Anatomy-based 3D skeleton extraction from femur model

Using 3D models of bones can highly improve accuracy and reliability of orthopaedic evaluation. However, it may impose excessive computational load. This article proposes a fully automatic method for extracting a compact model of the femur from its 3D model. The proposed method works by extracting a 3D skeleton based on the clinical parameters of the femur. Therefore, in addition to summarizing a 3D model of the bone, the extracted skeleton would preserve important clinical and anatomical information. The proposed method has been applied on 3D models of 10 femurs and the results have been evaluated for different resolutions of data.     

Synthesis and characterization of osteoinductive visible light‐activated adhesive composites with antimicrobial properties

Orthopedic surgical procedures based on the use of conventional biological graft tissues are often associated with serious post‐operative complications such as immune rejection, bacterial infection, and poor osseointegration. Bioresorbable bone graft substitutes have emerged as attractive alternatives to conventional strategies because they can mimic the composition and mechanical properties of the native bone. Among these, bioactive glasses (BGs) hold great potential to be used as biomaterials for bone tissue engineering owing to their biomimetic composition and high biocompatibility and osteoinductivity. Here, we report the development of a novel composite biomaterial for bone tissue engineering based on the incorporation of a modified strontium‐ and lithium‐doped 58S BG (i.e., BG‐5/5) into gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels. We characterized the physicochemical properties of the BG formulation via different analytical techniques. Composite hydrogels were then prepared by directly adding BG‐5/5 to the GelMA hydrogel precursor, followed by photocrosslinking of the polymeric network via visible light. We characterized the physical, mechanical, and adhesive properties of GelMA/BG‐5/5 composites, as well as their in vitro cytocompatibility and osteoinductivity. In addition, we evaluated the antimicrobial properties of these composites in vitro, using a strain of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. GelMA/BG‐5/5 composites combined the functional characteristics of the inorganic BG component, with the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and biomimetic composition of the hydrogel network. This novel biomaterial could be used for developing osteoinductive scaffolds or implant surface coatings with intrinsic antimicrobial properties and higher therapeutic efficacy.     

Spatiotemporal analysis,hotspot mapping,and clustering of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the initial phase of the pandemic in Qom province,Iran

Objective: To identify the incidence rate, relative risk, hotspot regions and incidence trend of COVID-19 in Qom province, northwest part of Iran in the first s...     

The effect of l‐carnitine supplementation on serum levels of omentin‐1, visfatin and SFRP5 and glycemic indices in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with potentially fatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of l ‐carnitine (LC) on secreted frizzled‐related protein‐5 (SFRP5), omentin, visfatin, and glycemic indices in PV patients under corticosteroid treatment. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with PV were divided randomly into two groups to receive 2 g of LC or a placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of SFRP5, omentin, visfatin, and also glycemic indices were evaluated at the baseline and end of the study. LC supplementation significantly decreased the serum level of visfatin (95% CI [?14.718, ?0.877], p = .05) and increased the serum levels of SFRP5 (95%CI [1.637, 11.380], p < .006) and omentin (95% CI [9.014, 65.286], p < .01). However, LC supplementation had no significant effects on the serum levels of glycemic factors such as insulin (95% CI [?1.125, 3.056], p = .426), fasting blood sugar (95% CI [?4.743, 3.642], p = .894), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (95% CI [?0.305, 0.528], p = .729), and quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (95% CI [?0.016, ?0.010], p = .81). LC supplementation decreased visfatin serum level and increased omentin‐1 and SFRP5 serum levels in patients with PV. However, it has no significant effect on the serum levels of insulin and glycemic indices.     

Histological evaluation of Curcuma longa-ghee formulation and hyaluronic acid on gingival healing in dog

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The experimental finding of Asian traditional medicine revealed the pharmacological effect of the local application of ghee which was taken from cow butterfat and the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. These materials significantly improved the healing process of the wound. In addition, ancient physicians of Middle East discovered that the powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa (common turmeric) also had impressive medicinal qualities. Over the centuries, this spice has been used as a pain relieving, anti-inflammatory agent to relieve pain and inflammation in the skin and muscles.

Aim of the study

We decided to mix ghee which was taken from sheep butterfat with the powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa to formulate a novel cost-benefit material and then, evaluate its potential therapeutic effect on acceleration of surgical wound healing; moreover, this present study was performed to compare the effects of Curcuma longa–ghee formulation and hyaluronic acid on gingival wound healing following surgery.

Materials and methods

Five healthy 3-year-old male beagle dogs were used in this study. They had intact teeth and the clinical and radiographic examination revealed no periodontal disease. Ghee was obtained from the refined sheep butterfat heated to 70 °C mixed with the powdered rhizomes of Curcuma longa and was applied with two different ratios including materials A and B. Randomly, these three materials including hyaluronic acid, materials A and B were applied topically in test regions and then covered with periodontal pack. Histological changes were monitored in days 4 and 7 after operation to evaluate the inflammatory and repair stage of healing process.

Results

We observed significant difference in the inflammatory and repair parameters of the healing process between cases treated with this new formulation and cases of hyaluronic acid application.

Conclusion

The results suggested a positive potential therapeutic effect on surgical wound healing particularly improvement of periodontal treatment consequences after surgery.     

Endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms

Since the first published report of a fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair, we have seen an expansion in the range of custom-made devices used to manage complex aortic aneurysms. Fenestrated devices, branched devices, and chimneys are now frequently used in many centers to repair these aneurysms. Similar to standard endovascular aneurysm repair, the advantages of less operative blood loss, decreased hospital stay, and reduced risk of morbidity and mortality hold true for endovascular repair of complex aneurysms as well. This is contrasted by the requirement for long-term surveillance and increased incidence of secondary interventions.     

Vertical transmission of dengue: first case report from Bangladesh

We report a case of vertical transmission of dengue infection in a new born from Bangladesh. The mother was primigravida with an uneventful antenatal period except the fever she developed at 37 weeks of gestation. She underwent cesarean section for decreased fetal movement. The fever lasted for 7 days and was associated with intense bodyache, and a positive tourniquet test. She did not experience any hemorrhages including from the surgical wound. Her platelet count fell at its lowest to 100,000/mm3. She had bilateral mild pleural effusions and positive anti-dengue antibodies (both IgG and IgM). She received symptomatic treatment. The baby was deeply meconium stained and was resuscitated by a pediatrician. His postnatal period went well until day-3 of life when he developed fever and respiratory distress. There were no signs of meconiun aspiration syndrome (MAS) and the septic work up was negative. The platelets count fell to its lowest of 40,000/mm3 on day-3 and day-5 of his illness. Anti-dengue antibodies (both IgG and IgM) were positive with a nearly four-fold rise of IgM antibodies in the convalescent sera. The boy was treated with platelet transfusions and was discharged on day-6 after becoming ill. This report emphasizes that in a dengue epidemic or when dengue is endemic (which Bangladesh has experienced recently), a pregnant woman with fever, myalgia and/or bleeding manifestations should raise a high suspicion that the baby may develop the disease, and both the mother and baby should be closely followed-up. Viral isolation could not be done due to the unavailability of the test.     

Neoaortic aneurysm after stage I Norwood reconstruction

Treatment of hypoplastic left heart syndrome through staged repairs has resulted in patients surviving into adulthood. Use of either aortic or pulmonary homografts in performing the neoaortic reconstruction has become the standard of practice with relatively few problems. We report the case of an asymptomatic adolescent boy who had an enlarging neoaortic aneurysm and mild neoaortic regurgitation develop after undergoing a stage I Norwood procedure using a pulmonary homograft. Given the risk for rupture and a concern for further functional deterioration of the neoaortic valve, the patient underwent repair. Histologic examination showed a striking accumulation of myxoid material as well as abnormal vasculature in both the native and engrafted portions of the neoaorta.