Accuracy of micro powder dosing via a vibratory sieve-chute system.

This paper describes a powder dosing system with a vibratory sieve mounted on a chute that doses particles into a capsule. Vertical vibration occurred with a broad range of frequencies and amplitudes. During dosing events, the fill weight was accurately recorded via a capacitance sensor, covering the capsules and making it possible to analyze filling characteristics, that is, the fill rates and their robustness. The range of frequencies and amplitudes was screened for settings that facilitated reasonable (no blocking, no spilling) fill rates for three lactose powders. The filling characteristics were studied within this operating space. The results reveal similar operating spaces for all investigated powders. The fill rate robustness varied distinctly in the operating space, which is of prime importance for selecting the settings for continuous feeding applications. In addition, we present accurate dosing studies utilizing the knowledge about the filling characteristics of each powder.

Arthroskopische|| Rotatorenmanschettenrekonstruktion.

Although most subacromial decompressions are performed||| arthroscopically, rotator cuff repair is still performed using an open or||| mini-open procedure. Arthroscopic techniques have improved in the last decade,||| however, so that rotator cuff repair can also be performed arthroscopically.||| The potential complications of open repair are thus reduced and the superior||| functional results of cuff repair in comparison to debridement alone are||| maintained. The proposed advantages of the arthroscopic method are that it||| provides access to the glenohumeral joint for inspection and treatment of||| intra-articular lesions. The skin incisions are smaller, detachment of the||| deltoid muscle is not necessary, and there is less soft tissue dissection. By||| inspecting the bursal and articular side of the ruptured cuff, it is possible||| to measure the size of the tear and assess the quality of the tendon and||| whether it can be repaired. We present our arthroscopic technique of rotator||| cuff repair using bioabsorbable suture anchors and demonstrate our 1- to||| 6-years results with various suture anchors.

Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization using Mitek anchors.

The purpose of this paper is to report our experience with an arthroscopic stabilization technique using bone anchors in the treatment of chronic unidirectional anterior-inferior shoulder instability. 30 of 32 patients (average age, 26 years) were followed for an average of 24 months (range 12 to 36). There were 28 patients with dislocations and four with subluxations. In the group of the dislocators five patients had more than 10 dislocations and 15 patients between one and seven (average three). In 68% a sport injury was the reason for the first dislocation. Due to the length of the labroligamentous detachment two to four anchors were used for stabilization. According to the criteria of Rowe, in the group of the subluxators (4) two had an excellent and two a good result. In the group of the dislocators (26) two patients dislocated their shoulder again after reconstruction without a new accident, one had a recurrent dislocation from significant trauma. Two of them had an open stabilization afterwards. Overall there were 53.9% excellent, 34.6% good and 11.5% poor results. In 50% there was no restriction of shoulder motion, 21% had a loss of external rotation of 5 degrees and 29% of 10 degrees. Arthroscopic shoulder stabilization with help of Mitek anchors seems to be a good method for treatment of chronic unidirectional anterior-inferior instabilities with less than 10 dislocations preoperatively. All patients, who suffered a spontaneous recurrent dislocation, had more than 10 dislocations before. In these cases this arthroscopic procedure is not suited to restore stability, even if a Bankart-lesion is present.

[Arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstruction]. / Arthroskopische Rotatorenmanschettenrekonstruktion.

Although most subacromial decompressions are performed arthroscopically, rotator cuff repair is still performed using an open or mini-open procedure. Arthroscopic techniques have improved in the last decade, however, so that rotator cuff repair can also be performed arthroscopically. The potential complications of open repair are thus reduced and the superior functional results of cuff repair in comparison to débridement alone are maintained. The proposed advantages of the arthroscopic method are that it provides access to the glenohumeral joint for inspection and treatment of intra-articular lesions. The skin incisions are smaller, detachment of the deltoid muscle is not necessary, and there is less soft tissue dissection. By inspecting the bursal and articular side of the ruptured cuff, it is possible to measure the size of the tear and assess the quality of the tendon and whether it can be repaired. We present our arthroscopic technique of rotator cuff repair using bioabsorbable suture anchors and demonstrate our 1- to 6-years results with various suture anchors.

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric determination of clonidine in body fluids. Application to pharmacokinetics.

Depending on the very low therapeutic doses of clonidine and the resulting low blood levels (in the pg/ml range), for quantitative determinations in body fluids only methods of necessary selectivity as well as corresponding sensitivity can be employed successfully. Furthermore, the method should also be suited for the rapid processing of large sample numbers generated e.g. during clinical studies evaluating pharmacokinetics and/or the bioavailability/bioequivalence. Thus a gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric assay was developed employing fused-silica, bonded-phase capillary columns, chemical ionization with ammonia as a selective reagent gas in combination with the registration of preselected, characteristic negative ions (SIR, NICI) and a deuterated internal standard. Therefore, the method proves to be exceptionally selective and sensitive: a lower limit of detection of 10 pg/ml plasma is reached, the calibration curve is linear in the 25-1500 pg/ml range and the recovery from blood exceeds 90%. The assay has been successfully approved in several clinical studies, whereby especially the simple sample preparation led to very short times for analysis.

Influence of Feeding Dehydrated Poultry Waste on Composition and Organoleptic Quality of Milk 1.

A double reversal trial with three, 4-week periods was used to determine the effect on milk quality of feeding dehydrated poultry waste to lactating dairy cows. Fifteen cows were fed a control ration for 4 weeks (Period 1), followed by an experimental ration containing dehydrated poultry waste for 4 weeks (Period 2), and then by the control ration for 4 weeks (Period 3). Milk was collected daily and scored by five judges using the ADSA milk flavor scoring guide. Milk compsition (fat, protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat) was determined on alternate days. During Periods 2 and 3 weekly composite samples were collected to determine concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and tocopherol. No significant differences were found in any of the milk quality factors studied.