Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is the basic component of bone cements. To use it, a dough is prepared from the liquid and powder by mixing right before application, which is normally done by the operating team. During its working phase the dough is then inserted into the tissue where polymerization is completed. Thus, the final implant polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is only created at the implantation site. Besides methyl methacrylate, bone cements sometimes contain other methacrylates, such as butyl methacrylate. To achieve X-ray opacity, radiopacifiers (zirconium dioxide or barium sulfate) are added to the powder. Both the liquid and powder components contain additives (initiator and activator) that launch polymerization and control the set ting when mixed together. Moreover, softener and emulsifiers are some times used. The addition of antibiotics to the powder component in order to prevent or treat infections has become especially important. Commercial bone cements differ in composition and the course of curing. Some are designed for high and others for low viscosity. The way the user handles and applies the cement always crucially influences the quality of the implant. This is why clear and comprehensive information about the cements should be available to show the user how all the relevant factors work It should also be possible together and how they depend on each other."

Musculosketal infections are potentially devastating for the patient,

his family and the health care services, as they may lead to functional

impairment, long lasting disability, or even permanent handicap.

This problem may also have socioeconomic implications. Infection

commonly results in prolonged use of antibiotics, multiple operations,

complications, extended rehabilitation and long lasting followup

visits with additional costs for the health care provider.

This book covers contributions from international experts who came

together in Potsdam, Germany, at the invitation of Professor Heino

Kienapfel, MD PhD, of the Department of Special Orthopaedic

Surgery and Traumatology of the Centre of Joint Arthroplasty,

Auguste Viktoria Clinics Berlin.

The focus of this book is the state of the art of:

-Antimicrobial Resistances: Facts and Statistics

- Arthroplasty Registers in EU: Status and Development

- Microbiology in Arthroplasty

- Strategies in Antibiotic Treatment

- Spacer Management: Clinical Experiences and Requirements

- Biofilm Creation: Low Grade Infection

- Revision: Cemented vs. Cementless

- Revision: One-stage vs. Two-stage treatment

The Editors of "Essentials of Cemented Knee Arthroplasty" have compiled a comprehensive textbook on what many consider the most successful surgical procedure of the century. This book rounds out the compendium previously published by Springer on arthroplasty related topics: "The Well Cemented Total Hip Arthroplasty", "PMMA Cements", and "Management of Periprosthetic Joint Infection". Unique to this text is the high quality contributions from over 160 world wide experts in the field, and provides a unique international perspective on the multifaceted topic of knee replacement surgery. Sections include a focus on Surgical Indications, Implant Design, Novel Technologies, Complications, and Cementing Technique, amongst others. Each Chapter not only draws on the most current literature on the subject, but also crystalizes the most important points into clinically relevant, practically applicable "take home messages". This singular text is notable for not only its breadth, but also its depth, and will be an invaluable resource for knee arthroplasty surgeons throughout the globe.

Just over a thousand years ago, the Song dynasty emerged as the most advanced civilization on earth. Within two centuries, China was home to nearly half of all humankind. In this concise history, we learn why the inventiveness of this era has been favorably compared with the European Renaissance, which in many ways the Song transformation surpassed.

With the chaotic dissolution of the Tang dynasty, the old aristocratic families vanished. A new class of scholar-officials--products of a meritocratic examination system--took up the task of reshaping Chinese tradition by adapting the precepts of Confucianism to a rapidly changing world. Through fiscal reforms, these elites liberalized the economy, eased the tax burden, and put paper money into circulation. Their redesigned capitals buzzed with traders, while the education system offered advancement to talented men of modest means. Their rationalist approach led to inventions in printing, shipbuilding, weaving, ceramics manufacture, mining, and agriculture. With a realist's eye, they studied the natural world and applied their observations in art and science. And with the souls of diplomats, they chose peace over war with the aggressors on their borders. Yet persistent military threats from these nomadic tribes--which the Chinese scorned as their cultural inferiors--redefined China's understanding of its place in the world and solidified a sense of what it meant to be Chinese.

"The Age of Confucian Rule" is an essential introduction to this transformative era. "A scholar should congratulate himself that he has been born in such a time" (Zhao Ruyu, 1194).

This study, the first of two parts which will give a comprehensive account of Chinese textiles and textile technology, deals with the evolution of bast fibre spinning and silk-reeling in the history of China. These operations are the basic techniques in the production of yarn and thread, pre-requisite to weaving, and any study of Chinese textile technology must start with the raw material obtained from fibre plants such as hemp, ramie, jute, cotton, etc, and silk reeled off from cocoons of the domestic silkworm. Here for the first time in a publication outside China, the raw material, and the processing techniques applied to it, are documented in their context of historical evolution, geographical distribution and economic significance in an agrarian society. The time-span covered runs from the neolithic to the nineteenth century. Archaeological and pictoral evidence, the bulk of it hitherto unpublished in the West, is brought together with Chinese textual sources (which are extensively translated and interpreted) to illustrate Chinese achievements in this field. Professor Kuhn’s study reveals the way in which Chinese textile-technological inventiveness has influenced textile production in other regions of the world and in medieval Europe. It explains how textile technology reached its high point between the tenth and thirteenth centuries and attempts to indicate the reasons for its subsequent relative decline. The development of the textile industry in Europe was a key factor in the rise of capitalism. In the case of China after Sung times, textile technology and the organisation of textile labour may help indicate why such a development did not take place in China.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is among the most serious complications in the field of endoprosthetics. The number of PJIs is increasing worldwide and poses a real interdisciplinary challenge for everyone involved. For the patient concerned, it is necessary to promptly work out an adequate therapy solution to fight off the infection. Both the clinical experience of the surgeon and the proper diagnostic processes are prerequisite for the reliable detection and identification of an infection. The microbiologist is responsible for identifying the causative germs by screening the patient's synovial fluid and tissue samples. Based on the findings and subsequent resistance testing, the infectious disease specialist can recommend the appropriate antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, the clinical pharmacist is consulted regularly throughout the therapy to discuss the risk of potential drug interactions. The surgeon will proceed with the revision surgery, following defined algorithms. Adequate radical debridement of infected and necrotic surrounding tissue is the most important step towards a successful cure of the infection. Accompanying the surgery, anti-infective agents are given systemically and locally. While systemic application of anti-infectives mainly reduces the number of haematogenic-spreading planktonic germs, local application immediately forms a colonization barrier and protects the implant from sessile biofilm formation. Concurrently, antibiotics are actively released from the implant, resulting in local germ reduction. Thus, local agents are embedded in the concept of surgical PJI treatment as a reliable adjuvant measure and they sustainably support the successful outcome. In one-stage procedures, local agents are released from specialized antibiotic-loaded bone cements, while in two- or multi-stage procedures, local agents are released from corresponding temporary spacers (interim prostheses). Even from an economic standpoint, the combination of systemic and local agent application is meaningful. Furthermore, there are some interesting trends towards the coating of metallic implants to protect against biofilm formation on the implant surface. On the basis of their personal experience, specialists from all over the world present, explain and discuss preventive approaches, appropriate diagnostic strategies for detection, reproducible effective surgical treatments as well as the economic impact of PJI. The reader can use this book as a solid platform for comparing their own approach to PJI treatment with the specialists' recommendations.

Als Beitrag zur Wiederentdeckung der Theologie Ernst Lohmeyers (1890-1946) untersucht diese Monographie die Verbindung von Philosophie und Theologie in Lohmeyers Denken. Philosophisch orientiert sich Lohmeyer an der Erkenntnistheorie Richard Hoenigswalds. Die historische Frage nach neutestamentlichen Inhalten ist fur Lohmeyer untrennbar verbunden mit ihrer sachlichen Begrundung. So interpretiert er zum Beispiel die mythische Ausdrucksweise des Neuen Testaments, indem er nach den Grunden dieser historisch bedingten Sprache fragt. Damit stellt sein Denken sowohl eine Alternative zur rein historisch-kritischen Forschung wie auch zur existentialen Interpretation der Bultmann-Schule dar.

Das Werk ist einerseits ein Fachbuch, das beschreibt, wie man in China wirtschaftlich tatig werden kann und was dabei zu beachten ist, und andererseits ein Ratgeber fur die Zusammenarbeit mit Chinesen, der den interkulturellen Hintergrund beleuchtet."

Cementing endoprostheses is one of the most frequently performed orthopedic procedures in the world today. PMMA cements are used to anchor artificial joints. They fill up the free space between the prosthesis and bone and constitute a very important elastic zone. Owing to their optimal rigidity the cement can evenly buffer the forces acting against the bone. Although the bone cement which are currently commercially available are all based on the same chemical substance (methyl methacrylate = MMA), their physical and chemical properties differ. The completely revised second addition of the book "PMMA (Bone) Cements" could not have a better timing. In a contemporary overview about biological, physical and chemical characteristics of PMMA cement, physicians, material developers, pharmacists, microbiologist, and economists should gain a basic understanding of the subject. It should also serve them as a reference book. In particular for future physicians and hospital personnel numerous questions will be addressed which have been posed during trainings, congresses and expert gatherings concerning the use of PMMA cement in the operating theater in a save and competent way. Also for decision makers at the hospital administration a comprehensive platform has been created which can be used as a basis of their assessment.