Systemic Administration of PTH Supports Vascularization in Segmental Bone Defects Filled with Ceramic-Based Bone Graft Substitute.

Non-unions continue to present a challenge to trauma surgeons, as current treatment options are limited, duration of treatment is long, and the outcome often unsatisfactory. Additionally, standard treatment with autologous bone grafts is associated with comorbidity at the donor site. Therefore, alternatives to autologous bone grafts and further therapeutic strategies to improve on the outcome and reduce cost for care providers are desirable. In this study in Sprague-Dawley rats we employed a recently established sequential defect model, which provides a platform to test new potential therapeutic strategies on non-unions while gaining mechanistic insight into their actions. The effects of a combinatorial treatment of a bone graft substitute (HACaS+G) implantation and systemic PTH administration was assessed by µ-CT, histological analysis, and bio-mechanical testing and compared to monotreatment and controls. Although neither PTH alone nor the combination of a bone graft substitute and PTH led to the formation of a stable union, our data demonstrate a clear osteoinductive and osteoconductive effect of the bone graft substitute. Additionally, PTH administration was shown to induce vascularization, both as a single adjuvant treatment and in combination with the bone graft substitute. Thus, systemic PTH administration is a potential synergistic co-treatment to bone graft substitutes.

Effects of feeding bulls dried corn distiller's grains plus solubles or CaSO4 on mineral and metabolite concentrations in serum and seminal plasma.

Yearling Angus bulls (n = 36) were assigned one of three diets: 1) 60 % concentrate as corn (CON, 0.2 % S, 13.4 % CP; n = 12); 2) 60 % dried corn distiller's grains plus solubles (60DDGS 0.5 % S, 22.0 % CP; n = 12); 3) CON diet + equivalent sulfur of 60DDGS as CaSO4 (SULF, 0.5 % S, 13.9 % CP; n = 12) to evaluate effects of feeding 60 % DDGS or sulfur as CaSO4 on mineral and metabolite concentrations in serum and seminal plasma. Treatment × day interactions (P < 0.03) were observed for serum Cu, Se, and Mo. For Cu at d 112, lesser (P < 0.01) concentrations were observed in bulls fed the 60DDGS compared to SULF and CON diets. There were greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of Se at d 112 in bulls fed 60DDGS than CON and SULF diets. Concentrations of Mo were greater at d 56 and 112 (P < 0.01) in bulls fed CON compared to SULF and 60DDGS diets. In seminal plasma, there were treatment × day interactions (P < 0.02) for Cu and Mo. For Cu, at d 112, there was a lesser (P < 0.01) concentration in the bulls fed SULF compared to CON and 60DDGS diets. For Mo, there was a greater (P < 0.01) concentration in bulls fed the CON than 60DDGS and SULF diets at d 56 and 112. Changes in mineral and metabolite concentrations may have effects on bull reproductive performance when there is a relatively greater dietary sulfur content.

Calcium sulfate antibiotic-impregnated bead implantation for deep surgical site infection associated with orthopedic surgery in small animals.

OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes and complications associated with antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate beads for prevention and treatment of orthopedic-related surgical site infection (SSI) in companion animals. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: Client-owned cats (n = 2) and dogs (n = 14). METHODS: Medical records of 16 cases in which implantation of antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate beads was performed for the prevention or treatment of SSI were reviewed. Information collected included signalment, prior surgery, reason for bead placement, antibiotics used, bacterial culture results, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Surgical site infection resolved in six of 10 animals treated therapeutically and did not occur in six of six animals treated prophylactically. Susceptibility of the causative bacteria to the antibiotic implanted was confirmed in five of six cases with resolved SSI treated therapeutically but in only one of four cases with unresolved SSI treated therapeutically. Complications directly related to bead placement were evident in only one case in which beads extruded from external skeletal fixator pin tracts 7 days after implantation. At final follow-up, 11 of 12 animals without SSI had satisfactory limb use and no clinical, cytologic, or radiographic evidence of infection. CONCLUSION: Implantation was well tolerated. Resolution of SSI was inconsistent; however, when bacteria were susceptible to the antibiotic implanted, SSI resolved in all but one case. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate beads could be considered for prevention or treatment of orthopedic SSI in small animals. A prospective clinical study is required to obtain additional information, including the value of preoperative bacterial culture.

Consumer perceptions of anticake agents on shredded Cheddar cheese.

Prepackaged natural cheese shreds are a growing consumer category. Anticake agents are applied to commercial cheese shreds to assist with shelf life and ease of use. The objective of this study was to investigate consumer perception of 3 anticake agents applied at various levels to Cheddar cheese shreds. Three common anticake agents (80% potato starch/20% cellulose blend, 100% potato starch, or potato starch/corn starch/calcium sulfate blend) were applied to duplicate lots of Cheddar cheese shreds at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (wt/wt). Control Cheddar cheese shreds with no anticake were also included. Sensory properties (appearance, flavor, texture, and hot texture) were documented using a trained sensory panel (n = 8), and 3 consumer acceptance tests were also conducted. In test 1, consumers (n = 110) visually evaluated liking of cold shred appearance. In test 2, consumers (n = 100) evaluated melted shreds on a flour tortilla for overall liking and appearance, flavor, and texture liking. In test 3, consumers (n = 49) participated in a home usage test. Two-way ANOVA (anticake × anticake application rate) was used to interpret the collected data from each test. Visual appearance of shreds was the primary attribute influenced by anticake application and anticake agent. Trained panel evaluation demonstrated that the 100% potato starch anticake had minimal effects on visual appearance. The other 2 agents (80% potato starch/20% cellulose blend and potato starch/corn starch/calcium sulfate blend) showed increases in visible powder at >3% (wt/wt). Consistent with results from trained panelists, higher application rates decreased consumer appearance and color liking for Cheddar shreds with 80% potato starch/20% cellulose and potato starch/corn starch/calcium sulfate blends at >2 or 3% (wt/wt), respectively. Appearance liking of melted shreds decreased with increased anticake application percent but decreased the most for 100% potato starch anticake at greater than 1% (wt/wt) application. Overall liking, flavor liking, and texture liking attributes for melted shreds were negatively affected at >3% (wt/wt) application regardless of anticake agent used. In general, anticake agents can be applied to Cheddar cheese shreds at up to 3% (wt/wt) with minimal effect on consumer perception.

Treatment of Chronic Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Children With Antibiotic Impregnated Calcium Sulphate.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcome of chronic hematogenous osteomyelitis (CHOM) in children, treated with single-stage debridement and dead space management using antibiotic impregnated calcium sulphate pellets. METHODS: The authors retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 34 patients who presented with CHOM from 2011 to 2017. In each case, CHOM was classified according to the Beit CURE classification. Following thorough surgical debridement, the resulting dead space in the bone was filled with the antibiotic impregnated beads before primary closure. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients available for follow up, effective regeneration of bone was confirmed in all cases, with radiographic bone healing typically observed at around 12 weeks. None of the children required reoperation for infection and none had recurrence of infection at the time of final review. The beads were completely absorbed within 3 months. No systemic adverse reactions to the local delivery of antibiotics were observed in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that single-stage debridement in conjunction with antibiotic impregnated calcium sulphate was an effective means of treating CHOM in children, with effective eradication of infection in every case. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-Retrospective case series. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Absorbable antibiotic beads as an adjuvant therapy in treating ventricular assist devices driveline infection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular assist devices driveline infections are common, recalcitrant, and carry high morbidity and mortality. Herein, we reported a patient with driveline infection that was successfully treated with a combination of systemic antibiotics, surgical debridement, and instillation of absorbable antibiotic beads to the wound bed. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 39-year-old man with nonischemic cardiomyopathy underwent insertion of a continuous flow left ventricular assist device. Four years postoperatively, the patient presented with clinical, laboratory, and radiologic signs of driveline tract infection. He underwent extensive surgical debridement, installation of absorbable antibiotic beads that consisted of calcium sulfate, vancomycin, and tobramycin, into the wound bed, and systemic antibiotics. The patient was free of infection 9 month postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Absorbable calcium sulfate antibiotic beads may serve as a beneficial adjunct to surgical debridement and systemic antibiotics for the treatment of ventricular assist device driveline infection, and merit further investigation.

Infected bone resection plus adjuvant antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate versus infected bone resection alone in the treatment of diabetic forefoot osteomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Managing with diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO) is challenging. Even after infective bone resection and thorough debridement, DFO is still difficult to cure and has a high recurrence rate. This retrospective study aims to compare the outcomes of two treatment methods, infected bone resection combined with adjuvant antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate and infected bone resection alone, for the treatment of diabetic foot osteomyelitis. METHODS: Between 2015 to 2017, 48 limbs (46 patients) with DFO met the criteria were included for assessment. 20 limbs (18 patients) were included in the calcium sulfate group (the CS group) in which vancomycin and/or gentamicin-impregnated calcium sulfate was used as an adjuvant after infected bone resection while 28 limbs (28 patients) as the control group were undergone infected bone resection only. Systemic antibiotics, postoperative wound care and offloading were continued to be applied following surgery in both groups. The time to healing, healing rate, recurrence rate and amputation rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In total, 90% (18/20) limbs in the CS group as compared to 78.6% (22/28) infected limbs in the control group went to heal (P = 0.513). The Mean time to healing was 13.3 weeks in the CS group and 11.2 weeks in control group (P = 0.132). Osteomyelitis recurrence rate was 0% (0/18) in the CS group and 36.4% (8/22) in the control group (P = 0.014). Postoperative leakage in calcium sulfate group was 30.0% (6/20) with a mean duration of 8.5 weeks. Amputation rate in the control group was 7.1% (2/28) compared to 0% (0/20) in the CS group (P = 0.153). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic-impregnated calcium sulfate as an adjuvant prevents the recurrence of DFO but cannot improve the healing rate, reduce the postoperative amputation rate or shorten the time to healing. Prolonged postoperative leakage as the most common complication can be managed with regular dressing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

Reducing methane production with corn oil and calcium sulfate: Responses on whole-animal energy and nitrogen balance in dairy cattle.

The addition of fat and calcium sulfate to diets fed to ruminants has resulted in a reduction in methane production, but the effects on energy balance have not been studied. A study using indirect calorimetry and 16 multiparous (8 Holstein and 8 Jersey; 78 ± 15 d in milk; mean ± standard deviation) lactating dairy cows was conducted to determine how mitigating methane production by adding corn oil or calcium sulfate to diets containing reduced-fat distillers grains affects energy and nitrogen balance. A replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 35-d periods (28 d of adaption and 4 d of collections) was used to compare 4 different dietary treatments. Treatments were composed of a control (CON) diet, which did not contain reduced-fat distillers grain and solubles (DDGS), and treatment diets containing 20% (dry matter basis) DDGS (DG), 20% DDGS with 1.38% (dry matter basis) added corn oil (CO), and 20% DDGS with 0.93% (dry matter basis) added calcium sulfate (CaS). Compared with CON, dry matter intake was not affected by treatment, averaging 29.6 ± 0.67 kg/d. Milk production was increased for diets containing DDGS compared with CON (26.3 vs. 27.8 ± 0.47 kg/d for CON vs. DDGS, respectively), likely supported by increased energy intake. Compared with CON, energy-corrected milk was greater in DG and CO (30.1 vs. 31.4, 31.7, and 31.0 ± 0.67 kg/d for CON, DG, CO, and CaS, respectively). Compared with CON, the addition of calcium sulfate and corn oil to diets containing DDGS reduced methane production per kg of dry matter intake (22.3, 19.9, and 19.6 ± 0.75 L/kg per d for CON, CO, and CaS, respectively). Similarly, methane production per kilogram of energy-corrected milk was reduced with the addition of calcium sulfate and corn oil to diets containing DDGS (14.2, 12.5, and 12.4 ± 0.50 L/kg per d for CON, CO, and CaS, respectively). Compared with CON and CaS, the intake of digestible energy was greater for DG and CO treatments (57.7, 62.1, 62.0, and 59.0 ± 1.38 Mcal/d for CON, DG, CO, and CaS, respectively). Intake of metabolizable energy was greater in all treatments containing DDGS compared with CON (50.5 vs. 54.0 ± 1.08 Mcal/d for CON vs. DDGS, respectively). Net balance (milk plus tissue energy) per unit of dry matter was greater in CO (containing DDGS and oil) than CON (1.55 vs. 1.35 ± 0.06 Mcal/kg for CO vs. CON, respectively). Tissue energy was greater in DG and CO compared with CON (6.08, 7.04, and 3.16 ± 0.99 Mcal/d for DG, CO, and CON, respectively. Results of this study suggest that the addition of oil and calcium sulfate to diets containing DDGS may be a viable option to reduce methane production and in the case of oil also improve net energy balance in lactating dairy cows.

Tobramycin-impregnated calcium sulfate pellets for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis in children and adolescents.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the outcome and efficacy of treatment in a homogeneous group of skeletally immature patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the long bones managed by a combination of radical debridement and insertion of tobramycin-impregnated calcium sulfate pellets to fill the bone defect in a single-stage procedure. Between 2011 and 2016, 12 skeletally immature patients were treated surgically by the reported technique. Single-stage surgery using tobramycin-impregnated calcium sulfate pellets in association with systemic antibiotic therapy yields satisfactory outcomes in skeletally immature children presenting chronic osteomyelitis by reducing the risk of occurrence of comorbidities, hospital stays, and healthcare costs.

Comparison of the use of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate and wound irrigation-suction in the treatment of lower limb chronic osteomyelitis.

AIMS: We sought to compare the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate with wound irrigation-suction in patients with lower limb chronic osteomyelitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult patients with lower limb chronic osteomyelitis treated at our hospital by means of segmental bone resection, antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate implantation or wound irrigation-suction, followed by bone transport with external fixator from January 2011 to July 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. The clinical presentation, laboratory results, complications, docking obstruction, infection recurrence were compared. RESULTS: There were totally 74 patients met the inclusion criteria. Docking obstruction rate and infection recurrence were higher in the irrigation group with significant difference. The success rate of the first operation was 90.74% in the calcium sulphate group compared with 45% in the irrigation group. Postoperaton leakage of the incision happened more in the calcium sulphate group, but it wasn't a risk factor for docking obstruction and infection recurrence. Patients in the calcium sulphate group had shorter hospital stay and systemic antibiotic treatment, also with less external fixator index. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study suggest that antibiotic-loaded calcium sulphate implantation for lower chronic limb osteomyelitis was a more successful method than wound irrigation-suction, it greatly decreased infection recurrence and docking obstruction. Postoperative leakage after implantation didn't worsen patient's outcome.

Effect of treatment with oral Ca boluses following calving on concentrations of Ca in serum in pasture-based dairy cows.

AIMS To assess the effect of the administration of two oral Ca boluses on concentrations of total Ca, ß-hydoxybutyrate (BHB) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in serum, and urine pH, in recently calved pasture-fed dairy cows. METHODS Friesian or Friesian cross Jersey cows from one dairy farm were blocked by age and randomly assigned to no treatment (control; n=14), or treatment (n=13) with two oral Ca boluses administered approximately 12 hours apart, with the first bolus being given within 14 hours of calving. Each bolus weighed 198 g and contained 43 g of Ca; 31 g of Ca from calcium chloride and 12 g of Ca from calcium sulfate. Cows were enrolled over three calendar days, and all cows were managed in one group during the 24-hour study period. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 20 and 24 hours after the initial treatment. Serum from each time point was analysed for concentrations of total Ca, and from 0, 12, and 24 hours for NEFA and BHB. Urine was collected at 0, 12 and 24 hours for pH measurement and pH was categorised as <7 or ≥7. The effect of treatment on percentage change in concentrations of Ca in serum relative to 0 hours, and concentrations of NEFA, BHB and urine pH, was examined using multivariable repeated measures mixed models with cow as a random effect. RESULTS In the final multivariable model for percentage change in concentrations of Ca, there was an interaction between time and treatment (p=0.004), with the percentage increase being higher in treatment than control cows at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 13 hours. At 12 hours, 5/13 (41%) treated cows had a urine pH <7compared to 0/12 (0%) control cows (p<0.001), and at 24 hours 13/13 (100%) treated cows had urine pH <7 compared to 0/12 (0%) control cows (p<0.001). Over the 24-hour period, mean concentrations of NEFA or BHB in serum were similar in treated and control cows (p>0.3). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral treatment with two Ca boluses increased concentrations of total Ca in serum and decreased urine pH in pasture-fed cows. This bolus has the potential to reduce the prevalence and duration of subclinical hypocalcaemia in recently calved cows.

Long-term Follow-up of the Use of a Synthetic Bone Graft Composite in the Surgical Management of Primary Bone Tumors.

The surgical management of benign and benign aggressive bone tumors typically involves intralesional curettage and reconstruction of the resulting defect with cement or bone graft material. At the authors' institution, an injectable synthetic calcium sulfate-calcium phosphate composite is now the standard graft material for these cases. This study reports the long-term follow-up, specifically the stability of bone regeneration, for the use of the synthetic graft material for oncologic reconstruction. Fourteen patients who underwent intralesional curettage of a primary bone tumor followed by cavitary reconstruction with synthetic graft material who had at least 4-year follow-up were identified from an institutional orthopedic oncology database. Clinical outcome data, focusing on long-term clinical and radiographic features of the reconstruction, were extracted from electronic and paper medical records. Seven females and 7 males were included (mean age at surgery, 28.1 years; range, 13-64 years). Follow-up ranged from 50 to 105 months (mean, 68 months). Most surgical reconstructions were done for the lower limb (n=11), and giant cell tumor of bone was the most common tumor treated. The mean amount of synthetic graft material used was 18.6 cm3. Complete radiographic resorption and new bone incorporation was observed within the first year, and bone remodeling was complete in all patients. Bone remodeling remained stable throughout the longer-term follow-up (ie, up to 9 years). The use of an injectable synthetic calcium sulfate-calcium phosphate composite is a viable option in the reconstruction of cavitary bone defects following intralesional curettage of primary benign bone tumors. This reconstruction technique was safe, with no long-term complications, and led to complete radiographic resorption and new bone incorporation with long-lasting stability. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(6):e868-e875.].

The Use of Triphasic Bone Graft for the Treatment of Pediatric Bone Cysts: Experience at 2 Institutions.

Unicameral/aneurysmal bone cysts can lead to pain, fracture, and limb deformity. In this study, the authors evaluated the outcome of triphasic bone graft to treat unicameral/aneurysmal bone cysts. They retrospectively evaluated 41 immature patients from a prospectively enrolled cohort from 2 institutions treated from May 9, 2007, to November 1, 2014. Medical record review and evaluation of radiographs and computed tomography scans were performed. The authors characterized replacement of the material by normal bone or recurrent cyst at final follow-up. They recorded rates of fractures and complications after treatment. Twenty-nine patients were treated in Wisconsin, and 12 patients were treated in Florida. Average follow-up was 2.8 years. At follow-up, 13 of 41 patients had cyst recurrence. Three patients had fracture after initial treatment; 2 were treated surgically. Two of 9 patients with extraosseous bone graft had soft tissue swelling, and 1 required debridement. Complications did not differ by cyst type, location, sex, age, or use of internal fixation. For 27 patients with at least 2-year follow-up, percent fill of triphasic bone graft at initial surgery correlated with rate of recurrence at final follow-up: 15 of 27 patients with no cyst recurrence at final follow-up had a mean of 100% initial fill, and 12 of 27 with cyst recurrence at final follow-up had a mean of 90% initial fill (P=.048). Using triphasic bone graft for the treatment of unicameral/aneurysmal bone cysts, the authors observed a 7% rate of clinical recurrence (3 of 41 had fracture). Because this material has the potential to be locally inflammatory, efforts are needed to keep it within the bone. [Orthopedics. 2018; 41(5):e705-e712.].

Lower-Extremity Osteomyelitis Treatment Using Calcium Sulfate/Hydroxyapatite Bone Void Filler with Antibiotics Seven-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Over a 74-month period (∼6 years), 143 lower-extremity osteomyelitis locations in 125 patients were treated with a calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite liquid bone void filler with antibiotic(s). METHODS: The osteomyelitis locations were treated with a percutaneous antibiotic delivery technique delivering intraosseous antibiotic followed by either oral or intravenous antibiotics for 4 weeks. RESULTS: There was no recurrence of osteomyelitis in 96.15% of the treatable patients. Outcomes classified by the Cierny-Mader clinical classification are discussed as well. CONCLUSIONS: A bone void filler with antibiotic(s) using the percutaneous antibiotic delivery technique is a safe, reliable, and effective means to treat lower-extremity osteomyelitis with either oral or intravenous antibiotics for 4 weeks.

Natural Course of Local Bone Mineralization After Treatment of Benign or Borderline Bone Tumors and Cysts With a Composite Ceramic Bone Graft Substitute.

After surgical bone tumor removal, filling of the bone defect is frequently performed using a bone graft or bone graft substitute. During follow-up, precise quantification of changes in bone mineral density, within the treated bone defect, is very difficult using conventional X-ray examinations. The objectives of this study were to characterize the pattern of resorption/biodegradation of a composite calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute and to quantify the bone defect healing with repeated dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements. Seventeen patients treated for 18 benign bone lesions, with subsequent defect filling using 2 variants of a composite ceramic bone graft substitute (CERAMENT™|BONE VOID FILLER or CERMAMENT™|G, BONESUPPORT AB, Lund, Sweden), were scanned postoperatively and after 2, 6, 12, 26, and 52 wk using DXA. After an initial increase in bone mineral density after implantation of the bone graft substitute, bone mineral density decreased in the bone defect region throughout the 52 wk: rapidly in the first 12 wk and slower in the remaining weeks. Despite this continuous decrease, bone mineral density remained, on average, 25% higher in the operated extremity, compared with the nonoperated extremity, after 52 wk. The observed pattern of reduction in bone mineral density is consistent with the anticipated resorption of calcium sulfate within the bone graft substitute during the first 12 wk after surgery. We believe the DXA technique provides a precise method for quantification of bone graft resorption, but for evaluation of new bone formation, 3-dimensional imaging is needed.

Use of Vancomycin-Impregnated Calcium Sulfate in the Treatment of Osteomyelitis of the Jaw.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe the effect of vancomycin-impregnated calcium sulfate in the treatment of osteomyelitis of the jaw. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients who were diagnosed with osteomyelitis of the jaw underwent treatment with vancomycin-impregnated calcium sulfate since July 2014 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Stomatology, China Medical University (Shenyang, China). All patients underwent debridement of nonviable bone and implantation of vancomycin-impregnated calcium sulfate. The wounds were covered with an acellular dermal matrix and sutured. RESULTS: Ten patients had satisfactory wound healing. However, 2 cases of maxillary central osteomyelitis had delayed wound healing. The wounds healed after the surgical site was resutured under local anesthesia. At 3 months, the panoramic radiograph showed that most implants had been reabsorbed and replaced by new bone formation. All patients in this study had no recurrence of infection at 6 to 18 months (mean, 10.8 months) of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of vancomycin-impregnated calcium sulfate in the surgical debridement site for chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw has shown encouraging results. In addition, calcium sulfate can promote the formation of new bone to a certain extent.

[Clinical study on negative pressure closed drainage combined with vancomycin loaded calcium sulfate and autogenous bone in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of negative pressure closed drainage combined with vancomycin loaded calcium sulfate and autogenous bone in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. METHODS: From June 2013 to December 2016, there were 35 cases of chronic osteomyelitis patients in our department, including 23 males and 12 females, ranging in age from 11 to 65 years old, with an average of 34 years old. The course of disease ranged from 8 to 46 months, with an average of 26 months. All patients were chronic osteomyelitis caused by open wounds. The lesions had recurrent redness and swelling and purulent skin perforation. Thirty-two patients had positive results in bacterial culture of sinus secretions, and 3 patients had negative results. Imaging examination showed the lesions of bone destruction, bone defects, surrounded by bone hyperplasia sclerosis. At the first stage, complete debridement was performed to remove necrotic tissues and inflammatory tissues; and the dressing of negative pressure closed drainage was used to completely cover the wound so as to promote the repair of the wound. At the second stage, the vancomycin loaded, calcium sulfate and autogenous iliac cancellous bone were mixed into the bone graft complex to evenly fill the lesions. The healing of the wound was observed and X-ray examination of the lesion was carried out to observe the absorption of calcium sulfate and the growth of new bone. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients underwent debridement and negative pressure closed drainage on time, 6 patients 2 times, and 3 patients 3 times. Thirty-two patients had incisions healed with grade A; 2 patients had incisions healed with grade B, and got completely healing after anti-infection, and wound dressing treatment; 1 patient had an incision healed with grade C, and got normal healing after re-debridement at the 4th week after operation. All patients did not have skin redness and ulceration again. X-ray imaging showed that the implanted calcium sulphate was absorbed gradually around 4 weeks, new bone was formed at 8 weeks, and bone defects in the lesions area were healed completely at 6 months to 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Negative pressure closed drainage combined with vancomycin loaded calcium sulfate and autogenous bone in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis is a good and reliable method, worthy of clinical promotion.

First report on treating spontaneous infectious spondylodiscitis of lumbar spine with posterior debridement, posterior instrumentation and an injectable calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite composite eluting gentamicin: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous infectious spondylodiscitis is a rare, but serious disease with the risk of progressive neurological impairment. The surgical approach to spontaneous infectious spondylodiscitis is in most cases an anterior debridement and fusion, often in staged surgeries. Here we report a case of single-stage posterior debridement and posterior instrumented fusion in combination with an injectable calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite composite eluting gentamicin. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old Caucasian man presented with a 6-week history of lumbar pain without sensory or motor disorders of his lower extremities. A magnetic resonance imaging scan of his lumbar spine in T2-weighted sequences showed a high signal of the intervertebral disc L4/L5 and in T1-weighted sequences an epidural abscess at the posterior wall of L4. Additional computed tomography imaging revealed osteolytic destruction of the base plate of L4 and the upper plate of L5. Antibiotic therapy was started with intravenous ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. We performed a posterior debridement via a minimally invasive approach, a posterior percutaneous stabilization using transpedicular screw-rod instrumentation and filled the intervertebral space with an injectable calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite composite which elutes a high concentration of gentamicin. The patient's lower back pain improved quickly after surgery and no recurrence of infection has been noticed during the 1-year follow-up. Computed tomography at 11 months shows complete bony fusion of L4 and L5. CONCLUSIONS: An injectable calcium sulfate/hydroxyapatite composite releasing a high level of gentamicin can support the surgical treatment of spondylodiscitis in combination with posterior debridement and transpedicular screw-rod instrumentation.

A novel, multi-barrier, drug eluting calcium sulfate/biphasic calcium phosphate biodegradable composite bone cement for treatment of experimental MRSA osteomyelitis in rabbit model.

This article discloses the development of an effective and versatile technology to prepare a novel antibiotics-loaded biodegradable composite bone cement to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal (MRSA) osteomyelitis and reports its detail in vitro characterization, drug loading efficiency, physico-mechanical properties, drug elution in simulated body fluid (SBF) and human plasma, merits and demerits over poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement. Chronic osteomyelitis in rabbit tibia (42) was induced by MRSA and composite cement was implanted to evaluate its safety and efficacy over PMMA cement and parenteral treated animals with histopathology, radiographs, bone/plasma drugs concentration, and SEM for 90days. The composite cement showed higher setting time, degradability, pH rise, injectability, in vitro drug elution but lesser mechanical strength than PMMA cement. Antibiotics release from cement beads was faster in SBF than plasma. Further, in vivo antibiotics elution from composite (42days) showed effective concentration against MRSA without eliciting drug-toxicity. Platelets activation by composite was an extraordinary feature. The in vivo studies also proved the superiority of composite cement than other treatment methods in terms of faster infection control and osteosynthesis. Based particularly on drug elution and in vivo results, this newly developed cement can successfully be used in clinical cases of chronic osteomyelitis.

Effects of oral calcium supplementation on mineral and acid-base status, energy metabolites, and health of postpartum dairy cows.

Two experiments were conducted to characterize blood concentrations of minerals and acid-base status after oral dosing of Ca salts and to determine the effects of oral Ca on mineral and metabolic status and incidence diseases. The hypotheses were that administration of oral Ca as CaCl2 and CaSO4 maintains blood total Ca (tCa) concentrations ≥2.125 mM and reduces the incidence of diseases in early lactation. In experiment 1, 18 Holstein cows on the day of calving were assigned to receive a single dose of 0, 43, or 86g of Ca as an oral bolus. Blood was sampled before and after treatments to characterize acid-base status and concentrations of minerals. In experiment 2, 450 Holstein cows considered of low (LRM; normal calving) or high risk (HRM; dystocia, twins, stillbirth, retained placenta, vulvo-vaginal laceration, or a combination of these) of metritis (primiparous-LRM=84; primiparous-HRM=84; multiparous-LRM=138; multiparous-HRM=138) on the day of calving were blocked by parity and then randomly assigned to control, no Ca supplementation; 86g of Ca on d 0 and 1 postpartum (CaS1); or 86g of Ca on d 0 and 1 postpartum followed by 43g/d on d 2 to 4 postpartum (CaS4). Blood was sampled before and 30 min after treatment on d 0, and 30 min after treatments on d 1 to 4, and d 7 and 10 for determination of concentrations of minerals and metabolites and blood acid-base responses. Disease incidence was evaluated for the first 30 DIM. Concentrations of ionized Ca (iCa) increased for 2h in cows supplemented with 43g of Ca and fewer than 8h in cows supplemented with 86g of Ca. The changes in iCa concentrations from pretreatment to 30 min after 86g of Ca supplemented on d 0 were 0.11±0.03 mM in multiparous cows and 0.25±0.03 mM in primiparous cows. Oral Ca reduced the incidence of subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH; tCa <2.125mM) in the first 4 d in the experiment (control=69.3%; CaS1=57.5%; CaS4=34.2%). Calcium supplementation decreased the prevalence of SCH on d 0 and 1 postpartum in all cows. Stopping oral Ca in CaS1 on d 1 postpartum, however, caused a rebound in SCH on d 2 to 4 postpartum in primiparous cows. Oral Ca increased the incidence of metritis (control=22.7%; CaS1=34.8%; CaS4=32.8%), primarily because of an increase in LRM primiparous cows (control=17.9%; CaS1=35.7%; CaS4=42.9%). Oral Ca increased morbidity in primiparous cows (control=38.1%; CaS1=61.8%; CaS4=60.3%) but had no effect on multiparous cows (control=38.2%; CaS1=35.1%; CaS4=30.1%). Large doses of oral Ca as salts of chloride and sulfate in the first days postpartum should be avoided in primiparous cows and used only in cows at risk of clinical hypocalcemia.