No Difference Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty for Medial Knee Osteoarthritis With or Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A functional intact anterior cruciate ligament (ACLI) is considered to be a prerequisite for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). However, UKA has been shown to have good clinical efficacy in ACL-deficient (ACLD) knees at 3 to 10 years follow-up. Therefore, the role of ACLD in UKA remains controversial, and more evidence is needed to clarify the role of ACLD in UKA. METHODS: PubMed, the Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central were queried for articles comparing the results of the ACLD and ACLI groups after UKA. Outcomes of interest included the Tegner Activity Scale, the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), postoperative slope of the implant (PSI), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS), the Lysholm score, and revision rate. There were eight studies included. The mean age was 66 years (range 49 to 87 year old) and the mean follow-up time was 6.9 years (range 1.3 to 16.6 years). There was baseline comparability regarding mean age, duration of follow-up, and body mass index (P > .5) between the ACLD and ACLI groups. RESULTS: The ACLD and ACLI groups had improved postoperative functional indicators, and that postoperative revision rate (mean difference [MD], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 2.04; P = .4), Tegner score (MD, -0.1; 95% CI, -0.26 to 0.05; P = .19), and Lysholm score (95% CI, -2.46 to 7.32; P = .33) were similar between the groups, with no significant differences; however, the ACLD groups had significantly better KOOS Activities of Daily Living scores, with a significant difference (MD, 4.53; 95% CI, 1.75 to 7.3; P = .001). Also, there were no significant differences between two groups in the PSI, OKS, KOOS. CONCLUSION: ACL deficiency is not always a contraindication for UKA. With correct patient selection, UKA could be considered for medial knee osteoarthritis with ACL deficiency without antero-posterior instability, especially these people over 60 years of age.

Synthesis, Performance, Mechanism: A Hyperbranched Phase Reverse Nano-Demulsifier for Condensate Emulsion.

Organic amine and nanosilica were combined to create a nano-demulsifier, which was employed in the oil-water separation process of a condensate emulsion. The nano-demulsifier has the structure of hyperbranched polymers and the skeleton structure of hyperbranched nanomaterials, and displays the demulsification impact of organic amine polymers as well as the synergistic effect of nanomaterials. This nano-demulsifier has the potential to drastically reduce the quantity of condensate demulsifiers utilized in the gathering station. The dehydration rate of the condensate lotion in the gas gathering station can reach more than 95% only at a concentration of 1.0 wt.%. Its application can significantly increase the separation efficiency of the condensate emulsion as well as the quality of condensate oil. It has a positive impact on cost reduction and efficiency in gas well production. The mechanism of action of the demulsifier was also studied, and the results show that the demulsifier is a phase reverse demulsifier.

Design, fabrication, and characterization of a low-index center and trench-assisted 7-ring-core 5-mode-group fiber for dense space-division multiplexing.

An optimized design of 7-ring-core 5-mode-group fiber for mode-group-based dense space-division multiplexing (DSDM) is proposed. It is found that decreasing the refractive index of the center and trench of each ring core can increase the available ring-core thickness and meanwhile suppress the radial higher-order modes. Based on the simulation, a fiber, with a thicker ring core and a relatively low refractive index contrast at the ring-core boundaries, is found of higher mode purity and lower macro-bending-caused mode coupling. In the experiment, the seven cores of the fabricated fiber have low transmission losses around -0.25 dB/km with only a few fluctuations. The three higher-order mode groups (MG2,1, MG3,1, and MG4,1) are verified to be in a weak-coupling state (crosstalk of which are less than -12 dB) over a transmission length of 23 km.

Spin-orbit coupling suppressed high-capacity dual-step-index ring-core OAM fiber.

We design and fabricate a dual-step-index ring-core fiber (RCF) for orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode transmission. It has been proven that the proposed novel, to the best of our knowledge, dual-step-index ring-core structure can suppress the spin-orbit coupling and cut off the radial higher-order modes when the mode number becomes very large. In experiments, we demonstrate that the fabricated fiber can support OAM8,1 with the interferometric method, where four higher-order mode groups are weakly-coupled. We also measure the loss of each mode according to the cut-back method and the loss can achieve <0.3 dB/km for the OAM modes with an order from |l| = 1 to |l| = 5. The exploration of this novel optical fiber structure may provide ideas and knowledge for the improvement of the optical fiber communication capacity.

Constructal Optimizations for Heat and Mass Transfers Based on the Entransy Dissipation Extremum Principle, Performed at the Naval University of Engineering: A Review.

Combining entransy theory with constructal theory, this mini-review paper summarizes the constructal optimization work of heat conduction, convective heat transfer, and mass transfer problems during the authors' working time in the Naval University of Engineering. The entransy dissipation extremum principle (EDEP) is applied in constructal optimizations, and this paper is divided into three parts. The first part is constructal entransy dissipation rate minimizations of heat conduction and finned cooling problems. It includes constructal optimization for a "volume-to-point" heat-conduction assembly with a tapered element, constructal optimizations for "disc-to-point" heat-conduction assemblies with the premise of an optimized last-order construct and without this premise, and constructal optimizations for four kinds of fin assemblies: T-, Y-, umbrella-, and tree-shaped fins. The second part is constructal entransy dissipation rate minimizations of cooling channel and steam generator problems. It includes constructal optimizations for heat generating volumes with tree-shaped and parallel channels, constructal optimization for heat generating volume cooled by forced convection, and constructal optimization for a steam generator. The third part is constructal entransy dissipation rate minimizations of mass transfer problems. It includes constructal optimizations for "volume-to-point" rectangular assemblies with constant and tapered channels, and constructal optimizations for "disc-to-point" assemblies with the premise of an optimized last-order construct and without this premise. The results of the three parts show that the mean heat transfer temperature differences of the heat conduction assemblies are not always decreased when their internal complexity increases. The average heat transfer rate of the steam generator obtained by entransy dissipation rate maximization is increased by 58.7% compared with that obtained by heat transfer rate maximization. Compared with the rectangular mass transfer assembly with a constant high permeability pathway (HPP), the maximum pressure drops of the element and first-order assembly with tapered HPPs are decreased by 6% and 11%, respectively. The global transfer performances of the transfer bodies are improved after optimizations, and new design guidelines derived by EDEP, which are different from the conventional optimization objectives, are provided.

Physics-assisted machine learning methods for predicting the splitting tensile strength of recycled aggregate concrete.

Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) has become a popular building material due to its eco-friendly features, but the difficulty in predicting the crack resistance of RAC is increasingly impeding its application. In this study, splitting tensile strength is adopted to describe the crack resistance ability of RAC, and physics-assisted machine learning (ML) methods are used to construct the predictive models for the splitting tensile strength of RAC. The results show that the AdaBoost model has excellent predictive performance with the help of the Firefly algorithm, and physical assistance plays a remarkable role in selecting features and verifying the ML models. Due to the limit in data size and the generalizability of the model, the dataset should be supplemented with more representative data, and an algorithm for small sample sizes could be studied in the future.

Deciphering the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of epimedium on osteoporosis through system bioinformatic approach.

Epimedium has gained widespread clinical application in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the functions of promoting bone reproduction, regulating cell cycle and inhibiting osteoclastic activity. However, its precise cellular pharmacological therapeutic mechanism on osteoporosis (OP) remains elusive. This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanism of epimedium in the treatment of OP based on system bioinformatic approach. Predicted targets of epimedium were collected from TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM and ETCM databases. Differentially expressed mRNAs of OP patients were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database by performing Limma package of R software. Epimedium-OP common targets were obtained by Venn diagram package for further analysis. The protein-protein interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were carried out by using clusterProfiler package. Molecular docking analysis was conducted by AutoDock 4.2 software to validate the binding affinity between epimedium and top 3 proteins based on the result of protein-protein interaction. A total of 241 unique identified epimedium targets were screened from databases, of which 62 overlapped with the targets of OP and were considered potential therapeutic targets. The results of Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were positive regulation of cell cycle, cellular response to oxidative stress and positive regulation of cell cycle process as well as cellular senescence, FoxO, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. Molecular docking showed that epimedium have a good binding activity with key targets. Our study demonstrated the multitarget and multi-pathway characteristics of epimedium on OP, which elucidates the potential mechanisms of epimedium against OP and provides theoretical basis for further drug development.

Association Between Bone Cement Augmentation and New Vertebral Fractures in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between bone cement augmentation and new vertebral fractures (VF) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). METHODS: A literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from 1987 to December 31, 2020, to identify randomized controlled trials that compared bone cement augmentation with non-bone cement treatments in patients with OVCFs. The clinical incidence of new VF and the risk of new adjacent vertebral fractures (AVF) after treatment were calculated. The indexes of the risk ratio or odds ratio, and 95% confidence intervals were determined with RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS: A total of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1949 participants were included in the final quantitative analysis. There was no significant association between bone cement augmentation and the clinical incidence of new VF during the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups or the whole follow-up period. However, there was a significantly lower clinical incidence of new VF in patients who received bone cement augmentation compared with non-bone cement treatments during 24 months or more of follow-up. Pooled data from the relevant trials demonstrated that the risk of new AVF in bone cement augmentation was significantly higher than that in non-bone cement treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of bone cement augmentation in OVCFs significantly increased the risk of new AVF compared with non-bone cement treatments, it was not significantly associated with a higher clinical incidence of new VF.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Top 100 Influential Studies on Carotid Artery Stenting.

BACKGROUND: Artery stenting is an effective therapy for carotid artery stenosis to prevent ischemic stroke. We aimed to identify and analyze the 100 top-cited reports on carotid artery stenting (CAS) to review the achievements and developments in this field. METHODS: The Web of Knowledge database was searched from its inception up to May 3, 2018, using the terms "carotid artery stenting" and "CAS." The 100 most-cited reports were extracted to analyze their characteristics. RESULTS: The number of citations for the 100 most-cited reports ranged from 120 to 1813, with an accumulated citation number of 26,265. These reports were from 13 countries, with the most publications from the United States (n = 62), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 11), Germany (n = 6), and Italy (n = 6). Stroke (n = 21) was the lead-producing journal, followed by the Journal of Vascular Surgery (n = 11) and Journal of the American College of Cardiology (n = 10). Those reports with a greater impact factor were likely to be cited more often (P < 0.0001). These reports were categorized as clinical trial (n = 74), review (n = 13), basic study (n = 5), guideline (n = 5), commentary (n = 1), expert consensus (n = 1), and protocol (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provide scientific data for CAS. The United States contributed the most reports. Stroke was the lead productive journal. Those reports with a greater impact factor were likely to be cited more often.

Effects of Acupoint Application Therapy with TianGui Powder on Osteoporosis in Ovariectomized Rats through TGF-ß1 and Smad2/3 Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of acupoint application therapy (AAT) with TianGui Powder (TGP) on the expressions of the transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) and Smad-2/3 signaling pathway in ovariectomized osteoporosis rats. METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (group A), model group (group B), TGP group (group C), and Western medicine group (group D). Group A had only the corresponding amount of adipose tissue around the ovary removed; rats in the other groups had bilateral ovariectomies. After 1 week, groups A and B were given 1 mL/100 mg normal saline solution by gavage, group C was treated with AAT with TGP on ShenQue acupoint (0.2 piece/rat, 6 h/time, 1 time/d) and group D was given calcium carbonate vitamin D3 (36 mg/kg/d) and alfacalcidol (0.05 µg/kg/d) tablet suspension. In this study, the bone mineral density (BMD) , the levels of BALP, TRAP-5b, and BGP in serum and the changes in bone histomorphology was detected. For acquiring lumbar experimental data, the expression of TGF-ß1, Smad-2/3 proteins and mRNA of TGF-ß1and Smad-2/3 were assessed. After 12 weeks, the data were collected for analysis. RESULTS: Compared with group A, the bone trabecula was thinner and significantly reduced in other groups. The result of BMD improved significantly in both groups C and D compared to group B after intervention (P < 0.05). In contrast, compared to group B, the levels of BALP, TRAP-5b, and BGP significantly declined in both groups C and D. In group C, the results of protein expressions in TGF-ß1, Smad-2/3 were 2.870 ± 0.270, 1.552 ± 0.111, and 1.420 ± 0.079, respectively. In groups C and D, those indications significantly declined compared to group B (P < 0.01). In group C, the level of mRNA expressions of TGF-ß1, Smad-2/3 were 1.872 ± 0.177, 1.672 ± 0.086, and 1.790 ± 0.136, respectively. Compared with group B, those indications had significant difference in groups C and D (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupoint application therapy with TGP could significantly improve the BMD. The TGF-ß1 and Smad-2/3 signaling pathway could be a therapeutic target of TGP in postmenopausal osteoporosis rats.

[Influence of strain in the Si cap layer of Si/SiGe heterostructure on its Raman spectra].

Strained Si/SiGe heterostructure was prepared by high dose Ge ion implantation and a subsequent high temperature rapid thermal processing method. A 325 nm UV laser was used to analyze the Raman spectra of the strained Si cap layer. It was found that tensile strain in the Si cap layer can induce a shift toward lower frequency of the first order Raman scattering peak of 520 cm(-1). In light of the variation of peak position, a lateral tensile stress of 12.5 x 10(8) N x m(-2) in Si cap layer was worked out. However, the tensile strain in the Si cap layer can not lead to a variation of the sub-order Raman scattering peaks around 1 555 and 2 330 cm(-1).