Effect of protein concentrations of bovine serum albumin and γ-globulin on the frictional response of a cobalt-chromium femoral head

An investigation on tribological behavior of methacrylated κ-carrageenan and gellan gum hydrogels as a candidate for chondral repair

Natural polysaccharides have recently attracted attention as structural biomaterials to replace focal chondral defects. In the present study, in-vitro tribological performance of methacrylated κ-carrageenan and gellan gum hydrogels (KA-MA and GG-MA) was evaluated under physiological conditions. Coefficient of friction (COF) was continuously recorded over testing whilst worn area was measured post-testing. The findings help improve our understanding of KA-MA-H and GG-MA-H tribological performance under various physiological conditions. The friction and wear performance of the hydrogels improved in bovine calf serum lubricant at lower applied loads. Adhesion was the dominant wear mechanism detected by SEM. Among the proposed hydrogels GG-MA-H found robust mechanical properties, increased wear resistance and considerably low COF, which may suggest its potential usage as a cartilage substitute.

Synovial Fluid Viscosity Test is Promising for the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infection

BACKGROUND

So far there is no "gold standard" test for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), compelling clinicians to rely on several serological and synovial fluid tests with no 100% accuracy. Synovial fluid viscosity is one of the parameters defining the rheology properties of synovial fluid. We hypothesized that patients with PJI may have a different level of synovial fluid viscosity and aimed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of synovial fluid viscosity in detecting PJI.

METHODS

This prospective study was initiated to enroll patients undergoing primary and revision arthroplasty. Our cohort consisted of 45 patients undergoing revision for PJI (n = 15), revision for aseptic failure (n = 15), and primary arthroplasty (n = 15). PJI was defined using the Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria. In all patients, synovial fluid viscosity, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and plasma d-dimer levels were measured preoperatively.

RESULTS

The synovial fluid viscosity level was significantly lower (P = .0011) in patients with PJI (7.93 mPa·s, range 3.0-15.0) than in patients with aseptic failure (13.11 mPa·s, range 6.3-20.4). Using Youden's index, 11.80 mPa·s was determined as the optimal threshold value for synovial fluid viscosity for the diagnosis of PJI. Synovial fluid viscosity outperformed CRP, ESR, and plasma d-dimer, with a sensitivity of 93.33% and a specificity of 66.67%.

CONCLUSION

Synovial fluid viscosity seems to be on the same level of accuracy with CRP, ESR, and d-dimer regarding PJI detection and to be a promising marker for the diagnosis of PJI.