The significance of the best puncture side bone cement/vertebral volume ratio to prevent paravertebral vein leakage of bone cement during vertebroplasty: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the clinical significance of the best puncture-side bone cement/vertebral volume ratio (PSBCV/VV%) and bone cement leakage in paravertebral veins during vertebroplasty. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of a total of 210 patients from September 2021 to December 2022, who were divided into an observation group (110 patients) and a control group (100 patients). In the observation group, patients' preoperative computed tomography (CT) data were imported into Mimics software, and the VV was calculated using the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction function. Then, based on the best PSBCV/VV% of 13.68% determined in a previous study, the optimal PSBCV to be injected during vertebroplasty was calculated. In the control group, vertebroplasty was performed directly using the conventional method. The incidence of cement leakage into paravertebral veins was observed postoperatively in both groups. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in the evaluated indicators between the two groups pre- or postoperatively, including the anterior vertebral margin height, mid-vertebral height, injured vertebral Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Intragroup comparisons showed improvements in the anterior vertebral height, mid-vertebral height, injured vertebral Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI after surgery compared with before surgery (P < 0.05). In the observation group, there were 3 cases of cement leakage into the paravertebral veins, for a leakage rate of 2.7%. In the control group, there were 11 cases of cement leakage into the paravertebral veins, for a leakage rate of 11%. The difference in the leakage rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: In vertebroplasty, preoperative VV calculations using Mimics software, combined with calculation of the PSBCV according to the best PSBCV/VV% (13.68%), can effectively prevent leakage of bone cement into paravertebral veins and further prevent serious life-threatening complications such as pulmonary embolism.

Non-viral vectors for RNA delivery.

RNA-based therapy is a promising and potential strategy for disease treatment by introducing exogenous nucleic acids such as messenger RNA (mRNA), small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) to modulate gene expression in specific cells. It is exciting that mRNA encoding the spike protein of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) delivered by lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) exhibits the efficient protection of lungs infection against the virus. In this review, we introduce the biological barriers to RNA delivery in vivo and discuss recent advances in non-viral delivery systems, such as lipid-based nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-siRNA conjugate, and biomimetic nanovectors, which can protect RNAs against degradation by ribonucleases, accumulate in specific tissue, facilitate cell internalization, and allow for the controlled release of the encapsulated therapeutics.

[Investigation and analysis of oral health status of the elderly in nursing homes in Taiyuan].

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate awareness of oral health care and health status among elderly people in nursing homes in Taiyuan. Strategies for preventing and treating oral diseases and improving the quality of life of the elderly in nursing homes were formulated on the basis of analyzed data. METHODS: A total of 359 participants from 48 nursing homes in six districts were selected randomly. Awareness, attitude, and behavior with regard to oral health care among the elderly were investigated through a survey using questionnaires and oral health examinations. Data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: Among the elderly in the nursing homes in Taiyuan, awareness and behavior with regard to oral health care were deficient and inappropriate, and thus professional guidance was needed. In addition to method and time of brushing teeth and bad oral habits, the oral health status of the elderly was statistically affected by age and education. Compared with the data of the Fourth National Oral Epidemiological Investigation, the number of elderly people aged 55-64 or 65-74 years who brush their teeth every day and accept oral diagnosis and treatment was lower. However, the ratios of edentulous and missing teeth without treatment were higher than the national average level for the same age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The awareness and attitude of the elderly in nursing homes with regard to oral health care are unsatisfactory, and their oral health status is poor. Education on oral health care, development of good oral care habits, and regular oral health examination are essential to the maintenance of oral health in elderly people.

[Enhanced reductive decoloration of methylene blue by polyacrylic acid modified zero-valent iron nanoparticles].

Nano zerovalent iron ( NZVI) technology has attracted tremendous amount of interests for degrading a number of environmental contaminants found both in surface water and underground water. However, these nanoscale particles are prone to aggregate, which may result in the decrease of its reactivity in liquid phase. Iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) modified with polyacrylic acid (PAA) has enhanced the dispersion of NZVI and reduced its agglomeration. For the first time, PAA modified NPs (PAA-Fe NPs) were used for degradation of methylene blue in water phase. The PAA-Fe NPs prepared were characterized in terms of TEM, SEM, XRD and specific surface area. The results indicated that, the surface area of PAA-Fe NPs was increased, compared with unmodified pristine zero-valent iron NPs, and PAA-Fe NPs were smoother with smaller particle size. With addition of 0.1 g x L(-1) of PAA, the decolorization efficiency of methylene blue by PAA-Fe NPs was 98.84% in 60 min, which was 27.32% higher than that of pristine Fe NPs. Decolorization efficiencies were also affected by initial pH value, initial concentration of methylene blue, dosage of PAA-Fe NPs, and degradation temperature. Kinetic analyses based on the experimental data illustrated that the decolorization reaction of methylene blue fitted well to the pseudo first-order kinetics model.

[Clinical analysis of two-phase treatment of 35 cases with Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical value of the two-phase treatment of Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion. METHODS: Thirty five cases with Class II division 1 malocclusion were treated with two-phase treatment(Twin-block functional appliance and fixed appliance).Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after treatment for each patient. The results were analyzed with paired t test using SPSS11.0 software package. RESULTS: After treatment ,the bite relation of molars ,the overbite and overjet and soft tissue profile were improved. ANB angle,U1-SN,OB,OJ,UL-E,ULP were decreased respectively(P<0.01). SNB, C(o)-G(o),G(o)-G(n),C(o)-G(n) were increased respectively(P<0.01). L1-Mp and FH-MP were increased, too(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Twin-block functional appliance possesses the orthopedic effects on Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion.It limits the maxillary growth forward and promotes the mandibular growth by repositioning the mandible forward.These may contribute to a harmonious relationship of upper and lower jaws and a better profile.