Abstract

The motility of a population of swimming bacteria can be characterized by a random motility coefficient, , the operational equivalent of a diffusion coefficient at the macroscopic level and in the absence of interacting chemical gradients. At the microscopic level, random motility is related to the single-cell parameters: speed, tumbling probability, and index of directional persistence (related to the angle a cell's path assumes following a change in direction). Various mathematical models have been proposed for relating the macroscopic random motility coefficient to these microscopic single-cell parameters. In separate experiments, we have measured motility at both the cell-population and single-cell levels for Escherichia coli. The agreement of these results shows that the macroscopic transport behavior of a population of motile bacteria can be predicted from straightforward microscopic observations on single cells.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aic.690400212/abstract
Abstract
Study Design: This biomechanical study of fractures in cadaver vertebrae used specially designed pedicle screws to determine screw strains during loading of two different fixation constructs. Objectives: The authors determined the relative benefit of adding offset sublaminar hooks to standard pedicle screw constructs to reduce screw bending moments and prevent fixation failure and sagittal collapse. Summary of Background Data: Clinical studies have demonstrated a high incidence of early screw failure in shortsegment pedicle instrumentation constructs used to treat unstable burst fractures. Strategies to prevent early construct failure include longer constructs, anterior strut graft reconstruction, and use of offset sublaminar hooks at the ends of standard short-segment pedicle instrumentation constructs. Methods: Human cadaver spines with an L1 burst fracture were instrumented with a standard short-segment pedicle instrumentation construct using specially instrumented pedicle screws. Mechanical testing was carried out in flexion, extension, side bending, and torsion, and stiffness and screw bending moments were recorded. Offset hooks were applied initially, then removed and testing repeated. Stiffness data were compared to intact and postfracture results, and between augmented and standard constructs. Results: Addition of offset laminar hooks, supralaminar at T11 and infralaminar at L2, to standard short-segment pedicle instrumentation constructs increased stiffness in flexion by 268%, in extension by 223%, in side bending by 161%, and in torsion by 155% (all were significant except torsion). Sublaminar hooks also reduced pedicle screw bending moments to roughly 50% of standard in both flexion and extension (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Supplemental offset hooks significantly increase construct stiffness without sacrificing principles of short-segment pedicle instrumentation, and absorb some part of the construct strain, thereby reducing pedicle screw bending moments and the likelihood of postyield deformation and clinical failure.

http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/1996/02010/Short_segment_Pedicle_Ins trumentation_.6.aspx
Abstract
Study Design. A histologic review of surgical specimens with clinical and radiographic correlations Objective. To analyze the histopathology at the craniocervical junction in chronic rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Summary of Background Data. It has been assumed that the tissue identified on radiography at the craniocervical junction causing anterior spinal cord compression in patients with chronic RA is hypertrophic rheumatoid synovium. To date, no study has positively identified the histology of this tissue.

Methods. Transoral resection of the dens and spinal cord decompression were performed in 33 myelopathic rheumatoid patients with craniocervical instability. The resected specimens were examined histologically. Results. Two unique histologic patterns were identified. Type I synovium has a recognizable synovial structure but without a hyperplastic synovial layer, significant inflammatory cell population, or lymphocytic infiltration typical of early active rheumatoid synovium. Type II synovium is a bland, fibrous, hypercellular tissue that is hypovascular, with little synovium and few inflammatory cells. Clinically and radiologically the two groups are distinct. Patients with Type II synovium are older (P = 0.008) and present with more advanced neurologic involvement caused by spinal cord compression (P = 0.0001). The mean difference in the spinal cord area between the two groups was 20.6 mm (95% confidence interval, 10.031.2 mm ;P = 0.004).
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Conclusions. The histologic specimens suggest that ligamentous destruction is followed by replacement of the rheumatoid synovium with fibrous tissue, whereas the osseous structures reveal severe destruction secondary to mechanical instability, rather than to an acute inflammatory process. Early, preemptive surgical intervention may prevent the development of spinal cord injury caused by instability.

http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2002/10150/Histology_of_the_Craniocer vical_Junction_in.12.aspx