We compared the mechanical properties of carbon fibre composite bone plates with those of stainless steel and titanium. The composite plates have less stiffness with good fatigue properties. Tissue culture and small animal implantation confirmed the biocompatibility of the material. We also present a preliminary report on the use of the carbon fibre composite plates in 40 forearm fractures. All fractures united, 67% of them showing radiological remodelling within six months. There were no refractures or mechanical failures, but five fractures showed an unexpected reaction; this is discussed.
Shelfoperations performed on 24 patients (27 hips)for late presentation of congenital hip dysplasia were evaluated. The mean age at operation was 14 years 9 months and the mean follow-up 16 years 8 months. Twothirds of the hips had good clinical results at follow-up. Patients operated on under the age of 20 years and with little or no radiological evidence of degenerative joint changes had the highest likelihood of success. The shelf operation was found to provide good cover of the femoral head and, should failure occur, also provides adequate superior support for the seating of an acetabular prosthesis.
We have used a panel of anti-cytokeratin antibodies and immunofluorescence microscopy to examine synovial tissue from a variety of large and small joints in patients with various rheumatic conditions, including RA, OA, AS, pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) and tenosynovitis (TS). In every case we regularly found blood vessels with endothelia which express cytokeratin. Positive staining was obtained with a guinea pig anti-keratin antibody, with monoclonal antibody 8.13 and with a monoclonal antibody specific for keratin 18. Staining of endothelial cells was confirmed by double labelling with antibodies to cytokeratin and factor VIII/von Willebrand factor. We also detected a polypeptide corresponding to cytokeratin 18 (MW 45,000) by Western blotting of synovial tissue. In addition we have isolated pure populations of synovial endothelial cells in culture and demonstrate an extensive cytokeratin intermediate filament network which co-localizes with vimentin filaments. An understanding of the role of the cytokeratin 18 network in synovial endothelium may be important for our understanding of endothelial changes in synovial disease.
A 69-year-old female recently diagnosed as suffering from rheumatoid arthritis presented with a general flare-up of disease including a swollen left ankle. Investigation revealed the swelling to be due to a synovial sarcoma. This unusual cause should be considered in all cases of local joint flares in rheumatoid arthritis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.