Characteristics and mechanical mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration in old thoracolumbar fractures with kyphosis: clinical observations and finite element analyses.

Background: Low back pain is a common complication in patients with old thoracolumbar fractures with kyphosis (OTLFK), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major contributor. Mechanical abnormalities are believed to play a key role in the development to IDD. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration and underlying mechanical mechanisms in patients with OTLFK.

Unlocking the potential of vinegar residue: A novel biorefining strategy for amino acid-enriched xylooligosaccharides and humic-like acid.

In order to address the issue of low amino acid retention in the production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) through hydrothermal pretreatment at high temperatures, a novel approach combining low temperature acid hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis was employed. This innovative method not only allows for the production of amino acid-rich XOS, but also yields a valuable byproduct known as humic-like acid (HLA) from vinegar residue (VR). Under the optimal pretreatment conditions (89 °C, 6 h, 1.

Nonunion scaphoid bone shape prediction using iterative kernel principal polynomial shape analysis.

Background: The scaphoid is an important mechanical stabilizer for both the proximal and distal carpal columns. The precise estimation of the complete scaphoid bone based on partial bone geometric information is a crucial factor in the effective management of scaphoid nonunion. Statistical shape model (SSM) could be utilized to predict the complete scaphoid shape based on the defective scaphoid.

Correlations of high molecular weight adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and vascular endothelial growth factors with occurrence of colonic polyps in the prediabetic population.

We aimed to explore the correlations of high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW-ADP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) with the occurrence of colonic polyps in the prediabetic population. Two hundred patients with prediabetes were enrolled, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into group A (75 patients with colonic polyps) and group B (125 patients without colonic polyps).

Biomechanical Comparison of Different Treatment Strategies for Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture: A Finite Element Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical performance of 6 pedicle screw internal fixation strategies for the treatment of burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine using finite element (FE) analysis.

Methods: A finite element model of the T11-L3 thoracolumbar segment was established to simulate L1 vertebral burst fractures, and 6 models were conducted under multidirectional loading conditions: P2-D2, P1-D1, P2-D1,P1-D, P1-BF-D1, and P1-UF-D1. The range of motion (ROM) in the T12-L2 region and the von Mises stresses of pedicle screws and rods under the 6 internal fixation models were mainly analyzed.

Finite element study of sagittal fracture location on thoracolumbar fracture treatment.

Posterior internal fixation is the main method used for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Fractures often occur in the upper 1/3 of the vertebral body. However, they can also occur in the middle or lower 1/3 of the vertebral body.

Computational modelling of the graft-tunnel interaction in single-bundle ACL reconstructed knee.

Objectives: Tunnel enlargement and graft failure are common complications associated with ACL reconstruction. The mechanical interaction between the graft and the tunnel aperture may play a more important role. This study aims to evaluate graft position within femoral tunnel and the graft force under external loads.

Highly sensitive, wide-pressure and low-frequency characterized pressure sensor based on piezoresistive-piezoelectric coupling effects in porous wood.

Lightweight and highly compressible materials have received considerable attention in flexible pressure sensing devices. In this study, a series of porous woods (PWs) are produced by chemical removal of lignin and hemicellulose from natural wood by tuning treatment time from 0 to 15 h and extra oxidation through HO. The prepared PWs with apparent densities varying from 95.

Potassium ameliorates cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber length by regulating osmotic and K /Na homeostasis under salt stress.

Potassium (K) application can alleviate cotton salt stress, but the regulatory mechanisms affecting cotton fiber elongation and ion homeostasis are still unclear. A two-year field experiment was conducted to explore the effects of K on the osmolyte contents (soluble sugar, K content, and malate) and related enzyme activities during the fiber elongation of two cotton cultivars with contrasting salt sensitivity (CCRI-79; salt tolerant cultivar, and Simian 3; salt-sensitive cultivar). Three K application treatments (0, 150, and 300 kg K O ha ) were applied at three soil salinity levels (low salinity, EC = 1.

Production of xylo-oligosaccharides and ethanol from corncob by combined tartaric acid hydrolysis with simultaneous saccharification and fermentation.

In organic acid hydrolysis for xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) production, organic acids with low flash points and explosion limits can lead to explosion and fire risk. Herein, tartaric acid (TA) as an organic acid with high flash point and no explosion limit was used in the hydrolysis of corncob to produce XOS. Then, the TA-hydrolyzed corncob was used for ethanol production.

Relationship between meteorological factors and mortality from respiratory diseases in a subtropical humid region along the Yangtze River in China.

As the health impacts of climate change take on a more serious form, this study for the first time investigates the effect of meteorological factors on the risk of death from respiratory diseases (RD) in Wuhu, a representative city along the Yangtze River in subtropical humid region. Daily meteorological element data and RD deaths in Wuhu City were collected from 2014 to 2020. Time series analysis was conducted using distributed lagged nonlinear model (DLNM) combined with generalized additive model (GAM), and stratified by age and gender.

Topical delivery of pluronic F127/TPGS mixed micelles-based hydrogel loaded with glycyrrhizic acid for atopic dermatitis treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop pluronic F127/d-a-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate mixed micelles-based hydrogel (MMs-gel) for topical delivery of glycyrrhizic acid (GL) to improve its skin permeability and atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment.

Significance: GL loaded MMs-gel (GL-MMs-gel) could be potentially used as a promising nanocarrier for the treatment of AD.

Methods: GL-MMs were prepared by thin film hydration method and then loaded into carbopol gel.

p-Toluenesulfonic acid combined with hydrogen peroxide-assisted pretreatment improves the production of fermentable sugars from walnut (Juglans regia L.) shells.

This study presents p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) pretreatment combined with subsequent hydrogen-peroxide pretreatment for the fractionation of all lignocellulosic components from walnut shells (WNS). The main focus of this study is the production of fermentable sugars. During p-TsOH pretreatment (55% p-TsOH, 1:10 solid-to-liquid ratio, 90 °C, 120 min), 50.

Analgesic Efficacy of Transverse Abdominis Plane Block and Quadratus Lumborum Block in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.

Introduction: The analgesic effect and safety of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) is still controversial in various abdominal procedures. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has been considered to provide a widespread and long-lasting analgesic effect in gynecological surgeries. However, the analgesic effects of these two techniques in patients with extreme obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are still unknown.

Detoxification of lignocellulosic prehydrolyzate by lignin nanoparticles prepared from biorefinery biowaste to improve the ethanol production.

This study proposed a recyclable p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) fractionation process for co-producing lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) and fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biorefinery biowaste (enzymatic hydrolysis residue (EHR)). The prepared LNPs were used to detoxify the inhibitors in the xylose-rich prehydrolyzate for improving ethanol production. Results showed that the EHR was fractionated into a cellulose-rich water-insoluble solid (WIS) fraction and a lignin-rich spent liquor (SL) fraction.

A Review of Finite Element Models of Ligaments in the Foot and Considerations for Practical Application.

Finite element (FE) modeling has been used as a research tool for investigating underlying ligaments biomechanics and orthopedic applications. However, FE models of the ligament in the foot have been developed with various configurations, mainly due to their complex three-dimensional geometry, material properties, and boundary conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to summarize the current state of finite element modeling approaches that have been used in the field of ligament biomechanics, to discuss their applicability to foot ligament modeling in a practical setting, and also to acknowledge current limitations and challenges.

Optimized production of xylooligosaccharides from poplar: A biorefinery strategy with sequential acetic acid/sodium acetate hydrolysis followed by xylanase hydrolysis.

The preparation of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from lignocelluloses by organic acid hydrolysis has the advantages of high efficiency and simplicity, but reducing the production of by-products, especially xylose, is a prerequisite for commercial preparation of XOS using organic acid. In this work, to reduce the production of by-products, the acetic acid/sodium acetate conjugate system (AC/SA) was used to prepare XOS from poplar. Under the optimal conditions (0.

Delignification of poplar for xylo-oligosaccharides production using lactic acid catalysis.

Recently, xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) production from lignocelluloses by organic acid catalysis has been widely reported. However, the effect of delignification of lignocelluloses on XOS production by organic acid catalysis was unclear, and lactic acid (LA) catalysis in XOS production from lignocelluloses has not been reported. In this work, the effect of delignification on XOS production from poplar by LA catalysis was investigated.

ACL graft with extra-cortical fixation rotates around the femoral tunnel aperture during knee flexion.

Purpose: An understanding of the behavior of a new ACL graft in the femoral tunnel during knee motion and external loading can provide information pertinent to graft healing, tunnel enlargement, and graft failure. The purpose of the study was to measure the percentage of the tunnel filled by the graft and determine the amount and location of the graft-tunnel contact with knee motion and under external knee loads.

Methods: Single bundle anatomical ACL reconstruction was performed on six cadaveric knees.

High solid loading enzymatic hydrolysis of acetic acid-peroxide/acetic acid pretreated poplar and cellulase recycling.

High solid loading saccharification is the premise of preparing high-concentration sugar which is beneficial to bioethanol production, but the limited sugar concentration and high enzyme dosage are two challenges. In this work, the glucan-rich acetic acid-hydrogen peroxide/acetic acid (AC-HPAC)-pretreated poplar (85.8%) were prepared for enzymatic hydrolysis at 10%-40% solid loading and the strategies for reducing cellulase dosage were explored.

Alkaline post-incubation improves the saccharification of poplar after hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid pretreatment.

Background: Hydrogen peroxide-acetic acid (HPAA) is widely used in pretreatment of lignocellulose because it has a good capability in selective delignification. However, high concentration (more than 60%) of HPAA increases the cost of pretreatment and the risk of explosion. In this work, alkaline post-incubation was employed to decrease the HPAA loading and improve the saccharification of poplar.

[Preparation and in vitro quality evaluation of self-microemulsion co-loaded with tenuifolin and β-asarone].

To prepare and optimize the self-microemulsion co-loaded with tenuifolin and β-asarone(TF/ASA-SMEDDS) and evaluate its quality. The prescription compositions of TF/ASA-SMEDDS were screened by solubility test, single factor test and pseudo-tern-ary phase diagram, and the prescriptions were further optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method, with the drug loading and particle size as the evaluation indexes. Then the optimized TF/ASA-SMEDDS was evaluated for emulsified appearance, particle size, morphology and drug release in vitro.