The decision regarding graft choice and fixation in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction remains controversial. Free cylindrical bone plugs have been used successfully as graft fixation method. However, some concerns continue to exist regarding how well these plugs integrate with the bony walls of the tunnel. The aim of this study was to assess osteo-integration of free cylindrical bone plugs and to evaluate its effect on the clinical outcomes of the procedure.

From January 2015 to December 2017, 30 patients (21-40years old) with torn ACL were operated on and followed up for 24months after surgery. All patients were assessed clinically (International Knee Documentation Committee score (IKDC) and Tegner-Lysholm knee scoring system), instrumentally (KT 1000 and Rolimeter), and radiologically (X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). Young active patients with torn ACL were included while those with previous ligamentous injury and/or surgery were excluded.

All bone grafts showed solid bone healing after 6months of surgery; incorporation was 'good to excellent’ (tibial side 66.6%; femoral side 86.6%). There was no correlation between age or time interval and graft incorporation. Positive correlation was shown between tibial and femoral graft incorporation within the same patient. Only one patient was abnormal in our final objective IKDC scores (graded C). The mean side-to-side difference with KT 1000 and Rolimeter was 1.9 and 1.8, respectively.

Free cylindrical bone plugs could be used safely for hamstring tendon graft fixation; it enhances graft tunnel integration within the first 6months and yields comparable clinical outcomes whilst avoiding the potential hazards of foreign hardware implants.

Free cylindrical bone plugs could be used safely for hamstring tendon graft fixation; it enhances graft tunnel integration within the first 6 months and yields comparable clinical outcomes whilst avoiding the potential hazards of foreign hardware implants.

This study was performed to (i) compare gait parameters obtained from inertial sensors attached to the lower trunk and foot between patients in the early postoperative period after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and healthy age- and sex-matched controls and (ii) elucidate the association between the gait parameters and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

The gait performance of 19 patients who had undergone TKA was assessed using inertial sensors and PROMs obtained from the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) 1week before hospital discharge. The patients walked along a 15-m walkway and we calculated the following gait parameters walking speed, coefficient of variation (CV) of stride time, unbiased autocorrelation coefficient (AC), harmonic ratio (HR), and symmetry index (SI). The same gait parameter data from 19 age- and sex-matched healthy adults (controls) were obtained from our past study.

The TKA group demonstrated slower walking speed, larger CV of stride time, lower HR in all three directions, lower AC in the vertical direction, and higher SI in the vertical direction than the healthy control group (all p<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that the SI in the anteroposterior direction was significantly correlated with the KOOS symptoms subscore and ADL subscore (p<0.05).

Patients in the early postoperative period after TKA exhibited worse gait performance as assessed by inertial sensors compared with healthy controls. Gait symmetry was correlated with PROMs. These results indicate the usefulness of assessing gait parameters after TKA.

Patients in the early postoperative period after TKA exhibited worse gait performance as assessed by inertial sensors compared with healthy controls. Gait symmetry was correlated with PROMs. These results indicate the usefulness of assessing gait parameters after TKA.

Antero-medialisation osteotomy combined with a distalisation procedure may require a more stable fixation as the osteotomy fragment loses both proximal and distal support. This finite element analysis aimed to compare the mechanical behaviour of different fixation techniques in tibial tubercle antero-medialisation osteotomy combined with distalisation procedure.

Tibial tubercle osteotomy combined with distalisation was modelled based on computerised tomography data, which were acquired from a patient with patellar instability requiring this procedure. Six different fixation configurations with two 3.5-mm cortical screws (1), two 4.5-mm cortical screws (2), three 3.5-mm cortical screws (3), three 4.5-mm cortical screws (4), three 3.5-mm screws with 1/3 tubular plate (5), and four 3.5-mm screws with 1/3 tubular plate (6) were created. A total of 1654N of force was applied to the patellar tendon footprint on the tibial tubercle. Sliding, gap formation, and total deformation between the osteotomy components were analyzed.

Maximum sliding (0.660mm), gap formation (0.661mm), and displacement (1.267mm) were seen with two 3.5-mm screw fixation, followed by two 4.5-mm screws, three 3.5-mm screws, and three 4.5-mm screws, respectively, in the screw-only group. Overall, the minimum displacement was observed with the four 3.5-mm screws with 1/3 tubular plate fixation model.

Plate fixation might be recommended for tibial tubercle antero-medialisation osteotomy combined with distalisation procedure because it might allow early active range of motion exercises and weight-bearing.

Plate fixation might be recommended for tibial tubercle antero-medialisation osteotomy combined with distalisation procedure because it might allow early active range of motion exercises and weight-bearing.In this study, a numerical assessment of the coalescence of binary water droplets in water-in-oil emulsion was conducted. The investigation addressed the effect of various parameters on the acoustic pressure and coalescence time of water droplets in oil phase. These include transducer material, initial droplet diameter (0.05-0.2 in), interfacial tension (0.012-0.082 N/m), dynamic viscosity (10.6-530 mPas), temperature (20-100 °C), US (ultra sound) frequency (26.04-43.53 kHz) and transducer power (2.5-40 W). The materials assessed are lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lithium niobate (LiNbO3), zinc oxide (ZnO), aluminum nitride (AlN), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and barium titanate (BaTiO3). The numerical simulation of the binary droplet coalescence showed good agreement with experimental data in the literature. The US implementation at a fixed frequency produced enhanced coalescence (t = 5.9-8.5 ms) as compared to gravitational settling (t = 9.8 ms). At different ultrasound (US) frequencies and transducer materials, variation in the acoustic pressure distribution was observed. Possible attenuation of the US waves, and the subsequent inhibitive coalescence effect under various US frequencies and viscosities, were discussed. Moreover, the results showed that the coalescence time reduced across the range of interfacial tensions which was considered. This reduction can be attributed to the fact that lower interfacial tension produces emulsions which are relatively more stable. Hence, at lower interface tension between the water and crude oil, there was more resistance to the coalescence of the water droplets due to their improved emulsion stability. The increment of the Weber number at higher droplet sizes leads to a delay in the recovery of the droplet to spherical forms after their starting deformation. These findings provide significant insights that could aid further developments in demulsification of crude oil emulsions under varying US and emulsion properties.This study evaluated the effect of mono-frequency ultrasound (MFU, 20 kHz), dual-frequency ultrasound (DFU, 20/40 kHz), and tri-frequency ultrasound (TFU, 20/40/60 kHz) on mass transfer, drying kinetics, and quality properties of infrared-dried pineapple slices. Pretreatments were conducted in distilled water (US), 35 °Brix sucrose solution (US-OD), and 75% (v/v) ethanol solution (US-ET). Results indicated that ultrasound pretreatments modified the microstructure of slices and shortened drying times. Compared to the control group, ultrasound application reduced drying time by 19.01-28.8% for US, 15.33-24.41% for US-OD, and 38.88-42.76% for US-ET. Tri-frequency ultrasound provoked the largest reductions, which exhibited time reductions of 6.36-11.20% and better product quality compared to MFU. Pretreatments increased color changes and loss of bioactive compounds compared to the control but improved the flavor profile and enzyme inactivation. Among pretreated sample groups, US-OD slices had lower browning and rehydration abilities, higher hardness values, and better retention of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Therefore, the combination of TFU and osmotic dehydration could simultaneously improve ultrasound efficacy, reduce drying time, and produce quality products.

This study aimed to reveal the association between single-nucleotide polymorphism of NTN1 and subtypes of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in Han Chinese Population.

Initially, we selected three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) (rs4791331, rs4791774 and rs9891446) in NTN1 from previous genetic studies. Then we recruited two Han Chinese cohorts (2004 cases and 1823 controls) and divided cases into subgroups non-syndromic right-side cleft lip, non-syndromic left-side cleft lip, non-syndromic bilateral cleft lip and non-syndromic cleft lip with palate to further evaluate the associations between the subtypes of NSCL/P and SNPs in NTN1. PLINK and Haploview program were utilized to analyze the data.

In the association analysis under additive model, we found that G allele at rs9891446 could specifically increase the risk of right-side cleft lip (P = 0.0073, OR = 1.44, 95%CI 1.1-1.88), which was consistent with the results of association analysis under genotypic model.

This study showed that rs9891446 of NTN1 was specifically associated with right-side cleft lip in Han Chinese, which indicates that different subtypes of non-syndromic cleft lip have distinct genetic background.

This study showed that rs9891446 of NTN1 was specifically associated with right-side cleft lip in Han Chinese, which indicates that different subtypes of non-syndromic cleft lip have distinct genetic background.

The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of Histatin-1 in wound closure as well as effects on gene expression of nicotine-treated human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblast cells (HPDL) in vitro.

HPDL grown in 2.5% culture medium treated with 10ng/ml Histatin -1 in the presence/absence of 0.5µM nicotine were subjected to wound assay and migration was studied at 0h, 6h, 12h and 24h. Cells grown in 2.5% medium served as control. Cell migration was studied by wound gap and transwell migration assays. The effect of Histatin-1 on expression of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), collagen type I (COL1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) were studied.

Histatin-1 treatment significantly decreased percentage wound gap at 12h (62.96±3.22 vs 79.23±1.73; p<0.05) and at 24h (38.78±7.59 vs 75.21±4.94; p<0.001) compared with controls. In nicotine+Histatin-1 treated cells, wound gap decreased to 70.2±2.9% (p<0.01) at 24h compared to nicotine alone in which 82±1.