Reconstruction Strategy for Upper Extremity Defects After Bone Tumor Resection Based on 3D Customized Bone Cement Mold.

BACKGROUND: Reconstructing bone defects in the upper extremities and restoring their functions poses a significant challenge. In this study, we describe a novel workflow for designing and manufacturing customized bone cement molds using 3D printing technology to reconstruct upper extremity defects after bone tumor resection. METHODS: Computer tomography data was acquired from the unaffected upper extremities to create a detachable mold, which can be customized to fit the joint precisely by shaping the bone cement accordingly. Fourteen patients who underwent reconstructive surgery following bone tumor resection in the proximal humerus (13 cases) or distal radius (1 case) between January 2014 and December 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. The medical records of this case series were reviewed for the demographic, radiological, and operative data. Metastasis, local recurrence, and complication were also reviewed. Additionally, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to assess clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 49.36 ± 15.18 months (range, 27-82 months). At the end of follow-up, there were no cases of metastasis or recurrence, and patients did not experience complications such as infection, dislocation, or implant loosening. Two cases complicated with subluxation (14.3%), and 1 case underwent revision surgery for prosthetic fracture (7.1%). The average MSTS score was 23.2 ± 1.76 (77.4%, range, 66.7%-86.7%), and the postoperative VAS score was 1.86 ± 1.03 (range, 1-4), which was significantly lower than that before surgery (average preoperative VAS score was 5.21 ± 2.00 (range, 2-8)) (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Customized 3D molds can be utilized to shape bone cement prostheses, which may serve as a potential alternative for reconstructing the proximal humerus and distal radius following en bloc resection of bone tumors. This reconstruction strategy offers apparent advantages, including precise matching of articular surfaces and comparatively reduced costs.

Ratiometric optical detection of pyrophosphate based on aggregation-caused dual-signal response of gold nanoclusters.

Sensing of pyrophosphate ion (PPi) has received much attention due to the strong demand for clinical diagnostics. Here, based on gold nanoclusters (Au NCs), a ratiometric optical detection method for PPi is developed by simultaneously detecting the dual signals of fluorescence (FL) and second-order scattering (SOS). The PPi is detected by inhibiting the formation of aggregates of Fe3+ with Au NCs. Binding of Fe3+ to Au NCs causes aggregation of Au NCs, which leads to fluorescence quenching and scattering increasing. The presence of PPi can competitively bind Fe3+ to re-disperse the Au NCs and finally recover the fluorescence and reduce the scattering signal. The designed PPi sensor shows a high sensitivity with a linear range 5-50 µM and a detection limit of 1.2 µM. In addition, the assay has excellent selectivity for PPi, which makes its application in real biological samples extremely valuable.

Photoalkylation/-arylation of ortho-Diketones with Unactivated Organic Halides.

A new method for conducting a reductive alkylation/arylation of 1,2-diketones using visible light and unactivated organic halides is presented in this article. This technique does not require a photocatalyst and employs Et3N, a tertiary amine, as a promoter. This amine aids in generating a ketyl radical and an α-aminoalkyl radical, which engages in a C-X bond activation via a halogen atom transfer process (XAT). This approach's success hinges on utilizing Et3N as the promoter. This article's mild and straightforward protocol allows for significantly expanding organic halide substrates, including primary, secondary, and aromatic organic halides and various functional groups.

Visible-light-driven proton reduction for semi-hydrogenation of alkynes via organophotoredox/manganese dual catalysis.

Described here is a unprecedented organophotoredox/manganese dual catalyzed proton reduction and its application for semi-reduction of alkynes. The catalytic active pre-catalyst [Mn-1] can be feasibly be prepared on gram-scale from Mn(acac)2·2H2O in air. This dual catalytic protocol features noble-metal-free catalysts, simple ligand, and mild conditions. Besides, a unique ortho-halogen and -hydroxyl effect was observed to achieve high Z-stereoselectivity.

[Exploration and practice on the opening and sharing management mode of undergraduate experimental teaching instruments and laboratory information management system (LIMS) under the background of "Double first-class"].

In order to explore the role of the opening and sharing management mode (OSMM) of undergraduate experiment teaching instruments in fostering talents under the "Double first-class" initiative, the importance of laboratory information management system (LIMS) in the OSMM was discussed, in light of the experience and shortcomings of developing an OSMM in the experimental teaching center of environment and ecology college at Xiamen university. Some approaches were put forward to promote OSMM development and improve the utility of teaching equipments, so as to maximize the utility of the instruments, guarantee the regular teaching and scientific research, promote the sustainable and healthy development of colleges and universities, and achieve the desirable progress of the ongoing national "Double first-class" initiative.

[Management pattern of undergraduate teaching laboratory with a focus on creating the educational environment].

The teaching laboratory is the central place to teach lab courses to undergraduate students. It is thus critical to evaluate how lab skills of students will be affected by the management of this lab. This study attempts to introduce the 6S concept, referring to "Seiri", "Seiton", "Seiso", "Seiketsu", "Shisuke", and "Safety", to the management of teaching laboratory, in particular, to the management of environments, safety, item deposition, reagents and consumables in the laboratory. We find that applying the "6S" management maintains a tidy lab environment, facilitates teaching the lab skills, and improves the quality of teaching, which together achieves the goal of education with the atmosphere. This study can provide a guideline for establishing and managing teaching laboratories in universities.

Does patient-specific instrumentation increase the risk of notching in the anterior femoral cortex in total knee arthroplasty? A comparative prospective trial.

PURPOSE: Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) was usually applied in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to acquire a favourable alignment. We hypothesized that using PSI had a potential risk of notching in the anterior femoral cortex, because the femoral component may be placed in an overextension position due to the distal femoral sagittal anteversion. The aim of this study was to figure out the relationship between the notch and the distal femoral sagittal anteversion in PSI-assisted TKA. METHODS: One hundred thirty-one patients who were to undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomly divided into conventional instrumentation (CI) group and PSI group. The computed tomography (CT) data of lower extremities was collected and imported to the Mimics software to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) bone image of the femur. The angle between distal femoral anatomic axis (DFAA) and femoral mechanical axis (FMA) on sagittal plane was defined as distal femoral sagittal anteverted angle (DFSAA) and measured. The number of notch intra-operative and post-operative was recorded. Then, we calculated the incidence of the notch and analyzed its relationship with DFSAA. RESULTS: The average DFSAA of 262 femurs is 2.5° ± 1.5° (range, 0.0°-5.7°). When DFSAA ≥ 3°, the incidence of notch was 7.10% in CI group and 33.30% in PSI group, respectively, which shows significant statistical difference in the two groups (P = 0.016 < 0.05). When DFSAA < 3°, the incidence of notch was 6.50% in CI group and 5.30% in PSI group, respectively, which shows no significant statistical difference in the two groups (P = 0.667 > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DFSAA could be taken as an indicator to predict the notch when performing TKA assisted with PSI. Especially when the DFSAA ≥ 3°, the risk of notch could be markedly increased.

Oxidative Recyclization of 1H-Indoles for Synthesis of 2-Indolylbenzoxazinones via Cleavage of the C2-C3 Bond with AIBN under Air.

A novel and concise method for the oxidation of unprotected indole derivatives to synthesize 2-indolylbenzoxazinones in the presence of AIBN under open air has been successfully demonstrated. This metal-free reaction is both atom- and step-efficient and is applicable to a broad scope of substrates. This new methodology provides a facile pathway for oxidative C2-C3 bond cleavage and recyclization of 1H-indoles.

Iodine-Mediated Domino Oxidative Cyclization: One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles via Oxidative Cleavage of C(sp(2))-H or C(sp)-H Bond.

An I2-promoted, metal-free domino protocol for one-pot synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles has been developed via oxidative cleavage of C(sp(2))-H or C(sp)-H bonds, followed by cyclization and deacylation. In this reaction, the use of K2CO3 as a base is found to be an essential factor in the cyclization and the C-C bond cleavage. This procedure proceeded smoothly in moderate to high yields with good functional group compatibility.

Pd-Catalyzed Ligand-Free Synthesis of Arylated Heteroaromatics by Coupling of N-Heteroaromatic Bromides with Iodobenzene Diacetate, Iodosobenzene, or Diphenyliodonium Salts.

An efficient method for synthesizing arylated heteroaromatics has been reported via Pd-catalyzed ligand-free cross-coupling of N-heteroaromatic bromides with iodine(III) reagents under mild conditions. Iodobenzene diacetate, iodosobenzene, and diphenyliodonium salts act as ideal arylated sources in this reaction, producing bioactive aromatic-substituted pyridines and quinolines in moderate to high yields.

Copper-Mediated Aerobic Oxidative Synthesis of 3-Bromo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines with Pyridines and Enamides.

A conversion of pyridines and enamides for the synthesis of 3-bromo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines was developed by copper-mediated aerobic oxidative coupling in a one-pot manner. This procedure tolerates various functional groups and affords a series of 3-bromo-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines under mild conditions.