The tendon was then exposed, and its width was measured with the knee in 90° of flexion. The length of the central third of the tendon was measured after the graft was prepared. Mean patellar tendon length and width with the knee in 90° of flexion were 39 mm and 32 mm, respectively. No clinical difference was found between the estimated pre-incision and surgical widths. However, the estimated pre-incision length with the knee in full extension and in 90° of flexion was significantly shorter than the surgical length. Skin measurements can be used to accurately determine patellar tendon width before surgery, but measurements of length are not as reliable

Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic overhead athlete scores in asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers.

BACKGROUND: The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow score is a subjective questionnaire that has been validated and been shown to be more specific in overhead athletes than the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scale. The purpose of this study was to determine a mean KJOC score and reasonable range of KJOC scores within which a healthy asymptomatic professional baseball pitcher will fall. It was hypothesized that healthy professional baseball pitchers would have very high KJOC scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: KJOC questionnaires were given to all healthy pitchers before the start of the season at all levels in 1 professional Minor League system. Pitchers were asked to complete the questionnaire upon reporting to their AAA, AA, or A affiliate team. Any pitcher starting the season on the disabled list was excluded from the study. RESULTS: KJOC scores were returned by 44 pitchers. The mean score for all pitchers was 94.82 (95% confidence interval, 92.94-96.70). The mean score for each question was greater than 9 of 10. The mean score for the AAA affiliate was significantly higher than that for the AA affiliate (P = .015). No other significant differences in scores were found between class levels or groups based on professional playing experience. CONCLUSION: Only 7 of 44 healthy asymptomatic pitchers (16%) had a KJOC score below 90. Therefore, we believe that the KJOC score is an accurate assessment for overhead athletes and normal values should be greater than 90. Anything below this value could be a potential cause for concern for team physicians. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Basic Science, Survey Study, Healthy Subjects

Transfer Functions for Protein Signal Transduction: Application to a Model of Striatal Neural Plasticity

We present a novel formulation for biochemical reaction networks in the context of signal transduction. The model consists of input-output transfer functions, which are derived from differential equations, using stable equilibria. We select a set of 'source' species, which receive input signals. Signals are transmitted to all other species in the system (the 'target' species) with a specific delay and transmission strength. The delay is computed as the maximal reaction time until a stable equilibrium for the target species is reached, in the context of all other reactions in the system. The transmission strength is the concentration change of the target species. The computed input-output transfer functions can be stored in a matrix, fitted with parameters, and recalled to build discrete dynamical models. By separating reaction time and concentration we can greatly simplify the model, circumventing typical problems of complex dynamical systems. The transfer function transformation can be applied to mass-action kinetic models of signal transduction. The paper shows that this approach yields significant insight, while remaining an executable dynamical model for signal transduction. In particular we can deconstruct the complex system into local transfer functions between individual species. As an example, we examine modularity and signal integration using a published model of striatal neural plasticity. The modules that emerge correspond to a known biological distinction between calcium-dependent and cAMP-dependent pathways. We also found that overall interconnectedness depends on the magnitude of input, with high connectivity at low input and less connectivity at moderate to high input. This general result, which directly follows from the properties of individual transfer functions, contradicts notions of ubiquitous complexity by showing input-dependent signal transmission inactivation.Comment: 13 pages, 5 tables, 15 figure

Photodeposition as a facile route to tunable Pt photocatalysts for hydrogen production:on the role of methanol

Photodeposition of H2PtCl6 in the presence of methanol promotes the formation of highly dispersed, metallic Pt nanoparticles over titania, likely via capture of photogenerated holes by the alcohol to produce an excess of surface electrons for substrate-mediated transfer to Pt complexes, resulting in a high density of surface nucleation sites for Pt reduction. Photocatalytic hydrogen production from water is proportional to the surface density of Pt metal co-catalyst, and hence photodeposition in the presence of high methanol concentrations affords a facile route to optimising photocatalyst design and highlights the importance of tuning co-catalyst properties in photocatalysis