Diagnosing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow on MRI: importance of the longitudinal extent of the hyperintense ulnar nerve.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of the longitudinal extent (LE) of high ulnar nerve signal intensity (SI) for the diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 68 patients who underwent elbow MRI. Twenty-seven and 41 patients were enrolled in the UNE and control groups, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the SI and size of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel, proximal, and distal to the cubital tunnel were performed. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and nerve-to-muscle contrast ratio (NMCR) were measured at each level. The LE of the hyperintense ulnar nerve was evaluated using axial and coronal images. The presence of space-occupying lesions (SOLs), subluxation, and muscle denervation were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictive factors. RESULTS: Ulnar nerve hyperintensity at and distal to the cubital tunnel, presence of compression, SOL, muscle denervation, LE of hyperintense ulnar nerve, NMCR, and CSA at and distal to the cubital tunnel significantly differed between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the LE of the hyperintense ulnar nerve and CSA at the cubital tunnel were independent predictive factors for UNE (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LE of the hyperintense ulnar nerve could be a useful predictive factor for UNE.

MRI features of symptomatic amputation neuromas.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of amputation neuromas in lower extremity amputees and investigate independent predictive MRI features for symptomatic neuromas. METHODS: This retrospective study included 45 amputation neuromas in 44 lower extremity amputees. Two radiologists assessed the imaging features, including shape, size, type (end-bulb or spindle), signal intensity (SI), heterogeneity, margins, enlarged fascicles, dark outer rim, tail sign, target sign, enhancement, perilesional fibrosis, and muscle denervation. The neuromas were categorized into symptomatic (n = 24) or asymptomatic (n = 21). Symptomatic neuromas were determined based on neuropathic pain characteristics, the presence of Tinel's sign or tenderness, and response to local anesthetic injection. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictive MRI features. RESULTS: Of 45 neuromas, 80% (36/45) were end-bulb neuromas and 20% (9/45) were spindle-type neuromas. Eighty percent of the neuromas (36/45) were heterogeneous on T2-weighted images (WIs). Enlarged fascicles were present in 42% (19/45) and dark outer rims in 27% (12/45) of the neuromas. Among the 23 neuromas with enhanced images, 78% (18/23) showed enhancement. Heterogeneity on T2-WIs and enhancement ratios were significantly different between the asymptomatic and symptomatic neuroma groups (p < 0.05). The multivariate analyses indicated that heterogeneity on T2-WIs was an independent factor associated with symptomatic neuromas (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneity on T2-WIs could be a predictive indicator for symptomatic neuromas in lower extremity amputees. KEY POINTS: • Amputation neuromas are classified as either end-bulb or spindle-type. They can show enlarged fascicles, dark outer rims, and enhancement. • Heterogeneity on T2-weighted images could be a predictive indicator for symptomatic neuromas. • Predicting the symptomatic neuroma on MRI would help in effective management of stump pain.

MRI Findings Predictive of Shoulder Stiffness in Patients With Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to evaluate the relationship between stiff shoulder in patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear and MRI findings, especially joint capsule abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study included 106 patients with small to large (≤ 5 cm) full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Joint capsule edema and thickness in the axillary recess, obliteration of the subcoracoid fat triangle, fatty degeneration of the torn rotator cuff muscle, and degree of retraction were assessed by two radiologists. The size and location of tears were determined by MRI findings and operative report. Associations between MRI findings and preoperative passive range of motion (ROM) were assessed by simple and multiple linear regression analyses and proportional odds logistic regression analysis. RESULTS. There was a significant, negative linear correlation between limited ROM at forward elevation and thickness of the joint capsule in the glenoid portion of the axillary recess (p = 0.018), external rotation and joint capsule edema in the humeral portion of the axillary recess (p = 0.011), and internal rotation and joint capsule edema in the glenoid portion of the axillary recess (p = 0.007). Male sex (p = 0.041) and posterosuperior rotator cuff tear (p = 0.030) were independent predictors of shoulder ROM on external rotation. Degree of fatty degeneration (p = 0.003) was another independent predictor of shoulder ROM on internal rotation. CONCLUSION. MRI findings-especially joint capsule edema and thickness at the axillary recess-can be useful in predicting shoulder stiffness in patients with rotator cuff tear.

Porous TiO2 Nanotube Arrays for Drug Loading and Their Elution Sensing.

Porous TiO2 nanotube arrays have been attracting much attention as optical sensing layers and surface layers of dental implants because they are stable in acid and biocompatible. To use them as the optical sensing layers, TiO2 nanotube arrays with various structures were fabricated and obtained an optimized microstructure at 50 V, 50 min and 0.5 wt% of NH4F, 7.4 vol% deionized water in ethylene glycol. TiO2 nanotube arrays which had diameters of ~73.54 nm and lengths of ~3.39 µm showed the best sensing performance. A Ti implant was also anodized at 60 V for 4 hr in an ethylene glycol electrolyte and TiO2 nanotube arrays showed the pore diameter of 156.01 nm and the thickness of 6.87 µm. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), isobutylphenyl propionic acid, and sodium alendronate were loaded into the TiO2 nanotube arrays on the surface of the Ti implant. For elution of these drugs, optical thickness changes of 2.4 nm, 3.5 nm and 3.1 nm were respectively observed for about 2.2 hr, 3.6 hr and 3.1 hr. The TiO2 nanotube arrays were useful for drug loading and their elution interferometric sensing.

Lumbar spine MRI versus non-lumbar imaging modalities in the diagnosis of sacral insufficiency fracture: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIFs) are a common cause of lower back pain in the elderly. However, because clinical symptoms are frequently vague and nonspecific and can mimic lumbar spine pathologies, initial imaging in SIF patients is frequently targeted at the lumbar spine rather than the sacrum, resulting in delayed diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to show the proportions of modalities used in diagnosing SIF in practice and to compare the clinical and imaging features of SIF diagnosed by lumbar spine MRI (L-spine MRI) with those diagnosed by non-lumbar imaging modalities (bone scan, pelvic bone CT, pelvis MRI). METHODS: Forty-two patients with SIF were enrolled in this study. SIFs diagnosed by L-spine were assigned to group 1 and SIFs diagnosed by non-lumbar imaging modalities (bone scan, pelvic bone CT, pelvis MRI) were assigned to group 2. The clinical and imaging features of SIFs were assessed and compared between two groups. RESULTS: SIF were more commonly diagnosed by L-spine MRI (group 1: n = 27, 64.3%) than non-lumbar imaging modalities (group 2: n = 15, 35.7%), which was comprised of pelvic bone CT (n = 6, 14.3%), bone scan (n = 5, 11.9%), and pelvis MRI (n = 4, 9.5%). Lower back pain, radiating pain and comorbid other causes of pain were more frequently identified in group 1. Fracture involving bilateral sacral ala with horizontal component was the most common shape and S2 being the most commonly involved horizontal component, without significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION: SIFs are more commonly diagnosed by L-spine MRI than non-lumbar imaging modalities, because of symptoms that mimic lumbar spine pathology and variable comorbid causes of pain. To know that L-spine MRI commonly reveal SIF and to be familiar with SIF features on L-spine MRI would help increase sensitivity in detecting this commonly underrecognized entity and achieve earlier and more appropriate management.

Infiltrating angiolipoma of the foot: magnetic resonance imaging features and review of the literature.

Angiolipoma is a benign soft tissue tumor with two subtypes: non-infiltrating and infiltrating. Although histologically benign, infiltrating angiolipoma can invade surrounding structures. The foot is a very rare location for angiolipoma, with only four cases reported in the English literature, including one infiltrating type. Here, we report a very rare case of infiltrating angiolipoma of the foot with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) findings. A 7-year-old boy presented with a slowly growing foot mass. MRI showed an unencapsulated mass involving the third web space extending to the foot dorsum and sole. The mass was isointense to subcutaneous fat and was mixed with internal T1 low-signal-intensity enhancing areas. On US, we observed a heterogeneously hypoechoic mass with internal vascularity. Imaging and clinical features of angiolipoma and the radiologic differential diagnoses of a fat-containing mass in the pediatric foot are reviewed here. When there is an ill-defined foot mass with a fat component and variable enhancing portions in a child, infiltrating angiolipoma should be included in the differential diagnosis along with other fat-containing tumors.

Effect of drug-loaded TiO2 nanotube arrays on osseointegration in an orthodontic miniscrew: an in-vivo pilot study.

Osseointegration was evaluated for the surface of miniscrews with TiO2 nanotube arrays containing drugs in this in-vivo study. The diameter and length of the TiO2 nanotube arrays were about 70 nm and 5 µm, respectively. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) or ibuprofen was loaded in the TiO2 nanotube arrays with 12 miniscrews. The 12 drug-loaded miniscrews, 6 miniscrews with no drug-loaded TiO2 nanotube arrays and 6 conventional miniscrews, were placed on the tibias of New Zealand white rabbits. Histological osseointegration was assessed 8 weeks after implantation by measuring the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratio. Ibuprofen-loaded miniscrews showed a significantly higher BIC of 71.6% over conventional miniscrews of 44.3% on average. The mean BIC ratios of rhBMP-2-loaded miniscrews and no drug-loaded miniscrews was 24.6% and 60.1%, respectively. Our results suggest that TiO2 nanotube arrays on the surface of miniscrews could be used as carriers of drugs, and loading ibuprofen in TiO2 nanotube arrays may improve osseointegration of miniscrews. However, the effect of rhBMP-2 loaded in TiO2 nanotube arrays on osseointegration of miniscrews was questionable in this pilot study.

Dual functions of DP1 promote biphasic Wnt-on and Wnt-off states during anteroposterior neural patterning.

DP1, a dimerization partner protein of the transcription factor E2F, is known to inhibit Wnt/ß-catenin signalling along with E2F, although the function of DP1 itself was not well characterized. Here, we present a novel dual regulatory mechanism of Wnt/ß-catenin signalling by DP1 independent from E2F. DP1 negatively regulates Wnt/ß-catenin signalling by inhibiting Dvl-Axin interaction and by enhancing poly-ubiquitination of ß-catenin. In contrast, DP1 positively modulates the signalling upon Wnt stimulation, via increasing cytosolic ß-catenin and antagonizing the kinase activity of NLK. In Xenopus embryos, DP1 exerts both positive and negative roles in Wnt/ß-catenin signalling during anteroposterior neural patterning. From subcellular localization analyses, we suggest that the dual roles of DP1 in Wnt/ß-catenin signalling are endowed by differential nucleocytoplasmic localizations. We propose that these dual functions of DP1 can promote and stabilize biphasic Wnt-on and Wnt-off states in response to a gradual gradient of Wnt/ß-catenin signalling to determine differential cell fates.

Consecutive results of blood cell count and retrospective biodosimetry: useful tools of health protection regulation for radiation workers.

BACKGROUND: Industrial radiography is known to be one of the most vulnerable lines of work among the range of different radiation work. According to the relevant law in Korea, every worker registered in this work should check their blood cell counts every year in addition to their thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) doses. Since the law was enacted, however, few follow-up studies have been carried out based on the obtained results. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the clinical usefulness of complete blood cell count (CBC) results and suggest a proper protocol of health protection for radiation workers. METHODS: After reviewing all the consecutive results of CBC and TLD doses from radiation workers registered nationwide, we selected two groups of high-risk radiation workers, CBC-high risk (CBC-HR) and TLD-high risk (TLD-HR) groups. A control group of unexposed healthy adults was also included. We compared the absorbed doses calculated by cytogenetic biodosimetry among those three groups, and examined possible confounding factors for each group. RESULTS: Both groups of high-risk radiation workers, CBC-HR and TLD-HR, showed higher chromosome aberrations than the control group. In the control group, previous medical history of a CT scan increased the frequency of chromosome aberrations. In contrast, the frequency of chromosome aberrations in the high-risk radiation workers was affected not by the previous CT history but only by the duration of their work. CONCLUSIONS: We ascertain that reviewing consecutive results of blood cell counts and cytogenetic biodosimetry are useful complementary tools to TLD doses for health protection regulation. Several confounding factors including work duration and previous medical history need to be considered for the interpretation of biodosimetry results.

Myopericytoma around the knee: mimicking a neurogenic tumour.

Myopericytoma is a rare, usually benign soft tissue tumour that arises most commonly in the dermis and subcutaneous soft tissue of the lower extremities. In this article, we present an unusual case of myopericytoma occurring in the deep soft tissue around the knee that mimicked a neurogenic tumour. Myopericytoma can be confused with neurogenic tumour when located in deep soft tissue and adjacent to nerve bundles. Preoperative MRI and colour Doppler ultrasound may help differentiate myopericytoma from neurogenic tumour by revealing the hypervascular nature of the tumour.

Efficient Fluoride Wastewater Treatment Using Eco-Friendly Synthesized AlOOH.

Fluoride ion is essential for health in small amounts, but excessive intake can be toxic. Meeting safety regulations for managing fluoride ion emissions from industrial facilities with both cost-effective and eco-friendly approaches is challenging. This study presents a solution through a chemical-free process, producing a boehmite (AlOOH) adsorbent on aluminum sheets. Utilizing cost-effective Al foil and DI water, rather than typical precursors, yields a substantial cost advantage. The optimized AlOOH adsorbent demonstrated a high fluoride ion removal rate of 91.0% in simulated wastewater with fluoride ion concentrations below 20 ppm and displayed a similar performance in industrial wastewater. Furthermore, the AlOOH adsorbent exhibited excellent reusability through a simple regeneration process and maintained stable performance across a wide pH range of 4 to 11, demonstrating its capability to adsorb fluoride ions under diverse conditions. The efficiency of the AlOOH adsorbent was validated by a high fluoride ion removal efficiency of 90.9% in a semi-batch mode flow cell, highlighting its potential applicability in engineered water treatment systems. Overall, the AlOOH adsorbent developed in this study offers a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and sustainable solution for effectively removing fluoride ion from surface waters and industrial wastewaters.

Utility of Diffusion and Magnetization Transfer MRI in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Pilot Study.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and magnetization transfer (MT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help detect spinal cord pathology, and tract-specific analysis of their parameters, such as fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and MT ratio (MTR), can give microstructural information. We performed the tract-based acquisition of MR parameters of three major motor tracts: the lateral corticospinal (CS), rubrospinal (RuS) tract, and lateral reticulospinal (RS) tract as well as two major sensory tracts, i.e., the fasciculus cuneatus (FC) and spinal lemniscus, to detect pathologic change and find correlations with clinical items. MR parameters were extracted for each tract at three levels: the most compressed lesion level and above and below the lesion. We compared the MR parameters of eight cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients and 12 normal controls and analyzed the correlation between clinical evaluation items and MR parameters in patients. RuS and lateral RS showed worse DTI parameters at the lesion level in patients compared to the controls. Worse DTI parameters in those tracts were correlated with weaker power grasp at the lesion level. FC and lateral CS showed a correlation between higher RD and lower FA and MTR with a weaker lateral pinch below the lesion level.

Hepatic resection versus radiofrequency ablation for very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma: a Markov model analysis.

UNLABELLED: No adequate randomized trials have been reported for a comparison between hepatic resection (HR) versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of patients with very early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), defined as an asymptomatic solitary HCC <2 cm. For compensated cirrhotic patients with very early stage HCC, a Markov model was created to simulate a randomized trial between HR (group I) versus primary percutaneous RFA followed by HR for cases of initial local failure (group II) versus percutaneous RFA monotherapy (group III); each arm was allocated with a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients. The primary endpoint was overall survival. The estimates of the variables were extracted from published articles after a systematic review. In the parameter estimations, we assumed the best scenario for HR and the worst scenario for RFA. The mean expected survival was 7.577 years, 7.564 years, and 7.356 years for group I, group II, and group III, respectively. One-way sensitivity analysis demonstrated that group II was the preferred strategy if the perioperative mortality rate was greater than 1.0%, if the probability of local recurrence following an initial complete ablation was <1.9% or if the positive microscopic resection margin rate was >0.3%. The 95% confidence intervals for the difference in overall survival were -0.18-0.18 years between group I and II, 0.06-0.36 years between group I and III, and 0.13-0.30 years between group II and III, respectively. CONCLUSION: Primary percutaneous RFA followed by HR for cases of initial local failure was nearly identical to HR for the overall survival of compensated cirrhotic patients with very early stage HCC.

Gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic appearances of nonsubungual soft-tissue glomus tumors.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the sonographic findings of soft-tissue nonsubungual glomus tumors. METHODS: The sonographic appearances of nine histologically proven soft-tissue glomus tumors of nonsubungual location in nine patients (mean age, 49 years; M:F = 7:2) were reviewed retrospectively. Doppler examination and surgical excision were performed in all cases. RESULTS: The mean size of the lesions was 1 cm. The margins of the lesions were relatively well-circumscribed in eight of nine patients (89%) with an ovoid shape in seven of nine patients (78%). The vascularity was moderate to rich in all cases, with an arterial flow pattern but no arteriovenous shunt patterns. The "vascular stalk sign" was noted in six cases (67%). CONCLUSIONS: Nonsubungual glomus tumors are rare soft-tissue tumors with abundant vascularity and arterial flow pattern.

Effects of Electrospinning Parameters on the Microstructure of PVP/TiO2 Nanofibers.

Titanium dioxide has excellent chemical, electrical, and optical properties, as well as good chemical stability. For that reason, it is widely used in many fields of study and industry, such as photocatalysts, organic solar cells, sensors, dental implants, and other applications. Many nanostructures of TiO2 have been reported, and electrospinning is an efficient practical technique that has a low cost and high efficiency. In various studies on improving performance, the researchers created nanofibers with suitable microstructures by changing various properties and the many process parameters that can be controlled. In this study, PVP/TiO2 nanofibers were fabricated by the electrospinning process. The diameters of the nanofibers were controlled by various parameters. To understand the effects on the diameter of the nanofibers, various process parameters were controlled: the molecular weight and concentration of the polymers, deionized water, applied voltage, fluid velocity, and concentration of titanium precursor. The average diameter of the PVP nanofibers was controlled in a range of 42.3 nm to 633.0 nm. The average diameter of the PVP/TiO2 nanofibers was also controlled in a range of 63.5 nm to 186.0 nm after heat treatment.

Dermoid cyst in the subcutaneous tissues of the back: A rare case with multimodal imaging and pathologic correlation.

Dermoid cysts are lined by keratinizing squamous epithelium and consist of skin appendages such as hair follicles, apocrine glands, and sebaceous glands. They are usually diagnosed during infancy or early childhood, commonly reported in the head and neck region. A dermoid cyst on the back is extremely rare, with only three cases in the pediatric and adult populations. We report a rare case of a dermoid cyst in the subcutaneous layer of the back in an adult. A 75-year-old man presented with a soft, painless mass on his left upper back. Computed tomography revealed a low-density mass nearly identical to the subcutaneous fat in the subcutaneous layer with nodular soft-tissue density components. It was a heterogeneously hyperechoic mass without internal vascularity on ultrasonography. On magnetic resonance imaging, the lesion showed nearly identical signal intensity (SI) to subcutaneous fat on T1 and T2-weighted images. The soft tissue component was intermediately hyperintense on T1- and T2- weighted images with enhancement. This lesion was pre-operatively suspected as a lipoma variant or a well-differentiated liposarcoma/atypical lipomatous tumor because of the fat density or SI and enhancing portion. We demonstrated and reviewed the multimodality imaging features of dermoid cysts at an unusual location and suggested imaging features that could help readers differentiate dermoid cysts from lipomatous tumors. When a mass shows fat density or SI with or without enhancing soft tissue components at the trunk or extremity, dermoid cysts as well as lipomatous tumors could be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Effects of ibuprofen-loaded TiO2 nanotube dental implants in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits.

PURPOSE: Some systemic conditions, especially diabetes mellitus (DM), adversely affect dental implant success. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ibuprofen-loaded TiO2 nanotube (ILTN) dental implants in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-six New Zealand white rabbits were treated with alloxan monohydrate to induce DM. At 2 weeks following DM induction, 3 types of implants (sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched [SLA], ILTN, and machined) were placed into the proximal tibia in the 10 rabbits that survived following DM induction. Each type of implant was fitted randomly in 1 of the holes (round-robin method). The animals were administered alizarin (at 3 weeks) and calcein (at 6 weeks) as fluorescent bone markers, and were sacrificed at 8 weeks for radiographic and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: TiO2 nanotube arrays of ~70 nm in diameter and ~17 µm in thickness were obtained, and ibuprofen was loaded into the TiO2 nanotube arrays. A total of 26 rabbits were treated with alloxan monohydrate and only 10 rabbits survived. The 10 surviving rabbits showed a blood glucose level of 300 mg/dL or higher, and the implants were placed in these diabetic rabbits. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) values were significantly higher in the ILTN group (ISQ: 61.8, BIC: 41.3%) and SLA group (ISQ: 62.6, BIC: 46.3%) than in the machined group (ISQ: 53.4, BIC: 20.2%), but the difference in the BIC percentage between the SLA and ILTN groups was not statistically significant (P=0.628). However, the bone area percentage was significantly higher in the ILTN group (78.0%) than in the SLA group (52.1%; P=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The ILTN dental implants showed better stability (ISQ) and BIC than the machined implants; however, these values were similar to the commercially used SLA implants in the 2-week diabetic rabbit model.

Imaging features of periostitis as a manifestation of IgA vasculitis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Periostitis in systemic vasculitis is very rare with only a few previously reported cases. The reported cases were seen in polyarteritis nodosa or Takayasu arteritis. We report the first case of periostitis associated with IgA vasculitis with demonstration of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, and serial changes of radiographs. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 74-year-old man visited an orthopedic outpatient clinic for pain in both lower legs and left ankle pain. He underwent a total ankle arthroplasty of the left ankle 3 years ago. His medical history disclosed IgA vasculitis/nephropathy caused by cephalosporin antibiotic class 5 months earlier. Plain radiography, MRI of the right lower leg, CT scan of the left ankle showed single lamellar to spiculated periosteal reactions at both tibia, fibula and left calcaneus. There was no evidence of bone or soft tissue mass lesions or cortical destruction. DIAGNOSIS: We concluded that this was a case of periosteal reactions associated with IgA vasculitis for the following reasons: (1) periosteal biopsy was negative for tumor. (2) there was no pulmonary lesion on chest radiography and CT, no history of trauma, inflammatory arthritis, metabolic disease, or genetic disease that could cause periostitis at multiple bones, (3) the initial MRI showed predominant signal changes around the tibial and fibular shafts, possibly explaining subsequent periosteal reactions, and (4) symptoms subsided with conservative treatment and follow-up radiographs showed remodeling of periosteal reactions. INTERVENTIONS: The patient took conservative management. OUTCOMES: His calf pain improved, and a radiograph 7 months later showed remodeling to the solid or single lamellar periosteal reaction along the both tibia and left fibula. CONCLUSION: Awareness of this uncommon manifestation would help differential diagnosis of periostitis and could help decrease the patient's anxiety. It should also be noted that periosteal reactions by benign entities could cause aggressive-looking periosteal reactions in post-operative regions.

Microstructure of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Nanofiber with Metal Nitrates in Electrospinning Precursor.

Electrospun NiZn ferrite nanofibers have great potential due to their one-dimensional structure and electrical properties, but they have a low reproducibility resulting from many process confounders, so much research effort is needed to achieve optimized process control. For structure control, the viscosity of the precursor solution is a likely parameter. One solution is to use polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and metal nitrate to obtain the desired viscosity by increasing the nitrate content, even if the polymer content is decreased. Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite nanofiber was electrospun with various precursor conditions. Fifteen different precursor solutions, with a content of five polymers and three metal nitrates, were prepared, with precursor solutions composed of Fe(NO3)2·9H2O, Ni(NO3)2·6H2O, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), and N,N-dimethylmethanamide. The fiber diameter changed from the lowest, of 62.41 nm, to 417.54 nm. This study shows that the average diameter can be controlled using the metal nitrate concentration without a difference in crystal structure when PVP is used. In a 24.0 mmol metal nitrate precursor solution, the process yield was improved to 140% after heat treatment. There was also no significant difference in the crystal structure and morphology. This system reduces the cost of raw materials for electrospinning and increases the process yield of NiZn ferrite nanofibers.