Remotely Controlled Electrochemical Degradation of Metallic Implants.

Biodegradable medical implants promise to benefit patients by eliminating risks and discomfort associated with permanent implantation or surgical removal. The time until full resorption is largely determined by the implant's material composition, geometric design, and surface properties. Implants with a fixed residence time, however, cannot account for the needs of individual patients, thereby imposing limits on personalization.

Inherent Antibacterial Properties of Biodegradable FeMnC(Cu) Alloys for Implant Application.

Implant-related infections or inflammation are one of the main reasons for implant failure. Therefore, different concepts for prevention are needed, which strongly promote the development and validation of improved material designs. Besides modifying the implant surface by, for example, antibacterial coatings (also implying drugs) for deterring or eliminating harmful bacteria, it is a highly promising strategy to prevent such implant infections by antibacterial substrate materials.

Cell-Material Interactions in Direct Contact Culture of Endothelial Cells on Biodegradable Iron-Based Stents Fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Impact of Ion Release.

Additive manufacturing is a promising technology for the fabrication of customized implants with complex geometry. The objective of this study was to investigate the initial cell-material interaction of degradable Fe-30Mn-1C-0.02S stent structures in comparison to conventional 316L as a reference, both processed by laser powder bed fusion.

In-depth analysis of life values and their corresponding inhibitors and facilitators in chronic low back pain patients: A mixed-method approach.

Background: The struggle with pain often interferes with the ability of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients to pursue important life values due to psychological inflexibility.

Objective: This research examined life values, related inhibitors and facilitators relevant to personalized therapy planning.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-four CLBP patients completed the Chronic Pain Values Inventory (CPVI).

Biphasic Scaffolds from Marine Collagens for Regeneration of Osteochondral Defects.

Background: Collagens of marine origin are applied increasingly as alternatives to mammalian collagens in tissue engineering. The aim of the present study was to develop a biphasic scaffold from exclusively marine collagens supporting both osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation and to find a suitable setup for in vitro chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stroma cells (hMSC).

Methods: Biphasic scaffolds from biomimetically mineralized salmon collagen and fibrillized jellyfish collagen were fabricated by joint freeze-drying and crosslinking.

The impact of age and gender on the ICF-based assessment of chronic low back pain.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of age and gender on the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF)-based assessment for chronic low back pain.

Methods: Two hundred forty-four chronic low back pain patients (52% female) with a mean age of 49 years (SD =17.64) were interviewed with the comprehensive ICF core set for activities and participation, and environmental factors.

Age-related test-retest reliability of isometric trunk torque measurements in patiens with chronic low back pain.

Objective: To investigate the short- and long-term reliability of isometric trunk strength measurements in patients with chronic low back pain in different age groups.

Design: Test-retest reliability study.

Patients: A total of 210 patients (age groups 18-39, 40-59 and 60-90 years).

Additive manufacturing of collagen scaffolds by three-dimensional plotting of highly viscous dispersions.

Additive manufacturing (AM) allows the free form fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) structures with distinct external geometry, fitting into a patient-specific defect, and defined internal pore architecture. However, fabrication of predesigned collagen scaffolds using AM-based technologies is challenging due to the low viscosity of collagen solutions, gels or dispersions commonly used for scaffold preparation. In the present study, we have developed a straightforward method which is based on 3D plotting of a highly viscous, high density collagen dispersion.

Three-dimensional plotting of a cell-laden alginate/methylcellulose blend: towards biofabrication of tissue engineering constructs with clinically relevant dimensions.

Biofabrication of tissue engineering constructs with tailored architecture and organized cell placement using rapid prototyping technologies is a major research focus in the field of regenerative therapies. This study describes a novel alginate-based material suitable for both cell embedding and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) structures with predefined geometry by 3D plotting. The favourable printing properties of the material were achieved by using a simple strategy: addition of methylcellulose (MC) to a 3% alginate solution resulted in a strongly enhanced viscosity, which enabled accurate and easy deposition without high technical efforts.

Improved Sterilization of Sensitive Biomaterials with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide at Low Temperature.

The development of bio-resorbable implant materials is rapidly going on. Sterilization of those materials is inevitable to assure the hygienic requirements for critical medical devices according to the medical device directive (MDD, 93/42/EG). Biopolymer-containing biomaterials are often highly sensitive towards classical sterilization procedures like steam, ethylene oxide treatment or gamma irradiation.

Age and gender related neuromuscular changes in trunk flexion-extension.

Background: The root mean square surface electromyographic activity of lumbar extensor muscles during dynamic trunk flexion and extension from a standing position and task specific spine ranges of motion objectively assess muscle function in healthy young and middle age individuals. However, literature on neuromuscular activation and associated spine and hip kinematics in older individuals is sparse. This cross sectional study sought to examine the sex and age (<40 versus >60 years) related differences in the neuromuscular activation profiles of the lumbar extensors and the related spine and hip kinematics from healthy individuals during a standardized trunk flexion-extension task.

The potential use of spectral electromyographic fatigue as a screening and outcome monitoring tool of sarcopenic back muscle alterations.

Background: To examine whether or not median frequency surface electromyographic (MF-EMG) back muscle fatigue monitoring would be able to identify alterations in back muscle function in elderly muscles, if a protocol was used that allowed optimum standardization of the processes underlying electromyographic fatigue, and whether these tests were reliable from day to day.

Methods: A total of 42 older (21 females; 67 (±10.5) years old) and 44 younger persons (19 females; 33 (±10) years) performed maximum isometric back extensions which were followed by one 30 s lasting 80% submaximum extension.

Reliability of isometric trunk moment measurements in healthy persons over 50 years of age.

Objective: To determine the short- and long-term test-retest reliability of maximum isometric trunk moment measurements in healthy volunteers over 50 years of age, to compare these results with those from volunteers younger than 50 years, and to test whether volunteers' anticipatory emotional state affects the precision of these measurements.

Methods: Forty-two older persons (21 females; age range 50-90 years) and 44 younger persons (19 females; age range 18-49 years) performed maximum isometric trunk extensions, flexions, and rotations using dynamometers (DAVID, Fi, David Health Solutions Ltd, Helsinki, Finland). They repeated the tests after 1-2 days (short-term) and at 6 weeks (long-term).

Diagnostic accuracy and reliability of muscle strength and endurance measurements in patients with chronic low back pain.

Objective: Dynamometric trunk muscle strength and endurance tests are performed widely within the rehabilitation management of chronic low back pain. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy and long-term reliability of these measurements in patients with chronic low back pain.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Low-back pain assessment based on the Brief ICF Core Sets: diagnostic relevance of motor performance and psychological tests.

Objective: The Brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Sets for chronic low-back pain (cLBP) have included the three body functional categories sensation of pain, muscle functions, and emotional functions. As the latter two categories represent umbrella terms, the objective of this research was to identify those clinical tests that most expediently substantiate these two categories.

Design: This case-control study included 32 consecutive cLBP patients and 19 nonathletic healthy controls (HC), matched in age, body mass index, and sex.