Subdental synchondrosis and anatomy of the axis in aging: a histomorphometric study on 30 autopsy cases

During skeletal development the two ossification centers of the odontoid process are separated from the corpus of the axis by a subdental synchondrosis. This synchondrosis is thought to close and disappear spontaneously in adolescence although this has never been studied in detail. The basis of the dens is of clinical relevance as type II dens fractures are located here. To characterize the morphological architecture of the axis with particular attention to the subdental synchondrosis, the complete axis was harvested from thirty age-matched and gender-matched patients of the three different age groups at autopsy. The subdental synchondrosis and the bone structure of the dens, the basis of the dens and the body of C2 were analyzed by radiography, histology and quantitative histomorphometry. At the macroscopic level the persistency of the subdental synchondrosis in the adult cervical spine was detected in 87% (26 of 30) of the specimens. Histomorphometry revealed a residual disc blastema with an average size of 25.8% of the sagittal depth of the basis of the dens at this level. Bony integration of the synchondrosis was poor throughout all ages. Histologically a cartilaginous matrix composition of the subdental synchondrosis persisted throughout all groups. The trabecular microarchitecture demonstrated a significant reduction of bone volume and trabecular number as well as an increased trabecular separation within the basis of the dens as compared to the corpus or the dens of C2. This histomorphometric data regarding a poor integration of the synchondrosis into the trabecular network and the reduced bone mass within the basis of the dens might offer a previously underestimated explanation for the occurrence of type II dens fractures and their association with pseudoarthrosis, respectively.Matthias Gebauer and Christian Lohse contributed equally to this study and therefore share first authorship.     

Refractory Ascites After Liver Transplantation: An Analysis of 1058 Liver Transplant Patients at a Single Center

A retrospective study of 1058 liver transplant recipients was performed to determine: (i) the incidence, etiology, timing, clinical features and treatment of refractory ascites (RA), (ii) risk factors for RA development, (iii) predictors of RA disappearance, (iv) predictors of survival following RA and (v) the impact of RA on patient survival. Sixty-two patients (5.9%) developed RA and its disappearance occurred in 27/62 cases. Patients having hepatitis C virus (HCV) had a significantly higher hazard rate of developing RA (p < 0.00001). No other baseline characteristic was associated with RA. Cox stepwise regression analysis of the hazard rate of RA disappearance found two significant factors: HCV recurrence as the reason for developing RA implied a poorer outcome (p = 0.006), whereas an unknown reason implied a favorable outcome (p = 0.02). In addition, survival following RA was significantly poorer among patients having bacterial peritonitis or HCV recurrence. Finally, the mortality rate was significantly (nearly 8.6 times) higher in patients following RA development while it was ongoing (p < 0.00001); however, if the RA disappeared, then the additional risk of death also disappeared. This study illustrates the importance of developing an optimal treatment strategy to (i) effectively treat RA if it develops and (ii) prevent hepatitis C recurrence.     

携载rhBMP-2微球的新型可注射自凝固复合人工骨的制备及特性研究

[目的]制备一种具有良好降解性和成骨活性、可注射的自凝固新型骨修复材料。[方法]制备携载rhBMP-2的聚乳酸与聚乙醇酸共聚物（PLGA）微球，并将其与rhBMP-2／磷酸钙骨水泥（CPC）复合，制备出rhBMP-2／PLGA微球／CPC复合人工骨。探讨了材料的特性，包括形貌、固化时间、抗压强度及反映材料体外降解速度的指标一体外降解液Ca、P浓度变化，测定复合材料rhBMP乏的释药速度及体外诱导MSCs细胞成骨分化的能力。[结果]与单纯CPC-rhBMP-2相比，复合材料的固化时间少量增加，抗压强度下降明显。体外降解速度及体外释药明显提高，释放的rhBMP-2具有骨诱导活性。[结论]rhBMP-2／PLGA微球／磷酸钙骨水泥新型复合人工骨是具有良好应用前景的骨修复材料。     

Salvage of a failed valgus osteotomy for non-union of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture

Salvage of a failed valgus osteotomy for nonunion of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture is reported. A valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy was performed for a failed sliding hip screw fixation of an unstable pertrochanteric fracture at another institution. Four months following osteotomy, the fracture was still un-united with two distal screws of the hip plate broken and a coxa vara deformity. Reconstruction was performed with a nine-hole 95° angle blade plate and cancellous bone graft, because the insufficient fixation of the distal fragment was considered to be the main reason for failure. The osteotomy was healed at six months post-surgery and the patient reported complete resolution of symptoms. Intertrochanteric valgus osteotomy is an effective procedure for mal-union and non-union of pertrochanteric fracture but stable fixation is required for a good result. The blade of the angle plate offers good purchase of the proximal fragment and secures it under rotational and bending stresses. We recommend that distal fragments should be fixed with at least seven cortices for this type of osteotomy.     

骨形成蛋白2基因修饰的老年大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化能力的研究

目的观察年龄因素对骨髓间充质干细胞(marrow mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs)成骨分化能力的影响;了解基因治疗对老年大鼠MSCs成骨分化能力的影响. 方法 1月龄(幼年组)、9月龄(成年组)及24月龄(老年组)雄性Wistar大鼠各6只,取MSCs经体外分离、培养及携带骨形成蛋白2(bone morphogenetic protein 2,BMP-2)基因的腺病毒载体(Ad-BMP-2)转染后,定量检测BMP-2、碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphate,ALP)表达,以及成骨细胞标志性蛋白:Ⅰ型胶原、骨涎蛋白(bone sialoprotein,BSP)和骨桥素(osteopontin, OPN)的表达.将转染的各组MSCs分别与磷酸三钙(tricalcium phosphate, TCP)复合后植入裸鼠体内,3周后取材,比较各组诱导异位成骨能力. 结果 ELISA检测表明BMP-2基因修饰的MSCs可以有效表达BMP-2,且表达量在各年龄组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);各组ALP于诱导后第9天达高峰,但组间差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);诱导后第7天,RT-PCR半定量检测示各组均有成骨细胞特征性蛋白,即:Ⅰ型胶原、OPN及BSP的明显表达,表达量在各组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);BMP-2基因转染的MSCs与TCP复合后可诱导裸鼠体内异位成骨,各组成骨量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 BMP-2基因修饰的老年大鼠MSCs可以恢复成骨分化能力,基因治疗可能为老年性骨骼疾病提供一种新的治疗途径.     

血小板第4因子对放射损伤小鼠骨髓基质细胞周期的影响

目的探讨血小板第4因子（platelet factor 4,PF4）对5.0 Gy γ射线全身照射小鼠的骨髓基质细胞（bone marrow stromal cells,BMSCs）的保护作用,进一步探讨PF4对造血的辐射防护机制.方法30只雄性小鼠随机分为3组：①放射组,②PF4保护组,③对照组.小鼠照射前分别于26和20 h腹腔内注射PF4,每次剂量50 μg/kg.于照射后3 d取骨髓细胞体外培养,分别计数培养后3、7和14 d的骨髓基质细胞集落（CFU-F）;在培养后10 d流式细胞仪检测细胞周期.结果3组中,照射组3 d的CFU-F数量与PF4保护组差异无统计学意义,7和14 d的CFU-F数量PF4保护组较照射组明显增加.流式细胞仪检测结果表明3组中照射组G0＋G1期细胞明显高于其余两组,S,G2＋M期细胞明显低于其余两组.结论PF4对照射小鼠的骨髓基质细胞有保护作用,促进造血重建.     

下颌骨即刻植骨术后延期愈合的临床分析

目的探讨下颌骨缺损即刻植骨修复术后,伤口延期愈合的影响因素。方法将下颌骨即刻植骨分为Ⅰ期愈合组和延期愈合组,回顾性地查阅住院病历,按预先设计的表格填写有关项目。结果下颌骨即刻植骨的愈合与患者的年龄、受骨区是否有手术史、植骨的类型、植骨的大小无关;术中口内外相通是植骨延期愈合的主要因素。结论下颌骨良性病变即刻植骨修复时,应密切关注术区与口内外穿通情况,进行有针对性地处理,争取植骨Ⅰ期愈合。     

Proximal load transfer with a stemless uncemented femoral implant

Bone stock preservation is crucial when performing total hip replacement in young patients. The aim is to save good bone stock for a possible revision procedure. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand from young and active patients to receive a new joint which allows a normal or nearly normal life style. With this in mind, we began, in 1993, to develop a new femoral implant. The purpose of this ultra-short stem was a physiologic strain distribution on the proximal femur with a proximal load transfer from the implant to the femoral bone. Main features were an almost complete absence of the diaphyseal portion of the stem, a well defined lateral flare with load transfer on the lateral column of the femur, and a very high femoral neck cut. These innovations resulted in a conservative implant on both the bone stock and the soft tissues. This implant, in the first years, was recommended only for young and active patients. Over the last thirteen years, this project has undergone several modifications but the basic principles of the implant have remained the same. In the present review, we present the rationale, the surgical technique and the clinical and experimental results so far obtained with this implant.