Bone Mass,Bone Microstructure and Biomechanics in Patients with Hand Osteoarthritis

The impact of primary hand osteoarthritis (HOA) on bone mass, microstructure, and biomechanics in the affected skeletal regions is largely unknown. HOA patients and healthy controls (HCs) underwent high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). We measured total, trabecular, and cortical volumetric bone mineral densities (vBMDs), microstructural attributes, and performed micro–finite element analysis for bone strength. Failure load and scaled multivariate outcome matrices from distal radius and second metacarpal (MCP2) head measurements were analyzed using multiple linear regression adjusting for age, sex, and functional status and reported as adjusted Z-score differences for total and direct effects. A total of 105 subjects were included (76 HC: 46 women, 30 men; 29 HOA: 23 women, six men). After adjustment, HOA was associated with significant changes in the multivariate outcome matrix from the MCP2 head (p < .001) (explained by an increase in cortical vBMD (Δz = 1.07, p = .02) and reduction in the trabecular vBMD (Δz = −0.07, p = .09). Distal radius analysis did not show an overall effect of HOA; however, there was a gender-study group interaction (p = .044) explained by reduced trabecular vBMD in males (Δz = −1.23, p = .02). HOA was associated with lower failure load (−514 N; 95%CI, −1018 to −9; p = 0.05) apparent in males after adjustment for functional status. HOA is associated with reduced trabecular and increased cortical vBMD in the MCP2 head and a reduction in radial trabecular vBMD and bone strength in males. Further investigations of gender-specific changes of bone architecture in HOA are warranted. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Unpleasant Bodily Odour in a Psychoanalytic Treatment: Bridge or Drawbridge to a Troubled Past?

In this paper, I explore the topic of primitive bodily communications and countertransference enactments, with a particular focus on the part played by bodily odour. To explore this topic, I discuss a two-year treatment with a patient who presented with a mix of borderline and narcissistic diagnostic features. I describe meaningful aspects of the difficulties faced in countertransference work when receiving and making sense of the patient's use of primitive defences and I highlight their expression through a very uncomfortable symptom: an extremely unpleasant bodily smell. My thesis is that the smell communicated preverbal and unsymbolized experiences of early physical and emotional neglect, as well as evacuating the toxicity of those experiences. In this way the smell acted both as a bridge, which could help me reconstruct my patient's early traumatic past, and as a drawbridge, to keep me at distance and maintain his past dissociated. The invasive and aversive nature of the smell can also be seen as representing the approach-avoidance dilemma typical of a disorganized attachment state of mind, acting both as a bridge and as a drawbridge to attachment and relating.     

Early Effects of Abaloparatide on Bone Formation and Resorption Indices in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis

Anabolic osteoporosis drugs improve bone mineral density by increasing bone formation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the early effects of abaloparatide on indices of bone formation and to assess the effect of abaloparatide on modeling-based formation (MBF), remodeling-based formation (RBF), and overflow MBF (oMBF) in transiliac bone biopsies. In this open-label, single-arm study, 23 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were treated with 80 μg abaloparatide daily. Subjects received double fluorochrome labels before treatment and before biopsy collection at 3 months. Change in dynamic histomorphometry indices in four bone envelopes were assessed. Median mineralizing surface per unit of bone surface (MS/BS) increased to 24.7%, 48.7%, 21.4%, and 16.3% of total surface after 3 months of abaloparatide treatment, representing 5.5-, 5.2-, 2.8-, and 12.9-fold changes, on cancellous, endocortical, intracortical, and periosteal surfaces (p < .001 versus baseline for all). Mineral apposition rate (MAR) was significantly increased only on intracortical surfaces. Bone formation rate (BFR/BS) was significantly increased on all four bone envelopes. Significant increases versus baseline were observed in MBF on cancellous, endocortical, and periosteal surfaces, for oMBF on cancellous and endocortical surfaces, and for RBF on cancellous, endocortical, and intracortical surfaces. Overall, modeling-based formation (MBF + oMBF) accounted for 37% and 23% of the increase in bone-forming surface on the endocortical and cancellous surfaces, respectively. Changes from baseline in serum biomarkers of bone turnover at either month 1 or month 3 were generally good surrogates for changes in histomorphometric endpoints. In conclusion, treatment with abaloparatide for 3 months stimulated bone formation on cancellous, endocortical, intracortical, and periosteal envelopes in transiliac bone biopsies obtained from postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. These increases reflected stimulation of both remodeling- and modeling-based bone formation, further elucidating the mechanisms by which abaloparatide improves bone mass and lowers fracture risk. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

The Accuracy of Incident Vertebral Fracture Detection in Children Using Targeted Case-Finding Approaches

Vertebral fractures are clinically important sequelae of a wide array of pediatric diseases. In this study, we examined the accuracy of case-finding strategies for detecting incident vertebral fractures (IVF) over 2 years in glucocorticoid-treated children (n = 343) with leukemia, rheumatic disorders, or nephrotic syndrome. Two clinical situations were addressed: the prevalent vertebral fracture (PVF) scenario (when baseline PVF status was known), which assessed the utility of PVF and low lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS BMD; Z-score <−1.4), and the non-PVF scenario (when PVF status was unknown), which evaluated low LS BMD and back pain. LS BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, vertebral fractures were quantified on spine radiographs using the modified Genant semiquantitative method, and back pain was assessed by patient report. Forty-four patients (12.8%) had IVF. In the PVF scenario, both low LS BMD and PVF were significant predictors of IVF. Using PVF to determine which patients should have radiographs, 11% would undergo radiography (95% confidence interval [CI] 8–15) with 46% of IVF (95% CI 30–61) detected. Sensitivity would be higher with a strategy of PVF or low LS BMD at baseline (73%; 95% CI 57–85) but would require radiographs in 37% of children (95% CI 32–42). In the non-PVF scenario, the strategy of low LS BMD and back pain produced the highest specificity of any non-PVF model at 87% (95% CI 83–91), the greatest overall accuracy at 82% (95% CI 78–86), and the lowest radiography rate at 17% (95% CI 14–22). Low LS BMD or back pain in the non-PVF scenario produced the highest sensitivity at 82% (95% CI 67–92), but required radiographs in 65% (95% CI 60–70). These results provide guidance for targeting spine radiography in children at risk for IVF. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Burosumab for the Treatment of Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is caused by phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors producing fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and is characterized by impaired phosphate metabolism, skeletal health, and quality of life. UX023T-CL201 is an ongoing, open-label, phase 2 study investigating the safety and efficacy of burosumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits FGF23, in adults with TIO or cutaneous skeletal hypophosphatemia syndrome (CSHS). Key endpoints were changes in serum phosphorus and osteomalacia assessed by transiliac bone biopsies at week 48. This report focuses on 14 patients with TIO, excluding two diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemia post-enrollment and one with CSHS. Serum phosphorus increased from baseline (0.52 mmol/L) and was maintained after dose titration from week 22 (0.91 mmol/L) to week 144 (0.82 mmol/L, p < 0.0001). Most measures of osteomalacia were improved at week 48: osteoid volume/bone, osteoid thickness, and mineralization lag time decreased; osteoid surface/bone surface showed no change. Of 249 fractures/pseudofractures detected across 14 patients at baseline, 33% were fully healed and 13% were partially healed at week 144. Patients reported a reduction in pain and fatigue and an increase in physical health. Two patients discontinued: one to treat an adverse event (AE) of neoplasm progression and one failed to meet dosing criteria (receiving minimal burosumab). Sixteen serious AEs occurred in seven patients, and there was one death; all serious AEs were considered unrelated to treatment. Nine patients had 16 treatment-related AEs; all were mild to moderate in severity. In adults with TIO, burosumab exhibited an acceptable safety profile and was associated with improvements in phosphate metabolism and osteomalacia. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research..     

中药脑栓康治疗急性缺血性中风气虚血瘀证的临床试验

为客观评价益气活血化瘀复方脑栓康（ 由黄芪、水蛭、葛根等中药组成） 治疗急性缺血性中风（ 脑血栓形成） 气虚血瘀证的临床疗效, 采用随机双盲对照临床试验, 将１１１ 例急性缺血性中风（ 脑血栓形成）气虚血瘀证患者随机分为两组。试验组５６ 例接受脑栓康和基础治疗, 安慰剂组５５ 例接受安慰剂和基础治疗。基础治疗包括西药脱水药（ 甘露醇和／ 或速尿） 、支持疗法, 不用抗凝及扩血管药。疗程为４ 周。结果：①试验组和安慰剂组显著进步分别为２４ ．０８％ 、５．７７ ％ , 进步分别为７２ ．２２ ％ 、８８ ．４６％ , 无效分别为３ ．７０ ％ 、５ ．７７％ , 总有效率分别为９６ ．３０ ％ 、９４．２３ ％ 。两组总疗效差异有显著性（ Ｐ＜ ０ ．０５） ; 两组预期治疗（ｉｎｔｅｎｔｉｏｎ－ｔｏ－ｔｒｅａｔ） 的组间比较, 总疗效差异也有显著性（ Ｐ＜ ０ ．０５） , 提示试验组疗效优于安慰剂组。②试验组对急性缺血性中风气虚血瘀证症状的改善比安慰剂组好（ Ｐ＜ ０ ．０１） 。③未发现脑栓康的不良反应。结果表明： 脑栓康是一种治疗急性缺血性中风（ 脑血栓形成） 气虚血瘀证的安全、有效的药物, 值得进一步研究和开发     

Assembly properties and applications of a new exopolymeric compound excreted by Pseudoalteromonas antarctica NF3

The self assembly properties and applications of an exopolymeric compound (EC) of a glycoprotein character excreted by a new Gram-negative species, Pseudoalteromonas antarctica NF₃, have been reviewed. This compound exhibited surface-active properties in water, with a concentration of 0.20 mg ml^-1 being the key value associated with its physicochemical properties. Unsonicated EC aqueous dispersions showed the coexistence of concentric multilamellar and small unilamellar aggregates by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sonication of these dispersions revealed that each lamellae of the initial multilamellar structures were made up of various subunits coiled coils. As for the ability of this exopolymeric biomaterial to coat phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes and to protect these vesicles against different surfactants, freeze-fracture TEM micrographs of liposome/EC aggregates revealed that the addition of the EC to liposomes led to the formation of a film (polymer adsorbed onto the bilayers) that coated very well the PC bilayers. The complete coating was already achieved at a PC : EC weight ratio of about 9 :1. An increasing resistance of PC liposomes to surfactants (in particular sodium dodecyl sulfate) occurred as the proportion of EC in the system rose, although this effect was more effective at low EC proportions (PC : EC weight ratios from 9 : 1 to 8 : 2). Although a direct dependence was found between the growth of the enveloping structure and the resistance of the coated liposomes to be affected by the surfactants, the best protection occurred when this structure was a thin film of about 20-25 nm formed by nine to ten layers of about 2-3 nm.     

A Review of Laser Technology and Light-Tissue Interactions as a Background to Therapeutic Applications of Low Intensity Lasers and Other Light Sources

Abstract

This paper reviews aspects of laser physics, radiometry and photochemistry relevant to the use of low intensity light therapy delivered by lasers or conventional lamps. Current theories regarding the biophysical mechanisms of low intensity laser therapy are reviewed. Characteristics of laser radiation such as monochromaticity, coherence, collimation, speckle, beam profile, penetration depth and temporal modulation of irradiation, and the relevance of these factors to photon propagation are explained. Physical principles that describe light–tissue interactions are presented. The importance of irradiance and radiant exposure is discussed and methods of quantifying these values are shown. Clinical implications are briefly discussed.     

Cell-compatible properties of calcium carbonates and hydroxyapatite deposited on ultrathin poly(vinyl alcohol)-coated polyethylene films

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was coated onto polyethylene (PE) films by a repetitive adsorption and drying process, and then the PVA-coated PE films were alternately immersed into aqueous solutions of Ca²⁺ and CO^2- ₃ ions (alternate soaking cycles), to deposit calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) onto the films. The PVA coating was essential for the CaCO₃ deposition. The amount of CaCO₃ deposited increased with an increasing number of cycles. Scanning electron microscopic observations and attenuated total reflection spectra revealed the presence of both calcite and aragonite as the crystal structures of CaCO₃ on the film. L929 fibroblast cells adhered and proliferated on these CaCO₃-deposited PE films, as well as the hydroxyapatite-coated PE films previously prepared. It was found that the PVAcoating and the subsequent deposition of calcium salts on certain films facilitated cell compatibility.     

Associations between Auditory Capacity,Speech and Language,Level of Communication and Parental Assessment of Children with Cochlear Implant

168 children with cochlear implants were assessed as regards to auditory capacity, level of speech and language and communicative skills. The assessments were made by speech and language pathologists and parents. The purpose of the study was to analyse the associations between the four areas and furthermore to analyse associations between professional and parental assessments. The children were assessed with the Tait Video Analysis, the receptive part of the Reynell Test, a phonological test and a vocabulary test. The four objective tests were analysed for potential associations between results. In addition, potential associations between the results of the four tests and parental assessment of their child's auditory capacity (CAP) and speech intelligibility (SIR) were investigated. The Gamma Test and the Fisher's Exact Test were used on the ordinal and categorized data sets, respectively. The results of all the four auditory and structural speech and language tests were positively associated with each other (Gamma coefficients >0.8 and p values <0.001), which strengthens the validity of the individual tests and substantiates the observed results. Parental assessments were positively associated with the results of the four objective tests, which shows that parents are valid reporters of the level of their child's auditory, as well as speech and language development.