1,721,032 research outputs found
Plantar pressure distribution in patients with neuropathic diabetic foot
No full textPurpose: To describe the plantar pressure distribution in a selected group of patients with diabetic foot and to highlight their alterations in gait cycle, which follow the involvement of the foot in systemic diabetic neuropathy. Methods: Ten patients with diabetic foot due to insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were studied. Gait cycle kinematics were video-recorded, both in frontal (AP view) and in sagittal (LL view) planes. Plantar pressure measurements+ APview+LLview were synchronized and compared to a computer-graphic generated skeletal model of the foot. Results: In diabetic neuropathic patients, there was a prolonged interval between heel strike and toe-off with respect to normal controls. A limited motion, quite close to frank rigidity, affecting the mid-tarsal, sub-talar and ankle joints was noted. There was an early transfer of load from rear to front-foot. Shear stresses appeared. Metatarsal heads were over-loaded both in magnitude and in time. Areas of over-load present in the static plantar pressure measurement correlated poorly with areas of overload in dynamic plantar pressure measurement and areas where ulceration was present. Conclusion: Prolonged duration of the gait cycle and shear stresses characterize the plantar pressure pattern of diabetic neuropathic patients. Furthermore, results suggest that static plantar pressure measurement has no clinical correlation with areas where ulcerations are present. © Società Italiana Biomateriali
Reciprocal nerve staining (RNS) for the concurrent detection of choline acetyltransferase and myelin basic protein on paraffin-embedded sections
No full textBackground: Objective of our work was to develop a sequential double nonfluorescent immunostaining method which allows the selective identification of myelinated motor fibers in paraffin-embedded samples of peripheral nerves. Motor recovery after a nerve gap-lesion repaired by artificial nerve-guides (“conduits”) is often less complete and slower than sensory recovery. The mechanism for this is not fully understood. New method: Incubation in sheep polyclonal choline acetyltransferase antibody (Abcam 18,736) at dilution of 1:150 was followed by incubation in mouse monoclonal anti-myelin basic protein antibody (Abcam 62,631) at a dilution of 1:5000. Counterstaining was performed with hematoxylin QS (Vector Labs H-3404). Results: Immunostaining of choline acetyltransferase and myelin basic protein can be combined together and results show a good contrast between the light brown of the choline acetyltransferase reaction product and the green of myelin basic protein reaction product. Cell nuclei are stained blue. This new protocol retains the advantages of paraffin embedded sections such as (i) having a relatively simple methodology, (ii) years-long storage life, and (iii) easy sharing among laboratories. Comparison with existing method. This specific combinatorial protocol has never been used before on paraffin embedded sections. It has been named “reciprocal nerve staining” (RNS). Conclusions: Routine combination of choline acetyltransferase and myelin basic protein immunostaining provides a highly specific, highly contrasted paraffin-embedded sections where optical differentiation of myelinated motor fibers is easy and straightforward. This method will likely simplify and speed-up the routine histological study of nerve regeneration and will contribute a better identification of the nerve motor component
Image processing techniques applied to the study of the muscoloskeletal system and its interactions with biomaterials
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Beech coppices in the montane belt of the Central Apennines: monitorino for ecological management guideliness accordino to structure and biodiversity status.
No full textConsideration on the clinical relevance of photogrammetric error in 3-D reconstruction of the spine based on routine x-ray films
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