Can low-grade chondrosarcoma in flat bones be treated with intralesional curettage and cryotherapy?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chondrosarcomas in flat bones are thought to be more aggressive in their behavior, and little is known about intralesional treatment outcomes of low-grade chondrosarcoma in these locations. We tried to find the differences between patients who had low-grade chondrosarcoma in their flat bones versus those with long bone involvement with regard to (1) disease outcome, (2) functional outcome, and (3) treatment complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients with primary low-grade chondrosarcoma who were treated with intralesional curettage and cryotherapy. The patients were divided by location of tumor, group I (flat bones, seven patients) and group II (long bones, 37 patients). RESULTS: The local recurrence rate was higher in group I with 5 years disease-free survival of 80.0% in group I and 97.0% in group II (p = 0.001). All recurrent cases were noted to have initially presented with soft tissue extension (Enneking stage IB). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score at the last follow-up was 21.7 in group I and 27.9 in group II (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional curettage and cryotherapy for low-grade chondrosarcoma appear to be a safe and reasonable surgical option for patients with lesions confined to bone (Enneking stage IA). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Can Rigid Femoral Nailing Be Used for Pediatric Femoral Shaft Fracture in Children 8 to 10 Years? Use of RIN in Patients With Femoral Shaft Fracture.

BACKGROUND: The treatment modalities for pediatric femoral shaft fractures are determined by their age, weight, and fracture pattern. Rigid intramedullary nailing (RIN) is usually recommended for patients >11 years of age, and elastic intramedullary nailing (EIN) has been used for patients under 10 years. However, little is known about the use of RIN in patients aged 8 to 10 years. We examined the differences in patients with femoral shaft fractures who were treated with EIN or RIN in terms of (1) fracture healing; (2) changes of anatomic parameters; and (3) related complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 54 patients between 8 and 10 years of age, with femoral shaft fractures, who were treated with either EIN or RIN between 2011 and 2020. Lateral trochanteric entry was used for RIN procedure. The mean follow-up period was 26.4 months (range, 6 to 113 mo). There were 17 patients in the EIN group and 37 patients in the RIN group. The mean age at the time of surgery was 1 year younger in the EIN group ( P <0.01). The mean weight of the patient was significantly heavier in the RIN group compared with the EIN group. RESULTS: Complete union of the fracture was achieved slightly faster in the RIN group at 3.4 months compared with 3.7 months in the EIN group ( P =0.04). There were no clinically significant changes of the anatomic parameters in either group, including neck shaft angle and articulotrochanteric distance. There was no evidence of avascular necrosis at the time of final follow-up for either group. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: RIN using lateral trochanteric entry is a feasible surgical option for femoral shaft fractures in patients 8 to 10 years of age that are heavier than 40 kg or with unstable fracture patterns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Colorimetric Cotton Swab for Viral Protease Detection.

Reporting the activity of a specific viral protease remains an acute need for rapid point-of-care detection strategies that can distinguish active infection from a resolved infection. In this work, we present a simple colorimetric approach for reporting the activity of a specific viral protease through direct color conversion on a cotton swab, which has the potential to be extended to detect the corresponding virus. We use SARS-CoV-2 viral protease as a proof-of-concept model system. We use 4-aminomalachite green (4-AMG) as the base chromophore structure to design a CoV2-AMG reporter, which is selective toward the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro but does not produce any observable color change in the presence of other viral proteases. The color change is observable by the naked eye, as well as smartphone imaging, which affords a lower limit of detection. The simplicity and generalizability of the method could be instrumental in combating future viral outbreaks.

Developmental pattern of the hip in patients with hereditary multiple exostoses.

BACKGROUND: Coxa valga is a common clinical feature of hereditary multiple exostoses (HME). The current study aimed to determine the unique developmental pattern of the hip in patients with HME and evaluate the factors that influence its progression. METHODS: Thirty patients (57 hips) with HME were divided into two groups according to the Hilgenreiner epiphyseal angle (HEA). Twenty-two patients (44 hips) including 13 men and 9 women were assigned to group 1 (HEA <25°), and 8 patients (13 hips) including 3 men and 5 women were assigned to group 2 (HEA ≥25°). The mean age at the initial presentation was 6.0 (4-12) years with 6.8 (4-11) years of follow-up in group 1, and 10.4 (8-13) years with 5.4 (2-9) years of follow-up in group 2. We measured the HEA, neck-shaft angle (NSA), acetabular index (AI), center-edge angle (CEA), and migration percentage (MP) for radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: Among the hips, 50 (87.7%) hips had coxa valga and 27 (47.4%) hips had abnormal MP (42.1% were borderline and 5.3% were subluxated). There was a significant difference in the HEA and NSA between the groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The HEA significantly correlated with the development of the NSA and no correlation was found between the HEA and AI, CEA, and MP. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant relationship between the HEA at the initial presentation and the NSA at skeletal maturity. We should consider guided growth for patients with lower HEA to prevent significant coxa valga deformity with close follow-up.

The Effect of Alendronate Loaded Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds on Bone Regeneration in a Rat Tibial Defect Model.

This study investigated the effect of alendronate (Aln) released from biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds. We evaluated the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of Aln/BCP scaffolds using MG-63 cells and the in vivo bone regenerative capability of Aln/BCP scaffolds using a rat tibial defect model with radiography, micro-computed tomography (CT), and histological examination. In vitro studies included the surface morphology of BCP and Aln-loaded BCP scaffolds visualized using field-emission scanning electron microscope, release kinetics of Aln from BCP scaffolds, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium deposition, and gene expression. The in vitro studies showed that sustained release of Aln from the BCP scaffolds consisted of porous microstructures, and revealed that MG-63 cells cultured on Aln-loaded BCP scaffolds showed significantly increased ALP activity, calcium deposition, and gene expression compared to cells cultured on BCP scaffolds. The in vivo studies using radiograph and histology examination revealed abundant callus formation and bone maturation at the site in the Aln/BCP groups compared to the control group. However, solid bony bridge formation was not observed at plain radiographs until 8 weeks. Micro-CT analysis revealed that bone mineral density and bone formation volume were increased over time in an Aln concentration-dependent manner. These results suggested that Aln/BCP scaffolds have the potential for controlling the release of Aln and enhance bone formation and mineralization.

Self-assembly behavior of alkylated isophthalic acids revisited: concentration in control and guest-induced phase transformation.

The engineering of two-dimensional crystals by physisorption-based molecular self-assembly at the liquid-solid interface is a powerful method to functionalize and nanostructure surfaces. The formation of high-symmetry networks from low-symmetry building blocks is a particularly important target. Alkylated isophthalic acid (ISA) derivatives are early test systems, and it was demonstrated that to produce a so-called porous hexagonal packing of plane group p6, i.e., a regular array of nanowells, either short alkyl chains or the introduction of bulky groups within the chains were mandatory. After all, the van der Waals interactions between adjacent alkyl chains or alkyl chains and the surface would dominate the ideal hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups, and therefore, a close-packed lamella structure (plane group p2) was uniquely observed. In this contribution, we show two versatile approaches to circumvent this problem, which are based on well-known principles: the "concentration in control" and the "guest-induced transformation" methods. The successful application of these methods makes ISA suitable building blocks to engineer a porous pattern, in which the distance between the pores can be tuned with nanometer precision.

Humidity effect of domain wall roughening behavior in ferroelectric copolymer thin films.

We have demonstrated that domain switching in ferroelectric copolymer films can be significantly affected by humidity. With increasing relative humidity (RH), we observed larger domains with highly irregular boundaries as a result of lateral spreading of the tip-induced electric field that originates from water adsorption. Fractal dimension study of irregular domains reveals that the fractal dimension is higher in cases where the RH is higher. The results show that the RH is one of the major switching parameters in ferroelectric copolymers, and therefore could allow clear understanding with regard to domain switching behavior in the ferroelectric copolymer films under ambient conditions.

Assessment of skeletal age in multiple epiphyseal dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Determining the skeletal age in patients with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) is essential for predicting the adult height and guiding the timing of limb lengthening, epiphysiodesis, and other surgical procedures. In the present study, we examined the patterns of skeletal age delay using 3 different methods, the Greulich-Pyle (GP) atlas method, the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 (TW3) method using radius-ulna-short bones (RUS) scoring system, and the TW3 method using the carpal bone maturity scoring system. METHODS: Left hand radiographs from 23 patients (age range, 3 to 14 y) with MED were examined to determine the skeletal age. We examined the reliability of the 3 different methods and evaluated the difference between the chronological age and the skeletal age. RESULTS: The interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities were higher with the GP atlas method and the TW3 RUS method compared with the TW3 carpal bone maturity scoring system. There was significant skeletal age delay irrespective of the method used (P<0.01). When we used the TW3 carpal method, the pattern of skeletal age delay was significantly distinct from the other 2 methods. According to the measurement method, there was no statistically significant difference in the developmental skeletal age pattern among the COMP gene group, the MATN3 gene group, and other gene groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that there is a distinct skeletal maturation pattern in patients with MED. The skeletal age is relatively delayed compared with the chronological age irrespective of the measuring method utilized. However, use of either the GP atlas or the TW3 RUS method provided more accurate information on the skeletal development in the patients with MED than that provided by the TW3 carpal bone maturity scoring system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I. Diagnostic study.

Timing of premature physeal closure in Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease.

PURPOSE: Premature physeal closure of the proximal femoral physis has been reported in Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD). However, the timing of its occurrence had not yet been reported. We proposed (1) to determine the timing of premature physeal closure in unilateral LCPD with serial radiographic evaluation, and (2) to evaluate the relationship between the premature physeal closure and Herring classification, leg-length discrepancy (LLD), Stulberg classification, and trochanteric overgrowth. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study with serial radiographs of 27 patients diagnosed with LCPD. The difference in the timing of physeal closure between the hips was calculated. The involved hip was classified according to Herring classification. The LLD and ATD index at latest follow up was measured. The mean values were calculated and statistical comparison of variables was done using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The mean difference of physeal closure at the involved hip compared to the uninvolved side was 3.5 years (range, two to five years). Hips demonstrating premature physeal closure were associated with Herring B/C and C (p = 0.01) and LLD >1 cm (p = 0.02). There is no correlation between Stulberg classification, trochanteric overgrowth and premature physeal closure (p = 0.06 and p = 0.19). CONCLUSIONS: We may expect premature physeal closure of the proximal femoral physis in patients with LCPD to occur 3.5 years earlier than normal hips. Presence of premature physeal closure can be an adjunct diagnostic tool in the prognostication of LCPD outcomes. Future studies directed toward premature physeal closure in LCPD and associated growth disturbances are necessary.

Extent of physeal involvement in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease.

PURPOSE: The growth plate involvement (GPI) index is reportedly a reliable predictor of final radiographic outcome in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD). We determined whether (1) the GPI index was associated with the lateral pillar classification, (2) the GPI index could predict the final radiographic outcome, and (3) the geometry of proximal femur was affected by presence of physeal involvement. METHODS: We reviewed 47 patients with unilateral LCPD who were treated conservatively. The mean duration of follow-up was 9.5 years (range, five to 13 years). The affected hips were categorized into those with and without physeal involvement. Herring classifications were determined and the GPI indices were estimated at the stage of maximum fragmentation. The Stulberg classification, leg length discrepancy (LLD), articulotrochanteric distance (ATD) index, neck-shaft angle (NSA), neck width and height were determined at skeletal maturity. RESULTS: The GPI indices were lower in Herring groups A and B (p < 0.001) and Stulberg classes I and II (p = 0.002), and these values were increased in the Herring group B/C and C and Stulberg classes III, IV and V. However, the age of onset, LLD and ATD index at skeletal maturity were not associated with the GPI index. The NSA of the affected hips with physeal involvement was significantly different compared to that of unaffected hips (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The GPI index could be used to determine the extent of physeal involvement in LCPD, and might be considered one of the prognostic values of radiographic development in patients with LCPD who are treated conservatively.

Can residual leg shortening be predicted in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease?

BACKGROUND: Although Legg-Calvé-Perthes' disease (LCPD) is frequently associated with varying degrees of femoral head deformity and leg length discrepancy (LLD), no factors that predict residual shortening have been clearly identified. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We attempted to determine whether (1) the extent of femoral head involvement; (2) varus osteotomy; and (3) patient demographic characteristics are associated with LLD at skeletal maturity in patients with LCPD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 168 skeletally mature patients with unilateral LCPD. The mean age at diagnosis was 7 years (range, 2-14 years). The extent of femoral head involvement was determined from the initial radiographs using the Herring lateral pillar and Catterall classifications. LLD was defined as shortening by ≥ 1.0 cm as measured from scanograms. The patient's sex and the treatment modalities used were also recorded. RESULTS: LLD ranging from 10 to 38 mm (mean, 19 mm) occurred in 93 (55%) patients and was associated with the extent of femoral head involvement. Varus osteotomy was not associated with residual shortening. The patient's age at diagnosis did not affect the LLD at skeletal maturity. The strongest predictor of LLD was a lateral pillar classification of B/C or C (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-8.79). CONCLUSIONS: The extent of femoral head involvement, but not the patient's age at diagnosis or sex or the treatment modality, can predict the LLD at skeletal maturity in patients with unilateral LCPD.

How reliable are standard radiographic measures of the foot and ankle in children with achondroplasia?

BACKGROUND: Radiographic measurements are typically used in achondroplasia (ACH) during correction of lower limb alignment. However, reliabilities for the measurements on weightbearing radiographs of the foot and ankle in patients with ACH have not been described, and the differences between the ACH population and subjects without ACH likewise have not been well characterized; these issues limit the use of studies on this subject. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We proposed (1) to measure the inter- and intraobserver reliability of a number of radiographic measures of ankle and foot alignment in an achondroplastic cohort of patients; and (2) to compare our radiographic measurement values with age-matched literature-based normative values. METHODS: Ten radiographic measurements were applied to foot and ankle radiographs of 20 children (40 feet) with ACH (mean age, 10 years; range, 8-16 years). Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities of these radiographic measurement methods were obtained and expressed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The mean values were calculated and compared with the literature-based values. RESULTS: The interobserver reliability was excellent for eight measurements with ICCs ranging from 0.801 to 0.962, except for lateral talo-first metatarsal angle and mediolateral column ratio, which were much lower. The intraobserver reliability was excellent for all 10 radiographic measurements with ICCs ranging from 0.812 to 0.998. Compared with existing literature-based values, all 10 measurements had a significant difference (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest tibiotalar angle, calcaneal pitch angle, tibiocalcaneal angle, talocalcaneal angle, naviculocuboid overlap, talonavicular coverage angle, metatarsal stacking angle, and AP talo-first metatarsal angle with excellent interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities should be considered preferentially in analysis of foot and ankle alignment in children with ACH.

Role of hybrid monolateral fixators in managing humeral length and deformity correction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Humeral lengthening and deformity correction are now being done increasingly for various etiologies. Monolateral external fixators have advantages over traditional Ilizarov circular fixators; they are easy to apply, they are less bulky, and they are therefore more convenient for the patient. We assessed the effectiveness of hybrid monolateral lateral fixators in humeral lengthening and deformity correction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 23 patients (40 humeri) with various pathologies who underwent lengthening-with or without deformity correction using monolateral external fixator-between 2003 and 2008. Mean age at the time of the surgery was 14 (10-22) years. The mean follow-up time was 3.4 (1-7) years. RESULTS: The average duration of external fixator use was 8.3 (6-19) months. The mean lengthening achieved was 8.8 (4-11) cm and percentage lengthening was 49% (19-73). The healing index was 28 (13-60) days/cm. The major complications were refracture in 3 humeri and varus angulation of 2 humeri. The minor complications were superficial pin tract infection (6 segments), transient radial nerve palsy (1 segment), and elbow flexion contracture (5 segments). All complications resolved. INTERPRETATION: Hybrid monolateral fixators can be used for humeral lengthening and deformity correction. The advantage over circular fixators is that they are less bulky and patients can perform their day-to-day activities with the fixator in situ.

Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture: six cases related to triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture even after union is a matter of concern. There could be various reasons for this persistent pain like arthritis, instability, fractures and non-union. We correlate our findings of physical examination and wrist arthroscopy as triangular fibrocartilage complex injury to be one of the causes of this persistent pain. PATIENTS: Six subjects who had persistent ulnocarpal joint pain and tenderness after triquetral dorsal chip fracture, despite 2 months of conservative treatment, were subjected to physical tests. If the physical examination yields positive results, then magnetic resonance imaging followed by arthroscopic treatment was performed. The six patients were then evaluated using the visual analogue scale, the Mayo modified wrist score, and the grip strength test. RESULTS: Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury was observed in all six cases and partial TFCC resection and synovectomy were performed. Analysis of the visual analogue scale, Mayo modified wrist score, and grip strength test data revealed statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to several causes reported in the published literature, TFCC injury can be a cause of persistent ulnar pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture. Arthroscopic partial TFCC resection can be considered to be a suitable treatment for such cases.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia treated with a combination of Ilizarov's technique and intramedullary rodding.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ilizarov's technique and intramedullary rodding have often been used individually in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia. In this series, we attempted to combine the advantages of both methods while minimizing the complications. METHODS: We reviewed 15 cases of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) who were treated with a combination of Ilizarov's apparatus and antegrade intramedullary nailing between 2003 and 2008. The mean age at surgery was 7.5 (3-12) years and the mean limb length discrepancy was 2.5 (1.5-5) cm. At a mean follow-up time of 4.5 (1.6-7.2) years after the index surgery, the patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically for ankle function (AOFAS score) and for malalignment, signs of union, limb length discrepancy, and complications. RESULTS: 14 patients achieved union, in 6 patients primary union and in 8 patients after secondary procedures. The AOFAS score improved from a preoperative mean of 40 (20-57) to 64 (47-75). The main complication was refracture in 1 patient, and non-union in 1 patient. INTERPRETATION: The combination of the Ilizarov technique and conventional antegrade intramedullary nailing was successful in achieving union with few complications, though this should be shown in long-term studies lasting until skeletal maturity.

A Strategy for Accessing Nanobody-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Analyte Detection in Complex Media.

Nanobodies are single variable domain antibodies isolated from camelids and are rapidly distinguishing themselves as ideal recognition elements in biosensors due to their comparative stability, ease of production and isolation, and high binding affinities. However, transducing analyte binding by nanobodies in real time is challenging, as most nanobodies do not directly produce an optical or electrical signal upon target recognition. Here, we report a general strategy to fabricate sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors incorporating nanobodies for detecting target analytes in heterogeneous media, such as cell lysate. Graphite felt can be covalently functionalized with recombinant HaloTag-modified nanobodies. Subsequent encapsulation with a thin layer of a hydrogel using a vapor deposition process affords encapsulated electrodes that directly display a decrease in current upon antigen binding, without added redox mediators. Differential pulse voltammetry affords clear and consistent decreases in electrode current across multiple electrode samples for specific antigen concentrations. The change in observed current vs increasing antigen concentration follows Langmuir binding characteristics, as expected. Importantly, selective and repeatable target binding in unpurified cell lysate is only demonstrated by the encapsulated electrode, with an antigen detection limit of ca. 30 pmol, whereas bare electrodes lacking encapsulation produce numerous false positive signals in control experiments.

Immobilization of Nanobodies with Vapor-Deposited Polymer Encapsulation for Robust Biosensors.

To produce next-generation, shelf-stable biosensors for point-of-care diagnostics, a combination of rugged biomolecular recognition elements, efficient encapsulants, and innocuous deposition approaches is needed. Furthermore, to ensure that the sensitivity and specificity that are inherent to biological recognition elements are maintained in solid-state biosensing systems, site-specific immobilization chemistries must be invoked such that the function of the biomolecule remains unperturbed. In this work, we present a widely applicable strategy to develop robust solid-state biosensors using emergent nanobody (Nb) recognition elements coupled with a vapor-deposited polymer encapsulation layer. As compared to conventional immunoglobulin G antibodies, Nbs are smaller (12-15 kDa as opposed to ~150 kDa), have higher thermal stability and pH tolerance, boast greater ease of recombinant production, and are capable of binding antigens with high affinity and specificity. Photoinitiated chemical vapor deposition affords thin, protective polymer barrier layers over immobilized Nb arrays that allow for retention of Nb activity and specificity after both storage under ambient conditions and complete desiccation. Most importantly, we also demonstrate that vapor-deposited polymer encapsulation of Nb arrays enables specific detection of target proteins in complex heterogeneous samples, such as unpurified cell lysate, which is otherwise challenging to achieve with bare Nb arrays.

Metal-Free Organic Chromophores Featuring an Ethynyl-Thienothiophene Linker with an n-Hexyl Chain for Translucent Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

We report the simple synthesis of two organic chromophores featuring an ethynyl-thienothiophene linker with an n-hexyl chain (CSD-03 and CSD-04), their optical and electrochemical properties, and their use as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Our theoretical and experimental studies show that adding the second thienothiophene allows for narrowing the bandgap of the molecule and thus ensuring more light harvesting in the visible region. The efficiencies of both CSD-03 (5.46 ± 0.03%) and CSD-04 (5.20 ± 0.03%) are comparable to that of N719 (5.92 ± 0.01%) in translucent DSSCs fabricated with 5 µm-thick TiO2 photoanodes.

Wash-stable, oxidation resistant conductive cotton electrodes for wearable electronics.

Commercial, untreated cotton fabrics have been directly silver coated using one-step electroless deposition and, subsequently, conformally encapsulated with a thin layer of poly(perfluorodecylacrylate) (PFDA) using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). The surface of these PFDA encapsulated fabrics are notably water-repellent while still displaying a surface resistance as low as 0.2 Ω cm-1, making them suitable for incorporation into launderable wearable electronics. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms that the PFDA encapsulation prevents oxidation of the silver coating, whereas unencapsulated samples display detrimental silver oxidation after a month of air exposure. The wash stability of PFDA-encapsulated, silver-coated cotton is evaluated using accelerated laundering conditions, following established AATCC protocols, and the samples are observed to withstand up to twenty home laundering cycles without notable mechanical degradation of the vapor-deposited PFDA encapsulation. As a proof-of-concept, PFDA-Ag cotton is employed as a top and bottom electrode in a layered, all-fabric triboelectric generator that produces voltage outputs as high as 25 V with small touch actions, such as tapping.

Coplanar Donor-π-Acceptor Dyes Featuring a Furylethynyl Spacer for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Coplanar metal-free organic dyes featuring a furylethynyl spacer with different donor residues (MeO-, MeS-, and Me2N-) have been synthesized. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations predicted that the Me2N- residue would facilitate more effective charge transfer from donor to acceptor than the MeO- and MeS- residues. In agreement with DFT calculations, the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with the Me2N- functionalized dye exhibited the best power conversion efficiency (η), 2.88%. Furthermore, the effect of the furan spacer on the photophysical properties and DSSC parameters are discussed in comparison to a previously reported thiophene counterpart.