Locking Plate Fixation with Calcium Phosphate Bone Cement Augmentation for Elderly Proximal Humerus Fractures-A Single-Center Experience and Literature Review.

Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are among the most common upper-extremity fractures, with a rising incidence linked to the growing elderly population. Treatment options include non-surgical and surgical methods, but the best approach for geriatric PHFs remains debated. Patient selection for treatment must consider clinical and functional outcomes and the potential complications of surgery. Osteoporosis, a key factor in elderly PHFs, meaning those in patients over 65 years old, often results from low-energy trauma and necessitates treatments that enhance bone healing. Bone cement, such as calcium phosphate, is widely used to improve fracture stability and healing. However, the benefits of surgical fixation with bone cement augmentation (BCA) for elderly PHF patients remain controversial. Hence, in this article, we searched databases including MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science to analyze the evidence on locking plate fixation (LPF) with BCA for proximal humeral fractures. We aim to provide readers with updates concerning the above issues.

High-Temperature, High-Pressure Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Thermal Stability, and Solid State NMR Spectroscopy of an Aluminum Borate, Ba[AlB4O8(OH)].

A new aluminum borate, Ba[AlB4O8(OH)], has been synthesized under high-temperature, high-pressure hydrothermal conditions at 550 °C and 1400 bar and its structure characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, and MAS 11B, and 27Al NMR spectroscopy. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 7.0695(5) Å, b = 15.108(1) Å, c = 7.0746(5) Å, ß = 93.593(2)°, and Z = 4. Its 2D layer structure is formed of corner-sharing B4O8(OH) clusters and AlO4 tetrahedra with the charge-compensating Ba2+ cations between the layers. While the same in the framework composition, the title compound and the hydrate, Ba[AlB4O8(OH)]·H2O, differ greatly in structure. Although the title compound contains an OH group, it is thermally stable up to 740 °C and then decomposes into Ba2Al2B8O17, as indicated by high-temperature DSC/TG analysis and powder X-ray diffraction.

Small versus large volume dilute surfactant lavage for meconium aspiration syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Surfactant lavage has been used to treat neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of lavage with a small volume of dilute surfactant in neonates with MAS, and compare the results with those of historical controls treated with larger volumes. METHODS: From August 2002 to June 2005, we treated 11 newborns with MAS using 20 ml of dilute surfactant at a phospholipid concentration of 10 mg/ml (SVL group). We compared the results with those of 9 infants previously treated with large-volume lavage (LVL group), using 40 ml of dilute surfactant, 5 mg/ml. RESULTS: Both groups were similar at baseline except for a higher mean birth weight in the LVL group (3.29+/-0.36 vs 2.92+/-0.4 kg, P = 0.04). The lavage procedure was longer in the LVL than the SVL group (48.89 +/-7.41 vs. 30.91+/-5.83 mins, P <0.001). Measures of oxygenation, including mean PaO2, oxygenation index, and arterial/alveolar 02 ratio, showed no significant difference between the two groups. Adverse events in the LVL group included transient hypoxemia in 3 infants and white- out on chest x-ray in 5 cases. None of the patients in the SVL group had these findings. The peak mean airway pressure in.the LVL group was higher than that in the SVL group (16.0+/-2. 65 vs 13.3+/-3.01 cmH2O, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: SVL has the same benefits in neonatal MAS as LVL. However, SVL appears to be associated with fewer adverse events.