Fibroblasts can condense a hydrated collagen lattice to a tissue-like structure 1/28th the area of the starting gel in 24 hr. The rate of the process can be regulated by varying the protein content of the lattice, the cell number, or the concentration of an inhibitor such as Colcemid.

Background: For elderly people living in nursing homes, a transport to hospital for a radiological examination can lead to increased anxiety, disorientation and other problems related to the new environment. Objective: To investigate the usefulness of a mobile radiography service for radiological assessment of patients in nursing homes from the patient and staff perspectives. Methods: Lightweight equipment with a digital flat-panel detector was used for mobile radiography on nursing home patients in their own rooms. Data on patient and staff experiences from the service were collected using a questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Image quality was evaluated by the radiographer and a radiologist. Results: The majority of 241 radiography examinations were of the musculoskeletal system (94%). Twelve of 123 patients had pathology that required hospital treatment, while 22 patients with radiographic pathology could be treated locally. The main beneficial factors were security and comfort, acceptance from the patients, no need for transportation, no need for staff to be absent from the nursing homes. Conclusion: Mobile radiography in nursing homes is technically feasible, with good image quality. The most beneficial results were that patients avoided unnecessary transport back and forth to the hospital, and that the majority of patients could be treated locally.

Ten cylindrical implants, made of polycarbonate and covered with a 120-250-nm-thick layer of pure titanium, were implanted into each tibial metaphysis of five rabbits. Observation time was 12 weeks. The implants were surrounded by mature, living bone. No soft tissue intervened between bone and implant at any point. With TEM microscopy the titanium was shown to be bordered by a 20-nm-thick layer of proteoglycans, showing the characteristics of ground substance, and separating the collagen from the implant surface. Cells at the interface were likewise separated from the titanium by such a layer. Hydroxyapatite crystals were observed within the ground substance layer, occasionally seemingly in direct contact with the titanium. Normal mineralization was present 100-500 nm from the implant surface. While this study aims at defining interface anatomy, it also shows that macroscopically smooth-surfaced titanium can readily heal into bone without a soft tissue envelope. This could be of help for materials' choice and design of permanently fixed implants.

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