Three-dimensional digitalized virtual planning for saphenous artery flap: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Since the 1970s, research and applications on flap and muscle flap had solved many problems in microsurgical reconstruction. However, the traditional flap design is completely dependent on two-dimensional (2D) images. The purpose of this study was to discuss the methods in the visualization of saphenous artery flap by digitalized technique and its applications by digitalized technique. METHODS: Two adult fresh cadaver specimens, one male and one female, were subject to radiographic computerized tomography (CT) scanning before and after perfused with lead oxide-gelatine mixture, whose collimation are 0.625 mm (120 kV, 110 mA, 512 × 512 matrix). Through Amira 5.4.1 software, the 2D images in DICOM format were transformed into the 3D models of the entire region. The structures of saphenous artery were observed and the digitized visible models of saphenous artery flap were established through three-dimensional (3D) computerized reconstructions methods from these data using Amira 5.4.1 software. Next six cases of soft-tissue defects of the tibia region, involving the exposure bones underwent contrast-enhanced CT angiography of lower limbs utilizing a 64-row multi-slice spiral CT after median cubital vein injection with Ultravist (3.5 ml/s). 2D images from these data in DICOM format were transformed into computer. The structures of saphenous artery flap were observed and measured using Amira 5.4.1 software. Then, all cases were treated by saphenous artery flap. RESULTS: The 3D reconstructed visible models established from these datasets perfectly displayed the saphenous artery flap anatomy. In six cases, the main trunk and branched of the blood vessels in the designed flap were consistent with the surgical findings. The starting point of the saphenous artery to the average distance of the knee clearance were 119.2 ± 9.6 mm, the average diameter of the saphenous artery from the starting point were 1.5 ± 0.3 mm. The range of flap was 8.0 × 5.0 cm to 20.0 × 8.0 cm. All flaps survived well. After 8-24 months' follow-up the knee flexion was 120-140°, the straight 0-10°. There was no case appeared incision infection. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative use of 3D digitalized virtual planning for the saphenous artery flap improves the surgical accuracy, decreases the operation time and increases the survival rate of the flap.

Sulforaphane induces adipocyte browning and promotes glucose and lipid utilization.

SCOPE: Obesity is closely related to the imbalance of white adipose tissue storing excess calories, and brown adipose tissue dissipating energy to produce heat in mammals. Recent studies revealed that acquisition of brown characteristics by white adipocytes, termed "browning," may positively contribute to cellular bioenergetics and metabolism homeostasis. The goal was to investigate the putative effects of natural antioxidant sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanate-4-methyl-sulfonyl butane; SFN) on browning of white adipocytes. METHODS AND RESULTS: 3T3-L1 mature white adipocytes were treated with SFN for 48 h, and then the mitochondrial content, function, and energy utilization were assessed. SFN was found to induce 3T3-L1 adipocytes browning based on the increased mitochondrial content and activity of respiratory chain enzymes, whereas the mechanism involved the upregulation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/sirtuin1/peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha signaling. SFN enhanced uncoupling protein 1 expression, a marker for brown adipocyte, leading to the decrease in cellular ATP. SFN also enhanced glucose uptake and oxidative utilization, lipolysis, and fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CONCLUSION: SFN-induced browning of white adipocytes enhanced the utilization of cellular fuel, and application of SFN is a promising strategy to combat obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorder.

Alignment of the lower extremity mechanical axis by computer-aided design and application in total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: The success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) depends on many factors. The position of a prosthesis is vitally important. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the value of a computer-aided establishing lower extremity mechanical axis in TKA using digital technology. METHODS: A total of 36 cases of patients with TKA were randomly divided into the computer-aided design of navigation template group (NT) and conventional intramedullary positioning group (CIP). Three-dimensional (3D) CT scanning images of the hip, knee, and ankle were obtained in NT group. X-ray images and CT scans were transferred into the 3D reconstruction software. A 3D bone model of the hip, knee, ankle, as well as the modified loading, was reconstructed and saved in a stereolithographic format. In the 3D reconstruction model, the mechanical axis of the lower limb was determined, and the navigational templates produced an accurate model using a rapid prototyping technique. The THA in CIP group was performed according to a routine operation. CT scans were performed postoperatively to evaluate the accuracy of the two TKA methods. RESULTS: The averaged operative time of the NT group procedures was [Formula: see text] min shorter than those of the conventional procedures ([Formula: see text]  min). The coronal femoral angle, coronal tibial angle, posterior tibial slope were [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in NT group and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in CIP group, respectively. Statistically significant group differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The navigation template produced through mechanical axis of lower extremity may provide a relative accurate and simple method for TKA.