Cortical bone trajectory screws in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease in patients with osteoporosis.

Lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) in the elderly population remains a global health problem, especially in patients with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in the elderly can cause failure of internal fixation. Cortical bone trajectory (CBT) is an effective, safe and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of lumbar DDD in patients with osteoporosis.

Three-dimensional computed tomography mapping of posterior malleolar fractures.

Background: Posterior malleolar fractures have been reported to occur in < 40% of ankle fractures.

Aim: To reveal the recurrent patterns and characteristics of posterior malleolar fractures by creating fracture maps of the posterior malleolar fractures through the use of computed tomography mapping.

Methods: A consecutive series of posterior malleolar fractures was used to create three-dimensional reconstruction images, which were oriented and superimposed to fit an ankle model template by both aligning specific biolandmarks and reducing reconstructed fracture fragments.

Modified translaminar screw fixation in the cervicothoracic junction (C7-T2): a technical note.

Purpose: To describe and illustrate a modified technique for using translaminar screw in the cervicothoracic junction (C7-T2).

Methods: 12 patients (8 males and 4 females, average age was 52 years) underwent insertion of unilateral or bilateral translaminar screws by using our modified technique. With this modified technique, a tiny unicortical "hole" was made at the middle of the contralateral lamina, and the screw can be directly visualized through the unicortical "hole" to prevent violating the spinal canal.

CD4-BFFI: a novel, bifunctional HIV-1 entry inhibitor with high and broad antiviral potency.

Resistance to antiretroviral drugs is a common problem in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients. To overcome resistance, we generated a novel, bifunctional HIV-1 entry inhibitor by combining the anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 6314 with a fusion inhibitor similar to T-651 (anti-CD4 mAb based BiFunctional Fusion Inhibitor, CD4-BFFI). CD4-BFFI has potent antiviral activity against a multitude of HIV-1 isolates independent of their co-receptor usage and genetic background.