Semi-empirical bone model for determination of trabecular structure properties from backscattered ultrasound

A novel semi-empirical scattering model of trabecular bone facilitating its characterization and allowing optimization of the interrogating pulse-echo transducer performance was developed. The model accounts for spatial density distribution of the trabeculae and includes measurement conditions such as pressure–time waveform of the probing ultrasound wave, the emitted field structure, and the transfer function and limited bandwidth of the acoustic source operating in pulse-echo mode. These measurement conditions are of importance as they modify the scattered echoes, which in turn are linked to the micro-architecture of the bone. The bone was modeled by a random distribution of long and thin cylindrical scatterers having randomly varying diameters and mechanical properties, and oriented perpendicularly to the ultrasound beam axis. To mimic clinically encountered conditions the relevant empirical data obtained at 1 MHz were input to the model. The data included pulse-echo source pressure field distribution in the focal zone and the above mentioned transfer function. With these data the model allowed frequency dependent backscattering coefficient of the simulated bone structure and its statistical properties to be determined. The results obtained indicated that the computer simulation is of particular relevance in studying scattering properties of the cancellous bone and holds promise as a tool to determine the relationship between the physical dimensions and shape of the scatterers and for monitoring of osteoporosis. The results of simulations also indicated that the new bone model proposed is well suited to mimic clinically relevant conditions. In contrast to the existing bone models, which usually assume scatterers to be randomly distributed as infinitely long identical cylinders with a cross-section much smaller than the probing ultrasound wave, the new model includes two populations of scatterers having different physical dimensions and also allows the mechanical properties of the scatterers to be varied.     

BMP-6 Loaded Polyelectrolyte Complex Nanoparticles Inducing Osteogenic Differentiation and Apoptosis of Malignant Plasma Cells for Local Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

In the malignant plasma cell disease multiple myeloma (MM), bone lesions and resulting fractures caused by MM cell (MMC) accumulation represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Despite recent advantages in systemic treatment, residual MMCs remain, especially in bone lesions. Therefore an interfacial delivery system for local treatment of MM and induced bone disease based on polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PEC NP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) inducing de-novo bone formation and MMC apoptosis is presented herein. BMP-6 loaded PEC NP are fabricated by defined mixing bio-related cationic and anionic polysaccharides and BMP-6 according to molar ratio of BMP-6/PEC-NP of 1/3. BMP-6/PEC NP bound to a model substrate releases 10% BMP-6 sustainably within two weeks as accessed by infrared spectroscopy. BMP-6 loaded PEC NP adheres to cell membranes of MMCs and MSCs and activated phosphorylation of Smad 1/5. Osteogenic differentiation (ALP-concentration) is enhanced in MSCs (p < 0.05). All patient samples (10/10) of MMCs show significant induction of apoptosis (median 84%, p < 0.05). Finally, BMP-6/PEC NP are successfully integrated in a commercial hyaluronic acid based hydrogel material revealing MMC death as principal proof for the local treatment of MM induced bone lesions.     

Oxygen Plasma Technology-Assisted Preparation of Three-Dimensional Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polypyrrole/Strontium Composite Scaffold for Repair of Bone Defects Caused by Osteoporosis

Repairs of bone defects caused by osteoporosis have always relied on bone tissue engineering. However, the preparation of composite tissue engineering scaffolds with a three-dimensional (3D) macroporous structure poses huge challenges in achieving osteoconduction and osteoinduction for repairing bone defects caused by osteoporosis. In the current study, a three-dimensional macroporous (150–300 μm) reduced graphene oxide/polypyrrole composite scaffold modified by strontium (Sr) (3D rGO/PPY/Sr) was successfully prepared using the oxygen plasma technology-assisted method, which is simple, safe, and inexpensive. The findings of the MTT assay and AO/EB fluorescence double staining showed that 3D rGO/PPY/Sr has a good biocompatibility and effectively promoted MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation. Furthermore, the ALP assay and alizarin red staining showed that 3D rGO/PPY/Sr increased the expression levels of ALP activity and the formation of calcified nodules. The desirable biocompatibility, osteoconduction, and osteoinduction abilities, assure that the 3D macroporous rGO/PPY/Sr composite scaffold offers promising potential for use in the repair of bone defects caused by osteoporosis in bone tissue engineering.     

大豆异黄酮增强大鼠骨密度作用的研究

大豆异黄酮(soybean isoflavone)是新型天然生理活性物质，具有多种生理功能．研究表明：连续饲喂大鼠90天，实验组股骨的长度、重量、骺端骨密度、中点骨密度均显著大于对照组，说明大豆异黄酮具有增强骨密度的作用．     

^111InCl3注射液骨髓显像剂在动物体内的初步应用

用＾１１１ＩｎＣｌ３注射液制剂在动物体内进行了热原，无菌，安全试验和骨髓显像试验，取得满意的结果。     

过度有氧运动对不同性别成年骨代谢相关激素的影响

为研究过度有氧运动对不同性别成年骨代谢相关激素的影响,选取某学院体育系的80名学生作为研究对象,其中男生40人,女生40人,随机将其划分成对照组和训练组,训练组受试者需进行大强度的健美操训练,对照组受试者在此期间不进行任何训练,针对不同性别的研究对象进行不同指标测试研究。实验发现训练组不同性别成年人实验后体重非常显著性低于实验前和对照组;脂肪百分比和瘦体重和实验前及对照组相比有显著性差异。长期过度有氧运动能够降低成年男性血睾酮含量,对骨代谢激素产生不利影响;同时,长期过度有氧运动会使女性骨代谢负平衡。因此,不建议成年人长期进行有氧过度运动。     

Dose in Skeleton and Bone Marrow following Thorotrast Injection into Blood

The calculation of the dose rate and cumulative dose in the morrow-free skeleton and bone marrow of thorotrast patients presupposes the knowledge of both the translocation of thorium daughters to the skeleton, and the portion of ²³²Th that is localized in colloidal form in the bone marrow. Whereas in bon marrow ²²⁸Th is in equilibrium with ²³²Th up to only 20%, in marrow-free skeleton ²²⁸Th is present in excess to ²³²Th (average activity ratio 1·75), considering the measured activity ratios between ²³²Th and its daughters as well as the distribution of the colloid and the unclides of the thorium decay chain within the organism the dose rate and cumulative dose in bone marrow and marrow-free bone were calculated as function of the time of thorotrast burden and the amount of injected material.     

Nanoindentation of wet and dry compact bone: Influence of environment and indenter tip geometry on the indentation modulus

The indentation-derived elastic modulus, E, of bovine compact bone was obtained by nanoindentation. The indentation modulus of the dry condition (i.e. under atmospheric conditions) is 40% higher than when measured wet (i.e. immersed in buffer solution). Although this difference is independent of orientation, there is a 20% difference in the indentation modulus within the same tested environment between longitudinal and transversal directions. In addition, the estimated indentation modulus of the same samples when tested wet in buffer solution after deep freezing (?15°C) was not affected. The discrepancy between wet and dry results was attributed to the non-mineralized phase contribution and rationalized by a simple mechanical model [I. Jäger and P. Fratzl, Biophys. J. 79 (2000) p.1737]. Anisotropy effects could be explained in terms of deformation mechanisms with orientation. The effect of frozen storage temperatures may be clarified considering the biomechanics of the helicoidal arrangement of lamellar bone. Viscoelastic effects were also considered and incorporated into analysis of the force–displacement data.     

Hemocompatible and Bioactive Heparin‐Loaded PCL‐α‐TCP Fibrous Membranes for Bone Tissue Engineering

The combination of bioactive components such as calcium phosphates and fibrous structures are encouraging niche‐mimetic keys for restoring bone defects. However, the importance of hemocompatibility of the membranes is widely ignored. Heparin‐loaded nanocomposite poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐α‐tricalcium phosphate (α‐TCP) fibrous membranes are developed to provide bioactive and hemocompatible constructs for bone tissue engineering. Nanocomposite membranes are optimized based on bioactivity, mechanical properties, and cell interaction. Consequently, various concentrations of heparin molecules are loaded within nanocomposite fibrous membranes. In vitro heparin release profiles reveal a sustained release of heparin over the period of 14 days without an initial burst. Moreover, heparin encapsulation enhances mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) attachment and proliferation, depending on the heparin content. It is concluded that the incorporation of heparin within TCP–PCL fibrous membranes provides the most effective cellular interactions through synergistic physical and chemical cues.     

椎弓根钉技术在胸腰段椎管内肿瘤治疗中的应用

目的探讨经后路椎板切除摘除胸腰段椎管内肿瘤,同时行椎弓根螺钉内固定植骨融合后对提高脊柱的稳定性的临床疗效。方法采用后正中入路显微切除椎管肿瘤后应用椎弓根螺钉内固定植骨融合技术进行椎管重建12例,其中,肿瘤位于胸段7例,腰段5例。结果随访9个月~5年观察效果,X线平片显示手术区植骨全部骨性融合,脊柱稳定。结论采用后正中入路显微切除胸腰段椎管肿瘤后应用椎弓根螺钉内固定植骨融合技术,能够维持手术后脊柱的稳定性,防止远期后凸畸形的发生。