High-Sensitivity Electrical Admittance Sensor with Regression Analysis for Measuring Mixed Electrolyte Concentrations.

Electrolyte balance is essential for the proper functioning of the body, and imbalances can lead to various health issues, some of which may be life-threatening. Therefore, measuring electrolyte concentrations is becoming increasingly important, particularly for athletes engaged in high-intensity and prolonged physical activity. In this project, we developed a highly sensitive sensing device capable of accurately and rapidly measuring electrolyte concentrations in mixed solutions, providing precise analysis of trace electrolyte levels.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Inversed Restricted Kinematic Alignment Total Knee Arthroplasty by Asia Specific (Huang's) Phenotypes, a Prospective Pilot Study.

Inverse restricted kinematic alignment (irKA) was modified from restricted kinematic alignment for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This prospective single-center study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of irKA-TKA on all knee subtypes classified by Asia specific (Huang's) phenotypes. A total of 96 knees that underwent irKA-TKA at one hospital between January 2018 and June 2020 were included, with 15 knees classified in Type 1, nine in Type 2, 15 in Type 3, 47 in Type 4, and 10 in Type 5 by Huang's phenotypes.

The Association between Iron-Deficiency Anemia (IDA) and Septic Arthritis (SA): The Real-World Data.

Background and Objectives: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) could predispose the afflicted individuals to various infections and musculoskeletal disorders. This study attempted to investigate the association between IDA and septic arthritis (SA), a musculoskeletal disease. Materials and Methods: We investigated all the eligible subjects in the Taiwanese longitudinal health insurance database (LHID) between 2000 and 2012.

Makoplasty medial unicondylar knee replacement: Correction or postoperative angle matters?

Introduction: Various considerations prevail around optimal postoperative varus deformity, correction angle and physiological constitutional varus deformity. The goal of our present study was to understand correlation between these parameters and their influence over Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index scale (WOMAC).

Materials And Methods: Consecutive robotic-arm-assisted medial onlay fixed bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in 143 knees studied.

A combination of bimalleolar fracture and fracture on talar body and neck: A rare case report.

Rationale: Talar fracture accompanied with malleolar fracture is rare, and its management is complex. Ankle soft tissue is much thinner than other parts of the human body, and the shape of the ankle makes wounds difficult to close immediately after surgery, which may result in poor skin condition if the wound tension is too high. However, joint congruity and osteonecrosis are the main concerns of talar fracture.

The Incidence and Risk Factors of Hip Fracture after Liver Transplantation (LT): A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background: Osteoporosis and fragility fracture are the major complications after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of hip fracture after LT.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study, enrolling the patients receiving LT between January 1999 and December 2010.

Improved Bioactivity of 3D Printed Porous Titanium Alloy Scaffold with Chitosan/Magnesium-Calcium Silicate Composite for Orthopaedic Applications.

Recently, cases of bone defects have been increasing incrementally. Thus, repair or replacement of bone defects is gradually becoming a huge problem for orthopaedic surgeons. Three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds have since emerged as a potential candidate for bone replacement, of which titanium (Ti) alloys are one of the most promising candidates among the metal alloys due to their low cytotoxicity and mechanical properties.

Correction: Resistin promotes tumor metastasis by down-regulation of miR-519d through the AMPK/p38 signaling pathway in human chondrosarcoma cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2724.

Disorder-related risk factors for revision total hip arthroplasty after hip hemiarthroplasty in displaced femoral neck fracture patients: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Background: The choice of primary hip hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture is still controversial. Revision hip arthroplasty not only increases risk and cost but also could result in worse outcome. Determining the risk factors for revision can help inform medical decision-making and aid in risk stratification of publicly reported outcomes.

A Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Surgery for Infectious Spondylodiscitis of the Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spine in Immunocompromised Patients.

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of computed tomography- (CT-) assisted endoscopic surgery in the treatment of infectious spondylodiscitis of the thoracic and upper lumbar spine in immunocompromised patients. From October 2006 to March 2014, a total of 41 patients with infectious spondylodiscitis underwent percutaneous endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia, and 13 lesions from 13 patients on the thoracic or upper lumbar spine were selected for evaluation. A CT-guided catheter was placed before percutaneous endoscopic surgery as a guide to avoid injury to visceral organs, major vessels, and the spinal cord.

Clinical outcome and radiographic change of ipsilateral scapular neck and clavicular shaft fracture: comparison of operation and conservative treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare glenopolar angle (GPA) and the functional outcomes of fixation of both the clavicle and the scapular neck, fixation of the clavicle alone, and conservative treatment for floating-shoulder injuries.

Methods: A prospective stratified randomized study was performed in 39 adult patients who suffered floating-shoulder injuries and underwent fixation of both the clavicle and the scapular neck (group A), or fixation of the clavicle alone (group B), or conservative treatment (group C) between January 2005 and September 2011. The GPA, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome (Constant) score were compared between the three groups.

Fracture as an independent risk factor of dementia: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

Dementia is among various diseases affecting the elderly, who is also at a high risk for fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the association between fracture history and sequential risk of dementia in Taiwan.A retrospective cohort study was designed using the claims data of the entire insured residents covered by Taiwan's universal health insurance from 1998 to 2010.

Resistin promotes tumor metastasis by down-regulation of miR-519d through the AMPK/p38 signaling pathway in human chondrosarcoma cells.

Resistin is a recently discovered adipocyte-secreting adipokine, which may play a critical role in modulating cancer pathogenesis. Chondrosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor known to frequently metastasize; however, the role of resistin in the metastasis of human chondrosarcoma is largely unknown. Here, we found that the expression of resistin was higher in chondrosarcoma biopsy tissues than in normal cartilage.

Readiness to quit as a predictor for outcomes of smoking-reduction programme with transdermal nicotine patch or bupropion in a sample of 308 patients with schizophrenia.

Readiness to quit has been found to predict smoking-cessation outcomes in a general population. However, little is known about the relationship between the readiness to quit and smoking-reduction outcomes in patients with schizophrenia treated with pharmacological adjuvants. The aim of this study was to examine the association between readiness to quit and smoking-reduction outcomes in patients with schizophrenia.

Crystal structures and molecular dynamics simulations of thermophilic malate dehydrogenase reveal critical loop motion for co-substrate binding.

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) catalyzes the conversion of oxaloacetate and malate by using the NAD/NADH coenzyme system. The system is used as a conjugate for enzyme immunoassays of a wide variety of compounds, such as illegal drugs, drugs used in therapeutic applications and hormones. We elucidated the biochemical and structural features of MDH from Thermus thermophilus (TtMDH) for use in various biotechnological applications.

Cloning, overexpression, purification and crystallization of malate dehydrogenase from Thermus thermophilus.

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) has been used as a conjugate for enzyme immunoassay of a wide variety of compounds, such as drugs of abuse, drugs used in repetitive therapeutic application and hormones. In consideration of the various biotechnological applications of MDH, investigations of MDH from Thermus thermophilus were carried out to further understand the properties of this enzyme. The DNA fragment containing the open reading frame of mdh was amplified from the genomic DNA of T.

Clinical practice and evaluation of electronic portal imaging device for VMAT quality assurance.

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a novel extension of the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique, which has brought challenges to dose verification. To perform VMAT pretreatment quality assurance, an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) can be applied. This study's aim was to evaluate EPID performance for VMAT dose verification.

Primary traumatic patellar dislocation.

Acute traumatic patellar dislocation is a common injury in the active and young adult populations. MRI of the knee is recommended in all patients who present with acute patellar dislocation. Numerous operative and non-operative methods have been described to treat the injuries; however, the ideal management of the acute traumatic patellar dislocation in young adults is still in debate.

Evidence that highly conserved residues of Delonix regia trypsin inhibitor are important for activity.

Delonix regia trypsin inhibitor (DrTI) consists of a single-polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of 22 kDa and containing two disulfide bonds (Cys44-Cys89 and Cys139-Cys149). Sequence comparison with other plant trypsin inhibitors of the Kunitz family reveals that DrTI contains a negatively charged residue (Glu68) at the reactive site rather than the conserved Arg or Lys found in other Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors. Site-directed mutagenesis yielded five mutants containing substitutions at the reactive site and at one of the disulfide bonds.

Anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody inhibits the progression in human colon carcinoma cells.

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) promotes proliferation and invasion in colorectal carcinoma, and serum IL-6 levels are correlated with survival in patients with colorectal carcinoma. In this study, we attempted to clarify the signal pathway downstream of IL-6 and the role of the IL-6 receptor complex in terms of the biological effects of clonogenic growth and invasiveness in colorectal carcinoma cells.

Materials And Methods: IL-6-stimulated SW480 cells were treated with IL-6 receptor neutralization antibody, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor, and clonogenic growth and invasiveness were assessed.

Collaborative localization in wireless sensor networks via pattern recognition in radio irregularity using omnidirectional antennas.

In recent years, various received signal strength (RSS)-based localization estimation approaches for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been proposed. RSS-based localization is regarded as a low-cost solution for many location-aware applications in WSNs. In previous studies, the radiation patterns of all sensor nodes are assumed to be spherical, which is an oversimplification of the radio propagation model in practical applications.

The effects of synthesis procedures on the morphology and photocatalytic activity of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/TiO(2) nanocomposites.

This study investigates the microstructures of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs)/TiO(2) nanocomposites, obtained by sol-gel and hydrothermal processes. The synthesized nanocomposite materials were characterized by x-ray diffractometry (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) adsorption analysis, transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of the synthetic procedures and MWNTs on the morphology and photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites were studied.

An assistive device for donning compression stockings.

Use of compression stockings has been demonstrated to be effective in helping heal venous leg ulcers and in reducing associated pain. During the past 5 years or more, patients suffering from edema, varices, or ulcers at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Taipei Vein Center, Taiwan, have been encouraged to use compression stockings. However, patients frequently reported difficulty donning the stockings, even with the help of a foot slip or slip-on stocking aid.

Equivalent switching dose from oral risperidone to risperidone long-acting injection: a 48-week randomized, prospective, single-blind pharmacokinetic study.

Objective: Previous studies showed clinical benefit of risperidone long-acting injection in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, the equivalent switching dose from oral risperidone to risperidone long-acting injection was still in debate. This study, conducted among hospitalized patients, included a long-enough study period and optimal control of drug compliance to test the equivalent switching dose.