A challenging problem in orthopedic practice is represented by bone defects may they occur from trauma, malignancy, infection or congenital disease. Bioactive Glasses have a widely recognized ability to foster the growth of bone cells, and to bond strongly with both hard and soft tissues. Upon implantation, Bioactive Glasses undergoes specific reactions, leading to the formation of an amorphous calcium phosphate or crystalline hydroxyapatite phase on the surface of the glass, which is responsible for its strong bonding with the surrounding tissue. This phenomenon sustains a more rapid healing of bone defects and presents great antibacterial properties. In this paper we report on a clinical study that uses S53P4 Bioactive Glass to successfully treat bone defects and testify of the good compatibility of this material with human tissues.

The use of collagen scaffolds and stem cells for obtaining a tissue-engineering complex has been an important concept in promoting repair and regeneration of the bone tissue. Such units represent important steps in the development of an ideal scaffold-cell complex that would sustain new bone apposition. The aim of our study was to perform a histologic evaluation of the healing of critical-sized bone defects, using a biologic collagen scaffold with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, in comparison to negative controls created in the adjacent bone. We used 16 Wistar rats and according to the study design 2 calvarial bone defects were created in each animal, one was filled with collagen seeded with adipose-derived stem cells and the other one was considered negative control. During the following month, at weekly intervals, the animals were euthanized and the specimens from bone defects were histologically evaluated. The results showed that these scaffolds were highly biocompatible as only moderate inflammation no rejection reactions were observed. Furthermore, the first signs of osseous healing appeared after two weeks accompanied by angiogenesis. Collagen scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells can be considered a promising treatment option in bone regeneration of large defects.

Abstract-This paper presents a commercial semantic-based system for the Romanian tourism. The Lela system exploits both open linked data from Romanian and international sources, and also proprietary databases in the tourism domain. We present the process of creating the linked data set, based on: i) engineering the LELA Romanian tourism ontology, and ii) populating the ontology by linking open data. The system also provides a natural language interface for the Romanian language. The queries are automatically translated into SPARQL based on a controlled vocabulary derived from the Lela ontology.

Large bone defects are a medical concern as these are often unable to heal spontaneously, based on the host bone repair mechanisms. In their treatment, bone tissue engineering techniques represent a promising approach by providing a guide for osseous regeneration. As bioactive glasses proved to have osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties, the aim of our study was to evaluate by histologic examination, the differences in the healing of critical-sized calvarial bone defects filled with bioactive glass combined with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, compared to negative controls. We used 16 male Wistar rats subjected to a specific protocol based on which 2 calvarial bone defects were created in each animal, one was filled with Bon Alive S53P4 bioactive glass and adipose-derived stem cells and the other one was considered control. At intervals of one week during the following month, the animals were euthanized and the specimens from bone defects were histologically examined and compared. The results showed that this biomaterial was biocompatible and the first signs of osseous healing appeared in the third week. Bone Alive S53P4 bioactive glass could be an excellent bone substitute, reducing the need of bone grafts.

Noninvasive techniques, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are becoming more used in the study of bone regeneration outcomes, in both animal models and human patients. Many studies have shown the potential of tissue engineering therapies to promote healing of skeletal injuries, but further research is needed to optimize these treatment options. This investigation is a continuation of other previous published studies, in which critical-sized bone defects created in the parietal bones of Wistar rats were filled with either bioglass or a biologic collagen scaffold seeded both with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The present study aims to present the applications of MRI in the assessment of the bone regeneration process in these previously created defects, at specific time intervals. MRI techniques are based on the differences between the spin-latice T1 and spin-spin T2 relaxation times of examined specimens or areas, compared to normal tissues. We measured the relaxation times specific to calvarial specimens with a Brukner Minispec. The results showed that the most favorable results were observed when a collagen scaffold seeded with stem cells was used. MRI enabled the detection of hard and even soft tissue changes, these findings suggesting that MRI could be an effective imaging modality for assessing changes in bone morphology and pathobiology. Furthermore, it can be used as an alternative to Computed Tomography in examining the role of various biomaterials used in bone healing, especially when ionizing radiation is contraindicated.

The aim of the study was to identify differences in obesity-related parameters between active sports students and semi-active or sedentary students, differentiated by sex, in order to optimize health. The study sample included 286 students, of which the male experimental sample consisted of 86 active sports students, age X ± SD 21.25 ± 0.32 years; height X ± SD 181.08 ± 3.52 cm; control group consisting of 89 semi-active students aged X ± SD 21.07 ± 0.1.13 years; height X ± SD 182.11 ± 1.32. The female experimental sample includes 57 active sports students, age X ± SD 21.02 ± 0.92 years; height X ± SD 167.48 ± 1.34 cm; the control group includes 54 semi-active students aged X ± SD 21.57 ± 0.1.98 years; height X ± SD 168.42 ± 1.76. The study used a thalliometer, Tanita Health Ware software and Quantum Resonance Magnetic Analyzer equipment to investigate height (cm), Body Mass Index (BMI), muscle mass (kg, %), as well as the obesity analysis report, and componential analysis of body and nourishment. The differences registered between the samples of active and semi-active sports subjects were predominantly statistically significant for p < 0.05. The differences registered between the samples of active and semi-active sports subjects were predominantly statistically significant for p < 0.05. The most important parameters regarding obesity and body composition that registered significant differences between the two male groups were in favor of the group of active athletes: triglyceride content of abnormal coefficient 0.844 (CI95% 0.590–1.099), abnormal lipid metabolism coefficient 0.798 (CI95% 1.091–0.504), obesity degree of body (ODB %) 10.290 (CI95% 6.610–13.970), BMI 2.326 (CI95% 1.527–3.126), body fat (kg) 2.042 (CI95% 0.918–3.166), muscle volume (kg) 2.565 (CI95% 1.100–4.031), Lean body weight (kg) 2.841 (CI95% 5.265–0.418). In the case of female samples, the group of active sportswomen registered the biggest differences compared to the group of students who were significantly active in the parameters: abnormal lipid metabolism coefficient 1.063 (CI95% 1.380–0.746), triglyceride content of abnormal coefficient 0.807 (CI95% 0.437–1.178), obesity degree of body (ODB%) 8.082 (CI95% 2.983–13.181), BMI 2.285 (CI95% 1.247–3.324), body fat (kg) 2.586 (CI95% 0.905–4.267), muscle volume (kg) 2.570 (CI95% 0.154–4.985), lean body weight (kg) 4.118 (CI95% 1.160–7.077). The results of the study directly facilitate the understanding of the complexity of the impact of obesity on multiple parameters of body composition and health.

Osteocartilaginous tissue normally has the capability of regeneration, which means that many osteoarticular problems or bony defects will heal spontaneously, not needing important interventions. Although the high regenerative capacity of this tissue, large osseous defects encountered difficulties in optimal healing process and remain a clinical challenge, demanding surgical procedures. This aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes using bioactive glass S53P4 (BonAlive�) as a synthetic bone substitute material in some specific orthopedic pathologies like prosthesis revision surgery, and pseudarthrosis.

A good fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring tendons graft is important to withstand the stress on the graft resulting from post-operative rehabilitation. The optimal hamstring tendons graft fixation method remains uncertain within the sports medicine literature. The most used fixation techniques include: suspensory fixation with cortical-buttons, transfemoral fixation with cross-pins, and tunnel aperture fixation with interference screws. Patient recruitment and baseline data collection of this study were done at our hospital between July 2011- March 2016. In this study we included the records of 80 patients with an ACL rupture who elected to undergo ACL reconstructive surgery with allograft tissue. In our study the patients were mixed in 2 groups: (A) patients with interference bone screw group used for anterior ligament reconstruction graft fixation in both the femur and tibia and (B) patients with the cortical flip button group underwent graft fixation with the button on the femoral side and an interference screw on the tibial side. Our clinical study shows no significant differences in the patients� outcomes after using these two fixation devices.