Are plasticity models required to predict relative risk of lag screw cut-out in finite element models of trochanteric fracture fixation?

Using a finite element model of unstable trochanteric fracture stabilized with a sliding hip screw, the benefits of two plasticity-based formulations, Drucker–Prager and crushable foam, were evaluated and compared to the commonly used linear elastic model of trabecular bone in order to predict the relative risk of lag screw cut-out for five distinct load cases. The crushable foam plasticity formulation leads to a much greater strain localization, in comparison to the other two models, with large plastic strains in a localized region. The plastic zone predicted with Drucker–Prager is relatively more diffuse. Linear elasticity associated with a minimum principal strain criterion provides the smallest volume of elements susceptible to yielding for all loading modes. The region likely to undergo plastic deformation, as predicted by the linear elastic model, is similar to that obtained from plasticity-based formulations, which indicates that this simple criterion provides an adequate estimate of the risk of cut-out.     

Chirality‐specific lift forces of helix under shear flows: Helix perpendicular to shear plane

Chiral objects in shear flow experience a chirality‐specific lift force. Shear flows past helices in a low Reynolds number regime were studied using slender‐body theory. The chirality‐specific lift forces in the vorticity direction experienced by helices are dominated by a set of helix geometry parameters: helix radius, pitch length, number of turns, and helix phase angle. Its analytical formula is given. The chirality‐specific forces are the physical reasons for the chiral separation of helices in shear flow. Our results are well supported by the latest experimental observations.     

Crystal structure and Raman studies of dsFP483, a cyan fluorescent protein from Discosoma striata

To better understand the diverse mechanisms of spectral tuning operational in fluorescent proteins (FPs), we determined the 2.1-Å X-ray structure of dsFP483 from the reef-building coral Discosoma. This protein is a member of the cyan class of Anthozoa FPs and exhibits broad, double-humped excitation and absorbance bands, with a maximum at 437-440 nm and a shoulder at 453 nm. Although these features support a heterogeneous ground state for the protein-intrinsic chromophore, peak fluorescence occurs at 483 nm for all excitation wavelengths, suggesting a common emissive state. Optical properties are insensitive to changes in pH over the entire range of protein stability. The refined crystal structure of the biological tetramer (space group C2) demonstrates that all protomers bear a cis-coplanar chromophore chemically identical with that in green fluorescent protein (GFP). To test the roles of specific residues in color modulation, we investigated the optical properties of the H163Q and K70M variants. Although absorbance bands remain broad, peak excitation maxima are red shifted to 455 and 460 nm, emitting cyan light and green light, respectively. To probe chromophore ground-state features, we collected Raman spectra using 752-nm excitation. Surprisingly, the positions of key Raman bands of wild-type dsFP483 are most similar to those of the neutral GFP chromophore, whereas the K70M spectra are more closely aligned with the anionic form. The Raman data provide further evidence of a mixed ground state with chromophore populations that are modulated by mutation. Possible internal protonation equilibria, structural heterogeneity in the binding sites, and excited-state proton transfer mechanisms are discussed. Structural alignments of dsFP483 with the homologs DsRed, amFP486, and zFP538-K66M suggest that natural selection for cyan is an exquisitely fine-tuned and highly cooperative process involving a network of electrostatic interactions that may vary substantially in composition and arrangement.     

Structure of the N-terminal Mlp1-binding domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae mRNA-binding protein, Nab2

Nuclear abundant poly(A) RNA-binding protein 2 (Nab2) is an essential yeast heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein that modulates both mRNA nuclear export and poly(A) tail length. The N-terminal domain of Nab2 (residues 1-97) mediates interactions with both the C-terminal globular domain of the nuclear pore-associated protein, myosin-like protein 1 (Mlp1), and the mRNA export factor, Gfd1. The solution and crystal structures of the Nab2 N-terminal domain show a primarily helical fold that is analogous to the PWI fold found in several other RNA-binding proteins. In contrast to other PWI-containing proteins, we find no evidence that the Nab2 N-terminal domain binds to nucleic acids. Instead, this domain appears to mediate protein:protein interactions that facilitate the nuclear export of mRNA. The Nab2 N-terminal domain has a distinctive hydrophobic patch centered on Phe73, consistent with this region of the surface being a protein:protein interaction site. Engineered mutations within this hydrophobic patch attenuate the interaction with the Mlp1 C-terminal domain but do not alter the interaction with Gfd1, indicating that this patch forms a crucial component of the interface between Nab2 and Mlp1.     

后路椎弓根螺钉内固定结合后外侧植骨融合治疗胸腰椎骨折的临床观察

目的：观察后路椎弓根螺钉内固定结合后外侧植骨融合治疗胸腰椎骨折的临床效果及安全性。方法：回顾性分析2010年6月-2012年4月在我院脊柱骨科住院治疗的71例胸腰脊椎骨折患者,所有患者随机被分成2组,治疗组38例接受采用后路椎弓根螺钉内固定结合后外侧植骨融合治疗,对照组33例接受传统椎弓根螺钉内固定。术后对患者椎体前缘高度、脊柱Cobb’s角、腰背痛、神经功能恢复情况、内固定并发症等方面进行手术效果的评价。结果：治疗组术后及随诊患者的椎体前、后缘高度的比值与对照组相比,均有统计学差异（P〈0．05）;治疗组术后及随诊患者的Cobb’s角较对照组明显减小,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,治疗组手术时间与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;两组患者医疗费用、神经功能改善筝级相互比较,无统计学意义咿0．05）。结论：后路复位椎弓根螺钉内固定结合后外侧植骨融合治疗胸腰椎骨折的临床疗效确切。     

A reciprocal connection factor for assessing knee-joint function

In the knee joint, interactions between instantaneous kinetics and kinematics associated with ligamentous and articular tissues are not fully understood. These structures may be represented by the instantaneous screw axis ($) (ISA) and static force vectors ($′). Geometric changes to the joint structure affecting motion have not been fully explained, especially after surgical reconstruction and replacement procedures. The ISA offers a joint-characterisation approach, which is dependent on the combined forces of ligaments, articular contacts and muscles. The standard four-bar linkage model in the sagittal plane demonstrates that the normal contact force and the lines of action of the cruciate ligaments always intersect at the centre of rotation of the joint. A kinematic knee model in which the articular surfaces in the lateral and medial compartments as well as the isometric fascicles in the engaged ligaments may be represented as five constraints in a one-degree-of-freedom parallel spatial mechanism. This study provides a theoretical foundation to elucidate the role of each of these elements in the control of the ISA. A recourse to the principle of virtual work explained through d'Alembert's principle for reducing a dynamics problem to an instantaneous static scenario allows screws to be applied to the biomechanics of human motion. The principle of reciprocity links these approaches together to explain the transmitting load between the tibia and the femur as well as the relative motion within the knee joint. A principal clinical implication of this study is the introduction of the reciprocal connection factor to evaluate knee kinematics and kinetics in one simple term, allowing the quantitative assessment of the outcome of knee-joint treatment and rehabilitation methods.     

An approximate model for cancellous bone screw fixation

This paper presents a finite element (FE) model to identify parameters that affect the performance of an improved cancellous bone screw fixation technique, and hence potentially improve fracture treatment. In cancellous bone of low apparent density, it can be difficult to achieve adequate screw fixation and hence provide stable fracture fixation that enables bone healing. Data from predictive FE models indicate that cements can have a significant potential to improve screw holding power in cancellous bone. These FE models are used to demonstrate the key parameters that determine pull-out strength in a variety of screw, bone and cement set-ups, and to compare the effectiveness of different configurations. The paper concludes that significant advantages, up to an order of magnitude, in screw pull-out strength in cancellous bone might be gained by the appropriate use of a currently approved calcium phosphate cement.     

Syntheses, structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of a novel class of metal complexes constructed from 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole and 5-hydroxy-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid

Four novel metal coordination polymers, [Zn(2-PBIM)(OH-BDC)]_n (1), [Cd(2-PBIM)(OH-BDC)]_n (2), [Mn(2-PBIM)(OH-BDC)]_n·1.5nH₂O (3), [Cu(2-PBIM)(OH-BDC)]_n·nH₂O (4) [2-PBIM = 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole; OH-H₂BDC = 5-hydroxy-1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid], have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 possesses left-handed screw (M-helix) and right-handed screw (P-helix) chains that are further connected though intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions resulting in a three-dimensional (3D) network. Compound 2 has a two-dimensional metal-organic framework which is connected into a 3D network by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and possess one-dimensional (1D) channels. Free 2-PBIM and OH-H₂BDC ligands and complexes 1, 2 show fluorescent emissions in the visible and near-infrared region. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that both 3 and 4 exhibit antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent center atoms.     

导管接触性溶栓同期球囊扩张+支架治疗血栓性髂静脉压迫综合征的疗效

摘要 目的：为提高治疗效率,本研究对髂静脉压迫综合征合并下肢深静脉血栓患者的导管接触溶栓同期球囊扩张+支架治疗方案和分期治疗方案进行比较。方法：以65例髂静脉压迫综合征合并下肢深静脉血栓患者为研究对象,根据治疗方法分为研究组和对照组,研究组32例,进行导管接触溶栓同期球囊扩张+支架治疗,对照组33例,进行导管接触溶栓分期球囊扩张+支架治疗。以治疗前后患者大腿围、小腿围、血管通畅评分,手术指标（住院时间、住院次数、溶栓时间及穿刺次数）,并发症（血栓复发、出血以及肺栓塞）及深静脉血栓后遗症为指标,考察两组疗效。结果：两组患者大腿围、小腿围和静脉畅通评分在治疗前均无显著差异（P＞0.05）,经过治疗,两组大腿围、小腿围和静脉畅通评分均显著改善（P＜0.05）,但两组间各项指标无显著差异（P＞0.05）。研究组患者住院时间、住院次数、溶栓时间及穿刺次数均显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。研究组血栓复发0例,对照组血栓复发4例,有显著差异（P＜0.05）;研究组出血1例,肺栓塞0例,对照组出血2例,肺栓塞0例,两组出血和肺栓塞情况比较,无显著差异（P＞0.05）。研究组PTS发生率为6.25 %,显著低于对照组的18.18 %（P＜0.05）。结论：导管接触溶栓同期球囊扩张+支架治疗方案对髂静脉压迫综合征合并下肢深静脉血栓有良好的疗效。     

右美托咪定复合丙泊酚全麻在腰椎管减压、椎弓根钉内固定植骨、融合术中的应用

目的:观察右美托咪定复合丙泊酚全麻在腰椎管减压、椎弓根钉内固定植骨融合术中的应用价值。方法:将2015年7月至2019年8月于我院手术治疗84例腰椎退行性疾病患者按随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组42例。观察组于麻醉诱导前静脉泵入0.5μg/kg右美托咪定并在术中以0.2μg/kg·h麻醉维持,对照组于麻醉诱导前静脉泵入生理盐水。对比两组麻醉诱导前(T0)、诱导后(T1)、插管后1 min(T2)和5 min(T3)、拔管1 min(T4)和5 min(T5)的心率(HR)、收缩压(SBP)及舒张压(DBP)的数值,同时记录患者的手术时间、苏醒时间、瑞芬太尼用量及12 h内吗啡用量。比较各时间点VAS评分及不良反应的发生率。结果:与T0比较,两组患者T1时HR、SBP、DBP均显著降低(P<0.05),与T1比较,两组患者T2、T3和T4时HR、SBP、DBP均显著升高(P<0.05),观察组在T3、T4和T5时HR、SBP、DBP均显著降低(P<0.05)。观察组患者各时间点VAS评分及瑞芬太尼用量和24 h吗啡用量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05),观察组患者不良反应发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:右美托咪定复合丙泊酚全麻能够维持术中血液动力学稳定,减少术中麻醉药物和术后镇痛药物用量,改善术后镇痛效果,且不良反应少。