Lantern-shaped screw loaded with autologous bone for treating osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

BACKGROUND: Treatment for osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in young individuals remains controversial. We developed a lantern-shaped screw, which was designed to provide mechanical support for the femoral head to prevent its collapse, for the treatment of ONFH. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the lantern-shaped screw loaded with autologous bone for the treatment of pre-collapse stages of ONFH. METHODS: Thirty-two patients were randomly divided into two groups: the lantern-shaped screw group (core decompression and lantern-shaped screw loaded with autogenous bone) and the control group (core decompression and autogenous bone graft). During 36 months follow-up after surgery, treatment results in patients were assessed by X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scanning as well as functional recovery Harris hip score (HHS). RESULTS: Successful clinical results were achieved in 15 of 16 hips (94%) in the lantern-shaped screw group compared with 10 of 16 hips (63%) in the control group (p = 0.0325). Successful radiological results were achieved in 14 of 16 hips (88%) in the lantern-shaped screw group compared with 8 of 16 hips (50%) in the control group (P = 0.0221). CONCLUSION: The lantern-shaped screw loaded with autologous bone for the treatment of pre-collapse stages of ONFH is effective and results in preventing progression of ONFH and reducing the risk of femoral head collapse. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-13004078 (retrospectively registered at 2013-11-28).

[Content detemination of total tannin in Smilax glabra with reddish brown and off-white colored cross section].

There are two types of decoction of Smilax glabra due to its reddish brown or off-white colored cross section. These two kinds of decoction were found that they have large difference in anti-inflammatory effects and chemical constituents in the preliminary experiments. Comparing and analyzing the content of total tannin in these two kinds of decoction of S. glabra from 28 areas by UV-Vis spectrophotometry were first used to provide some experimental and theoretical development and utilization of this medicinal resource and quality control. Also, the sample recovery test required in Chinese Pharmacopoeia was improved by adding tannic acid instead of gallic acid to samples.

Unlocking the Capacity of Bismuth Oxide by a Redox Mediator Strategy for High-Performance Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries.

Many cathode materials store zinc ions based on the intercalation reaction mechanism in neutral aqueous Zn-ion batteries, and the structural design of the cathodes has been stuck in the curing mode by extending the ion diffusion channel. Here, we first develop halide ions to unlock the electrochemical activity of conversion-type Bi2O3 in aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Notably, the iodide ion shows the best performance compatibility with the Bi2O3 cathode. The electrochemical reaction mechanism studies show that iodide ions can be regarded as a redox medium to reduce the charge-transfer activation energy and motivate the conversion of Bi2O3 from Bi3+ to Bi0 during the cycle. Unsurprising, the discharge-specific capacity can reach 436.8 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 and achieve a cyclic lifespan of 6000 cycles at a current density of 3 A g-1. The activation of the Bi2O3 conversion reaction by iodide ions is of great significance for broadening the research range of ZIB cathode materials.

Design and biomechanical properties of a new reconstruction device for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Implants currently used for reconstruction of a burst vertebral body are associated with complications, including subsidence, nonunion, and substantial intraoperative blood loss. A new reconstruction device, the U-Cage (Double Engine Medical Material Ltd, Xiamen, Fujian, China), was designed to minimize complications.Six intact adult cadaver thoracolumbar (T11-L3) spines were collected and scanned by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The stiffness of the burst spine was subsequently compared with its previous intact state during flexion/extension, lateral bending, and rotation, and then subjected to a cyclic test to predict cage subsidence and device loosening. Axial load was applied continuously until failure to test the peak load that the specimen could withstand during the cyclic test. The correlation of bone mineral density and peak load was also analyzed. The instrumented specimens were found to be equivalent to intact bone in all directions (P>.05), with the exception of left rotation (P<.05). All specimens could withstand the cyclic test, and no subsidence or loosening of the device was detected. Average peak load for the instrumented specimens was 4137.5 N, which correlated with the average bone mineral density (r=0.915; P=.011).Thoracolumbar burst fractures instrumented with a U-Cage and anterolateral D-rod fixation achieved a stiffness similar to that of intact spines. This procedure may avoid the subsidence of the cage in vivo and serve as a better option for treating thoracolumbar burst fractures.