Initial Bacterial Adhesion Properties of Anodically Oxidized Ti6Al4V.

This paper reports about the initial interaction of bacteria with anodically oxidized Ti6Al4V for the use as dental implant abutment surfaces. Ti6Al4V samples are anodically oxidized in hydrofluoric acid using different voltages. The resulting nanotopographies are characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and contact angle measurements. The topographies reach from micro-porous structures with small nanoporosities on top to fully hexagonally aligned nanotubes. For initial bacterial adhesion tests, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are used. Samples are incubated for 2 h and afterwards non-adherent cells are washed off. The results of live/dead staining and cell counts are presented. Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains show different behavior in respect to total number of initially adherent cells on different micro/nanotopographies. The observed reduction of adhered microorganisms is mainly based on underlying microporous topographies.

Gender differences in attributions of self-defense and control in interpartner aggression.

PIP: Previous research into gender differences suggest that the frequency of domestic abuse is equivalent for men and women, that forms of abuse differ by gender, that outcomes are more negative for women, and that the motive for abusive behavior is a desire on the part of men to control women and a desire on the part of women to defend themselves. Based on these predictions, this study compared broader contextual questions of outcomes and attributions to shed light on the gender-specific nature of domestic abuse. Data were gathered from 30 women and 34 men who were involved in violent relationships (not with each other). Data were gathered from the women using the Conflict Tactics Scale and from both groups using the Relationship Abuse Questionnaire. It was found that the frequency of verbal, psychological, threat, and physical abuse did not differ significantly by gender. However, there were major gender differences in outcomes of physical, verbal, psychological, and threat abuse. Men reported frightening their partner significantly more often and were more concerned with controlling the woman. Attributions for abuse also differed between men and women, with women showing a strong self-defense motive. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings and to refine the study instruments. Research is also needed to advance efforts to use the term "battering" as a distinction from violence that is employed for self-defense.^ieng

A delta pH clamp method for analysis of steady-state kinetics of photophosphorylation.

An instrumental device is described which allows steady-state kinetic measurements of photophosphorylation at a desired proton gradient which can be maintained throughout the course of the experiment ('delta pH clamp'). This is achieved by electronic regulation of light intensity using the calibrated 9-aminoacridine fluorescence signal as sensor of the gradient. The instrument is suitable for determination of kinetic parameters of the proton-translocating ATPase in isolated envelope-free chloroplasts under defined conditions. At clamped delta pH, phosphorylation as a function of substrate concentration shows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The true Michaelis constants and the dissociation constants for phosphate and ADP are reported. The Michaelis constants are not affected by the magnitude of the proton gradient in the investigated range. The significance of these results is discussed.

[Pseudarthrosis of the scaphoid: frequency, pathogenesis and course]. / Die Skaphoidpseudarthrose: Häufigkeit, Pathogenese und Verlauf.

Eight-three scaphoid pseudo-arthroses were found amongst 1.104 scaphoid examinations. Sixty-seven were present at the first examination and 16 pseudoarthroses developed amongst 252 scaphoid fractures. Men were affected predominantly, particularly in the 20 to 40-year old group. Fractures in the proximal third of the scaphoid and vertical oblique fractures had a particular tendency to pseudo-arthrosis formation. The operative treatment of choice is a Matti-Russe bone graft. Only one patient in seven with definite scaphoid pseudo-arthrosis showed firm fusion.

[Traumatology and diagnosis of scaphoid fracture]. / Traumatologie und Diagnostik der Skaphoidfraktur.

In 9 years, 1,104 patients had one or more roentgenological studies of the scaphoid; 252 fractures of the scaphoid were found. The most reported traumatic mechanism was a fall on the extended wrist. The form of fracture most seen was transverse fracture of the scaphoid; most of the fractures were found in the middle third of the scaphoid. The primary radiodiagnostic procedure should contain pictures of the wrist in two planes and four special pictures of the scaphoid. The "fat-pad sign" seems to be an unreliable indicator of fracture, but nearly two-thirds of fractures of the scaphoid showed a swelling of the soft tissues in the X-ray picture.

[Radiologic diagnosis of injuries of the wrist]. / Radiologische Diagnostik bei Verletzungen der Handwurzel.

To visualise the rupture of the scaphoid bone it will be sufficient--as has been proven--to perform two additional projections from the navicular series besides the standard x-rays of the wrist joint, namely, with the hand in writing-pen position and in hyperpronation. With this procedure, almost all (99%) of fractures detected during first examination can be diagnosed. To prove the occurrence of fractures of the wrist besides those of the os naviculare, specific x-rays are employed in accordance with the results of an on-target clinical examination. Such x-rays are, in particular: lateral radioulnar x-ray rotated by 10 degrees in volar direction to assess the os triquetrum; lateral radioulnar x-ray in 10-30 degrees supination to visualise the os pisiforme; carpal tunnel x-ray to assess the entire hollow of the hand, in particular the volar parts of os pisiforme, os hamatum (hamulus) and os trapezium. Although such fractures can partly also be diagnosed by means of a navicular series, as already stated, it is not permissible to exclude the presence of a fracture if there are no abnormal findings in the navicular quartet whereas clinical findings are positive.

[Demonstration of enterotoxin in Staphylococcus aureus cultures by the ELISA test and the microslide test]. / Nachweis von Enterotoxin in Kulturüberständen von Staphylococcus aureus mit dem ELISA-Test und dem Microslide-Test.

340 S. aureus strains, isolated either from routine food test samples, or from food leftovers, from healthy or sick persons in cases of suspected food poisoning in various places of the Federal Republic of Germany, were tested for enterotoxin production. The enterotoxin types A, B and C (SEA, SEB and SEC) were determined both by the ELISA and the microslide test (MS-test), the enterotoxin types D and E by the MS-test only. Comparison of the two test methods clearly shows that the ELISA technique is superior to the MS method: The sensitivity of the ELISA was at 2.5 ng, whereas that of the MS-test was limited to approximately 1 microgram. The ELISA revealed 6.2% more of the strains as enterotoxin producers, and reproducibility of the test results was also better with the ELISA than with the MS-test. Furthermore, the ELISA is far more efficient, consuming less test reagents, and with a capacity for testing more strains in a shorter time procedure. The incidence rate of the various enterotoxin types, referred to one representative strain each per outbreak of food poisoning or group of persons investigated, is as follows: 45.3% SEA, 17.2% SEB, 23.4% SEC. The incidence rate of SED, SEE or SE-type combinations was less than 5%. In sick persons, SEA- and SEC-producing strains occurred within the same range, i.e. 34.8% and 30.4% respectively. SEA-producing S. aureus strains had the highest frequency in food samples (61.5%) and in healthy individuals (53.6%).

[The statement of nuclear volume, DNA content and nuclear form in tissue sections (author's transl)]. / Die Darstellung von Kernvolumen, DNS-Gehalt und Kernform an Gewebeschnitten.

15 days after amputation of the forelimb of young postmethamorphic Triturus vulgaris DNA-content and volume of the nuclei of the mesodermal blastema cells have been investigated in longitudinal sections of 2 microns in thickness by Feulgen-photometric and electronic determination of area. Discrimination of the DNA-synthesis phase was carried out using microautoradiography after "in vivo" labeling with tritiated thymidine. Volume and DNA-content of the nuclear sections have been found to be positive correlated. The DNA-synthesising part of the population shows characteristic differences to the mean value of volume and DNA-content of the remaining population. The factor circumference 2/area is suitable to characterize the differentiation degree of cells.