Effectiveness of locking compression plate for proximal humeral fracture in elderly patients without structural bone grafting: age group of 65-79 compared to 80 and above.

PURPOSE: This study shows the effectiveness of locking compression plate for proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients over 80 years old without structural bone grafting compared age group of 65-79 (Group 1) with 80 and above (Group 2). METHODS: This study included sixty-one patients who underwent using locking compression plate for proximal humeral fractures between April 2016 and November 2021. The patients were divided into two groups. The neck shaft angle (NSA) was checked at immediately after surgery, at 1 month and the final follow-up visit. The NSA changes in the two groups were compared using the independent t-test. In addition, multiple regression analysis was used to find out which factors affect NSA changes. RESULTS: In group 1, the mean difference between NSA immediately after surgery and 1 month after surgery was 2.74°, and group 2 was 2.89°. In group 1, the mean difference in NSA for 1 month after surgery and at the last follow-up was 1.43°, and group 2 was 1.75°. No significant difference was observed in the NSA changes between two groups (p = 0.59, 0.173). Bone marrow density and four-part fracture type were significant difference in NSA changes (p = 0.003, 0.035). The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand scale (DASH scale), age, medical support, diabetes and three-part fracture type were no significant in NSA changes. CONCLUSIONS: Using locking compression plate without structural bone grafting is a good option in elderly patients over 80 years old and can help achieve radiological results similar to patients which age group of 67-79.

Evaluation of dental status using a questionnaire before administration of general anesthesia for the prevention of dental injuries.

Background: Dental evaluation and protection are important for preventing traumatic dental injuries when patients are under general anesthesia. The objective of the present study was to develop a questionnaire based on dentition-related risk factors that could serve as a valuable tool for dental evaluation and documentation. Methods: We developed a questionnaire for dental evaluation before administration of general anesthesia, investigated the association between patient-and-dentist responses and mouthguard fabrication, and assessed response agreement between 100 patients. Results: Protective mouthguards were fabricated for 27 patients who were identified as having a high risk of dental injury. There was a strong association between dentists' responses and mouthguard fabrication, depending on the general oral health status, use of ceramic prosthesis, presence of masticatory pain related to periodontal diseases, gingival edema, and implants (P < 0.05). Response agreement between patients and dentists for items related to dental pain, loss of dental pulp vitality, root canal therapy, dental trauma, aesthetic prosthesis, tooth mobility, and implant prosthesis was high (Cohen's kappa coefficient κ ≥ 0.6). Conclusions: A high agreement was observed between patient-dentist responses and a strong association with mouthguard fabrication for items pertaining to ceramic prosthesis, masticatory pain, and dental implants. Patients with a "yes" response to these items are recommended to undergo a dental evaluation and use a dental protective device while under general anesthesia.

Discovery of High-Performing Metal-Organic Frameworks for On-Board Methane Storage and Delivery via LNG-ANG Coupling: High-Throughput Screening, Machine Learning, and Experimental Validation.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) gasification coupled with adsorbed natural gas (ANG) charging (LNG-ANG coupling) is an emerging strategy for efficient delivery of natural gas. However, the potential of LNG-ANG to attain the advanced research projects agency-energy (ARPA-E) target for onboard methane storage has not been fully investigated. In this work, large-scale computational screening is performed for 5446 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and over 193 MOFs whose methane working capacities exceed the target (315 cm3 (STP) cm-3 ) are identified. Furthermore, structure-performance relationships are realized under the LNG-ANG condition using a machine learning method. Additional molecular dynamics simulations are conducted to investigate the effects of the structural changes during temperature and pressure swings, further narrowing down the materials, and two synthetic targets are identified. The synthesized DUT-23(Cu) and DUT-23(Co) show higher working capacities (≈373 cm3 (STP) cm-3 ) than that of any other porous material under ANG or LNG-ANG conditions, and excellent stability during cyclic LNG-ANG operation.

Novel benzylphosphate-based covalent porous organic polymers for the effective capture of rare earth elements from aqueous solutions.

It has been a major challenge to develop stable and cost-effective porous materials that efficiently recover heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) due to ever-increasing demand, low availability and high cost of HREEs. This study presents two novel benzylphosphate-based covalent porous organic polymers (BPOP-1 and BPOP-2) that were prepared by facile one-pot Friedel-Crafts reactions. Various analytical techniques are used to investigate the successful syntheses of BPOP materials and establish their material properties, which include an unusual crystalline nature, large surface area, hierarchical pore structure, and superior chemical stabilities. The BPOPs effectively adsorb, and thus remove HREEs from aqueous media. In particular, BPOP-1 had higher phosphate content and exhibits superior adsorption capacities (Eu3+: 289.5; Gd3+: 292.7; Tb3+: 294.4; Dy3+: 301.9 mg/g) than BPOP-2, while BPOP-2 had higher mesoporosity and correspondingly supports faster adsorption kinetics. Remarkably, both BPOP materials exhibit some of the highest HREE adsorption capacities reported to date, the selective capture of Dy3+ ions, and excellent cyclic adsorption/desorption properties. We provide a potential adsorption mechanism for Dy3+ capture by the BPOP adsorbent. These demonstrate that introducing phosphate functionality into a robust porous polymer backbone with high surface area is a promising strategy for selective HREEs capture from wastewater.

Bleeding related to dental treatment in patients taking novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs): a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Several novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are currently prescribed for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, pulmonary thromboembolism, and venous thrombosis. However, there is no clinical guideline for dental treatment in patients taking NOACs. This study investigated bleeding events related to various dental treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 120 patients (153 cases) who were prescribed NOACs and received dental procedures in the Department of Advanced General Dentistry at Yonsei University Dental Hospital from January 2014 to June 2017. The indication for NOACs, initiation of NOACs, duration of discontinuance, creatinine clearance, and type of dental treatment were investigated. Bleeding events were assessed at a follow-up visit to the clinic. RESULTS: Postoperative bleeding occurred in only 9 of the 153 included cases; they comprised 2 cases of scaling, 3 cases of simple extraction, 3 cases of the first stage of implant surgery, and 1 case of resin filling. The creatinine clearance (P = .111) and duration of discontinuance (P = .222) did not differ significantly between the groups with and without bleeding events. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that most dental treatments may be performed in patients taking NOACs without an increased likelihood of bleeding events regardless of the discontinuance duration. Moreover, any postoperative bleeding can be stopped by applying compressive pressure or local hemostatic agents. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our study suggests that patients taking NOACs who need dental treatments may have a bleeding tendency based on our retrospective data. Preoperative history taking and treatment modification should therefore be considered before performing dental surgery.

Observation of Olefin/Paraffin Selectivity in Azo Compound and Its Application into a Metal-Organic Framework.

Olefin/paraffin separation is an important and challenging issue because the two molecules have similar physicochemical properties. Although a couple of olefin adsorbents have been developed by introducing inorganic nanoparticles into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), there has been no study on the development of an olefin adsorbent by introducing a certain organic functional group into a MOF. In this study, we posited that azo compounds could offer olefin/paraffin selectivity. We have revealed using first-principles calculations that the simplest aromatic azo compound (azobenzene, Azob) has an unusual propylene/propane selectivity due to special electrostatic interactions between Azob and propylene molecules. On the basis of this interesting discovery, we have synthesized a novel propylene adsorbent, MIL-101(Cr)_DAA, by grafting 4,4'-diaminoazobenzene (DAA) into open metal sites in a mesoporous MIL-101(Cr). Remarkably, MIL-101(Cr)_DAA exhibited enhanced propylene/propane selectivity as well as considerably higher propylene heat of adsorption compared to pristine MIL-101(Cr) while maintaining the high working capacity of MIL-101(Cr). This clearly indicates that azo compounds when introduced into MOFs can provide propylene selectivity. Moreover, MIL-101(Cr)_DAA showed good C3H6/C3H8 separation and easy regeneration performances from packed-bed breakthrough experiments and retained its propylene adsorption capacity even after exposure to air for 12 h. As far as we know, this is the first study that improves the olefin selectivity of MOF by postsynthetically introducing an organic functional group.

Synthesis of a Zr-Based Metal-Organic Framework with Spirobifluorenetetrabenzoic Acid for the Effective Removal of Nerve Agent Simulants.

A new microporous Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) containing 4,4',4″,4‴-(9,9'-spirobi[fluorene]-2,2',7,7'-tetrayl)tetrabenzoic acid (Spirof-MOF) was synthesized, characterized, and size-controlled for the adsorption and decomposition of a nerve agent simulant, dimethyl 4-nitrophenylphosphate (DMNP). Spirof-MOF showed a hydrolysis half-life (t1/2) of 7.5 min to DMNP, which was confirmed by using in situ 31P NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, size-controlled Spirof-MOFb (∼1 µm) exhibited a half-life of 1.8 min and 99% removal within 18 min for DMNP. The results show that Spirof-MOF is a new active material in removing nerve agent simulants by adsorption and hydrolytic decomposition.

Creating protective appliances for preventing dental injury during endotracheal intubation using intraoral scanning and 3D printing: a technical note.

Digital dentistry has influenced many dental procedures, such as three-dimensional (3D) diagnosis and treatment planning, surgical splints, and prosthetic treatments. Patient-specific protective appliances (PSPAs) prevent dental injury during endotracheal intubation. However, the required laboratory work takes time, and there is the possibility of tooth extraction while obtaining the dental impression. In this technical report, we utilized new digital technology for creating PSPAs, using direct intraoral scanners and 3D printers for dental cast fabrication.

Distribution of medical status and medications in elderly patients treated with dental implant surgery covered by national healthcare insurance in Korea.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of systemic diseases and medications in patients older than 65 years of age who visited the hospital for implant treatment, as well as to investigate basic information about surgical complications that may occur after insured implant treatment. METHODS: A total of 126 patients over 65 years of age were treated for implant surgery from October 1, 2013 to October 30, 2016. Electronic chart review was conducted to obtain medical records, which included sex, age, systemic diseases, medication(s) being taken, and control of the medications. Five patients were excluded due to lack of medical records giving information about systemic disease. RESULTS: Of the 126 patients, 112 (88.9%) were taking medication due to systemic disease and 9 patients (7.1%) were not. The sex distribution was 71 women and 55 men and the highest proportion of patients were between 65 and 69 years old. The most common diseases were, from most to least frequent, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. The drug groups that can cause major complications after dental treatment were classified as hemorrhagic, osteoporotic, and immunosuppressive agents, and were taken by 45 (35.7%), 22 (17.5%) and 4 (3.2%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Given that 88.9% of the elderly patients who were eligible for insurance implant treatment had systemic disease, it is necessary to carefully evaluate patients' medical histories and their general conditions in order to prevent emergencies during implant surgery.

An analysis of the combination frequencies of constituent medicinal herbs in prescriptions for the treatment of bone and joint disorder in Korean medicine: determination of a group of candidate prescriptions for universal use.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to select prescriptions (mixtures of medicinal herbs) used in the treatment of bone and joint disorders in Korean medicine, and through the analysis of medicinal herb combination frequencies, select a high-frequency medicinal herb combination group for further experimental and clinical research. METHODS: We systematically searched for terms related to bone and joint disorder in the "Dongeuibogam (Dong yibaojian)", a seminal Korean medicine book. We reviewed the results of published papers regarding the effects in bone and joint disorders (especially in osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative arthritis). RESULTS: In total, 34 candidates of a medicinal herb combination for the treatment of bone and joint disorders(CMHCTBJDs) and nine candidates of a medicinal herb for the treatment of bone and joint disorders(CMHTBJDs) were selected. CONCLUSION: : The candidates of a medicinal herb combination for the treatment of bone and joint disorders (CMHCTBJDs) and candidates of a medicinal herb for the treatment of bone and joint disorders(CMHTBJDs) proposed in this study can be useful material for text mining to develop natural products with the effects in BJDs and also it has the potential to reduce the experimental and developmental time period.

Adsorptive separation of xenon/krypton mixtures using a zirconium-based metal-organic framework with high hydrothermal and radioactive stabilities.

The separation of xenon/krypton mixtures is important for both environmental and industrial purposes. The potential of three hydrothermally stable MOFs (MIL-100(Fe), MIL-101(Cr), and UiO-66(Zr)) for use in Xe/Kr separation has been experimentally investigated. From the observed single-component Xe and Kr isotherms, isosteric heat of adsorption (Qsto), and IAST-predicted Xe/Kr selectivities, we observed that UiO-66(Zr) has the most potential as an adsorbent among the three candidate MOFs. We performed dynamic breakthrough experiments with an adsorption bed filled with UiO-66(Zr) to evaluate further the potential of UiO-66(Zr) for Xe/Kr separation under mixture flow conditions. Remarkably, the experimental breakthrough curves show that UiO-66(Zr) can efficiently separate the Xe/Kr mixture. Furthermore, UiO-66(Zr) maintains most of its Xe and Kr uptake capacity, as well as its crystallinity and internal surface area, even after exposure to gamma radiation (2kGy) for 7h and aging for 16 months under ambient conditions. This result indicates that UiO-66(Zr) can be considered to be a potential adsorbent for Xe/Kr mixtures under both ambient and radioactive conditions.